, /

hibllthed W«ekiy at 154 West 46th Street, New York 30, N. V., by Variety, Inc. Annual subscription $10. Staff# copies, 15 cents.
Catered as second dais jnatter December 22, 1905. > at the Post Office st New York. N. Y„ under thee.'pCt of March 3, 1879.

COPYRIGHT,, 1954, BY VARIETY, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

VOL. 195 No. 9

NEW YORK, WEpNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1954

ilTffnn .- - ■■ ■ '» ■ •"■■■ ' ■ ■ -■ . ' ' ' ■' . ! — —

• • • ? * - " ", ' ' . ’ '* • : *

PRICE 25 CENTS

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a

NBC-TV’s upcoming Max Lieb-
man-Leland Hayward color spec-
taculars, teeing off with the Betty
Button show on Sept. 12, will be
carried live to the Coast* rather
than kinnied, with the network last
iveek getting Oldsmobile's Okay on
the transcontinental transmission.
Previously NBC had broken down
the resistance ' of all the other
♦ spec” clients on the N. Y--to-L. A.
jive pickups (Ford, RCA, Speidel,
Ctc.).

Despite assurances that, a fast
three - hour kinescope can ' be
prought in- on the compatible color
.♦‘specs,” (as with most of the major
black-and-white .productions), NBC
Would rather ‘‘go live” to. thO Coast.
For one thing, it will give the net-
work access to properties- to which
film companies Hold rights which
Would hot be obtainable on* the
"kine circuit.” (Union regulations
have stymied all attempts thus far
to kine such properties.) Secondly,
NBC doesn’t want to take, chances
on .transmitting a color kine that’s
short of perfection and that
phase of it is still in the laboratory
stage.

From Gavel jto Baton

In One Easy Defeat

. Seattle, Aug. 3.

Vic Meyers, for 1,6 years lieu-
tenant governor of Washington
before going down to. defeat at
the last general election, is back
with a baton. He’s conducting his
orchestra . Fridays and Saturdays
at the Trianon Ballroom, largest
in the town. John Savage, the
owner, was also owner of the. old
Butler Hotel night spot in the early J
years when Meyers rose to promi-
nence in thaf field, prior to his
entry into the political arena.

■ In those years the Meyers band
won a radio popularity contest and
toured the nation. He' abandoned
music in 1932 when he "was elected
in the first Roosevelt landslide' on
the Democratic ticket. He now
has 12 musicians in his band. As
lieutenant-governor, he was the
best emcee (presiding officer) the
state senate ever had.

. All of which means that the Sun-
day spectaculars originating from
New York at 7:30 o’clock will be
seen at 4:30 p.m,‘ on the Coast: the
Saturday night 9 to. 10:30 “specs”
tlle ^ oast at 6 o'clock and
~ le Monday night at 8 attractions
pt 5 in the afternoon. One exec
confessed: “What kind of an audi-
ence we’re going to. get at 5 Mon-
day afternoon for productions cost-
ing up to $300,000 and in one of the
(Continued on page 30)

Robeson, Ferrer, Hagen
‘Othello’ Insert Lopped
Off WNBT Festival

A routine inclusion of
Robeson recorded excerj
Othello” was cancelled
11th hour by WNBC, N. Y
bad scheduled the work i
25 as the finale of a fo
Shakespearean Festival”
running “Anthology” Sun
f s - Diaper Lewis, writer-
6 pro 8ram, not only

but f ;° m tke i

HaLn £ errer as Iago ,
Ion? h S Desde mona. Robi

Zh ?hl e V <persona «<>n

tbe“OthPi 1 G l ? vern ’m en t. i

hv m 0 aspect was h

claim 3 ! ?u veral newspapers,

Plaint 3 there was n° listen
Wamts resulting from the c

baSf™ f“*> s titHted W er
the resist!! Sard’s worl
thologv” °L the format' as

ter and ; the phfei

r of th e 92d St. YM-YWl

Billy Rose is still considering an
offer to take charge of the shows
and nitery operations of the newly-
projected Dunes Hotel, Las Vegas,
which will be built by Gottesman
& Zaret, of Miami Beach.

Rose had been approached to
study the blueprints and to iron
out any kinks in the new operation.
Another talk will be held later
with the hotel management. *
However, Rose will hold all inv-
mediate plans in abeyance until he
returns from a European trip. He
leaves some time next month,
Rose’s last nitery operation was
the Diamond Horseshoe, N, Y.,
which, he closed a couple of years
ago. He recently resumed writing
his daily syndicated column,
“Pitching Horseshoes.”

State Dept. Wants Print
Of ‘Pope Leo XIII’ Pic

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

U. S. State Department has asked
the Academy of Arts and Sciences
for a copy of the film, “Pope Leo
XIII,” processed from Mutoscopes
made 50 years ago, to be shown at
the Edinburgh Film Festival late
this rhonth, Processing was recenU
ly done by Primrose Productions
of Los Ahgeles.

Department has also asked for
two selections front the Academy’s
paper print collection: “Coronation
Ceremonies” and “48th Highland-
ers Regiment,” made by Riogbapti
in 1903.

Current strawhat season looms
as one of the best in years. That’s
indicated by the click midsummer
barn reports.

Generally bullish biz is being
done by most of the haylofts, with
new b.o. records constantly being
chalked up. - Also, comparatively
few professional operations have
folded so far this season. Of a
total of 141 barns bonded by- Actors
Equity, Only four have thrown in
the towel. Equity also reports that
16 new theatres have bowed this
summer.

Although rustic impresarios had
registered pre-season beefs about
the lack of star availabilities, a
(Continued on page 59)

>•

•e

Roger L. Stevens is becoming a
one-man theatre. Although the fall
legit season doesn’t begin for an-
other month, the realtor-producer
already is partnered in at least
eight upcoming shows.

Latest play to get a Stevens tie-
-in is Horton Foote’s “Traveling
Lady,” which he acquired early
this week for fall production by
the Playwrights’ Co. It was former-
ly held by the Theatre Guild.

, A member of the Playwrights,
Stevens will also be involved in
that group’s productions of Robert
Anderson’s “All Summer Long”
and an as yet uncompleted script
by Maxwell Anderson.

. Stevens’ is also president of the
Producers Theatre, which has
several shows lined up for produc-
tion next season. These include
Jay Presson’s “Stars in a Person's
Backyard,” Clifford Odets’ “The
Flowering Peach” and a “Saint
(Continued on page 60)

OK for Sight & Sound

The annual “Miss America”
contest from Atlantic City will
be telecast for the first time in
its history. An hour and a
half live coverage of the beau-
ty contest finals will be spon-
sored by Philco nationally via
' ABC-TV on Sept. 11. ^

Disclosure of the Philco one-

shotter was made by Raymond
«George, merchandising veep,
at the closing session of a two-
day distributors meeting in
New York. Bess Myerson, a
former “Miss America” and
now femqee of CBS-TV’s “Big
Payoff,” and ABC veep and
commentator John Daly will
play hosts for Phttcb. Tenta-
tive . 'slotting; bu the web is
l0;5d-midnigH£: ’

• .

r

— — . v, . ... ■■■. -»

Hero of ‘Lost Boundaries’
Hit by Malpractice Suit

Keene, N. H., Aug. 3.

Dr. Albert Johnston, 53-year-old
Negro doctor here, whose real life
story was the basis for the .Louis
deRochemont film, “Lost Bounda-
ries,” has been named in a $100,000
suit .filed in Cheshire County,
Superior Court here.

The plaintiff is Fred Royce of
Gilsum, who claims that his 14-
year- old daughter, Marie, suffered
a burn on. the abdomen during
treatments by Dr. Johnston and
subsequently required .a surgical
operation.

Dr Johnston, a medical practi-
tioner here for $0 years, became
the central character in “Lost
Boundaries” in 1947 when tKe
screen story revealed how his fam-
ily had lived : as white people for
fear of prejudice before their true
race had becu disclosed to their
patients

" Hollywood, Aug. 3.

This town will have a $100,000,-
000 World’s Fair in 1957 if plans of
Frank SenneS, operator of the Mou-
lin Rouge, go through. As one of
the directors of the newly organ-
ized Hollywood World’s Fair, Inc.,
Sennes is / seeking cooperation
from the motion picture and tele-
vision industries in the project, de-
signed to attract tourists from all
over the globe to Hollywood.

©ther directors ate Jerome
Weber, Murray Stravers and Ray-
mond Leheney. They are looking
for a 1,000-acre site for the exposi-
tion which, Sennes said, will last
about a year. Coin for the fair will
be raised by a stock issue.

Fred Allen Absent
From ’54-55 Lineup

Conspicous by his absence when
the fall tv curtain .goes up will be
Fred Allen. It’s one of the few
times in a career dating back to
radio’s early* days- as 'one of the
medium’s standout personalities
that, the September, kickoff gong
won’t find Allen reporting for
work.

Allen’s Old Gold - sponsored
“Judge For Yourself” Tuesday
night tv entry wound up as a cas-
ualty prior to last season’s windup.
Packagers Goodson & Todman
subsequently prepared a new half-
hour quiz-panel show for Allen’s
reentry into tv next season, but
couldn’t land a sponsor. Program
idea has since been shelved.

Minneapolis, Aug. 3.

Some exhibitor leaders here feel
that maybe pictures are getting,
top good for their own good, It’s
resulting in too many holdovers
and too much day-and-dating of
pictures, limiting the public’s
choice of film entertainment too
frequently and thus having the
tendency to send people to their
tv sets and other forms of enter-
tainment, these leaders point out.

In Minneapolis currently, for ex-
ample, there are only two new of-
ferings downtown and one of them
is a reissue. On the other hand,
one screen offering is in its 16th
week, another in its fifth, still an-
other in its third and two are in
| their second Weeks, making a total
of five holdovers/

The theatres having the hold-
‘ overs are sitting pretty, of course,
for the time being, but for the
long pull they may be hurt, local
film circles feel. It’s bad for the
public and it may have a “corrod*
ing” effect on the theatregoing
“habit,” so that the cumulative ef-
fects on exhibition may be harm-,
ful, they point out.

While the current attendance
downtown does average high be-
cause the holdovers are attracting
large crowds/nevertheless, it's also
pointed out, many people . who’d
otherwise come into the loop are
kept from doing so because they’ve
already seen the continuing pic-
tures and there’s such a restricted
choice of new fare and so little of
it.

“Such a condition, while tempo-
rarily desirable and profitable, isn’t
healthy for exhibition for the long
term,” declared a prominent cir-

( Continued on page 63)

Europeans Like Yank Films
Which Dare Kid Selves;
Russians Lack Humor

Hollywood. Aug. 3.

Hollywood’s strongest competi-
tion in the European market comes
from Russia, but American product
Is better by far. That is the opinion
expressed by Henrik Rechendorff,
Danish film critic, currently visit-
ing Hollywood as a guest of the
Association of Motion Picture Pro-
ducer’s.

“The American* film,” he said,
“is the only one known that regu-
larly, systematically and continu-
ously dares to kid both itself and
the American people. This easy
assurance won the hearts of Eu-
ropean filmgoers, and will hold
them as long as it continues. Don’t
worry about the American film
until it takes itself with exaggerat-
ed importance, as does the Russian
film, and regularly begins to
.preach a doctrine. When that hap-
pens, look out.”

MISCELLANY

Wednesday, Aagmt.4, 1954

’il lt ' i vi i *. \ i D

i

Twilili,

ME

Annual trek of foreign language 4
film importers to the Venice in- 7yr r P a i] Franklin Deny
ternational film fest is about to iuC^dii, r *« UIV * j

get under way once more, but the • Ties to v OlllItHiniSin
indies aren’t exactly Enthusiastic Los Angeles, Aug. 3.

over their chance of picking up Mary McCall Jr., former prexy of
any bargains. the screen Writers Guild, appeared

Feeling prevails In N. Y, that, as a voluntary witness before -the
even though Venice remains along California Senate Un-American
with the Cannes festival an impor- Activities Committee and denied
tant showcase and, as one importer charges that she was a Communist
put it, "a good place to take the or a . Red sympathizer. She de-
European producers’ temperature,” c i are d the present setup is based
its importance as an actual mar- on “faulty and incomplete infor-
ket place for foreign pix is dimin- ma tion” and urged that the De-
ishing. partment of Justice be permitted

“You can see there what you’re to- supply clearances for the “pro-
not going to buy,” cracked one of tedtion of the innocent,
the indies in a kidding-on-the- Another witness, rtul FrenMm..
square mood, former prexy of the Radio Writers

Trouble as the N. Y. importers Guild, also denjed any connecUon I

see it, is partly due of the House Corn-

system under _y-hich the vanous m . ttee on Un . American Activities

plx for makine a in Southern California will be held

v rong atmosphere for making a November. Object of the

deal," was one comment. If a - " . , wintt up the com .

HORACE' HEIDT

Currently On Tour
Under Personal. Management

WALTER PLANT

t - 4 . "Tt’c iiict mmee on un-Auicuwii

$ XiSSTS p“S: !

6go swells to tne point wneie ne wuiinm Whppler investigator 1
will refuse to make any deal at -J™ 1 "* Wh«eler investigaioi

all unlesson terms that, are fantas- tat the

&-J£'3&JBZ22'S£Z etrpurp^is^ Clean, up loose

Somehow it’s shrugged oft if lt% Cicero, Or Phenix City (Ala.)
or some incest-ridden backwoods community in. Arizona. More
so if it's the brothel belt in Marseilles, Casablanca, Port Said,
Suez Saigon, Havana, -Shanghai or kindred exotic-sounding,
faraway cesspools; Then it almost "assumes a romantie aura.
But * the hoodlumism, perversion, Skid Rowlsm,* B-girl stuff,
reefer roughs aiid all the other petty, and grand vices which
have grown rampantin the Times Square an(l|$Ighth Avenue
sectors of Manhattan bring the nasty sld^ fi^|^ our doorstep,

It is to the great credit of Chief Inspector Stephen P, Ken-
nedy that he did what he diet just this past weekend in rounding
up New fork’s midtown vagrants, hustlers.^ hoodlums, and the
dope-peddling; reefer-happy bums, -'\\x

But that’s not enough. It should be kept up until the show-
case showplace of the world’s greatest city- is made attractive
and palatable again..- That comes only from- a. hpalthy respect
of the law. ^ ; ,

Fire Island’s Cherry Grove or Greenwich Village’s haunts of.
the third sex are mere tomboy havens compared to wha’ hoppens
nightly on 42d St., in that block between 7th and 8th Ave$. It is
a camping ground of queers at their worst. And a coincidental
hoodlum element has made it an adventure to stop into, one of
the many Army & Navy outlet stores on that block even in the
middle of so-called theatre hours. *

a buyer against the other, .always purpose as to cioapm

raising the price and never really ends o f previous heatings ,
intending to sell to either. It’s a “ • 1 ■'

waste of time, in a way.” <llJI11*a >111*

Nevertheless, many of the in- [1/lolniTO Wintl£
dies continues to make the Venice HlfllMUfl Yv ilUlC
trip as a convenient means of look-
ing over "the cream of Europe’s - . W

film crop. Among those ^oing are |m \An0CTI3Vl P
Tom Brandon, Edward R. Kingsley g|| I

and Richard Davis. Importers say

that Venice is a fine Occasion for m W' . «• p

renewing old acquantainces, but I aw K a|iA|

not for doing business. £ flA l\Cllvl

Outsmart Themselves
Example is cited of how festivals By GENE MOSKOWITZ.

like Venice work, in a way, to the San Sebastian, Aug. 3.

Paris, Aug. 3. for winos who ir

U. S, buyers in J?* . down there thei

fashion collections bounced Pans ed

nitery trade out of its midsummer siaewaiK- peas.

doldrums during the past week. The Broadway Assn., the Times Square property owners, out-
put. with the main fashion galas 0 f-town and in-town visitors to the Broadway belt have com-
l.ow ove’ nitery ops^who had p i a t nec i with such frequency— and until now ineffectually— that

cust lt and W call h it U a^ suirf- they have became cynical about the whole thing. “Somebody’s
: rlii are making no changes in getting paid off,” was the, characteristic-and perhaps realistic
[ their shuttering schedules. — conclusion. Else how could the pUnderefs to the hoppys hunt-

[ Weekend saw closing of up- ing grounds operate? Not to mention the bookies, the grifters
stairs supper club of Regence Res- and the other flotsam of the night who converge on certain cor-
taurants in ’ Palais^Royal section, ners a nd make beachheads in certain cafeterias and bars which
Club St. James, smart Champs- seemingly are known semi-official bases for their operations.
Elysees midnight meeting place,

and Bohemian Fiacre-in Saint-Ger- It -may be only coincidence that powerful new realty interests

The property and economic damage must be countless. And
it isn’t limited to West 42d St. The entire Times Square -belt,
from 6th (pardon, the Avenue of the Americas) to 8th Ave.,
from 42d 'into the 50s, in certain unstrategic comers, are rife
with reefer peddlers, bums,, hustlers, molesters of decent women,
and out-and-out juvenile delinquents. School and church stoops
in the several Times Square blocks have become unofficial HQ
for winos who make the Bowery bum look like a gent— at least*
down there there are the 25c and 50c flophouses— instead of

Club St. James, smart Champs-
Elysees midnight meeting place,
and Bohemian Fiacre-in Saint-Ger-

main-des-Pres. Standard deluxe involved in the lease (and right-to-buy) the Hotel Astor — truly

like Venice work, in a way, to the San Sebastian, Aug. 3. tourist favorites which offer en- the crossroads of the world — came into the Times Square pic-

detriment of Continental pro- Although this _was . technically tertainment or f loor show^-siich as ture coincidental with Chief Inspector Kennedy’s crackdown,
ducers, too. Last year, a high cash the second manffestation , o : this Lido, Monseigneur Nouvelle Eve, capably assisted by Police Inspector George Neary.
guarantee was offered by an. film festival at the Spanish resort Eve, Dinarzade, Casanova, She- r

American .for an Italian film. The town of San Sebastian, this year’s herazade“ and Carroll’s— are re- The Times Square cleanup is the finest spotlight warning to
offer was considered, but then the fete, which wound Saturday (31), is maining open and expect to do the ruffians that New York’s “finest” can mean business, given

picture was entered at Venice aiid considered the first because last
won a prize. Immediately, the pro- year’s affair was primarily a film

( Continued on page 54 ) we <* and te5tin S e round - This > ear

2 First Prizes, 3 Second
Place Awards to Yanks

it entered the annals, with the
blessing of the international Assn,
of Producers, as the third “B” fes-
tival or an international festival
without any prizes. However, fete
authorities got up an internal prize

. _ • __ . __ fpr the best Spanish film, of the . .

Af Prplim VaIHPP Fpl’P-f 0111, Entered by making up a jury Legit edition of Haris Christian
/II I I CllUl V CUHC L CIC j six foreign journalists and six Andersen,” for production in mu-

Venice, July 27. ‘ local scribes. This kudo went to sical tent theatres, is being adapted

Yank entries walked off with J “Sierra Maldita” (“Cursed Moun- by Frank Loessei\ who supplied
two first prizes and three seconds tain”), directed by Antonio Del the songs for the Danny Kaye film
in the documentary and children's Amo and starring Ruben Rojo and romance about the Danish story-
films sections of the Venice Film Lucia Rosales. Fest preemed July teller. Composer-lyricist intends

zade“ and Carroll’s— are re- The Times Square cleanup is the finest spotlight warning to
ling open and expect to do the ruffians that New York’s “finest” can mean business, given
(Continued oil page 10) the proper impetus. Chief Inspector Kennedy rates one of those

— — — fabulous free feeds in the grand ballroom of the Astor for which

U l If T i that Gotham landmark is so justly famed. He’ll probably get it,

isser-Hoyt Map lent too, if the hotel’s Robert K. Christenberry has his say. He has

Ok P D* T • more tf 12111 a casual stake in everything, not only as president
duOWS rTOni 1 1C lunersj and' managing director of the hotel’s management company but
y. i • n . ' as head of the Broadway Assn. Abel

Aiidersen as First — — — — — — • ■ . — — — — —

Loesser-Hoyt Map Tent

Festival, which just ended here, i 24 and map an eight-day cycle of to co-produce it with strawhat pack-
Dfif'iimpntarv pranrt nrizp wpnt tn 15 nix from eight countries (U; S.. ager-agent Howard Hoyt, for sum-

Jessel Mulls ’Anna Held’
Biopic With Top Paris
Stripper, Yvonne Menard

Documentary grand prize went to ! 15 pix from eight countries (U; S., ager-ageiu nowara noyi, ior sum-
Australia’s “The Back of Beyond,” England, France, Mexico, Argen- nier bookings next year,
directed by John Heyer for Shell ti'na, Germany, Italy, and Spain). Project is reportedly the first of
Film Unit. Pic is story of trip- by 1 Charles Delac, prexy of IAP, was a series from film musicals by
a mail truck across Aussie waste- on hand and nixed an. attempt of LOesser and package-produced in
lands. j (Continued on page 10) partnership with Hoyt. Another

U.S. winners were topped by
“Time Out of War” in the tele sec-
tion of the festival. Medium-
lengther by Denis Sanders for his
senior thesis at UCLA, i.os An-

Jantzen FUmusical

;o co-produce it with strawhat pack- . George Jessel, just returned

ager-agent Howard Hoyt, for sum- I\ •- 1\ • 1 from a month s trip to London,

" ***"■ . . of Despite Raids ssa* a n»„ a a n,i H^ ^ ^

Project is reportedly the first of *' VO r‘ V Irvin Marks _ paris . agent

a series from film musicals by Y Cltv the property. It’s a French biog-

Loesser and package-produced in A/ie . rai< *£ . ine • *;■ Y * ra nhv reoentlv mihlished in Paris

Dartnership with Hoyt. Another police m the Times Square dis- . in

would likely be “Dancing on a trict last weekend, which resulted ^iss Held’s daughter,

Dime,” Paramount release for *n a roundup of more than 100 ijia " a f™’
which Loesser supplied the lyrics -persons, haven’t dented the popu. Miss Held wa$ a famed pro-
to tunes by Burton Lane. As far lation of assorted characters to World War I star of the ZiegieJd

geles, was previously shown in the ! Humor Mari” and “The Fuller

. m j . ■ * lUllCb UY JLIU 1 lull uaitc .* no — vv - > ,

Hollywood, Aug. 3. % Known .Loesser has no immedi- any extent. The area bounded Follies,” later marriedT to , Flo Zicg

e idiom as The Good hv Sixfh fn l^iohfh a .roc onri feld. .whose “millc hath” exoloila

In the same idiom as “

ate plans for similar versions of by Sixth to Eighth Aves. and told, .whose “milk bath” exploila-
his two stage musicals. “Where’s from 42d to 49th Sts. hasn’t dimin- tion made her the personification

TT q on • “Omn h,,s » nthor Vank 1 o “ 4 v his two stage musicals. “Where’s trom 4Zd to 49th Sts. hasn’t dimin- non made ner tne pei

kudos w?nf b to ‘T^hristr^he^ i ? ru ? h vet s j' reei ‘ wn 5f r K .®P Charley?” and “Guys and Dolls.” ished in assorted weirdies despite of Parisian naughtiness

kudos went td Christopher i Englund has collaborated with . . . the well-Dublicized raids It’s trnp TpsspI hac Vvnnnp l\

Prnmnot n firef nr norinnne j / r\ \ j n T.npccpr ic riirrpntlv onmnlpfirip i- ic wcu puuiiu£eu raius. It S true JeSSei nas xvonne 1.1

Menard, the

Radiography,” and “How>to Make | j an tzen Girl”). Title speaks for it- What They Wanted,” which he in* ^ X..,;

o AT oflr ? * 1 o mavm/v/1 « m iLn. oLH 1 , a . . . ■ n • a f o n /I a 4a m*A/lnoa m r\ o r*f nrirc Kiri (vwtlll d UUUl«

a Mask,” last-named in the ehil- ! se if’ keyed' to the w k northwest tends to produce in partnership . ' American ^ e 5ut for Lou Waltcis

dien’s film section. : swim suU manufacturer with his wife, Lynn Loesser. kitex . The honkytonks are still enjoy- this fall. She t will play the

oNVlIll oUU lllallUIaCLUl .... ... 1 ... ltTP nnfimtimD Kneinocc 4 - V» avia amo t ofin o m Mifimi TSaqoIi nnfl

. , — . . swim suit manmacturer that he boomtime business, there are Latin Quarters in'Miami Beach and

The 26 participating nations. Jerry Wald is eyeing it for Kim ... still a lareo numhpr of accArfod. Npw York for Walters. Jessel. bv

cwL f ffW- 8 -nations j erry.waia is eyemg.it ior ivim. Kanin on a mi sicarcomedv sti11 a lar g e number of assorted New York for Walters. Jessel, by
showed a total of 98 pix at these Novak, and Ed Muhl has it under son Kanin on a musical comedy, character _

eoinrfdpnep has nlterv commit-

iowcu a io.ai oi pix at tnese .-Novax, ana to Mum nas^t onoer characters patrolling the streets, coincidence, has nitery commlt-

. p . r i 0r o t ,° the i .. a i" cx P l01tatl0n ‘ ald * y* 04 WhlCh “ “ port * ,Uy and none of the brassy glitter of ments with Walters for several. I«

festival opening here Aug. 22.

picture at Universal,

Subscription Order Worm

'LOCATIONS' UP TO DATE

the area has surrendered to the weeks which.will coincide with Miss
wave of activity by the police. The Menard’s debut in Florida arid on
various bistros, well-populated by Broadway. .

servicemen, have lost few of their —

Enclosed find check for $

Please send VARIETY for °wo Years

Rossen j, In Spain, ^ cans soliciting for^ dubious Anti-Commie Art Arthur

' . (Continued on page 54) flirtfiPC

“Authentic background abroad — UailIlC5 1 UM

are a definite plus in terms of the l n L n rnM-nll C„a c A,ta,. Hollywood.

I audience,” states indie filmmaker V'drroil oues UVeF Editor, Variety:

jRobert Rossen. “The world is get- ShaiHFOCk Hotel PUflrfl Correction, please! As a veteran
I ting smaller and the public wants naiiuc ino ft anti-Comrtiunist arid one of the

to see it,” he adds. Tnhn r arrAl i YnAfiAr, AU «ir.f,!,.« early leaders of the fight against

Rossen is now preparing “Alex- ac tor, is asking * $205,000 damages ? n 0l hp W prronLu”ly

ander the Great” for shooting this through a local district cdurt for lt . disconcerting^ to be exroneou- y
fall at various global points. Pic, injuries he claims resulted from a pb ronicle d m . Variety of 28^^

which United Artists will dis- punch from insurance executive Bo as °" e u who admitted assoc

tribute, will be locationed mairtly Howard in the Shamrock Hotel, tlons ^. h . ic b lateY ’ ^ t f e f ^
in Spain and Greece but second- Houston. . were listed as Red fronts in

unit lensing also is set for India The suit claims Howard attacked P ie c e headed, ^Chide^ California

and Iran, Carroll from behind and without Anti-Red Committee.

Rossen, who has the triple-role provocation, Howard's blow is al- My appearance last week befoic
of writer, director and producer, leged to have dislocated Carroll’s the California Senate Committee
left for Rome over the weekend jaw, injbred his neck and spinal was an anti-Communist reviewing

after a brief N.Y. visit to confer cord, aggravated a World War II successful steps taken by, Houy*-

Clarifies Past Stand

Hollywood.

(Please Print Name)

Street

Shamrock Hotel Punch

Dallas, Aug. 3.

Editor, Variety:

Correction, please! As a veteran
anti-Communist arid one of the

City Zone. .... State.

Regular Subscription Rotes
One Year— $10.00 Two Years— $18.00

.r

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154 . West 46th Street.. New York 36^ N. Y..

; anci a ui ici xi.x. vioil tu luuicjl vviuj a^giu vatcu a yy vuu »r ai am. qwi.vwojj.ui >' a r*t

with vUA .exe<?$,*.He’Jl/go.to. Madrid back injury and l.eft him with a wood . to porribat Coqim 4 unist^inin
lqtor.-t^is ^-weeklfv/ ”h.*h 'in /.’-i: brain bOfictfssidri. , J u ‘ ,,v * v 'j ’’ ' (Cdntintied on Y>Rge 1J.)

1

WeduMcUff August 4, J954

NCTVJBBS

Howard Hushes has placed a
*23 000,000 price tag on RKO,
which he now owns in its entirety.
The property includes all studio
and production facilities, the
worldwide distribution network
and the complete library of old

product.

The price was projected in nego*
tuitions with Floyd Odium, head
of Atlas Corp., on the Coast last
week. The proposed deal collapsed
and Odium returned to N.Y. over
the past weekend. Authoritative
sources believe, though, there’s
’ still a 50-50 chance that Odium and
Hughes will get together again and
complete a firm deal.

Hughes a few months ago bought
all the RKO assets at the price he’s
no\v asking. The seller was RKO
Pictures Corp., which is a, holding
company. Stockholders have the
privilege of selling their shares in
/this outfit, whose only holding now
is the cash which Hughes, paid/ at
$6 per share. ^

Odium and Hughes were in near
agreement on the price but
couldn’t come to terms on “proce-
dure.” The proposed transaction
had as its basis a payoff on a long-
term installment plan and was
plenty intricate, “It would take me,
two hours to explain it and even
then I doubt if I would be under-
stood,” said an informed spokes--
man.

Since 1948

It was from Odium’s company
that Hughes bought Voting control
(about 25%) of RKO in 1948. He

(Continued on page 10)

Scaling of Heat

Hollywood* Aug. 3.

RKO claims it established
a new heat record during the
production of “The Con-
queror.”, For seven weeks on
location in Utah the tempera-
ture ranged from 103 to 118
degrees.

When the troupers returned
to Hollywood they ran into an-
other heat wave, above 90 de-
grees.

KROGER RAM'S TAX JAM

-ins

Drive-ins, now at the height of
their season, are showing consider-
able interest in widening their
screens., *

However, say the .equipment
dealers, most of the ozoners are

IT. S. Seeks $300,984 'PH tn Film
Man and His Wife .

“Walghingtoh, Aug; 3.
Kroger Rabb, Wilmington, . O.,
motion picture producer' and •pro-
moter, and his wife filed: a petition
here last week seeking relief from
the Government’s attempt to col-
lect $300,984 in taxes and penalties.

Babb- runs Hallmark Productions
and .Hygienic Productions, film
producing companies which are
incorporated in Ohio but which do
business in California.

The Internal Revenue Service is
seeking to collect $232,714, includ-
ing $76,055 in fraud penalties from
Babb and his wife, Louella, for the
years from 1948 to 1950, and $68,-
270 including $20,169 in fraud pen-
alties from Babb for the years from

IQIO 1Q4R

Babb told the U. S. Tax Court
that the alleged deficiencies are
based oil erroneous determinations
by the tax agency — that he and his
wife had underdeclared their in-
comes in 1948-50 by $273,708 and
that he as an individual had $11,0,-
000 in taxable income in 1942-45.
The Babbs deny any intent to

apt to hold off any changes until , , ■■ - . - ,

next year. Reason is that the eva( Te taxes and[ contend ihe fraud
drive-ins’ operators are in no jnood P ena lties are m error and should

As Code’s Chief Ranger;
Breen to Be ‘Chairman’

Joseph I. Breen will become
chairman of Hollywood’s Produc-
tion Code this fall. It’s a newly
created post that will mean less
responsibility and work for the' vet
exec. Succeeding Breen as admin-
istrator of the Code, it’s apparent,
will be Geoffrey Shurlock who
now has the second-in-command
spot.

Title of chairman is somewhat of
a .misnomer in that there’s actually
no Code board of. directors. As a
matter of fact, Eric A. Johnston,
president of the Motion Picture
Assn, of America, a couple of
months ago said “we might make
him chairman” in a reference to
Breen’s future but the statement
was made in jocular fashion. Now
Johnston and the film company
presidents (the Code operates with-
in the MPA A framework) are serU
ous about the title.

. Reason for the switch in status
is simply that Breen has reached
tne point in his business career
where he wants to take things

tudaa F nder a hew deal with
"IPAA, he’s to be “chairman” for
a term of about five years.

to shutter for a week or so to al
low installation of the expanded
screen.

A number of the bigger, situa-
tions made the switch earlier this
year at the same time when they
experimented with stereophonic
sounds However, the majority —
and there are a little more than
4,100 ozoners now operating
throughout the country — didn’t go
for the fancier sound and thus also
didn’t acquire a wider screen.

Cost of expanding the viewing
surface depends on the kind of job
that’s required.. One operator* ac-
tually built a wide screen in front
of his old one, at considerable
expense. Depending on whether quired to submit a list of features
a wooden or steel frame is used' —title, producer, stars, date of re-
in adding the wings, costs may run lease in country of origin, reviews
anywhere from $2,000 to $50,000. in trade press, etc. — The Sub-
Wider screen doesn’t represent Secretary tht»n culls from this list
much of a lighting problem, it’s and makes foreign exchange avail-
said. able for the approved films.

In order to promote construc-
tion of new theatres, the Bolivian
government is waiving import
taxes on construction materials,

| supplies and equipment for film
theatres, for the next five years.
Existing theatres can benefit for
any new equipment they wish to
import.

Bolivia’s Odd Selection
System for Features;
Tax Aid to Building

Washington, AUg. 3.

A new Bolivian decree, which
went into effect on July 1, has
given control of imported motion
pictures to the Sub-Secretary of
Press, Information and Culture, to
assure cultural and artistic quality,
according to the U. S. Department
of Commerce.

Each Bolivian distributor is re-

E1 Director de Ague

Hollywood, Aug, 3,
Down Mexico way, where
.Robert Webb is directing
“White Feather” for Panoram-
ic Productions, . he learned
something about the film in-
dustry. As shooting got under
way a member of the Mexican
crew unpacked a water cooler
and spent the whole day turn-
ing the faucet Whenever a
worker wanted a drink.

Officially he is known as
“El Director De Agua.”

Swelling number of “super col-
lossal” attractions in the making
or the blueprint stages has sales
execs worriedly contemplating how
much -of this type entertainment
the public will stand for.

Latest addition to the growing
roster of spectacle-type pix is Met-
ro’s- “Ben Hur”- which is that com-
pany’s latest bid in the race to
make “the greatest motion picture
ever made.” Film, made once be-
fore, in silent version, is to have 42
speaking parts and will use 97 sets.

With Cecil B, . DeMille working
on “The Ten Commandments,"
Warner Bros, having “Land of the
Pharaohs” and “Helen of Troy”
and 20th-Fox getting ready to
launch “The "Egyptian” and al-
ready thinking of a sequel, observ-
ers see the “massive” approach
growing into a cycle of unprece-
dented proportions.

“Someone is going to get stuck
at the end Of the line,” one sales
topper commented this week. He
thought that, after five pix em-
ploying the lavish touch, the pub-
lic would revolt against a steady
diet of super-spectacles accompa-
nied by the inevitable flood of su-
perlatives.

Exhibs, with the same of “The
Robe” in mind, tend to endorse
the trend as a b.o. stimulant. At
the same time, one theatreman
thought it astonishing that Holly-
wood hadn't learned from past ex-
perience * to . avoid swamping the
(Continued on page 16)

CINERAMA AS YANK
FLASH IN SYRIA SEPT. 2

Under a special arrangefnent
worked out by the Dept, of State
and U. S. Information Agency with
the Stanley Warner Corp., Cine-
rama will be part of the official
U. S. Government representation
at the ‘international Trade Fair to
be held in Damascus, Syria, Sept. 2

to Oct. 1. The Near East showing v j I t L * r* ir> • > /->i r ' !

will be the first overseas presenta- LFR.de Upbeat Uontinues, U&ine Lnamp TOT Dtn j

tion of the widescreen medium
Later in the fall it is set for regu-
lar commercial showings in five
cities abroad.

Cinerama Inc.; the equipment
manufacturing and installation
firm, is providing the necessary
equipment and technical services
while SW will furnish the print of
“This Is Cinerania,” the first pic-
ture in the medium. Sound and

National Boxoffiee Survey

Week in Row, ‘Living’ 2d, ‘Cinerama’ 3d

■ Wall Street Journal last Thurs-
day (30) blew the lid off one of
the most spectacular deals project-
ed in modern big business, involv-
ing Howard Hughes’ complete em-
pire and a talked-about purchase
price of $400,000,000. That it was
more than a pipe dream was con-
firmed by Spyros P. Skouras, presi-
dent of. 20th-Fox, and a key figure
in the gigantic transaction that
was being mulled.

Skouras called the financial daily
following appearance of the news
story. He is said ^o have admitted
that such a deal was in the con-
versation s' age but asserted “pub-
licity killed it.”

Skouras’ role was that of master
agent, that is, he was the one
bringing the principals together.
On the buying side was a syndi-
cate comprising Lawrence Rocke-
feller, William Zeckendorf, head of
Webb & Knapp, and Aristotle S.
Onassis.

The properties included RKO
Pictures, Hughes Tool Co., Trans-
continental & Western Airlines,
(Continued on page 10)

Licklman’s ’Let’s Go’ On
Panoramic Stresses Aid
To L. Goldstein’s Estate

Al Lichtman, 20th-Fox director
of sales, this week urged his field
force to push Panoramic Pictures
releases to the limit so as to allow
the Panoramic setup to break even
or show a profit.

In an all-branch letter, Lichtman
said: “The only way that Leonard’s
(Goldstein’s) esiae and Bobby
Jacks can get out on this Pano-
ramic deal is for us to roll up the
biggest possible gross on every one
of their .pictures as, at the present
time, they are in the red with all
of these pictures.”

He added that both Goldstein and
Jacks “had good contracts with our
company and good salaries which
(Continued on page 16)

Launching of new product in
the face of continued heat waves
in many sections of the country
still is paying off with smash biz
in most principal key cities this ses-
sion. Torrid spots such as K.C., Chi,
N.Y. and Philly indicate that air-

conditioned cinemas served as

bVRAW. **» VliV AllVUAUItt* ^VUUU UUM . g, A - . , 1 1 * i.

projection equipment will be flown ?* aces °f refuge from the blister
to Damascus by the U. S. Air in 2 aea t ra y s

(Continued on page 16)

sa-

P? r ;°di c cracks are heard, born of realistically bitter , truth,
tnat the Broadway legit houses give their customers the “hot
rn in more ways than one. (And then wonder why the public
sents the general attitude of the legits), public spleen runs
e gamut from discourtesy at the boxoffiee — usually when the
a smash — to such petty economy as turning off the
tho/ n u ^ ari ^ on ^ e the' curtain is up, the customers are in, and
evening ^ 6 n ° cll0 * ce ^ut to sweat it out for the rest of the

of^pettines* legit house manager has no copyright on this kind

ftrnmS! the same thing in some of the film houses

whnl . ? .Manhattan. If it’s being repeated in other key cities,
liverino- way t° ^ el P Hollywood Which, it so happens, is de-
in tlie most consistently potent brand of boxoffiee pictures
E ^ Such chiseling

on audience comfort is a surefire way

talfp ft V« c uu f?mers a -not foot” back to their tv sets, with a
u C001 °ne at the elbow.

noIicpri d f?Ji bs Police .this kind of practise. Usually It’s

tomers ari a f 2?S e tjje. final show “break” is in, the trapped cus-
e left -for the final two hours to'sweat it out, or else.*'

Abel.

“Caine Mutiny” (Col) continued
champ for fifth week in a row al-
though some competitive pix are
starting to edge closer. “Living It
Up” (Par), third last round, is
soaring to become a great second-
place winner.* The Martin-Lewis
comedy, playing in 14 representa-
tive keys, ranged mostly from fine
to smash or wow.

“Cinerama” (Indie), is climbing
to third spot as compared with
fifth a week ago. “Gone With
Wind” (M-G) (reissue), second last
round, is winding up fourth.

‘Magnificent Obsession” (U) is
capturing fifth place although
mainly holdover or ’ extended-run
currently. . It is praying in eight
key cities covered by Variety.
‘Apache” (UA) is pushing up' to
I sixth T position, with most play-
dates, rated stout to great.

‘Knock on Wood” (Par) is tak-
ing seventh spot as compared with
nintli in the preceding week, “Gar-
den of Evil”. (20th) will wind up
in eighth place. “Francis Joins
Wacs” (U) is finishing ninth while.
‘Ring of Fear” (WB), just getting
started, is 10th.

“Coins in Fountain” 420th) and
“High and Mighty” (WB) are run-
ner-up productions, both having
been high on the list in forpner
weeks.

“7 Brides for 7 Brothers” (M-G).
setting a new high for a second
week at N.Y. Music Hall, is headed
for a straight-film record at the
Chi McVickers. “Waterfront” (Col)
hung up a new all-time mark open-
ing session at the N.Y. Astor, and
seems in for a longrun.

“Broken Lance” (20th), also new,
i§ brisk in L.A. and fine in N.Y.
“Adventures of Robinson Crusoe”
(UA), robust in Washington,
shapes fine in Denver and good
both in Frisco and L.A. “Duel in
Sun” (SRO) (reissue), big in Provi-
dence, also is very solid in Bos-
ton.

“Susan Slept Here” (RKO),
socko in Philly, is lively In Buffalo,
okay in L.A. and nice in N.Y.
“Pushover” (CoW, also a new entry,
looms fine in Boston, fairly good
in N.Y. and mild in L.A. “Valley
of Kings” (M-G), good in Detroit,
is faifish in L.A.

“Genevieve” (U) shapes good in
K.C. and okay in Minneapolis.
“Hobson’s Choice” (UA) looms
loud in Pitt, fine in N.Y. and fat
in L.A.

“Man With Million” (UA), oke
in Boston and Chi, looks bright in
Balto, and good in N.Y. and Wash-
ington. “Arrow in Dust” (A A) is
okay * in -Philly. • < •

*. ( Complete Boxoffiee . Report s ,
on Pages 8-9)

Trade Mark Registered
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Published Weekly by VARIETY. INC
Harold Erichs. President
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Vol. 195 C3$HP&» ,2 °

' -wr ?<&*■ ■

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■ r — 1

INDEX

Bills

..54

Chatter ..............

. . 62

Film Reviews

. . 6

HoUwi Reviews

. . 54

Inside Legit

V. 58 1

Inside, Pictures .......

. . 20

International . . .

.. 13

Legitimate

.. 55

Literati

.. 61

Music

41

New Acts .

.. 50

Night Club Reviews. . . .

. . 52

Obituaries

. . 63

Pictures .

. . 3 1

Radio-Television .......

. . 21

Radio Reviews

, . 31

Record Reviews

. . 42

Frank ScuUy

. . 61

Television Reviews

. . 26

TV-Fllms

. 35

Vaudeville

. . 49

DAILY VARIETY-
(Published In Hollywood bjr
Daily Variety, Ltd.)

IIS a Year t20”Forelgn

PICTURES

PiaBa&ff .

Wtdftw tby; August 4,1954

Arnall Waits on State;
Prefers Not to $oek

Temporarily hard hit by the in-
dustry’s switch to the wide screen,
Technicolor has now licked its
problems and the volume of both
print orders and profits is once
again on the rise.

Herbert T. Kalmus, Techni proxy
and general manager, told Variety
Monday (2) that the drop in Techni
earnings for the first half of 1954
was a recurring phenomenon every
time the industry underwent a
cycle of change. Stating that “im-
bibition, dye transfer Cinemascope-
prints with either magnetic or op-
tical photographic sound track are
being manufactured in an increas-
ing volume,’’ Kalmus predicted
that the second half of 1354 would
exceed the corresponding 1953 pe-
riod in terms of profits.

Lab showed a net of $763.025 —
equivalent to*"39c per share— for
the second half of 1953, Net for the
first half was $1,608,709, or 84c per
share. For the first half of 1954,
Teehni's earnings dropped to
$622,784, the equivalent of 32c per
shave.

Kalmus declared that, for the
year ended June 30, .1954, Techni
had been experiencing “the effect
on its business and profits of a
cycle of evolution through which

Reaper as Author

Hollywood, Aug. 3. 1
Owing to a last-minute stay
of execution that saved kid-
naper Caryl Chessman, at least
temporarily, from the gas
chamber, Columbia is readying
two endings for “Cell 2455,”
the prisoner’s autobiography.
Film will show one ending if
he is executed and another if
he lives.

Picture is slated to start
Sept, 8, with Wallace Mac-
Donald producing and Fred F.
Sears directing.

Committee to seek a’ master
formula for the equitable division
the motion picture business has 1 of remittances and permits abroad
been passing.” He added that ! has been appointed by Eric Johns-

T.echni had passed through several
such cycles during -its- 35 years.
‘With each one Technicolor, has

ton. Motion Picture Export Assn.,
prexy. Group includes Arthur
Loew (Metro), Sam Schneider

experienced a temporary diminu- • (WB), Abe Schneider (Col), and

t ion of print volume and profit and
subsequent recovery to higher
levels than ever before.’’

Arnold Picker <UA),

Decision to form the committee
! was made at the last presidents’

By the end of last year, Techni j meet in N. Y. with the appoint-
eapacity stood at 650,000,000 feet : nients left up to Johnston, Stipula-
a year, Kalmus said. When the lab tion was that both large and small
( Continued on page 11) | outfits should be^repped.

Problem of arriving at an overall
formula to settle recurring disputes
over the divvying of funds and
licenses has plagued MPEA for a
long time. When an MPEA com-
mittee managed to solve the thorny
problem of divvying up costs of
running the MPEA's foreign of-
| fices, Johnston felt that the time
Spiralling production costs have ! might be ripe for another try at
again renewed, talks of a possible i reaching an understanding on the
consolidation of studio facilities of < h^sic formula,
two or possibly three of the major • MPEA .member companies are
studios. While it may never come i constantly running into the alloca-
off, the studios are carefully ex- 1 tion question. They recently re-
ploring the situation. Three com- j solved the problem of Pakistan
panies, the largest users of one of : i^n^ittahces. Still pending is the
the new film processes, are said to division of Italian licenses— even
be weighing the possibility of a though most companies have a fair
consolidated studio operation. idea of what’s coming ,to them-r-r
With all studios making less pic- ' a ? d Formosan import permits,
tures and with the increasing em- : Need for some master arrangement
ployment of location shooting both : Nvas Pointed up sharply earlier this
here and abroad, there is not a : >’ ear when, being unable to agree
single studio that is using its facil- ! on a h allocation, the distribs al-
ities to capacity. Nevertheless, the ; most lost out on five Japanese
fixed costs continue. Under a pool ■ licenses which Tokyo had alloted in
arrangement and the employment . hulk, with fractional parts dded.

of key personnel, it’s felt that with | -1 ■

proper scheduling of productions
a single large studio could be op-
erated successfully.

Ellis G. Arnall, Society of Inde-
pendent Motion Picture Producers
prexy, is still seeking a clear-cut
statement from the D.S. State ;Dept.

, on its attitude towards “subsidies”
hand another exchange of letters
between him and'the pepartment
is in the offing,

.Pending that-, exchange, Arnall
refused last week to make public
State’s letter in reply to his own.
He had written Secretary of State
John Foster Dulles, on July 2, ask-
ing him fpr a statement Of ap-
proval or disapproval re the Mo-
tion Picture Export Assn.’s ’’recent
French film agreement.

Arnall said last week that he in-
tended to return to Washington af-
ter Sept. 1 to further press for a
clear-cut ruling from various gov-
ernment agencies on the question
of subsidies. He said he had found
a sympathetic hearing in the capi-
tal when he discussed the issue
during a two-day visit there.

Arnall spoke with the Federal
Trade Commission, the State Dept,
and the Justice Dept, as well as
with a number qf Senators and
Congressmen. He commented that,
unless he was given satisfaction in
his quest for a ruling on grants to
foreign industries by the U S, in-
dustry, he might have to take the
matter up with various Congres-
sional committees. “I hope i
won’t have to do that,” he stated.

The S1MPP prexy, maintains that
the disposition of $390,000 under
the French accord represents a
subsidy to the French film industry,
MPEA denies this, declaring that
the money — part of a disputed
$750,00 reserve fund— was handed
over to the French government
with no’ stipulation whatever as to
what is to be done with it.

Present indications are that the
French will set up A special office
which will dispense the coin- to
French producers as production
loans when they sell their pix
abroad. However, the French are
also planning to set up an Ameri-
can office to promote their pix in
the same fashion as Italian Films
Export.

15% of U.S r Longhair?

With- 22' theatres in 24 cities
already signed for the Oct. 5
theatre telecast of the opening
night of the N. Y. Philhar-
monic Orchestra direct from
Carnegie Hall and with nego-
tiations taking place for
others, Edmund L. JDorfmann
anticipates a lineup ofaO
houses for the musical event.
“We’re not shooting for the
moon,” Dorfmann said this
week. “We’ve made a study
of the. serious music field and _
we have a good idea of our ~
market”

According to Do r f m a nn „

. longhairs constitute about 15%
of the 'population of the large
key cities.

CORONET FILMS MUST
BARGAIN WITH IATSE

Washington, Aug. 3.
Upholding the findings of its
trial examiner, National Labor Re-

F oresee Fox-Reisini
Link in Subscription TV

Tieup between Matty Fox and
Nicholas Reisini whose Robin In-
ternational is to handle Cinerama
abroad has insiders wondering
whether the Reisini-Fox associa-
tion may not eventually branch out
into the field of subscription-tv.

There’s considerable interest
abroad in toll-tv, and Fox has oh-

UA Takes Pic Made By
Mississippi Theatreman

United Artists will put into re-
lease shortly a feature produced at
a cost of $160,000 by a Mississippi
theatreowner and a group of back-
ers in his local area. Film, “Jesse
James’ Woman,” stars Don (Red)
Barry, Peggy Castle and Jack Beu-
tel.

The exhib is A. L. Royal of Jack-
son, Miss. He and a local busi-
ness man, Tom Garraway, formed
a stock corporation, Panorama Pic-
tures, and about 180 persons
bought shares. In addition to his
acting role, Barry has billing as
producer and director.

Film was lensed in Technicolor
|*in Mississippi and the preem,
slated for next month, probably
will be in Jackson.

Columbia, meanwhile, has - in
current release another feature
concerning the much-picturized
outlaw! This is “Jesse James vs.
the Daltons,” with Brett King and
Barbara Lawrence.

lations Board today directed the .....

Coronet Films Division of Esquire, i * aiI } ed the rights to Skiatron’s Sub-
Inc., at Glenview. 111., to bargain • scr iber-Vision system of pay-as-
collectively with Local 476. IATSE, you .‘ see ' Fox has a staff of fecon-
as exclusive representative of °mists and lawyers currently at
Coronet’s studio production em- ! "* Q rk on preparing an application
ployees. including electricians, ear- t0 tbe Federal Communications
penters, property men, sound Commission for a commercial per-
mixer. recordist, boom man, set ■ imt for Subscriber-Vision. -It ought
designer and animation employees. I to be Tiled within another month
Excluded from the order are i

Coronet’s cameramen, assistant Meanwhile there have been
cameramen, film editors, assistant ! nobles from abroad, notably Brit-
film editors, truck driver, office ! ain and ItaJ y- Reisini reputedly
clerical help, commissary and r bas , ex P e R e nt foreign government
sales employees, producers, direc- : c .? n . * s and would be in a . good

Conversion of American film dis-
tributors’ offices in France into ac-
tual branches of the home organi-
zation appears to be the only way
in which the companies’ Paris sub-
sidiaries would be exempt from the
8% French turnover tax, it now ap-
pears,

Warner Bros, at the moment is
the only outfit whose French office
has such branch status. The rest
maintain local companies as sub-
sidiaries. Branch status would lim-
ply that remittances go direct to
the American company and not to
any international affiliate.

The Motion Picture Export Assn,
tax committee, which went to
France some months back to study
the threatened French tax, is cur-
rently studying the situation and
preparing a series of alternatives
for the companies to follow in
France.

It’s pointed out that the branch
setup, while having the advantage
of being tax exempt, would also
have certain disadvantages. If, for
instance, someone in France want-
ed to sue, he could sue the Ameri-
can distrib directly.

The French tax, which, applies to
both income and remittances,
would cost the American compa-
nies close to $10,000,000. Figure
includes retroactive '.! assessments
and penalties. U. S. position in
talking with the French is that the
distribs don’t owe a penny. How-
ever, it's felt that some compro-
mise may be necessary in the long
run to settle the question of what
the French consider is a debt owed
them. Even with the! penalties for-
given, the assessments still; run
into tall coin.

Theatre tv, which ba$ been strug.
gling for six years. to -become an
inSportsnt ; (Hof entity, hopes

to achieve Itl potential this fan
The medium, which has offered
b.o. events at infrequent intervals
and which was almost forgotten
during the . in4ustry’s technical
revolution, is set to put its best
foot forward starting in Mid-Sep.
tember. Theatres will be offered
a variety of events designed to
appeal to various shades of audi-
ence tastes.

Already set for the nation’s thea-
tres with closed-circuit equipment
are the opening night of the N, Y.
Philharmonic Orchestra on Oct. 5 ,
the opening. night of the Metro-
politan Opera on Nov. 7, and Sat-
urday afternoon telecasts of Notre
Dame football games. Potential
attractions are the return heavy-
weight ..championship match be-
tween Rocky .Marciano and Ezzard
Charles on September 15, the
ANTA Album, and a Broadway
play, possibly “Seven Xear Itch.”

Although no deal has yet been
set, the heavyweight clash appears
a certainty- for the closed-circuit •
medium. Both James Norris, head
of the International Boxing Club,
and Al Weil, Marciano’s manager,
strongly favor the medium; based
on the results it achieved for. the
first Marciano-Charles meeting on
June 17 of this year. It was the
most successful event yet pre-
sented on theatre tv, drawing an
estimated gross of $450,000 for 61
theatres in 45 cities.

Should these events click, it’s
felt that the medium at last emerge
from the chicken-and-egg stage;

Bunching of a number of events
(Continued on page 10)

48 HORSES INTO TRAINING

Take Months To Ready Beasts For
■ 'Ben Hur’ Chariot Roles

tors and other supervisors.

RKO Slows Its ‘Window’ i rangcm !^f

position to survey that field for
Fox and to make the necessary ar-

RKO has postponed its reissue . " ' „ _ .

of “The Window.” starring Bar- Walton, Branson Quickie
bara Hale and Arthur Kennedy.; Edward L. Walton, exec

Hollywood, Aug. 3.
Karl Tunberg completed the
screenplay for Metro’s remake of
“Ben Hur,” and the studio ordered!
shooting for next spring. Business
manager Henry Henigson is cur-
rently in Europe seeking locations
and facilities. Sam Zimbalist will
produce.

Studio has already started round-
ing up 4& horses for use in the
climactic chariot race. They will
require months of training before
they are ready for filming.

Jane Russell to Europe ■

Hollywood, Aug. 3.
Jane Russell’s first starrer for
as- 1 United Artists release . will be

"' it w Pa , rara “ Unl S : ^ stant t0 BK0 P res > (1 ®nt Jaines r! ! ‘‘Gentlemen Mariy Brunettes,’’ to
AJfrnrf 4 H-TIlJf l ar ^ mdow ' new Grainger, and Walter Branson, be produced on locations in Lon-
A RKO S a , w ?- K0 -u g ? neral ma nager of foreign ; don, Paris and Monte Carlo, start-

le ca?l? tto'Q mnnf h d ?r d f ° r dl • tnbut,on - »re due back in N. Y. ! ing around. Sept, 1, under the
t °? th ' •. It 'n, n u w ^morrow (Thurs.) after a quickie ; Russfield- Voyager banner,

t for September v, hen it will be Coa.st hop. ’ Robert Racier w ni

re

set

packaged. with “Every Girl Should

T. r -' .1 C- t, rrr hop '. , ! Robert Bassler will produce,

Be Married " r,n/ r'l Th ^ wmged w f st y esterda y to Richard Sale will direct, Jeanne

Drake rn<;tarrer ^rant-Bels} see Grainger and C. J. Tevlin Crain will co-star ?and Jack Cole

raKe costarrer * ’ about upcoming releases abroad. j will handle the danOe direction.

N. Y. to L. A.

Greta Garbo
George Jessel
Leonard L. Levinson
Kaye Lyder
Gerald Marks
Michael O’Shea
Murry Weinger

L. A. to N. Y.

Cubby Broccoli
I. Robert. Broder
Fred Clark
Harry Cohn
Alfred E. Daff
Edith Fellows
Frank M. Folsom
Adrienne Garrett
Harold Gordon
T. Edward Hambleton
Dick Hughes
Elia Kazan
Louis L’Amour
Ralph Levy
June Lockhart
George R. Marek
Louis B. Mayer
Kevin McCarthy
Worthington Miner
Harold J. Mirisch
Dennis Morgan
Chester Morris
Milton R. Rackmil ■'
James Sauter
Richard Stapley
David Tebet
Paul' Winchell
Estelle Winwood

Oldies Multiply

A few of the more prominent
film titles of yesteryear are being
changed as Samuel Goldwyn’s oldie
films now make the reissue rounds.
It’s said that local distributors and
exhibitors are to make clear to
the public that the pix are vintage
even though the nomenclature is
being disguished.

“Dead End” is now being billed
“Cradle of Crime,” “Nana” has be-
come “A French Coquette,” ‘‘Bar-
bary Coast” has been switched to
“Port . of Wickedness” and “Come
and Get It” has been re-labeled
“Roaring Timber.” ‘ This last, in-
cidentally, was the title of a 1939
Columbia release but Col never
registered it.

Europe to N. Y.

Richard Burton
Yvonne De Carlo
Betty Garrett
Charles Goldsmith
Ram Gopal
William Holden
Jean Kerr
Walter F. Kerr
Vivien Leigh
E. R. (Ted) Lewis
Brenda Marshall
Robert Merrill
Robert Montgomery
Richard Myers
Alec S. Nyary
Tom, O’Brien
Donald Oenslager
Sir Laurence Olivier .

Larry Parks
Alan Schneider
Lou Walters

N* Y. to Europe

Robert-Bassler
Earl Blackwell
Tom Brandon
Pietro Buliio

Marge and Gower Champion

Pierre Crenesse

Chris Cross

Eddie Fisher

Donald Flamm

Gloria Fokine

Victor Francen

Anita Loos

Cathleen Nesbitt

Sam Rosen r

Herb Rosenthal

Robert Rossen

Gabriel Soria

Sam Spiegel

Elizabeth Winston

Darryl F. Zanuck

W«lngnl«y. Awgntt 4. 195*

WCTBBES

Harvard Club luncheon In N.Y. yesterday (Tues.) for Tom
O’Brien .from Britain Vot’d 20th-Fox prexy Spyros P. Skouras
assure the British visitor that there were ho artificial hindrances
to the escalation of British films in the U.S. and that, in fact,
they’re to be treated ‘‘equally as. well as American films," Skouras
maintained it was “unjust and unfair" to believe otherwise. ;

Responding to Skouras, O’Brien told the foreign managers and
others he could never understand those who hold U.S. ihterests
want to destroy the British industry and that it was vital for
Hollywood to have other pix than its own on the* screen. “Giving
the audience a choice of only American films would be disastrous,"
he held.

The British film industry takes
“the unanimous view" that British
features aren’t getting a fair deal
in the U.S., Tom O’Brien, general
secretary of the National Assn, of
Theatrical & Kii jmatograph Em-
ployees, declared in N.Y, -Mon-
day' 12). -

“We are all perfectly aware that
American distributors and exhibi-
tors don’t push our pictures and
in fact tend to play them down
wherever possible," he added.

O’Brien thought in this connec-
tion that establishment of an in-
formation center on British films
in the U.S.» would be a project of
merit and should be discussed by
the Motion Picture Assn, of Amer-
ica and the British Film Producers
Assn

BFPA prexy Robert Clark, in his
presidential address some time
back, suggested that the British
create an export center in London
to promote the foreign distribution
of British films. Only the Italians
—via Italian Films Export— are at
present actively engaged in pro-
moting their pix in the U.S. IFE
has also gone into distribution. The
French are said to be planning to
open a promotional office in N.Y.
in the fall.

O’Brien recalled that the J.
Arthur Rank Organization does
have an office in N.Y. and he ob-
served that he could see where an
info office might be difficult to
run without complaints from indi-
vidual producers who might think
their product’s been sloughed off.

The British labor leader charged
that, while British pictures., are for
the most part suitable to the U.S.
market, the “unfairness"' of the

( Continued on page 11 )

GRASSROOTS REACTION

U MEN HEAD FOR TOKYO
FOR 5-DAY SALES MEET

Universal’s Far Eastern sales
reps will attend a fiveday meet
In Tokyo starting Aug. 16.

Sessions will be presided over by
Americo Aboaf, U foreign sales
topper. Total of 25 delegates from
11 different countries will attend.
Charles J. Feldman, U v.p. and
general sales manager, currently
vacationing in the Far East, has
been invited to be the meet’s guest
ot honor.

Accompanying Aboaf from N. Y.
will be Fortunat Baronat, U direc-
tor of foreign publicity. They leave
Aug. 6. Repping the company’s
rar Eastern headquarters at the
convention will be Arthur G. Doyle,
*ar Eastern supervisor; Wally Orr,
managing director for Japan, and

“aul Fehlen, head auditor.

- . • ♦

Metro Cartoon Plant Starts
Work Again Sept. 20

i/Tof Hollywood, Aug. 3.

6 u . Car t°°n producer Fred
Quimby has set Sept. 20 as the date

un,.i, tW o a ? diti °nal units to start
• , . Cartoon studio resumes op-
eiaUon on that day after its annual
vacation.

Additions will signal resumption
Be,,’! 16 . Dro °Py” and “Barney
whiio f ? enes which were held up
foaf,,.. e car t°on sequences of the
iwi* musical “Invitation to the
in? '« ere being made, requir-
ng the efforts of the entire staff.

for an P i e « ta Sound will be used
a* ® , 16 S5 rtoon releases for the

Cinemascope.”' *** being ' raade in

If Artie Shaw Why Not a Tommy
Manville ‘Bioplc’?

Omaha, Aug. 3,

Proposed feature film on Artie
Shaw’s life last week drew criti-
cism on the Omaha World-Herald’s
editorial page. In the letters-to-
the-editor column, W. A. Lerner
of Sutherland, Neb., wrote:

“Shades of Henry VIII! Just
what has Artie Shaw (and his sev-
en wives) contributed to the sum
total of American life that a film
biography is planned in Holly-
wood?

“If it is the number of marital
rifts that prompted this film , then
certainly the love life of Tommy
Manville has been overlooked by
the producers”

Exhibs’ Prejudice Agin’
Foreign Features Dates
To Long-Ago Burns— Roth

Exhibs “are their own worst ene-
mies” via their refusal to take a
chance on foreign pix, according to
George Roth, Atlantic Pictures
Corp. topper.

Just back from a midwestern
swing, Rotji said he nevertheless
had found a definite improvement
in the status of foreign films, par-
ticularly the British. .He saw a ten-
dency for arteries to spring up,
catering to both the small section
of the specialized audience and the
foreign language groups.

Mistake exhibs are making is
that, having possibly been burned
once, years ago; they refuse to give
imports another chance, Roth as-
serted. “They forget that times
and the audience have changed.
They only want to play i.t safe, and
in so doing, they overlook a lot
|.of good bets."

Roth found Alec Guinness the
one foreign star of sufficient b.o.
appeal for his pix to rate circuit
bookings. He thought Italian Films
Export was doing a good promo-
tional job, which reflected in the
success of some of its pix.

He concedes Legion of Decency
ratings of foreign pix is a strong
booking and b.o. deterrent in many
spots.

MANNY REINER EXITS
GOLDWYN PRODUCTIONS

Manny Reiner, vet in distribu-
tion, has bowed out as foreign
manager of Samuel Goldwyn ' Pro-
ductions. The parting is by “mu-
tual consent,’’ James A. Mu Ivey,
president of the company, stated
yesterday (Tues.).

Reiner joined Goldwyn in Febru-
ary, 1953, and traveled abroad ex-
tensively in the post. He was for-
merly associatld with Metro, Para-
mount and Selznick Releasing Or-
ganization. Also active in tv, he
was a v.p, of Prockter Television
Enterprises and sales manager of
Louis G. Cowan, Inc.

Successor at the Goldwyn office
will not be named for some time,
it’s understood. Outfit’s “Hans
Christian Andersen” has played
the foreign market and Goldwyn’s
next, “Guys and Dolls," will not
be ready, until some time in 195$.

Reiner hasn't disclosed, his fu-
ture plans.

By FRED HIFT

. Unless the IATSE recognizes.
Britain’s right to compete fairly
for the American tv dollar via film
production, British labor will sup-
port retaliatory moves against
Hollywood releases in Britain, in-
cluding a possible ban against
U.S. films.

That’s the message which Tom
O’Brien, general secretary of Brit-
ain’s National Assn, of Theatrical
& Kinematograph Employees and
one of that country’s most re-
spected labor spokesmen, brings
with him as he sets out for a round
of discussions in N.Y., Washington,
Cincinnati and the Coast.

O’Brien, who arrived in N.Y.
Monday (2), armed with a mandate
to speak for all of Britain’s four
showbiz unions, made no bones
about British labor’s reaction to
Hollywood Films Council moves to
stop what Hollywood unionists
term “runaway" U.S. tv pix pro-
duction in Britain.

At the same, time, O’Brien has a
practical solution on what he calls
the “misunderstandings” between
the two international labor groups.
He will propose the establishment
of a permanent liaison committee
that would serve to “iron out” dif-
ficulties as they arise. Looking
further ahead, the British labor
leader said he could visualize such
a committee to branch out to take
in reps of other foreign unions.
Such closer contact, he thought,
would serve a useful and profit-
able purpose. Anglo-American re-
lations are uppermost on his mind,
however.

Here As Friend

“I’ve come here as a friend,"
O’Brien stated, “but my American
colleagues might as well under-
stand .this clearly: International
trade is a matter of give and take.
If they want American films to be
shown outside this country, they
must be prepare to make conces-
sions. like everyone else.

“It so happens that Britain still
is Hollywood’s most important for-
eign market. The reported high
level of employment in Hollywood
is entirely due to the remitted
earnings of American pictures in
Britain. The American unions must
decide once and for all whether
they want to confine Hollywood
product to the U.$., or whether
they wish it to find a market in
Britain. If we are discriminated
against — and the Hollywood Films
Council’s position is completely
contrary to American trade prin-
ciples — we shall have to protect
ourselves."

O’Brien declared flatly that “we
can do without American pictures,
if need be. It would take some ad-
justing, but we can do it. Mind
you, I’m not in favor of such ac-
tion, but it could become neces-
( Continued on page 63)

With Free Convertibility, O’Brien

PREJUDICIAL DISMISSAL

Joe

Anthony Sued RKO
Alleged Plagiarism

for

Los Angeles, Aug. 3.

Writer Joe Anthony’s $2,500,000
plagiarism suit against RKO Radio
Pictures and RKO Keith Orpheum
Corp. was dismissed, with pre-
judice, by Ernest Tolin in Federal
Court. Understood a settlement
has been made.

Anthony claimed RKO’s “The
Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer”
contained parts of his own story,
“Sister Eve,” which he had sub-
mitted to the studio.

If National Allied Lags,
Berger’s Bunch Plans
Attack on % Terms

Minneapolis, July 27.

Plans are being prepared by
North Central Allied to go it alone,
if necessary, in a move to have the
federal and state governments, reg-
ulate the selling of films to small
town and subsequent run theatres,
according to the independent ex-
hibitors organization’s president,
Bennie Berger. .

It will do so in case the parent
body, national Allied States,
“doesn’t succeed in getting the dis-
tributors off their high percentage
horses or, failing that, doesn’t
bring about federal intervention,”
Berger warns.

“We’ll give national Allied a rea-
sonable amount of time to obtain

+ If and when Britain agrees to
free convertibility of American
film earnings, the U. S. industry
should be made to promise to pro-
duce a minimum of 10 features in
Britain, according to Tom O’Brien,
a member of Parliament and gen-
eral secretary of the British Na-
tional Assn, of Theatrical & Kine-
matograph Employees.

O’Brien, who arrived in N. Y.
Monday (2 ) , pointed out that Hol-
lywood takes out between $17,-
000,000 and $20,000000 from Brit-
ain every year. “I don’t think it’s
unreasonable to ask the American
industry to produce a certain
number of films in our country,”
he observed. “It should be done
voluntarily. I don’t favor force in
such matters.”

The British labor leader and
past president of the Trade Union
Congress salfi film coin converti-
bility had been discussed in. Lon-
don, but that it was closely tied
to the country’s economy. “The
question is likely to come up this
autumn, u -he stated. “I’m in favor
of it since Britain and Hollywood
must live together, but I don’t
think we are ready for it yet.”

It’s been reported on various oc-
casions that, when the British film
agreement talks start in Washing-
ton in September, the Motion Pic-

( Continued on page 62)

30 YEARS WITH METRO,

GOES ON

Hollywood, Aug. 3,

Fred C. Quimby, Metro’s short
subject production chief and car-
the sorely needed relief for the j toon producer, has been signed to

small exhibitor and if it doesn’t
produce I’ll ask my board of direc-
tors to approve our own fight,”
asserts Berger who says he has
sounded out the directors and is
assured of their favorable action.

United States and Germany
End Double Income Tax

Washington, Aug. 3.

A tax convention with West Ger-
many has been sent to the Senate
for ratification by President Eisen-
hower.

Convention, similar to those with
many other nations, would end the
paying of double income taxes
where nationals of one country
earn money in anoLher. Thus, U.S.
Wilm companies and actors who roll
up income in Germany would pay
the U.S. income taxes but would
not be required to pay any to Ger-
many.

Eric Johnston in Crossfire

Verbal brickbats which British and American film labor are
tossing at oneanother find the Motion (Picture Assn, of America
uncomfortably squeezed in the middle, ap innocent bystander with
a lot at stake.

Whichever way the producers turn, they’re the ones apt to
suffer final punishment. There’s no question, however, that MPA A
cheers are meant for the British who’re fighting the Hollywood
AFL Film Council’s, “isolationist” stand against “runaway” produc-
- tion of tv pix in Britain.

MPAA prexy Eric Johnston is a great and practicing believer
in the principle of free trade, and he has made it clear to the
Hollywood unions that this policy embraces the right of foreign
nations to compete freely in the American market.

Fight is strictly between the American IATSE, speaking via
the Films Council, and the British showbiz unions whose spokes-
man, Tom O’Brien, is currently in this country.

If the Films Council has its way, and manages to keep American
producers from lensing tv films in Britain, MPAA members are
apt to suffer the Consequences, O’Brien made it clear in N.Y.
Monday (2) that, if driven in a corner, the British unions would
support a move to boycott American films. That would cost the
producers a minimum of $22,000,000 a year, and likely a lot more.

The Hollywood unions take the position that the reduction in
production skeds has reduced employment, and that a further
drain of jobs via British tv pic production is unwarranted.

In this uneasy situation, MPAA is doing its best to stay neutral
and befriend both sides, Johnston will be host to O’Brien at a
Washington luncheon next week at' which time mutual problems
will* 4>e discussed. *

a new long-term contract by the
studio. New pact came on the occa^
sion of Quimby ’s 30th anni with
the company.

Simultaneously with the sighing
of Quimby’s new pact, M-G an-
nounced the formation of two new,
live-action short subject units, one
of which will be for the production
of dramatic subjects, while the
other will feature situation come-
dies.

Quimby organized the M-G
shorts department in 1924. The
cartoon studio was created under
his supervision in 1937.

Local Video Artists Play
Film Houses on 50% Terms

Columbus, Aug. 3.

Television and film exhibitors
are getting along like Iambs in this
area with country performers Bil-
ly Scott of WLW-C here and Helen
Harris of WLW-D, Dayton, giving
30 to 40-minute stage shows at
conventional houses and drive-ins
lor 50% of the gross with news-
paper ad costs deducted.

Scott and Miss Harris furnish
14 to 22-inch showcards, newspaper
publicity, stills, a trailer and plugs
on their own video shows.

Bischoff-Allied Talking

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

In line with its new policy of
lining up weilknown directors, pro-
ducers and stars Allied Artists is
negotiating a deal with Sam Bis-
choff to produce number of pix.

Steve Broidy, confirming discus-
sions, said Bischoff is one of sev-
eral top producers with Whom ne-
gotiations are on.

Zanuck to Europe Again

Darryl F. Zanuck, 20th-Fox pro-
duction topper, arrived in N. Y.
from the Coast Saturday (31) and,
after a day of confabs with the
homcoffice brass, left for Europe.
He was there just recently.

He’ll be back in N. Y. Aug. 24
to attend the gala preem of his
personal production, “The Egyp-
tian.”

FILM REVIEWS

Wcdneafay, Aiigvit 4, 1$54

Sabrina

• * ' ■ ■

Sock romantic comedy with
Humphrey Bogart, Audrey
Hepburn, William Holden.
Hearty b.o. possibilities.

Hollywood, Aug. 2.

■ Paramount re.’oi.re of Billy Wilder pro-
duction. Stors.Humphrey Bogart, Audrey
Kcpburri, Willi.' maiden; Mature* Walter
Hampden, John Williams, Martha Hyer,
. Joan Voha. Directed by Wilder. Screen-
play. Wilder, Samuel Taylor and Ernest
Lehman; from the play Sabrina
by Taylor; camera, Charles Lang; editor.
Arthur Schmidt: score, Frederick Hol-
lander. Prevised July 28,. 54, Running
time, 112 MINS,

Linus L? r rrbo{* Humohrey^ Bogart

Sabrina Fairchild ...... Audrey Hepburn

David L?rrrbre v/iniam Holden

Oliver Larrabce ...... Walter Hampden

Thomas F.-lrChlld John Williams

Elizabeth Tyson ......... Martha Hyer

Gretchen Von Horn ,... 4 .. Joan Votts

Baron Marcel D-Mo

The Professor Marcel Hillaire

Maude Lsrrabee .... Nella Walker

Mr. Tyson Francis X. Bushman

Miss Me'l.-rdlc ■ Ellen Corby

(Aspect ratio : 1.75-1)

A slick blend of heart and
chuckles makes “Sabrina” a sock
romantic comedy that should catch
on at the boxoffice and rate hearty
ticket sales. Word-of-mouth poten-
tial is strong and will figure. im-
portantly in building grosses.

The picture has been loaded with
the Academy Award-winning names
of Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hep-,
burn and William Holden. When
paired with a stout piece of enter-
tainment these can keep ticket
windows humming. Also, the Oscar
angle is presumably exploitable in
pushing sales.

Picture uses the Cinderella
theme that featured Samuel Tay-
lor’s play, “Sabrina Fair,” excel-
lently. It has been reworked and
broadened into a class, adult com-
edy that will be liked by the
masses., Billy Wilder, an Oscar-
holder nimself, produced and di-
rected. and did the nifty scripting
with Taylor and Ernest Lehman,
Script is long on glibly quipping
dialog, dropped with a seemingly
casual air. and broadly played sit-
uations. The sDlendid trouping
delivers them with a style that will
keep audiences on the alert.
Leavening the chuckles are tugs
at the heart, and this, turning on
of sentiment upon occasion is a
large factor in making this picture
sterling entertainment.

Basically, the plot's principal
business is to get Miss -Hepburn,
daughter of a chauffeur in service
to an enormously wealthy family,
paired off with the right man.
She's always been in love with
playboy Holden, but ends Up with
Bogart, the austere, businessman
brother. The change of heart is
spotted by the audience before the
players let on they are aware of
it, too, and before the climax is
reached, viewers are in for plenty
of fun. The film is 112 minutes in
running time, but none of them
seem long after Wilder once gets
going with his story. The initial
lag sets things up for a fast pace
thereafter.

The fun is in the playing. Bogart
Is sock as the tycoon with no time
for gals until he tries to get Miss
Hepburn’s mind off Holden. The
latter sells his comedy strongly,
wrapping up a character somewhat
offbeat for him. Miss Hepburn
again demonstrates a winning tal-
ent for being “Miss Cinderella” and
will have audiences rooting for her
all the way.

The talent is not all among the
stars. Walter Hampden, playing
the father of the ill-assorted sons,
smacked over many laughs, only
one of which is his struggle to get
the-last olive out of a bottle. John
Williams scores as the chauffeur
who sends his daughter to Paris to
become a cook and is doublecrossed
when she returns a fascinating
lady. Martha Hyer, Holden’s
fiancee, and Joan Vohs, a giggling
blonde who would like' to be, con-
tribute femme charms, The sup-
porting performances are equally
smart.

Film abounds with lush produc
tion values, all expertly put on the
screen by Charles Lang’s photog-
raphy. The background score by
Frederick Hollander is another fine
. point in blending laughs and heart

Brog.

Sam Katzman’s 4 Films

Hollywood, Aug. 3.
Sam Katzman started his 1955
Clover Productions program at
Columbia by assigning writers to
four films. To date he has lined
up 14 properties and expects to
acquire four mpre for production
before the end of December.

Scripters and their assignments
are Curt Siodmak on 'The Crea-
ture with the Atom Brain”; Berne
Giler on “Dressed Lo-Kill”; Hebert
E. Kent on an untitled western,
and Ray Bufftim on a juvenile de-
linquency yarn.

The Black Shield ef
> FalwtfHh

(C’SC OPE— C OLOR)

Actionful swashbuckler with
Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh and
good boxoffice outlook.

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

Universal release of Robert Arthur,
MelvUle Tucker, production. Stars Tony
Curtis, Janet Leigh, David Farrar, ^Bar-
bara Rush,- Herbert Marshall; features.
Torin Thatcher, Daniel O’Herllhy, Patrick
O'Neal, Craig Hill, Ian Keith, Doris Lloyd.
Rhys Williams. Dlreoted by Rudolph
Mate. Screenplay, Oscar Brodney: based
on the novel “Men of Iron*’ by Howard
Pyle; camera (Technicolor),- Irving Glass-
berg; editor, Ted J. Kent; music super-
vision, Joseph Gershenson. Previewed
July 27, '54. Running time, 91 MINS.

Myles Tony Curtis

Lady Anne Janet Leigh

Gilbert Blunt, Earl of Alban

David Farrar

Meg Barbara Rush

William, Earl of Mackworth

Herbert Marshall

Sir James Torin Thatcher

Prince Hal Daniel O’Herlihy

Walter Blunt Patrick O’Neal

Francis Gascoyne ..., Craig Hill

King Henry IV Ian Keith

Dame Ellen . . Doris Lloyd

Diccon Bowman Rhys Williams

Friar Edward' Leonard Mudie

Count de Vermois Maurice Marsac

Sir Robert Leo Britt

Giles Charles Fitz Simons

Peter . Gary Montgomery

Sir George Claud Allister

Roger In-oldsby Robin Camp

(Aspect ratio:. 2.55-1)

Universal has come up with a
romantic swashbuckler for its ini-
tial CinemaScoped offering and
the payoff thrdugh this company’s
general market . looks good. It
teams Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh
to attract the younger ticket buy-
ers, and backs the pairing with
plenty of derring-do action.

Film is shaped expertly to mar-
ket demands under the co-producer
function of Robert Arthur and
Melville Tucker* The escapism in
the Oscar Brodney screenplay is
broadly developed under Rudolph
Mate’s direction and there’s enough
good costumed entertainment to
give the picture appeal to all who
want light, fast-moving filmfun in
a fanciful vein.

“Men of Iron," novel by Howard
Pyle, furnishes the basis for Brod-
ney’s script, which details the con-
spiracy against the throne of King
Henry IV which the Earl of Alban
has cooked up, and how the threat
is put down by Curtis, son of a
cashiered knight, with the help of
Herbert Marshall, the Earl of
Mackworth, and Dan O'Herlihy, son
of the king. In downing the traitor,
Curtis regains a noble" position and
the hand of Miss Leigh, the daugh
ter of the Earl of Mackworth.

In leading up to the climactic
fight between Curtis and the evil
earl played by David Farrar, foot-
age works in plenty of details on
feudal life. These scenes are prin-
cipally concerned with the training
for knighthood of Curtis, up to
this point raised as a peasant with
his attractive sister, Barbara Rush.
Scenes will appeal to the youthful
and action-minded, as will the wall-
climbing courtship carried on be-
tween Curtis and Miss Leigh, and
Miss Rush and Craig Hill, a trainee
friend of Curtis. Climax is a rous-
ing sequence of bloody dueling
that comes off well.

The above named players bring
their roles off in the proper spirit
and other worthy contributions
come from Torin Thatcher, the
tough Sir James under whom the
embryo knights, train; Patrick
O’Neal, the wicked earl’s brother;
O’Herlihy, the Prince Hal; Ian
Keith, the king; Doris Lloyd, flut-
tery lady-in-waiting, and Rljys
Wiliams, guardian of Curtis and
Miss Rush in their earlier life.

Irving Glassberg used the
Cinemascope cameras and the
Technicolor tints excellently to
show off the good art direction and
settings. Music supervision by
Joseph Gershenson permits' the
score to compete too often with
the actiqn drama., . Brog

The Vanishing Prairie

(Color-— Documentary)

From Walt Disney, another

fine exploration of nature in

the raw.

„ruly a remarkable pictorial exami-
nation of wildlife in the wide open
spaces of mid-U.S. It's an uncanny
study of the everyday behavior of,
arfd the fight for survival among,
prairie dogs, bison, cranes, coyotes,
mountain lions, various rodents
and birds. . ' , ,

“Prairie'* will follow the market-
ing pattern which was cut with
“Desert” and there's every reason
:o believe it will chalk iip similarly
good returns.

The billing of the series is fit-
,ing, for the new pic, like its prede-
cessor, is a genuine adventure
dealing with animal 1 existence. The
audience is given an inches-away
view of a 260-pound prairie feline
in exquisitely agile movement,
pursuing a young , deer to provide
sustenance for her cubs. This and
other close-ups are provided by
deft use of long-range cameras and,
doubtless, much long waiting by ,
the lensmen for the right material
to ’present itself.

Glimpses of the prairie dogs, of
Jie rodent family, are particularly
intimate for the spectator is taken
right through the labyrinthine
tunnels which these creatures gnaw
through the ground and maintain
as their protective homes.

The specific sector covered lies
between the Rockies and the Mis-
sissippi. The Technicolor mirroring
is a decided plus^ that distinctly
reveals the beautiful contrasting
hues in the terrain and, of course,
the four-footed and winged deni-
zens of the area.

For the most part the film is
light.” That is, there’s not much
of the horror inherent in life-or-
death struggles between the ani-
mals. As a matter of fact, there’s
much underlining of comedic
values, such as ducks coming in
for pratt-sliding landings on an icy
lake. Also, : the musical score is
cleverly in sync with the move-
ments of the animals on view and
this has delightfully humorous
effect.

One scene not for the lily-livered,
though, focuses on a bison yielding
a new calf. The actual birth is
clearly and fully in view and the
stark rawness of it is strong spec-
tacle.

The commentary is always infor-
mative and sometimes amusing. All
concerned with “Prairie” (see
credits above) have contributed to
a film project that is both an edu-
cational experience and a fine
entertainment. Gene.

El Grito Sagrado

(The Sacred Call)
(ARGENTINE)

Buenos Aires, July 20.

AAA release of Eduardo Bedoya’a pro-
duction. Stars Fanny Navarro with Car-
los Cores, Eduardo Cuitino. Aida Luz, An-
tonia Herrero, Alba Castellanos, Luis Me-
dina Castro, Nina Brian. Directed by Luis
Cesar Amatori. Edited by AtiRo Rinaldi
and Ricardo Nlstal. Screenplay, Pedro
Miguel ObUgado; camera, Francis Boeni-
ger; editors, AtUio Rinaldi, Ricardo Nls*
tal; music, Tito Rlbero. At Gran Rex
Theatre, Buenos Aires. Running time,
1U MINS.

_ Buena Vista Films release of Walt
Disney production; associate producer,
Ben Sharpstecn; director, James Algar;
screenplay. Algar, Winston Hibler, Ted
Sears; narrated by. Hibler; camera. Tom
McHugb. James R. Simon, N. Paul Ken-
worthy. Jr., Cleveland P. Grant; adtfed
photography, Lloyd Beebe. Herb Crisler,
Dick Borden, Warren Garst, Marl Derating,
Olin Sewall Pettinglll Jr., Stuart V.
Jewell, Bert Harwell; editor, Lloyd Rich-
ardson: music editor, A1 Teeter; snf na-
tion effects, JoshuA Meador, Art Riley;
special process, Ub Iwerks; music. Paul
Smith; orchestration, Edward Plumb,
Joseph Dubln; filmed with the coopera-
tion of the US. Department of the
Interior, National Park Service, Wind
, Cm* National Park, yellow stone National
ij Fark. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau
Affair*, and th« Crow Indian
THbe, Previewed N.Y. July ' 34 . fttm-
ning time, ft MIMS,

In “Varnishing Prairie, 0 ' Walt
Disney has a wholly satisfactory
to “Living D#scvt.”
■9 which wa* h& first True Life A4-
l venture itzimt, Jhis now tatty is

The producers aimed at making
an epic historical romance out of
this story based on true incident
during Argentina’s emancipation
period, but, despite heavy outlay
(for a pic here), they only succeed-
ed in making a corny soap opera
on celulloid. The antiquated han-
dling creaked at the ballyhooed
preem. This has scant interest for
U. S. audiences although television
might be interested from an edu-
cational standpoint. Pic was disap-
pointing on its opening here.

Handling is so ancient that char-
acters even resort to such patent
devices as calling each other by
full names and patronymics, Rus
sian-style, so audiences will catch
on to their identities. Moreover,
yarn is told in flashback by the
heroine, Mariquita Sanchez de
Thompson y Mendeville. She de-
scribes to a granddaughter, rebel-
ing against parental discipline, her
own struggle' against rigid Spanish
custom in opposing ‘her parents to
wed Martin Thompson; the dawn-
ing of patriotism when a British
invasion spurred them to defend
their native soil; eventual revolt
against the tyrants, emancipation
of the slaves and the final arrival
of independence. The picture's
long footage winds up with Presi-
dent Sarmieuto, head of a Feder-
ated Republic, ’ honoring the aged
Mariquita Thompson at Govern-
ment House.

Treatment here turns a nation’s
birth-pangs into a heroine’s per-
sonal sob story, with deep histori-
cal overtones colored by present
political ideologies. The onus of
“enslavers” is tossed towards Brit-
ain rather than Spain, overlooking
the, historically-recorded fact that
officers who led the British inva-
sion made fast friends of the colon-
ists and urged them towards eman-
cipation. The impact of Napoleonic
wars on Argentine development is
f carefully avoided,
f Choice of Fanny Navarro for the
i role of Mariquita segued from her
status as president of the Enter-
tainment (htild, Carlos Cores was
♦ a stop-gapf choice 1 for the jtnde lead

pf Martin Thompson when getor
Carlos Thompson jdeserted for Hol-
ly wood,. However, he acquits him-
self ably in, naval uniforms which
enhance his fine, physique. Aida
£uz shows rare charm is the wife
of General San Martin while Edu-
ardo Cuitino is suitably sonorous
as Fray Cayetano Rodriguez, a
signer of the declaration of inde-
pendence. Luis Medina Castro as
the villain is leery enough for a
performance in /f East Lynne” -of
the 18Q0's.

Perhaps the most interesting
side of the pic is the reconstruction'
of old Buenos Aires. In some cases
interior sets are faithfully repro-
duced from old prints’ while props,
are. .borrowed from museums for
greater authenticity. But the whole
has b?en assembled with nether
taste nor imagination. Nid,

Vartctease

(COLOR)

Beautiful Productions presentation' of
Irving Klaw production, directed by Klaw.
Stars Lili St. Cyr. Camera (Eastmancolor),
Daniel Cavelli; editor, Les Orlebeck;
music,. Metis; song* “Broken Toy” by Ben
Blosser and Irma HoUander. Previewed
in N,Y. July 29, '54. Running time, 45
MIN?.

Cast: Lili St. Cyr,. Cass Franklin, Monica
Lane, Betty Page, Bobby Shields, Bard &
Rogers* Christine Nelson, TWlnnie Wal-
len, Shelley Leigh, Chris La Chris, Vicki
Lynn.

While beauty is represented in
the form of Lili St. Cyr, Irving
Klaw’s immodestly-named Beauti-
ful Productions offers a film that
nowhere approaches the billing.
This is a burleycue film, strictly
for the. skid row joints that play
this product. It’s a hodgepodge of
strips, musical numbers, and ex-
tremely unfunny comedy routines.

Klaw has two versions of this
film, one for states with censor-
ship boards and another for the
non-scissors wielders. Except for
Miss St. Cyr’s final disrobing num-
ber, the version shown at a New
York screening offers nothing that
would offend the Helen Hokinson
set.

Photography, sets, editing, per-
formances (except Miss St. Cyr’s)
are all substandard. Holl.

La Chair Ef Le Diablo

(The Devil And The Pulpit)
(FRANCO-ITALIAN)

, • . Paris. July 28.

Jeannic release of Isarfllm-SAFA pro-
duction. Stars Vivlane Romance; features
Rossano Brazil, Peter Van Eyck! Writ-
ten and directed by Jean Josipovlcl; cam-
era. Michel Kelber; editor. Denise Reiss.
At Raimu, Parts. Running time. 90 MINX.

Mylene Vivlane Romance

Giuseppe Rossano Braizi

Mathias Peter Van Eyck

La Vieille TItina De Filippo

Patronne Helena Bossis

As writer and director, Jean Jo-
sipovici is at fault for fashioning
this heavyhanded, bucolic love mel-
odrama. Lack of character defini-
tion, familiar proceedings and a
plodding pace make this less than
palatable for both domestic and
foreign chances.

This concerns an itinerant Ital-
ian worker who comes to work on
a farm in Southern France. A hot-
blooded ladies’ man, he is taken
by the taciturn,. Voluptuous wife of
his boss. This leads to the ensuing
i tragedy. The fanner disappears
after a fight with the worker, and
when a body is found in unrec-
ognizable state the wife and worker
are accused* of murder. He is ex-
ecuted and the wife imprisoned.
Then the farmer turns up, and the
townspeople run amuck and stone
farmer, his wife and servant to
death.

This grisly affair is handled with-
out any imagic knowhow and is
flat in rhythm and pace to make
this story unbelievable and preten-
tious in unfoldment. Viviane Ro-
mance has brooding sensual looks,
but is not up to the hauteur of the
high thespic range of the proud
brooding woman, while Rossano
Brazzi and Peter Van Eyck, as the
worker and husband, are too stilted
and pompous in playing. Rest of
the familiar village types are ade-
quate, but lensing reeks of the stu-
dio and editing does not relieve
the redundant pacing of this down-
beat opus. Mosk.

(FRENCH)

.. • Paris, July !

Path* release of Calamy produ
Star* Yve* Denlaud. Directed hy ]
Habib; screenplay, Jean Halain,
novel by Anatole France; dialog, j
TAbet; camera. Andre Germain; e
Madeleine Baglau. At Imperial,
Running time, 90 MINS.

Cralnquebille .... ...... Yves Denlaud

Boy Christian Fourcade

wioow Laurence Aubry

Friend Pierre Mondy

Lawyer Claude Winter

Tramp Jacques Fabbri

Film is the third celluloid round
for Anatole -France's novel of a
miscarriage of justice and the re-
sults of man’s indifference to man.
The Jacques Feyder version, in
1925, still remains th*e most mov-
ing and humane version which,
though, silent, eloquently depicted
the life of a small merchant made
the victim of a misunderstanding,
and almost dying of poverty and

chagritt wheft h^JyecmesM s&cial
outcast.

Present version has updated the
stortr. but more comic Playing robs
it of its motive#, and it emerges, in
its new form, aa d lachrymose, un-
even tale that aedmt 4a|ed and
anachronistic. This Is okay for gen-
eral situations here, but has little
for U.S, chances due to its stilted
downbeat tale and Uneven direc-
tion and thesping,

Crainquebille has a vegetable
pushcart, and is an affable, kindly
old man known and liked by all his
clients. A disagreeable policeman
does not get along with the old
merchant, who is the champion of
the kids playing in the crowded
streets, and when a disagreement
occurs. the cop arrests the old man
on the charge that he had been
insulted. Pic then goes through
his trial and two-week imprison-
ment due to the hurried court
activities, and then the lack of
comprehension of the old clients
who boycot him and almost drive
him to suicide, from which he is
saved by the^ understanding of a
little boy.

Director Ralph Habib has not
been able to transfer the feeling
and probing humanity of the origi-
nal into this, and it emerges a
folksy, bit that. Is primarily local in
appeal. Yves Denlaud makes the
old man a crusty figure, but never
taps the pathos inherent in the
misunderstood peddler. Christian
Fourcade of “Little Boy Lost”
(Par) overdoes the waif attitudes,
and the rest of the cast is ade-
quate. Lensing and editing are par
but production smacks qf too much
economy, and the Supposedly
steaming street scenes reek of
studio, and are out of keeping with
the pace and theme of the story.

Mosk.'

Mano Dello Stranglero

(The Stranger's Hand)
(ITALIAN)

Rome, July 13.

Dear Film release of a Rlzzoli-Mllo pro-
duction. Stars Alida Valli. Trevor How,
ard, Richard Base hart, Richard O’SuUivan,
Eduardo Clannelli. Directed by Mario Sol-
dan. Screenplay, Gioreio Bassanl, Guy
Elems. from an orijrlnfi story by Graham
Greene; camera, Enzo Serafln; music,
Nino Rota; editor, Tom Simpson. At the
Bimini, Rome. Running time, 100 MINS.

Roger Court ......... Richard O'Sullivan

Major Court ............ Trevor Howard

Roberta . Alida ValU

John Richard Basehart

Boslch Eduardo CiannelU

Spy meller focusing action on a
small boy in a Venice locale has
suspense values for general appeal
plus good performances, especially
by Richard O'Sullivan, as the mop-
pet. For the p. S., cast names plus
the Graham Greene authorship
will help. Pic was shot in English
so no dubbing problem involved.

The kid (O'Sullivan) is skedded
to meet his father (Trevor How-
ard), an intelligence officer, in
Venice, Before meeting, fatter is
detoured and captured by Slavic
terrorists ~&nd set for secret de-
portation to the East. Bulk of film
shows boy’s efforts, aided by a
I friendly secretary (Alida Valli)
and her sailor friend ' (Richard
Basehart), to find his father.
Search makes for colorful location
sequences- and enough under-
played suspense to hold audiences
until the windup, which sees the
liberation of the father just as ship
is set to leave harbor.

Plot is just & shade coincidental,
and some of action, especially con-
cerning the terrorist group’s do-
ings, is not clear, possibly because
of the producer's attempt to play
neutral. Involved also is Eduardo
Ciannelli, as the tenrorist doctor,
often torn between East and West,
and the reluctant leader of the
gang.

Pic If, vaguely reminiscent, in
feeling, of “Fallen Idol,” also au-
thored by Greene, but lacks the
latter’s depth of handling, despite
a good, unmannered performance
by O’SuUivah. Howard is good as
the kid's father. Miss Valli and
Basehart have relatively little to do
in helping the search, with focus
on the kia.'

Direction could have been a bit
tighter .for the .genre, and some-
times lags for some moralizing by
the author, but general suspense
values hold. Enzo Serafin's . cam-
erawork presents an unusual, off-
season aspect of Venice, in keep-
ing with pic’s mood, and is effec-
tive. Good musical score by Nino
Rota backdrops appropriately.

Hawk.

‘WindsY 3d H’wood Preem

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

{Something new in film history,
a third Hollywood premiere,
slated for Aug. 10 when "Gone
With the Wind” will be screened
with trimmings at the Egyptian
Theatre to celebrate its Anniver-
sary Jubilee.

Picture Was first exhibited m
1039,

tf .

Never Quite Made 450G Rental

By GENE ARNEEL^
Wrecking crews are • dropping
the final curtain on one of the
great victims of circumstance in
show business history— N.Y.’s Cen-
ter Theatre. Since its erection in
1932 the house has heen regarded
as the sole red-ink property in the
Rockefellers’ mammoth — and* still
expanding — Rockefeller Center.
Films, legit, ice shows and opera
had been tried without abiding

success. ... . _

The villain of the piece is .Radio
City Music Hall, for whose welfare
the Center had to be “sacrificed.”

Opening Dec. 29, 1932, the Cen-
ters original film policy was, right
off, plenty upbeat. RKO’s “Animal
Kingdom” teed off and the first
week’s take was a profitable $71,-

000. Two days earlier, the Music
Hall had bowed amid the most
elaborate opening night trappings
of the era. Over 6,000 persons, er-
mined and black-tied, showed up
to view this architectural and show
world marvel of the “new age.”
Even before the rent was paid, the
Hall lost $180,000 in cash in its
first. 16 days.

'Palladium’ Policy at Hall
Both the Hall and Center were
RKO operations and represented
an annual rental item of $1,000,000.
The Center was to be a first-run
film house; the Hall was designed
as a bigger and better version of
London’s Palladium, operating
grand-scale vaude on two a day.

The Hall’s modus operandi was
largely the brainwork of S. L.
(Roxy) Rothafel. He was to oversee
both situations for RKO. At the
time, Martin Beck was acting as
liaison between RKO and Roxy.

In addition to setting the first-
run policy, Roxy endowed the Cen-
ter with its first name — his own.
Despite the fact that there was a
Roxy Theatre (and still .is) within
(Continued on page 16)

CLAIMS VS. CRITICISMS
ON PROPAGANDA FILMS

Washintgon, Aug. 3.
Andrew W. Smithy former film
Industry executive who is now op-
erating head of the United States
Information Agency’s film service,
filed a report with his chief, Theo-
dore C. Streibert, last week. His
facts and interpretations were
promptly challenged from New
York by Eugene W. Castle, another
retired industry figure, who is
chief spokesman for the viewpoint
that American film propaganda is
a flop and should be abolished as
an economy measure.

Smith praised the American mo-
tion picture industry for helping
the Info Agency, to reach “an ad-
ditional 200,000,000 persons weekly
around the world.” Castle branded
tins statement an “appropriation
ot the entire weekly audience for
Hollywood’s non-propaganda en-
movies.” Castfe con-

tnro S l ie ,F‘ s> Propaganda pic-
es are shown via mobile trucks

. lny groups in rural areas of
a , nds - “It is common

Jicrn edg u C. said Castle . “that for-
exh , lblt ors will not show

envo? gand ^ Idms of ary foreign
8 inc luding our own.”

b s 4 report to Streibert, as'
released to the press, referred to

]anm Pnn ^ s soundtracks in 40
i5 vvhich were distributed

se /_ ec f ent . ninths through the over-
20th * acilltl * s of Warners, RKO,

hampH y n i d Paramount - He also
JS? Poles Are Stubborn Peo-

reermn 3 fln ! exam P ]e of a picture
HoUvwi produ S? d at low cost with
Saii c 0d i? u ? 10 cooperation,
still ‘Motion pictures are

JL on f e ‘°[ our most dramatic
Amerip/n r br * ngin 8 the story of
Pies nf n u. reign Policy to the peo-
exposing H he , r , free nations, and
°f P Red le * a * se » insidious claims
motion ^ 0 Pag*ndists. Today the
f oi'matinn 1C A tutes of the U. S. In-

ing that^mn e *l Cy t are clearly' serv-,
5 Ulat important purpose.’ 1 ■

Hoare in From London
For Selznick Conferences

Thomas J. Hoare, foreign sales
v.p. for Selznick Releasing Organi-
zation, arrived in N. Y. from Lon-
don late last week for confabs with
Frank I. Davis Jr., SRO president.

They’re taking up plans for the
worldwide reissue of Selznick’s
“Duel in the Sun” and other pix
set for re-sale. These include “Re-
becca,” “Tom Sawyer,” “Spell?
bound” and “Since You Went
Away.”

22 of U’s 30 Pix

With increasing emphasis on
higher production values and di-
versification of subject matter.
Universal’s lensing sked for the
fiscal year starting Nov. 1 so far
calls for 30 pix, 22 of them tinted.

Nearly half of the program will
consist of high budgeters which
bring the overall production invest-
ment way beyond prior levels. Al-
though it has five CinemaScope pix
already set", U is keeping an open
mind on other widescreen pro-
cesses such as Vista-Vision, etc.

U program was w’orked out on
the Coast at the annual exec pro-
duction meets presided over by U
prexy Milton Rackmil, Meets were
also attended by board chairman
N. J. Blumberg; exec v.p. Alfred
E. Daff; Edward Muhl, v.p. in
charge of . production; David A.
Lipton, ad-pub v.p.; James Pratt,
studio exec manager, and Morris
Davis, business manager.

Based on the success of “Walk-
ing My Baby Back Home” and U’s
upcoming “So This . Is Paris,” the
studio execs decided to spice their
sked with at least four romantic
comedies with music. Cast will in-
clude bright new personalities, with
pace and freshness to be the key-
note. Among the very high bud-
geted productions will be “Song
of^ Norway,” “Away All Boats,”
“The Galileans,” “All That Heaven
Allows” and “New Heaven, New
Earth.”

LOVEY TOM AND JERRY’;
AT LEAST TEMPORARILY

Metro’s “Tom and Jerry” car-
toon, marked for 15 years by may-
hem and near murder, perhaps has
taken a lesson from the current
anti-violence protests from parents
and teachers.

For the first time since the series
started, all will be sweetness and
light. Jerry will not smack Tom in
the teeth with a well-driven golf
ball or dump cantaloupe “gre-
nades” on him from a kitchen table.
In the upcoming “Tom, Jerry and
the Kid,” the cartoon Characters
will join forces in a careful, cor-
rect' and tender treatment of a
new-born baby.

Metro, however, hasn’t indicated
whether this is a permanent or
temporary truce.

Sam Rosen to Europe

Sam Rosen, executive veepec of
Stanley Warner, left Sunday (1)
for Europe to Survey additional
cities for Cinerama theatres. He’ll
visit Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen
and Dublin.

In a deal with Robin Interna-
tional, world-wide trade firm, SW
has already made arrangements
for the showing* of Cinerama in
London, Paris, Rome or Milan, and
.Dusseldorf in Western Europe.

Rosen will also have a look at
the film production centres of Lon-
don' and Rome.

This September will witness a
noticeable increase in the number
of colleges offering courses In vari-
ous phases of motion pictures. In
quite a few of the institutions of
higher learning, the students of
films will be able to receive bache-
lor degrees for their celluloid
learning. A few will offer master’s
degrees. For example, the City
College of New York will for the
first time this ye'ar offer film stu-
dies leading to a master’s.

While the nation’s colleges and
universities have over the years
shown an increasing interest in the
study of films, the industry, as a
whole, has maintained an ostrich-
like attitude toward film education
and has made little use of the
young men and women who have
devoted their college days to the
study of motion pictures. Individ-
uals connected with the industry in
various capacities have taught and
lectured .at the colleges, but the
industry as such has lent little sup-
port in the form of endowments or
financial aid.

Unlike other of the nation’s
leading industries, which endow
phairs and support research pro-
grams, the film biz has remained
on the outside. While at gradua-
tion time, scouts representing the
country’s top firms descend on the
college campuses to snap up the
bright young graduates, the film
biz irf noticeable by its ^absence.
This has continued to depress edu-
cators, since they feel the courses
in the history of films, writing,
production and direction have un-
covered potential Hollywood talent.

While the industry is only in-
terested in the b.o. draw of its
product, the development of films
(Continued on page 10)

CINERAMA PRODUCTIONS
BUYING IN ITS BONDS

Cinerama Productions, the com-
pany which turned over the rights
to the widescreen medium to Stan-
ley Wamer v is seeking to buy up
its Series “A” bond issue before
the due date of Dec. 1. In a letter
to bondholders mailed this week,
the company said it would accept
offers of any amount up to but not
exceeding 90c. on the $i.

The' Series “A” issue w f as for
$600,000, of which $123,660 has
been recovered via purchases on
the open market at prices from 77c
to 87c on the $1.

Decision to accept offers from
its bondholders was made at a
board of directors meeting last
week. Bo&rd chairman Louis B.
Mayer presided. Mayer came to
New York from Kentucky where
he had been on thoroughbred rac-
ing business. He returned to the
Coast on Saturday (31).

Stanley Kramer’s production of
“The Caine Mutiny,” Columbia re-
lease, while doing smash business
across the country, is not so stand-
out at the Capitol Theatre, N. Y.
Pic is doing much better than the
average run of films at this Goth-
am location but still the b.o. per-
formance is weaker than in any
other key city.

Conclusion being drawn is that
the current legit 4 Jlay, “Caine Mu-
tiny Court Martial,” is hurting the
film in N. Y. Stage version, at the
Plymouth Theatre, is now in its
28th week and has been consistent-
ly playing to capacity business
($33,500 weekly plus a couple hun-
dred extra dollars via standees), •

Film at the Cap winds its sixth,
week tonight (Wed.) with a gross
of slightly under $40,000. As stated,
this is hefty but still slower than
the torrid money pace of the film
in other situations.

While Herman Wouk’s novel is;
i the basis of the two versions, ac-

Par’s ‘Rear Window’ Gets

% ■

Venice Fest Acceptance

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

Added starter in the Venice Film
Festival, which gets under way
Aug. 22, is Paramount’s “The Rear
Window.” Entries closed some time
ago but the selection committee
accepted the picture after viewing
a print.

Other American entries are “The
Caine Mutiny,” “Three Coins in
the Fountain,” “Executive Suite”
and “On the Waterfront.”

f

Metro Tees Off
27 in Next 12 Mos.

Continuing its - accelerated pro-
duction pace started in April,
Metro will produce 27 pictures
during the next 12-month stanza.
Eight of the new pix are slated to
go before the cameras within the
next 60-day period.

Company has total of 52 story
properties completed or in various
stages of writing. The projects in-
clude a number of stage plays and
bestseller novels which the studio
acquired recently.

Stage plays include two current
Broadway hits, “Tea and Sympa-
thy" and “Teahouse of the August
Moon,” while a third, “The Tender
Trap,” is scheduled for fall open-
ing in New York.

Among recently purchased nov-
els which will be brought to the
screen are “Mary Anne,” “The
Cobweb,” “The Female,” “Bhowani
Junction,” ‘Charlemagne,”- “Black-
board Jullgle,” “Digby,’ and “The
Power and the Prize.”

In addition, the company’s pro-
gram includes such classics as
“Ben Hur.”, “Quentih Durward,”
“Green Mansions” and “In Mis-
souri," based on Mark * Twain’s
‘Huckleberry Finn.”

Barney Balaban’s Honor

Barney Balaban, Pa r a mount
president, will be honor guest at a
“Guardians of Israel” dinner in
N. Y. Sept. 26 under the auspices
of the Metropolitan Council of
B’nai B’rith. This marks the first
time the Council is singling- out an
^individual for a salute.

Balaban, now in Europe on a
vacation, is due back at the Par
homeoffice within the next 10 days.

tually the feature. and the play are
far apart in content. “Mutiny” on
stage concerns oniy the trial of
“Capt. Queeg” and a brief dinner-
party scene at the climax. The pic-
ture reproduces the entire : Wouk
story. In the film, the court mar-
tial is on view for only 10 minutes.

Press reviews of the “Caine"
play were all rave and possibly in-
stilled in some New Yorkers the
idea that this is the version to see.
At any rate, it seems to have taken
some of the play away from the
film.

This was not the case in San
Francisco, however. Legiters went
three weeks at the United Nations
Theatre, S. F., concurrent with the
run of the pic at the St. Francis.
Both did splendidly. Earl Long*
manager of the St. Francis, placed
an ad in the U. N. Theatre’s pro-
gram advising, “Now see the whole
story at the St. Francis." This ap-
proach to the legit customers ap-
parently paid> off. :

Despite murderous heat in the
midwest, film business over the
country last month was unusually
strong. Many exhibitors foresaw
the start of the fall biz upbeat for
first-runs getting -under way earlier
in the sturdy b.o. upbeat in July.
The strength last month together
with a further climb expected in
August also is reported reflecting
the full. effect of the lO^o Federal
admission, tax.

Some idea of how big trade was
for topflight pix in July is found in
the fact that the first four biggest
grossing films amassed better than
$4,552,000 in the four weeks cov-
ered by the past month. This com-
pares with $3,500,000 for the /our
top-ranking pix in June (ordinar-
ily a bigger month L

“Caine Mutiny” (Col), which
started out the month in first
place, continued No. 1 for four
straight weeks to become July box-

July’s Golden Dozen

1. “Caine Mutiny” (Col).

2. “High and Mighty” (WB).

3. “Gone With Wind” (M-G).

4. “Cinerama” (Indie),

5. “Garden of Evil” (20th).

6. “Apache”. (UAL

7. “Student Prince” (M-G).

8. “Demetrius” (20th >.

9. “Johnny Dark” (UL

10. “Knock on Wood” (Par).

11. “Coins in Fountain” (20th).

12. “Hell Below Zero” (Col).

office champ. Showing was made
despite the fact that only in the
final stanzas of the month did the
pic really get extensive bookings
(13 for last week of month). The
big meller had seven playdates
opening week out to any extent.

“High and Mighty” (WB), a
C’Scoper, captured second place,
showing sustained strengh to go
three and four weeks in some keys.

(Continued on pa^e 10)

PRODUCERS GUILD PANEL
MULLS QUALITY, YIDEO

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

Quality films are the industry’s
best public relations, producers de-
cided at second of their Screen
Producers Guild new series of
roundtable luncheon meetings with
press. Meeting, chaired by Carey
Wilson, also discussed cashbox tele-
vision as source of revenue with
Jerry Wald contending that quality
pix can be enjoyed best on large
screen before large audience and
that tv can never match this. Frank
P. Rosenberg foresaw closed chan-
nel televising of theatrical films as
eventually replacing many present
nabe theatres. He opined that pres-
ent 18,000 theatres may dwindle to
8,000 but those left will be show-
cases catering to need of people
to go out for deluxe entertainment.

Rosenberg also suggested exhibi-
tor also contribute something in
public relations vein by improving
customer comfort, service to match
fine product.

(See Variety’s editorial this is-
sue — Ed.)

U’s 5th C’Scoper

Number of CinemaScope pix due
from Universal has now risen to
five. Latest U film to be tagged
for C’Scope treatment Is “To Hell
and Back,” starring Audie Murphy.

Rise of C’Scope films on the U
sked is significant since the com-
pany was cautiously slow in adopt-
ing the widescreen medium, While
“Black Shield of Falmoth” and
“Sign of the Pagan” have been
completed, not a single of U’s
C Scopers is yet in release.

Other two now in the making,
include “Chief Crazy Horse" and
“Captain Lightfoot.” It’s also be-
lieved ‘likely, that U will make
i “The Galileans” in C’Scope.

PICTURE CROSSES

Wednesday, August 4* 1954

Ms Lift LA; "Lance Lusty $23,000,

'Susan* Okay 18G, Crusoe Hep f/fi,
'Obsession 13^G, 'Apache* 10G in 2d

‘APACHE’ ST. LOO ACE,
$19,000; ‘FRANCIS’ 176

St. Louis, Aug. 3.
Break in torrid hot weather over
weekends is boosting turnstile ac -
tivity here currently, grosses being
up generally from last stanza,
“Apache” looms as standout of new
pix, with sturdy takings ^t Loews.
“Garden of Evil” looks fine atthe

T 0 c Anceles Aug 3. * — — St. Lopis while “Gone With Wind

Los Angeies, Aug. o. • is fast\on moveover to Orpheum

Holdovers are dominating hrs ' RrnnilwaV (tfntCAt after four weeks at Loew’s. “Cin-

runs locally this week, with only DiOaOWaj \ll055CS erama” continues tb attract hun-

lour new bills, two, on the good deeds of out-of-towners,

5!llh 0P nS n V 0 "Broken' I^nce/' Estimated Total Gras, Eatlmateetor This Week

sighting P brlsk $23,000 intitial round This Week $607,800 Ambassador (IndieV(l,400; $1.20-

on Chinese showcasing. Also good (Bosed on 21 theatres. ) $2.40)— "Cinerama” (Indie) <26th

is “Robinson Crusoe,” with $9,500 Last Year $608,800 yvk). Lusty $17,500. Last week, $18,*

at the Ritz ( Based on 23 theatres . ) ’500.

An okay $18,000 is promised by ' - - - - : ■' • ■■= Fox (F&M) (5,000; 51-69)— “Llv-

“Susan Slept Here ” playing two . . ing It Up” (Par) .and “Paris Play-

spots, while “Valley of Kings M* . I ■ . boys ? ’ (AA), Opened today (Tues ).

looms fair $19,000 in two also. I ./)1I1P IvIlvIlIV Last week, “Francis Joins Wacs”

“Caine Mutiny” is still topping VtWIG if IIKIHJ (U) and “Fireman, Save My Child”

holdovers although showing a (U), fine $17,000,

definite tendency to drop decidedly Ann Afifi •_ 1*1 Loew’s (Loew’s) (3,172; 50-751—

each frame. Good $40,000 is ex \/M ||t |f IfllC “ADache” (UA) and “Scarlet Spear”

pected {J third frame in two {LJjUVU lit lllJIlO# (U £ ): sturdy $19,000. Last week*

houses. Nea t is ®een for “Gone With Wind” (M-G) (4th wk).

second round of Magnificent Qb- Minneapolis, Aug. 3. $15 000.

week "of 8 " Apache’’ likely will be Curious and unusual current Orpheum (Loew’s) (1,500; 75-$l)

ikav *10 000 P Mso ' one Loop lineu P deludes only two — “Gone With Wind” (M-G) (m.o.).

SS phticp’’ in third week one newcomers, one a reissue. But what past $10,000. Last week, 'The

SSLE^tffl is a heathy $10 000 a newcomer the debuting “Caine Westerner” (UA) and “Dead End”

location still is a healtny $iu,uuu Mut , ny „ ls It should be aroun <i (UA) (relssued)i $6 , 500 .

' ' Estimates tor This Week ^olXenm (5£ Pageant (St. L. Amus.) (1,000;

La W n?i” (1 (S. Last P week,

~ _~ an “ also stacks up well for an oldie ..o inc Romo” (RKO). $3,000.

Am

1 2d

Curious

Minneapolis, Aug. 3.
and unusual current

—“Broken Lance” (20th). Brisk
$23,000. Last week, “Demetrius”
(20th) (6th wk-9 days), $10,000.

Fox Rltz (FWC) (1,363; $1-$1.50)
—“Adventures Robinson Crusoe”
(UA). Good $9,500. Last week,

“Garden Evil” (20th) (4th wk), $2,- ^ ^ek, “High

at Lyric. r

There hasn’t been any other stan- ««)_
za in months in which holdovers k T
were so predominant. Extended-
runs comprise “Cinerama” in its * fc.

^Egyptian, State (UATC) (1,538; wtod” on thin
2,404; 70-$1.10) j — "Valley o< Kings” X'XalWPjS
(M-G) and “Red River Shore” (Rep) e V i eve 5* i a tt<
(State only) Fair $19 000 : Last s e ™ n e d ’ cai |?"
week, Egyptian, King Richard
( WB) (3d wk), $9,200; State with Estimate,
H’d Par. Century (S- 1

Warner Downtown, Hawaii (SW-. —“Cinerama”
G&S) (1,757; 1,106; 70-$1.10)— continued bo*

16th week, “High and Mighty”
racking up a fifth, “Gone With

pageant (St. L. Amus.) (1,000;
82)— “One Summer Happiness”
(Indie). Good $3,500. Last week,
“Sins of Rome” (RKO), $3,000.

Richmond (St. L. Amus.) (400;
82)— “Personal Affair” (UA) (2d
wk). Okay $2,500. Last week,
$ 2 , 000 . •

St. Louis (St. L. Amus.) (4,000;
69)— “Garden of Evil” (20th). Fine

Boston, Aug. 3.

„ . As a. result of last week’s terrific

Kav ■ afriv urflCfiAC biz> bplieved.to he the biggest mid-

HBJ vHj UITOOv? summer week in years, all down-

— — town deluxers are bolding over this

Estimated Total Gross stanza. Biggest surprise is “Gone

This Week $2J3«,500 With Wind,'' which spurted way

(Based, on 25 cities, and 220 over expectations In Jrst week at

av y._ _ tthiofvu ttf gp rims in* Orpheum and State, and is holding
theatres, chiefly first runs, tn* ^ wond frame - Living g

eluding W. YJ ■ Up,” in second week at the Met is

Total ^rosa Same week nice while “Magnificent Obsession”

Last Year ....... . .$Z,33B,9WJ in secon <| a t the Memorial shapes

(Based on 21 cities and 194 fancy. “Duet in Sun,” in for nine

theatres J ^ days at Paramount and Fenway, is

excellent. “Caine Mutiny” in fifth
week- at Astor still is in the chips.
Estimates for This Week
Astor (B&Q) (1,500; 85-$1.25)—
“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (5th wk),

- _ ■ ■ ^ Still very good at $16,000 following

Fll *11 • • f P $20,000 in- fourth.

Phil IV* I Untlll |/|l Beacon Hilt (Beacon Hill) (800;
I IllllV t JLilVIllK lyU 50-$l)— “Man With Million” (UA)
" (5th wk).' Oke $4,000 following $5,-

Philadelphia, Aug. 3. 000 for fourth.

The heat wave and lack of new Boston. (Cinerama Productions)
product is hurting first-run biz (1,354; $1.20-$2.85) — “Cinerama”
currently although recently it has (Indie) (31st wk). Holding nice-
been better than usual for this time ly at $12,500. Last week, $13,000.
of year. Lone newcomer to score Exeter (Indie) (1,300; 60-$l) —
is “Susan Slept Here,” very big “Scotch on Rocks” (Indie) (3d wk),
at the Midtown. “Gone With Wind” Fine $6^000 following $7,000 in sec-
and “Apache" look to hold close ond.

to opening week pace, latter being Fenway (NET) (1,373; 50-90) —
especially fine at the Mastbaum in “Duel in Sun” (SRO). Nine-day

Phflly; living* 12G

Philadelphia, Aug. 3.
The heat wave and lack of new
product is hurting first-run biz

r • « _ ...ii lx 1 ^ _

at the Midtown. “Gone With Wind” Fine $6,000 following $7,000 i
and “Apache" look to hold close ond. ■ • „ orTO e .

to opening week pace, latter being Fenway (NET) (1,373; 5(0
especially fine at the Mastbaum in “Duel in Sun” (SRO). Nil
second frame. “Living It Up” looms stint should hit solid $9,000.

racKlng up a Mtn, uone wun $15i000 . Last week “High i

Mighty” (WB) (3d Wk), $11,500.

Living It Up’
latter three

‘Gen-

their

(2d smash in third session at the Stan-

eek, ley- Bsttma teg for This Week .

)00; Arcadia (S&S) (625; 89-$1.30)—
i’ine “Valley of Kings” (M-G) (2d wk).
and Tidy $8,500. Last week, $11,500.

Boyd (SW) ( 1,450; $1 .25-$2>60)-r-
B00; “Cinerama” (Indie) (43d, wk). Good

Shady Oak (St. L. Amus.) (800; “Cinerama” (Indie) (43d, wk).
) —“Personal Affair” (UA) (2d $12,500. Last week, $13,500. .

Estimates for This Week
Century (S-W) (1,140; $1.75-$2.65)
—“Cinerama” (Indie) (16th wk). Its
continued boxoffice stamina amaz-

“Susan Slept Here” (RKO) and ing. Last week, with only regular
“Spanish Main” (RKO) (reissue) number of shows, another of its
(Downtown only). Okay $18,000. very best. Smash $20,000. Previous
Last week, “Ring of Fear” (WB) week, $26,500.

(2d wk), $6,000. Gopher (Berger) (1,000; 85)—

Warner Beverly (SW) (1,612; 90- “Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue)
$1.50) — “Magnificent Obsession’ (36 wk). Broke house record for
(U> (2d wk). Neat $13,500. Last two successive weeks. Huge $9,500.
week, $18,500. Last week, $10,000.

Fox Wilshire (FWC) -(2,296; 90- (Pari n nnn- nn. 7 !;^ “F^or

$1.50)-“ Apache” (UA) (2d wk). and ” (U) ( reissue ) This oldi
Oke $10,000. Last week, $18,900. a notabll b o reabnear

Los Angeles, Iris, Loyola (FWC) ° r

wk). Fast $3,000, after $2,500 last ^Fox ■ (20th) (2,250; 75-$ 1.49)—

wppt, “Demetrius and Gladiators (20th)

" (4th wk). Fair $10,000 for last five ]

. days. Last Week, $15,000.

£wt. | j Goldman (Goldman) *tl, 200; 65-

|f maaIt 1 KOVUTim $1.49) — “Gone With Wind” (M-G)

IVIlUvIi LWUIKUU (reissue) (4th wk). Sturdy $20,000.

* Last week, $21,000.

a«/% aaa « l « Mastbaum (SW) (4,360; 75-$1.30)

Ur/ film ImHmIa — “Apache” (UA) (2d wk). Great

MIL IFtlll IHuDIS. $27,000. Last week, $40,000.
Ij/lLjVUU) UlUpiUi Midtown (Goldman) (1,000; 74-

_ . _ $1.30) — "Susan Slept Here” (RKO).

Indianapolis, Aug.3. Rousing $17,000. Last week, “Gar-
Biz is moderate at first-runs here den of Evil” (20th), $8,500 for
this stanza, weekend break in siz- fourth week.

Lyric (Par) (1,000; 50-75) — ’"Egg this stanza, weekend break in siz-
and I” (U) (reissue). This oldie zling heat Wave and overstocking

action films slowing

>cking Randolph (Goldman) (2,500; 99-
trade. $1.80) — “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (5th

<2,097; 814; 1,248; $1-$1.50)— “Coins “Knock Zn Wood”
in Fountain” (20th) (2d wk). Me-
dium $18,000. Last week, $29,700. 411

Los Angeles Paramount. Holly- ^ /oa!??’

wobd (ABPT-FWC) (3,200; 756; 70- Gardeh of Evil (20th) (2d wk).

Modest $5,000. Last week, “Knock On Wood” is strong at wk). Strong $19,000. Last week,

(Par) (3d wk), Indiana to lead town, with “Liv- $22,000.

ing It Up” still good in second Stanley (SW) (2,900; 74-$1.30)—

week at Circle. “Hell Below Zero” “Living

(Par)

$1.10)— "Pushover” (Col) and “Law Okay $7,000. Last week, $11,000.

“Captain Kidd, Slave Girl” (UA)
(2d wk). Slow $14,000. Last week,
$24,500.

Hillstreet, Pantages (RKO)
(2,752; 2,812; 95-$1.75) — "Caine

is only modest at Loew’s.
Estimates for This Week
Circle (Cockrill-Dolle) (2,800;
60-85)— ‘Living It Up” (Par) (2d

Smash $12,000 or over. Last week,
$18,000.

Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 50-$l)— j
“Magnificent Obsession” (2d wk). !
Fast $18,000 following $26,000 in j
first. !

Metropolitan .(NET) (4,367; 50-90) j
— “Living it Up” (Par) (2d wk).
Fine $17,000 after $29,000 for first.

Orpheum (Loew’s) (3,000; 65-$l)
—“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (2d
wk). Tall $20,000 looms following
$34,500 -for first Week.

Paramount (NET) (1,700; 50-90)
—“Duel in Sun” (SRO). Hefty
$19,000 in 9-day stand.

Pilgrim (ATC) (1,800; 60-95)—
“Pushover” (Col) and “Law Vs.
Billy Kid” (Col) (2d wk). Nice $8,-
500 following $12,000 in first.

State (Loew’s) (3,500; 65-$D—
“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (2d wk).
strong $11,000 after $19,000 for i
first.

‘Obsession’ Wow $13,000,
L’ville; ‘Wind’ Rousing
10G, 2d, ‘Saskatch’ 12G

, Louisville, Aug. 3.

; After a couple days of respite,
ftowa is again in the throes of a

Vs Billy Kid” (Col) (2d wk). Modest RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2,890; 85- Circle (Cockrill-Dolle) (2,800;
$11,500. Last week, $20,200. $1.25)— “Caine Mutiny” (Col). 60-85)— “Living It Up” (Par) (2d

Orpheum, Wiltera, Vogue (Met- Sweeping everything in front of wk). Nifty $9,000 on top of $18,-
ropolitan-^W-FWC) (2.213; 2,344; it, with long lines all day. The 000 opening stanza. s
885; 70-$1.10)— “Dial M” (WB) and $1.25 tariff after 5 p.m. seemingly Indiana (C-D) (3,200; 60-85)—

“Captain Kidd, Slave Girl” (UA) meeting no resistance. Gigantic “Knock On Wood” (Par). Hefty

(2d wk). Slow $14,000. Last week, $29,000. Last week, “Ring of Fear” $12,000. Last week, “Ring of Fear”

$24,500. (WB), $6,500 at 75c-$l. (WB), $7,000.

Hillstreet, Pantages (RKO) RKO-Pau (RKO) (1 finn- Keith’s (C-D) (1,300; 60-85)—

(2,752; 2,812; 95-$1.75) — "Caine “High and^ MiehtV’’ (WB) (5th wk) “Conquest of Everest” (UA) and

ioj r. i */in ..P 1 * auu luigmjf 'Jill Wlw. . .«• ' it-r a\ nfnJna.i-.

VUU upcuilig s T arpp”

Indiana (C-D) (3,200; 60-85)— 7 A a i *7 nnn
“Knock On Wood” (Par). Hefty * A £;i ,

Stanton (SW) (1,473; 50-99)— heat wave, with temperatures,
“Arrow in Dust” (AA) and “Drag- nudging the 100 mark. Judging
onfly Squadron” (AA). Okay $9,000 from the strong biz this week at
or near. Last week, “Gorilla at the downtown houses, strong prod-

"Knock On Wood” (Par). Hefty v ~£/’
$12,000. Last week, “Ring of Fear”

(WB), $7,000. ” k) ' p

Keith’s (C-D) (1,300; 60-85)— rJcnS
“Conquest of Everest” (UA) and * 4r ik j

arge” (20thj and “Desperado” uct and cool theatres must be the
VA), $7,000. lure for patrons. The Kentucky

Trans-Lux (T-L) (500; 80-$1.50) with “Magnificent Obsession” and

—“Man With “Million” (UA) (5th Rialto with “Saskatchewan” shape
wk). Fair $4,000 or less. Last week, biggest at the wicket this week.

Mutiny” (Col) <3d wk). Good $40,- take its Diace among ton box- Between” (UA). Moderate

nnn t enn UIRe 115 Place among lop DOX- t ••U.Mi" .1

000. Last week, $56,500.

Hollywood Paramount (F&M)
(1.430; $1-$1.50)— “Student Prince”
(M-G) (3d wk). Neat $10,000. Last
week, with State, $24,600.

Four Star (UATC) (900; 90-$1.50)
— “About Mrs. Leslie” (Par) (5th
wk). Slow $3,000. Last week,
$3,800.

Fox (FWC) (965; $1-$1.50) —
“High and Mighty” (WB) (4th wk).
Okay $5,400. Last week, $8,000.

Fine Arts (FWC) (631; 80-$1.50)
— “Hobson’s Choice” (UA) (7th
wk). Up slightly to $1,800.’ Last
week, $1,600.

Warner Hollywood (SW) (1,364;
$1.20-$2.65) — “Cinerama” (Indie)
(66th wk). Into current- frame
Aug. 1 after Solid $33,500.

office performers here. Tall $6,- 1
(F&M) ooo. Last week, $7,500.

, r j c ® t State (Par) (2,300; 65-85)— “Liv-
ing It Up” (Par) (2d wk). Tough

$5,000. Last week, “Heidi” (UA)
and “White Mane” (Indie), $7,500.

ing ii^up irar; iza wki. lougn $7 t 000. Last week, “Apache” (UA) |
opposition from Came Mutiny and “Gypsy Colt” (M-G), $8,000.
and Gone With Wind has hurt Lyric (C-D) (1,600^ 35-70)—

this one, but still stout at $9,000. “Southwest Passage” (UA) and
Last week, $15,000. “Black Glove” (Lip). Oke .$6,000.

World (Mann) (400; 85-$1.20) — Last week, “Appointment For
“Genevieve” (U) (2d wk). Fair Murder” (IFE) and “Dark City”
$3,000- Last week, $3;200. ■ (Indie), $5^500.

Loew’s (Loew’s) <2,427; 60-85)- S1 50)— “French Line” (RKO) ’ (8th

•Hell Below Zero” (Col). Sluggish fc. S o S 2 800 in final e dits
nnftn t “AnoMio” /ttai "Ki. oo-so $z,ouu in nnai t> aays.

. “Obsession" is especially sock.

Viking (Sley) (1,000; 75-$1.30) — “High and Mighty” in fourth at
“Student Prince” (M-G) (5th wk). the Mary Anderson and “Gone
Good $9,000. Last week, $9,500. With Wind” in third week at the
Trans-Lux World (T-L) (604; 99- State continues sturdy.

$1.50)— “French Lin,e” (RKO) (8th Estimates for This Week

“Genevieve” (U) (2d wk).
$3,000- Last w^ek, $3, '200. ■

So-so $2,800 in final 6 days. Kentucky (Switow) (1,000; 50-75)
Last -week, $3,000. —“Magnificent Obsession” HJ). •

Looks like a big winner for the ;

ZAfl* CHARP switow Bros., with wham $13.000. :

j/ilv OnAlU Sure of h.o. Last week, “Taneany- ;

BUFF.; ‘LIVING’ DITTO

" D ~ | A - o Mary Anderson (People s) d .200; ;

Buffalo, Aug. 3. 75-$l)— "High and Mighty” (WB) >

:-o ‘SUSAN’ SHARP $15,000,

Buffalo, Aug. 3.

‘Caine’ Sturdy $20,030, Kansas cuy. a« b . 3

DUl* U 1 HP Town is loaded with holdovers,

.rill, Wind notsy l/u, seven of the eight first-run situa-
tr j y f 1 : Via AAA tions currently playing pix on ex-

Irarripn Lirch af XI/ (Hill tended-runs. Only newcomer is
UfilUCll LUM1 dl «pi4.,UUU -Francis j 0 i ns the Wacs” in four

Pittsburgh, Aug. 3. Fox Midwest first-ruivs, making it
Holdovers getting the big play a big week in three houses. “High
this, week, with second stanza o f and Mighty” in fifth week at the
“Caine Mutiny” at Harris and third \ Missouri. “Knock on Wood” in

H.0.s Pack K.C.; 'Francis’ Fancy 18G,
'Obsession* Sock 15G, 'Apache* 7G, 2d

Strong, new product and hefty (4th wk). Going for bumper $8,-f-
holdover fare will boost biz at 000. Last week, $9,000.
first-runs here currently. “Susan Rialto (Fourth Avenue) (3.000:
Slept Here” shapes lively at Cen- 50-75) — “Saskatchewan” (U) and
tury while “Witness To Murder”- “Hells Half Acre” (Rep). Fine hot
“Prisoner of War” combo looms weather fare with $12,000. Last
brisk at the Buffalo. “Living It W’eek, “Johnny Dark” (U) and

Fox Midwest first-ruivs, making it 000] Last week, $7,000.
a big week in three houses. “High Orpheum (Fox Midwest) (1,913;

of “Gone With Wind” at the Penn
the front-runners. Both are hold-
ing up fine. “Hobson’s Choice” at
Squirrel Hill is strong in second
week, too. “Garden of. Evil.” into

third round

ifth week at the 75-$l) — “Mi
: on Wood” in (U) (2d wk).
Paramount and continues on.

“Garden of Evil” in third stanza at Paramount (United Par) (1,900;
Roxy are most unusual holdovers 70-90)— “Knock On Wood” (Par)

iMuic iu, m Up” and “Magnificent ObSesssion”
r 7 both are great in second session at

ug.3. ("Apache” <UA> and “Gypsy Colt” ? i "l? ount and La£a y°“e. ^espec-
Idovers, (M-G) (2d wk). Oke $7,000. Last uvei y*

i situa- week, $12,000. Estimates for This Week

on ex- Missouri (RKO) (2,650; 75-$l)— Buffalo (Loew’s) (3,000; 50-80)—
mer is “High and Mighty” (WB) (5th wk). “Witness To Murder” (UA) and
in four Tapering some to satisfactory $6,- “Prisoner of War” (M-G). Bright

week, $7,000. $12,000 or better. Last week,

\ (Fox Midwest) (1,913; “Gone With Wind” (M-G) (4th wk),
Magnificent Obsession” $12,000 at $1 top.
k). Great $15,000, and Paramount (Par) (3,000; 50-80) —
l n ; “Living It Up” (Par) and “Dragqn-

“Mi.ss Robin Crusoe” <U), same.

State (Loew’s) (3,000; 65-86'-
“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue
(3d wk). Holding up sturdily at
$10,000. Last week, $16,000.

Great $15,000, and
Last week, $21,000.

Seattle; ‘Umg’ 12G]

Seattle, Aug. 3. J
Seafair Celebration helping es«;
pecially at film boxoffice here tnUi

fly Squadron” (Indie) (2d wk). round, with sailors from fleet go-;

Great $15,000. Last week. $24,500. ins tn shows “T.ivinff tt Ud” lopnii,

iioxy are mosi unusual noiaovers /u-uuj — iinocK un wooq- trari Great $15 000 T.ast week S24 500 in* “‘r ivintf tt TTd’

in these key downtown houses. All 13d wkh Fancy. $8,009, and likely tli

Fulton following nine-week run of even at this late date. “Genevieve”
‘Three Coins in Fountain,” doing Ls in its 16th week at the artfilm

are doing well above average biz to go a fourth. Last week, $12,000.
even at this late date. “Genevieve” Roxy (Durwood) (879; 65-85)—

well enough to hold. But “About Kimo still
Mrs. Leslie.” despite excellent 000 mark

doing Ls in its 16th week at the artfilm “Garden of Evil” (20th) (3d wk).
About Kimo still is holding near the $2,- Nice $5,000, and stays. Last week,

. _ M ^ A * AAA ._ . i _ n 1 I * I. • f . * _ _ _ M J M VAA

Bullish biz is ascribed $7,500.

Center (Par) (2,000; 50-80)—

“Ring of Fear” (WB). Fair $10,000
or near. Last week, “High and
Mighty” (WB) (4th wk), $8,000 at
$1 top.

campaign, is not getting far at the : by managers to rash of strong Tower, Uptown, Fairway, Grana- Lafayette (Basil) (3,000;80-$1)—

standout, with smash takings in.
second round at Coliseum.,
“Apache” looks loud, playing day*|
date at Liberty and Music Box. ;
“High and Mighty” and . Came:
Mutiny” both are continuing big;

Stanley. pr(

Estimates for This Week set
Fulton (Shea) (1.700; 65-S1.10)— off.
"Garden of Evil" (20th). Okay $12,-
000. Holds. Last w’eek, “Coins in 1

uy umiidgco w iflbJJ ua ou i f upivwiif r an vraj# uiaua a (iiasu; \u,wu f An A»*Afw$Ajl Wnmc

product and super heat wave which da (Fox Midwest) (2,100; 2,043; 700; “Magnificent Obsession” (U) (2d on

sends patrons to theatres to cool

Estimates for This Week
Kimo (Dickinson* <504: 85-$ 1) —

1,217; 65-85) — “Francis Joins wk). Socko $13,000.

Wacs” (U) and “Fireman. Save My $19,000.

Child” (U). Big $18,000. Last week, Century (BuhaWk)
"Johnny Dark” (U) and “Princess —“Susan Slept Here

Fountain” (20th) (9th wk), $7,000. “Genevieve” <U» doth wk». Ram- of the Nile” (20th), ditto. “Silver Lode” (RKO). Lively $15,-

Harris (Harris) <2,100; 65-$1.25) bles on with pleasant $1,000, and Vogue (Golden) (550; 75-85) — 000. Last week, “Gambler .from
“•^rCaine' Mutiny” (Col) (2d wk). will bold again. Last Week, same. "Fanfan Tulip” <UA) <2d wk). Nifty Natchez” (20th) and “Rocket Man”
(Continued on page 16) Midland (Loew’s) <34100; 50-75>— - $1,800. Stays on. Last Week, $2,000. (20th) (5 days), $6,000.

(Continued on page 16)

maumnceni ^Dsession v ui uu Whlc W<>ek

il9 M0 SOCkO $13,00 °- LaS ‘ W6ek ' Blu?ito5S> (Ha JrkkM800, 65-i

* Century (BuhaVk) (3.000; 50-801 P ^

—“Susan Slept Here” (RKO) and , "'^'"n^hle Cou-

"Silver Lode” (RKO). Lively $15,- /M* iB^L Doull,e i

000. Last week, "Gambler .from n 829 G5\

Natchez” (20th) and “Rocket Man” Sue 16) I

foiwtii m riotiei tennn 1 (Continued on page 1

‘Silver Lode” (RKO). Lively $15,
)00. Last week, “Gambler .fron

TTwlnesdaTv August 4, 1954

on

is

; Chicago, Aug. 3.

It will be a boff week for the
loop because of the happy circum-
stances of warm" weather; , plenty
of pedestrian traffic,; four standout
np " D i x and three hefty holdovers.
n *T?vfn* It Up” .with the Crew
Cuts heading the. stageshow at the
Chicago looks to be a temf $77,.

000 Oriental should ring up a tre-
mendous $45,000 with “Knock ~
Wood.”

“7 Brides for 7 Brothers”
landing a woW $41,000 at the Mc-
viekers record since vaudfilm days.
S Leslie” will reach okay $13,-
000 at the Loop. •

‘■Magnificent Obsession” is still
smash in third week at the United
Artists. "Caine Mutiny” is okay in
fifth round at the t State-Lake,
“Cinerama” enters its second year
at the Palace with a great $33,000.

Estimates for This Week

Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 98-$i.25)
—“Living It Up” (Par) with Crew
Cuts topping stage bill. Smash $77,-
000 Last week, “High and Mighty”
(\VB) (3d wk), $41,000.

Loop (Telem’t) (600; 90-1.25) —
“Mrs. Leslie” (Par). Just okay $13,-
000 looms. Last week, “Julius
Caesar” (M-G) (4th wk), $8,700.

McVickers (JL&S) (2,200; 65-
$125)— “7 Brides for 7 Brothers”
(M-G 1 . Record $41,000. Last week,
“Paid to Kill” (Lip) and “White
Fire” (Lip), $14,000. . .

Monroe (Indie) (1,000; 65-87)- —
“Man With Million” (UA) (6th wfc)<
Okav $5,000. Last week, $6,000.
“Valiev of Kings” ' (M-G) opens- to-

day (Tues.).

Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 98-$1.25)
—“Knock on Wood” (Par). Tre-.
mendous $45,000. Last week, “De-
metrius and Gladiators” (20th) (5th
wk'. $16,000.

Palace (Eitel) (1,484; $1.25-$3.40)
—“Cinerama” (Indie) (53rd wk).
Sockeroo $33,000 after last week's
$35,000.

Roosevelt (B&K) (1,400; 50-98)—
"Francis Joins Wacs” (U) and
“Gypsy Colt” (M-G). Big $22,000.
Last week, “Hell Below Zero” (Col)
and “Saracen Blade” (Col) (2d wk),

$20,000.

State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 98-

$1.80'— “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (5th
wk), Solid $40,000 after $35,000
Idst week

Surf iH&E Balaban) (685; 95)— r
"Scotch on Rocks” (Indie) (3d wk).
Oke $3,000 after previous week’s
$4,700.

United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 98-
$1.25) — “Magnificent Obsession”
(lit (3d wk). Still a giant With $39,-
000. Last week, $42,0.00.

Woods (Essaness) (1,198;. 98-
$1.25)— “Garden of Evil” (20th)
(4th wk>. Firm $16,500 after last
week’s $18,000.

World dndie) (697; 98)— “Mo-
ment of Truth” (Indie) (2d wk).
Neat $3,100 after opening week’s
$3,500.

‘Ring’ Stout $10,000 In
Port; ‘Obsession’ 9G, 2d

Portland, Ore., Aug; 3.
Biz continues stoutly at nearly
all first-runs despite the heat.
Caine Mutiny” and ’‘Magnificent
Obsession” still are big for hold-
overs. “Knock On Wood” opened
smash at the Paramount. “Ring Of
rear also looms fine at the Lib-
e rty for a newie.

Estimates for This Week
t & r ° ad 'yay (Parker) (1,890; 90-
‘Magnificent Obsession”
,2d wk). Lofty $9,000. Last
week. $13,700.

T;& Ua T ( l ndie) (40 °I $D— “Tanga-
Oke $2,000. Last
$2 400 Tltfield Thunderbolt” (U),

Uberty. (Hamrick) (1,875; 90-
«S. ing of Fear ” (WB) and
nnn U ? g ? hDt Sun” (WB). Stout $10,-

(M r uoj wee ^» “Student Prince”
(M-G) (2d wk), $8,800.

uncntai (Evergreen) - (2,000; $1-

S -- “Demetrius and Gladia-
te (20 ^ h > (6th wk). Slim $1,500.
™ 'J' ee k, $2,000.

$ 12 S) e .H? (Evergreen) (1;600; $1-
(3d win S 18 ** and Mighty” (WB)
$ 10 poo * $6,500. Last week,

$l^ a “^ nt ( , Po rt-Par) (3,400; 90-
and J? n Wood” -(Par)
SockfM'^i^^^^ooger” (Par).
Week “pn?i 14 m 000 >. or dear. Last
Don ’ r ^ n ld To Kill” dndie) and
^ieldi ncr 01 if e ^~Tt* e Gay lords- Jerry
llnuA s i a if s 4 h °w, $12,000.

$1 25) d n A r tist s (Parker) (890; 90-
Wkf ^ C ML Mutin y° <Col> (5th

• H °t $7,000; Last week; $94100.

t

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 in-
come.

The parenthetic admission
prices, however, as indicated,
include the U. S. amusement
tax.

9

Monti; ‘Wood’ 16G

Montreal, Aug. 3.

Town is tilled with new films
but few of them are doing .much
at the wickets. “Three Coins in
Fountain” shapes far ahead of pack
with socko total at Palace. “In-
discretion of American Wife” is
fair at Cap. “Knock on Wood” still
is great in fourth Loew’s stanza.

Estimates for This Week

Palace (C.T.) (2,625; 60-$l) —
“3 Coins in Fountain” (20th).
Socko $28,000. Last week, “Royal
Tour” (20th), $15,000.

Capitol (C.T.) (2,412; 45-75) —
“Indiscretion American Wife 1 ’
(Col). Fair $13,000. Last week,
“Men* Fighting Lady” (M-G),
$16,000.

Princess (C.T.) (2,131: 40-65) —
“Silver Lode” (RKO). Slight $8,-
000. Last week, “Gorilla at Large”
(20th), $9,000.

Loew’s (C.T.) (2,847; 50-85) —
“Knock On Wood” (Par) (4th wk).
Fancy $16,000 following $20,000 in
third.

Imperial (C.T.) (1,789; 34-60) —
“Iron Glove” (Col) and “Paris
Model” (Col). Modest $7,000. Last
week, “Monster Ocean Floor”
(Indie) and “Cat-Women” (Indie),
$ 8 , 000 . -

Orpheum (C.T.) (1,048; 40-65)—
“Walking Dead” (Indie) and “Beast
With Five Fingers” (Indie) (re-
issues). Okay $7,000. Last week,
“Top Banana” (UA) and “Algiers”
(UA), $5,000.

Heat Hurts D.C. Albeit
‘Crusoe’ Lively $10,000;
‘Caine’. Robust 21G, 4th

Washington, August 3.

Holdovers and heat 'are keeping
down the average along town’s
mainstem; Despite the lure of air-
conditioning, the natives shun mid-
town during this sizzling weather.
Result is a general biz dip. The two
new entries, “Adventures of Rob-
inson Crusoe” at Metropolitan, and
“Beauties of the Night” at the Du-
pont, both shape pleasing. “Gone
With Wind” continues strong in its
third session at Loew’s Capitol.
“Caine Mutiny” still is stout in
fourth week at RKO Keith’s.

Estimates for This Week

Capitol (Loew’s) (3,434; 70-95) —
“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue)
(3d wk). Fancy $21,000 after $27,-
000 last week. Looks good for at
least another round. '

Columbia (Loew’s) (1,174; 60-80)
—“Prisoner of War” (M-G) (2d wk).
Okay $6,000 after $8,000 last week.

Dupont (Lopert) (372; 65-$l) —
“Beauties of Night” (UA). Solid
$6,000. Holds;. Last week, “Cap-
tain’s Paradise” (Indie) (10th wk),
$3,500.

Keith’s (RKO) (1,939; 75-$1.25)—
“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (4th wk).
Stout $21,000 after $25,000 last
week. Stays.

Metropolitan (SW) (1,200; 60-80)
— “Adventures Robinson Crusoe”
(UA). Fast $10,000. Last week,
“Ring of Fear” (WB), $7,000.

Palace (Loew’s) (2,370; 65-95)^
“Apache” (UA) (2d wk); Fine $14,-
000. Last week, below hopes with
$21,000, but still solid b.o. May
hold.

Playhouse (Lopert) (435; 55-$l) —
“About Mrs. Leslie” (Par) 2d wk).
Pleasing $6,000 after $7,000 last
week. Stays. ‘

Warner (SW) (1,300; $1.20-$2.40)
—“Cinerama” (Indie) (38th wk).
Amazing upswing to robust $18,500
after $16,500 last week. Holding on.

Trans-Lux (T-L) (600; 70-$l)—
“Man With Million” (UA) (3d wk).
Good $6,000 after $8,000 last week.
Continues. « »/ < ”

PT&snEfr

‘Wind’ Boffo $26,000,
Toronto; ‘Living’ 14G

. Toronto, Aug, 3.

Biz at the i major houses current-
ly is big, with reissue of “Gone
With Wind” leading the city for
socko trade. ^‘Knock on Wood”
also is great in second week. Of
newcomers, “Living It Up” is fancy
opening round, with “The Maggie”
also in opener.

Estimates, for This Week

Downtown, Glendale^ Scarboro,
State (Taylor) (l,0j59; 955; 694; 698;
$0-70/ — “Rails into Laramie” (U)
and “Fireman, ; Save My Child”
(U). Light $11,000, Last week,
“Yellow Tomahawk” (UA) and
“Riders to the Stars” (UA)/;$15,000,

: Hyland (Rank) (1,354; 60-80) —
“The Maggie” (Rank). Fine $8,000.
Last week, “Kidnappers” (Rank)
(15th wk), $4,500.

Imperial (FP) (3,373; 50-85) —
“Knock On Wood” (Par) (2d wk).
Great $14,000 or over. Last week,
$18,000.

Loew’s (Loew) (2,090; 60-80) —
“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue).
Smash $26,000. Last week, ditto.

Odeon (Rank) (2,318; 70-$l) —
“Garden of Evil” (20th) (2d wk).
Big $12,000, Last week, $18,000.

Shea’s (FP) (2,386; 50-85) —
“Living It Up” (Par), Fine $14,000.
Last Week, “Secret of Incas” (Par),
$10,500.

University (FP) (1,559; 50-80)—
“Princess of Nile” (20th). Neat
$9,000. Last week, “Front Page
Story” (IFD), $7,000.

Uptown (Loew) (2,745; 65-80) —
’“Francis Joins Wacs” (U) (2d wk).
In four days, oke $5,500. Last
week, $10,000.

Cincinnati, Aug. 3.

“Caine Mutiny,” Cincy’s greatest*
boxoffice " upheaval since “The
Robe,” is the only newcomer this
week and has downtown deluxers
surging to a great midsummer
plane.'* Along with continued
strength of holdovers, it is clear
that chilled cinema chambers have
not been hurt by prolonged terrific
heat spell. “Living It up’ is banner
moveover at Grand. “Gone With
Wind” continues lofty at Palace
and “3 Coins in Fountain” war-
rants further tenancy at Keith’s
with sock frame. “Cinerama” is
hugging a high level at Capitol in
seventh session.

Estimates for This Week

Albee (3,100; 75-$l. 25)— “Caine
Mutiny” (Col). Wham $33,000, Cin-
cy’s biggest grosser since “The
Robe.” Holds indef, Last week,
“Living It Up” (Par), at 50-84 scale,
$19,000.

Capitol (Ohio Cinema Corp.) (1,-
376; $1.20-$2.65)— “Cinerama” (In-
die) (7th wk). Holding to lofty
$29,000 pace, marked up in sixth
stanza

Grand (RKO) (1,400; 50-84)—
“Living It Up” (Par) (m.o.). Tall
$8,500. Last week, “Knock On
Wood” (Par) (m.o.), $7,500.

Keith’s (Shor) (1,500; 75-$1.25)—
“3 Coins In Fountain” (20th) (4th
wk). Strong $8,500 after $7,500
third round.

Palace (RKO) (2,600; 85-$l)—
“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue)
(3d wk). Great $15,000 in wake of
$20,000 second week.

Prov. Perks; ‘Duel’ Hep
10G, ‘Francis’ Lusty 8G,
‘Flame’ Bright $11,500

Providence, Aug. .3. .

Misty weekend toned down be&eh
biz and helped swell theatre at-
tendance to give most stands a
happy start, Loew’s is tops with
“Flame and the Flesh. But com-
paratively bigger is Alhee’s “Duel
in Sun,” very big. Third round of
“Caine Mutiny” at Strand still is
hot. Majestic is also better than
average with “Francis Joins Wacs.”
Estimates Jor This Week

Albee (RKO) (2,200; 50-70)—
“Duel in Sun” (RKO). Heavy ra-
dio and tele exploitation helping
to big $10,000. Last week, “Sins of
Rome” (RKO) and “Overland Pa-
cific” (AA), $5,500.

Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 50-70)—
“Francis Joins Wacs” (U) and
“Tanganyika” (U). Peppy $8,000.
Last week, .“Ring of Fear” (WB),
$8,500.

State (Loew’s) (3,200; 50-70) —
“Flame and Flesh” (M-G) and
“Witness to Murder” (UA). Strong
$11,500. Last week, “Indiscretion
American Wife” (Col), over hopes
at $10,500.

Strand (Silverman) (2,200; 65-
$1.25)— “Caine Mutiny” (Col) 3rd
wk). Still hot $10,000* Second se§*
fcidd r was ,$15jP00. ’ * ‘ 1 ' ■* < ; ' * *

PICTURE GROSSES 9

9

'Waterfront’ Record 68G, 'Susan’ Trim
20G, 'Lance’ Loud 68G, 'Brides’ 182G, 2d

gfix new, stalwart bills, preemed
in the past week, are boosting
Broadway .first-run business to
probably the best level since the
really hot weather set in. This
upsurge in the face of a record
heat wave was figured as stemming
from the yen of many patrons to
seek relief via the aircondition-
ing in the cinemas. Rain Monday
(2) and a cloudburst yesterday
(Tues.) morning did not appear to
alter the strong overall tone. The
N.Y. State American Legion v con-
vention, opening last Friday,,
helped some houses.

The big news is the new all-time
high registered by. “On the Water-
front” opening week at the Astor.
Pic wound up initial stanza with a
huge $68,000, considerably ahead
of “Battleground,” which held the
old mark— $59,500. Upped prices
contributed to the high figure, with
lines every day.

“Susan Slept Here” looks to
climb to a fine $20,000 or there-
abouts initial round at the Vic-
toria. “Francis Joins Wacs” with
vaude is pushing to a sock $25,0QO
or close at the Palace.

“Broken Lance” shapes comfort-
able $68,000 for first week ending
today (Wed.) at the Roxy. It holds
until “The Egyptian” preems Aug.
24. “Pushover” likely will reach'
fair $13,000 at the Globe. Sixth
newcomer, “Ring of Fear,” was
only mild $33,000 opening round
at the Paramount, and will be re-
placed Saturday by “Duel in
Jungle.”

Still champ is “7 Brides for 7
Brothers” with stageshow which
is registering the biggest second
week at the Music Hall with a ter-
rific $182,000. It continues on in-
definitely.

“Living It Up” is heading for a
wow $38,000 in second session at
the Criterion after $54,000 open-
ing week. Both are very big figures
for this house, with a longrun
plainly indicated: “Caine Mutiny”
continues sturdy at the Capitol
with $36,000 in prospect for cur-
rent (6th) frame. “Apache” still is
big with $19,000 at the Mayfair.

“Gone With Wind” finally wound
up its extended run at the State
yesterday (Tues.) with $11,000 for
four-day 10th week. Pic amassed an
amazing total for an oldie. “Mag-
nificent Obsession” opens today
(Wed.).

The Rivoli e reopens tonight
(Wed.) with “Rear Window” at a
benefit preem.

Estimates for This Week

Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; $1.25-
$2.30)— “On Waterfront” (Col) (2d
wk), Soared to record $68,000 or
near. Tops old high of $59,500,
held by “Battleground” (M-G).
Holds, natch! In ahead. “Indiscre-
tion American Wife” (Col) (5th wk-
5 days), $5,000, but winding a nice
run here. Tilted scale for “Water-
front” makes this huge money pos-
sible, house getting $1.25 at open-
ing Friday and $1.85 starting at
5 p.m. Scale moved up all along
line, with $2.30 the Saturday top.
Looks in for run.

Baronet (Reade) (430; 90-$1.55)—
“The Cowboy” (Lip). Opened okay
on Monday (2). In ahead, “Daugh-
ters of Destiny” (Indie) (4th wk),
mild $2,600 after $2,800 for third.

Capitol (Loew’s) (4.820; 85-$2.20)
— “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (6th wk).
This session Winding up today
(Wed.) looks to hold at solid $36,-
000 or near after $46,000 in fifth
week.' Stays.

Criterion (Moss) (1.700; 50-$1.85)
—“Living It Up” (Par) (2d wk).
Present round finishing up tomor-
row (Thurs.) heading for wow $38,-
000 after $54,000, over-hopes open-
ing week. Continues indef at this
rate. Competition of “Waterfront”
almost across street not hurting ap-
parently, with the Martin-Lewis
pic still hotsy.

Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80)
—“Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD)
(8th wk). Seventh stanza ended last
night (Tues.) was big $8,600 after
$10,000 for sixth.

Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 70-$l,50)
— “Pushover” (Col). Initial session
ending tomorrow (Thurs.) is head-
ing for good $13,000. Holds. In
ahead, “Hell Below Zero” (Col) (2d
Wk), $7,500, including preview of
“Pushover.”

Guild (Guild) (450; $1-$1.80) —
“Malta Story” (UA) (3d wk). Third
round finishing tomorrow (Thurs.)
looks, like fast $8,300 after $11,500
for second. Continues,

Holiday (Rose) (950; 90-$1.65)—
“Desire” (Par) and “Shanghai Ex-
press” (Par) (reissues). Opened
Monday (2). Last week, “Smart
Money” fWBV 'and ’‘Roaring Twen-
Mreisstresb Wfli^tfk-lO

days), $7,000 but proving a very
stout holdover in previous sessions.

Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 79-$1.80)
—“Apache” (UA) (4th wk). Cur-
rent frame winding tomorrow
(Thurs,) likely will hit sturdy $19.-
000 or close after $21,000 in third
Week. Slays indef at this gait.

Normandie (Normandie Theatres)
(592; 95-$1.80)— “Le Plaisir” (In-
die) (l'lth wk,-8 days). . Winding
very big run here today (Wed.) at
oke $4,000. The 10th week was $4,-
500. “Adventures of Robinson
Crusoe”. (UA) opens tomorrow
(Thurs.) as Trans-Lux takes over
operation, . which actually became
effective Aug. 4.

Palace (RICO) (1.700; 50-31.60)—
“Francis Joins Wacs” (U) arid
vaudeville. This round finishing to-
morrow (Thurs.) is heading for
socko $25 000. Last week, ’‘Silver
Lode” (RKO) with 8 acts of vaude,

$21.0(f0.

Paramount (ABC-Par) (3.664; 70-
$1.75)— “Ring of Fear” (WB) (2d
wk). Landed “mild $33,000 in first
week and st§ys only three extra
days. In ahead, “High and Mighty’’
(WB) (4th w-k), $34,000, for an ex-r
cellent lbngrun, one of best here in
some time. House brings in “Duel
in Jungle’; (WB) Saturday (7).

Paris (Pathe Cinema) (568: 90-
$1.80) — “Hobson’s Choice” (UA)
(8th wk). Continued With nice $7,-*
500 in seventh round ended last
Sunday (1). Sixth week was $9,200.
Stays on for several weeks longer.

Radio City Music Hall (Rocke-
fellers) (6,200; 95-$2.75)— “7 Brides
For 7 Brothers” (M-G) and stage-
show (2d wk). Holding at remark-
able $182,000, which is best second
round ever at Hall. First week hit
$187,000, figured as biggest open-
ing week at this house but not the
highest at Hall. Opens third week
tomorrow (Thurs.).

Roxy (Nat’l. Th.) (5,71.7; 65-$2.40)
“Broken Lance” (2Qth). - First ses-
sion ending today (Wed.) looks to
reach solid $68,000. Holding, of
course. In ahead. “Garden of Evil”
(20th) (3d wk-6 days), $32,000.

“Lan^e” will continue until preem
of “The Egyptian” (20th) r on Aug.
24.

State (Loew’s) (3,450: 78-$1.75)—
“Magnificent Obsession” (U). Opens
today (Wed.). Last week, “Gone
With Wind” (M-G) (reissue) (10th
wk-4 days), fair $11,000 after $17.-
000 for ninth full week, to conclude
a highly profitable extended-run
here, Total for run was amazing
for this time of year on an oldie.

Sutton (R&B) (561: 90-$1.50) —
“Man With Million” (UA) (6th wk).
Fifth round ended Sunday (1) was
good $7,000. Fourth week * was
$9,700.

Trans-Lux 60th St. (T-L) (453;
$1-$1. 50)— “Victory at Sea” (UA)
(4th wk). Third stanza ended Sun-
day (D was okay $4,000 after
$6,200 for second week. Will stay
a few days past the fourth session
“Her 12 Men” (M-G) on Aug. 11,

Trans-Lux 52nd 3t. (T-L) (540;
$1-$1.50) — “Lill” (M-G) (74th wk).
The 73d frame concluded Monday
(2) held with good $5,800. The 72d
week was $6,300. Stays.

Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 50-
$1.75)— “Susan Slept Here” (RKO).
Hitting fine $20,000 or near in first
week ending today (Wed.). Holds
over. In ahead. “About Mrs.
Leslie” (Par) (4th wk-9 days), $11,-
500 including preview of “Susan”
on Wednesday (28), night.

Warner (Cinerama Prod.) (1,600;
$1.20-$3.30) — “Cinerama” (Indie)
(61st wk). The 60th stanza ended
Sunday (1) was $40,000, remarkable
for second year here. The 59th
week was $39,000. Stays.

‘Valley’ Lush $13,000 In
Del.; ‘Wind’ Strong 28G
In 3d, ‘Fear- Fat 12G, 2d

Detroit* Aug. 3.

In the main, holdovers are hold-
ing down Detroit grosses in first-
runs this stanza. Lone exceptions
are “Gone 'With Wind,” still hot
in third week at the United Art-
ists, and “Cinerama,” very strong
in 72d week at Mustc Hall. Only
two newcomer’s, “Valley of Kings.”
good at the Adams, and “Yellow
Tomahawk,” which has no zing at
the Broadway-Capitol. “Caine Mu-
tiny” • holds fairly steady at the
Madison in fifth week.

Estimates for This Week

Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,000; $1-

$1.25)— “Garden of Evil” (20th) and
“Man in Hiding” (UA) (3d wk).
Oke $20,000. Last week, $26,000.

Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000;

' ‘(Continued oh pagtf 16)

10

PICTURES

AngQflt 4, 1^4

Released First Half of Yr. in Arg.

Buenos Aires, July 27. f

The first half of 1954 had 188
film releases iff Argentina, of
which 134 were American and 21
native productions. The balance
were European — 11 being from.
Spain, seven British, four each
were French, Italian and Russian,
two German and one Mexican.

The breakdown by companies
shows that WB released the largest
number with 23. Columbia was
next with 21, RKO, 16; UA, 14,

• Paramount and Metro, 13 each,
20th-Fox, 12, Universal, 11 ; Re-
public. nine; and. Allied Artists six.

In 1953 there were only 59
American releases, 25 Argentine
and 43 European.

Of the 38 tinters released this
year, 25 were Technicolor. Cine-
mascope and 3-D boosted grosser
to an unbelievable height al-
though limited to only two theatres
here. This has delighted all ex-
hibitors since it has proved that
the public is able and ready to
spend more on film entertainment
— and this fact should persuade
the government to lift ceiling,
prices. This is' confidently ex-
pected to happen soon.

In the first 12 of what up to now
Is a 16-week run, “The Robe” has
grossed around $607,683* more
than ever has been grossed by any
picture in this country. This, of
course, had the boosted admission
scale of $2. instead of the customary
35c. “House of Wax” (WB), in 3-D,
kept almost even with “The Robe”
for a time, but later fell behind
and grossed $254,472 in the same
number of weeks.

The following were the top
grossers up to June 30 for flat
version product: “King Solomon’s
Mines” (M-G),. $124,970, 16 weeks;
“Adorables Creatures” (Difa),
$124,591, 22 weeks; “Quiet Man”
(Rep), $121,773, 15 weeks; “Anna”
(ltalsud), $83,605, 12 weeks; “Nous
Sommes Tous des Assassins”
(Difa), $83,122, 24 weeks; “Altri
Tempi” « ltalsud), $72,335, eight
weeks; “Sous le Ciel de Paris)
(Difa), $7t>,737, 18 weeks; “El

Grito Sagrado” (AAA), $70,980, six
weeks; “Tales of Hoffmann” (Lon-
don), $70,534, 11 weeks; “Le In-
fedeli” (ltalsud), $69,391, 11

weeks; “Grand Concert” (Artkino),
$63,885, nine weeks; “Violetas Im-
periales” (Suevia), (reissue), $58,-
074, 17 weeks; “Breaking Sound
Barrier” (London), $55,752, five
weeks; and “Singin’ in Rain”
(M-G), $54,625, eigpt weeks.

Jriy Toppw*

Continued from pace 7

NEW CINERAMA FILM

Magazine Deadlines Earn Sneak
View of 2nd Negative*

Aimed for magazine breaks to
coincide with the picture’s opening
in the early fall, Stanley Warner
unveiled “Cinerama Holiday ” the
second film in the widescreen
process, for mag editors and
writers this, week. Film, a rough
working print, was shown at the
Warner Theatre, N.Y. during the
late afternoon.

According to a SW spokesman,
there is still a great deal of editing
and revising that will have to be
done on the Louis de Rochemont
production. No specific date has
been set for the official opening
either in New York or in other
cities with theatres equipped for
Cinerama.

Like “This Is Cinerama,” first
film in the process, “Cinerama
Holiday” is essentially a travelog.
However, it has a thin story line
by detailing in narrative fashion
the reactions of an American and
European couple in witnessing
scenic splendors. ‘

Campus & Culture

Continued from page 7

Style Buyers

Continued from page 2

fast biz, even during the year’s
slowest month.

Paris legit list is now as flat
as the new clothes fashion dictator
Christian Dior has ordered for the
gals. International Dramatic Fes-
tival of City of Paris concluded
with performances by Israel’s Habi-
mah Theatre troupe in “Golem”
and Ashman play, “Michal, Daugh-
ter of Saul,” Friday (30) and
Marcel Marceau and his panto
mime players exited from the
Renaissance same night.

Remaining shows — all of which
will play through August — are
Folies-Bergere show, “Real Mad
ness,” Casino de Paris show, “Gay
Paris,” Capucines’ intimate revue,
“Paris Galant ’54,” and only slightly
revised version of same house’s
last summer show, “White Horse
Inn” at Chatelet (reopening after
brief holiday), Mogador’s operetta,
“Lovers of Venice,” “Ah, Les
Belles Bacchantes” at Daunou and
“Jupon Vole” at Varieties, both
miniature musicals by Robert
Dhery, Palais-Royal’s bedroom
farce, "Folly of Cambrai.”

Also Grand-Guignol’s typical
dose of horror, “Swine Go to
Hell,” Bruyere’s light summer
frolic, "If I Ever Catch You,”
Roussin’s longrunner, “When the
.Child Appears^ at Nouveautes,
“Quiet Corner,” Michel Andre
comedy which won the Tristan
Bernard prize, at the Michel, re-
vival of. “I’m Here and I'm Stay-
ing” at Ambigu, revival of “Angel’s
Cooking” (“My Three Angels”)
at Caumartin, revival of “13 at
Table” at Wagram and revival of
“I’m 17” at Monceau. Miho Hana-
yagui Japanese Dancers continue
at Marigny and at Mayo] there is
a characteristic nude show on tap.

as a true drt form continues to oc-
cupy the attention of many groups.
This is pointed up by the increas-
ing number of societies devoted to
the serious study of pix as an art.
In recent years, these groups, many
of them non-profit orgs, have been
springing up throughout the coun-
try.

In New York City alone, five dif-
ferent film societies are flourish-
ing successfully. Their membership
varies from 50 to 5,000. The most
successful is Cinema 16, the parent
of the film societies. Cinema 16
has a membership of some 5,000
and holds screenings and lectures
in a local high school and on Sun-
day mornings in an east side art
house. Tlie other groups, such as
Film Forum, Film Directions,
Group for Film Study, and Theo-
dore Huff Memorial Film Society,
also employ schools and concert
halls. These groups not only show
historical Hollywood films but also
exhibit documentaries und experi-
mental films and shorts. A new de-
velopment has been the addition
of lecturers, on film history and
techniques.

Outside of New York, the film
study groups center around the
universities. For example, the U.
of Minnesota during the last week
of June was host at American Film
Week. More than 50 films were
screened and workshops on vari-
ous aspects of motion pictures Were
held. A guest lecturer was Rouben
Mamoulian. The college groups us-
ually work in close cooperation
with the local art house operator
to avoid a conflict in the pictures
shown on the campus and at the
theatre. .

Ohio State Huddle

“ Columbus, Aug. 3.

Ohio State University’s depart-
ment of photography will play host
to the eighth annual conference of
the University Film Producers As-
sociation on its campus here Aug.
16-20.

The five-day program will be
built around the theme of “The
Film Maker as a Communicator of
Ideas.” The organization is for per-
sons connected with production of
motion pictures in educational in-
stitutions and its purpose is “to
develop the potentialities of the
medium and its allied media, such
as sound recording and television,
in order to improve instruction
and communication.”

The organization has 35 active
and associate member colleges and
15 companies listed as sustaining
members. President is Herbert E.
Farmer, U. of Southern California;

Both “High” and “Caine" grossed
more than $1,000,000 apiece, ac-
cording to reports from Variety
correspondents in 24 representa-
tive key cities.

“Gone With Wind” (M-G), out
oh reissue for fifth time, captured
third position, fully living up to.
its initial promise indicated late
in June, It was second-place win-
ner one week. Pic is not only get-
ting a new group of folks who
never have seen it, but is attract-
ing another segment of patrons who
are intrigued by the chance of see-
ing it on widescreen and with im-
proved sound.

“Cinerama” (Indie), which was
second in June, wound up fourth,
obviously feeling the competition
of fresh product but not losing a
single city where it originally
opened — -and adding Dallas. “Gar-
den of Evil” (20th), another Cine-
maScbpe production* captured fifth
spot, hitting third in two different

WG6kS

“Apache” (UA), new Burt Lan-
caster starrer, wound up sixth with
a burst of speed final three weeks
of month. “Student Prince”
(M-G), which Was seventh in June,
took the same place last month.

“Demetrius and Gladiators”
(20th), one of three C’Scope films
20th had going , in key cities last
month, was eighth. It had, finished
third in June. “Johnny Dark”
(U) finished ninth despite not be-
ing in C’Scope, depending on its
story and magnet of its stars to
rack up big money. “Knock- On
Wood” (Par), which was fourth in
May, did a comeback with fresh
bookings to cop 10th position.

“Coins in Fountain” (20th), also
a C’Scoper, which was No. 1 in
June, still had enough stamina to
take 11th spot. “Hell Below Zero”
(Col) rounded out the Golden
Dozen for the past month. “Man
With Million” (UA) was runner-up
pic.

‘Obsession,* Living’ Big
“Magnificent Obsession” (U)
shapes as one of big, new grossers,
based on its initial playdates. It
was fourth in final week of July.
“Living It Up” (Par) also looms as
a potentially great moneymaker,
predicated on biz opening week
when it wound up third (final week
last month).

“7 Brides For 7 Brothers” (M-G),
also new, looks also in champ cate-
gory, judging from its terrific
opening week at the N. Y. Music
Hall, where it now is in the sec-
ond smash week. “Ring of Fear”
(WB) opening session out on re-
lease was inclined to be spotty, be-
ing good in some keys and fair, to
so-so in others.

“Susan Slept Here” (RKO), an-
other new entry, looms promising.
It was fine opening round in Frisco
and looks strong in first week at
N. Y. Victoria. “Pushover” (Col),
also a newcomer, was nice in Bos-
ton and brisk in L. A. opening
weeks. “Gambler From Natchez”
(20th) was rated fair in Buffalo.
“Sins of Rome” (RKO), likewise
new, was gbod in St. Louis and
fair in Providence on teeoffs.

“Tanganyika” (U) was good
enough to take a runner-up spot
one week last month. “Long
Wait” (UA) was in like category.

‘Francis,* ‘Lode* Okay
“Francis Joins Wacs” (.U>, a
fresh entry, racked up some fine
coin in keys covered by Variety,
but, per usual for this series, was
landing much bigger coin in
smaller cities. “Silver Lode”
(RKO) was inclined to be uneven
but registered some surprisingly
satisfactory trade in a number of
key cities.

“Adventures of Robinson Cru-
soe” (UA), too, was a bit spotty
However, it registered very solidly
in locations where given extensive
bally. “French Line” (RKO) added
some sizable coin during the month
as did “Johnny Guitar” (Rep),
which had been fourth in June.

Marciano Return ,

Negotiations should be coni*
pletedthls week for the Ttocky
Marciano-Ezzard Charles re-
turn’' heavyweight match on
Sept. 15 to he presented via
theatre tv. /* .

Both TNT and BOf are bid-
ding. TNT has presented all
previous title., bouts Of Inter-
national Boxifrg Club, so may
have inside track. . Bout . will
originate from the Yankee
Stadium, N.Y. '

‘Maldita’

Continued from page 2

Continued from pace 4

Terry Moore Too Tired

Hollywood, Aug! 3.
There’ll be a Moore in cast of
vice president is O. S. Knudsen, I “Annapolis Story” for Allied
Iowa State, and secretary-treasurer 1 Artists but it won't be Terry Moore,
is Harry C. Webb, U. of Minnesota. ! Actress changed her mind after
Only speaker listed in the pro- ; telling 20th-Fox she’d like to star
gram who Is direct from commcr- ; in film. Subsequently she declared
cial television is Boris D, Kaplan, • she was too tired from personals,
film supervisor of “Omnibus, who Studio had okayed Ioanout after
will be a member of a panel speak- she bad originally said she’d do
ing on “Films for felevssj/m ” The it,

rest of the participants are from? Meanwhile, Allied has signed
college and university film depart-; A Ivy Moore, seen in “Susan Slept
ments and from film supply com- Here.” as male co-star with John
panies and allied businesses, I Derek,

local journalists io give a prize to
the best foreign film. Prizes to lo-
cal pix could be given in abun-
dance, but only the accepted “A”J
fests (Cannes and Venice) had the
right to give foreign prizes. On this
score, Delac told Variety that the
IAP had definitely decided to hold
only one major competitive festival
next year to start with' Cannes in
1955, and the Venice fete allowed
to take place provided no prizes
were given. He feels this will make'
prizes mean something with top
films channeling into the big festi-
vals, and others taking their places
as merely publicity and tourist
manifestations.

Main attraction of this fest for
entered countries was the stipula-
tion that all Officially entered films
would be relieved of the Spanish
distribution tax, and be allowed
full remittance on the film’s, earn-
ings without any strings. This led
to MPEA drawing lots for the U.S.
entry, with Universal winning and
sending “Black Shield of Fal-*
worth,” a CinemaScoper. France,
always cognizant of foreign mar-
kets, was on hand with a Uniframee
booth to hand out propaganda,
and one official entry “Le Grand
Pavois” (“The Big Boat”) and two
unofficial entries in oldie “Juliet-
ta” and new Fernandel pic, “Le
Mouton A Cinq Pattes” (“The
Sheep With Five Feet”). Spain,
making this a self-service fest, had
four entries, “Viente Del Norte”
(“North Wind”), “Sierra Maldita,”
“La Patrulla” (“The Patrol”) and
‘La Danza De Los Deseos” (“The
Dance of Desire”.

Screenings were held in an im-
provised theatre, with the result-
ing drawbacks of uncertain projec-
tion and bad sound. Lack of promo-
tion also led to the houses being
filled only for rare pix which bene-
fited by word-of-mouth such as
“Fal Worth,” “Maddeleha” and “No
Way Back.” If one of the aspects of
the fest was touristic, this segment
was sadly neglected. Festival was
run under the auspices of . the sin-
dkato Naclonal Del Espectaculo,
which is a non*-political org, hous-
ing most show biz under its juris
diction.

Plan Second Fete NeA Year

Prexy Manuel Echarri feels there
will be . a second fete next
year, and that it will improve as
soon as experience is built up here.
This year, there were only about
60 scribes here and the budget was
a slim $24,000.

For the newsmen, this was pri
marily a junket with beach and
bullfights more a worthy port of
call than the fest itself since the
pix were rated ordinary and per-
sonalities were at a premium.
Reaping most attention was Gloria
Swanson here with her old friend
Lois Wilson, silent film star and
present Variety mugg in Spain.
U.S. actor Peter Damon, appearing
in Hispano pix, and Vic Rueda, his
manager and public relations rep
of the Castelana Hilton also were
around. French had some Second-
line starlets in Dora Doll, Jacque-
line Plessis and Nicole Maurey.
Spain, of course, turned out with
the most, but strictly local, stars
such as Maria Piazzi, Lucia Rosa-
les, Jose Suarez and Lola Flores.
Germany gave this a neat turnout
with Marika Rokk and Ingeberg
Koerner plus a few producers and
distributors with eyes on the Span-
ish market.

This Variety mugg served on the
jury and the selection was a Hob-
son’s choice with “Maldita” win-
ning for it was the one Spanish
film which showed some semblance
of style and. feeling for imagery
and movement. This tale about a
primitive section of Spain, where
hill people do not mingle with val-
ley people because of ancient
prejudice, has two of them inter-
marrying and finally breaking the
curse when a child is born. It has
some fine lensing in the mountains,
interesting folk customs and a hor-
| rendous axe fight.

during the September td Novem-
ber period., will prove ah advantage
to the theatres since the local loop
charges can be written ©$ egainst
several attractions. The Ameri-
can Telephone . & Telegraph local
loop usually cost about $5QQ per
theatre and is good for one month.
With only one event scheduled in a
30-day period, each theatre had to
pay the complete sura for only one
attraction.

* ••

There remains three active pro-
moters in the theatre tv field —
Nate Halpern’s Theatre Network
Television (Metopera and Jthe
championship fights), M i 1 1 o n
Mound’s Box Office Television
(Notre Dame football games and
possibly the ANTA Album and a
Broadway play), and Edmund L.
Dorfmann’s Television Co. (the
Philharmonic Orchestra)! The
number of theatres equipped to
show closed-circuit events still
ranges between 100 and 110. How-
ever, the largest hookup yet ob-
tained was the 61 for the June
fight. However, this lineup was
bolstered by nine drive-ips which
installed temporary equipment just
for the fight.

Odium Talks End

Continued from page 3

paid $8,250,000 for 929,020 shares.
Despite the company’s consistent
losses since that time, Hughes
would still come out with a profit
if he were to receive the $23,500,-
000 for 100% ownership.^

The original purchase from
Odium and the'100% buyup repre-
sented a total cost to Hughes of
$31*750,000.

In selling his stock in the thea-
tre end of RKO to Abert A. List
last year, Hughes received the
equivalent of ahout $5,000,000, thus
reducing his investment to $26,-

750.000. A sellout now to Odium
at the quoted price would lop this
down to $3*250,000.

The big differential lies in
Hughes’ stock in the holding com-
pany. Like all other stockholders,
he’s entitled to sell at $6 per share
and he owns 1,262,120 shares. In
round numbers, this comes to $7,-

575.000. Peddling this would mean
the airman would walk away from
RKO with a profit of $4,325,000 if
Odium or someone else takes over
the picture company at $23,500,000.
This is not including the $1,000,000
plus which Hughes picked up when
the Ralph Stolkin syndicate for-
feited. their down payment in their
ill-fat.ed deal for control of the
company,

Odium controls about 40% of
the holding company, Hughes 50%
and the remaining 10% is held by
outside stockholders. This opera-
tion, which is actually 'Only a cor-
porate shell, did not come up in
the Hughes-Odlum talks.

Hughes Empire

Continued from page 3

Hughes’ aircraft manufacturing en-
terprise and a brewery in Dallas.

Rockefeller and Zeckendorf are •
not strangers, the* latter having
been instrumental in the transfer
to the City of N.Y. of the Rocke-
fellers,’ property where the United
Nations buildings were constructed.
Zeckendorf has since gained con-
siderably more prominence via
other king-size realty trading. Most
recent was the lease taken on the
Hotel Astor.

Onassis is no second stringer,
either. He’s built a reputation as
magnate, in the shipping field and
presumably was mainly Interested
in Hughes’ airline'business, the two
fields beiflg somewhat akin.

On the Hughes side, some time
ago the airman-producer, etc,, was
reported interested in setting up
some kind of Hughes Foundation,
which would function somewhat
similarly as the Rockefeller Foun-
dation. Provision for this would
be an adjunct of any full-scale di-
vestiture : which Hughes would
make.

If the deal is really dead, it will
mean a loss of $5,000,000 to
Skourds. This . is the amount, it s
understood, which the film exec
would tolled as his finder's fee.

Vednewiay, .Aagwat 4,-1954

Arbitration Id

London, July 27. "

A letter from the Board of Trade
last Thursday (22) to the four pix
industry associations suggested
that, failing agreement between
the ’parties. concerned*. the two dis-
puted issues (the Tate of the Eady
levy as from Aug. 1. and division
of the entertainments tax conces- J
sion) could be submitted to arbitra-/|
tion The British Film Producers
Assn, originally approached the
government two weeks back asking
for action on its.lpef against the
Cinematograph Exhibitors Assri. It
contended that the CEA had not
implemented its pledge ' that any
tax concession should be divided
to benefit the production industry
and theatre owners; 'also* by in-
troducing lower rates of -payment
as from Aug. 1, it was robbing the
Eady pool of a substantial portion
of its income. .

The Cinematograph Exhibitors
Assn, on July 21, circularized its
members to pay the Eady levy as
from Aug. 1 on the lower scale;
that is $6,450,000 annually and
about $1,400,000, less than .is! cur-
rently operating. The J. Arthur
Rank Organization, which resigned
from the CEA’ recently, also re-
ceived the instruction although it
is believed it will continue pay-
ments at the old rate. Then on
Thursday (22), Board of Trade
prez, Peter Thorneycroft, said he
had arranged for a letter td go to
the four associations concerned in
which lie assumed that, in default
of an early agreement, they would
proceed to arbitration.

Idea of a third party to Settle
the dispute is not entirely new, and
trade opinion is- that the govern-
ment is loath to act in an internal
industry dispute. The government
has not indicated acceptance of any
direct connection between the tax
concession and the Eady money.
As far as the tax' is concerned, so
long as the CEA believe* settlement
can be effected within the industry,
it is unlikely to form part of an
united industrial plea to the gov-
ernment to share out the - extra
coin. Whether any extra coin goes
into the Eady pool as a result of
the tax concession is an issue the
government expects the industry
to decide for itself.

Meet ob Merchandising

Merchandising plans for : 20 th-
Fox pix,,' and particularly “The
Egyptian/’ set for release during
the' second half of 1954 will be
mulled at a two-day jales meet in
N. Y. tomorow (Thurs,) and- Fri-
day (6>. . .

Bales rep&, including the nine
domestic and Canadian 1 division
and assistant division manager and
32 domestic branch managers, will
be welcomed by 20th prexy Spyros
P. Skouras. Sessions will be under
the aegis of A1 Uchtman, 20th di-
rector of sales, and William C/
Gehring, exec assistaht sales man-
ager;

Screening of “The Egyptian”
will be a part pf the briefing.

Los Angeles, Aug. 3.

Roy Rogers and Gene Autry are
taking their cases against Republic
to the United States* Supreme
Court- to determine whether or not
a motion picture company has a
right to release films to television

without permission of the stars in-
volved. U, S. Ninth Circuit Court
of Appeals recently denied their
motions for a rehearing, of a State
Supreme Court decision in favor
of Republic. Their petitions to
the highest court must be filed by
Aug. 31.

“We think the case of sufficient
magnitude to test before the high-
est court in the land,” said Fred
Sturdy, attorney for Rogers.

Spokesman for Autry said: “Ip
the Autry case there were findings
by .the Appellate Court that there
certain restrictions oh Republic’s
rights. We feel a Clarification of
the restrictions must be resolved
in this case, or a subsequent one.”

Meanwhile Republic is readying
the films for release through its tv
subsidiary, Hollywood Television
Service.

Anti-Commie

Continued from page 2

tration. In the course of my testi-
mony— to illustrate the shortcom-

Paris 1 st-Run Cinemas -
In Shakeup for Fall

Paris, July 27.

New regrouping of the most im-
portant first-run film theatre tan-
deni is set for early fall. — likely in
September. The original combo,
the Gaumont Palace,. Marignan and
Berlitz, a 9.000-seat setup, will
have the Paris replacing the
Marignan. The latter house joins
wall a big first-run on the boule-
vards.

Thc Colisee stays day-date
t ie Marivaux after literatim
the latter are completed. r
combos are primarily for F:
and Italo pix, but are now re
S* Hhn bookings,
20tn-Fox first in. It will opi
August with “Prince Valian

Bcrlitz Um0nt Ba * ace> Marigna;

Dick Haymes’ 2d Slap

. Hollywood, Aug. 3.
P0c i a ^ immigration hearing of-
^ al Ph Farb again ordered
jJick Haymes deported to his na-
Argentina bn Monday (2).
pcaf 01 1138 10 ^ ays * n w k* c b to ap-

cleared district immigra-
tion officer Herman R. Landon of

tllat haymes was “eri-
apped into law violation when

tj 1' to Hawaii an.d re-entered
u - £>. illegally.

Jack Warner Bullish

,, Hollywood, Aui
tpi 0 e ^ ar ^ ess Hie competii
Warner stu
» the best p°siti(m of Its h
L- Warner told soi

agers° C il Ce *u eXeC ? and distWc
conclave. close 0f a *

the pictures view
“nV s tors were “A Star Is

feet” “ Battle Cr y" an <

films still to be comph

; > f i . e i t! 4 . j > n >

ings in the so-called “Tenney . Re-
ports” — I pointed out a mention of
me in the 1949 Report as a member
of the editorial board of the
Screen Writers Magazine, while
Gordon Kahn was editor, which
did -not include the vital addition-
al information that I was his prin-
cipal antagonist on that same edi-
torial board.

I did not at any time refer to
“associations” with groups which
“later were listed as Red Fronts.”
This is an error which appeared -in
an early edition of the L. A. Times
and which subsequently was picked
up (in part) by both Associated
Press and the Variety reporter.
The Times corrected the error in
the next edition — and the follow-
ing day made a point of mention-
ing the “anti-Communist policy” of
MPIC which I had outlined. The
AP also issued a correction.

I was glad, to appear before the
Committee to urge that it develop'
a system of correcting errors in
the Tenney Reports which injured
people who had been mistakenly
mentioned or who, quite innocent-
ly, had been side-swiped by Red
front organizations. But I was not
one of the latter group. • And the
mention pf me in Variety,, which
gave that impression, must have
startle^ many of my friends among
exhibitors throughout the country.

In view of the radioactive nature
today of any reference to alleged
Communist sympathies, past or
present, I trust that you will find
space to clarify this lapse— which
probably would have been avoided
entirely had I been able to get
down to the Hearing room earlier
in the day.

No doubt both A1 Lewis and
Jesse Lasky Jr. — two who fell in
the “mistaken identity” category — >
would agree that even when you go
to a Hearing* to say that you've
never been married,, the headlines
still read as though you’re admit-
ting that you’ve stopped beating
your wife( . , '

PICTURES 11;

Techni in Son

Continued from page 4

wrestled with the problem of ap-
plying its imbibition dye-transfer
process to Cinemascope, the work
•volume diminished. In July; how-
ever, with Teohni engineers on top
of the problem, release print man-
ufacture rose 25% and the lab
added 150 to its staff, Kalmus said
it would be some time 1 before ca-
pacity would again be achieved and
no Coast lab expansion is imme-
diately planned.

Techni prexy cited -two* prior
cycles of change in the Techni
business, “At the time of Douglas
Fairbanks’ ’The Black Pirate/.
Technicolor prints were made on
Eastman Kodak raw. positive stock
by cementing the red and green
components together back to back
to form a two-component positive,”
he recalled. Techni did good busi-
ness with the two-color product
but it was eventually supplanted
with the new Technicolor two-
compoiient imbibition (dye trans-
fer) process. The transition to this
method was characterized by four
steps:

(1) Uncertainty on the part of
customers (2) Extraordinary ex-
penditure by Technicolor (3) Sharp
reduction in Techni volume Of
l print orders and profit (4) Subse-
quent recovery by Technicolor to
volume and profits greater than
ever. These same conditions re-
peated themselves when the lab
switched ’ to the three-component
print, which completely super?
seded the two-component print.

“The new forms of screen pres-
entation again called for new types
of color motion picture prints/’
Kalmus said. “And so in this cur-
rent cycle of change, Technicolor
has already experienced the first
phase, uncertainty on the part of
the -customers;, the second phase,
extraordinary expenditure, and the"
third, sharp reductions in volume
and profits.” With the rising print
production curve, Kalmus saw the
fourth and final stage in the cur-
rent cycle completed.

The Techni topper denied that
the move away from the use of the
Techni three-strip cameras had ad-
versely affected the lab’s 1954 half-
year profits. “We never made
profits on those cameras,” he said.

Even as Techni begins to process
imbibition prints of Cinemascope,
VistaVision and others, the major
studios still retain a part of the
printing business. C’Scope pix are
lensed with Eastman color nega-
tive and prints on Eastman color
stock are made on their own by
Metro, Warner Bros, and 20th-Fox
(at De Luxe). However, both M-G.
and 20th are turning over certain
pix to Techni for imbibition
printing.

Important angle is that Techni-
color prints done in the imbibition
method are still a good deal .cheap-
er than those done on Eastman
color positive. Techni price is
5.25c per foot whereas the East-
man color per foot tab comes to
between 6.25c and 6.50c. Metro
figures it at the latter rate. East-
man color rawstock comes high
and there is no likelihood of a re-
duction in the near future.

Kalmus stressed the great im-
provement achieved in Techni
print quality. He also said con-
struction of Techni's Paris plant
was about to get under way and
that it would be approximately one
year before the French lab would
begin to start processing prints.

British Convinced

Continued from page 5

distribs and exhibs kept them, from
getting decent playing time. “There
is a distinct reluctance on the part
of our American friends to show
our films,” O’Brien averred.

Asked whether he knew the rea-
son, he replied that “it’s probably
that they’re afraid we might cut
down on the earnings of American
pictures.” However, O’Brien admit-
ted he didn’t really fathom the
reason for this alleged American
attitude.

American company execs, in-
formed of O’Brien’s comments, re-
signedly replied that he was in
error; that British films had made
great strides in the. U S. since the
war and that it was unreasonable
to attribute their slow but steady
progress to an organized American
attempt to hold them back. One.
foreign department spokesman
opined that O’Brien was primarily
speaking for home consumption
and that his statement had to be
i viewed in that light. »t-

Damascus and Lana Turner

- Hollywood, Aug. 3.

\ Shooting started yesterday oh
Metro’s “The Prodigal/’ one of the
biggest spectacles ever filmed in
Hculywood. Outdoor sets, repre-
senting streets and temples in ah'
dent Damascus; cover an area of

405.000 square feet, while interior
sefts'OcCupy four sound stages.

Charles Schnee produces, Rich-
ard Thorpe directs and Lana Tuf-
ner and Edmund Purdom head the
cast which includes more than

4.000 extras.

Film ‘Pitchmen’

Film biz is discovering the value
of the “pitchman” and at the same
time is beginning to let the public
in on some of the behind-the-
Scenes activities in picture making.

Companies, determined to drum
up interest in their big pix, are
supplementing their regular ad-
pub campaigns with the “personal
touch” by sending out gabbers , to
plug the product. These envoys do
a job not only by praising the film
but, more important, by telling the
public something of the hows and
wherefores of production.

' This is' quite a departure for
Hollywood which, over the years,
has concentrated more on stars’
chest measurements, ignoring —
possibly deliberately — the audi-
ence’s curiosity about how a film
is put together/

Latest to join this new type lec-
ture circuit is Bert Lytell who has
just hit the road as advance man
for 20th-Fox’s “The Egyptian.” Ac-
cording to 20th, Lytell — who does
not appear in the film — was picked
because he’s a personality with a
solid reputation. Apart from that,
he liked the picture, and he's a fast
and amusing talker.

Lytell, who carries with him a
number of painted miniature sets
from A The Egyptian” to illustrate
his talks, is set to address clubs
and other groups in 26 cities. He’ll
be in each town only a day, and
will manage to cram in radio, tv
and newspaper interviews in addi-
tion to other chores.

His kind of work isn’t meant to
supplant the star p.a., which still
rates high in the publicist’s book.
However, he and others are hitting
a new angle, and the comoanies
feel it pays off in many different
ways.

Outfit that got the ball rolling
on this type promotion was Uni-
versal which is still hard at it.
sending out not only stars and star-
lets, but also producers, directors,
writers and studio technicians. U
grabbed plenty of space, for in-
stance. when it toured Millicent
Patrick, a looker in its makeup de-
partment, who had designed the
horror mask for “The Creature of
the Black Lagoon.!’ For “Munifi-
cent. Obsession,” U’s Bill Thomas,
the fashion designer on the film,
and men from the hairdressing and
mu6ic department beating the pub-
licity bushes and getting plenty re-
sults.

Charles Le Maire, wardrobe di-
rector for “The Egyptian,” goes on
tour Aug, 15 to tell audiences in
western cities about the job of cre-
ating. and designing the costumes
for the Cinemascope spectacle.

In the past, 20th had Francis X.
Bushman out on similar tours for
“David and Bathsheba” and Metro
had Fritz Goodwin discoursing on
Shakespeare and the arts in con-
nection with “Julius Caesar,” Same
outfit had Morgan Hudgins lectur-
ing in connection with “Quo Vadis”
and “Mogambo,” Hudgins was the
unit man on both pix. Paramount
snonsored a wide swing by Henry
Wilcoxon for “Samson and Deliah.”

Reasoning Is that, : apart from
adding to the cultural value of
films, these speakers address them-
selves to a more mature audience
which responds more readily to an
Intelligent and yet entertaining dis-
cussion of entertainment and how
it s ma^. ( «, , , ( ^ j^it j i ><,)!'■

Concerned over the careless
manner in which! its. Cinemascope
pix are being projected in some
houses* ?0th-Fox will produce an .
“educational” reel aimed primarily
at projectionists. *

Company has been getting re-
ports from its engineers that even
in some of the first-runs the pro-
jectionist equipment heeded ad-
justment arfd that, in many in-
stances, projectionists weren’t pay-
ing sufficient attention to the show
to make sure the picture is in
foQus and the sound is properly
faded In and out.

While 20th execs stress that, in
no way, are they trying to tell ex-
hibs how to run their theatres,
they nevertheless argue that flaws,
in projection quality, resulting in
fuzzy images and unbalanced
sound, might serve to scare off
what they consider is an audience
newly won via C’Scope. Subject
came up for discussion at a meet
of the 20th brass in N.Y, last week,

Upshot is the decision to pro-
duce a film that will graphically il-
lustrate to both exhibs and their
staff the importance of dishing up
the perfect picture. Reel will con-
tain instructions oh the proper
physical presentation of a C’Scope
pic, including the technical as-
pects of correct focusing and han-
dling of stereophonic sound.

20th execs admit that they can
not control the human angle in-
volving a projectionist used to do-
ing things a certain way and easily
won over to a new procedure. At
the same time, they feel that an
educational pointer including a
comparison of a C’Scope scene
properly and improperly presented
might serve to alert theatre staffs
to., the importance of getting the
best possible picture on the screen.

Al Lichtman; 20th director of
sales, last week wouldn’t go be-
yond an acknowledgement of 20th’s
plans to make a demonstration
reel. He said it should be ready
within a couple of weeks.

20th isn’t the only company to
have had the experience of poor
projection and fuzzy images which,
with the new camera lenses, should
no longer be necessary. Universal,
in a tryout showing of “Black
Shield of Falworth” in the mid-
west last week, had a similar ex-
perience when the stereo sound
wouldn’t, work right. The print
was shipped into N.Y. and run off
with perfect results, proving that
the fault was in the projectionist’s
handling.

Stereo sound is admittedly more
delicate to balance and requires
the constant attention of the man
in the booth who must ’fade in and
out at the right moment. Apart
from the educational reel, 20th
may resort to other means, such
as an ad campaign, to put its mes-
sage across. 20th execs stress that
they’re acting not only for them-
selves, hut for the erftire industry
in encouraging improved projec-
tion.

indie Prods. With Rank
To Film Bestseller

London, July 27.

London Independent Producers
in association with the J. Arthur
Rank Organization are to film the
bestseller, “Above Us, the Waves,”
by C. E. T. Warren and James
Benson. The Admiralty is cooper-
ating in making the. film which
depicts the attack by midget sub-
marines on the German battleship
Tirpitz.

Pic is due to start rolling at
Pinewood in September, and will
be produced by Bill MacQuitty and
directed by Ralph Thomas. Script
is by Robin Estridge. A number of
sequences already have been shot
during the naval exercises.

, V

Fred Schwartz’s Aussie
Co-Production Coining Up

“Long John Silver,’’ first film
financed by a syndicate headed by
Fred Schwartz, Century Circuit
topper, has been set for national
release during the Christmas holi-
days.

Produced by Joseph Kaufman,
the picture was made in Australia
under a co-production arrangement
with an Australian company. Film
was directed by Byron Haskin and
Robert Newton and Connie Gil-
christ. . , . , , ....

Wednesday, August 4, 1954

On Tuesday. August 24th

will have its

. New York

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Play it in 4-TRACK, HIGH-FIDELITY MAGNETIC STEREOPHONIC SOUND

INTERNATIONAL

*VARI!TY't I'QMpOtt, OFFICI
f Wir*I»> 1Plic» f Trf#lwr »gu«r»

t^METr.

; *July ’27, " '■?'

Some anXlebtJ%<ii#Cl»He W-
certainly perMj«$S#t WW Up the
situation in HsUiM* Jim circles, to-
day despite -rtWJHug JBtateujents
issued regulerly -bjg* produc-

'J .'etuiMMAteAlklA —

UP*-?*'

TTn

tion men W^e&ROhSi&ie govern^
went official** L.yef«”? ?<*&?
rient co-ahead ^titude On prodpc*
tion has changed to \ more cau-
tious wait-and-see* and; a general
read i usimerit is noticeable. The
lump from artisan to producer is
not without growing J^ains, Costs,
are up.' especially in the thespic

' f . r ♦ ' » . ♦

Anserinet to BatonFor

London, July 27*
-^Sadler^ Wells ' Ballet Veturns, to
Cbvent Oardett Opera House jiug.

31 for a four- week season. Erri- ,
est.. Anserinet; Swiss conductor
price associated with in Presair
.Diaglilev^joins the company as
guest conductor, and will direct a
number qf performances in Edin-

fipi d with not only imported actors, | burgh and London,

HUM.* ‘ . 1 ■ _i r .-•*

but Italians as well asking and
getting inflated wages, Color is
now a must for any- self-respecting
production, hence riipre cosfs. And
films have become one of Italy's
top exports, and* must play to a
wider range of TbuStomers Arid taste*

Main reason for the present un-
certainty -has been -.the delay .in
government approval or even-con-
sideration- of the neyt protective
film legislation. With the , old lav
set to expire in December, pro-
ducers have been reluctant to go
put on a limb with new productions
before knowing clauses M the new
legislation. (Allowing 0J1 average
six-month span from planrto screen,
pix shot now would- be affected by
new law or a lack thereof). Re-
peated reassurances by govern-
ment officials have eased the pres-
sure somewhat, and Some pro-
ducers have announced a go-aTiead
in production. ' ‘ ^ ,

The new Italian film legislation,
as proposed, is * said to include
many changes. While .the "old set-
up called for a 10% tax rebate on
approved pix (practically all) and
an added 8% -for exceptional one's*
(an overlarge number was consid-
ered in this class), the new law
would give V flat 14% to all ap-
proved pix; ’ with substandard
product getting no rebate at dll.
Documentaries, a sore point be-
cause of tremendous amount of
speculation facilitated •- by the old
law . w ould receive a cut in subsidy
(previous was 3% and 5%) and
stricter controls, -and changes are
also in the wind for the similarly
protected semi-monopolic news-
reel setup. , .

While many" studios are waiting
for legislation and/or. returns on
next season’s releases, many of
them expected^ to. be in. the big
category, others such ^as Venturini
Productions and Tifanus have al-
ready announced their production
skecls for .the next year.

Eady Receipts in Dip;
$7,000,000 in i0 Months

London, July 27.

In the first 10 months of the
current Eady year,, up to the' end
oi May last, just over. $7,000,000
v as paid into the British produc- .
hon pool for division among Brit- f
1 .. 1 Quota . films.. Receipts have •
dipped by 0.25% on the previous
year. ^

distribution is being continued
°u a monthly basis with an aver-
age shareout equalling 32% of the
distributors’ gross. . This percen-
j S dipped gradually from
?. ( .downwards, mainly owing to
■the increased rentals earned by
Jh'hisli pix in the U.K. It is com-

f 1 . 1 G r-i 1 ud ren l a l s darned, by Brit-
Idms have jumped by about
fio/. com Pared with last year’s

. Ballets in the repertory include
a revival of Fpkine’s “The. Fire-
bird,’* danced by Margot Fonteyn,
Michael. Soaines. arid .. Frederick
AsHton, “Le Lac des Cygnes,”
“Sleeping Beauty,” ,VGiselle,” “Lai
Boutique. Fan taspue,” “Three Cor-
nered Hat,” “Sylphides,” “Les Pa*
iineurs,” .“Coppelia,’’.“Daphnis and
Chloe,” “Homage to the Queen”
and “Mile. Angot.”

•• Prior to the London 'season, the
company will do a week at the
Edinburgh - Festival, giving eight
performances, commemorating the
25th anniversary of Diaghilev’s.
death: ~ • ' y

Govt, Pix Credit Idea L

Vienna, July 27.

, After ’dropping the idea to sup-
port the proposal to form an inter-
national production pool at the
congress of- tlie International
Federation of Film Producers
Assnsr.at LOCarno, Switzerland, the
Socialist Party, occupying the vice-
chancellorship' and several Cabinet
kposts, again 'has7<‘piftie’'forward vdtlf
L it$ pet idea toe- grant gQverriment
credits to experienced outfits =; :

Idea is six' years old> 7 arid/Was
tried out once. Due to the unsatis-
factory work by director SO.? W*
Pabst # - with the pic, . “Mysterious
Depths”'— greatest flop ever here
-HPlan Was discontinued and the
revolving credit was lost.

Socialists' want to earmark
$800,000 for this purpose. Deputies
Max Mark and Karl Flossmann are
.sponsors and- hope to .obtain sup-
port from their, coalition partners,
the conservative Peoples Party. As
the budget fok 1955 is being Out- 1
lined roughly at present, chkrices
are even for acceptance. '

Dublin, Aug. 3.

. Current week is top of the tour-
ist seas.on. hero, . with the Dublin
Horse Show a .stellar daytime at-
traction. Abbey Theatre, seeking a
heftier slice of tourist coin,. is doing
a split week, with Bryan Gqin
ness's “A Riverside 'Charade” play
ing three days, followed, by revival
of John McCann’s comedy, “Twenty
Years A’Wooing,” and .an oldie by
Lennox Robinson, “Crabbed Youth’
and Age.”

Gaiety is presenting a new re-
vue starring Irish comedian Jimmy
O’Dea. Pike also opens a new re-
vue, “More Follies,” with Milo
O’Shea in the lead. Olympia is
staging the pre-London tryout of a
new comedy “A Horse, A Horse,”
by L. du Garde Peach, with Hugh
Wakefield in the lead. Longford
Productions at the Gate continues
T. S. Eliot’s “Family Reunion.”

Films on view are unspectacular,
with “Doctor in the House,” now in
its third month at the Metropole,
taking top coin. Other houses
have maintained biz, greatly aided
by the recent spell of bad weather.
Five-day visit by seven vessels of
the U. S. Navy last week- boosted
bistro and terpery biz, but meant
little to picture houses and
legiters. -

Mex Walkout-Lockout
Ends But Headache For
Film Industry lingers

. - Mexico City, Aug. 3;

Although the labor miriistry ac-
tion ended the six-day strike-lock-
out: which cost exhibitors and dis-
tributors around $500,000 and
cinemas quickly' resumed operation
and the exchanges reopened, peace
does not yet prevail between ex*
hibitors-distributors and the Na-
tional Cinematographic Industry
Workers Union (STIC). Latter
started the trouble by, striking
J against a few houses when its 35%
pay hike demand was nixed.
t With the intention of fighting to
a finish, most other exhibs closed
their theatres in an effort to once
for all time end “exploitation by
rapacious. STIC leaders,” The min-
istry ruled the lockout illegal and
the whole' strike collapsed. The
ministry is figuring out just how
much more wages exhibitors-dis-
tributors, including eight Ameri-
can' in the latter category, must
pay_the unionites. At any rate the
employers must pay full wages dur-
ing the layoffs, the first general
industry strike in the history of
the Mexican pic trade. That was
the ministry ruling. Exhibs-dis-
tribs organized a committee to
carry on their fight against STIC
chiefs.

Of the $500,000 loss to exhibi-
tors-distributors the exhibs took
most of the rap. Cinemas resumed
to about normal hiz. Patrons didn’t
flock to them as some had ex-
pected.

f m 3d

Leads Austrian
in 6 Mos.

More Nabe Pix Houses
Hurt .Dublin lst-Runs

With

Dublin, July 27/

... more neighborhood
in „ ■ 1 ,‘ is to open in new hous-
oM?,« ,as heie ’ there is how a ring

dvo » ihV- pot ? around the city. A
h nn * 1 , a t downtown first-run

HOllSOS looms QC « „

Odc(

as a result, Irish

■Whi wiU °P en 1 »S00-seat

but -i 1 1 **■ Ji i Grand next weekend;
incliviri.. 0 i ler s P° ts are owned by
Inorp'tw *1 p wne rs or small circuits,
hieii transportation costs and

sub , .{v U -* pr i C€S are che cking the
w n l aaite ^ rom attending down-
cinemas.,

rcmi y , 0n ,. e new fi rst-run is cur-'
vam Li n f contruction, the re-
Canito wh ich will give

its ^ sccoSIl d ^ U i ed Cin emas circuit
Desniio K .first-runs in mid-city.
DubUn onu ll( !i ng a ctivity around
repoi iori 0 ^ y three new cinemas are
tS;. d 'i 1 construction or con-
le niplated in other areas.

OVER 500 PIX SET FOR
*54- 55 GERMAN DISTRIB

Berlin, July 27.

Total number of both domestic
and foreign films to be released
here during the season of 1954-55
will be about 530. Most of these
films, 226. are again of American
origin. List also consists of 66
French (incl. coproductions), 47
Italian, 15 English and 12 Swedish
i Pi. x .-„ . . . . t

"Number of German films set for
[ this season amounts /to 130, This,
however, is not too . certain as to
last reports. The Federal Finance
Minister has -interpreted claims on
the. federal government guarantee
of 60,000.000 Deutsche marks as
being limited to DM 20,000.000 a
year Local industrialists feel that
this may result in ff reduction of
the local film production.

Most of the U.S. films to be re-
leased here during this season are,
as against former yeai^s,- latest pro-
ductions.' Most of the. leading.
diStnbs are also selling non-Amer*.
lean product, such as RKO, United
Artists, 20th-Fox and particularly
Columbia. Latter is releasing five
German and four other foreign
films besides -its 29 Hollywood fea-
tures, American firms which now
as before are dealing exclusively
with own product are Warner Bros.,
Metro and Universal. Local outfit
Gloria has seven American (Re-
public) films on its list. A consider-
able number of other domestic dis-
tribs are handling pix out of small-
er Hollywood studios.

'v “■ Vienna, July 27.

Although the first six months of
•54 £hoM? Hollywood dominating
the Austrian market; European
producers are getting the bulk of
b.o: revenues. Their films draw
more.

Of the 212 films played in the
1,143 houses ;of .thfc country, 104
were U. S. products, (49.2%). West
Germany ’ ranks second with 48,
and* the United Kingdom and
France . divide third honors with
13 each. Austria itself contributed
a mere half dozen.

Six out of 10 nabe houses show
American pictures, most o'f them
oldies, and 3-D has finished its
sensational period.

Metro ranks first among the dis-
tributors with . 36 films; ' AFEX is
second with .18. Only Austrian dis-
tribs qf noteworthy turnover are
Sascha and International, with
Sascha in the lead as far as qual-
ity is' concerned. * ••

W. Berlin Nixes

. London, July 27*

Despite general oomplaints, West
End pix biz, as a whole; has been
much better in this off season than
generally at this time of year. In-
clement weather and the influx of
tourists from England and abroad^
wljo’ as 'soon- 'as' the bad weather
hits- crowd' the cinemas; both con-
tributed to this improvement. „

Best intake comes from “Dial M.
For Murder” at the Warner. A big
hit as, legit play here, it is still
smash in second week with $12,000,
“Seagulls Over Sorrento,” is nice
$11,000 in second week at the Em-
pire*

Odeon, Marble Arch, has a
money-spinner * with “Night Peo-
ple,” still big in third session at
$9,500. Also in the money is “Ele-
phant Walk,” (Par), at the Plaza,
fast with $9,000 for second round,
Likewise garnering cpin is “Flight
of White Heron” at the Carlton
with $7,500 for eigthh week.

Interesting revival is^ “Blue
Angel” which is staying at the
Royal, Edgware Road, for a second
stanza, unprecedented for this spot.
Popularity of film probably stems
at least partly from Marlene Diet-
rich’s hit at the Cafe de Paris.

Estimates for Last Week
. Carlton (20th). (1,128; 55-$1.70)—
“Flight of White Heron” (20th) (8th
wit). Started at smash $9,500. Now
nearer $7,500. “Three Coins in
Fountain’,, (20.th) follows Aug. 6.

Empire <M-G) (3,099; 55-$l.^ 70)—
“Seagulls Over Sorrento” (M-G)
(2d wk). Helped greatly .by its legit
rep of record 'four-year', run in

Berlin, July 27.

The plan of Nati Mistral to ar- j ^ 1 u *ii o' 1

range bullfights in the local 100,- ! ^ st E« d ,; Nice 1.000 after $ 12,-

000-seat Olympic Stadium, was

nixed by West Berlin authorities.
Miss Mistral, Spanish actress,, is
star of Circo Efcpanol, now playing
here.

The local Tierschutzverein (So-
ciety for the Prevention of. Cruel-
ty to Animals) had sharply pro-

000 ' opener. “Valley of Kings”
(M-G) to follow.

Gaumont (CMA) (1,500; 50-$l,70)
— ^^‘Dance Little Lady” (Renown)
(3d wk). Steady $5,600, which is
average at house. “Susan Slept
Here]’ (RKO) skedded for July 29.

Leicester Square Theatre (CMA)
(1,753; 50-$1.70> — ^ ”B e a u t i f u l

tested, against it, claiming there s a [ stran (BL . } (2d wk) ^ U l
L a 'n«"! , Gei ' man y which declares , ped this, and biz is slow. Dull $2 -

h.itlfiohtc . 11 . 0,1 (nff.odor, ■ 5(|0 after $ 4,5 00 first Week

Brit. Film Lab-Techni
Wage, Hour Row Settled

London, July 27.

Announcement of the arbitra-
tion award on the Assn, of Cine
Technicians and the Film Labora-
tory Assn.-Technicolor dispute was
made Monday (26). ACT got a
15% wage innerease for all grades,
retroactive to June 14/ No reduc-
tion was made in the 44-hour work-
ing week of FLA members’ em-
ployees, but Technicolor technical
grades had their working week re-
duced from 45 to 44 hours.

Announcing the decisions, ACT
pointed out that Technicolor rates
in their previous agreement wefe
slightly higher, therefore from- the
first paid week, ill August, the
working week ■’ WU| be reduced
without alteration -in: wage- rates.

. Dispute had been going on for
some six months. Earlier this
year it had involved a shutdown
of laboratories for 1 over a week
and the setting up of a. Ministry of
Labor committee of inquiry.

bullfights illegal (offenders may
face a two-year term). Also, an-
other plan of Miss Mistral, to stage
Portuguese. bullfights (without kill-
ing or injuring the animals), Was.
nixed by the Society. Latter, inci-
dentally, revealed that "'Several
other bullfight groups had previ-
ously applied to the Society for the
same reason. Some offered the So-
ciety up to 100,000 marks ($25,000)
if it would okay these fights. The
Society pointed out it is against
bullfights in any case.

Meanwhile, the Circo Espanol is
appearing for an indeterminate pe-
riod at the Funkturm, the usual
tenting place for circuses coming
to Berlin. In addition to Miss Mis-
tral, this Spanish circus has more
than 100 performers and animals

London Pavilion (UA) (1,217 50-
$1.70)-— “Sabaka” (UA) and ‘‘Al-
giers” (UA) (2d wk>. Fair $3,500.
“Them” (WB) succeeding July 30,

Odeon, Leicester Square (CMA)
(2,200; 50-$ 1.70)— “Far Country”
(GFD) (2d wk). Heading for okay
$9,500. .

Odeon, Marble Arch (20th) (2,-
200; 50-$1.70) — “Night People”
(20th> (3d wk). Opened to big in-
take and. still solid near $9,500 cur-
rently. Staying until Aug; 11.
“River of No Return” (20th) due
next.

Plaza (Par) . (1,092; 70-$1.70)—
“Elephant Walk” (Par) (2d wk),
Fast $9,000 after $11,200 opener.
“Living It Up” (Pan follows Aug.
6. .

Ritz (M-G) (432; 30-$2. 15)— “Ex-
ecutive Suite” (M-G) (3d wk). After
four weeks at -the Empire, this is

4 ITALO, 3 JAP FILMS
SET FOR VENICE FETE7r s l0 n /7 y her '- Fin ' «

Rome, Jqly 27. | Royal, Edgware Road (Gillan)

Four entries will represent Italy (420; 32-50) “Blue Angel” (Renown)
at the Venice Film Festival this i * 1 ’„ ssue) *?d w k>. Capacity at $1,-
year, selection committees has an- ! 900 for this border-line West End
nounced. Pix chosen for this feter &Pot.

which runs Aug. 22rSept. 7 are 1 n Studio 1 (APT) (600; 30-$1.20)— •
“La Romana” (“The Woman of j Living Desert” (Disney) (11th wk).
Rome”), from the Alberto Moravia j Steady $3,300 and healthy for this

bandbox house.

Warner (WB) (1,735; 50-$1.70)—
Dial M for Murder” (WB) (2d wk).
Despite 2-D policy this has proved
ho M°ver week a/oujrid
$12,000. Expected to stay several
weeks lon g e r. . “High and Mighty”
(WB) in next.

novel, with Gina Lollobrigida and
Daniel Gelin (Minerva Film re-
lease), “La Strada” (PontLDeLau-
rentiis), . with Anthony ' Quinn,
(.Richard fiasehart, Giuliettq ; Ma-
sina; “Senso (Lux ’.Films), .starring
Alida Valli and Farley Granger,
and “Sesto Continerife,” directed
by Folco Quilici.

Last two are color films and
both are extra-quota invitees of the
festival for exceptional values. .

■’The festival committee has an-'
nounced that three Japanese films

Anni to Be Held in *56

Vienna, July 27.
Preparations for the 1956 Mozart
Year in Salzburg (the composer’s
200th birthday anni) are going
ahead on a big scale. It was de-
cided, besides the standard works
of Mozart to produce his less-
played “Titus” and “Idomeneo.”

The city also appropriated a
large sum for reconstruction of the
Mozart museum in the Getreide-
gasse.

re.

Wiesbaden; July 28. :
Double Destiny,” a Franco-Ger,
man coproduction based on Jean

have been accepted for . showing. I Giraudoux’s play “Siegfried ” h<.«
TWv-nro “The SeVeil Samuri,” : , ^?Sinea, bas

They are.
“Sango Daju.’l
Osaka.” •

and

Gibbs* London Concert

London, July 27.

Georgia Gibbs is to be topliner
at a concert at Royal Albert Hall,
London, Sunday Aug. 22. Singer is
coming over to start a week's
variety at the Glasgow Empire fol-
lowing day.

“TVnA n Af ! i? ou . nd shooting here and in
Tied • of , pans. Icature made in both

French and G.erman versions, is
produced by Stuart Sehulberg and
Gilbert de Goldschmidt.

Victor Vicas, who recently di-
rected “No Way Back” for the pro-
ducers, also megged “Double Des-
tiny,” a worldwide Columbia re-
lease, Film is being produced for
Trans-Rhein Film of Wiesbaden
and Madeleine Films, of Paris. De
! Goldschmidt and Sehulberg are as-

British support will include the , . ^ _ . -

Ronnie Scott orch, Ken Moule ] sociated with N. Peter RathvOn’s
Seven and Tommy Whittle Quartet, i European enterprises.

Wj l t?

4

The phenomenal grosses of

"GONE WITH THE WIND” in

• ‘ . ’ s

its 5th release are a Miracle
of All-Time Show Business !

I FOR INSTANCE!

IDE-SCREEN !

David O. Selznick’s Production of Margaret Mitchell’s
Story of the Old South “GONE WITH THE WIND”
in Technicolor • starring Clark Gable • Vivien Leigh
Leslie Howard • Olivia de Havilland • A Selznick Inter-
national Picture * Directed by Victor Fleming • Screen
Play by Sidney Howard • Music by Max Steiner.

in the

its

third, and fourth

90 engagements of
iase tops its second,
fourth release and

• t

even

release in the following cities:

Philadelphia, Boston* Cincinnati, Detroit, Evans-

ville, Pittsburgh, El Paso, Omaha, Birmingham;

Nashville, Chattanooga, Austin, Texas, Colorado

%

Springs, Colorado, Green Bay, Wise., Charleston,
South Carolina, Washington, D. C., Augusta, Ga.

GWTW” GOLDMINE !

133% of "SHOW BOAT”

178%

128% of "MOGAMBO”

CHOICE OF SOUND ; PERSPECTA
STEREOPHONIC OR OPTICAL 1- CHANNEL

0

Wednesday, Angalitf ‘4, 1954

PICTURES

i r

United' spectacular ri$e\ftt>m minor-league status to its

present state of monetary importance was detailed by Arthur Krtm,
president* and board chairman Robert Benjamin in N.Y. last

Friday (30), " ’ I . • •

Compander gross business in 1951— the first year under the
Krim-Beiijamin regime— amounted, to about $18,000,000. >lt hit
close to $30,000,000 jn 1951 and climbed to $37,000,000 in 1953.
Krim estimates that the total revenues for 1954 may go as high
as $45,000,000. Because of the heavy stakes in new product, the
prez stated, that if the 1955 gross “isn’t over $50,000,000 we will
not be getting the returns we/are supposed to get.*’ '

Sue Me’ Motto

Lion Cub Gets Loose In ‘Unoccu-
pied Portland Theatre

An adaptation bf the “sue me”
line can best describe the attitude
of a group of exhibs in their deal-
ings with the distribs. Charging
that the percentage terms current-
ly being demanded for pictures are
way out of line, these, exhibs, hun-
gry for product to fill their thea-
tres, are signing ^f or any terms
asked by the distribs. After the
picture is played, then comes .the
day of reckoning.

The exhibs in essence, say “try
arid collect at your terms.’’ Fre-
quent hassles result and, in many
cases, adjustments are made. The
hassles, however, are increasing
and are beginning to reach the
point where many lawsuits may re-
sult. Certain exhibs are becoming
more stubborn and many cases are
reported where a satisfactory
agreement cannot be* reached.

In many sections of the country
it has long been the practice of
granting exhibs’ an adjustment of
the stipulated film rental at the
conclusion of the run. If a partic-
ular picture flopped, the distrib
would make an adjustment pre-
venting a loss or, in some cases,
even affording the exhib a profit.
This practice, while occasionally
frowned upon, induced many ex-
liibs to sign pacts at terms higherj
than they could afford to pay.

This procedure has become an
established trade custom and was
implicit regardless of whether it
was included in the contract. The“
exhib beef now is that certain dis-
tribs have specifically renounced
the adjustment and demand that
the contract terms hold regardless
of the result.

According to Allied board chair-
man Abram F. Myers, “there was
however, no reduction in the con-
tract prices to compensate for the
elimination of .this beneficial trade
custom; on the contrary, prices
have quite generally been in-
creased . .

Portland; Ore.,' Aug. 3.
“The Ring of Fear” became a re-
ality today (29) when the action
moved from the screen to the au-
ditorium 6f the Liberty Theatre in
one of. the greatest lion hunts seen
in these parts. ~

Clyde Beatty gave a lion cub to
the Portland Zoo When his circus
played here last month. Liberty
Theatre manager Harold Lorrimer
arranged to have the four-month-
old cub on display during the play-
ing time i of Clyde Beatty’s “Ring
of Fear,’’; Intending to feed the
ion in the lobby, the cub leaped
over. Lorrimer’s head and quickly
found; its way into the auditorium!
Secretary Katherine Marshall
called the police hut they didn’t
believe her. During the explana-
tion period, Lorrimer and his
stage hands, searched the theatre
With flashlights and spotlights, fi-
nally cornered lion in check room.
Police finally arrived and the thea-
tre was late in opening. Unex-
pectedly, event got plenty of pub-
licity.

PARAMOUNT LINEALLY
40— AND CELEBRATES

Paramount is mapping plans for
a sales drive this fall to tie .in
with the 40th anniversary of the
company’s formation, that is, or-
ganization of the predecessor out-
fit which, via a series of mergers,
led to Paramount as it is today.
The Par Pictures formed in 1914
by W. w. Hodkinson was set up
to distribute features made by
Adolph Zukor, Jesse Lasky and
others.

Drive, being billed “Paramount’s
40lh Anniversary — A Salute to the
Future” will run 14 weeks begin-
ning Aug. 29. Within that span the
week of Sept. 5 will be designated

Paramount Week,’’ during which
the push will be on for maximum
billings. “Par Week’’ has * been a
standard - part of the company’s
annual campaigns .and traditional-
ly peak levels of sales ate reached
during it. .

Monroe R. Goodman, assistant to
Schwglberg, president of

, ’ Fl bh Distributing, is drive co-
ordinator. “Drive Captains” and
their aides are to be named short-
ly to head up the sales activity in
meal areas. According to Good-
man, special material is being pre-
P, ai ; e u d t°. ass *st the field branches
m the kingsize sales move, includ-
iif banners, sales kits and blue-
prints for special events.

COLORFUL EXPLOITATION!

Columbus, Aug. 3.
Robert A. Wile, executive secre-
tary of the Independent Theatre
Owners of Ohio, declares in the
current ITO bulletin that “There
are valid reasons why newspapers
have rejected some ads from the-
atres”. and points out to members
that the ad censorship problem
has already been encountered in
Cleveland and that it may spread
unless ads arc made to conform
with Better Business Bureau
Standards.

“There have been few new ideas
in motion picture advertising in
many years,” While writes. “It
has been truly said that the titles
could he changed on many ads and
the illustration could serve for
any number of other pictures. The
exhibitor who has no art depart-
ment of liis own is forced to rely
on what the distributor gives him.”

Wile cautioned exhibitors to
watch what the producers gave
them and to use only what will not
offend good taste. “Above all,” he
said, “be sure your ads don’t mis-
represent a picture. That can
hurt you more than anything else.”

‘BRIGADOON’ CAMPAIGN
CUED BY 7 BROTHERS’

With “Seven . Bride* for' Seven
Brothers”, launched, Metro is lin-
ing up a similar campaign for its
musical successor, “Brigadoon.”
Highlight of the “Brides” cam-
paign , was the word-of-mouth
buildup via mass screenings in all
key cities. The picture was shown
to large segment of opinion, makers
throughout, th# country fnwhatis
believed to Rave been the largest
number of pre-opening screenings
ever held.

It was not only shown to exhib-
itors, Tress and radio-tv reps, civic
and social leaders, governmental
and municipal officials, but to em-
ployees of rival film companies at
special invitational showings. Not
only did Metro pick up beaucoup
“good, will via this method, but the
word-of-mouth proved an impor-
ant pay-off. As a result, it’ll be
tried again for “Brigadoon.” Pic-
ture goes into national release on
Sept. 24 and follows “Brides” into
the Radio City Music Hall, N. Y.,
probably after Labor Day. t .

• ' _ - ■ 1 ■),

Guatemala Tax Ended;

Ui. Ahead in 35m Bat
Mexico Topping 16m

.. Washington; Aug. .3.
Hollywood pictures are - being
shown in Guatemala City once
more, due to cancellation of the
municipal tax on gross receipts of
ilm distributors.

Tax was levied at 20%, effec-
tive June, 1953, according to Na-
than D* Golden, director of the De-
partment of Commerce Motion
Picture . Division. It was reduced
to 10% last . April, - and then can-
celled on July 11, 1954. Reason
for eliminating the bite was its
failure to yield the expected rev-
enue, according to Guatemalan“of-
ficials.

Golden discloses further that
while U. S. films do 65% of the
business in the 35m theatres of
Venezuela, the Mexican films are
far ahead in the smaller 16m in-
stallations located in smaller
towns. Argentine and Spanish pix
are also cutting in on this native
biz.

White Furs for White
Christmas— PR Tieup

The motion picture industry and
fur industry, both of which suf-
fered serious postwar slumps, are
combining forces for a joint pro
motion. The fur biz, which was
hurt greater than the picture in-
dustry, has only recently embarked
on a public relations program
aimed at reviving the sale of fur
coats.

..One of its first efforts, arranged
through the Lynn Farriol PR office,
is a tieup with Paramount based
on the latter’s picture, “White
Christmas.” The fur industry,
repped by the Associated Fur
Manufacturers, has worked out a
national cooperative promotion
with Paramount in connection with
the holiday release of the Irving
Berlin musical. Contests will be
|' run in a selected group of cities,
focussed on the idea of white furs
as gifts for Christmas.

Ch&s. Goldsmith in, U.S.

Charles Goldsmith, newly-ap-
pointed managing director of
M-G-M Pictures Ltd., arrived in
New York over the weekend from
England.

He’ll vacation in Gotham before
returning to his London post early
in September.

Myerberg’s Bi-Oral Sound

Hollywood, Aug. .3

Michael Myerberg, producer of
the feature film, “Hansel ^nd
Gretel,” has developed Bi-Oral
Sound, a new form of motion pic-
ture sound recording which will be
used for the first time this Fall
when his picture is released.

At- a demonstration before a
group of sound engineers Myer-
berg described Bi-Oral as consist-
ing of two magnetic strips placed
on the outside of the sprocket holes
of the film played simultaneously
through the right bank and left
bank of speakers by means of a
Cinemascope magnetic pickup.

He Remembers Clara

Omaha, Aug. 3.

• Inquiring fchotog of the
Omaha World-Herald last week
asked a trio of persons .what
was the /best ’film they ever
Saw! The answers:

Housewife: “Magnificent Ob-
session,”.

Girl cashier: “High Noon.”

Frank B. Heintze, state treas-
urer of Nebraska: “It.”

CaTs Film Cos.

Minneapolis, Aug. 3.

Film companies have gone
“greed mad” and unless they mend
their “avaricious ways” immediate-
ly, exhibitors’ wrath will descend
upon theih as never before .in the
industry’s history, warns Bennie
Berger, North! Central Allied
president, -

In ' a resolution unanimously
adopted by his organization’s di-
rectors, national Allied States is
commended for its. present move
to effect “live-and-let-live” film
rentals, the hope is expressed that
distributors will not give Allied
“the usUal brush-off” and a pledge
is made that, if this latter occurs,
the local body will extend “the
utmost cooperation in •helping to
bring about federal and state in-
tervention.”

Declaring that small-town and
subsequent-run exhibitors “have
never been so badly off” at any
time’ since motion pictures’ inau-
gural, Berger says that C’Scope,
while a blessing for many big thea-
tres, actually has harmed “the lit-
tle fellows” and caused them
“more financial misery” than eVer.

Terrell Morse’s Charges

Los Angeles, Aug. 3.

Breach of an oral agreement was
charged against Selznick Releasing
Organization, Inc., in a suit filed
in Superior Court by Terrell Morse
who asked $3,920.47.

Plaintiff said he was wrongfully
discharged as production manager
on "Terminal Station,” released
here as “Indiscretion of an Ameri-
can Wife." He contends he was
hired to work in Italy _at a mini-
mum of $2,850 for six weeks, in
addition to $114 vacation money
and travel expenses. He also claims
to have spent $328.74 in prepara-
tion for the journey.

Harold Sprawls named director
of sales promotion and public re-
lations for the Texas Industrial
1 Film Co. of Houston.

Special Laws Favor Italy’s Newsreels

But Move to Remove Advantage Is On— Telesio
In U.S. to Promote Vidpix

Current moves to drastically cut
“bonus” payments to Italian pro-
ducers of shorts and newsreels are

rangements, goes through with the
reduction in the bonus rates, the
producers feel they’ed balance
. their end by obtaining compulsory

being countered with proposals fori showings.

a law that would make it manda
tory for exhibs in Italy to sked at
least one short or newsreel a week.

This was reported in N. Y. this
week by Giovanni Telesio, general
sales manager of INCOM, largest
Italo producing outfit of documen-
taries and newsreels. He’s here in
connection with the making of a
color reel on the maiden voyage
of the new Italian liner, Christoforo
Colombo.

As explained by Telesio, the eco-
nomics of an Italian shorts produ-
cer go something like this: If he
gets approval from a special gov-
ernment committee, his reel is eli-
gible for the bonus which, at the
moment, consists of 3% of the over-
all admissions tax. However, it’s
general knowledge that, in order
to get the booking, the producer
has to kick back as much as V/t%
to the exhib.

If the government, which ob-

viously doesn’t care for such ar* i pose.

INCOM. has produced something
like 200 documentaries — more than
half of all of those turned' out in
Italy— and in addition lenses three
weekly newsreel issues, one of
them in Ferrariia color. Outfit also
has tried its hand at feature pro-
duction (“Beliissima”) and is turn-
ing out material for the U. S. In-
formation Agency. It’s currently
expanding its studio space in Rome.

Telesio said one of the purposes
of his U. S. visit was to scout the
possibility of producing tv pix in
Italy. “We can make them a lot
cheaper than in the U. S.,” he de-
clared. He’d also like wider dis-
tribution of Italo shorts and docu-
mentaries in this country.

The “Colombo” short, for which
an IMCO crew of five made the trip
across, is being lensed in Ferrania
color, with Pathe News in N, Y.
helping out. Ferrania color stock
was shipped to Pathe for that pur-

Hitting into a film situation char-
acterized by exhibitor cries of
“Shortage,” United Artists has a,
lineup of 48 films set for release
from September through August,
1955, representing a production in-,
vestment of . $40,000,000, Arthur B..
Krim, president, stated Friday (23).
Pictures will be sold at the rate
of four a month.

Krim, who was flanked by UA
board chairman Robert S. Benja-
min and v.p. Max E.. Youngstein at
a press meejting, said the plan is
to include / one “blockbuster” in
each month’s sked. The term, he
said, referred to a film which will
gross $2,000,000 or more in do- ,
mestic (U.S. and Canada) rentals.

Sweet September!

September will be a “maj.jr ,
turning point’’ for UA, commented
the prez, “for our program* from,
that time on exceeds anything in
the past.” Over the next two years,-
Krim said he “anticipates” the re-
lease of 96 features.

He added: “We are extremely
bullish about our future and the
future of the industry and we are
demonstrating it by pouring all our
resources into bigger product.” In
line with this, he reported that
four films going into production
within the next eight weeks have
an aggregate budget of $8,000,000.
These are: “Gentlemen Prefer
Brunettes,” Robert Bassler produc-
tion in Cinemascope starring Jane
Russell and Jeanne Crain; Paul
Gregory’s production of “Night of
the Hunter,” which Charles Laugh-
ton will direct with Robert Mitch-
ura starring; “Not As a Stranger,”
which Stanley Kramer will pro-
duce and direct with Mitchum,
Olivia De Havilland and Frank
Sinatra in the leads, and o Hecht-
Lancaster’s “The Gabriel ° Horn”
starring Burt Lancaster, who’ll also
direct.

' Blockbusters

These are Included in the 12 pix
(one a month) which Krim feels
rate in the “blockbuster" class. UA
set the financing 100% for the four.
Further, the company has a finan-
cial participation in about 95% oi
the entire release program, Ben-
jamin noted.

Other eight which got the tail-
money billing by Krim are: Joseph
Mankiewicz’ “The Barefoot Con-
tessa,” with Humphrey Bogart and
Ava Gardner; “Purple Plain,’’ pro-
duced by John Bryan under the
J. Arthur Rank banner with Greg-
ory Peck; Hecht-Lancaster’s “Veri
Cruz,” with Lancaster and Gary
Cooper; Rank’s “Romeo and Juliet,’
which was shot in Itq]y, mainly in
Verona, with Laurence Harvey and
Susan Shentall; Robert Rossen’i
“Alexander the Great,” to roll in
the fall in Spain, Greece and other
global points; W. H, Frank’s “Sit-
ting Bull,” C’Scope, with Dale
Robertson, Mary Murphy and J.
Carroll Naish; “Way West,” from
Hecht-Lancaster, and Ilya Lopert’s
“Summertime” (an adaptation of
the legiter, “Time of the Cuckoo’’),
with Katharine Hepburn and Ros-
sano Brazzi.

Youngstein, who returned to N.Y.
from an extensive tour of Europe,
stated the company now has a full-
scale ad-pub program in work that
provides for “pre-planning and
pre-selling,” He said an example
is the now-adopted practice of lay-
ing out sets of publicity stills from
the shooting scripts of films in ad-
vance of production.

Youngstein also related that
Richard Condon, UA’s special rep
abroad, is working; with all indie
producers in Europe. Condon co-
ordinates the bally whipped up by
the filmmakers anct UA as well,
and helps in unit personnel as-
signments.

CheesmaiTs RCA Berth,
Succeeds Bernie Sholtz

Camden, N. J., Aug. 3.

William E. Cheesman has been
named field ^ales representative
for RCA theatre products in the
eastern and northeastern regions,
succeeding- Bernard Sholtz, one of
the industry’s pioneer field sales
reps who retired after being RCA
rep in the same area for 25 years.

Product manager for RCA the-
atre carpet and chairs for the last
three years, ‘Cheesman now is in
charge of sales of theatqe sound
systems, projectors, speakers and
screens in an area that includes
such theatre centers' as New York,
Boston, Philadelphia, Washington,
Pittsburgh and Buffalo.

16

HCTDBES

PfailETr

Wednesday, Awt 1954

Picture

PITTSBURGH

(Continued from page 8)
Strong $20,000. Easily sticks for
third week. First week, $26,000.

Penn (Loew’s) (3,300; 65-$l'.H))“—
"'Gone With Wind” (M-G) (3d wk).
Oldie still blistering at close to
$17,000. Probably holds again. Last
week, $22,000.

Squirrel Hill (SW) (900; 65-85)--
"Hobson’s Choice” (UA) (2d wk) :

‘LIVING’ FINE 10G, 2D

Baltimore, Aug. 3. ¥
With temperature over 100 and
a plethora of holdovers, current
week’s biz is sluggish, ’ Schwaber
chain opened a new artie, the
Cinema, with "Seven Deadly Sins”
converting former* nabe, theLinde,
into a first-run. "Caine Mutiny”

mg nicely in second round at
Keith’s. Double bill of "Dead End”
and "The Westerner” is okay at
Stanley. .

Estimates for This Week
Century (Loew's-UA) (3,000; 25-
65-95)— "Gone With Wind” (M-G)
(reissue) (3d wk). Slow $6,500 after
$8,200 in second.

Cinema (Schwaber). (466; 50-$l)
—"Seven Deadly Sins” (Indie).
Latest addition to local arties. Okay
$4,500.

Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,100;
50-$1.25)— "Caine Mutiny” (Col)
(3d wk). Strong $11,500 after $16,-
600 for second.

Keith's (Sehanberger) (2,400; 30-
46-80)— "Living It Up” (Par) (2d
wk). Fine $10,000 after $16,000

Best thing this nabe ^rty has had con tinues big in third week at
in. Jong . time, and wilLbe^around Hipp » L iving It Up” is aiso hold-

for awhile. Looks loud $3,500 after ^

$4,000 first week. . • ...

Stanley (SW) (3.800; 65-85) —

"About Mrs. Leslie” (Par). Fine
compaign but they aren't buying it.

Won't do more than $9,000 if that.

Last week, "Knock on Wood” (Par),

$13,000.

Warner (SW) (1,365; $1.25-$2.65)

—"Cinerama” (Indie) (34th. wk).

Lopg-running pic now doubling its
biz of last spring. Looks lika $13,-
500 this week on top of $14;000
last week.

‘Crusoe’ Brisk $10,000,

Frisco; ‘Ring’ Oke 14G

San Francisco, AUg. 3
With two new bills and surge of opener.

Legionaires whose parade brought Little (Rappaport) (310; 50-$l)—
thousands to Market Street, first- "Heidi” (Indie). Starts tomorrow
run biz opened briskly but faded (Wed.) after "All Quiet Western
after the Legion left and the torrid Front” (U) (reissue) but fair $2,200.
heat wave took over. One new film Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 25-44-70)
"Ring of FearV at Golden Gale "Outcast” (Col). Opens tomorrow
looks okay while "Robinson Cru-
soe” at United Artists” shapes
good. "Caine Mutiny” in fifth
frame is holding strongly at St.

Francis. "Cinerama” still is stout
in 31st Orpheum stanza.

Estimates for This Week ,

Golden Gate (RKO) (2,850; $1-
$1.25)— "Ring of Fear” (WB) and
"Operation Diplomat” (Indie).

Okay $14,000 or close for first
week ending today. Last week,

"‘Susan * Slept Here” (RKO) and
"'Queen of Sheba” (Lip), $12,700..

Fox (FWC) (4,651; $1-$1.50)—

"Garden of Evil” (20th) (3d* Wk).

Light $13,000 or near. Last week,

$14,000.

Warfield (Loew’r) <2,656; 75-$l)

— "Student Prince” (M-G) (3d wk)

"Living
^uoe’Big

Cleveland, Aug* 8.
Five key Stands are edging past,
previous summer records with
strong-pulling holdovers, overcom-
ing such adverse factors as heat,
baseball and horse-racing compe-
tish.here. Biggest coin total- goes
to "Caine Mutiny” on second lap
at Allen, after setting a. new hot-
weather high for house on first
round. "Living It Up” looks smasty
in second State session, Third folio
for "Magnificent Obsession” shapes
strong at Palace. Only newcomer
combo is “Desperado” and "Gam-
bler From ? Natchez” at Hipp, just
getting by. • o *

Estimates for This Week
Allen (S-W) (3,000; 70-$1.25)—
"Caine Mutiny” (Col) (2d wk).
Strong $25,000 after $41,000 on first
week. •

Hipp (Telem’t) (3,700; 60-90)—
"Desperado”' (AA) and "Gambler
From Natchez” (20th). Okay $14,-
000. Last week, "Gorilla at Large”
(20th), so light ‘twas cut to 6 days,
$7,000.

Lower Mall (Community) (585;
60-90)-*-"Mooh Is Blue” (U A) (12th

m Saga 4 Certer,M.Y.

Continued train mire I s

a tieln wfth fortune Game's San
Carlo company. A few engagements
were enough to convince the land-
lords. that, gultyuiaL Vldues notwith-
standing, therms nd TOOBpt (mean-
ing not enougb m^fey) - ior this
lofty art form : 'unfemyn. That is,
north of the Met wth.' Street.

Nix TeievitfonCUy
In 1950 the RpegMeHers.-tried to
interest NBC in a ."television city,”
The Center woiild yazed- and a
new, greater 1 ’structure would go
up in its place, Joseph McConnell,
network president at that time,
nixed the idea. The, time was not
ripe for such' an undertaking, said
McConnell, '

NBC, though,;, did take over the
Center for studio tv programming,
and paid a rental that was regard-
ed as fair by both -gides although
still considerably short of What the
property should tyield by real es-
_ . tate standards. (The” Rockefellers,

came, and still is, the great presen- remember, have the entire area on

a projection machine throw Oh 7th
Avenue ‘(Rothaf el had been but no'
longer was associated with it), the
new pic theatre opened as the RKO
Roxy. A group of bondholders filed
a court action and the housq. was
renamed’ the Center.

After those first 16 days, RKO’s
Harold Franklin saw the need for
some quick changes; in the deep of
the depression the Hall was shap-
ing as a major catastrophe. It was
at this point that the Center had
to yield -to . the well being of larger
edifice. Franklin converted the
Hall to first-run films (the first’ was
Columbia’s ; "The Bitter Tea of
General Yen”) and switched ttye
Center to ‘‘neighborhood” status.
It played pix day and date. With
the Fordham Theatre, Bronx, and
the Albee, Brooklyn.

Rothaf el Terminates

The Hall, supplemented its film
fare with stage acts, thus it be-

tation house of the country. Rotha-
fel, immediately after the original

wk). Oke $2,300 following $2,400 fiasco, entered N. Y.’s Post Grad-
last week. uate Hospital. Although Roxy was

Palace (RKO) (3,300;. 75-$l)— 1 - presumably close" to M. H. (Deac)
"Magnificent Obsession” (U) (3d Aylesworth who via NBC was close
wk). Big $15,000 after $18,500 last to RCA which then controlled
week. RKO, shortly after his discharge

State (Loew’s) (3,500; 60-90)— - Roxy was no longer a part of the
"Living It Up” (Par) (2d wk). RKO setup. The rest of Rothafel’s
Great $18,000. Last week, $19,000; career was anti-climax.

(Wed.) after "Black Horse Canyon
(U) did mild $2,500.

New (Mechanic) (1,800; 35-$l): —
Demetrius And Gladiators” (20th)
(4th wk).. Weak $6,000 after $7,500
in third.

Playhouse (Schwaber) (420; 50-
$1)— "Man With Million” "(UA) (3d
wk).- Bright $4,800. Last week,
same.

Stanley (WB) (3,200; 30-80)—
Dead End” (WB) and "Westerner”
(WB) (reissues). Oke $8,000 for
oldies. Last week, "Ring Of Fear”
(WB), $7,000.

Town (Rappaport) (1,600; 35-80)
— "Broken Lance” (20th). Starting
tomorrow (Wed.) after "Champagne
Safari” (UA) and “Silver Lode”
(RKO) did drab $6,500.

Good $12,000. Last week, $15,000.

*.|- Ti /Dnpl * n / ^Dpiiioto | ‘Ring’ Rich at $12,000,

Living It Up (Par) and Private 1 ' 7

Eyes” (AA) (3d wk). Okay $8,000
in 4 days. “About Mrs. Leslie”
(Par) and “Man of Conflict” (In-
die). Opens today (Tues.). Last
week, $15,500.

St. Francis (Par) (1,400; $1-$1.50)
—"Caine Mutiny” (Col) (5th wk).
Strong $18,000. Last week, $19,000.

Orpheum (Cinerama Theatre,
Calif.) (1.458; $1.75-$2.65)— "Cine-
rama” (Indie) (31st wk). Stout $29,-
500. Last week. $30,000.

United Artists (No. Coast) (1.207;
70-$l) — “Adventures Robinson
Crusoe” (UA) and "Gog” (UA).
Good $10,000. Holds. Last week,
"Apache” (UA) (4th wk),, $6,200.

Stagedoor (A-R) (400; 85-$1.35)
—“Hobson’s Choice” (UA). Fat $6.-
000. Last week "Immortal City”
(Indie) (2d wk). After $3,600 in
first.

Larkin (Rosener) (400; $1)—

"Kon-Tiki” (RKO) and "The In-
former” (RKO) (reissues) (2d wk).
Nice $3,200. Last week, $3,200.

Vogue (S. F. Theatres) (377; $1)
—"Mr. Denning Drives North”
(Indie) and "Lady Godiva Rides
Again” (Indie) (2d wk). Oke $2,400.
Last week, $3,200.

Stillman (Loew’s) (2,700; 60-90)
—"Gone With Wind” (M-G) (6th
wk). Fine $6,000 after $7,000 last
week.

99-year leasehold from Columbia
U.).

Decision finally was reached that
the Center had had' it. The demo-
lition Squad was called in. Time-
table .calls for removal by next
month of the last vestige of the ill-
fated show business emporium. Ah
office building on the. site is set
for completion 13 months later.

As for NBC’s "television city,”
the Rockefellers may still be part
of the plot. The vast area from the
Rflxy Theatre east, to Sixth Ave-
nue, from 50th to SlstStreets, was
purchased by the Rockefellers last

While the Hall was to eventually
prosper; the Center was in wobbly
financial condition. The inferior re-
lease position it was given failed
to pay off. Center’s rental was

SEATTLE

(Continued from page 8)

90)— "Living It Up” (Par) and
"Lone Gun” (UA) (2d wk). Great
$12,000 or close. Last week, $14,-
700.

«n^An a r ( hl^ m aTAI face to face with bankruptcy and get together on a deal remains to

co 11 the Rockefellers set up a manage- be seen. And besides, it’s irrele-
ment unit to take over the Hall vant to the Center Theatre’s death-
ana the Center: W. G. Van via-immolation obit. . .

Schmus, an advertising exec , and
associate of the Rockefellers, was
placed at the helm.

In June of 1934, the Center
could no longer carry on with films
and was closed. A switch to legit

$450,000 per annum, an incredible spring. The- purchase price was $8,-
air.ount in view of the house- 500,000 for the 82, 000> square feet,
policy. , ,. Architecturally, r this is. being

Era of *77B' measured in terms of 2,000,000

Not long after, "77B” became a square feet— plenty ibig for any
household term: within the murals kind of a city. Whether the prop-
. _ 5 _ I of RKO. The company had come" erty owners and the network can

" * ^ I /a aa Fa f haa iimFU nn#4

to Treasure Island” (UA). Big $8,-
000. Last week, "Gog” (U A) and
"Capt. Kidd, Slave Girl” (UA),
$4,000 at 90c top.

Music Box (Hamrick) (850; 75-
$D— "Apache” (UA). Also at Lib-
erty. Swell $5,000. Last week,
Man With Million” (UA) (4th wk-

Too Colossal?

Continued from page 3

►

‘Leslie’ Good $6,500,
Omaha; ‘Canyon’ Oke 4G

Omaha, Aug. 3.

Hot, muggy weather and the
product are blamed for slashing
biz this week. Only good new entry
is “Mrs. Leslie” at the Omaha.
?, Gone With Wind” is okay at the
Orpheum for second round. "Black
Horse Canyon” is fairish at the
State.

Estimates for This Week

Brandeis (RKO) (1,100; 50-75)—
"Law Vs. Billy Kid” (Col) and
"Operation Diplomat” (Col). Mild
$3,000. Last \.eek, "Arrow in Dust”
(AA) and "Pride Blue Grass” (AA),
$3,500.

Omaha (Tristates) .(2,000; 5*0-75)
— "About Mrs. Leslie” (Par) and
"Trent’s Last Case” (Par). Good
$6,500 or near. Last week, "Gorilla
at Large” (20th) and “Rocket Man”
(20th), $6,500 at 90c top.

Orpheum (Tristates) (2,890; 75-
$1)— "Gone With Wind” (M-G) (re-
issue) (2d wk). Good $12,000. L^iit
week, $23,000.

State (Goldberg) ( 813 ; 50-80)—
"Black Horse Canyon” (U) and
"‘Monster * From Ocean Floor”
(Lip), Okay $4,000. Last week,
"Garden of Evil” (20th) (3d wk);
$4,500 at 50c-90c scale*

Denver; ‘High’ 19G, 3d

Denver, Aug. 3.
"High and Mighty” still is big at
the Centre, and winds a fourth
session. Trade ranges from fair to
strong currently, although weather
makes outdoor activities the main
draw. "Ring of Fear” is rated fine
at Paramount. "Caine Mutiny”
continues big in third Denver week.

Estimates for This Week

Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 50-85)—
“Adventures Robinson Crusoe”
(UA) (2d wk). Nice $4,000. Last
week, $4,500.

Centre (Fox) (1,247; 60-$ 1) —
"High and Mighty” (WB) (3d wk).
Big $19,000. Holds again. Last
week, $21,000.

Denham (CoCkrill) (1,750; 50-85)
— "About Mrs. Leslie” (Par) (2d
wk). Fair $7,000. Last week, $9,000.

Denver (Fox) (2,525; 50-85)-*-
"Caine Mutiny” (Col) (3d wk).
Good $15,000. Last week, $20,000.

Paramount (Wolfberg) (2,200; 50-
85i— “Ring of Fear” (WB). Fine
$12,000. Last week, "Apache” (UA)
and "Return to Treasure > Isand”
(UA) (2d wk), $10,000.

Tabor (Fox) (1,967; 30-50)— "Hell
Raiders of Deep” (IFE) and “Un-
tamed Heiress” (Rep). Fair $3,500.
Last week, “Project M-7” (U) and
"South. Sea Sinner” (Indie), $2,000.

DETROIT

(Continued from page 9)
$1-$1. 25)— "Living It Up” (Par)
and "Make Haste to Live” (Rep)
(2d wk). Good $15,000. Last 'week,
$24,000, '

Palms (UD) (2,961; 80-$l)— "Ring
of Fear” (WB) and "Bitter Creek”
(Lip) (2d wk). Fast $12,000. Last

\i/prfr 7 9Hrt

Madison (UD) (1,900; $1.25-$1.50)
—"Caine Mutiny” (Col) (5th wk).
Big $15,000. Last week, $20,000.

Broadway-Capitol (UD) (3,500;
80-$l)— "Yellow Tomahawk” (UA)
and "Return Treasure Island”
(UA). Slow $8,000. Last week, “Se-
cret of Incas” (Par) and "Hell
Raiders of Deep” (Indie), same.

United Artists (UA) (1,938; $1-
$1.25)— "Gone With Wind” (M-G)
(reissue) (3d wk). Strong $28,000.
Last week, $33,000.

Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 80-$l)
—"Valley of Kings” (M-G). Good
$13,000. Last week, "Student
Prince” (M-G) (5th wk), $7,000 at
$1.25 top.

Music Hall (Cinerama Produc-
tions) (1,194; $1.40-$2.e5)— "Cine-
rama” (Indie) (72d wk). Strong
$19,000* Last week, $19,400*

9 days), $4,400 at $1.25 top. — . . .

Music Hall (Hamrick) (2 300- 90- wais decided upon but it had to Public with pix of a 'similar char-
$1,25)— "High and Mighty” (WB) be a big production— the 3,500- acte r*

Big $8,000. Last week, seater was no place for intimate . Norway's Revolt

drama. - Motion Picture Export Assn, is

(3d wk).

$9,400.

Paramount (Evergreen) (3,039;
$1-$1.25) — "Caine Mutiny” (Col)
(4th wk). Great $11,000 after $12^
000 last week

The house re-candled Sept. 22 of beginning to collect some frowns
e same year and the production for its efforts to sell foreign gov^

Lichtman-Goldslein

Continued from page 3

to

they had suspended in order
tackle this Panoramic project.”.

Panoramic was set up by the late
Leonard Goldstein and Robert
Jacks to produce a series of 10 2-D
pix for 20th release during- the
company’s switch to CinemaScope.
All but one of the 10 — the Cinema-
Scopei- "The White Feather” which
is being lensed in Mexico — have
been delivered.

Lichtman’s letter to the sales
force noted the Panoramic deal
originally had the double purpose
of salvaging stories on 20th’s

the

met the specifications. Max Gor-
don’s "The Great Waltz” was the
curtain raiser and it represented
an investment of $300,000. Oper-
ating costs amounted to $40,000
weekly. This was before rent,
which was on a percentage basis.
The scale had a $3.30 top, which
was normal during the depression
period.

Waltzing Around
Press notices were mixed.
Variety’s Abel found it a "great
spectacle” and a "swell entertain-
ment.” He further noted: "True,
it’s slow, but who can get hotcha
about a Viennese locale, with Vien-
nese waltzes and a generally glam-
orous and languorous background.
True, also, that it lacks comedy

ernments and exhibs the idea that
even’ a ■ lot 6f trees (jon’t necessar-
ily make a forest.

First revolt came ’ last week in
Norway where Kristopher Aamot,
chairman of the Norwegian Munici-
pal Cinemas Assn., notified the
U.S. companies that under a new
agreement his group would no
longer allow special rental terms
for "super” attractions. . The cur-
rent Norwegian deal, Which ex-
pires Sept. 1, provides for a 40%
rental limit. However, some five or
six "specials” could be sold at 45%
and higher.

MPEA- argument in Norway as
well as in Holland, Belgium and
Italy has been that a certain num-
ber of spectacle-type pix should be
which, perhaps, is a concedable freely negotiable due to their high
deficiency, especially considering production costs. However the
the reports that the comedy divi- feeling appears to be growing
shelves and employing talent idle I sion wasn’t as notably lacking in abroad that — with CinemaScope

the London nor the several Con- films counted in the special cate-

tinental productions, But oh every- gory — the "specials” have become

thing else it’s tops.” so commonplace as to no longer

“The Great Waltz” paid off for merit higher terms,
the production company but the There’s concern at MPEA in
rental picked up by the Rockefel- N.Y. that the Norwegian example

lers was below hopes. They had may set a pattern elsewhere. In

spent $100,000 in converting the Hollywood, for instance, eight or

began to move. Lichtman’s letter house — part of the overall $300,- nine American imports a year are

asked the branches to survey un- 000 investment — and there was low freely negotiable. In Italy, 25^% of

sold situations on the Panoramic return on this, too. the MPEA import can fetch' 50%

Other legit offerings that fol- rentals and here again C’Scope

lowed — "The American Way” early pix are freely negotiable,
in 1939 was another of the more In stating that, in the future,
outstanding in the kingsize bracket Norwegian exhibs would impose a
produced varying results at the 40% rental limit on all pix, Aamot

but under contract, and of serving
exhibs with 2-D pix during the
transition period.

For a while, as 20th stuck to its
stereophonic sound dictum, it
lacked customers for the 2-D at-
tractions. As the policy was re
laxed, however, the Panoramic pix

releases and to go after them.

Robert Goldstein’s Huddles
Hollywood, Aug. 3.

While no decision has yet been
reached by Robert Goldstein in b.o. but none ever amassed enough added insult to injury by declaring
regard to future of Leonard Gold- coin to provide that 450G rental, that the Norwegian public wasn’t
stein Productions, In which he «is Ice Age interested in "super” attractions

veepee, or his own future opera- The most successful enterprise and that, in any case, “they are
tions he’s been talking with United at the Center was on ice. Arthur nothing but glary comic strips.”
Artists execs, also officials of other Wirtz and Rockefeller reps joined

distribs. in their first frappe venture in

LGP has 10 picture deal with 1940. Wirtz, who was then part-

United Artists with first two films, nered with Sonja Henie, was not

"Black Tuesday” and "Stranger On particularly familiar with a theatre

Horseback,” completed over week- of the Centers dimensions and, the

end. Rockefeller people were strange to Force. Cinerama engineers are al*

Robert Blumofe, UA veepee on the way of frozen, frolics. The first ready on their way to the Syrian

Coast, states company is willing to show received a mild reception but city,

continue original deal or work Out follow-up offerings in the subse- A specially-designed outdoor the-

new one, "We’ll do everything quent war years went over. fine. At atre will be built on the U. S.

least, about half of the rental was Government exhibition space. The
being met and this was lots better showings will be under the auspices
than that earlier era. of the U. S. Information Agency.

Rockefellers at intermediate A narration in Arabic will replace

Cinerama in Syria

Continued from pane 3 s

we can to help in direction they
want to go.”

Goldstein’s Panoramic mean-

* • • -a O ♦•*■*'* V •* * * «f * * * * « It tr ft

while shooting "White Feather,”

last for 20th-Fox release. In Mexico, points also gave opera a whirl via I the current one by^ Lowell Thomas.

Wednesday* August 4, 1954

f^Ss/ETf

IS ROLLING UP
GLENN MILLER'

EVERYWHERE !

CLEVELAND- Palace Theatre

Outgrosses "Glenn Miller” both
first and second weeks!

CHICAGO -United Artists Theatre
Sets twenty-year house record!

ASHEVILLE— Plaza Theatre
Bigger than “Glenn Miller”

AKRON -Palace Theatre
Joins “Miller” as U-l'$
biggest grossers !

SALT LAKE CITY-Uptown Theatre

Record opening ... bigger
than “Miller”

* c —

KANSAS CITY-Orpheum Theatre

Bigger than “Miller". . .

U-l record in K.C.

ATLANTA -Grand Theatre
Joins ^Miller" as U-L’s all time
high grossers in Atlanta!

YOUNGSTOWN- Warner Theatre
Sets all-time U-l house record!

AURORA -Paramount Theatre -
Bigger than “Glenn Miller”

OKLAHOMA CITY-Midwest Theatre

Neck-and-neck with
“Glenn Miller”

MICHIGAN CITY-Tivoli Theatre
Outgrossing “Glenn Miller”

JOLIET— Rialto Theatre ^

Neck-and-neck With “Miller”

r OT %

- Cr'j

PICTURES

Hartford, Aug. 3.

A proposal has been made that
Connecticut adopt a system of
statewide censorship of films and
plays, although this- was one of the
more liberal of the original Ameri-
can colonies and has not heretofor
been a blue law state. Just who or
what is behind the proposal is not
clear. Connecticut State Police
Assn, which promulgated the idea
is not* an official organization de-
spite its title. Actually it is no
more than an insurance organiza-
tion taking in policemen for bene-
fits. It has some 300 members.
Censorship recommendation seertis
to have been passed by a- 15-man
board without debate or dissent.

Best reasonable explanation o'f
motivation offered is that a state
law would take individual police
chiefs at the community level off
the spot when complaints are reg-
istered.

Hartford Times has editorialized
against any state censorship. Hart-
ford Courant which recently cam-
paigned against rough comic books
for kids also declared itself op-
posed to any censorship as such.

Among others protesting the pro-
posal were Norman Cousins, edito,r
of the Saturday Review, James S.
Pope, executive editor of the
Louisville Courier Journal and
president of the American Society
of Newspaper Editors; RusSel. J.
Wiggins, managing editor, of the
Washington Post & Times-Herald,
chairman of the Freedom of Infor-
mation Committee, American So-
ciety of Newspaper Editors, Odell
Shepard, former lieutenant gover-
nor of Connecticut; and many
others.

Big Pic, Big Stills

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

RKO’s “The Conqueror” is
a big production, so the stilt
photographs^ issued by the
flackery will be that way too.
Orders have gone out that all
stills must be at least 11x16
inches or larger.

First is a 22x16 photo of
John Wayrie with Susan Hay-
ward.

Showcase Soon

Largescale demonstrations of
Perspecta Sound in the U.*S. have
been set for August. Showings had
been delayed to coincide with the
availability of the required “inte-
grator” units which sell for approx-
imately $900.

Abroad. 12 manufacturers have
been licensed to make the units
and a large volume of orders is
said to be on hand. All of the 41
Loew’s houses in the foreign mar-
ket have been equipped as“has the
entire Loew’s chain in the U. S.
Total of American theatres now
Perspecta-equipped stands at 107

A new processes forum will again
be one of the features of the com-
bined trade show and convention
of the Theatre Owners of America
at Chicago, Oct. 31 to Nov. 4.

The Theatre Equipment and Sup-
ply Manufacturers Assn, and the
Theatre Equipment Dealers Assn.,
both of which are holding their
conclaves at the same time, will
supervise the forum, providing a
panel of experts well versed on
every phase of theatre equipment,

accessories, and new processes.
Last year this event 'attracted more
than 1,000 exhibs, theatre equip-
ment and manufacturers reps from
all parts of the country. This year’s
forum will be held Wednesday,
Nov. 3.

Marlon Brando to Hoof

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

Marlon Brando will take dancing
lessons to qualify for the Sky Mas-
tersoh role in the Samuel Goldwyn
film version of Damon Runyan’s
“Guys and Dolls.” It will be
Brando’s initial appearance in
musical.

It’s also a first musical for
writer-director Joseph Manckie-
wicz.

United Paramount Shortens

Twin Cities’ Holdings

Minneapolis; Aug: 3. '
United Paramount Theatres con-
tinues to reduce its Twin Cities
theatre holdings and operations.

Its current move in the load
lightening direction is the sale of
its local neighborhood American
theatre "to independent exhibitor
Joe Podoloff who owns and oper-
ates the nearly Vogue. The price
was kept secret.

A month ago the circuit sold a
St. Paul neighborhood house, the
Capitol, to Martin Lebedoff, also a
Minneapolis independent exhibi-
tor,

During the past few days it has
stepped up its voluntary with-
drawal .from the Twin Cities’ ex-
hibiting scene on the heels of pre-
vious divorcements required by thej
consent decree.

In Minneapolis it failed to renew
its leases on two neighborhood
houses, sub-let its downtown Cen-
tury to Stanley-Warner for Ciner-
rama, relinquished the last-run
Palace and sold a neighborhood
house for commercial purposes. At
the same time it reopened one
downtown theatre, tossed backed
into its lap by the purchaser, with
a twin bill last run 25c policy. Its
lease on this house expires within
a few years and is certain not to
be renewed.

In St. Paul United Paramount
dropped two downtown theatres
and one other neighborhood house
in addition to the sale of the Capi-
tol.

The chain now is left wifch four
Minneapolis and two St. Paul
downtown theatres and only threfe.^
neighborhood houses in each of the'
twins. Three ^independent cir-
cuits have more Local neighbor-
hood theatres.

"We have no immediate plans to
sell more Twin Cities’ theatres, but
I don’t say we don’t dispose of
more of them, either,” said Harry
B. French, United Paramount presi-
dent here.

*■■■ A' * — •* •* “ •• v*** • ■. • %-vsr-

Declares Film Biz Often Asks Favors Rut Is SloW.
To Return ’Em When Dailies Ask J

Delivered!

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

It took a long time but film-
ing of the Judy Garland
starrer, ”A Star Was Born.’L.
Was finally completed at 2:44
a.m., July 29.

It had. been before the.
cameras since last Oct. 12.

. {5

Metro is stepping up the use of
color stills for lobby .displays for
theatres. With the set of stills for
“Brigadoon,” M-G -is providing ex-
hibs with color shots which bring
sharper contrast and color pig-
ments to the fore.' This has been
accomplished by the use of a new
color process.

; Hollywood, Aug. 3.
Robert Arthur and Melville
According to Metro, availability Tucker will share producer credit
of "Gone With the Wind” with 1 on U’s “The Black Shield of Fal-
Perspecta Sound has sharpened ex- \ worth” . . ■ . Henry Daniell joins
hib interest in the stereo sound | cast of„ Metro’s “The Prodigal” .. .

system. Equipment dealers say al-
most 100% of the Perspecta orders
being received come from houses
already equipped with three horns
and the necessary wiring for the
showing of magnetic stereo sound.

All of Metro’s new pix are going
out with Perspecta Sound which

Claire Trevor signed by Pine
Thomas for role of Lady MacBeth
in "Lucy Gallant” . . . Lee Sholem
snagged directorial chores on
Treasure Island Productions' "Long
John Silver” . . . Luther Adler cast
as convict-killer in the Hal E.
Chester production. "Crashout” .
Frank Ferguson pacted by War-

el lows exhibs to play these prints ners for stint in "Young At Heart 1
via either a single horn of three : . . . Donna Corcoran, former Metro
horns. Perspecta Sound uses a j contractee, set by studio in “Moon-
single optical track. Paramount fleet” . . . Joseph J. Lilley named
will, start • using Perspecta with I music director on Paramount’s
“White Christmas” and Warner i “Eddie Foy and the Seven Little
Bros, started making it available i Foys” . . . Fred W. Kane inked
with “The High and the Mighty.” j David Boehm to screenplay "I

■ Accuse.”

I

State Closes Theatre

Greenfield, O., Aug. 3.

The Lyric Theatre here, oper-
ated by James Chakeres of Wash-
ington Court House, was closed last
week by the Division of Factory
and Building Inspection of the ! “New York Confidential” . . . Louis
Ohio Department of Industrial Re- j King acquired* screen rights to

of Eden” . . . William Bacher and
William Hawks pacted Roland
Kibbee to screenplay “The Mike
Fink Story” . . . Jane Adrian set
for role in 20th-Fox’s “There’s No
Business Like Show Business” . . .
Terence De Mamy into "Mad at
the World” at RKO . . . Barbara
Pepper and Billie McLean join
Warners "Young at Heart” . . .
Wayne Morris will co-star with
Dane Clark and Carole Mathews in
“Dynamite Anchorage” at Allied
Artists.

Alan Napier cast in Metro’s
“Moonfleet” . . . Fred (Duffy and)
Sweeny, vaudeville vet, joined
cast of Paramount’s “We’re No
Angels” . . . Irving Rapper pur
chased film rights to "Murder at
Third Base,” original by Frank
Gruber . . . Bela Lugosi, Loretta
King. Lyle Talbot, Dolores. Fuller
and Hazel Franklyn signed for roles

Columbus,. Aug. 3.

The film industry’s attempt to
root out Ohio’s 41-year-old film
censorship by a premanent injunc-
tion" failed when Common Pleas
Judge Ralph J. Bartlett Saturday
(31) dismissed the suit fili&d three
months ago- by RKO Pictures Inc.,
the Independent Theatre Owners
of Ohio and two exhibitors. How-
ever, the decision is certain to’ be
appealed.

In -a 22-page decision, Judge
Bartlett, said that neither the 1913
censorship law nor the collection
of fees violates any provision . of
the state or federal constitution.
The plaintiffs claimed the state has
no power to authorize censorship
and .cannot levy or collect fees for
it; that such fees violate free
speech and free press and are in-
valid; that the requirement of such
a tax is a denial of equal protec-
tion and due process; and that the
U.S, Supreme Court has declared
censorship laws unconstitutional

Judge Bartlett recognized the
U.S. Supreme Court rulings but
said,

"Although liberty of expression
by means of motion pictures is in
eluded within the freedom of
speech and press guaranty . ; . of
the U.S. Constitution, as well as the
state constitution, there still re-
mains a limited field in which de-
cency and morals may be protect-
ed from... an offending motion
picture by prior restraint under
proper criteria and standards.”.

He also said that the U.S. Su-
preme Court has not removed com-
munity control of films by censor-
ship and that his court will not do
so under the claim of complete un-
constitutionality of such censor-
ship laws. The judicial sense sup-
porting the common sense . . .still
sustains the exercise of police
power by a sovereign state.”

He supported the $3 per 1,000
foot reel charge made by the. Divi-
sion of Film Censorship, which the
plaintiffs said was, in fact, a tax
since 85 to 87% of the total
fees collected, amounting to about
$300,000 ea<Sh year/ supports the
visual aid program of the State
Department of Education. Judge
Bartlett said, "Even though such
"fees exceed to some extent the
necessary cost for making the in-
spection, (they) constitute license
fees and not a tax.” -

Dimitri Tiomkin signed by Stan- 1 in "The Vampire’s Tomb”

ley Kramer to score "Not As a
Stranger”. . . Trevor Ward snagged
role in "The Silver Chalice” at
{Warners . . . Jack Ingram and
j Ewing Mitchell into U’S “Man
Without a Star” . . , Carl Milletaire
pacted for stint in Greene-Rouse’s

lations. John Wonderberger, su-
pervisor of inspection, said the
closedown order would continue in
effect "until certain , existing con-
ditions” in the theatre and build-
ing are corrected but did not pub--
liciy specify what those conditions
were.

Great Dismal,” yarn by Sari
Stoeffel . . . Paul Dubov, Stanley
Clements and Joseph Turkel into
Filmakers’ "Mad At'the World”. . .
Cameron Mitchell borrowed from
20th-Fox by Warners for co-star
role with Greer Garson and Dana
Andrews in "Strange Lady in
Town” . . . Deborah Kerr inked by
William Perlberg and George Sea-
ton for star role in “The Magnifi-
cent Devils” . , . Don Harvey and
wife, Jean Harvey, cast in Colum-
bia’s "Women’s Prison.”

Hal. Kanter has acquired screen

ADMAN TO COAST FOR
WARNER AIR TIEUPS

agency’s

Mickey Rooney as Jockey

Hollywood; Aug. 3.

Mickey Rooney Will gallop that-
away in a feature based on the

ST/ /LT/T ■ rights to "Miss Morissa,” by Mari

1 .• • .Ctarle. Cm,. and Tom

Mickey Rooney Enterpnses at Re- ( powers snagged roles in .Greene-

P u "_ llc - . _ , _. , ! Rouse’s TNew. York Confidential”

Maurice Duke, Rooney’s partner | : _ Tony Hughes and George Leigh
and personal manager, will be- as- *^6 "The Silver Chalice” at War-
sociate producer.^ John Fenton ners . . . Patricia Lawler joins "The
Murray and Benedict Freedman i Conqueror” at RKO . . . Richard
will •ollaborate on the screenplay, i Garrick inked for Warners "East

Hecht-Laneaster’s "The Gabriel
Horn” will be filmed in Cinema-
Scope .... Copa Productions set
Nov. 45 as start date for Columbia
release, "Thfe Stalk” . . . Jan
Sterling inked by Columbia to co-
star with Ida Jbupino and Howard
Duff in ‘'“Women’s Prison” . . .
Michael Kidd signed as choreog-
rapher on Samuel Goldwyn’s "Guys
and Dolls” . . Carl Esmond into

20th-Fox’s "The Racers.”

National Legion of Decency hand-
ed Paramount’s “Secret of the In-
cas” a “B” rating because of "low
moral tone” and "suggestive situ-
ations.”. . Judy Tyler drew a role
in Pine-Thomas’ "Blue Horizons.”

. Allied Artists allocated $200,-
000 as an advertising budget for
"The Human Jungle,” with empha-
sis on the use of tv and radio. . .
Warners signed Mabel and June
Smaney for roles in T, East of
Eden” . . . U bought “fyliss Pettigrew
Lives for a Day,” a novel by Wini-
fred Watson, and assigned Robert
Arthur as producer .’ . . John Ken-
hedy joined the ".Return of the
Creature” troupe at U... Cecil B.
DeMillc signed Ralph Jester as
utility aide on "The Ten Com-
mandments.”

Blaine Thompson ad
Gary Stevens who has handled
Warner Bros, radio-tv tieups for
the past 10 years will shift his
headquarters from New York to
the Coast.

Stevens, also a radio-tv pro-
ducer, will work closely with Bill
Hendricks, WB studio publicity
chief. Shift, according to WB pub-
ad chief Mort Blumenstock, is due
to the belief that the agency could
render better" service by having a
r§dio-tv man in closer contact with
the studio.

Minneapolis, Aug.

Even though many leading?^-,
hibitors here don’t like It, ;
Minneapolis Star and Tribune^the 1
only local hewspapersMboth under
the same single ownership— Ijave
no intention, of eliminating ihe
complete dally tv and radio ita-
tions’ logs or /cutting down the
large amount of other .additional
space and features devoted gratis
to. the mediums. ■

This is according to Otto A. Sjl-
ha, the sheets’ business manager,
who doesn’t feel, however, that
video and audio are receiving the
alleged . -‘preferential treatment”
over the film. theatres or that the
latter have any squawk coming.':

At the same time, Silha charges*
that the film industry is inclined,
generally speaking, to Tegard the
matter- of cooperation as “a one*
way street” — it continuously . re-
quests it of newspapers, but too
frequently is unwilling * to extend
it.

Two newspapers , are still pub-*
lishing logs of area’s other 11 tv
stations' daily, except when space
limitations necessitate their omis-
sion. ? The lpcal ' four tv ,and 11
radio stations daily: logs a te never
omitted.

‘Our elaborate tv and radio logs,
we've found, are a .service that the
public wants,” says Silha, “and^we
believe it devolves upon, us to pro-
vide such desired services.”

Silha says that no complaints
have reached him personally from
exhibitors about his newspapers
favoring tv and radio over film
houses and his readers have given
no intimation that they feel the
showhouses are -being neglected. . -
Regarding -the matter of film
industry cooperation, Silha asserts
that when they decided .to produce
a "big outdoor . Minneapolis Star
and Tribune charities’ show for
the Aquatennial, local annual sum-
mer mardi gras, they wanted Hol-
lywood to provide some of their
stars for personal appearances.

“We found the film companies,
excepting Metro, cold to the idea,”
explains Silha. “They apparently
couldn’t realize that this would rd- .
suit in a tremendous amount of
free newspaper and other, public-,
ity for their- companies, stars and
pictures and that the stars would
be appearing before huge throngs.

Metro sent Vera-Ellen add Car* .
los Thompson for the show, and
we’re grateful to that company.
Both of these stars not only ap-
peared on the stage, but contrib-
uted important parts to the enter-
tainment.

“The iilm companies should
realize that they themselves can
do a lot to cement better relations
with the newspapers and the local
public by cooperating to a greater
degree than they’ve been doing
and that it’s their duty to give as
well as take.

“Too often these film companies
want tlvf newspapers to do things
that mean nothing to the papers
themselves or the communities and
are unwilling to offer anything in
return. Promotionwise, this per-
sonal appearance of the two Metro
stars undoubtedly benefitted the
company and industry and the
players themselves more than a
dozen of the ordinary stunts and
tieups.

Irked exhibitors here have been
charging that although the the-
atres and pictures are the source
of much more advertising revenue
for the newspapers, the sheets
have been cutting down on the
free space alioted for them while
increasing it considerably for
video and audioi

Goldberg T00% C Scope

Omdha, Aug. 3.

Ralph Goldberg tomorrow (Wed.)
will have completed installation of
Cinemascope in all five of his the-
atres here — the downtown flagship,
the State; and the Avenue, Dundee,
Military and Ames, all nabeg,

' Stereophonic sound, RCA seam-
iest screens arid Bricker .projectors
were also, installed.

Goldberg reports biz at his-nabe
spots as being up about 50% over
a year ago.

Techni Rehiring Hands

An increase of about 25% in the
release print business in recent
months is responsible for the ad-
dition of 150 to the Technicolor,
Inc., staff on the Coast. Techni had
laid off around 300 early this year
out of 2,300 employees, but about
half of these have been rehired
since July 1, according to Herbert
T. Kalmus, company prexy.

He. pointed out that improving
conditions at the boxoffice together
wifch an industry-wide demand for
more' prints had. accounted) , frit*
much of the ’heightened activity m
Technicolor. He stated that Techni
looks to continuing increase of its
manufacturing volume.

Wedaesdaft Aligttsl 4, 1954

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apted for the Screen by Phillip ROLL and Luis BUNUEL* Presented by TEPEYAC Prod. lnc.
Photography by Alex PHILLIPS * Musical Score by Anthony COLLINS

20

PICTURES

Wednesday, Augtiflf 4^1954

4) ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦■ ♦ ♦ M M M ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦ 4 ♦ ♦ ♦♦»»+♦ ♦ » »4 ♦ ♦ 0++4++

DALLAS

A special dinner a jv d ' *£J; a ft s P££
nass awarded to the 150,000th
patron to the Esquire Theatre here

bv James A. Cain, manager.

^Special tie-in has been arranged
by the Melba Theatre and grey*
hound Bus Lines to promote Cine-
rama.” Plan calls for observing a
special night for various cities in
the Dallas trade area. First is set
for Aug. 13, and will be ior^aco.
The bus company will ..-Oner a
special' fare to Dallas with the
Waco manager being named a
special ticket agent for the theatre.

James Riggs, owner of J-one Star
Drive-In here, reported robbers
held up the boxoffice and made

off with $148, ■ ■ . . .

The Interstate Circuit will have
a special display at the Texas
State Fair in October, according
to R. J. O’Donnell, veepee and
general manager. The display will
honor Edith Head, costume design-
er With a display of her works,
from the films with which won her
Oscars-

What is believed to be the larg-
est drive-in screen in the south-
west unveiled at the South LopP
13 Drive-In, San Antonio. This
ozoner is operated by Statewide
Drive-In Theatres,

The new Strand Theatre at
Wichita Falls scheduled to open
next .week, according to William
O’Donnell, veepee and general
manager of Trans-Texas Theatres.
Only the "original floor remains of
the cinema which burned ■ down
several months ago after being
acquired just a short time frpm
Interstate. Strand was converted
Into a one floor operation. Harry
Gaines returns as manager.

BOSTON

Otis Whitney, Massachusetts
Commissioner of Public Safety,
slated a public hearing for Aug.

18 to propose a new set of regula-
tions on operation of projection
booths in the state.

Nate Oberman. Metro head
booker, recuperating from an
emergency, appendectomy at the
Allerton Hospital.

Variety Club's annual Variety
Day at the Races is set for Aug.

19 at Narragansett Park, Rhode
Island.

The Redstone-owned VFW Drive-
In in West Roxbury slated to open
Aug. 5. A 900-car ozoner, it was
designed by William Riseman
Associates.

“French Line” has been banned
in nearby Lynn by Mayor Arthur
J. Frawley, who. termed it “vulgar,
sexy, obnoxious and not conducive
to good morals.” Picture was
yanked after it had played several
days in local theatre as. result of
complaints by police department
censor, policewomen and patrons.

tor at Aitkin, ..Minn., where he
bought the Rialto from Kenneth
Lyon.

Harold Perlman, Universal ex-
ploiteer, in town working on “Mag-
nificent Obsession” and “The. Egg
and I*T *

Mrs. M. A. Levy, wife Of 20th- •
Fox division manager here, re-
cuperating at home after successful
major operation at Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, Minn. .

Irving Mills, formerly with 20th-
Fox and Columbia, an addition to
United Artists’ sales staff here and
will cover northern Minnesota.

Eleanor© Odell, of Paramount’s
Salt Lake City branch, won a prize
for submitting “Paramount’s 40th
Ahniversary” as the title of the
company’s fall sales drive.

“The Robe” Currently having its
initial ozoner first-run at Minot
Outdoor Theatre, 'Minot,. N. -D. It
hasn’t played conventional theatre
in town because neither is equipped
for C'Scope. *

Dr. James K. Friedrich lined up
12 cities for pre-release showings
of his Biblical picture, "Day of
Triumph.” Cities are Providence,
Columbus, Dayton, Minneapolis,
New Orleans, Houston. Atlanta,
Dallas, • Charlotte, Jacksonville,
Denver and Seattle.

PITTSBURGH

. Miami Theatre, Springdale, leas-
ed by Bart Dattola and Frank
Biamonte to Andy Battiston arid
Don Trepecone. Of late, this house
has been operating on weekends
only.

Bob. Ruskin, former Par sales-
man, now a representative here of
the Massachusetts Life Insurance
GO. and also studying for his Penn-
sylvania bar exams.

Flock of district exhibs returned
from visits to their native Greece,
among them Louis Thomas of
Zelienople, George Faller of
Wheeling and George A. Katselas
of East Pittsburgh.

Leonard Goldensoin, prexy of
Par-ABC, named among other
former Pennsylvanians . as state
ambassadors to serve during the
annual Pennsylvania Week celebra-
tion in October. Goldenson hails
from nearby Scottdale, Pa. Also
appointed ambassadors by Gover-
nor John S. Fine are Lisa Kirk and
Adolphe Menjou.

Keenan Building in Ambridge,
owned by Altoona Public Thea-
tres, suffered $75,000 loss by fire
last week. It houses a dance hall,
restaurant, shoe shop, appliance
store and a CIO union headquar-
ters. This is the former theatre
section of the building: theatre was
known variously as the Regent,
Senate, Penn and State.

Speer Marousis, New Castle the-
atre owner, named secretary of
Ahelpa chapter in that city.

fIVJi Stock Exchange}

For Week Ending Tuesday (3)

Net

MINNEAPOLIS

More Twin Cities independent
nabe houses falling into one-track
optical sound C’Scope line.

Cinerama host at Century thea-
tre to Minnesota newspaper editors
here for Aquatennial, local annual
summer mardi gras.

Five out of eight loop first-run
theatres here currently charging
advanced admissions of $1 or more.

Suburban World, “fine arts”
house, going to town with many
times locally played reissues at 70c
admission. 10c higher than earliest
clearance slot theatres with regular
subsequent first-run policies. It
held over “Tobacco Road” —
“Grapes of Wrath” comb for sec-
ond week to amazing grosses after
clicking big with "Tight Little Is-
land.”

Bill Mussman resigned as Para-
mount salesman to become exhibi-

ST. LOUIS

Glenn Boner joined St. Louis
Theatre Supply Co. sales staff;
formerly was with A. V. Cauger
Service, Independence, Mo.

Mrs. Anna Lee Pohl planning To
relight her Kay Theatre in St;
Francisville, 111., dark for several
months.

CinemaScope equipment in-
stalled in the ozoner near Arcadia,
Mo;, owned and operated by Irwin
Dagonia.and William Basden.

Joseph C. Ansell and other
stockholders of Metropolitan Loan
and Investment Co. sold their in-
terests to the Liberty Loan Co.

Walter Thimmig, vet exhib, put
his McNir, an indie nabe, dark
since last May 23, up for sale or
lease; house formerly was operated
by Dave Nelson.

-Hi DIO CITY MUSIC Hill-

Rockefeller Center

“SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS”

• CINEMASCOPE ttmm
JANE POWELL • HOWARD KEEL
Color by ANSCO • An M-G-M Picture
end ffOTMUl STiS m&UATM

PHILADELPHIA

Herbert J. Elliott, owner of Fern
Rock, filed anti-trust suit in U.S.
District Court asking triple dam-
ages from Columbia, Universal,
United Artists. Loew’s, Paramount
and RKO. Elliott charges distribs
refuse to give him films on key-
run basis and impose clearances
in favor of neighboring North
Philly houses, the Esquire

By MIKE WEAR

Amusement stocks last week boll
ed up as much as the mercury. Pic-
ture and film theatre issues, mostly
known as lower or medium-priced
stocks, were caught in the public’s
swing towards purchase of more
inexpensive shares in the past
week’s market: Wall Street .noticed
a more or less decided shift from
the giltedge and expensive stocks
toward the medium, and lower
price issues. This was all to the
good for amusements.

Result of trading in last week's}
session found most film shares,
holding near the highs of the year,
with little change in most issues.
2Qth-Fox registered a new 1954
high at 22%, and then backed-
away slightly but still ahead on
the week. Report that Universal
Consolidated Oil Co. had found
igas in its No. 2 well . on 20th-Fox
property in Hollywood undoubted-
ly provided the. stimulus. The test
produced gas at an estimated rate
of better than 5,000,000 cubic feet
daily. The film company has leased
the property to the UCO Co. and.
receives a royalty payment plus a
share of profits on any oil and. gas
discovered. Weeks ago there were
reports of ,oil having bejen found
on the land but at that time the
amount of petroleum was regard-,
ed as comparatively small.

Trend towards lower-pieced
shares apparently accounted for
much of the renewed purchases of
Technicolor which, hit $13 and
closed virtually unchanged on the
week. Stanley Warner held about
even despite being ex-divvy dur-
ing the session.

Loew’s, long bell wether of the
amusement . group, was only an
eighth away from the year’s peak
price of 16%. National Theatres
was in like category, winding up at
77s against the ’54 high of 8.

Columbia Pix was up nearly a
point On the week at 25. The year’s
best price is 25%. Aside from its
high returns from “Caine Mutiny,”
Col was" rated as having another
big grosser in “On the Water-
front,” predicated on its terrific
returns at the N.Y. Astor. General
Precision Equipment was up half
a point on the week at 45, meeting
of directors disclosing earnings of
over $3 per common share in the
first half of the year.

Paramount Pix held near recent
high levels, to wind up at 32%, a
gain of an eighth on the week. At
this point it was about appoint off
from the year’s highest ground.
American Broadcasting-Par com-
mon edged up to a new high of
18%. The preferred equalled its
old ’54 peak of 18%.

Columbia Broadcasting shares
backed away further, both Class A
and B winding at 62%. This con-
trasts with 71 and 69% respective-
ly, the highs of the two issues
Radio Corp. of America common
Was up near the year’s best quota-
tion much of the week but wound
up at 32%, off slightly, despite a
glowing six-month earnings state-
ment."

Universal common finished at
23% as against a high ’54 price of
24%. Warner Bros, wound up at
17% where it was an eighth below
the high of the year. Republic Pix
common was down a small fraction
bV the preferred held close to the
best' 1954 quotation.

RKO Pix and RKO Theatres both
continued around the year's highs.

Makelim’s Seattle Spore

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

Theatre Owners, of Washington,
Northern Idaho and Alaska, repre-
senting more than 250 film houses,
voted unanimous approval of the
Makelim Plan at a meeting in
Seattle,

Hal Makelim, author of the plan,
jleft a representative in Seattle to

circuits

1954

Weekly Vol. Weekly Weekly

Tties.

Change

High

LOW

in 100s

High

Low

Close

for week

18%

14%

Am Br-Par Th 350

ia%

17%

. I9^t

+ %

71

41%

CBS, “A” . .

82

64%

62%

.6.44

- — 74

69%

41%

CBS, “B” . . .

9

63%

62%

63%

2516

1934

Col. Pic. . . . .

107

26%

24%

26

■+1%

11%

.9%

Decca

450

11%

11

U7s *

4- 3 4

63%

4634

Eastman Kdk.

170

60%

60%

60%

• 4- %

16%

ia%

Loew’s ... . .

331

1634

16%

16%

%

:8%

"6%

Nat. Thea. . .

238

8%

734

. 77s

%

33%

26%

Paramount . .

101

. 327s

32

. 32%

■— %

37%

28

Philco ; .....

141

37%

35%

37%

+: %

34%

22% :

RCA .•

596

♦33

32%

33%

- — %

■"7

• 2% ■

RKO PiCts. . ,

46

634

!• 6%

6%

■ ■+%

,8%

4%

RKO Thea. ,

123

8

734

77s

+. 7 4

5% '

3

Republic

163

5%

43%;

..4%

+ %

12%

10%

Rep., pfd. ....

9

12 •

.11%

12 .

17%

11%

Stanley War . .

171

16% '

157s

* 157s

— %

22%

1834

20th-Fox ; . ...

214

22%

2134

22%

• — % ■

24%

18%

Univ,. Pix.

26

' 24%

23%

24% '

+ 74'

74 ; :

6334

Unlv., “pfd. . . .

*60

72%

71 . ■ .

72

■+T '

17%

13%

Warner Bros .

72

17%

17%

17% .

%

73%

637a

Zenith ......

57

72%

70

7174

» ■

American Stock Exchange

•

6

3%

Allied Artists

72

4%

4

4%

+ %

13%

9%

Du Mont ...

304

14%

13%

14%

. + i

1*4%

1134

Technicolor. .

239

13

12%

127a-

+ %

3%.

234

Trans-Lux ■ .

6

. 3% .

3%:

,37s

Over-ihe-Counter Securities

*

Bid

Ask

Allied

[ Artists,* pfd —

’ • • • •

9%

9%

'+ %

Capitol Records ... . . v

» H • • • •

10

10%

—

Chesapeake Industries .. . .

• • • %

.1

3

’3%

-f %

Cinerama' Inc.. . ........

« • • •

1 3 4

2%

+ %

'Cinerama Prod. .. ...

> « * • »

234

3%

+ 74

Color Corp.

of Amen ... .

. 7a,/

1%

—

King

Bros.

1%

1%

—1/16

'Polaroid . .

'9

• » • V

37%

39%

+ 1%

U. A.

Theatres

*

.

1034

12

rh 3 4

Walt Disney

• 4 • * ♦

!!%✓

12%

+ 7a

(Quotations furnished by Dreyfus A Co . )

The Ironton (O.) Courier, daily paper which was founded by Mrs.
Fronia Sexton, recently arrested on a charge of embezzling $114,000
while president of the Citizens National Bank there, suspended publi-
cation July 26, 13 months after its debut. Her son A. J. Sexton, Jr.,
said the paper was unable to meet current costs of operation. In the
newspaper’s fight against two other dailies in ^ that Ohio River town
of 16,333 persons, five editors and . two general managers had been
employed. The Courier plant was in a reconverted theatre building,
part of Mrs. Sexton’s real estate holdings. She also operated theatres
in Irbnton and Ashland, Ky. She resigned as president of the bahk
the day after her arrest, was freed on bond, and is now awaiting
federal court action at Cincinnati. Deeds and mortgages to her hold-
ings were turned over in trust to the American Surety Co., which
repaid the bank’s loss. Mrs. Sexton, a grandmother who rose from
waitress to bank president, said she wanted no one to suffer for her
action. Included in the transfer were The Courier plant and the No-Na
Theatre, , in Ironton, plus other real estate, and a substantial cash
payment.

Boxscore on reaction to the Council of Motion Picture Organizations’
series of institutional ads in Editor & Publisher is 21 to one— 21 edi-
tors have expressed approval; one dissented. COMPO solicited the
view^ of editors of ,116 dailies, in all sections of the country; Replies
came from 31, of whom seven said they had not read the insertions,
one -was hon-committal, and one was a notice that a paper had ceased
publication. Of the 22 expressing opinion, the lone negative reply
came from an editor who felt the ads too long, and out of place.
He felt the copy should have been in newspapers rather than an edi-
tors’ tradepaper and the appeal addressed to the public. COMPO
states the eds were not asked to sign their names but despite this il
of the favorable replies Carried signatures. Industry organization is
keeping confidential the names of all who answer the questionnaires.

• i

Charlton Heston’s fan clubs will take an active part in exploiting
the star’s future pictures under an arrangement being worked out
between the actor and Paramount. Key members of the Heston
clubs in New York are huddling with Par’s homeoffice exploitation
department to set up letter writing campaigns and newspaper contacts
to drumbeat the star’s next film, “Blue Horizons.”' Lensed in Vista-
Vision and Technicolor, * the Pine-Thomas production rolled July 7
on location at Jackson Hole, Wyo, Previously, Heston’s fan clubs
were said to have been effective in promoting the thesper’s “Naked
Jungle” and “Secret of the Incas” via arranging opening day bally
stunts in some five eastern cities.

*mkkySpilime

FEW

WnM'mGiiiiT

•iKMMyiiOKa*

_ . - ■ and

Bromlev.

Mrs. Edna Carroll, chairman of ’ ?f, lp exhibitors and
the Pennsylvania State Board of . 11 ou ^ *" e,r contracts.
Censors, and Franklin Paul, attor-
ney, debated film censorship on
WFIL program, sponsored by the
Junior Chamber of Commerce.

“On Waterfront,

David Butler's Chairmanship

Hollywood, Aug. 3,

_ . , Screen Directors Guild elected

Henri nnhiin David Butler for his thtfd term as

\<h? e r, e I hcd at , Chairman of the board of trustees

I away crowd to Stanley 'warncr th . e . group's Educational and
, chain’s 2,90d-seat deluxer, Pre- ,,

j view pie was coupled with “Living I ■ * ier officers elected at the
fit Up.” & quarterly meeting were; Stuart

1 John Schaeffer, industry vet. * Heisler, first vice chairman; Lesley
took over Reala rt exchange for Selander, second vice chairman;
f this area, setting up offices on ’George Archainbaud, secretary,'
i Vine St. . , and George Waggner/treasUfer,

. Walt Disney’s new musical Short, “Willie, the Operatic Whale,” which
Was previewed at the Academy , Awards .theatre Friday night along
with his new True-Life Adventure feature, The “Vanishing Prairie,”
is not new. Sequence, running almost 15 minutes, was taken from
the 1946 release, “Make Mine MUsic,” which was made up of a series
of musical numbers starring an assortment of artists. “Willie,” which
stars Nejson Eddy, was previously titled “The Whale Who Wanted
to Sing at. the Met” and served as the finale number for “Music.”

A Northwest celebration of A. H. Blank’s 75th birthday Was held
in Minneapolis on July 27 under the sponsorship of Eddie Ruben
arid Harold Field, sons of the original Finkelstein & Ruben theatre
circuit which Paramount bought out many years ago. Blank, lead-
ing Des Moines exhib, was serenaded with, songs bolstered by special
lyrics. A special song sheet; on a Simulated page one of Variety, was
provided. Adman Edward P. Schwartz became the road company
“editor” of this special issue of Variety.

“Hurdy-Gurdy” (formerly “Neapolitan Carousel”) and “Theodora,
Slave Empress” have been added to IFE Releasing Corp/s 1954-55
product, lineup. Screening of the two features, both in color, will
be the highlight of the IFE sales convention In N.V. Aug. 6 through
10. Powwow will be attended by division and district managers
well as salesmen of the Italo outfit.

Vincent H. Jefferds, associated with Walt Disney Productions the
past three years, has been named manager of the “Disney character
merchandising division. He’ll continue * to direct commercial tieups

frit* niennii'e ftlmc

Wednesday, AipH 4 f 1954

RADIO-TELEVISION

21

t

Detroit, Aug. 3.

In an interview during last weekend's AFTRA convention, the .
union's executive secretary,. George Heller, debunked what he
said Was the widespread belief that radio and television performers
earned large salaries.

“Far from leading the plush life,” he said, "they. have as much .
need for unionism as Detroit's assembly-line Workers." Heller
contended that 80% of the 15,000 members make less than $2,000
a year from radio and tv work.

Most of the members supplement their income by working in
night-clubs, theatres and other odd jobs, he said. . "There are a
few fortunate members who have regular shows and earn $700
or $800 a week,” Heller conceded. "But, the idea that most radio
and tv artists spend their time lolling around in privately owned
swimming pools couldn't be farther from the truth."

Heller said the average actor receives from $200 to $250 for
rehearsals and appearances on a half-hour tv show. "And -as a
rule the work is very irregular. "You run the risk of getting typed
or becoming too familiar to the audience. An actor who works
on 10 half-hour shows a year is lucky."

One of the more controversial 4
affiliations between -commercial
and educational video has been
proposed by Kay Kyser to North
Carolina’s tele stations.

Kyser, former NBC stair and now.
acting as spokesman for the U. of
North Carolina, Chapel Hill, sug-
gested that the state’s commercial
telecasters give him their okay to
approach the networks for various-
top commercial shows to, use on the
soon-to-open school station. His
plan was to take shows, and he
mentioned "Studio One" and
"Make Room For Daddy" among ,
those he wanted, and delete the
commercial pitches.

Kyser was aware that the sug-
gestion to use commercial video
shows sans commercials on an edu-
cational station, was indirect com-
petition to the vicinity's cofn-
mercial operations, according to
A. H. Campbell, boss at WNCT,
Greenville, N. C. Campbell, be-

( Continued on page 30) !

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

Complete saturation of the Cali-
fornia tv market at a cost of around
$200,000 is being blueprinted by
Bank of America for its 50th an-
niversary program Oct, 17. Net-
work time is being preempted on
the regionais and to date the de-
layed kines of Summer "Comedy
Hour" and "Toast of the Town"
will give way to the hour show to
be filmed in Hollywood.

Program will be in the nature of
a documentary, with dramatized
skits and top names in show busi-
ness associated with the. progress
of the banking system over the
past half century.- Charles' Stuart
agency of Frisco is clearing the sta-
tions and setting up the production
format. Charles Johnson of the
agency and Glenn Carter, v.p. and
public relations head of Bank of
America, are weighing the possibili-
ties, and cost, of filming the. show
in color for showing outside the
state.

PAAR’S ‘PARTY’ EXIT
FOR ’MORNING SHOW’

( Jack Paar has quit CBS-TV’s
Masquerade Party" to devote his
time to the web’s "Morning Show"
on which he replaces Walter Cron-
kite as conferencier Aug. 16.
Comedian will continue, however,
on his Saturday nighter since that’s
a summer replacement for "My
Favorite Husband."

Paar will have his Saturday
troupe with him for "Morning
Show," including orchester Pupi
Campo, • who’ll deliver the base-
i ' j scores and be general music
nandyman; pianist Jose Melis
doubling as batonista .and, singer
fi etty Clooney.

It’s Now Official

London, Aug. 3.

With the Queen’s assent to
the Television Bill, which was
passed with the amendments
advocated by the House of
Lords, commercial tv now be-
comes law.

Chief amendments called for
were heavier penalities on
program companies breaking
the rules set out for advertis-
ing, and the specifying of
times when televising would
be permitted. It’s expected to
tee off in the spring of 1955.

The Saturday night 8:30 to 9
period on NBC-TV, vacated by Pet
Milk, has been grabbed up by Toni,
closing up all the nighttime avail-
abilities on the web with the ex-
ception of the still-to-come alter-
nate weekly sponsor on "Big
Town."

However, still to be resolved is
the question of a show for the
Saturday time. NBC had hoped
to install the new "Great Gilder-
sleeve" vidfilm series in the period,
but this was not acceptable to
Toni, although the client was
pinned down to a "mutually agreed
upon NBC package."

There’s a strong possibility that
"The Duke,” Friday night summer
Sustaining series, will get the fall
nod ' for the Saturday slot. Web
has been happy with the show’s
progress and it’s now up to Toni'
to fall in line.

’today’s’ Java & Juice

NBC-TV’s "Today" has brought
a couple of choice accounts into
the early morning stable. The
Florida Citrus Commission, repre-
sented on the show for a period
up to the spring, is. back again.
Current pact is for 26 participa-
tions.

Other "Today" client wrapped
Up last week was the Pan Ameri-
can Coffee Bureau, which has
bought $2 plugs over a 26-week du-
ration starting in October.

Web also drew a late season
starter for the 90-minute summer-
time "Saturday Night Revue," with
Nash Division of American Motors
coming in fflr a quartet of 10-min-
ute segments (between 10-10:30)
from Aug. 28 through Sept. 18.

Chevvie's Derby Coin

Chevrolet picks up the check for
CBS Radio coverage of the Soap
Box Derby from -Akron Aug. 15.

Derby time is 4: to 4:15, with
caller still to be named.

By GEORGE ROSEN

From here on,in it’s officially the
"three big major television net-
works," with ABC this week prac-
tically sliding into the "promised
land" and virtually posting the
SRO shingle on all prime night-
time availabilities. And, as reflected
in the three-network chart listings
in this issue of Variety* the bat-
tle royal for program dominance
will be on in earnest when the fall
curtain goes up in September.

It immediately* raises the ques-
tion: Can the video economy sup-
port three major networks, con-
sidering the high cost of tv’ing and
the virtual certainty that, with the
competition for the Nielsens be-
coming tougher and toiigher, the
ratings are bound to toboggan.

Everything points to the fact that
the tv economy is geared for three
networks enjoying SRO status. For
one thing, "there’s a precedent for
it in network radio, even though
the latter never began to achieve
the stratospheric costs that exist in
tv today (35,000 per half-hour time
in video compared with $10,000 for
AM even in its most bullish era).

One thing is certain— ABC has
everything to gain in the new
three-way battle for audiences.
Anything but a makeshift opera-
tion, it’s going into the ring with a
flock Of heavyweight entries, in-
cluding the new Wednesday night
"Disheyland," the already-tested
"U.S. Steel Hour,” Danny Thomas,
Ray Bolger, etc. In the. realm of
melodramatics and high tension it
can hold its head high with "T-
Men” and has successfully com-
peted on the situation comedy front
with such, entries as "Ozzie & Har-
riet."

But there's a big question mark
that Won’t be answered until the
new season is in full swing: Will
the bigtime ABC shows divide the
audience, resulting in decreased
ratings, even for the peak shows,
or will they invite an increase in
sets-in-use? TV costs have been
mounting steadily, but until now
without undue alarm from the
clients and the agencies because
of tv’s ability to deliver high rat-
ings. But unless set circulation
rises with an increased tune-in, it’s
inevitable that the three-way com-
petition Will split the audience and
deflate the rating %. That’s when
the “fun Will begin. For the net-
work will then have to reconcile
the client to living with lower Niel-
sens at the same high cost. And
how the sponsor reacts to it will
have a great bearing on whether or
not three bigtime network opera-
tions can survive in the present tv
economy.

Thursdays 'All-JWT'

With only a few prime time
availabilities still open, ABC-TV,
with an assist from J. Walter
Thompson, may yet pull off the
"prize slotting” of the year where-
by JWT would take over the Thurs-
day night 8 to 9 hour for a live
dramatic show. What makes it un-
usual — and unprecedented — is that
JWT agency would have a com-
plete Thursday night monopoly of
ABC-TV time extending from 8 to
10:30, being already represented by
the Brillo-sponsored Sammy Kaye
show (9 to 9:30) and "Kraft TV
Theatre" (9:30 to 10:30).

To further complicate the JWT
thinking, the agency is all over
the Thursday video lot with a mul-
tiplicity of agency program con-
flicts (including the upcoming hour
"Lux Video Theatre" in the 10 to
.11 NBC-TV period) and including
such other Thursday items as
“Ford Theatre" (NBC) and "Four
Star Playhouse" (CBS),

Farren’s Switch

Jack Farren ankled his pro-
ducer’s post with Barry, Enright
& Friendly, tv% packagers, to join
the staff of Bob Smith’s new radio-
tv cross-the-board show on NBC.
Farren will produce the shows.

He takes over his ne\v, post to-
day (Wed,). • , ’ . ,

9

By FRED TEW

Crix Get in Licks

WNBT; the NBC-TV flag-
ship station in New York, is
taking a leaf from the film
industry and is embarking on
a new station-break promotion
technique.

Just as the pix houses use
blowups to 24-sheet the film
critics’ praises of the current
attractions, WNBT will utilize
stationrbreaks henceforth to
plug its local entries via the
reading of reviews by Ben
Gross, John Crosby, Harriet
Van Horne, et al. Only, of
course, if they’re raves.

The allout drive in this year’s
AFTRA contract negotiations for
a welfare and pension plan, voted
at the convention here last week-
end, was heralded by George Hel-
ler, executive secretary, when he
opened the convention Thursday
(29) with these remarks:

“Now regardless of the improve-
ments we make in our basic flQor
— all of the rates and conditions
and rules and regulations apply-
ing to performance — there re :
mains an impressive gap in our
major contract. This will com-
mand an important position in the
network negotiations, and eventu-
ally will also affect all our AFTRA
locals. I mean a welfare and pen-
sion plan."

He said AFTRA could not wait
for the" Government to fill the
need through an improved social
security program. The effort to
win a welfare and pension plan
should be placed "in the forum in
which they belong ■ — a collective
bargaining agreement between em-
ployer and employees," he said.

Heller reported that the nation-
al board had authorized the en-
gagement of Martin ,E. Segal &
Co. as consultants to survey and
analyze actuarial data for design-
ing a plan best suited to AFTRA
markets. The Segal firm’s prelimi-
nary report was discussed at the
convention and delegates voted to
support demands for a non-con-
tributory health and security plan.

Heller declared: "Individual ac-
tion by artists or by the initiative
of individual employees seems re-
mote, the consultants state, since
with fluctuating earnings so typi-

(Continued on page 31)

FRANK NELSON NAMED
NEW AFTRA PREXY

Detroit, Aug. 3.

Frank Nelson, of L.A.. was
elected president of AFTRA 1 *’ at
the convention here last weekend.

Other officers named were vice-
presidents, Vinton J, Hayworth, of
New York; John Gannon, of Chi-
cago; Hal Wallis, of Seattle; Jim
Lewis, of NeW York; Tylor McVey,
of L.A.; Ernie Winstaoley, of De-
troit, and Roy Michael, of Wash-
ington.

Janet Baumhover, of Portland,
Ore., was named recording secre-
tary, and treasurer is Elizabeth
! Morgan, of Nfcw York.

Serutan’s ’Family’ Buy

Serutan plans half-sponsorship of
"One Man's Family” NBC-TV day-
time strip.

Network is now shopping around
for an alternate, client. Show is
in the 3-3:15 segment.

Detroit, Aug. 3,

The major contract goal of
AFTRA is. a non-contributing wel-
fare and pension plan. This ^man-
date was handed down by 125 dele-
gates (100- additional voting by
proxy) after 17 hours of Continu-
ous discussion at the concluding
secret session of the annual con-
vention.

Also, it was officially declared
that the negotiations on the net-
work contracts, which expire in
November, would include “various
and -substantial changes in rates
and conditions of work.” This was
unofficially, but authoritatively,
reported to mean increases of not
less than 20% in all basic fees and
$30 in minimum staff announcer
rates.

The impression was unmistake-
able, however, that in a showdown
the delegates would prefer their
negotiators to give a little on other
bargaining points in order to ob-
tain a suitable welfare and pen-
sion plan.

Immediately after the four-day
convention in Sheraton-Cadillac
Hotel adjourned Sunday (1), Ex-
ecutive Secretary George Heller
and Henry Jaffe, the union’s coun-
sel, planed to L.A. to meet with
representatives of the Screen
Actors Guild on “matters of mu-
tual concern" in regard to filmed
tv. The convention decided that
the increasing jurisdictional prob-
lems involving “gray areas” and
“overlapping” developing between
members of the two unions needed
"ironing out.” What the specific
trouble spots were and what solu-
tions the AFTRA would propose
could not be learned immediatelj\

After thorough discussion of
various actuarial data on the
amounts of health and security
coverage that could be obtained by
employes contributing to the fund,
and by ohe financed solely by em-
ployers, it was decided that the
latter was preferred. The data
used was supplied by the Martin E.
Segal & Co. which has conducted a
survey for AFTRA. (For more de-
tails, see accompanying story).

Hike In Rehearsal Rates

In addition to the reported “not
less than 20%” increase in all basic
fees, AFTRA will seek to cut down
(Continued on page 30)

‘Toasts’ 2-Part

Hollywood, Aug., 3.

Ed Sullivan will bring his entire
production crew to the Coast to
televise “The Darryl Zanuck Story”
in two parts, Sept. 12 and 19 on
“Toast of The Town.” Patterned
as a salute to the 20th-Fox produc-
tion head, the shows will include
clips from many of his pictures
and appearance of stars who
worked for him.

Second telecast will serve as a
lead-in to Zanuck’s upcoming
"Egyptian” which will comprise
most of the running time,

TED MACK TALENT
SHOW FOR AFT. TV?

There’s a possibility that , a Ted
Mack talent show may find its way
into the NBC-TV daytime sched-
ule on a cross-the-board basis, With
preliminary discussion taking
place and some client nibbles al-
ready manifest. Move would be
in line with the network’s bid for
strong male personalities as day-
time tv attractions.

Mack’s "Original Amateur Hour"
is currently in the Saturday night
8:30 period on the network, under
Pet Milk sponsorship, but bows out
of the time in September.

22 RADIO-TELEVISION

Wedne**#, Aag«* 4 / 1$54

>1

SUNDAY

’ P.M.

ABC

CBS '

NBC

5:00

Super Circus . ,. . . . . .

Kellogg . ..

Inc ,♦ * ^ ***•♦•♦**> »

.Omnibus

. Scott Paper. ,
. Aluminium, Ltd.

Norcross Cards

,. . .Hall of Fame
, . . , Hallmark Cards

r 5:30

r. .

44 .

1

. . .5 to 6: Hall of Fame every fourth
week;, other 3 weeks, 5:30 to 0
. to be annnounced

r 6;Q0

(No Web Service) .... . . . »

' * •' 44 .

• ' ' * ♦' * • « «V • • • .»*»

• b

Meet the Press

Pan American
; Revere Copper

6:30

(No Web Service) ........

. You Are There

Prudential . , , ... ...... : . . . . .

Electric Cos.

. . . Roy Rogers (film)

.’ . . Gen. Foods

7:00

You Asked For It ...... .

Skippy Butter . .

■ Lassie (film). . . . ....

Campbell Soup

. . .People Are Funny
... Toni

'7:30

Pepsi Playhouse (film) . . . .
Pepsi-Cola ......

.Jack Benny. ... ......

. alt. with.

Private Secretary (film)...;...
Lucky' Strike

. .. .Mr. Peepers
, . . . Reynolds Metals
, . . 7:30 to 9: Max Liebmafi Specs every
... fourth week

Reynolds Metals

Hazel Bishop .

Sunbeam

‘ 8:00

T-Men (For Sale). . . ... . ...

. Tqast of Town. ... ... . . ... .'. . .

Lincoln-Mercury ... .

. . . Comedy Hour
Colgate *

8.30

Postal Inspector (For Sale) " . . ^ . ... . ,

44

“9:00

Walter Winchell . .

Gruen ......

American Safety Razor

.Gen. Elec. Thea. (film, live). . ,
. Gen, Elec.

,.. .TV Playhouse ,

Philco

, . . . Goodyear

9:15

Martha Wright \

Packard ......

41

44

^ • • »•-

9:30

Dr, I.Q .

. Honestly Celeste . . . . . . . . , . .

Bristol Myers . '

.44

10:00

Break the Bank...

Dodge .

.Father Knows Best (film). . . . .
P. Lorillard

. . . Loretta Young (film)

. ... . . P&G

10:30

(No Web Service) . . ......

. What’s My Line

.Stopette ............

Remington Shavers. . . ......

, . ; . Man Against Crime (film)

. . . . R. J. Reynolds

MONDAY

P.M.

ABC

CBS : • k ■

NBC .

7:15

John Daly .

. (No Web Service) ...........

. . . .(No Web Service)

7:30

Jamie . . . . . .... . . . .

Duffy Mott (alt.)

. Doug. Edwards ..............

Amer. Home Prod . .

... .-Tony Martin
. . . . Toni

' 7:45

M

. Perry Como

Chesterfield ......

. . . .News Caravan
. , . . Camel

” 8:00

Jimmy Nelson (For Sale) .

, Burns & Allen (film) ..........

Carnation ................

Goodrich

... . Sid Caesar Show
. . . . Amer. Chicle
.... RCA

Speidel

8:30

Voice of Firestone. . .
Firestone

. Talent Scouts ...............

Lipton

44

i • i.»

8:00

Jr; Press Conference

(For Sale) , . .....

I Love Lucy (film)

Philip Morris

, . . .Medic (film)

.... Dow €hem.

8 to 9:30: Leland Hayward Specs
every fourth week

Ford

RCA

9.30

Eastern Parkway Bouts. ...

Cn-ftp

. December Bride (film) ........

dpn Fnnric .

. . . . Robt. Montgomery presents

i • • • . ajIIIILI » X U

S. C. Johnson

10:00

. Studio One

Westinghoiise

44

> • t •

10:30

44

' 44 ‘ •

TUESDAY

P.M.

ABC

CBS

NBC

7:15

John Daly . .

. (No Web Service)

. . (Nn Wph SpnrippV

Realemon

4 —

7:30

Cavalcade of Amer

(film)

Du Pont

.Doug. Edwards. . . ...........

. Pall Mall..

... .Dinah Shore
. . . . Chevrolet

•

7:45

«

. Jo Stafford . .

Gold Seal

. . . . News Caravan

. . . . Camel ;

8:00

(No Web Service)

.Red Skelton

Geritol

... .Milton Berle

Biiirlr (2fi chnwsl

Martha Raye

Hazel Bishop (10 shows)

Bob Hope

Gen. Foods (6 to 9 shows)

8:30

20 Questions

44

44

Florida Citrus

9:00

Make Room for Daddy . . .
(film)

. Meet Millie . .

. Carter T . . . .

Fireside Theatre* (film)

P&G

Amer. Tob.

Dodge *

9:30

U. S. Steel Hour

U, S. Steel. * . .

. Danger

Block Drug

. . . . Circle Theatre

ArmefpATwt Pai*1t

Alt. with

Elgin Hour

Elgin

Nash-Kelvinator

• ♦ • ♦ AillloU Uli^ L/UlK

10:00

ll

. Life With Father.

Pet Milk

S. C. Johnson

. . . .Truth or Consequence
. . . . P. Lorillard

10:30

Stop the Music .

Exquisite Form. . ......

Quality Jewelers

. See It Now. . ... . . . j*.

. Alcoa ... . . .... . . .

....It’s a Great Life (film)

. . . . Chrysler

WEDNESDAY

P.M.

ABC

CBS

NBC C

JT:15

John Daly ..............

. (No Web Service) . .....

. . . . (No Web Service)

7:30

Disneyland (film)

Amer. Motors....

Derby Foods

Amer. Dairy

.Doug. Edwards .... . . : . . ....

* Bendix

Eddie Fisher Coke Time

Coco-Cola

7:45

Perry Como,

Chesterfield ; .

News Caravan

..... Camel

6:00

* «#

.Godfrey’s Fnends . . I Married Joan (film)

Frigidaife Gen. Elec.

Pillsbury 0

(second segment on alt. weeks).

8:30

Stu Erwin

Chesterfield ...

ii

•

. . . .My Lsttte Margie (film)

Scott Paper

(Continued on page 34)

SAMMY KAYE

Blasting Out of Sand Trap at ,
Everglades C, C.

Teeing off for BRILLO, August 5th
Over ABC -TV

Breaking Par . on ABC -Radio With
“SUNDAY SERENADE’' and
“SERENADE ROOM”
Columbia Records Exclusively

Boxoffice Television, Inc. is mak-
ing up a rate card, the first to be
utilized by a closed-circuit video
outfit- Though the organization
"has estimated and will continue
to estimate'’ costs to clients, the
rate . card will offer three basic
closed-circuit plans and serve as
"something tangible for buyers to
get their teeth into."

The card is being worked out
by Wally Ross, newly-appointed
national sales manager of BOTV’s
closed-circuit conference : division,
and should be completed shortly.
Previously, he headed Ross. Re-
ports, sold in '52 to Television
Index, Inc.

Ross figures the card will , clarify
purchases of closed-circuit facili-
ties for biz conferences. To date,

■ there have been relatively few
such buys, and hence business men
have .little on which to base cost
estimates. Ross has taken the
"most frequently-used lineups"
(25-city closed-circuit network) and'
laid out three kinds of tieups:

( 1 ) studio-hotels, (2) hotels-thea-
tres and (3) theatres alone. For
these he will give detailed costs.
Rates will be based on previous
closed-circuit deals made by BOTV.

r

For Musicals, Metiers In
CBS-TV Coast Series

Chrysler Gorp. is taking the
elastic off the- bankroll for its
CBS-TV series starting Sept. 30
from the Coast as a color preem
in the 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. slot. Kick-
off will be an original musical
starring Betty Grable, Harry James
and Mario Lanza, with the tuners
i to be unfurled monthly under
[ overall tag of "Shower of Stars."
t Three-a-month entries will. Tbe In
the melodrama class labelled "Cli-
max." First of the high tension
hooplas will be an adaptation by
E. Jack Neuman of Raymond
Chandler’s "The Long Goodbye,"
fronting Dick Powell, Teresa
f Wright and William Demarest, Oct.
7. This will be followed on the
14th by "The 13th Chair," by Bay-
ard Veiller, starring Ethel Barry-
more and Dennis O’Keefe, with
William Brown Newman doing the
adaptation.

Nat Perrin will produce the as
yet untitled Grable- J ames-Lanza
musical with Gordon Jenkins
handling the baton and direction
and Hal Kantor scripting. Reining
the "Climax" cluster of mellers
will be Bretaigne Windust with
Elliott Lewis as associate producer
and story editor. Staging will be
shared by William Brown and Dan
Petrie.

Hallmark Back in Radio

Hallmark has come back into the
CBS Radio fold. Greeting card
outfit cancelled “Hall of Fame" as
of last May but has been induced
into a change of heart, along with
a change in the slotting of "Fame."

Show will return in September
at 6:30 p.m. Sunday switching
from 9 o’clock: * . ,

4

The two-year old dispute be-
tween Television.- Writers of
America and the motion picture,
radio and video arm^-of the Au-
thors League Is coming to a close.
As. the issue of Which group shall :
control television scribblers came
down to the wire* TWA reps^on
both coasts met to agree on con-
solidation With the League.

In the meantime, the two-week
old strike by TWA against NBC,
CBS and ABC Virtually was ended.
The union called off pickets in
Los Angeles. By doing . so, TWA
hopes to "facilitate one union more
quickly," However, a N. Y. spokes-
man for TWA said, "networks
have not been Approached and
there are .no plans to resume ne-
gotiations until networks indicate
through responsible sources that
they are . prepared to agree to a
union shop and a fair scale of pay.

"If unity should be achieved
among all. broadcast writers
through the merger now being ex-
plored under the eyes of the AFL
theatrical union, the networks will
eventually find themselves facing
a • tremendously' powerful ' union
With great economic strength."

On Monday flight (2) members
of Radio Writers \ Guild, Screen
Writers Guijd and ' the Television
Writers Group met in New York
With TWA. The former group,
headed at the conclave by Evelyn
Burkey* intended consolidating
those writing unions under one
roof for some time. As a matter of
fact, Miss Burkey indicated that
the regrouping, including TWA,
will be concluded by the end of
August. She said that details
have all been cleared up. The new
scribbler union will be called
Writers Guild of America and will
have two sub-units*-Writers Guild
East Inc. and Writers Guild West,
Inc.

Huddle In N. Y.

The decision to band with the
League groups was made by TWA
in New York after two meetings
during the • past week with the
former. Powwows were called by
the AFL at which that union had
a fact finding committee to help
bring off a consolidation.

Actually, TWA, with its strike
against the web?* was sitting on
the fence. Yesterday (Tues. ), its-
year of control of video scripters,
as provided for by the NLRB, had
come to an end. RWG and the
other groups were threatening to
call ' for another vote to regain
control as - negotiating group for
the writers. It was said that TWA
strength had been sufficiently oeci-
mated so that it couldn’t win an-
other NLRB vote. Grouping of all
four writing groups should bring
union strength to over 2,000, ac-
cording to one estimate.

TWA evidently felt that as long
as there was a factional struggle
for control of writers, it couldn’t
get other union support for its
strike against the three tele net-
works. The "one writers union"
will draw AFL support, it was felt.
The AFL controls all union groups
except NABET -and its news writ-
ers shops in the Chi and Hollywood
offices of NBC ^nd ABC.

Dispute by TWA. with ABC,
NBC and CBS hinged on scale for
freelance tele scribblers* After
several weeks, of negotiating there
was a gap of several hundred dol-
lars between the demands.

Meetings between the formerly
warring unions was held by the
AFL facts finding committee at
the Assn, of Television Press
Agents tc Managers.

Chas. Speer’s TV Spot As
McGarrett’s Daytime Aide

Althouh carrying title of script
editor, Charles Speer is actually
moving in as assistant to George
McGarrett, who recently became
head of NBC’s daytime television.

Speer in recent months has been
working with Herbert Bayard
Swope Jr. on the projected "Wide
Wide World" series (26 of which
have already been blueprinted and
only* awaiting a sponsor's nod).
Prior to that Speer was on the
"Today" scripting staff,

WePnewfay. Ansnrt, tf». 1954 ,

' BAB1Q.TELEVISIOIV . 23

CBS-TV received a cable last week- fromWade Bingham de-
scribing his narrow escape from possible death while covering
the evacuation of Hanoi for CBS Newsfilm, Bingham reported
as follows:.

“Traffic along the strategic Hanbi-Haiphong road reminded you
Sunday afternoon Of mogf any highway in America, except that
cars were trucks and passengers were soldiers. This paved high-
way has many spots where gravel has been used to repair holes
where mines exploded, destroying trucks and killing men for the
past eight years.

“A mine exploded in one soft gravel spot; killing the driver of
a small army truck and wrecking another truck. 1 was making
pictures of the clearing, of the road when the stalled convoy began
to move around a deep hole in the road left by an exploding
mine. I was making the pictures of the moving convoy when my r
film ran out, due to an earlier stuck, trigger which wasted 20 feet
of film.

“I hurried to the car 40 feet away when a second truck, exploded
on a mine 15 feet- from where I had been standing 20 seconds
before, and probably would have been standing when the second
mine exploded, if my earlier camera trouble had not Wasted the
20 feet of film, causing me to run out of film that very second — 20
seconds before the. explosion and 20 hours before the cease fire/'

Washington, Aug. 3.

New York’s municipal radio sta-
tion, YVNYC, yesterday (Mon.) ac-
cused WCCO of Minneapolis of
..arbitrary and high-handed action”
in urging the FCC to force the
city-operated outlet to sign off at

sunset.

Opposing a petition by WCCO,
Dominant station on WNYC’s 830
kc frequency, to cancel latter’s ap-
plication for renewal of authority
to stay on the air until 10 p.m., the
municipal outlet told the Commis-
sion that “the summary guillotin-
ing of this service which has been
proposed by WCCO would amount
to an evasion of the Commission’s
obligation to determine wherein
the public interest lies.”

The “uniqueness' and high qual-
ity” of its service, said WNYC, re-
quire that it be given special con-
sideration and not be subjected to
the same rules applying to com-
merciar stations operating on lim-
ited time on clear channel frequen-
cies. its application, ; it auded,
should be made the subject of a
hearing as promised by the ICC
last April wnen it informed WNYC
that it can no longer wait for de-
termination Of clear channel pro-
ceedings to decide its status. .

While one .' Of the;- functions of
Wuuo is ‘ the; he^ctly proper one
of making nidney tor its owners,”
WNfU told thf Commission its
purpose is to acquaint citizens of
New York with operations of city
government, to ' educate them on
LN activities, and to provide infor-
mation in event of emergency.

cay outlet denied WCcO S con-
tention tnat \yNYC can maintain
its program Service on a daytime
scneuuie. Very purpose of special 1
authorization to operate until 10
p m., it said, is to provide service
wnen more people can listen —
wnen tney are at home.

VvNYu has been operating until
10 p.m, since 1043 wpen it received
special authorization as a wartime
measure, such authorization 'has
been continued^ regulariy despite
opposition by WCCO. In 1940, the
Commission Stated it. was waiving
’requirement for sunset signotf be-
cause of station's “excellent pro-
gramming.” \

Aif Buttoned Up

Althougn . Red Buttons and his
attorney, Jonas Siiverstone, have
had reservations about committing
themselves to a sponsorship deal
Pontiac for tne Friday nighi
at 8 slot on NBC-TV until asssuree
that the comic could deliver a
strong show backed by the right
production crew . (writers, pro-
oucer, etc.), it looked this week as
though, short of final signaturing
the ueal was a n buttoned up.

buttons and Siiverstone spent
several uays on the Coast huddling
^ writers, with result that the
tuu Production complement is im-

Nur^'n It s j^st a case now oJ
iNiiC- taUung prices with Pontiac.

r'i5a U S?? s wil1 sotted opposite
r ^ ® “Mama,” sponsored bj
general Foods, his erstwhile CBS
bunkroller. f

, ! '

+- : ■ - — —

Color TV Schedule

NBC

The Marriage — -Aug. 5, 10 p.m.
, v WNBT, N. Y.

Here’s Looking at You— Aug.2
through Aug. 6, 1:30 p.m.

WCBS-TV, N. Y.

Time for Color (film)— Aug. 6,
5 p.m.

i ll A le m • x/uiaav

A warning against "over-speciali-
zation” in video highlighted the
two-day Broadcast Music, Inc., tele-
vision clinic held in New York,
yesterday (Tues.) and Monday. It
was. made by Clair McColloUgh,
topper at WGAL, Scranton, Pa.,
and a member of the NARTB board
of directors.

The BMI tele clinic moves into
Chicago tomorrow (Thurs.) for two
days, and then on Monday (9) and
Tuesday of next week .sessions, fin-
ish off in Los Angeles. As it was in
New Yofk, there will be about a
dozen clinic speakers in Chicago.
Among the Chi speakers will be G.
Pearson Ward, KTTS»TV, Spring-
field, Mass,; John Murphy, WLW-
TV, Cincinnati; Ken Kennedy,
WDAY-TV, Fargo, N. D.; Robert
(Continued on page 34)

NBC-TV Tonight’ Won’t
Affect Steve Allen’s CBS
'What’s My Line’ Stint

Now that he’s getting a major
network buildup with his upcoming
“Tonight” cross-the-board show,
NBC-TV wouldn’t be averse to
Steve Allen shaking off his CBS
identity completely and vacating
his panel slot on the rival web’s
Sunday night “What’s My Line.”

As. result, some apprehension has
existed within the CBS-Goodsojn &
Todman fold as to Allen’s inten-
tions, but the latter has already
made it clear that he has no desire
to divorce himself from the panel
show— at least until he’s convinced
that the late night strip marathons
are becoming too arduous,

Allen’s production staff on NBC-
TV’s Upcoming “Tonight” will
consist Of the faces that have been
associated with him for the last
couple of years. These include Dick
Pinkham as exec producer, Bill
Harbach as producer and Dwight
Hemion as director.

First sponsor to board the “To-
night” bandwagon is Polaroid
Corp., with the camera company in
on the Sept. 27 launching and tak-
ing seven other participations, ,

With NBC’s “Tonight” headed by
Steve Allen coming up. on Sept.
2J, the television web. will be con-
suming 22V& hours on its trio of
hot shot participating shows em-
bracing “Home” , and “Today” in
addition to “Tonight.” The spread
on the threesome represents better
than a third of the total network
time on the week, which is 66
hours. (In the fall, however, the
web. will add two and a half, hours
for Saturday football.)

“Today’’ addups to 10 hours per
week in its 7 to 9 a.m. cross-the-
board span.; (This is exclusive of
the extra hour daily for repeat to
the west.) “Home” is five hours
on the week, while “Tonight” will
be a 90-minute job starting at
11:30. p.m., with previous 15-min-
utes devoted to Allen’s local
(WNBT,. N. Y.) show for Knicker-
bocker Beer,

Aside from the fact that the
“Pat Weaver Three” dominates
network time (though not the
prime hours, since two of the
shows are daytime and “Tonight”
potential is in the $20,000,000
class/ against NBC-TV’s billings
last year of about $98,000,000. Of
more than passing interest in the
“money talks” game , that they
play over at NBC is the fact that
last year “Today” lured 83 spon-
sors, with “Home.” shaping up a
cache of 27 underwriters for its.
first nine months ending Nov! 30.

Flushed with, its “Today” and
“Home” clicks and anticipating a
winner in the Steve Allen nightowl
kick, a “Participating. Programs .
Dept.” has been set up by executive
vice president Robert Sarnoff.

Heading the unit, complete with
expanded office space at network
headquarters, is Richard A, R.
Pinkham as director (he brought
in “Today” and -‘Home”). His
two chiefs with their own divisions
are Mort Werner, named executive
producer (he’s producer of “To-
day” ) and Joe Culligan, director
of sales (he found the peddling
gimmick that got both “Today” and
“Home” away to auspicious starts
and continuing coin lures). Still
to be named is an overall business
manager.

• “All of them will report to Thom-
as A- McAvity, veepee over tv pro- .
gramming. On the news end, the
funnel will be through the office
of public affairs chief Dave Tay-
lor and news and special events
manager William McAndrew.

Marge Kerr as DuMont
Saleslady (a TV First)
Sparks New Exec Shifts

Marge Kerr’s assignment as prob-
ably the first saleslady in network
video annals heads up a list of
executive shifts this week at Du-
Mont. In all, there has been one
new entry and three promotions
at. the web.

Miss Kerr, who joined DuMont
this spring as manager of program

development, got the nod for the
sales post from web sales topper;
Gerry Martin. Most recently a
supervising producer, Henry Op-
perman has been chosen her re-
placement in program develop-
ment.

Louis Arnold steps in as the web
biz manager, the position vacated
when Dick Geismar last week
moved up as exec assistant to man-
aging director Ted Bergman.

The other appointment, this time
of a new man on the DuMont staff,
was of Robert J. Smith, who last
held down a sales post at WOR,
the General Teleradio station in
New York.

Before joining DuMont in March,
Miss Kerr was a talent exec for
N. W. Ayer, ad agency, and head
Of video program packaging at the
William Morris talent office. Ar-
nold was until now Geismar’s as-
sistant in the network business
management department.

• ■

Private Eye

Annette Jackson, a New 1
York City secretary, receives
Only channel 2 (WABC-TV) no
matter what her tuner is
turned to.

Her set is described as an
“elderly” Stromberg-Carlson
with a 12-inch screen.

She says she had two repair-
men come in for a look.

When she called to explain
the trouble, {hey wouldn't be-
lieve her.

They came over, couldn’t fix
it, couldn’t figure out why or
how it happened.

Detroit, Aug. 3.

Jack Wrather headed a group
that purchased Lone Ranger, Inc.

from its prexy George W. Trendle
for what is believed the highest;
price ever paid for. a sinele radio-
tv property, $3,000,000. Deal was
closed yesterday (Mon.);

The buy includes all Lone
Ranger radio and television shows
as well as all merchandising, car-
toon and Lone Ranger records
(Decca). Others in the new owner-
ship group are Mrs, Mazie Wrather,
mother of Jack, and John L. Loeb
Associates of New York. ‘ The
Wrathers are Los Angeles and
Dallas oil operators and tv station
owners.

The $3,000;000 covers only' the
Lone Ranger properties. It be-
longed to Trendle-Campbell-Meur-
er Enterprises here. Deal does not
affect ownership of the production
firm’s other divisions. Green Hor-
net, Iric., Sgt. Preston of the
Yukon, Inc,. American Agent. Inc.
T-C-M will continue producing
radio shows for the new owners'
from Detroit. At present there are
some 1,500 old radio transcriptions
that go to Wrather. There are 130
half-hour telepix in the “Lone
Ranger” series presently, with an
additional 52 now in production in
Hollywood.

Recently Wrather and Hejen
Alvarez sold KOTV, Tulsa, for
$4,000,000 to J. H; Whitney Co.,
N.Y. KFMB and KFMB-TV. San
Diego, are current Wrather-Alvarez
properties.

Won 1G Giveaway Coin,

But All She Got Was
2 Passes to the Movies

Toledo, Aug. 3.

When Irma Schlegel, Holland,
O., got the right answer on “This;
Is It,” a 1953 radio -giveaway pro-
gram carried by Station WTOD,
Toledo, she Was notified that she
had won $1,000 in merchandise,
including such items as seat cov-
ers, drapes, radios, record players,
door awnings, free dinners, flow-
ers, and theatre tickets. 'So far,
according to a suit filed against
the Unity Corp., operators of
WTOD, all she has received were
two passes to Loew’s Valentiiie
theatre. She filed suit against the
station for a judgment of $1,000
plus 6% interest,

Mrs. Sunne Miller, manager of
WTOD, disclaimed any responsi-
bility for the jackpot offering of
merchandise. Mrs. Miller said the
sponsor of the program, Indepen-
ent Radio and Television, Des
Moines, is no longer in business,
and owes the station about $3,900
for the -time used and not paid for.
The station discontinued the pro-
gram in July of last .year*

Hollywood, Aug, 3.

Hollywood’s influence in televi-
sion is swelling, to such proportions
that sponsors can no longer ignore
it. Even in the east they will ad-
mit grudgingly that Hollywood can
do it better on film because of the
depth in the ranks of know-how.

So declared William Craig, direc-
tor of tv for Procter & Gamble,
which w'ill spend roughly $15,000,-
000 in tv next season (as against,
$12,000,000 for radio). A midwest-
erner— he headquarters in Gincin-
ati— -his loyalties are divided be-
tween the two terminals but with
him there’s no split of judgment
where he thinks P & G can get the
best quality for its vast outlay of
video coin.

“If we can get the cost of filming
soap, operas down to what it’s cost-
ing live we’d anchor many of our
daytime serials in Hollywood,” he
said. “Where they are now costing
around $9,500 a week live, the best
figure we can get on filming five
■15 's a week is $13,000. We are now
in 90% of the tv markets and I’m
trying to convince P & G that the
added cost would, be justified for
the reason that with film we could
have complete saturation by reach-
ing the missing 10%. ,

“Another important factor we’re
not overlooking-i$ that by filming
in Hollywood we could take ad-
vantage of the vast reservoir of
talent— names that still command
an audience. First of the film
somebodies to be used in a serial
is Louise Albritton, now starring
in “Concerning Miss Marlowe” on
CBS. Our researchers are watching
this one closely and if the device
of using film names results in im-
proved ratings it’s going to be hard
to keep away the others who want .
to get into it. We’d be willing and
we know they are, too, despite the —
reduced recompense by coniparison
with their fees on night time
shows,"

P Sc G experimented with one
filmed serial, that is, to say, they
were vitally interested in an audi-
tion turned out by a Hollywood
producer, but it failed to pass
muster. Charles Irving, however,
(Continued on page 31)

CBS Radio will move Into the
new season with virtual SRO status
for Sunday night. On the available
list is “Amos ’a’ Andy.” cancelled
by Rexall. but the web is confident
of wrapping up a sale for the 7:30
to 8 slot. The sellout aura took
form last week when Toni, already
one of the major users of tv time,
bought the 8 o’clock spot starting
in September. Show has not been
specified, but the choice appears
to fall between “Our Miss Brooks.”
which has been dropped by Col-
gate. and “Junior Miss,” longtime
sustainer in the CBS lineup. The
8 p.m. spot was opened up by the
Sunday exit of Bing Crosby (with
the Groaner’s video plans also jet-
tisoned; apparently).

Toni also cosponsdrs “My Friend
Irma” with Carter Products Mon-
day night at 8. it will retain the
slot, with Carter but will drop
“Irma” for a new series not yet
made known, with “Irma” going off
in mid-September.

Arlene Francis, Cullen To
Team on Mutual Strip

Arlene Francis and Bill Cullen
are set to do a five-minute radio
strip via Mutual starting in early
October. The show has been pur-
chased by Block Drug Co.

It’s a unique network radio deal
in that the show is to go on at
8:55 in the ayem. It’s understood
that the web is lining up affiliates
now.

Called “It Happens Every Day ,
stanza will consist of humorous
commentary on the news.

/

S ince it started 18 months ago wbbm-tv
has grown so fast it may seem as though
we’re playing tricks with figures.

But really the only magic is showmanship—

%

wbbm-tv’s Showmanship— the kind that’s
mirrored in:

high ratings ... a weeklong average rating
19% higher today than its nearest competitor’s
...12% higher than in February ’53.

quarter hour wins . ...166 top-rated quarter-
hours ... 54 more than the next- station today
...73 more than February ’53.

top programs . . . 7 out of the top 10 shows

nighttime, 5 out of 10 daytime. (Eighteen

months ago it was 5 nighttime and none in

the daytime.)

«

Do you, too, want to look big in Chicago?
Then, no fooling, the place for you is . . .
Chicago’s Show manship Television Station

WBBMTY

CBS Television's Key Station in Chicago

Sources on request.

Wednesday, Augu*t4* 1954

GREATEST MOMENTS IN

SPORTS *

With Walter Klernan
producer: Jerry Franken
Director: Martin Hoade
Writer: Barney Nailer
15 Mins., Fri., 10:30 p.m,

MUTUAL OF OMAHA
NBC-TV, from New York
(Bozell & Jacobs)

Although designed to fill 15-
minutes of video time on NBC-TV
each Friday night, “Greatest Mo-
ments In Sports” will have to wait
out the duration of each and every
upcoming Gillette fight to find out
just how much time it actually has
to fill. Not knowing how much
time there is per stanza has cre-
ated some very evident problems
)n format. So rather than build a
sports show with a strong conti-
nuity l’r>°. Mutual of Omaha has
settled for a stanza comorising
severe 1 '- brief, rencra’ly . disnssnei-
aWl fMiris about snorts hiPhli^hts,
aPowm' 7 mom to rut ov beMn any-
y’hr r e without serious gaps..

Waher K ; ernan does the narra-
tion for the various pix. The com-

NOW AND THEN
With Dr. Frank C. Baxter
Producer: William Whitley
Director: BUI Alcine
30 Mins., Sun,, 6 p.m.

CBS, from Hollywood

Dr. Frank C. Baxter, the per-
suasive professor from U. of South-
ern Cal. whose “Shakespeare on
TV” programs, originally aired
over KNXT, Hollywood, received
such kudos, now has his first net-
work tv series, and an equally
meritorious set of sessions they
promise to be. The professor, a
book-reading salesman extraordi-
naire, has the notion that there’s
a lot of fun and profit in books,
which the average man overlooks.
He means to do something about
this, by reading from choice works,
by talking about books, by tying
up the past and present through
iiterature, to help mankind achieve
the many benefits that are for the
asking (or reading).

There was no reading oh the
opener Sunday (1), the program
turning out to be a half-hour pro-
fessorial lecture on the values of
eading. Dr. Baxter took too long

SliriiUv cd^v on the prrem <30).j
Cellulo'd -was of Ro^or Bannister
doing l^e ni { 1 e under four minutes.
Then t^e show hnd a sequence

with.’ -John t>ndv domd the sanie
a few C °' T s Into**. Another niece
was I 110 hor^n. Ch-t : on v^nnlh" a
race that made him a $1,000,000
winner.

Di^ni nn back come ve^-vQ.. stanza
showed Bat’p Ruhh e’obhering a
hbfnnr tVn the VprVeo bopn b°-
ipe on “P.ahe- .Ru+h' Da v ” in

19at F^'towinn. Mrs, R?he Ruth
made a onnenva n,nt ? to be inter-
V’owed b^’pciv bv . Kie^nan^' Here
Kiern-n vr'c victimized. He Avas
handed a batch of thd'.stock uostal-
pie r , ' r, ' j: on ,; - 1vrt, ’t <1 ‘ , e b^sebaRer

r-

an intro to discuss his previous

mental on did slick, fast >-i eu P s be " i sponse, as well as his debut in tv,
tween fihn.s. aUhoimh he seemed j but that’s excusable. Xiicid, literate

and witty, with a nice light sense
of humor, the professor caii hold
one’s attention talking about him-
self as well as his subject. He’s
logical, coherent and sometimes
eloquent, and only occasionally is
there the suggestion of a slight
condescension . of manner. But
what he said made a lot of sense.

“We’re in for trouble,” he said;
“our world is not well. Man needs
aid to face the future.” We can
get this aid, we can learn facts,
ideas, vicarious living, human wis-
dom, esthetic beauty, all through
books. “You can’t be a good citizen
unless you read,” said Dr. Baxter,
The facts of history, the lessons
of history, are in books and only
in books. “You get facts richly

to a c k Mr.* Ruth. 'That few mm- from, books," he assured us. The
utes r”ov?d d^idedV- uneventful. ! past is a rich experience for human

even tbn»»«-.b t^e ruest was elo-
quent end charming.

The midwav commercial for the
• lnsp-’^nce com nan v w?s delivered
b v F ; prn?n. Tt was an interview
with n “sati c f ; °d i’^er” and benught
out the worst in tb:° emcee. Nature
©f the n''tch mad 0 bim aDpear rent
“oily.” In all. .wb.vV the idea of
the * show is eood for novel filler
after the Friday n’^ht fights, more
careful attention should be p^Mte
some of the scripting. Art.

Dim* * desk

With - William Ko~?n
Producer: .Mar^ Hennessey
Director: Rob G!e« cT u»rn
30 Mins,. Tues., 8-8:30 p.m.
Part f c*n?t»n*r

KPON-T V, San Francisco

This is a new idea in local tele-

beings. Furthermore, said the prof,
reading is fun, “and don’t scorn
fun.”

So next week he was supposed
to start what he called his “declara-
tion of faith” by reading from old
sonnets and ballads. Prof, however,
went to an L. A. hosp Monday (2)
for minor surgery, so next Sun-
day’s show will be film, on Scot-
tish and English ballads. The pro-
fessor will be back in person, with
a few-score books in hand, Aug.
15. It should be worth a return
viewing. Bron.

SOLDIER PARADE I

With Arlene Francis, others
Producer; Dave Nyren /

Director: Robert Massell
60 Mins., Wed., 7:30 p.m. *
Sustaining • •

ABC-T V, from New York

Until now most every video
stanza seen that’s been built
around military personnel had a
lets-make-thevmost-of-it - flavor. GI
[•entertainers have been treated so
long as amateurs that almost every-
thing they do, and regardless of
how professionally, is prejudged
as amateurish. As a matter of fact
the word “talent,” since it’s been
used so often fh connection with
amateur showcasings, has come
generally to mean amateur. Such
being the case, “Soldier Parade”
should not be called a “talent”
show. It is instead a full-fledged
variety show and, in session seen
(28), a generally entertaining hour;

Few concessions are made to
uniform, except where it directly
concerns recruitment pitches. And
sometimes, where femcee Arlene
Francis is asked to discuss at un-
necessarily great length what each
of the show’s performers does on
duty. In bringing “Soldier Pa-
rade,” Dancer-Fitzgerald-Sample
which packages the show, having
had a year or more to benefit by
the experience- of "Talent Patrol”
via the same network, has even
gone so far as to divest the soldier
of his uniform when it was felt
it’d do nothing for the production
number.

Furthermore, the show was
not executed as a “competition,”
another thought that the word
“talent” gives birth to. All of seven
or eight acts, each introduced and
interviewed by Miss Francis, was
distinctly staged: First there were
twin accordionists, then Corporal
Ezio Fragello, a chubby guy with
a great set of baritone pipes. These
initial acts were followed at irre-
gular intervals by the Ft. Dix
Soldiers Chorus, a pop tenor named
Private Bob Dirii and dancers Mike
Dominico arid Phyliss Johnson.
Each of these acts was slickly
handled. And why not? Most of
them were pros who were drafted,
with the exception of WAC John-
son, of course. Aside from Flagello,
the best act was that of Private
Okie Jones, a country singer 'whose
personality, style and stage pres-
ence were tops. Another fine act
was in the precision work done by
an airborne unit drill team.

Though the show carries much
commercial time for Army recruit-
ment, the facilities are donated by
ABC-TV, as with the preceding
“Talent Patrol,” and the show is
produced by D-F-S with Army
coin. Art.

TONIGHT* PREVIEW
With Sylvester L. Weaver* Steve
Allen, pave Garroway, Arlene
Francis
30 Mins.; Thurs., 6:15 p.m,
NBC-TV, from New York
IPs too bad this NBC-TV half-
hour was just an intra-family affair
with its: viewing circle confined to
the dowh-the-line o&o, affiliate
and ad agency officialdom which
last Thursday (29) responded to
the homeoffice bugle for a preview
pitch on “Tonight.” Granted that
some of the laughs, and there were
plenty, required, a within-the-trade
awareness and that the “commer-
cial” was strictly for station riian-
agement and agency ears. None-
theless, this dff-the-cuff tidbit,
presided over by a quartet of NBC
pros, was topgrade tv entertain-
ment by ‘ any standards.

Fact that one of. the pros
happened to be NBC prez Sylvester
(Pat) Weaver only served to point
up the “show’s the thing, even if
it’s a closed-circuit trailer” think-
ing that marks the network’s pres-
ent shoot-the-works atmosphere.
Here was ho embraided corporate
figure but a casual guy, wise in the
ways of the showmarily smooth
sell, pitching his latest offbeat
project to a perhaps not nearly as
skeptical an audience as a couple
years hack when he . tossed out the
trailblazing “Today” idea.

Although flanked by three of the
most agile operators in the emcee-
ing dodge. Weaver did okay by
proximity. One of the best liries
was his reference to the new em-
ployer of qx-New York Timesman
Jack Gould as that outfit kriown as
the “gem of the ocean.” He drew
laughs with his hopes that there
would be no problems, such as
things like “clearances.” And, of

course, ho came through; with a *
new Weaverism, pointlrijfto “To-
night” as the completing member

along with , “Today” 'and ^Home”
of NBC-TV's “Trinity Titans,"
The topper carried off his assign-
ment with plenty of aplomb. Ex-
cept that protocol might he a bit -
of a problem, someone might point
that it’s old hat for a video emcee
to 'lead the applause for the sup-
porting acts. Chalk this up to
opening show enthusiasm.

As befitted the purpose, Steye
Allen, who’ll helm “Tonight” when
it starts Sept. 27, got plenty of
exposure and . it was all promising;
for the future of the late-evening
roundelay. No attempt was made
to outline the specific format.
Rather its was an introductory
showcase for Allen’s individual and
individualized wares. He looks to
be a very handy man to have
around tonight' and tomorrow
night.

With Dave Garroway and Arlene
Francis on hand, it was obvious
that Weaver was seeking to use the
momentum of “Today” a n d
“Home” to help send off “To-
night.” Garroway, besides one of
his patented lqw-throttle plugs for
the new enterprise, displayed a
new facet as he dueted with Allen
a singing parody on their big
wingsoread eyeglasses. Probably
the biggest • laffbuster; however,
was Allen’s comedy skit, with Miss
Francis on a Hollywood vs. a “real
life” treatment on how to announce
the pending arrival of a baby. Bit
probably couldn’t play on the open-
circuits but it Wowed , at least one
private gathering.

Entire family “sales” party was
a fine example of hep showmanship
of the electronic era. Dave.

Hill

lent l

The Gilda Gray story, as re-

vision, putting on a newspaper , prised on Ralph Edwards’ poignant
drama edit°»* (William Hogan is i “This Is Your Life” series— one of

the San Francisco ^^ ron ^. e !^ i the several summer repeats, in

drama and film ecU and letting.,, . • ,, ,

him interview people from show j kinescope— should spark a film

business, press agents, directors, deal for the shimmyer from Mil-
actors. etc:, in between the show- waukee who went through a $3,-
inp of dins from new movies. 1 000,000 fortune, faced poverty
KRON has gone all out nroduc-'.more than once, staged an heroic
tlon-wise on this show. Bill Wag- •. comeback from tubercular illness,
ner’s art department has. designed i and seems on the threshold of an

two attractive sets: one. the drama
editor's office (and drama eds
should have such offices) and two.
a projection room where Hogan
takes the guests to look at the
film clips.

Opening stanza had as guests
Ted Galenter of Metro, who
brought along Ruta Lee from
“Seven Brides for Seven Broth-
ers.” After a fast interview of both
guests. Ilogan switched to the pro-
jection room set and ran off some
clips. He . does ,a good interview,
sharpened by years of experience
and considerable show biz savvy,
yet couches it all in terms the
viewers can dig. Sarne technique
Was used for Warners’ flack, Ma*
Buroott, a cigar smoking movie
version of a Hollywood p.a. who
came over great on the screen, and
David Butler, a native San Fran-
ciscan arid director of “King
Richard and the Crusaders.” Good
bit was explanation of why the
Sir 'Walter Scott storv, “The Talis-
man.” was given the new title.
Butler and Burcott. showed clips
cf the film, of the premiere of
•’Richard.” The film clip’ which
gave a convincing idea of the
total confusion of a premiere, 1

ended abruptly with the narrator
asking “What happened to Mike
O’Shea?”

other comeback at Foreman
Brown’s Turnabout Theatre in
Hollywood.

That anonymous couple who
succored her in her illness, when
she was trying to keep her physical
and financial misfortunes away
from show biz eves, and the
grand manner in which the Libe-
race family were constantly beside
her, stalwart friends, and all the
other details, are a posy on man’s
humanity to man. It is a particular
bouquet for showfolk. The entire
half-hour projected that. If per
haps cynically expressed, it Is fit-
ting, too, that the observation be
recorded that Liberace*— he, of the
•one-name only, a la another chari-
toosey from Milwaukee, Hilde-
^garde — achieved,, some /highly ef-
fective reverse-field public rela
tions impact for hiinself/. Not that
he needs it— his b.Oi. performance
with the paying customers is satis^
faction enough;, the intra-trade
gags about the candlesticks and
the rest of it are relatively limited.

Incidentally, it’s feadily apparent
where Liberace gets his good
looks; mother Liberace is a hand*
soirie woman indeed. One other
footnote: the . Variety annals in

and the hottest b.o. draw of the
time was Gilda Gray. Columbia's
Rita Hayworth film, “Gilda,”
forced a nominal settlement over
the use of the title, but in the
Gilda Gray story Hollywood could
capture a lot of that Roaring 20s
atrriosphere which is so com-
mercial in this nostalgic day and
age. Abel.

“Melody Tour,” which, recently
made a promising bow on ABC-TV
as a half-hour show, has since been
upped to 90 minutes, maybe with
the idea of tripling its impact. That
may be mathematically correct'but,
as a showmanship formula for this
series, it’s a near disaster. What’s
breezy and light for 30 minutes can
get rather dull when stretched out
over the evening. -

• The talent on- this series is good
but the , routining suffers fronv a
monotonous repetition of the vocal
and danee turns. On last Thurs-
day’s (29) stanza, there were at
least 10 ballet numbers delivered
by Nelle Fisher, Jonathan Lucas
and Peter Gladkie, as one group,
and the Kateds Trio, as another
terp combo. The variations arinong
these dance numbers hardly war-
ranted such e - prominent showcas-
ing. But in stretching out 90 min-
utes, dance numbers apparently
make easy fillers.

Vocal chores were bandied In
solid style by regular Nancy Ken-
yon and guest baritone Robert
Rounseville, while Jorie Remis de-
livered a couple of material songs
archly. Miss Remis is a good come-
dienne but the lyrics to her songs,
especially “Falling In Love Can Be
F un,” are sometimes too weak to
sustain her routine. In another
comedy slot. Louis Nye drew a
blank in a patter routine about an

[the early 1920s readily attest to
Gilda Gray’s socko show biZi and
that $3:000.000 fortune, through
Giving the tv audience such be- , which she went — the J929 Wall St. j American tourist in Italy,
hind-the-screen glimpses, a peep/ debacle was the prime cause — is l Stan Freeman again did nicely
•t press agents, producers* and di-; readily believable. Under her then = with his piano*vocal assignments
rectors is a solid idea. Anyone ; maiiager-husband Gil Boag's aegis, \ and The Toppers, a vocal quartet,
interested in movies is going to be - the shimmy-sha-wabble exponent : supplied good backgrounds and de-
interested in this show and/ was ' potent boxoffice lodestone. . Hvered a couple of numbers in
Hogan’s own personal enthusiasm ' The shimmy today may wand as snappy tezhion. Harry Sosnik, ba-
eomes through like “Gangbusters” i dated as the Castle Walk, the ■' tonirig the studio oreh, furnished
and makes the half-hour bright, ibunnyhug or the Charle-ioo. hiit totfd mmtc'A support to the show.
Intelligent and interesting. Rafe. jin its day it was pretty hot iteif,'/ Herm.

THE WILL TO LIVE
With Sidney Katz
Producer: Arthur Hiller
22 Mins.; Tues., 9:30 p.ni.
Sustaining*

CBS, from Toronto

Recently - started Canadian
Broadcasting Corp, network show
combines public service with
skilled manipulation of material to
hold general interest without any
pandering. This stanza would be
of stsong interest anywhere. Series
features Sidney Katz, former Mag-
azine Digest associate editor and
now assistant editor of Maclean’s
magazine, which, frequently pub-
lishes his mental health articles—
one of them 1 an account of a short
period of deliberately induced,
medically supervised and noted in-
sanity, which Katz underwent in
the interests of scientific research
(volunteers are rare) and a sensa-
tional mag piece,

A sympathetic youngish chap,
serious but riot sombre and never
wordy, Katz Introduced a multiple
sclerosis victim, who didn’t seem
abnormal, and questioned her on
details of the disease, how she ad-
justed and her. several jobs— -tutor-
ing, selling government bonds and
fur coats, marking exam papers.
“Accept the things you can’t do,
but do all you can. Take each day
as it combs and fill your life as
full as possible” was her philoso-
phy of life.

Next he briefly introduced a Na-
tional Film Board of Caffada short
of a disabled, civilians’ workshop
in Saskatchewan, run for profit
and providing many persons ordi-
narily considered “helpless” with
work which they perform well.

Then another live one-^a fasci-
nating session with a group of
happy-faced deaf mutes. Katz con-
versed with them through simul
taneous digital translation by the
pastor of Toronto’s Church for the
Deaf. First the pastor demon
strated one logical sign for each of
many words. The slow spell-out
method was rarely used. Katz
learned what they worked at, then
asked questions like “Do you sus-
pect that people are talking about
you?” Most aid have that feeling,
but one pretty girl replied, “I’m
OK. I can lip-read almost any-
body.”

He learned that they enjoy
movies and television; they like
being with “normal” people; they
suffer from a public tendency to
group all deaf nfiutes together: if
one is a poor worker, the factory
won’t hire any riiore; if one does
wrong, they’re all looked on with
suspicion. Katz concluded with a
[ terse, bright summary. Production
was fine except for too many full
screen closeups of the first sub-
ject. Half-hour was filled out with
another NFB short, somewhat
related. Bard.

SWAN BOAT

With Nelson Bragg, host; Polly
Huse, Cindy. Lord, Lindy Do-
herty, Jack Chase, Dick Kilbride;
Mike. DiNapoli, “Miss Nancy”
Producer-director; George Moyni-
han

60 Mins., Mon. thru Fri.; 9 a.m.
Participating
WBZ-TV, Boston
WBZ-TV’s most ambitious at-
tempt at local live-programming,
this hour long early morning cross-
the-board show, “Swan Boat,” was
launched Mon. (26) and judging
from its initial outing, appears
headed for a lorig successful cruise.
Aired at 9 a.m., on the heels, of
NBC network’s “Today,” it was a
bright, entertaining and informa-
tive sesh with enough variety
spotted throughout to garner a
hefty comer of the viewers who
are available at this time of day.

Emceed by homespun Nelson
Bragg, in his most casual manner,
the initialer included slick solo vo-
cal stints by Cindy Lord aud Linfiy
Doherty, who later teamed in a
sprightly duet; a couple of brief
household hints delivered by Polly
Huse, the station’s women’s com-
mentator; a five-minute segment of
news reports by Jack Chase; some
fancy ’88ing by Mike DiNapoli,
pianist with the w.k. Frank- Petty
Trio and a skit featuring character
actor Dick Kilbride as the typical
“Mr. Boston.” Also on hand to
christen the new show was Bob
Emery, the station's “Big' Brother,”
who introed a filmed cartoon. How-
ever, his was a one-shot appear-
ance, not a daily stint.

A gimmick that will undoubtedly
create an enthusiastic ' reaction
among the femme viewers was a
short segment in which a camera
was focussed on the cute nine-
month-old “Miss Nancy” while she
clambered around her playpen.
Current plans are to show the
youngster each day for several
months so that „ its femmes can
follow the various jstages ,of her
development.

Production-wise, the teeoff of
“Swan Boat” was topnotch, the sets
were imaginative arid the entire
segment Was neatly integrated, re-
flecting a great deal- of credit to
producer George Moynihan.

Elie.

BEBE SHOPPE SHOW
With Harry Zimmerman, others
Producer: Roy Newquist
Director: Norm Ostrovick
Writer: Newquist .

30 Mins.: Mon. thru Fri., 1 p.m.
Participating .

WTCN-TV, Minneapolis „ .

BeBe Shoppe is this city’s first
and only Miss America, onetime
Atlantic City pageant winner, ana
she not only boasts photogenic

beauty, more along the typical
wholesome girl lines rather than
those of the glamor queens, but

(Continued on page 30)

Wedne*d»rv Aagtwt 4, 1954

the seven top tunes from
Your Hit Parade Survey

Here are your Lucky 7 tunes that
you would have heard last Saturday
night, as determined by Your Hit
Parade Survey, Which checks the
best sellers in, sheet music and
phonograph records, the songs most
heard on the air and most played
on the automatic coin machines.

- -

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'fr

inas Mean a Lot

1. Li

2. Hernando’s Hideaway

3. Three Coins in the Fountain

4. The Little Shoemaker

5. Happy Wanderer

6. Hey, There

7. Sh-Boom

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28

RADIO-TELEVISION

V«dn«Jajr, Aogqst 4, 1954

N.Y. Times,

First the N. Y. Herald Tribune
some months ago and now, within
file past few weeks, the N. Y.
Times have given what indie radio,
operators in particular think is a
real smack in the chops to AM.
Both of the major dailies have
sliced their radio logs, leaving only
the four network stations in the
metropolitan area.

The recent' decision to axe sta-
tions, including WMCA,’ WINS,
WMGM, WNEW, WEVD, by the
Times, was motivated in large
measure by the need to save space.
According to Ted Bernstein, one
of the daily’s execs, about a column
and a half is saved daily, and with
the . “pri^e of newsprint $126 a
ton” he felt that it was a justified
saving/ Moreover, Bernstein stated,
most, of the material deleted was
“repetitious.”

George Kornish, exec editor of
the Tribune, echoed the belief that
material his paper cut out of the
radio logs a long time before the
Times move was also repetitious.
As he saw it, '"the idea is to give
something the reader doesn’t know
in advance.” He explained that
most of the programming carried
by N. Y.’s independent stations was
along the music and news line,
and it didn’t vary bat slightly from
day to day. The Tribune, unlike
the Times, has not cut .down oh
space by removing the major share
of the radio log, but instead has
filled up the space with more news
of television. Paper will carry
programming by indie radio sta-
tions, however, when it concerns
important stanzas.-

Harsh Words

The stations deleted by the Trib
and the Times have had harsh
words to say in the past few weeks.
Most of them feel very strongly
that radio is getting the short end
of the stick, that an invidious dis-
tinction has been drawn between
radio and video. (Radio men in
N. Y. have been using evciy thing
from ratings to the number of sets
in the market to prove that radio
is still of extensive interest.!

WNEW, for example, claims for
itself a radio audience second only,
at times, to WCBS, CBS key. With
this in mind, a station spokesman
declared that both papers were
being ‘‘entirely too selective," de-
priving the station’s large audi-
ence of easy program reference.

You Never Know

Columbus, Aug. 3.

Like a lot of other people,
disk jockey Maurice Jackson
who runs "Jackson’s Beat” on
WVKO here, has wondered if
the sight of Liberace wasn’t
what attracted people rather
than his pliano-playing. Last
Week he arranged a radio test
by playing records of Liberace
and Jesus Maria Sanroma ren-
dering the Grieg Concerto. He
didn’t name the artist in either
case and asked his listeners to
vote by telephone on which
rendition they liked the bet-
ter.

The Sanroma version left
Liberace holding a candelabra
with the Boston Pops-backed
pianist garnering 37 votes to
the Lib’s 10.

Another UHF Surrenders

Boston, Aug. 3.

E. Anthony and Sops, Inc.,' of
New Bedford, has notified the
FCC that it is surrendering its per-
mits previously granted them to
build UHF tv stations In Boston
and New Bedford.

Company, of which Basil Brew-
er, publisher of the New Bedford
Standard-Times, is the principal
owner, announced he would in-
stead, apply for tv channel 12 in
Providence, R. I.

From the Production Centres

IN NEW YORK >

G. W. (Johnny) Johnstone, NAM’s radio-tv director, and Wife on
lQ-d’ay Cape Cod vacation . . . Helen Fitzpatrick new GiH^Friday for
WNBQ production staff . . : Ruby Mercer, MBS commentatnSfcoff Sun-
day (1) on her first European trip, returning Sept. 15 . „ . Jop| Gray-
hurst, account exec at Ruthrauff & Ryan, back .at work after M auto
.accident bn Long island in which he was severely injured ... .V Wells
l Church, CBS news chief, sojourning with rod Ac reel on Long Island

rv - ‘ ' ~ - ' Winston Burdett

for two Weeks

Earnings (or ’54

An alRime record for sales of
products and services and a new
peak in earnings before Federal
income taxes were achieved by Ra-
dio Corp. of America in the first
six months of the year. The com-
pany hit $444,369,000 in gross rev-
enue in the first half of the year
or 89o higher than the previous
mark established in the first half
of 1953, according to RCA board
chairman David Sarnoff.

The corporation’s earnings , be-
fore Federal income taxes totalled
$39,603,000 in the same period. Af-
ter provision of $20,335,000 for
Federal Taxes, RCA net profit
amounted to $19,268,000 for the
first half of 1954 or an increase of
$1,083,000 (6%) over the corre-
sponding period of 1953. This is
equal to $1.26, per common share
against $1.18 earned per share in
the first half of last year.

The corporation also reported
alltime record volume of business
in the second quarter of this year,
or $217,760,000 as compared with

CIl f UDp news umei, bujuuntuig wahi jlw u

Bill Malcolm pow a staff director at WNBC . . . W
for Douglas Edwards oh "Wendy Warrenlk ’ News”

; S202. 679.000 in the second quarter
Bob Leder, boss at WINS, i la S t year or an 'increase of 79b.
that indie radio in N. Y. was as j ^his am0 unted to 60c a common

important as any programming the j s ft are compared with 57c in the
webs came up with, "besides net- ! second quarter of 1953.
works carry more music todaj than j q os j. pr0( j uc t s an( j serv ices

ever. They are only aping the in-
dies. Network shows are just as
‘repetitious’ as those of any indie.”

Jo Ranson, flack chief at WMGM,
looked to his own station and
maintained that its extensive

sold as well as other operating
costs amounted to $404,766,000 for
the first six months or an increase
of $32,889,000 over comparable pe-
riod last year. RCA paid out $1,
576,000 in preferred dividends in

.... ^ 4 J | | V I U|VVV VI m vvu WVTVWWIIM^ *11

sports schedule varies so widely j fi rs t h a ]£ 0 £ 1954 same as in

as to merit regular coverage in
both dailies. He said, “They talk
about ‘complete’ journalism. Why,
it’s about as jaundiced as possi-
ble.” Ranson, as with other sta-
tion men, vociferously maintained
that the two black-and-whiters have
been exceptionally unfair to radio.]
— and that the move by the Trib
and the Times to cut down log
size is indicative of the lack of
thought in appraising the value of !

1953. The corporation reported
14.031,016 shares of common stock
outstanding.

radio.”

Siding

with the indie stations

was the tabloid, the N. Y. Daily
Mirror, which with less space than
either the Tribune or Times, prints
about eight stations’ programs. A
spokesman for that paper said “we
feel it’s a good public service.”
He went on te say that people are
still interested in what they can
hear on radio.

To go one better, the N. Y. Daily

JAS. CARMINE NAMED
. NEW PHILCO PREXY

The Philco board of directors
named James H. Carmine new
: prexv of corporation. He has been
1 upped from exec veep, a post held
! since ’49, to replace William Bal-
derston who’s been made chairman
of the board.

The Carmine - appointment was
made Monday (3) and announced,
immediately before 1,200 Philco
distributors at a meeting in New
York.

Balderston, as board chairman,
will also be head of the policy

A plea for the division of
NARTB into distinct radio and
television, units was made by
Frank V. Webb, topper at KFH,
Wichita, Kans., to Hal Fellows,
NARTB helmsman. Appeal to Fel-
lows was a result of strong feel-
ings "about radio’s weakened posi-
tion” within NARTB.

In addition, to asking for a clean
split between radio and video
within NARTB, Webb ( suggested
that he would "like to see a
good, old-fashioned revival of ra-
dio selling sans Broadcast Adver-
tising Bureau.” He staid BAB "can-
not possibly hope to cope with the
problems which were handled by
the old National Assn, of Broad-
casters sales managers executive
committee.” • \

"When BAB was formed,” Webb
noted, "it seemed unwise to us at
the time for our trade assn, to
eliminate from the NARTB staff a
sales department headed by a prac-
tical, experienced radio sales man-
ager. Too many NARTB members
are not affiliated with BAB. Ra-
dio sales, and its manifold prob-
lems, should have a prominent
place on the agenda of the annual
radio .convention.”

Speaking further of the revival
Of the NAB sales managers exec
committee, Webb called for ap-
pointment of several subcommit-
tees to include: rate card, contract,
audience measurement, sales clinic
and sales promotion units.

Webb informed Fellows that
separation of the anni NARTB con-
vention into two ports, one dis-
tinctly radio, the other defined
clearly as video. He suggested
that the meetings of the two gropps
be separated by six months, "keep-
ing them as far removed from each
other as is humanly possible.” As
for the ’55 convention in Washing-*
ton, D. C., Webb called for radio
holding down three days alone,
followed by video for three days
(if complete division cannot be
made by then).

"If our annual convention in
1955 is to be held in conjunction
with a television convention, then
we predict a high mortality rate”
in NARTB, Webb said.

The KFH boss listed 1,455 AM
and FM radio stations as NARTB
members, and 256 tele stations.
Despite the imbalance, he said, the
“tail is wagging the dog,” television
dominates annual conventions*

subs __

and for Ned Caliber on CBS’ "World News Roundup” fob, a month
. . . CBS’ James Fassett to Fish Creek, Ephraim, Wis., Friday (6) to
air Peninsula Music Festival from that area and the following week
(13) to Brevard, N.C., for ninth annual music fest there . , . Kay Armen,
whose last WNBC show is tomorrow (Thurs.), presented her manager,
Jack Beekman, with diamond studded cufflinks after completion of
deal for the singer’s role in Metro pic, "Hit the. Deck” . . , Arthur Hep-
ner, CBS public affairs producer, to speak at American Studies. Pro-
gram for Foreign Students at Yale next week (12) . . . Harry Feeney,
CBS trade press editor, off to Narrowsburg-on-the-Delaware for an-
other week in the second lap of his three-week vacation.

Sam Faust, WMGM account exec, to Cincinnati upon death of his
mother . . . Biggest coverage in N.Y. area of arrival of the new Italo
luxury liner Christoforo Colombo was done by WOV, Italian-language
station. Outlet made repeated cut-ins on its 1QV£ half daily hours in that
tongue to give a blow-by-blow . , . Ziv has sold David Wayne in the
radio edition of "Mr. District Attorney” in 57 markets in the first
10 days of selling . . . Leon E. Kelly has taken over as program chief
at WEAV, Plattsburgh, N.Y. . . . Bill Kaland, WNEW program topper,
off on a two-week, vacation ... Lowell Frank has been given the pro-
gram directorship of the Liberace- radio series . . . Bernard London
to D’Arcy ad agency as producer in radio-tv section . . . Miller Brewing
will sponsor the Aug. 13 All-Star football game via Mutual . . . WHLI,
Hempstead, Long Island, observed its s'eventh anni recently . . . Broad-
cast advertising Bureau is rounding out plans for "Best Salesman of
the Month” contest . . . Zel deCyr resumes at WEVD with a juve
stanza once a week called "Bimbo & Zel.” Distaffer had a make-
believery show on the Gotham outlet some time ago . . . Helen Gerald,
cast for CBS "Crime Photographer”, tonight (Wed ), has just completed
a .principal role in the color film, "Mrs. Dobson’s Miracle,” made for
the Eye Bank for Sight Restoration.

/JV CHICAGO ...

ABC’s Don McNeill is playing host to a group of 80 Chicago boys
at his summer camp during the month of August . . . WGN-WGN-TV
general manager Frank P. Schreiber vacationing this month. Ditto
WBBM assistant g.m. E, H. (Ernie) Shomo who’s off on a two-week
hiatus . . . WMAQ-WNBQ program manager George. Heinemann chair-
ing the Friday (6) BMI clinic session . . . Butch Davis launched a mid-
day livestock market report on WGN for the Arcady Farms Milling
Co. . . . Chi Mutual vacationers include topper Carroll Marts who’s
trekked to Canada and account exec Mel. Goodrode off to Estes Park
. . . Jill Corey, recently featured on Dave Garroway’s NBC-TV Friday
night show, subbing this week for vacationing Eileen Parker on ABC’s
"Breakfast Club” simulcast . . . WLS’s Martha Crane named vice-
chairman of the 1955 national convention of American Women in
Radio-TV to be held here next May ... ABC commentator Paul Harvey
addressed the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Philadelphia
Monday (2) . . . Mutual sales veep Ade Hult a Chi stopover visitor . . .
Mary Karr of the NBC press department vacationing last week, " '

IN SAN FRANCISCO . . .

Ella Raines in town and hosted at a press party by KRON-TV . . ,
Red Blanchard, KCBS teenage rage, had his .first Columbia disk re-
leased last week . . . Dwight Newton, Examiner radio ed, off on vacation
but still filed story covering the forest fire near his Ben Lomand
summer home . . , Berkeley FM station KPFA offered Sen. Wiley
airtime to give his reasons for supporting the proposed FCC "loyalty
oath” . . . Nikki Kaye, just returned from two years in Southeast Asia
where she did a news program on Armed Forces Radio, now handling
publicity for the Salvation Army locally . . . KSAN-TV debuted a
half-hour variety show starring Lucille Lando on Wednesdays follow-
ing the Seals baseball game . . . New Faces at KOVR, Stockton tv
station, include Ed Lawrence, the voice, of "Old Prospector” and a
vet of "March of Time” who will do a kids comics program; Milo J.
Hawley, former director of photography at WXYZ, now head of the
KOVR photography depajtment; Bob Lange, formerly with WREX-TV,
Rockford, 111. now KOVR production director; and Wood! Fisher, Bay
Area commercial artist, now KOVR art director . , , Wanda Ramey,
KGO-TV interviewer, snagged Mrs. Syngman Rhee for the latter’s
only tv appearance during her visit to the states. Show was filmed
July 31 for screening on Aug. 15.

Mirror is mulling plans to add two 1 committee. President since ’48, he
more pages to the radio and tv | replaces James T. Buckley, who
section in September. The Mirror

spokesman said that included more
space for radio logs. Other papers
in N.Y. have neither increased nor
decreased listings.

John Gary to BBC

Omaha, Aug. 3.

. John Gary, featured singer at the
El Patio Ballroom at Denver’s
Lakeside amusement park this
summer, last week sighed for a
radio and tv series for BBC, to be-
gin this fall.

Gary and his manager, Robert
MacGimsey, leave for London in
September.

declined reelection.

Earlier, in Philadelphia, four
men who had previously been
Philco veepees, alone were named
to the company’s board of direc-
tors. It was done at the anni stock-
holders meeting on July 28 at
which time the total board mem-
bership was increased from 17 to
21. The new boardT members took
part in the Carmine decision.

Those elected were: Raymond B.
George, y.p., merchandising; Fred-
erick D." Ogilby, v.p. and general
manager, television division; Sam-
uel N. Regenstri/ef, v.p. manufac-
turing, appliance division, and
t Raymond A- Rich, v.p. and genera)
i manager of the appliance division.

TRENDLE-CAMPBELL’S
WTAC SALE AT 287G

Flint* Mich., Aug. 3.

WTAC has been sold for a con-
sideration of $287,000 to Radio
Hawaii, Inc., by Trendle-Campbell
Broadcasting Corp. New owner-
ship of the Flint radio station is
subject to approval of the FCC.

Deal was negotiated for Radio
Hawaii, operating KPOA, Hono-
lulu, by Allen Kander, Washington,
D. C.. radio and tv. broker. Radio
Hawaii is a wholly-owned subsidi-
ary of Tele-Trip Policy Co., N. Y.
John R. McKinley, station manager
of WTAC, is being named general
manager of -the station, and is
marked for a veepee post with
Radio Hawaii.

Sale of WTAC is the second time
this week that a Trendle-Campbell
interest "has changed hands. ( See
other story for sale of Lone
Ranger Inc. by Trendle-Campbell-
Meurer.)

Pine Bluff, Ark.— -John Fugate,
former manager of KRTV, Little
Rock UHF station which has dis-
pensed operation to link with
KATV, Pine Bluff’s VHF Station
on Channel 7, has now been named
general manager of the combined
operation.

IN MINNEAPOLIS ...

Dick Hance, chief of KSTP-TV photo department, to address Press
Photographers Association national convention’s two-day course in
press photography,. Aug. 30-31, on "Local tv Coverage” . . . Ralph
M.offatt, one of Twin Cities’ top disk jockeys, inked for new WTCN
radio late Saturday night show, "MOffatt’s Music” . . . KSTP producers
and directors claim to have originated industry expressions, "idiot
sheets” and "goof boards,” gaining national popularity and referring
to large cue boards from which announcers and talent, unable to
remember their lines, read them . . . KSTP-TV boasting postal cards
and letters from viewers as far away as Boston, Mass., and Chalmette,
La., who say they’re receiving its video . ... Winners of the 4-H Club
Highway Safety Essay contests sponsored by WCCO radio in 145
Northwest counties now* appearing daily on the station's noontime
"Good Neighbor Time” show . ... Excelsior Amusement Co. to enter-,
tain Twin Cities' tv and radio staffers Aug. 10 who'll have the run
of. Ihe park after a chicken dinner and assorted beverages . . . Rep.
Larry Haeg, WCCO radio general manager, not seeking reelection to
state legislature, In which he has held membership several terms.
It’s because of press of business duties that he can’t continue to serve,
he explained.

IN PHILADELPHIA ...

John Kelly, former announcer at WPEN, is chief inspector for the
Criminal Investigation Department of the Philadelphia Police Bureau
. . Fned Harper, program operations manager for KYW, has arranged
for complete news coverage of the Veterans of Foreign Wars National
convention which is expected to attract 75,000 visitors to city. Station
will also beam much of the travel tips and road condition bulletins
to motoring vets . . . Rev. Dr. Stanley Kiehl, pastor of Woodland
Presbyterian Church, and WFIJL-TV * were presented citations by the
Philadelphia Council of Churches. Presentation was made during 100th
weekly telecast of Dr. Klehl's "Stories Retold” (Aug. 1). Jack Steck,
program directcor of WFJL-TV, received for station . . . Ralph Collier
is writing and producing "Cinderella Week-end” for WCAU (Aug.
2-20) while regular producer Joh^ Paul Jones is on vacation . . . Jack

(Continued on page 30) ‘

Wednesday Angwlt .4, \954

umiEff

“the most remarkable cooking program on TV”

m

Available Monday August 30, 1954

on the

BEST TWO STATION
BUY IN THE COUNTRY!

WABC'TV

NEW YORK

11:00 • 11:55 a.m., EDI

WBKB

CHICAGO

10:00 - 10:55 a m., COT

* * * * *

CREATIVE COOKERY, which has been de-
lighting television audiences since June
4, 1951, is video's most remarkable cook-
ing program. It is a fascinating ' school
of art devoted entirely to the selection,
preparation and service of incredibly
good-tasting and invitingly beautiful food.
Viewers of this program benefit from
Francois Pope's 2 5~ years of directing the
. nationally famous Antoinette Pope school
of Fancy Cookery, which today ranks
as America's largest and finest "cooking
school with thousands of graduates and
classes booked full from semester to
semester.

NO WONDER CREATIVE COOKERY HAS
WON 5 TV GUIDE AWARDS IN 3 YEARS
AND HAS BEEN ACCLAIMED BY CHI-
CAGO TV CRITICS AS THE OUTSTAND-
ING PROGRAM OF ITS KIND ! !

e * .0 r ~W ¥

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v:*r'sx.,£.

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*****

CREATIVE COOKERY is conducted by
Francois Pope, director of the nationally
famous Antoinette Pops School of Fancy
Cookery: He is ably assisted by his two
sons, Frank and Robert Pope, instructors
at the school. The Popes are the fore*
most family in the world in the teaching
of fancy and creative cooking. Their
methods of teaching are as refreshingly
original and inviting as their recipes.
Approximately 100,000 copies of the
Popes' Fancy Cookery Cookbook, pub-
lished by 'the MacMillan Company and
containing many original creations, have
been sold during the past 2 years.

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Aojgnsl 4, 1954

Tele Followup Comment

Continued from page Zt

she also possesses a knack for mat-
ing friends over the airwaves. Her
winning ways, naturalness and lack
of affectation, percolating into liv-
ing rooms, should enlist followers.

In this afternoon show designed
for femme consumption, she is
likely to effect entrance into many
homes and help make sales for her
sponsors. Because she’s so gopd to
look at and meet shadowise even
* males might find it worth while to
sneak away from their labors to
tune in if they have tv sets handy.

A talented musician as well as
easy on the optics, Miss Shoppe
has had experience as a nitery per-
former imd the poise and show-
manship acquired thusly are in evj'
dence before the camera so that
she seems a natural in her present
assignment. She’s fluent and ex-
presses herself easily and well and
the commercials don’t suffer at her
hands.

Harry Zimmerman, also on the
show, contributes a bit of accept-
able comedy and tosses in a few
helpful hints for housewives on his
own. In a pleasant vein, the star,)
philosophizes lightly, offers sugges-
tions for improving the home and
making household chores less diffi-
cult and introduces and interviews'
guests. • Rees,

DEL COURTNEY SHOW

With Ralph Manza, Elmo Tanner,

Pee Wee Hunt orch
Producer: Marcia Kramer
Director: Forrester Mashbir
30 Mins, Sun., 4 p.m.

KPIX, Saii Francisco

Del Courtney, a Frisco standard
tv personality has revised the
format of his Sunday show to
feature music and musical groups
appearing in the Bay Area. In
recent weeks his featured musi-
cians have included Turk Murphy’s
Jazz Band, Buddy De Franco’s,
Quartet and Bob Scobey’s Dixie-
land Band. The accent has been
on jazz, but it is not exclusively
a jazz show as the first of the
guests on the stanza caught indi-
cates.

Courtney, who has developed
Into a smooth emcee with a fine
Informal manner, depends heavily
on his personal . background as a
bandleader and recording artist to

chat with his visitors. He remi-
nisces about when and where he
first saw the guests and in general
sets an at-ease chatty tone. Show
uses two sets, camera passing from
one to the other as Courtney sets
up interviews. Elmo Tanner, vet
whistling act, came on in a cute
bit imitating birds giving Ralph
Manza, Courtney’s assistant and a
solid mugger, a chance to play his
Italo-American character of Tony
to the hilt in searching for the non-
existent bird. Tanner, after chat
with Courtney did a number he's
currently featuring in night club
acts, “Whistling Paper Boy/’ to
good effect. Scenery in this set is
Courtney’s patio, informal and
effective.

Pee Wee Hunt band was set as
at a rehearsal with Courtney drop-
ping in, running over Hunt's past
history with the Casa Loma 'band
and providing the cue for a group
of Hunt’s record hits.

Net effect of the show is a
bright, entertaining half-hour
replete with plugs for local ap-
pearances and offering the at-home
audience a good look at the talent
appearing in the area. Since the
show leans so heavily on visiting
guests it Will be necessary for
Cpurtney to stretch some to fill in
on slack weeks, but it should con-
tinue as a solid Sunday half hour
since Frisco has a steady run of
visiting talent. . Rafe.

that’s the

GROUP

— *

WLW

Radio

WLW-A

Atlanta

WIiW-C

Columbus .

WLWS

Dayton

WLW-T

Cincinnati

— .■M-.'.'.M-.

AFTRA

Continued from .page 21

the number of included rehearsal
and an increase in rehearsal rates.

The reported coming demand for
an increase in staff announcer base
pay would mean a jump in the
minimum to $165, except in Chi-
cago where the unit system would
lift it to $180.

Changes in conditions of work
would include longer and more
frequent rest periods during re-
hearsals, earlier delivery of scripts,
wardrobe fitting time, etc. Of the
miscellaneous demands, 'the one
commanding the strongest support
was for better identification of per-
formers by pairing their names
with the names of the persons
portrayed and for a slowdown
when credit lists are rplled on tv,
with no superimposing of the
sponsor’s name, etc.

Labor Thru The Night

The convention adopted two
resolutions and sept two others to
the national board for further con-
sideration during the Saturday-
Sunday marathon which began at
5 p.m, Saturday, adjourning at 7
p.m., and then going nonstop from
9.30 p.m, Saturday to 2:30 p.m.
Sunday.

One of the adopted resolutions
asked that national negotiators
“consider the requirements” of
Washington and Cleveland locals,
where stations are o&o in all or
in part by NBC, DuMont and CBS,
and whose negotiations will be
concurrent with network code
talks. The national negotiators
were asked to “use all possible
power, influence and action in

negotiations with the networks to
give aid to the Washington and
Cleveland locals in achieving their
objectives,” including authorizing
action if necessary to “withhold
the services 'of AFTRA performers
on the networks.”

The other adopted resolution
approved appointment in each
local of a committee to suggest
means to augment work already
started by the legal advisers of the
national organization. “It might
etffen find it advisable to join forces
with Actor’s Equity, and SAG,
AGMA and AGVA and hire paid
lobbyists to acquaint our senators
and representatives with our situa-
tion which might be comparable
to others who already have legisla-
tive relief from tax burdens.”

Sent to the national board for
consideration was a request for the
board to hold its preconvention
meeting on the morning of the
first day of the convention; and
that in years when codes are to be
negotiated the national office
should notify locals six weeks in
advance so that local caucuses can
report recommendations to the na-
tional office three weeks prior to
the convention and that copies of
these proposals be sent to all locals
two weeks before conventions..

A resolution calling for elimina-
tion of the Friday night social
gathering because it is too ex-
pensive was defeated, probably be-
cause of what happened in Detroit
this year,’ The Chrysler Corp.
picked up the check for a sumptu-
ous buffet supper and cocktail
party, Ernie Winstanley, Detroit
local prexy, was given an ovation
for arranging the party.

Another resolution proposing a
biennial, instead of annual conven-
tion, was defeated. Next year’s
meeting willHbe held in Seattle.

From the Production Centres

Continued from page 28

( ;

y.j;-

W" V>.

NBG-TV’s Spec

Continued from page 1 ;

most important markets in the U.S.
is something that’s bothering us.”

Coast Affils In ‘Spec* Gripes
San Francisco, Aug. 3.

NBC’s projected color spectacu-
lar series this fall is running into
some rumbling from the West
Coast affiliates of the net.

At a recent meeting here,* the 11
West Coast tv stations tied in with
NBC discussed the problem with
John West, NBC West Coast vee-
pee; Allen Courtney, NBC tv sta-
tion relations division from New
York and Haul Gale, West Coast
traffic manager.

The trouble' is simple. NBC
plans 90-minute color spectaculars
every fourth week. The three-hour
time differential will put it on the
screen here at a time usually sold
locally which wili mean clearing
out the time every fourth week.

hat the coast affiliates want is
..ve programming in that segment
when the spectacular is hot on, al-
lowing them to work out their com-
mercial schedules without denting
their client relations.

NBC television affiliates have or-
ganized into a group with Harold
P. See of KRON-TV as chairman
for a year and William Warren
KOMO-TV, Seattle, as vice-chair-
man.

Valentine, cowboy tv songster, starts an early morning radio show on
WCAU next month, titled “Country Style.” Program, transcribed for
5:30 a.m. airing, will feature live songs by star as well as records . . .
Station WIP hay again launched its twice daily (12;30Snd6p.m.)
pollen count for bay fever sufferers. City health department* supplies
the data. '

• • t*i **-

IN CLEVELAND . . /

Vivien Ives leaves WT AM traffic post for Texas andvyilT suc-
ceeded by Dorothy Rinard now with Fuller, Smith & Rossu . . WaEL’s
A lice Weston returned to cooking chores §nd John Dempsey returns
to education duties , . , TV sets in this area now total 1,039,216 .. .
WGAR sponsors a train to Columbus for “Northern Ohio -Day” at
state fair . . , Fisher Foods picked up 17-week tab of “Brown’s -Quarter-
back Club” with Coach Paul Brown on the WXEL mike behind pho-
tographer John Borza's work . Sears latched onto WT AM noon
news segment . . . Ray Eberle hosts WNBK’S 11:15 p.m. Custom Inn
while Glenn Rowell is on vacation . . . Gold Bond Beer picked yp
Grandview and Randall Park gee-gees on weekly half-hour WNBK
stint . . . WEOL’s Kenny Vincent tagged best disker in Lorain-Elyria
in recent contest . . , Adventures in Engineering and Science stays
on for summer WNBK Sunday afternoon run with Cleveland Industry
sponsoring. t *

IN PITTSBURGH . . .

Beckley Smith, Sr., and his wife, to Lyons Head, Georgian Bay, for
a vacation and Backley Smith, Jr., Is taking over his pop’s newscasts
... . Art Brown, WENS announcer, drove to Palo Alto, Calif.? to bring
the family back. His wife and children have been summering there
with Mrs. Brown’s parents . . • Silvia Sconza Schmidt, organist on
“Happy.’s Party” on Channel 2, to Europe for a month to take in
the music festivals and Johnny Costa is filling in for her . / ✓Linda
Campbell has rejoined WWSW in the continuity department, taking
back the job she vacated last fall to finish her senior year at Penn
State . . . Bob Dickey, the “Finest Fifty” dee jay on WJAS, and his
wife have dated the stork for fall . . . KQV staff will hold its annual
picnic at South Park on Aug. 21 . . . Ed Wegener, program manager
of WQED, and his wife back to their home town of Alexandria, Minn.,
for a vacation . . . Tommy Riggs and his wife, Noel, are home again
after several months in Chicago and may stick around permanently
if some radio or tv work turns up.

in boston ...

James Lynch, former sales manager for Decca Records and Kelton
Hi-Fi, has joined WVDA as account executive . , . Hank . Elliot has
ankled the WMEX staff to join WORL as news director . ; . June
survey shows that tv sets in Hub coverage area now number 1,191,000.
This is an increase of 4,771 sets since previous survey . . . Gus Saunders,
Yankee Network staffer, is subbing for vacationing Louise Morgan on
her daily noontime tver, “Shopping Vues” ... Norm Nathan, former
WMEX staff announcer, has joined the WHDH staff.

— : f ... - l ====k

Inside Stuff— Radio-TV

a A’ decision by the American Aribtration Assn, in New York has
resulted in the reinstatement of three scribblers in staff jobs with
RCA Thesaurus. Under terms of the ruling/each of the three will
| he paid salaries retroactive to Feb. 15, ’54, and they will regain seniority
and Other benefits.

Ruling was made on the basis of a *53 contract between RWG and
NBC, to which the three Thesaurus writers reported for work. Through
the web, the transcription firm booted Geraldine Merken, Tom Langan
and Frances Rickett in February, and substituted for regular staff
jobs a freelance arrangement. The latter setup allegedly reduced
each’s earnings weekly by some $50 and eliminated employment fringe
benefits..

Sales Offices: New York , Cincinnati ,
Dtyton.tCQlumbu** AtUtnt^ CAk^d i thfc jtfeek.

Morgan, the sad-eyed tv and pic basset hound with the Buster
Keaton . expression, has become the inspiration for a full line of toys
and novelties to be put out by Bantam U.S. Toys, Inc,, of New York.
Pooch’s owner, Richard Gordon Jr., signed a contract which calls ini-
tially for a foam rubber image of Morgan that barks when its nose
is squeezed. Other Morgan items are being readied. Canine is cur-
rently involved in a scene in the Martin & Lewis starrer, “Living
It Up.”

On Aug, 15 CBS Radio’s “World Music Festivals” will air nine
excerpts from “Hamlet” as presented by England’s Old Vic Co. at
Elsinore. Recordings were made by James Fassett, program producer,
at the opening night, part of the 1954 Danish Royal Festival, in June.
Hamlet role is by Richard Burton “The RObe” pic, “Lady’s Not for
Burning” legiter), with Claire Bloom playing Ophelia, Fay Compton
the Queen and Michael Holdern enacting Poldnius.

Report of a couple of weeks ago that 44 members of the disbanded
NBC Symphony were switching to ABC, to be part of a symphonic
setup at the rival network* was.declared a dead issue by official sources

CINCY’S MEDIC SERIES
IN WLW-T KICKOFF

Cincinnati, Aug. 3.
“Let There Be Life,” a weekly
series of 10 half-hour programs
originating on WLW-T is de-
signed to familiarize viewers with
modern strides in medical care and
surgery. Presented on Mondays at
7 p.m. and fed to WLW-D, Dayton,
a link in Crosley’s Ohio tri-city
Video web. .

Staffers Frank Hart, writer, and
Nort Locke, producer, worked un-
der Cincinnati Academy of Medi-
cine supervision on research and
readying of series which also bears
approval of Montgomery County
Medical Society, Dayton. Blue
Cross ' Hospital Care is the sponsor.

i /

r: r, ) t t.i • /

Kay Kyser

Continued from page 21

lieved the most recent commercial
station manager approached by
Kyser, said that the ex-performer
felt, however, that using top rated
commercial shows was the most
realistic approach to building an
audience. Omission of commercials
themselves is obviously a conces-
sion to educational station restric-
tions.

In return for sanction of com-
mercial stations, Kyser offered
them free programming. Campbell
said that the implication was made
that some of that free program-
ming supplied by the U. of N. C.
might include their football games,
considered a plus by most stations
in the state. Kyser’s idea in hitting
the local operators is that he felt
without their okay he’d never get
a rise out of the networks. It’s been
said that various vidpix distribu-
tors, Ziv among them, are among
those to be approached by the
school for shows.

The college station, due on the
air shortlyMs WUNC-TV, in Chapel
Hill. (It’s a U.l

Campbell disclosed the Kyser
plan .at a broadcast Music, Inc.
television clinic held in New York
yesterday (Tues.) and Monday. The
most immediate reaction was that
of Claire McCullough, station oper-
ator and a brairistruster in NARTB,
who said that commercial tele-
casters should take a stand against
suggestions like that made by
Kyser, He said educational televi*
sion is in direct competition.

m

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New York,

Jol^n !bpyi« and Mike O’Dowd

tapped .^^ITelltale Oltfe” . *

Helene Patkert commerciat T Place-

ment: Benny GranvHIe on Lilt in
Brighter Day/’ Nancy Reynolds
on Noxzema for* “News of Day
and renewed on “It’s News, to Me,”
Barbara Hareh. and Susan Harris
on Amm-i-deht for “Danger,” Noel
Mills plugging Hoffman Beverage
on “Children’s Hour” and Rose-
mary Prinz, back from strawhatter
with Gene Raymond in Maine, do-
ing Black flag on “Secret Storni”
and “Love of Life” . . . Eva Ger-
son and Edgar Franken cast for
"U S. Steel Hour” in “Oberstrasse
> 49 >» . . WNBT travelers: Kenneth

Banghart to Cape Cod; H. V. Kal-
tenborn touring world's trouble
spots arid currently in Paris* John
O'Keefe vacationing on Long Island
and Washington, D. C.; Skitch
Henderson to Baltimore today
(Wed.) to judge city-wide music
competition; Evelyn Dybwad, sales
aide, transferred to KNBC in Fris-
co her hometown . .. ..Tenor Bob
Whalen guesting on Garry Moore's
CBS show today (Wed,) . . . Bill
Cullen to replace Bert Parks on
ABC's “Break the Bank” as Parks
vacations for stanzas of Aug. 22,
29 and Sept. 5 . . . Adele Newton
to appear on Kraft “TV Theatre”
(NBC) tonight (Wed.) in “The
Happy Touch," starring ZaSu Pitts
Jerry Heilman to work on
writer procurement and program
development -for' Talent Associates
under copartners A1 Levy and
David Susskind . . . Jim Hurbert,
special projects supervisor for
WNBT-WNBC, now asst, director
on tv end . . » CBS “Person to
Person "parade: Coproducer John
Aaron vacationing : at Atlantic
Beach with family while pard Jesse
Zousmer spends his off weeks do-
ing odd chores ardund his new
Sands Point home; remote director
Bob Sammon headed for the Thou-
sand Islands with family; associate
ed David Moore working with Irv-

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1 f v l t

ing Gitlin on one of the latter’s
“The Search’’ projects; remote di-
rector Charles N. Hill down with
the mumps at his Hartsdale home
—he caught "’em from his .two
daughters, Melissa and Pamela . \ .
Maine Liners: Doug Edwards and
family off to the Boothbay Harbor
region, with WCBS-TV's Bob Full-
er just back from there. Also in
that neighborhood during July
were newsman Harry Marble and
his frau, spotted by Variety mugg
Leonard Traube’ on the main drag
of Damariscotta, and John Horn of
“Person to Person” staff. Headed
for North Edgecomb next week is
Bob Stahl, N v Y, ed of TV Guide.
Other Maine vacationeers this sum-
mer include John Derr, the CBS
(Radio) sports chief, cartoonist R.
B. Fuller (he draws “Okay poakes”
and is Bob Fuller’s father) and
composer Eugene Weigel (“Prairie
Symphony," etc>, who’s on musical
Guggenheim fellowship leave from
U. of Illinois.

Norris & Siegel have opened ad
agency . office. Dave Siegel, firm
topper, picked up old employer,
Sterling Television, as first ac-
count.- . . , Tom Flynn into flack
post at Allen B. DuMont labs. . . .
Red Grange to handle color back-
ground on Aug. 13 All-Star game
via DuMont. . . , Today (Wed.),
NBC-TV's “Home” show to feature
film sequences made at the Herald
Tribune’s Fresh Air Fund camp in
upstate New York. . . . Chris
Schenkel to handle all play-by-play
for N. Y. Giant football away-
games. ... Constance Collins was
upped to administrative assistant
and Bob Bloch to account exec by
Dine & Kalmus flackery. • . . Cloris
Leachman set to sub for Lily
Lodge Friday (6) on “Mah In Your
Life.” Miss Lodge, doing summer
stock, left her WOR-TV telecast
for a couple of days. . . Leon

Kafka, ex-Dave Alber pub rela-
tions man, opening his own shop
shortly. . . . Max Liebman inked
Johnny Kirby to a video contract.
. . . Phil Bernstein, ABC’s column
editor, off to Fire Island for a fort-
night. . . . Castleman Chesley,
former * assistant athletic director
at U. of Pennsylvania, made ABC-
TV program coordinator. Will be
chiefly responsible for holding to-
gether NCAA sports events.

Chicago s

Howard Goldberg, fresh out of
Northwestern U, v added to the
WBBM-TV. writing stable ... Lat-
est Electric Assn, survey showed
13,903 tv sets installed in June,
bringing the Chi-area total to 1,-
682,303 . . . Hudson dealer Jim
Moran renewed his Friday night
“Courtesy Hour” musical-variety
show for its fifth year oh WBKB
. . . Claude Travers of the NBC-TV
color corps addressed the windup
banquet of the NBC-Northwestern
summer institute Friday night (30)
... June Bentley hostinjg a cross-
the*board hour-long late-evening
interview show on WICS, Spring-
field . . . WBBM-TV exec, producer
Les Weinrott vacationing on Cape
Cod . . , Frank Sweeney spieling
the Oklahoma Heating blurbs on
Tom Duggan’s 11:15 p.m. WBKB
strip . . . WBBM-TV education di-
rector Virginia Renaud guestspoke
at the Catholic “Audio-Visual Edu-
cation convention here yesterday
(Tues.) . . . Singer Mimi Benzell
and Chi Sox manager Paul Rich-
ards guesting on WNBQ’s “It’s a
Curious Thing” panel tomorrow
night (Thurs.) . . . Nell Clarke into
cast of NBC-TV’s “A Time to Live”
. . . Phillip Lewis, head of Chicago
Teachers College education depart-
ment, and Dinny Bruce Co-featured
on WBBM’s-TV’s “Here How”
which bows Sunday (8).

Amos Baron’s Switch

v Hollywood, Aug. 3.

Amos Baron, manager of ABC’S
owned and operated radio station
here, has been moved over to ..the
management of the net’s o & o tv
station, KABC-TV. He succeeds.
Frank King, resigned.. John Han-
son, with the net’s KGO in Frisco,
becomes manager of the radio out-
let."

‘ Ken Craig, recently with CBS
radio here as director of business
affairs, was: named program direc-
tor in Hollywood for the ABC-TV
network, replacing Jim Beach.
Craig lias had long experience in
radio and tv with agencies and
networks ini the east.

HappyTalfc .

NBC has a potentially lush
byproduct within its radio
sphere in the Sunday night
“Conversation.” Why not an ;
- album or some fat manuscript
between covers— or both? Sun-
day’s (1) palaver turned neatly
on the private, personal Uto-
pias of guests Pat Weaver, the
web’s prexy; Jacques Barztin,
author and prof of history at
Columbia U., and playwright
Marc Connelly, with Clifton
Fadiman • in the s usual .host
post. f\

It was a neat editing job,
though sOme • of the conversa-
tion pieces got a bit oift of
hand into the super-intellec-
tual stratosphere. Nonetheless,
Fadiman managed to get the
trio back on the track and the
half-hour session was as stim-
ulating an IQ pitch as there
exists in all of radio. Many , an
intent listener must have been
so struck by the high quality
of the roundtable verbiage as
to make a private wish that
reprints or waxed reports of
each stanza be made available
at a price. Tran.

GEORGE HAMILTON COMBS
Producer: Don Coe
15 Mins., Sun., 10:15 p.m.

ABC, from New York

In addition to his multiplicity of
radio-tv chores, George Hamilton
Combs is on a summer pihchhit-
ting kick for . the ailing Elmer
Davis on Sunday nights. Leave it
to Combs to put those acidulous
touches .into his text whenever
anything in world or domestic di-
meris-^n .(

ing the - incidents in our 'foreign
and home affairs as they unfold
from day to day, the veteran com-
mentator has plenty of ammuni-
tion- with which to sound off. Arid
sound off . he does with an ap-
proach that- scarcely pulls any
punches and has the virtue of let-
ting a listener know where the
analyst stands.

It doesn’t matter one whit what
side of the political fence a dialer
is on — Combs is in there pitching
with those crisp words that are
certain to make a listener reflect
on the what-goes around the globe.

Trau.

IV Soap Audience

Continued from page 23

put five installments of “Heart of
Julia Jones” on film and the re-
sults were acclaimed by the soap-
makers. The quality was said to
have shown vast improvement over
live shows.

It may come as a surprise to
tradesmen but the tv audience for
soap operas is now greater than that
of radio, according to P&G re-
searches, considered the best sam-
plers in the business. “Search For
Tomorrow,” one of the leaders, has
a greater audience than “I Love
Lucy” in its five-a-vveek exposure.

"Regardless of what people may
think,” said Craig, “it’s definitely
not the same audience every day.
Our records show that one woman
will see a certain serial only six
times a month, which is one of the
reasons why the story unfolds so
slowly.

Craig is now shopping for an-
other night time show on tv for
next season to promote two new T
P&G products. He took off over
the weekend for two-week auto
junket along the coast.

Welfare, Pension

Continued from page 21

Omaha-— Starr Yelland last week
was named director of sports and
special projects for KLZ and
KLZ-TV, Denver. Yelland recently
resigned from ,KQA„ Denyer, where
ne had. been, a. staff - announcer, for
14 years.

cal of this field It appears nearly
impossible for the individual to
make adequate provision for his
years of retirement, and since
there is a multiplicity of employ-
ers, who are not all large and
stable and able .themselves to es-
tablish plans even if there were
the long-continuing employee-em-
ployer relationship which in most
cases permits establishment of in-
dividual company pension plans.”

The Segal firm’s report stated:
“Because of the diversity of em-
ploying units and because of em-
ployment turnover, it is not a sit-
uation in which employers can be
expected to establish a pattern
which AFTRA can then seek to im-
prove.

“It is, rather, a case in which a
vacuum will exist where the only
practical and effective answer will
take the form of an industry-wide
pension fund and where that an-
swer can be made a reality only by
that., uniformity ,of. action in the
industry which AFTRA negotia
lions can secure.”

MILADY TIME
With Jaekie Ford ,

60 Mins.; Mon.-Fri. 11 *,m.
Participating. -
KSAN, San Francisco

Aimed at the hoinelistening au-
dience among the large Bajr Area
Negro population, this combination
disk jockey-women’s interest show
is emceed by a brisk-talking, alert
young gal, Jackie Ford,

The show uses rhythm and blues
records, culled front the current
hit parade and occasionally varied
with a good oldie (a 1927 Duke
Ellington platter resulted in 25
phone calls after the show). In be-
tween' disks, Miss Ford chats with
guests of interest to the Negro
housewife and gives with home-
making hints, fashion news, reci-
pes, etc. v

When dialed (28) two guests,
Gertrude Wheeler of a charm
school, and Josephine Humphries,
a fashion model, were interviewed.
Miss Ford is a topnotch interview-
er, handling guests and questions
deftly. She has a warm, friendly’
personality, a good knowledge of
music and chats knowingly about
the records she' spins. This show,
only one of its kind currently aired
here, has only been on in this for-
mat a few weeks arid should build
into a solid commercial package.

Raje.

MUSICAL YEAR BOOK

With Paul Flanagan v

15 Mins.: Mon.-thru-Fri., 5:30 p.m.

W. A. CASE & SON

WTRY, Troy

Paul Flanagan turns back the
pages to recorded musical hits of
bygone days and other generations,
on scripted program of small cost
but smooth presentation — for
Norge products. A brief commen-
tary sets the background of the
year in which the number clicked.
Ten-year leaps are sometimes
made: 1909, 1919, 1929, 1939, on
the last show caught. The previous
day, Franz Lehar’s tunes were
highlighted. An unnamed orches-
tra plays and unidentified vocalists
sing. ~

Overall, the numbers sound
more melodious than the current
crop, Which . i$ a listening plus.

A minus is the fact .the selections
seem to be given more instrumental
than vocal treatment. The two
could combine oftener. Show pre-
sumably holds greatest appeal for
older dialers, who * are potential
buyers of the merchandise adver-
tised. Flanagan handles the intro-
ductions well and does the spieling
competently. Jaco.

WGAR’s Grid Melon

Cleveland, Aug. 3.

Cleveland Browns pro grid
games will.be carried over WGAR '
this season under sponsorship of
Carlings. Last year’s games were j
carried by WTAM. * ;

Bill McColgan will do the play- ;
by-play in the 17-game schedule
with Ken Coleman doing color :
during the pre-seasori and Bill ;
Mayer during regular schedule. '
Coleman who did the radio play-
by-play last year takes over WXEL
out-of-tdwn Browns’ stints assisted
hy John Fitzgerald on color. ;
McColgan was last year’s video j
play-by-play announcer. ‘

LISTEN TO THE WITNESS
With* Pauline Frederick, guests
Producer:* Wade Arnold
3Q Mins.; Sun M 1 p.m. *

NBC, from N. Y.

“Listen To the Witness” could
possibly be an informative and
dramatic airer. It wasn’t on opener
Sunday (1). Premise of the show is
to offer listeners eyewitness ac-
counts of life behind the Iron and _
Bamboo Curtains, Reports are
given by escapees from those lo-
cales. via a . question and answer
session with interviewer Pauline
Frederick. A major fault on preem
was show’s complete lack of spon-
taneity. Proceedings had the air of
being scripted, with interviewee,
tossing off such* lines as “I threw *
caution to the wind” and “the news
of his murder sounded like a clap
of thunder.”

Off-the-cuff answers to queries
would undoubtedly result in more
interesting sessions and enhance
the “I was there” status of those
being interrogated. Also, the prob-
ability of registering emotional
impact would be heightened. A
Russian engineer, and a former po-
lice commissioner in Manchuria
guested on kickoff stanza, Informa-
tion rendered by theiri impressed
as being, of a routine nature, with
the apparent pre-broadcast map-
ping out the questions and answers
leaving program completely void of
any shading in what added up to
out-and-out anti-Communist propa-
gandizing. .

Airer wound up with a pitch to
dialers to submit any suggestions
they might have as to how the
emigrees from Red domination,
who appear on the show. Can be
gainfully employed for the good of
the country. Jess.

John Cleghorn Named
To Gen. Teleradio Board

Memphis, Aug. 2,
John Cleghorn, general manager
of WHBQ and WHBQ-TV, has been
named a veepee and member of
the board of directors of General
Teleradio of New York, which re-
cently purchased the AM and tv
operations here oh lease basis from
Harding College.

Eileen BARTON

LATEST CORAL RELEASE

SWAY

Dir.: William Morris Agency

SUPER POWER

WGALTV

LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA

316,000 WATTS

Covers a vast, prosperous

territory— a rich target for
your advertising dollar

Steinmqn Station

Clair McCollough, President

Represented by

MEEKER TV, I n e .

NEW YORK CHICAGO lOS ANGELES SAN FRANCISCO

Wedneaday, AsgMt 4, 1954

«

5

(Greatest number of participants; 16,000,000 according to Brunswick^Balke-ColleirtcJei’ Co.

. *

Each film in the series a real thriller! The vast sports-

loving public will make this a must. Wonderful close-
ups! Sensational follow-thru on the action! Cham-
pionship Bowling at its best.

A SMASH HIT in Chicaao when it was

A SMASH HIT in Chicago when it was

telecast live!

Increased the sets in use 40 %. Had an 11.4 ARB

u

at 11:00 to 1 2:00 midnight Tuesday nights— more
viewers than the other three competing stations com-
bined [ It was the most talked-about nighttime show
in town. Chicago sports pages gave the matches
great coverage. Chicago Bowling Alleys gave it en-
thusiastic merchandising cooperation.

Championship Bowling will get
RESULTS . . . Just read this letter:

De Met Pontiac, Inc.

• HOUTM AVINUI PMONI.NMIONAL t<)M«

CHHAUO 3.. ILLINOIS

June 16, 195lf

Walter Schwimmer Productions, Inc>
J5 East Wacker Drive
Chicago 1, Illinois

Gentlemen:

Directly as a result of the Cham-
pionship Bowling , y program, we made
thousands of new friends and actual*
ly sold over 1553 new automobiles
and 3100 used cars* Almost every-
body who visits our show rooms men-
tions the program and tells how
much they enjoyed it*

>s truly.

Pete

x.

W*Y.

zm-.

ytf . . •

Wednesday , Aggitft 4» 1954

MEsnarf

▼

u

l

y

I

I

I

\

This is a FIRST-RUN, BRAND-NEW
SERIES (made in 1954) of 26 one-
hour bowling films featuring Match
Elimination Games between the
Champions of the Bowling World . .

for major cash awards. It's got the
big element that puts a wallop into
a TV sports, show— SUSPENSE! All the
top stars under our exclusive con-
tract. No show like it on the market!

• i •

t

! Its a Vtf tiner l Its a

wm i

SK i < X -

- .'M' 4??

'•vx '•'a'*. < s ^ s

This is the first quality sports show ever put on film for TV.
Can be programmed in “fringe” time— and will be the
ratingOeader overnight, regardless of what’s programmed
against it . . . even the best feature film in the market.

Write, phone or wire for descriptive brochure and prices.
Audition reel to stations and agencies on request.

(Frankly; folks, we only have a limited number available on
CHAMPIONSHIP BOWLING, so its really a matter of first
come, first served.)

WALTER

SCHWIMMER

PRODUCTIONS# INC.

75 East Wacker Drive, Chicago 1— FRanklin 2-4392

111 if

. 'V sV .■ i ^ *•

i

' * * V »

«

6 * pt.{>4apt:7 ; ae

34

RADIO-TELEVISION

iTednesday, Angapt '4> 1$54

Washington, Aug. 3.

Question of monopoly over the
media of mass communications Was
raised by Comr. Frieda* Hennock
last week in a sharp dissent to
the agency’s grant to Birney Imes,
Jr., of his application for tv chan-
nel 4 in Columbus, Miss, Imes
gave up an ultra high permit to
apply for the V.

Because of Imes’ ownership of
the only daily newspaper, the Com-
mercial Dispatch, in Columbps, his
radio station (WCBI) there, and
two other radio outlets within an
85-mile distance, Miss, Hennock
saw a “basic and serious question ,T
in adding to Imes’ mass media op-
erations by granting him the only
VHF channel in the area. In view
of the possibility of “ undue concen-
tration of mass media in derogation
of the public interest in access to
views and information from diverse
sources,’’ Miss Hennock felt there
should be a hearing on the applii
cation.

“The attenuation of healthy com-
petition among local mass media,”
Comr, Hennock asserted, "becomes
painfully visible in many commu-
nities in other parts of the country
where the local economy is even
better able to support competing
media than here. This underscores
the responsibility of the Commis-
sion for ascertaining fully the real
extent to which applicant domi-
nates mass media in the Columbus
area. Just the bare facts contained
in the application as to mass media
owned by applicant indicate cleai"-
ly a concentration of control which,
however, cannot be fully and re-
alistically assessed without elicit-
ing the full facts in a hearing.”

In addition to WCBI, Imes owns
WELO in Tupelo, WNAG 5 in Gre-
nada. WMOX in Meridian, and
WROX in Clarksville, all in
Mississippi.

Down Memphis-Way
They’re Simply Nuts
About Slander Suits

Memphis, Aug. 3.

Robert (Bob) Venn, originator
and owner of the Talkathon, which
has been used in this state for the
past several weeks in the current
political campaign. has now
jumped aboard the “suit brigade”
and has filed S100.00Q damage suit
against the Memphis Press-Scimi-
tar. Scripps-Howard p.m. daily,
and editor Edward J. Meeman.

Venn, erstwhile manager of
WMIE. Miami indie, has been
supervising the talkathons in this
state by Rep. Pat Sutton (Deni.,
Tenn'.. who is battling Sen. Estes
Kefauvcr for the senior senatorial
seat here. The primaries are sked-
ded for Aug. 5. Sutton has already
been sued for some 83,000.000 by
Edward Lamb, Ohio tv and radio
owner and a Washington, D.C.,
newsman.

, Venn based his suit on a Page
One story in the Press-Scimitar
by lined by Jack Roberts and date-
lined in Miami and charged the
story "false, malicious and libel-
ous.’! The onetime Miami radio
skipper said that this Roberts. story
in the P-S “imputes that I was con-
nected with a bookie wire owned
by Mickey McBride and was a
protege of McBride but these are
not the. facts." Venn through his
Memphis barrister Caruthers Ewing
state that he did work for a radio
station in which McBride was a
. minority stockholder, but Mc-
Bride’s interest was the result of a
corporate merger and Venn worked
for the other corporation first.
Caruthers pointed out in his suit.

Venn also stated that he (Venn)
got the impression “that the Press-
Scimitar wanted readers to think
anyone I (Venn) am associated with
is bad.”

(Continued from page 22)

9100 Masquerade Party. . . . . , Strike It Rich. . . .Kraft ^V^Theatre'

Remington * Colgate »•*> Krait n ooas

.. Knomark ' ■ ~ ■ ! —

9:30 Open .................. .I’ve Got a Secret .

R. J. Reynolds

10:00 Open . . : . . . - . Boxing . . . - .This Is Your Life

Pabst Hazel Bishop

* <• Every fourth week, -Best of B’vyay

(10 to 111 Westinghouse v v --

-THURSDAY

P.M. ABC

CBS

NBC

7:15 John Daly. . . . V. . . . . , . . . , (No Web- Service) . . . . . . . . .

Realemon ■

(No Web Service)

7:30

Lonb Ranger (film). ... Doug. Edwards. ....... .....

Qen. Mills. ... Pall Mall. .....

Dinah Shore
Chevrolet

7:45

Jane Froman, . .... , . . ... . . . . . . .

Gen. Elec..

.News Caravan
Camel .

8:00

8:30

Possibly Hour. Ray Milland Show (film). ....

: Dramatic Show Gen. 1 Elec .

For J. W. Thompson. . . . ;

(See Above). . . . . . . . . . .Chrysler Series,

Groucho Marx (film)
De Soto

Chrysler

.Justice

Borden Co.

9:00 Sammy Kaye

Brillo

.Dragnet (film)
Liggett & Myers

9:30 TV Theatre 4 Star Playhouse (film).

Kraft ... Singer Sewing . . . v . ..........

Parker Pen

.Ford Theatre (film)
. Ford Motor

loioo"

Public Defender (film), ........

Philip Morris..

.Lux Video Theatre
. Lever Bros,

10:30 (No Web Service) Name That TCine. . . .... ... ... . .

Carter

n

FRIDAY

P.M. ABC

* CBS

NBC

7:15 John Daly

(No Web Service)

■(No Web Service)

7:30 Artful Miss Dodger (film).
Gen Mills

Doug. Edwards
Geritol .......

. Eddie Fisher Coke Time
Coca-Cola

7:45

Perry Como .
Chesterfield

.News Caravan
Camel

8:00 Ozzie & Hafrfet (film)
Hotpoint
Lambert

* • « • » *

Mama .

Gen. Foods

(Probably Red Buttons for Pontiac)

8:30 Ray Bolger Show (film) ,

Lehn & Fink

Dorothy Gray

.Topper v(film) . ... .

. ’ R. J. ^Reynolds .

. Life of Riley (film)
. Gulf Oil

9:00

Dollar a Second. . . .
Mogan David. ....

.Playhouse of Stars (film)
. Schlitz

Big Story (film)
Simmons Co. .
Amer. Tob.

9:30 Sterling Drug. .
(Show Not Set)

.Our Miss Brooks (film),
Gen. Foods

.Dear Phoebe (film)
. Campbell Soup

10:00 Open

.The Lineup ........ .

Brown & Williamson .

.Cavalcade of Sports
, Gillette

10:30 (No Web Service) ,

Person to Person.
Noxzeiria
Hamm Brewing
Amer. Oil

(to conclusion)

10:45 (No Web Service) . . . , . . . .

Greatest Moments in Sports (film,
live) Mutual of Omaha

SATURDAY

_P.M.

7:00

ABC

CBS

NBC

Open (No Web Service)

(No Web Service)

7:30 Dottie Mack Show.
(Not Sold)

Beat the Clock.
Sylvania

Ethel & Albert
• Sunbeam

8:00 Dance Party.

Jackie Gleason..
Schick .......

Nestle. .......

W. A. Shaeffer

.Mickey Rooney (film)
Pillsbury
Green Giant

8:30

Probably The Duke
Toni Co.

9:00

Sat. Nite Fites.
Bayuk

.Two for the Money.
. P. LoriLlard .....

Imogene Coca Show
Johnson & Johnson
Lewis Howe
S.O.S.

Griffin

9:30

.My Favorite Husband.

Int'l Silver

Simmons Co

.Jimmy Durante
. alt. with
.Donald O’Connor
Texas Co.

9:45 Fight Talk (Co-op)

10:00

Stork Club (Participating) That’s My Boy

Plymouth . .

10:30 (No Web Service) ..Two in Love.

Geritol

Geo. Gobel Show
, Armopr
Pet Milk.

9 to 10:30, Max Liebman Specs
every fourth week

Oldsmobile

Hit Parade :

Amer. Tob.

Warner-Hudnut

McCollough BMI Keynoter

Continuod from page 23

‘Big Joe’ to WMGM

WMGM. N.Y. radio indie, has
inked gabber “Big Joe” Rosenfield
to a midnight to 2 ayem strip,
starting Aug. 9.

His show, called “The Happiness
Exchange” and Capitalizing on the
charity angle, quit WVNJ, Newark,
around July 1. when the station
reportedly decided to cut down on
late nighttime programming- and
•ut rail * remotes: •» *

t jj * i i

I'fincher, KVTV, Sioux City, and
i others.

! McCollough’s address keynoted
the N. Y. BMI session at which
there were' roughly 150 tele station
representatives, mostly East Coast-
ers. McCollough observed that
there are “a whole new set of defi-
nitions for the kindsr of jobs done
by employees iri the television in-
dustry. While it is true that many
of. them bear considerable . resem-
! blance to comparable jobs in radio,
still we have found it advisable to
classify them in somewhat distinc-
tive categories.”

“In the very process of giving

work assignments,” he said, "we
have somehow or other-: given the
impression that each task must be
done by a different individual. I
should like to suggest that this is
an incorrect concept, and one
which will tehd to multiply prob-
lems and expenses in the future.”
McCollough went on to say that he
recognized “the great temptation”
to try duplicating “the hish setups”
in the larger network originating
centers, but what the station execs
must decide “what Is rich enough
and what is too rich for our indi-
vidual television constitutions to
stand.”. , . . . , .

! new -and' separate sttrtiW 1 to Matty* Another point made by McCttf-

lough is that program and produc-
tion personnel at the tele stations
need to confer in more detail, map-
ping out “the likely needs of the
advertiser.” “Forearmed with the
fine selling points,” a salesman can
pitch programs “which realistically
reflect the ability and skill of the
staff to produce week after week
without undue burden at any
point.”

« ,

Other speeches were delivered at
the N. Y. BMI sessions by Charles
Vanda, WCAU-TV, Philadelphia;
Larry Rogers, WS AZ-T V , Hunting-
.J®”* W- Va -J George Torge, WBEN-
TW, Buffalo; Vic Campbell, WBAL-

■wA , trw* 1 S5 ore i George Patterson,
WAVE -TV, Louisville; Kenyon

Brown, KWFT-TV, Wichita Falls,
Tex.; Norm Gittleson, WJAR-TV
Providence; Robert Burton, BMI;’
Richard: Dayr NBC; and Len Greer
WGVL-TV, Greenville,' S^C. *

Washington, Aug. 3.

Despite pressure- by the: Senate
Interstate Commerce Committee,
the FCC stuck to its guns last week
in. refusing to give Edward Lamb,
broadcaster-publishers the bill of
particulars he has demanded on
the Commission’s charges that he
was once associated with Commu-
nist organizations. However, the
agency made some concessions by
giving Lamb “a resupie of basic
allegations” which it hoped would
"facilitate the disposition of the
proceedings,” now^schedUlCd to be-
gin Sept. 15 before Examiner Her-
bert Sharfman.

Whether Lamb will be Satisfied
with the Commission’s "resume,”
which omits names of witnesses to
be called and sources of disloyalty
charges, seemed doubtful. Former
Atty. Gen. J. Howard McGrath,
Lamb’s counsel, served notice at a
pre-hearing conference July 20
with Examiner Sharfman that he
would go to the Supreme Court in
an effort to obtain a- bill of par-
ticulars if it were denied him by
the Commission. It vfras at this con-
ference that Sharfman granted, Mc-
Grath’s request for postponement
of the hearings (originally .sched-
uled for July 28) until the Com-
mission could act on a letter from
Senate Commerce Committee
Chairman John -W. Brlcker (R-0.)
conveying the "unanimous” feeling
of the members that Lamb is en-
titled to know the specific charges
to be brought and the! iiames of
his accusers.

The Commission coqees&ions,
made in a “memorandum opinion
and order,” was officially in re-
sponse to a motion filed by Lamb
July 15 with the Examiner to defer
the hearings until such time as Mc-
Grath can prepare his defense.
This motion was. coupled -with a
request for detailed information of
the evidence on which the Com-
mission has based its charges. In
view of Chairman Bricker’s letter
to the Commission, - Examiner
Sharfman postponed , the hearings.

The order directed the Broad-
cast' Bureau, which will represent
the Commission at the* hearings,
to furnish by Aug. 15 "a specifica-
tion of the alleged false statements
of Edward Lamb (denying dis-
loyalty) and the other basic facts
which are "planned to be estab-
lished.”

• The Commission said It TIbes not
believe that Lamb is entitled to in-
formation as to witnesses and
sources. “The object of pleadings
in the nature of a bill of partic-
ulars,” it said, “is to-prqvide more
definite information to enable a
party to understand the nature of
the charges against him.. This
should prevent surprise and per-
mit the proper preparation of a
party’s defense. The purpose of
such pleadings is not to furnish the
opposing party with the flames of
witnesses and other evidentiary in-
formation by which the moving
party expects to establish the facts
on which he relies.”

Sam Fuller, McGarrett
Injured in Auto Crash

Sam .Fuller, NBt!-TV national
program director, and George Mc-
Garrett, head of daytime tv for the
network, * are in Nyack, Hospital,
N. Y., as result of injuries sus-
tained when the car in which they
were riding to McGarrett’s sum-
virier home at New City, N. Y.,
over the weekend, careened and hit
a pole.

Neither was seriously injured
but they are being detained at the
hospital .this week for further treat-
rnent and observation. -

ABC-TV’s Golf Clients

Chicago', Aug. 3.

ABC-TV will telecast the closing
rounds of the Tain O’Shanter All-
American and World Golf Cham-
pionship tourneys next {Sunday (8)
and the following’ week (15). Both
pickups will be' ca-oped by the web
with Florsheim Shoe Co. buying
the championship meet on WBKB,
Chicago, WABC-TV, New York and
WXYZ-TV, Detroit.

Chicago Plastering Institute will
bankroll the AU-American finals on
WBKB* " '

' TeJawlW) Awfful *i 1954

PTS&BFr ■ tv-films 35

1*

-♦

The word's gone out to .the vidpix syndicators that they can
£0 peddle their product elsewhere unless they go easy on the
excessive brutality stuff. Apparently those Parent-Teacher, civic
group undercurrents and uprisings as to how the tv pix are ex-
posing the kids to lust and a yen for bloodthirst have had the
desired effect, tor not. only stations but agencies are beginning
to scream; “Clean it up-— that's the new way. the client wants it.”
The beer companies, for one, are almost unanimous in telling
the vidpix syndicators to “make them healthy— or else.”

Young & Rubicam appears to be in the vanguard in trying to
set the new agency example on telefilm buys. In talking nego-
tiation for sponsorship of the CBS Film Sales “Whistler” series,
the web ‘syndicators were told flatly they’d have to revise the
scripts completely in accordance with the Y & R code on good
vidpix behavior.

• • n tt 117* ■ 1 <vv m t

The science of scheduling fea-;
ture films has ijnproved to such
a degree that a major advertiser
in 40 markets has actually found
what type pix bring the ultimate
in sales returns at certain hours.
A mail order firm, doing $4,000,000
in annual television advertising
has formulated a pattern for star
tion programmers to guide them
In buying and placing features. In-
dications are now that extensive
coin has been wasted because most
features, after one or two tele runs,
are considered mere time fillers.

4

Unquestionably a great deal of
thinking has gone into finding ap-
propriate times for feature p^x. ex-
posures but' scheduling certain
film properties within - those hours
has been pretty much a' haphazard
affair. Chief exception has been
western films during the times for
juye .viewership. Better Living,
the mail order house capitalizes on
that exception and has established
a few rigid rules of its own as to
what’ll bring the most for the
money. After four years of trial
and error,, the outfit, steered by
the combination merchandising-
advertising outfit of Wolf, Gelrod
& Wolf feels that every cent spent
now is justified in light of sales
returns. A1 Wolf, one of the three
company braintrusters, said mail
order results are “far more indica-
tive” of how and what to program
“than any rating made.” In New
York where, incidentally, ' half of
(Continued on page 40) '

WCBS-TVs New

WCBS-TV, N, Y., has acquired
29 important telepix from three
companies and will start unreeling
the lot ’ in September-October.
Nine of the films are from Atlantic
Television with some of the prod-
uct released in 1949 and the rest
with 1953-54 tags. • Of the nine,
one each are British, Cuban and
Australian-made. Eight in the
“Bulldog Drummond” serieA origi-
nally produced by Paramount are
from Governor Television. Stars
are John Barrymore (in threej,
John Howard (four) and Ray Mil-
land (one).

Five pix are from Cheryl TV
and seven from Quality Tele-
vision. Topping the latter are
Charles Boyer in “First Legion”
(1951) and Robert Montgomery in

Eye Witness” (1950), with others
being George Sanders and Herbert
Marshall in “Capt. Blackjack”; Ida
Lupino and Nino Martini in VGuy
Desperado,” and Miss Lupino and
Francis Lederer in “One Rainy
Afternoon.” -

Sinatra Vidpix Series

Los Angeles, Aug. 3*
Frank Sinatra plans to make his
initial entry into the vidpix field.
~| n £ er and Jack Entratter, topper
at the Sands Hotel, Las Vegas, are
jointly underwriting a pilot on a
series to be called “Frank Sinatra
Presents;" .

^ n I s Relieved that half-hour pic
will be mostly musical. Most of

Vegas iS t0 be don6 in L . as

t si-L f *

So Knock on Wood

Chicago, Aug. 3.

So nobody listens to the ra-
dio anymore? Ask the switch-
board gals at the various Chi
radio stations visited by
Danny Kaye last week on his
guesting rounds plugging his
“Knock On Wood” pic. Comic,
as he was being interviewed;
went through the routine that
maybe they were talking to
themselves and invited the
listeners, if any, to call the
station and say so.

They did, completely jam-
ming the switchboard at WGN
when he was chinning with
Ernie Simon; at WMAQ when
he visited Merry Merryfield,
and at WIND when he pulled
the . bit on the Eddie Hubbard
show.

Exposure Raked

Blasts were levelled at multiple
film exposure by Charles Vanda,
veep at WCAU-TV, Philly, and
Larry Rogers, veep at WSAZ-TV,
Huntington, W.^Va. The two men
maintained there wasn't sufficient
audience to justify such exposure.

In opposition, a WFIL-TV, Phil-
ly, spokesman found the method
of exposure very successful.

Vanda labelled as “stupid” re-
peating a feature film, for example, !
several times in one week. He
felt that using a show six or eight
times over a period of 18 months
is about enough. Vanda spots the
feature pix over that length of
time because only then can he be
relatively certain that, he’ll get a
“different viewership.”

Rogers said: “It’s surprising to
find how little turnover there is.
People sit in front of their tele-
vision sets from seven until one,
and defy us to duplicate a show.”

Comments by the two station
managers were made at a meeting
in-N.Y. of video station operators
that was sponsored by Broadcast
Music, Inc.

From the floor, at the two-day
meeting, came a different point of
(view about multiple exposure of
vidfilm. Chet Cooper, for WFIL-
TV, cited the success his station
had with “Ramar of the Jungle.”
WFIL-TV, he pointed out, uses the
half-hour adventure series twice
daily, five times a week. Once the
station runs through the 52 “Ram-
ar” vidfilms, it starts over. The
WFIL rep said that the show,
despite the intense saturation, was
still popular with Philly tele view-
ers and it continues to bring in
station revenue.

Exec veep Michael Sillerman of
TPA has tapped Ed R. Lewis, ex-
sales manager of Telenews, as an
account exec headquartered in
New Orleans with the deep south
under his^. wiipg., , • * J ) (

‘TONIGHT’ CLICK

, There's a growing conviction. that
the forthcoming (Steve Allen “To-
night” show on NBC-TV may cue
a whole new appraisal of the role
of feature films in the scheme of
late night programming on tv sta-
tions. If, as NBC fully anticipates,
“Tonight” duplicates the success
of the early morning “Today” show
and sets a new pattern in before-
and-af ter-mdnight attractions, it’s
considered a cinch that the rival
networks, will follow suit and ex-
tend a similar, bid to the affiliate
stations to latch oh to live network
shows. .

At stake is an investment of mil-
lions of dollars and companies ded-
icated to the perpetuation of grind-,
ing out the chopped-up-for-tv fea-
ture pix ( mostly vintage product ) .
Should “Tonight” spark a univers-
al trend, if raises the question
as to how such outfits as General
Teleradio can recoup on its heavy
investment in its newly-acquired
batch of still-unreleased-f os-tv fea-
ture films if the big affiliated sta-
tions in the major markets scrap
their late night pic showcasing and
link up for the coaxial ride on the
live shows.

Expansion of the present WNBT,
N. Y„ Allen show into the two-
hour “Tonight” network offering
will naturally invite an immediate
lopoff of the station’s post-midnite
features. Affiliates carrying “To-
night” will also drop their late
night pix. Should CBS ditto and
go live, the New York. WCBS-TV
flagship’s “Late Show” would also
go by the boards, ‘ as would the
CBS affiliates’ slotting of features.
The ABC anchor station in N. Y.
now spotlights the Jerry Lester late
night show and should that net-
work go live, it’s' assumed that, as
with Allen, Lester will get the web
nod, which would automatically
siphon off features from many of
the ABC-TV affiliates.

Naturally it will still leave less
important time periods, and the tv
indies to carry the> feature pix
torch, but the big revenue in rent-
als jcomes from the top stations in
the major markets — and these, al-
most right down the line, are
pledged to a network allegiance.

Few quality pix have hit the tv
screen to date, the Hollywood
moguls having done a successful
job on the whole in effecting a
video boycott. As result, tv’s been
inundated with B features, repeat-
ed ad infinitum to the. degree
where the viewer today would more
than welcome a respite and a re-
turn to live programming.

TV FILM PROMOTER
INDICTED IN TEXAS

Houston, Aug. 3.

John van Geldern, a promoter
who has plugged Houston as the
coming center of tv film produc-
tion, was indicted for perjury by
the Harris County Grand jury.

The indictment charged him with
making a false statement in apply-
ing for a charter for Valiant In-
vestments, Inc., a holding com-
pany for Valiant Film Productions,
Inc.

In his sworn application May 6
the indictment said, van Geldern
claimed his company had received
$25,000 for 50,000 shares of stock,
which was 10% of the total author-

Actually, the 50,000 shares had
not been bought and “no consid-
eration whatsoever had been re-
ceived by the said company” the
indictment Charged.

Bond for van Geldern was set at
$1,500.

'Mandrake' Castings

Peter Fernandez and Marian
Russell (Mrs. Fernandez) were
flown to Bermuda^ yesterday
(Tues.) for a sequence on “Man-
drake the Magician” shooting
there. Acting pair will return next
Monday (9).

“Mandrake” is a half-hour series
under ABC Film Syndication with
magico-actor Coe Morton in title
{‘J 1 i ,r . '.fii'i/* 1

<

as

/Late Show* Winnah

Steve Allen’s NBC-TV show
doesn’t eqt'er the late night
lists until the end of Septem-
ber, but meantime WCBS-TV’s
feature films continue to domi-
nate against the live comics in
New York. Here’s, how the sta-
tion’s “Late Show” paced the
ARB ratings during July (11:30
to midnight):

Jerry Lester (W ABC-TV) , 0.4
Ernie KovaCs (WABD) ..... 0.6
Steve Allen (WNBT) . ... . 4.0

All three 5.0

Late Show . 1 . . 6.7

Heinz 'Studio 57’

4 The Goodson St Todman packag-
ing outfit, which until now has
restricted its activities to live pro-
gramming, has decided to establish
a stake in tv films. Partners Mark
Goqdson and Bill Todman have de-
cided to siphon a good chunk ol
their income (which for years has
been the envy of the radio-tv pack-
aging industry) into *vidpix, with
the conversion of the ‘Web” as the
initjal entry.

“Web” has had a five-year ex-
posure on CBS-TV and is being
cancelled out, of the Sunday niphl
10-10:30 period to make way for
the new Robert Young “Fathei
Knows Best” film series. Goodson
leaves for the Coast shortly to neg-
gojiate for production of the “Web”
series, with likelihood that it will
be channelled into the syndication
marts.

Getting a network to arrange
much of the lineup for a sponsored
vidpix series instead of using the
normally-accepted national spot
booking method has become a
definite trend within the last 30
days. Latest step in that direction
was taken by H. J. Heinz, for its
nqw half-hour film series, through
DuMont. And like its precedent-
making predecessor, the deal made
by Kellogg with ABC-TV early in
July, the Heinz setup is neither
fish nor fowl in that it’s not en-
tirely network nor entirely na-
tional spot.

Heinz, making its initial bow in
television through its “Studio 57”
( produced by MCA ) , is seeking 33
markets, an approximated half of
them coming in as DuMont affili-
ates. ARC-TV set up a 25-station
hookup (over and above normal
national spot placements) for
Kellogg’s “Superman” and “Wild
Bill Hickok” series. The Kellogg
buy had its repercussions among
spot\ 4 rep outfits, and the DuMont
deal lb expected to cause greater
concern, largely because it makes
evident that agencies find the
method a great money saver over
national spot.. More sponsors
would use network lineups for vid-
pix stanzas if the time were avail-
able. As it stands, though, NBC-
TV and CBS-TV have no hiore
time available for such offers;
DuMont and ABC-TV (the latter
to a much lesser degree) have the
time but not all tJL.. markets vari-
ious sponsors need. Hence, the ad-
vent of deals like Kellogg’s and
Heinz’s, where large coin savings
are made by letting the web buy
markets for the sponsor.

The station rep organisations
show hard feelings over this be-
( Continued on page 40)

PEAK RELEASES
FOR ZIH ‘TOP 5’

In a semi-annual" sales report,
Ziv showed that its five top vidpix
series have each been sold in all
but a few of the country’s 60 ma-
jor tele markets. Only 19 of the
possible 300 sales opportunities
open to the. company have not beep
firmed.

M. J. Rifkin, Ziv sales veep, cited
examples: “Mr. District Attorney,”
released last April, has been sold
in all but three of the 60 top mar-
kets; “I Led Three Lives” in all
but two, “Favorite Story” in all
but two; ‘‘Cisco Kid” is missing in
four, and “Boston Blackie” lost out
in only ‘five.

The Ziv tele operation in multi-
market sales has risen 30%,. ac-
cording to Rifkin. Multi-market
sales billings are running at the
rate of $6,500,000 a year. All told,
there have been around 90 con-
tracts involving over 1,800 stations.

Tops in that line have been the
P. Lorillard buy for “Kent The-
atre”, in 34 . markets and “Ever-
sjiflfp ^h^aftq” ii^i jj^artoits. , m

Second item on the G-T vidfilnr
agenda, although at this point only
tentatively earmarked, is a half-
houf situation comedy series called
“The Lady and the Senator.” It’s
being written by Sidney Sheldon,
who authored the “Bachelor and
the Bobby Soxer” pic.

As a starter, Goodson and Tod-
man will limit their vidpix entry
to story-line vehicles, taking a
“wait-and-see” attitude on con-
verting panel and quiz shows into
the pix sweepstakes.

Goldwyn k Calls
ft Quits in Viipix

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

Westward Productions, the tele-
pix production outfit formed by
Sam Goldwyn Jr. with financing
chiefly from his mother, looks set
to, throw in the sponge after one
futile attempt to get off the ground
with a pilot.

Lone entry turned out by Gold-
wyn was the first of a scheduled
series of half-hour programs ten-
tatively titled “The Unexplained,”
dealing with the supernatural. Ef-
forts to latch on to a network
sponsor on the basis of the pilot
proved unavailing. As for syndi-
cation, it’s understood Goldwyn
couldn’t see getting involved with
organization of an elaborate distri-
bution setup.

To top it off, it’s now reported
Mrs. Goldwyn has decided to with-
draw financing.

Princeton Film Center
Signs New Prestige Pix

Gordon Knox, prexy of Prince-
ton Film Center, Princeton, N. J.,
has signed with Bethlehem S'leel,
Rural Research Institute and Frank
Fleer Corp. for teledistribution of
one each of their prestige film*.
PFC guarantees each a minimum
200 showings within a year, with
the public service product to be
distributed free.

Titles are “The Open Road”
(Bethlehem), “Building a R’ral
Community Center” (RRI). ' 'd
“Fun for a Penny” (Fleer), Jailer
with a bubble gum theme starring
Kathi Norris.

‘Music for Everybody’

As New Sterling En*ry

Sterling Television h™ b: w, iin
syndicating its latest acquisition,
the half-hour series called '“Muric
for Everybody.” Elsewhere, the
vidpix firm, having recently com-
pleted the first 26 in the 15-minute
“Movie Museum,” is now in pro-
duction with the second skein of
26.

“Music” stabs Dr. Sigmund
Spaeth as commentator - pianist.
“Movie Museum,” comprised most-
ly of old Biograph films, has al-
ready been sold in five markets.
Latter snow has been up . for syn-
dication for oqlyaaifew weeks..*.-*

Wednesday* August 4, 1954

*£AOT *

t rz\

Highlights of five
of the previous Saturday's

y

top college football games!

3 'N

13 half-hour films!

Less than 48 hours after game time "Touchdown" is
Air Expressed to you each week!

"Touchdown" gives a seat on the 50-yard line to
57,000,000 ready-made customers— the nation’s

vast sports-minded following! A

** % V.

IfiiS

A brilliant, exciting commentary by the famous
veteran sports announcer, Byrum Saam!

Stirring music and candid crowd shots con-
tribute a real Saturday football atmosphere!

Phone, write or wire your nearest M.C.A. office
immediately. First program scheduled for Sept. 22nd!

NEW YORK: 598 Madison Avenue.

BEVERLY HILLS: 9370 Santa Monica Blvd.

ATLANTA: 515 Glenn Building
BOSTON: 45 Newbury Street
CHICAGO: 430 North Michigan Avenue
CLEVELAND: 1172 Union Commerce BldgT
CINCINNATI: 3790 Gardner Avenue

YOUR EXTRA SALES POINTS
AFTER " TOUCHDOWN "

■ The appeal to TV viewers of all ages
enables you to merchandise
"Touchdown" with terrific sales impact.

■ You ride the tidal waVe of newspaper,
magazine, radio and TV football news
that maintains public interest at a
high peak throughout the season!

Wednesday, Aiigiist 4, 1954

t'fiszIETr

j$a*

m
&

AtEO/ATE RELEASE/

HOWS, FILMED EXPRKS1Y FORTY!

X* /

/ i&SS ' :

Current Summer
Replacement for Gillette's
Cavalcade of Sports, NBC
Coast-to-Coast Network

■ 52 half-hour films covering the
nation’s leading sports events of the week!

■ Air Expressed to you every Monday of each week!

■ Telesports covers them all
golf, tennis, swimming, boxing, football,
skiing, hockey and many more
exciting sports events!

./.mi

Mmm

\ % \

f

. 1

£§S

.1

l

1 ;

l

jj

1 si

l

m |

8

V '

Sssw—^

L

ntottOSMSf ’ *

Telesports Digest is produced by the Tel-Ra
Company, the nation's leading television sports
organization. Tel-Ra's roving photographers
catch the action, excitement a r d drama of
sports events as they happen. Commentaries
by Bob Wilson, one of the nation's best known
news and sports announcers!

i

i

1

1

1

1

\

t BEST IN TV SPORTS COVERAGE
WITH "TELESPORTS DIGEST "

Coverage is complete and many times exclusive!
■ Whenever possible, well-known sports
personalities are interviewed!
P "Telesports Digest" offers extensive
opportunities for tie-in merchandising
with other promotional activities!

Phone, write or wire your nearest M.C.A. office
immediately for market prices and audition print!

DALLAS: 2102 North Akard Street
DETROIT: 837 Book Tower
SAN FRANCISCO: 105 Montgomery Street
SEATTLE: 715 10th North.
ROANOKE: 3110 Yardley Drive, NW
NEW ORLEANS: « Allard Blvd.
SALT LAKE CITY: 727 McClellan Street
CANADA: 1 1 1 Richmond Street, Toronto. Ontario

MCA-TV

2td

'i\, 'i v, < {' ^ " '' ,

ffiMr? - ABB City-By-City Syndicated and National Spot Film Chart

^ J*

VARIETY’S weekly chart of city-by-city rating s of syndicated and na-
tional spot film hover* 40 to 60 citie* reported by American Research Bureau
on a monthly 'basis* Cities will be rotated each week j with the 10 top-rated
film shows listed in each case , and their competition shown opposite. AA

ratings are furnished by ARB 9 based on the latest reports.

This VARIETY -.chart represents a gathering of all pertinent informa-
tion about film in each market , which can be used by distributors , agencies ^
Stations and clients its an aid in determining the effectiveness of a filmed
show in the specific market. Attention should be paid to time ■ — * day and

time factors , since sets-ih-use and audience composition vary according to
time slot , i.e. 9 a Saturday afternoon children ’* show 9 with a low rating* may
have a large share and an audience composed largely of ehUdren* with cor *
responding results for the sponsor aiming at the children *9 market • Abbre-
viations and symbols are as follows s (Adv.) 9 adventure; (Ch) 9 children 9 *;
(Co ) 9 comedy ; (Dr) 9 drama; (Doc), documentary f (Mus), musical;
( Myst ) 9 mystery; (Q) 9 quia; (Sp) 9 sports; (W), western; (Worn),
women**. Numbered symbols next to station call letters represent the sta-
tion’s channel ; all channels above 13 are VHF. Those ad agencies listed as
distributors rep the national spot sponsor for whom the film is aired.

V }

NEW YORK

Approx. Set Count*— 4,175,000

Stations—

WCBS (2), WNBT (4), WABD (5),WABC(7),
-WOR (9), WPIX (11), WATV (13)-

TOP 10 PROGRAMS

AMD TYPE

DAY AND

STATION DISTRIB. TIME

JUNE SHARE

RATING . (%1

USE 1 TOP COMPETING PROGRAM *

SETS IN ] PROGRAM STA. RATING

1. D. Fairbanks Presents (Dr). .

;WNBT. ........

. Interstate .......

...Wed. 10:304 1:00 ..

... ..... 18.2 .

9. Siinprman (Adv)

.WNBT

. Flamingo

... . Mon. 6:00-6:30 . . » ,

......17.3.

^ ■

3. I Led Three Lives (Dr) . . . . .

.WNBT .........

.Ziv.

. . .Sun. 10:30-11:00 . .

14.6 .

4. Dangerous Assignment (Adv)

WOR

. Ziv.

... Wed. 9:30-10:00 . . .

. ... . .11:2 .

5, Badge 714 (Myst) .

WOR...

.NBC

, . . Wed. 9:00-9:30 . .

...... 10.8 .

Wild Bill Hickok (W) . . . . . .

WNBT

.Flamingo

I

. . . Wed. 6:00-6:30 . . .

10.8 .

7. Racket Squad (Adv)

.WABC

.ABC

, . . Thurs. 10:30-11:00

...... 10.7 ...

8. Amos ’n’ Andy (Com). .

.WCBS:

.CBS

.. .Sat. 10:30-11:00 . ;

9.1 .

9. Favorite Story (Dr)

.WNBT .

. Ziv

.. .Mon. 10-30-11:00 .

10. Annie Oakley (W)

. .WABD. . .......

.CBS.

.. .Sat. 7:30-8:00 ....

...... 7.2

* Weekly average ratings

/'

44..

• •

61......

47.

0 •

26.

18..

21 ...

V •

V o "

18

41.2

28.5

54,1

67.0
653

23.0

40.0

49.5
41.7

39.3

Blue Ribbon Bouts. * WCB$ .^0.0

Bouts;, Sports Spot .,. . . . WCBS...... .11.8

6 O’clock Report... ...... . WCBS . , . . . . .3.0*

Early Show . i S ', ...... . . . . WCBS . . , . . .8.5*

What’s My Line;;;. .....*, . WCBS ....... 37.6

I’ve Got' a Spctet. . WCBS 30.8

Strike It Rich - ^ ......... . WCBS , . . ... .215

Kraft TV Theatre. ....... WNBT , ... ►. .21.5

6 O’clock Report. . . . , ...... WCBS . . ,V,;...3,Q*

Early Show . WCBS ‘ ♦ • 8.5*

Place the Face . . . , . , .... -> WCBS’ . , .... .18.9

Your Hit Parade ..... . WNBT - . . . .32.0

Studio One... . v WCBS , , .22. 5

Beat the Clock; ........... WCBS . . . „> .22.6

* 0 .

HARRISBURG,

READING

LANCASTER, Approx. Set Count

550,000

i ■■ ■ ™ ■ J ■!■■■■ , ■ , — m—— — —

g. .• WGAL (8) Lancaster t WHUM ( 61 ) Reading

stations wHp (55) Harrisburg WTPA (71) Harrfeburg

1.

Liberace (Mus) ......

WTPA. .

.Wed. 10:30-11:00

.23.1 ....

.... 41

57.0

Blue Ribbon Bouts .......

Ringside With Rasslers.

. . WGAL .
..WHP

2.

Inner Sanctum (Myst),

WTPA. .

NBC

. Thurs. 10:00-10:30 .....

. 22.5 ....

...... 46

48.4

Martin Kane .. .... . . .. .

.. WGAL .

. , v. . -16.9

3.

I Led Three Lives (Dr)

.WTPA . .

. Thurs. 10:30-1 1 :Q0 .. .. .

.18.6

.... 65

28.7

Place the Face

..WHUM

« i-4 V R 4 7.6

Death Valley Days (W). ......

.WTPA . .

McCann-Erickson .

.Tues. 9:30-10:00

.Wed. 9:30-10:00 ........

.18.6 ... . .
.17.6....

• 34 .

54.9

Centre Stage ..... 4 ..... .

..WHP .,

,. ....21.8

5.

Mr. District Attorney (Adv). .

.WTPA. .

. .... 26.........

66.6

Kraft /fV Theatre.

, . WGAL .

; . . t .. .19.3

6.

Cisco KM (W)

.WTPA. .

.Wed. 7:00-7:30

.16.3 . . . .

.... 51

31.8

Liberace : . . . .

. . WGAL ,

.... . , lt.7

1.

Favorite Story (Dr) .

WTPA

; Ziv :

MCA....:........

Tiipq i n-3n.i i no

15 9

30

53 8

Wrcsilinff

..Vhp ...

.... v . 19.3

City Detective (Myst)

.WTPA.

.Sun. 7:30-8:00

.15.9 . . . ,

. . .. 45

35.2

Mr. Peepers .............

..WGAL .

.12 4

■ -

Front Page Detective (Myst)

.WHP . . .

.Sat. 9:30-10:00

.15.9....

... 33

47.6

Saturday Night Revue . . . ,

. . WTPA .

. ... ..,.16.6

10,

Janet Dean (Dr)

•.wrtp. . .

MPTV

Mon. 8:30-9:00

. 15.2 ....

36

42.0

Voice of Firestone . ......

..WTPA .

10.3

DETROIT

Approx. Set Count— 1,150,000

Stations— W JBK (2), WWJ (4>, WXYZ (7)

1. Badge 714 (Myst) ,

. .wwj. . . :

. NBC

....... Sun. 10:00-10:30 ..

.....31.7

72....:,,..

44.1

Carpet Theatre...........

.WJBK ...

2. Mr. District attorney (Adv) .

. .WWJ

. Ziv

...Wed. 9:30-10:00 ...

25.3

49.

51.4

Blue Ribbon Bouts. .......

.WJBK ...

Bouts; Greatest Fights. . .

.WJBK ...

3. I Led Three Lives (Dr) ....

. .WJBK

, Ziv

24.3

58

42.2

Hot Rods. .

.WXYZ ...

4. Racket Squad (Myst)

. .WWJ

.ABC

23.5 ~

44

53.5

Name’s 4he Same

.WXYZ ...

5. All Star Playhouse (Dr) ....

. .WWJ, .

. ABC

.....22.4...

65

34.5

Place the Face

.WJBK ...

6 . City Detective (Myst)

. .WJBK

.MCA

Fri. 9:30-10:00 ...

19,6

42...

46.3

Cavalcade of Sports. .

,WWJ .

0 ■

Sports; Fight Scrapbook.

WWJ .. .

7. Biff Baker, U.S.A. (Adv);..

. WXYZ.

. MCA

.Tues. 10:30-11:00 .

. . 14.8

44 •••••*»»•

33,5

Motor City Fights . ........

. WWJ . . .

8 . Liberace (Mus)

. .WWJ

.Guild. ....

.Thurs. 10:30-11:00

• * • • » 13*7 **»••*•* ♦

50. .

27.2

Meet Mr, McNulty. . ... . . . . .

.WJBK ...

9. Amos ’n’ Andy (Com)

. .WXYZ

. .CBS. . . .

Mon. 10:00-10:30

* • » # • 13*5

35 .

38.4

Famous Playhouse

. WWJ ...

10. Ellery Queen (Myst). .*

..WJBK. ...h...

. .TP A

Sat. 9:30-10:00 ....

117

■ • • 1 . » A 1 « 1 . « < • • • • « • •

20 ....

57.4

Your Hit Parade

.WWJ ...

Favorite Story (Dr)

. .WJBK. . ......

. . Ziv

Tues. 9:30-10:00 . .

. . ..11.7 ,

22

53.5

Racket Squad .........

.WWJ ^

.13.9
. 7,8

...23.5

An —

EVANSVILLE

Approx. Set Count — -30,000

Stations-

WAVE (3) Louisville, WEHT (50) Henderson,
WFIE (62) Evansville

1. Amos V Andy (Com)

. .WEHT. .

CBS

. Sun. 8:30-9:00

.56.7 .

... 60.7

The Goldberg’s

....WFIE ...

2. I Led Three Lives (Dr). . . .

. .WFIE. . .

Ziv

.Wed. 9:00-9:30

.41.5 .

70

... 59.6

Ringside Rasslers

.... WAVE . . .

3. Liberace (Mus)

4. Boston Blackie (Myst)

| WAVE

.Wed. 8:30-9:00

,.37.6.

61

... 61.4

Inner Sanctum

....WFIE ...

. . ( WEHT
. .WFIE . , .

r.Ziv,.

.Thurs. 9:00-9:30

..326.

58

... 55.8

Ringside Rasslin’ .......

/

.... WEHT . . .

5. Cisco Kid (W)

. .WEHT . .

.Fri. 7:00-7:30

.28.5 .

83.....

34.6

Adventure . . ;

...WFIE ...

6. Waterfront (Adv)

. .WFIE. . .

.Thurs. 7:30-8:00 ......

.25.8 .

59

... 45.2

Les Smithhart

.... WEHT . . .

~ .

7, Mr. District Attorney (Adv).

. .WFIE. . .

.Mon. 7:30-8:00

.23.9 .

48.....

... 50.3

Lone Wolf

. . . , WEHT . . .

8. Lone Wolf (Adv)

, .WEHT. .

........ UTP

Mon. 7:30-8:00 .......

.23.0 .

........ 46.....

... 50.3

Mr. District Attorney . ,

....WFIE ...

9. My Hero (Com)

. .WEHT. .

%CBS

.Sun. 9:30-10:00

.22.8 .

50 .... .

... 45.8

Break the Bank

....WFIE ...

10. Inner Sanctum (Myst). ......

. .W’FIE . . .

NBC.

Wed. 8:30-9:00

.21.7 .

........ 35.....

... 61.4

(WAVE .

Liberace

WEHT .

COLUMBUS

Approx. Set Count-

—340,000

. Stations — WLW-C (4), WTVN (6), WBNS

(l

1; Mr. District Attorney (Adv).

. WLW-C.

.Wed. 9:30-10:00

.26.4-;

. 49.4

Blue Ribbon Bouts

....WBNS ...

i «

.23.9

.37.*

2. I Led Three Lives (Dr) WBNS .....Ziv .Tues. 8:30-9:00 ...22.9..

3. Boston Blackie (Adv) ,WLW-C Ziv .Tues. 9:30-10:00 ....... .22.1 ...

4. Badge. 714 (Myst) . . . WLW-C.. NBC Mon. 9:30-10:00 , 21.4

5. City Detective (Myst) WBNS. MCA Fri. 9:00-9:30 .18.7

6. Counterpoint (Dr);., WBNS . UTP Sun, 8:30-9:00 ........ .17.3 ........ .

7. Liberace (Mus)... WBNS..... Giftld.. .Wed! 10:30-11:00 ........14.0..,.

Wild Bill Hickok (W) . WBN$ Flamingo Sat. 6:00-6:30 14.0

9. Cowboy G-Men (W) .WBNS Flamingo .......... Sat. 5:30-8:00 12.9

10. Superman (Adv) . . . , .WBNS Flamingo Wed. 6:00-6:30 11.9

45. . .

46. . .
38.

43 .. . .

42. . . .

50

76.. ..

77 . . . .

85.

51.0

48.4

55.8

43.1

41.5
28.0

18.5

16.8

14.1

Wrestling WT VN 11.5

Top Plays of ’54 WLW-C ...... 16.9

Name’s the Same. WTVN ....... 16.7

Studio One WBNS 25.4

Cavalcade Of Sports. . WLW-C 16 5

Plainsclothesman ,Y. . WTVN ....... 12.3

Family Playhouse .WLW-C .....? 7:5

Amateur Hour.., ...WLW-C 2.6

Saturday Showboat ......... WTVN ....... 2.7

Western Saturday Night.. WTVN 2.3

Sloan Safety Awards WLW-C ® ?

News — J. Daly, ... i ..... . WTVN

2.3

NOW, for the first time 117 episodes of FOREIGN INTRIGUE, available direct from the producer
to you for local and regional sponsorship. The outstanding adventure series in the television
film field FOREIGN INTRIGUE is shot on location in Europe for unparalleled authenticity.

Seen throughout the country for the past three seasons FOREIGN INTRIGUE is a pre-sold
product. It stands alone, acclaimed by both trade and general press — and loyally sup-
ported by the viewing public— as the pre-eminent TV film show of its type.

In addition to the 117 available FOREIGN INTRIGUE episodes, there is an entirely new
group of films now before the cameras in Europe which will unveil a dramatically
revamped format.

Prices for groups of 26, 39 and 52 films can be had upon request.

For more detailed information, contact:

^WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY, inc.

1740 Broadway
Now York City, N. Y.
JUdson 6-5100

919 No. Michigan
Chicago, III.
WHitehall 3-1744

202 No. Canon Drivo
Boverly Hills, Calif.
CRostview 1-6161

m .

TV-FILMS

Wgflncftfay, Augugt 4, 1954

CBS-TV F3m Sales Sets 5 New

/

Properties in Bid for Supremacy

CBS Television Film Sales, the4*-— 1 : ' !

syndicated arm of the CBS net-
work, will make its big bid for tele-
pix distribution supremacy this
fall with five new properties going
into the market. Addition of the
new shows will give Film Sales a
total of 20 properties, probably
more than any other distrib holds.

New packages include "The
Whistler,” "Man from the Islands,”
"The Lineup,” "How to For You”
and a situation comedy now being
negotiated. Also in the works are
a new series of "Amos in' Andy”
pix, the Don Sharpe-packaged
"Sheena, Queen of the Jungle” and
a .couple Of news shows allied to
CBS Newsfilm : service, which the
Film Sales operation handles.
These, however, wouldn't go into
distribution till later in the fall or
early winter,

"Whistler” has already been sold
On the Coast to Signal Oil, which
sponsored it for many years on
CBS Radio. * It’s in production in
Hollywood, under Lipdsley Par-
sons’ banner. "Man from the Isl-
ands” is another CBS Radio prop-
erty, on which background shooting,
in the Carribbean has started.
"How-Jo” is a quarter-hour serv-
ice segment shooting in N. Y.
"Lineup” is the network entry for
Brown & Williamson, which gets
simultaneous syndication.

Boost in production, along with
heightened sales and merchandis-
ing efforts, has come about large-
ly since Leslie T. Harris took -over
as v.p.-general manager and the
operation got a separate identity
as a corporation on its own. Firm’s
biggest splash, of course, continues
to be in the western field, via such
properties as “Gene Autry,” "An-
nie Oakley” and "Range Rider.”

Galahad’s 'Bell’

To Ring in Ellyn

Hi Brown’s Galahad Productions
will start shooting "His Honor,
Homer Bell,” starring Gene Lock-
hart. late this month at the Warner
Studios in Brooklyn, for the NBC
Film Division. NBC bought, one. of
the large stages in 1952 for color
tv operations (including spectacu-
lars', but this will mark the first
time in 15 years that any major
filming has been done at that loca-
tion. Brown is re-equipping the
studio for the 39-episode series,
which is his second telepix pack-
age for the Film Division (first was
"Inner Sanctum.”)

Until its inactivation in, 1939,
the Brooklyn "lot” was eastern
base for Warners, which switched
all its operations to the Coast. First
building was erected in 1897 by
Vitagraph Co. of America, headed
by J. Stuart Blackton with his
one-camera trio of men who started
in business with $900 and rah it to
a string of $15,000,000 by 1917. In
1925, Blackton sold out to WB’s
Vitaphone. The stage remained
dark until the advent of sound pix
when large-scale production was
resumed to the ’39 point. Activa-
tion was begun — in tv — with the
NBC purchase.

BBC-TV Newsreel

Flop Brings Beefs

London, - Aug, 3.

It was reported last week that
top level BBC-TV confabs have
been taking place with regard to
the new $14,000 a week "News and
Newsreel” service introduced early
last month, and considered as be-
ing one of the biggest and most
costly failures in tv history.

Following a meeting of Sir Ian
Jacob, BBC Director-General, and
TV and News Division chiefs last
Wed. (28) it is believed the tv
men will try to obtain a self-con-
tained tv service which, while
working in cooperation with sound
radio, will not be under its day-by-
day direction.

Under the personal supervision
of Sir Ian, secret preparations of
"News in Vision” went on for sev-
eral weeks, and the service was then
introduced with a blast of publicity
followed by an almost universal
thumbs down. Stills used to illus-
trate news of the day had a sub-
sequent addition of film which
brought yet another panning

H’wood Ice-Skating Rink
Mulled as Telefilm Plant

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

'Polar Palace, for many years an
ice-skating rink, may be converted
into a telefilm plant, if plans be-
ing discussed by California Studio
owners-producers Jack 'Gross and
Phil Krasne. are finalized.

G-K, preppirig an expansion pro-
gram due to their heavy produc-
tion sked, first will add a few
stages to their present California
studios. In the future, however,
they may lease the Polar Palace
site from the Clune Memorial
Trust, which also owns the ground
on which California studio is
located. ' \ .

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

United States Supreme Court
will apparently have to decide the
precedental issue of whether or
not major motion picture studios
have the right to release pix to tv
without okay of the stars involved.
Roy Rogers and Gene Autry are
preparing appeals to the nation's,
highest court, in the wake of a
U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
denial of their motions for rehear-
ing of a State Supreme Court de-
cision awarding Republic the right
to release the cowpokes’ pix to
video.

Both Autry and Rogers have until
Aug. 31 to file their petitions with
the high court, and their attorneys
are now preparing them. Explained
Rogers’ attorney, Fred Sturdy, yes-
terday: “We think the case of suf-
ficient magnitude to test it before
the highest court in the land.”

An Autry attorney agreeing with
Sturdy, added: "In the Autry case
there were findings by the Appel-
late Court that there were certain
restrictions on Republic’s rights.
Republic can’t doctor the pictures
to give the impression Autry is
endorsing the sponsor’s product;
the pictures can’t be emasculated,
they must be at least 53 minutes
long, and the stations have seven
minutes for commercial time. We
feel a clarification of the restric-
tions and questions must be Re-
solved in this case, or a subsequent
one.”

Hollywood Television Service,
Rep’s tv subsid which was swamped
with offers for the Rogers and
Autry pix following the State Su-
preme Court decision, has not yet
released any of the product to tv,
but is. expected to in the near fu-
ture. HTS held back pending the
Appeals court ruling, but is now
busy prepping the pix for release
to tv.

$62,240 TO SAG
FOR VIDP1X RERUNS

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

Members of the Screen Actors
Guild have collected $62,240 in re-
run payments for working in tele-
films, since SAG’s vidpix pact went
into effect, Guild notified them
this past week. SAG, which re-
ceives the residual coin from pro-
ducers and then funnels it to mem-
bers, has been unable to contact
five actors who have such coin
coming— Shelia Franklin, Edgar
Carpenter,. Elizabeth Fraser, Jo-
seph Leon and Karin Nordgren.

Guild is also conducting a sur-
vey on employment, and sent ques-
tionnaires to members seeking to
determine the number of days they
have been working. Data is needed
to help the exec board decide sev-
eral issues confronting it, SAG !
stated.

Guild has obtained a directive
from local unemployment insur-
ance offices that if an actor has
an agent, the thesp is not required
to personally contact studios, cast-
ing directors, etc;, for jobs. Law
governing job insurance provides
applicant must contact at least five
employers , in his search for work,

r i \'V ? v » *■;?. - ; •' '* • ✓ » *

Vidpix Chatter |

t ♦ ♦♦♦»»♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ »♦♦♦■»+»

A stanza of the "Sandy Wright,
Worlql Scout” vidpixer, directed
and produced by Ed Leftwich, be-
ing shot in Miami. Star is Bill
Penn. . * . Buster Brown Shoes
launches another season of
"Smilin’ Ed’s Gang” via vidfilm
and ABC-TV on Aug. 21. Emcee of
the jtive series, Ed McConnell,
died last week. . . , Bob Lewine,
ABC’s eastern program chief, to
the Coast to view rough cuts of the
first Disney yidfo show. Also there
to o.o. new Ray Bolger and Danny
Thomas lensings. . . "Art Link-

letter and the Kids,” CBS-TV
film department’s 15-miriute tele-
pix series now hitting* 81 markets.

Belter Living

Continued from page 35

Better Living feature-film-on-tv
budget is spent through four local

outlets carrying a total of .60 or
so hours weekly, the mail order
house has had excellent opportu-
nity to measure effectiveness of
pix

The "musts” for Better Living
stations follow a simple, design:
Afternoon programming (some of
these pix running an hour; other
running an hour-and-a-quarter or
longer, and this holds true at all
times) consists predominantly of
westerns, and Saturday and Sunday
mornings until about 1 p.m. are ex-
clusively western periods;- Of all
kinds, of feature films, Wolf said
that "westerns are very, very popu-
lar,” And this Is not for, a juve
audience alone; Better Living is
pitching household goods primarily
to adult viewers. Wolf and one
of the other two partners, Mike
Gelrod, expressed a . need for the
"Strong-story line” from 7:30-
9 p.m. They define this as adven-
ture or drama and occasionally
western. At or after 11 p.m., when
they do a fair amount of their
"hard sell,” outfit braintrusters in-
sist mainly on heavy mystery cr
the heaviest type of dramatic pic.
Experience taught Wolf that such
pictures brought a raise in re-
sponses to mail-order pitches. The
same holds true at all times when
the pattern is pursued. Jockeying
pictures over the years has brought
vacillating returns. What these
men have done is to have taken
the best returns for certain pix at
certain hours and make them the
rule.

Downbeat in Musicals

A major point determined by
Wolf, Gelrod & Wolf, who them-
selves monitor stanzas and use only
their own staff of directors and
video pitchmen to help them set
programming structure was that
"Americans obviously don’t like,
musicals.” Instructions to all sta-
tions in the 40 markets have been
to avoid them, "particularly Eng-
lish-made musicals.” "I think that
the American public will watch for
five minutes and ’ then just give
up,” Wolf maintained. He dis-
cussed too that there is a certain
level of the country that buys by
mail order that holds no truck with
I such features.

Heinz ‘Sliidio 57’

i

mmh Continued from page 35

cause they lose their percentage
by failing to get national under-
writers to buy individucl stations.
Second, reps maintain, stations suf-
fer also because a buy such as the.
Heinz or Kellogg ones, gives the
station network rates, this being
far*, less than can be made by a
spot deal at local card rates.

Maxon, agency for Heinz, has
stated that it’s seeking the "best
buy possible” for its client
through the DuMont buy.

With Kellogg, ABC-TV countered
j charges it was acting as a film dis-
trib by saying the juve pix fill be
showcased via "delayed feel.” Du-
Mont, on the other hand, can
counter by saying it made a net-
work buy for the vidpix series.
(One source said it was 18 Du-
Mont stations, but agency Maxon
would not confirm.) The stations
on the web lineup were purchased
for 9 p.m. Tuesdays, on the assump-
tion that Rybutol’s “The Gold-
bergs” stay on the air.

Having a great deal to do with
the Heinz buy on DuMont also is
the fact that the cannery is anxious
to get its home market, Pittsburgh,
through the DuMont o&o there,
WDTV# , -

• > <

Burrud’s Documentary
Film Series for TV

. Hollywood, Aug. 3.

A new documentary film series,
"Assignment America/’ is being
prepped by Bill Burrud, who ex-
ited Open Road Productions to
form his own tv pix company.
Series bows on KTTV Sept. 2,

Human interest series Will be
angeled by Hinshaw’s depaitment
store. Burrud plans 26 half-hour
frames in the new show, and is
currently dickering for Sally Mans-
field to appear ih one of the early
stanzas, v Burrud will function as'
producer-director on the series.
While with Open Road, he pro-
duced "Before Your Eyes,” KTTV
show.

Bilson s Telepix
Credo: Treat Kids

Hollywood,' Aug. 3.

' Excite the imagination of kids
watching tv shows, but not the kids,
advises. Screen Gems producer.
George Bilson, who cautions
against the over-indulgence of sex
and violence . on programs for
youngsters.

Bilson, producer of Screen Gems’
“Captain Midnight,” which bows
On CBS-TV Sept. 4 and is aimed
at the moppet market, termed
stimulation of the imagination the
most important factor in apy show
for the young ones. "That’s more
important than trying to get a pro-
gram to fill a limited age group,”
he opined. .

"Midnight” has action, but not
violence, and there is a vast differ-
ence, he stated. Bilson advised
“treat the kids as human beings,
not as inferior problems.” He said
in his series there is never more
than 15 minutes of dialog, the rest
of action; More than that yak and
the kids “wiggle,” he asserted.

There’s' nary a murder in "Mid-
night” because Bilson* feels all
Stories can be solved without vio-
lence, and to the satisfaction Of
the kids. . Bilson further advised
"never ■ underestimate the i.q. of
the average kids; don’t be con-
descending.” ^ Another must for
such shows is audience identifica-
tion, and that’s why “Midnight”
always has some moppets in its
cast t he added.

Bilson said a good moppet show
js one which appeals not just to
the youngsters < but to adults also,
and one in which believable things
happen. It’s also one in which
"the child identifies himself on the
screen and it excites his imagina-
tion to the point where hej^ doing
things the character is. There
should be a liaison established be-
tween the young viewer and the
character if the, show is to be a
successful one,” Bilson added.

Qaters have waned in popularity
because of the saturation on tv, he
said. , "There are just too many
of them, and the kids wiggle be-
cause they know what’s going to
happen before it happens. If you
had just a few westerns they’d
last, but the kids see thousands.
Each one has a certain degree of
popularity for awhile, then ex-
hausts itself. It’s always the same
old story with the fight over the
round tables in the saloon. When
Hollywood runs out of round
tables you'll see the end of western
pictures,” he commented.

Courneya’s Distrib Setup

Jerry Courneya Productions on
the Coast has . formed a distribut-
ing division tagged United Produc-
ers Distributor^ and launched a
sale drive on its "Adventure Time”
package. Latter consists of 65 ac-
tioner pix.

Noah Beery Jr. will make his
vidpix debut in the series playing
himself in "Adventures of Noah
Beefy Jr.-”* '

Since the FCC won’t touph com-
munity ’antennae, telepixers,
who’ve beep troubled by the
service, are hoping that 1 % will be
stifled market by market with the
entry of new stations. Original
feeling was that additional sta-
tions would only complicate and
intensify the overlap problem
created by community antennae
systems, but' the new idea is that
viewers will cease paying installa-
tion and periodic rental fees on
such services once a market gets
its own station under way.

Coin losses have been suffered
by some vidpix distribs wbo found
that new stations can’t buy their
series since the shows are already
being carried into the markets 'via
closed-circuit community anten-
nae. However, a spokesman for
one ’distributor feels that "the
problem looks worse than it really
Is.” Reason for that 1 is problem
was evaluated oh the basis of the
situation as it existed within too
short a time after a station went
airwisje. The viewers didn’t have a
chance to condition to picking up
stafizas via- the new station, and'
the station hadn’t, in all cases,
lined up its roster of network af-
filiations.

Current belief in some* Vidpix
quarters is once these new stations
get straightened away, local view-
ership will find it unnecessary to
pay for use of closed-circuit anten-
nas. Even in a one-station market,
there should be sufficient variety
from two or three network affilia-
tions to end the problem, it’s said.
There is the other side, however,
which maintains that one station
cannot replace the opportunity for
selectivity through community an-
tennae, and that people will con-
tinue paying for such service as
long, as there is only one station.
If ttiie latter is true, tv film dis-
tributors will seek some legal
precedent to fight off inroads of
community antennae systems.

-A recent example of the overlap
created by c.a. systems occurred
in a small western town, where the
first tele station went on the air.
Town had c.a,, and station had to
refuse a vidpix series because the
same show was being brought in
from the Coast via c.a. Distrib
couldn’t charge, the c.a. owners,
nor the station that already had
the stanza.

At the beginning of the month,
the FCC ruled, in the case of a
grant of channel to the Ohio Val-
ley Broadcasting Corp., Clarks-
burg, W. Va., that community an-
tennae systems do not involve an
overlap question and that the com-
mission has, in such matters, au-
thority only over those broadcast
firms it licenses. C.a. are systems,
the FCC ruled, that may be begun
or discontinued at will.

For ‘Yard Vidpix

"Fabian of Scotland Yard,” new
half-hour vidpix s'eries, will have
the presence of the legendary
Robert Fabian himself for exploi-
tation purposes in the U. S.
Fabian, who appears in the series,
is the former superintendent of
detectives of Scotland Yard and
author of the autobiogs, "Fabian
of the Yard” and "London After
Dark.” He’ll arrive in this country
to take the rostrum as featured
speaker at the annual powwow of
the International Assn, of Chiefs
of Police, scheduled for New -Or-
leans on Sept. 29. Arrangements
have been made with, department
stores and .book shops to rig up
window displays ballyihg the local
tv appearance Of the sleuth, these
to dovetail with his national lec-
ture tour on behalf oLhis sponsors.
After the New Orleans convention,
Fabian will start the trek to appear
before civic groups, law enforce-
ment agencies and, as a lecturer,
for pay audiences.

Telefilm Enterprises, distrib of.
the vidpix, aims to send an advance
man into each city to coordinate
Fabian’s activities that will tie in
with the 39 films. Bruce Seaton,
British actor, enacts the role of
Fabian, with the latter appearing
at conclusion of each pic to de-
scribe the disposition of the cases
documented. John Larkin is the

ITednesJay, Xugttrf % 1954

•'

• •

»

MGgmr?

MUSIC 41

45s in Major Fall Saks Campaign

Columbia Records is prepping a4
fall drive on its record -and equip-
ment (phonograph players and
needles) lines with cuffo platter
lures for the consumer. ,

For the disk and needle push,
Col has set aside 25 previously
unreleased platters in the pop, jazz
and longhair field. Diskery is mak-
ing available these waxings as a
premium for purchases of Col long-
play or extended play disks or any
Col needle. The‘-cuffo platters,
which have been tabbed “Priceless
Editions,” will not be marketed
through regular sales channels and
can only be obtained through the
premium plan.

The “Priceless Editions” plat-
ters will be available on seven-
inch 33^6 rpm or 45 rpm. Disk-
ery is not putting a limit on the
number of cuffo platters to a cus-
tomer. Every single Col unit pur-
chased from the EP and LP cata-
log entitles the customer to one
cuffo pressing.

Col will handle the distribution
of the premium platters directly
from its Bridgeport, Conn., plant.
Dealers will be supplied with self-
addressed, self-sealed envelopes
which the consumer will send to
COl after enclosing a sales slip,
the premium disk request, and 25c
to cover the cost of mailing.

Included in the giveaway platter
roster are Liberace, Rosemary
Clooney, Arthur Godfrey, Dave
Brubeck, A1 Jolson with Guy Lom-
bardo, Andre Kostelanetz and Al-
bert Schweitzer among others.

Diskery will tee off ad ' cam-
paign pegged on a “you can’t buy
these” line within the next couple
of weeks.

For the phonograph player push.
Col has issued a special two-platter
12-inch LP package of Col artists
as a giveaway lure. Set is tagged
“Star Time” and includes 26 art-
ists from the pop and Masterworks
roster. The “Star Time” package
will be given away with the $59.95
table model, the $29.95 portable
and the $27.95 table.

Among the albums set for the
fall merchandising push are the
soundtrack set from the Warner
Bros, pic, “A Star Is Born,” Thomas
Beecham conducting the Royal
Philharmonic on . Berlioz’s “Te
Deum,” a three-LP package, of
Bruno Walter conducting the N. Y.
Philharmonic on Brahms’ sym-
phonies and orchestral pieces, and
several new jazz packages. "

Can t Beat These Prices

You can .now get a record,
for a bobbypin. In a tieup
with model impresario John
Robert Powers, Gaylord Prod-
ucts Inc. is pushing its boby-
pin and hairnet merchandise
via a waxed dissertation on
beauty secrets , by Powers.

The platter, which wip be
plugged in 23 national mags,
will not be put on sale but can
only be obtained as a boxtop
giveaway.

Sues Cap, Decca

Kaye Blasts Rudy
For Using His Name
In Band Promotion

Hassle between Sammy Kaye
and the Ernie Rudy orch flared up
last week with Kaye readying an
action against Rudy for continu-
ing to capitalize on his orch’s tag.
Kaye claims that ever since Rudy
ankled his orch two years ago with
nine other sidemen to form a new
band, Rudy has been advertising,
the crew as the “original Sammy
Kaye orch” and the “former Sam-
my Kaye -band.”

Kaye is demanding that Rudy
and General Artists Corjp. desist
from .using the Kaye tag in any
of their advertising or canned press
. matter. Kaye got an okay from the
American Federation of Musicians
to go ahead with the action.

Meantime, Kaye cut short his
stand at the Hotel Astor, N.Y., to
concentrate on his new tv show
which tees off tomorrow (Thurs.)
on ABC-TV. Les Elgart’s orch
moved into the Astor Monday (2)
a ? X aye s ^Placement for the rest
°* the summer season.

How High The Moon

m , San Francisco, Aug. 3.
lurk Murphy’s dixieland band
as been signed to play for the
Masquerade Ball of the 13th an-
nual Science Fiction Writers’ Con-
vention here Sept. 6.

f audience will dress as their
vonte science fiction character, ,

A challenge tp the existing dis-
tribution structure of the disk in-
dustry has been thrown down by
Eliott Wexler, head of Music Mer-
chants Inc., in a Brooklyn Federal
Court suit filed last week against
Decca and Capitol Records and
their distribution companies. Wex-
ler, who has his own sales opera-
tion under which he services chain
and food stores with disks, is suing
to force Decca and Capitol to give
him a bigger discount than ac-
corded ordinary retailers,

Wexler’s complaint alleges that
Decca and Capitol, in refusing to
permit their company - owned
branches to sell him below the
retailer discount, are acting in re-
straint of trade. Wexler, through
his attorneys Socolow, Stein &
Seton, is asking the court to estab-
lish “a free • market” in which he
can negotiate his own prices.

Wexler alleges that the policy
of the two disk, companies is put-
ting the squeeze on him. He con-
tends that he is not a retailer,
since he sells to retail outlets, and
therefore wants a price that recog-
nizes his distributor or jobber
status. Wexler sells to the chain
and food syndicate stores at a 25%
discount and ogives them a 100%
return privilege.

The suit is regarded as - prece-
dental in that M’s the first time
that anyone has come between the
factory-to-distrib-tb-retailer chain.
Capitol and Decca were apparently
selected as plaintiffs in the suit
because they are the only two com*-
panies in the N. Y. area to have
factory-owned branches.

Columbia Records, through its
distrib in Philadelphia where
Music Merchants' headquarters, has
granted the latter a semi-distrib
status. RCA Victor distribs, how-
•ever, have not been disposed to
give Wexler a better price break.

‘NEW’ DINAH TO SPARK
VICTOR’S POP DRIVE

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

RCA Victor is rushing out a
platter by the “new” Dinah Shore
which will highlight a pop record
push that gets underway this week.
Side is “If I Give My Heart To
You” and marks a radical de-
parture for. Miss Shore, who turns
belter on the platter which was
made under the supervision of
artists & repertoire chief Joe
Carlton. Harry Geller, who wrote
the special arrangement, conducted
the orchestra to back the date.

Entire company will get behind
the pop tune campaign which will
have such new releases as June
Valli's “Tell Me, Tell Me,” Sunny
Gale’s “Smile,” and the Ames
Bros.’ “Hopelessly” as leaders.
Latter, incidentally, is backed by
“One More Time” in which the
vocal group sings in German.

Vaughn Monroe to the Steel
Pier, Atlantic City, Aug. 8 for a
week.

The dominance of ' the disk
jockey ' in the hit-making' process
of the music biz is now Coming up
for review. While only a few years
ago the dee jay was undisputed
kingpin in the plugging operation,
it’s now believed that other factors
are relegating the jockey to a role
that, while still very important, is
not supreme, '

Significantly, for the past two
years there have been few claims
by any individual -jockey that “I
made this or that hit.” One jockey
in the midwest once was so intoxi-
cated by his apparent potential to
make hits singlehandedly, that he
adopted the title of “Mr. Music.”
He, and . other top jocks, have
failed to create a hit in some time.

The N. Y. publishers' and disk-
ers still rate the jocks as key fac-
tors, but in the aggregate, not as
individuals. They are not paying
off so readily for plugs from indi-
vidual jockeys and the romancing
of the deejays when they hit New
York is on a considerably reduced
scale.

The jockeys, it’s now felt, are
following rather than leading the
hit parade. They are playing it
safe in their programming and, as
a result, they are not discovering
as much new talent and tunes as
they once did.

One factor in the decline of. the
jockey has been the growth of tele-
vision. While tv has not yet be-
come a hit-making medium, it has
cut down on deejay audiences, par-
ticularly with the advent of after-
noon tv shows which pull the teen-
agers away from the music shows.

' In the few months since George
Pincus left Shapiro-Bernstein as
general prof. mgr. and became a
publisher on his own, his second
quarter ASCAP. money jumped
from $500 to $5,000. Pincus has
also set up a BMI firm.

Another new BMI affiliate is
Larry Spier who already has three
ASCAP firms and two previously
established BMI firms with Johnnie
Ray and the 4 Lads as his partners.

Cap Likely to Do Cast
Set of ‘Oklahoma’ Pic

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

No deals have been made, but
Capitol apparently will grab off the
original cast album for the film
version of “Oklahoma.” Plattery
has the inside track because Gor-
don MacRae, who plays Curly in
the film, version, is under contract
to Capitol.

Decca, which brought out the
original cast album of the Broad-
way show more than a decade ago,
is reportedly considering a promo-
tional campaign tied to the film
version. Over the years, the Broad-
way “Oklahoma” album has been
one of the alltime best selling
packages. It’s the only original
cast album to have topped the
1,000,000-set sales mark.

Hep Cat

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

In weirdest record promo-
tion stunt yet, a 900-pound lion,
Jackie The Second, roamed
unleashed and unattended at
party at home of femme dee-
jay, Lonesome Gal, Sunday
(1). It was part of a campaign
for the “Lion Hunt” tune
which debuts the Nilsson
Twins on Coral.

Guests at party scurried for
cover but lion calmly stretched
out on diving board and mad*
no fuss.

Just Bad Enough

Conversation between V a
publisher and a songwriter
" eavesdropped in front of the
Brill Bldg, the “10 Downing
Street” of New York’s music
biz. > ■ . ' .

Songwriter: “You’ve got tq
. publish it. It’s a really good
song.”

Publisher: “The market’s
not ready yet for a good song.”

Songwriter: “Well, it’s not
’ that good!”

+ Decca Records is kicking off its
20th anni program this month with
a special merchandising push on
packaged goods. Sydney. Goldberg,
label’s national sales head, hit the
road last week to brief the Decca
dealers on the upcoming releases,
Goldberg has five divisional con-
fabs on his itinerary. .

The key album in Decca’s anni
push will be the musical autobiog-
raphy of Bing Crosby. Set, which
will be peddled at $27.50, includes
89 songs on five 12-inch longplay
platters. It’ll also be .packaged on
extended play disks and priced the
saihe as the LPs. A special demo
disk is being made available to.
dealers at 91c

The set also will contain a 24-
page Crosby biog by Louis Unter-
meyer plus a discography. The
disks will be packaged in a special
box, complete with jeweler’s lock
and key and wrapped in cello-
phane.

RCA Victor, which recently set
up a flock of new labels such as
Groove, Camden and Label X, is
now interested in buying out the
indie Dot Records which head-
quarters in Gallatin, Tenn. It’s
understood that Randy Wood, Dot
topper, has been approached tp sell

out to Victor and has shown enough
interest to put a specific price tag
on his operation.

Progress of any deal between
Victor and Dojt will depend on re-
action of the top RCA echelon,
since a considerable amount of
coin would be involved- Manie
Sacks, Victor vieeprexy and gen-
eral manager, refused to comment
on the negotiations, although it is
known that Sacks has been instru-
mental in setting several of the
new Victor labels in order to di-
versify the merchandising ap-
proach.

It’s believed that if Victor
bought out Dot, it would . absorb
its Label X into the Dot operation.
Label X, which was launched early
this year, has just about gotten on
its feet with a distrib apparatus
under sales chief Joe Delaney. and
a roster of vocalists under artists
& repertoire topper Jimmy Hil-
liard.

Dot, on the other hand,, has prov-
en to be one of the strongest inde-
pendents in the field for the past
couple of years. In the Hilltoppers,
the label has come up with a po-
tent vocal combo, which has been
consistently represented in the hit
lists. In . addition, the label has
made a dent in the rhythm & blues
markets.

CORAL INKS ROBERT Q.
TO PLATTER TERM PACT

Expanding its roster of names
from thn nitery arid video field,
Coral Records has inked Robert Q.
Lewis to a term pact. Coral, un-
der artists & repertoire chief Bob
Thiele, has been stressing comedy
platters in recent months with
such names as Joey Adams. Buddy
Hackett, Herb Shriner, Eddie Law-
rence, Steve Allen, Jimmie Ko-
mack and Myron Cohen.

Lewis etched several sides pre-
viously for MGM Records,

Hersholt Reads. Xmas
Yarns for RCA Album

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

RCA Victor has packaged an-
other reading album for the Christ-
mas trade, this one with Jean
Hersholt. Veteran film and radio
actor has completed recordings of
Christmas stories which will be re-
leased. on a 10-inch LP album.

Stories are translations of Yule-
tide tales in Danish, Hersholt’s na-
tive tongue. He’s previously been
heard on wax with such items as
Hans Christian Andersen fairytales.

The Crosby package will head up
a new fall line of 30 new album
titles. Among the Decca artists
repped in the anni album push are
Fred Waring, the Mills Bros., Russ
Morgan, the Ink Spots, Danny
Kaye, Guy Lombardo, Jackie Glea-
son (now a Capitol Records’
pactee), Guy Lorhbardo, Ella Fitz-
gerald and Leroy Anderson among
others.

Decca has arranged a special
dating plan for dealers who buy
between Aug. 17 and. Sept. 17. An
additional 10% discount Also has
been arranged for dealers whose
purchases are more than $100.

Before heading out on the divi-
sional sales confab trek, Goldberg
auditioned his spiel at the home-
office in New York. Working with
colored slides, Goldberg traced the
achievements of the diskery since
its inception Aug. 4, 1934. He
pointed out that a big record for
the diskery in those days rarely
topped 50,000 disk sales. He cited
Bing Crosby’s waxing of “Love In
Bloom” as a disclick that sold only
36,000 copies.

As an additional part of the anni
program, Decca is propping special
certificates of merit for dealers
who’ve been with the company
since ’34. Diskery also appointed
publicist Ed Weiner,to handle the
anni promotion chores.

Betty Hutton’s Spec
On NBC-TV Sets Unique

Huqlles for Tunesmiths

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

One of the toughest assignments
in songwriting history is nearing
its final phases — and if tunesmiths
Jay Livingston and Ray Evans sur-
vive, they will have blazed the
trail for what may be an entirely
new chapter in show business.

Livingston and Evans are writ-
ing the score for the first of the
Max Liebman NBC-TV spectacu-
lars, “Satins and Spurs,” starring
Betty Hutton. It’s a songwriting
chore unlike any that preceded it
because of the peculiar problems
involved, the deadline and t)e pos-
sible ramifications.

Three of the nine songs for the
show have yet to be written —
but they’ve got to be finished by
next Thursday ( 12 ) . That’s the
day that Capitol Records begins to
cut the sides for the “original
cast” album which wiil be rushed
into release so that it is in the
stores when the show is telecast in
the fall. Of the six that have al-
ready been written, orchestrations
aren’t completely available because
of the pending discussions on
choreographing the show. These
production details will have to be
ironed out before the album can
be cut.

Pressure of time, Livingston and
Evans disclosed before heading
east for the final weeks of work on
the show, may change Capitol’s
plans to record the album. Diskery
had planned to use the fHm studio
technique of prerecording and us-
ing these recordings as a sort of
soundtrack. Since it now seems
(Continued on page 48)

42

MUSIC

Wednesday, August 4,1954

By HERM SCHOENFELD.

Ray Anthony Orch: “Skokian”-
“Say Hey” (Capitol). An import
from South Africa* “Skokian” is
one of the freshest instrumentals
to turq up in some time?. It has a
bright, swinging melodic line that’s
delineated by a solo soprano sax.
Ray Anthony has an excellent ver-
sion of this entry, as does Ralph
Marterie for Mercury. Both should
share a healthy quota of spins. On
the Capitol flip, Anthony has a rou-
tine rhythm & blues side.

Eddie Fisher; ‘‘I Need You Now”-
“Heaven Was Never Like This”
(Victor). Eddie Fisher has the kind
of simple, direct ballad in “I Need
You Now” that’s best suited to his
open-voiced style and he should
make this tune into a big one.
Hugo Winterhalter’s orch supplies
an appropriately unadorned back-
ground. “Heaven” is another
pleasing tune with good potential.

Johnny Desmond: “The High
And The Mighty”-“Got No Time”
(Coral). The 'background theme
from the pic, “High And The
Mighty,” has been given a fine Ned
Washington lyric that Johnny Des-
mond belts out with considerable
impact. “Got No Time” is a
rhythm oldie handled with a good
beat by Desmond.

Percy Faith Orch: “Song For

Put together on wax it has solid
appeal, both inside and outside the
trade, and for the non-pros it’s
probably a smattering of inside
stuff that most laymen like, Schafer
must have had a problem on “clear-
ances,” but however he did it, it’s
funny stuff and bears repetition.

Abel.

Echoes of Latin America (Vox).
Another worthy addition to the
George Feyer “Echoes” series
(“Paris,” “Italy,” “Vienna,” “Broad-
way’'). Pianist (with rhythm ac-
comp) lends his brisk, individual
style, keyboard flair and good taste
to some unknown as well as famil-
iar below-border tunes." Some dis-
tinctive arrangements are standout,
as in “Siboney” and “La Cumpar-
sita.” .

Movie Cocktails (Vox). Vox Sin-
fonietta of Vienna, under Hans
Hagen, in attractive arrangements
of theme songs or music from eight
films. Pianist Eduard Mrazek is a
formidable soloist in “Warsaw
Concerto” .(“Suicide Squadron’)
but zither-player Anton Karas, re-
creating the “Third Man Theme”
from that pic, has a too elaborate
arrangement with the orch, losing
the simplicity Of his performance
Originally in the film, “Terry’s
Theme" from “Limelight,” “Moulin

RAY ANTHONY ORCH.
(Capitol) ........... i

EDDIE FISHER

( RCA Victor )

SKOKIAN

Say Hey

. . I NEED YOU NOW

.Heaven Was Never Like This

Sweethearts” - “Bubbling Over”
(Columbia). In “Song For Sweet-
hearts,” Percy Faith returns to the
“Moulin Rouge” atmosphere for
another lovely side, richly etched
with a fiddle arrangement and fea-
turing Betty Cox on the vocal. Re-
verse is a bright, fanciful entry
fashioned like a European folk-
1 dance number.

Richard Maltby Orch: “Beloved
Be True”-“'St. Louis Blues Mambo”
(Label X). Richard Maltby, has
been turning out firstrate sides for
the RCA Victor subsid, Label X,
and this coupling maintains the
standard. “Beloved” is a slow bal-
lad spotlighting a strong vocal by
Russ Emerick. .On the flip, Maltby
goes on the mambo kick with a
flashy workover of the W. C. Handy
classic.

Lou Monte: “Italian Hu'ekle
Buck”-“Just Like Before” (Victor).
Evidently Lou Monte believes that,
lighting will strike twice on the
same spot and so has come up with
an Italian version of the “Huckle
Ruck.” After his “Darktown Strut-
ters’ Ball” hit of a couple of
months ago, this idea has lost a
lot of its novelty. “Just Like Be-
fore” is a pretty ballad pleasingly
delivered by Monte.

Betty Reilly: “The Peanut Ven-
dor” -“Blues In The Night” (Capi-
tol). Two great standards' in fresh
vocal arrangements by the Irish
senorita. Betty Reilly. “Peanut
Vendor” is right down her Latin
alley and she belts it with drive
and humor. “Blues In The Night”
also gets a striking rendition, al-
though Miss Reilly tends to hoke
up the lyric in spots with oVer-
dramatic effects.

Pearl Bailey: “He’s Gone”-“I
Wouldn’t Walk Across The Street”
(Coral). “He’s Gone” is an okay
piece of material for Pearl Bailey,
tailored along the lines of her “I’m
Tired” click. This one doesn’t have
the same punch but Miss Bailey
gives it a humorous ride. Reverse
shapes up as a catchy tune, but the
lyric strains for cleverness in
spots. Miss Bailey brings out its
maximum potential.

Album Reviews

Pardon My Blooper! (Jubilee LP
2&3>. This, must be a click because
already there’s a road company oh
the market, utilizing the word
4 uff” in the title, and while it may
be as funny as Kermit Schafer’s
anthology of flubs, bloopers, spoon-
erisms and fluffs, these two albums
undoubtedly must be thfe best sam-
plings thereof. Some of it is down-
right funny; some of it shocking
(for parlor consumption); and some
of it sounds contrived. But all in
all it’s a novel, offbeat 10-inch LP
platter. Many of the flubs are now
radio-tv lore, such as “Hoobert
Heever,” "Mr, Keen, loser of lost
persons,— “another virgin of the
fahious love story,” etc., and one
of them at least seems staged and
deliberately slurred: This refers to
Uncle Don and the open mike and
“I hdpe that keeps the little b~s ”

Rouge,” “Hi Lili, Hi Lo” (“Lili”)
are other appealing tunes.

Jazz Highlights

Duke Ellington, as bandleader
and composer, again comes to the
forefront of the jazz scene with a
flock of albums framed around
him. As part of its “Great Jazz
Composers” series, Columbia Rec-
ords has packaged a set of “Duke
Ellington Played By Duke Elling-
ton” which, historically and musi-
cally, is a firstrate piece of work.
The repertoire ranges from “Soli-
tude,” recorded in 1934, to the
post war “Do Nothing Till You
Hear From Me” and features all of
the great Ellington sidemen and
the late Ivy Anderson on “Mood
Indigo.”

A sample of his contemporary
band is found in “Ellington ’55,” a
Capitol set of standards written by
the bandleader and others. It’s still
a brilliant swing band and the con-
tinuity of style over the years is
markedly underlined in comparing
the Capitol and Columbia albums.
Under the Norgran label, A1 Hib-
bler, former Ellington vocalist,
does eight tunes in his bluesy style
while Johnny Hodges, former El-
lington alto lead, has etched a' set
of Ellington instrument standards
under the same label.

Frank Wess Quintet (Commo-
dore), Marking the reentry of this
pioneer jazz label into, the market
after a long hiatus, this set by the

LAWRENCE WELK

-and hi*

CHAMPAGNE MUSIC
152nd Consectutiva Week, Aragon
Ballroom, Santa Monica, Calif n
Will Appear
CORN PALACE
Mitchell, So. Dakota
Sept. 19th through Sept. 25tli

Frank Wess Quintet is a pleasing
blend of traditional swing and

modern jazz elements: Wess’ flute
solos are the highlights of the set.

Stan Kenton Showcase (Capitol).
In this set, Stan Kenton plays a
group of jazz instrumentals by Bill
Holman, but the Kenton style over-
shadows everything else. Album is
an excellent hi-fi demonstration
piece.

Oscar Peterson Plays Jerome
Kern (Clef). Oscar Peterson is a
prodigious keyboard artist who can
rock or play pretty. On this set,
he Works over 12 Kern standards.
Part of a series, Peterson has also
cut two other albums recently of
Richard Rodgers’ and Vincent You-
mans’ tunes.

Vivaldi Concert! (Vanguard;
$5.95). Four varied, attractive
works, representative of the classic
Italian master, and here given in
firstrate, even elegant perform-
ances. Fiddler Jan Tomasow brings
a sweet expressive yet not thick
tone, as well as fine musicianship,
to violin concerti in A Minor and
G Minor. Ludwig Pfersmann is an
accomplished soloist in the Con-
certo for Flute and Orch, Op. 10,
No. 3. Vienna State Opera Cham-
ber Orch lends fine work in sup-
port, as well as in its own offering,
the Concerto Grosso in D Minor,
Op. 3, No. 11.

Mattiwilda Dobbs (Angel; $4.95).
American Negro coloratura sopra-
no in 2 l highly appealing song
recital, aided by pianist Gerald
Moore. Variety of art songs by
Schubert, Brahms, Wolf, Faure and
others is well handled, in an ex-
pressive 'style, with a superior
voice and sure technique, although
a couple numbers, like Brahms’
“Auf dem Schiffe,” are occasionally
too shrill.

Schubert: Sonatas in G, Op. *78 &

The first two of RCA Victor’s four Latin- American^ “recipe
albums” are titled “Dinner in Rio” (Fafg Leraps orch) and “Dinner
in Buenos Aires” (Terig Tucci orch.), respectively wafxed, in Holly-
wood and New York, by two prime exponents' of their (original)
native country’s music. The gastronomic fillip comes from char-
acteristic recipes of the lands— in fact the B.A. platter (LPM 1019)
has two Recipes for “empanada's” (meat pies) and “jigOte” (ground
meat), whereas the Rio musico-cuisine sampling (LPM 1017) has"
for its album “liner” only one reciper-^shrimp with hearts of
palm and coconut milk.” Apparently the musico-gastronomic
frontiers may not be crossed with vintages— viands are OK, hut
not the vin du pays— although, ^paradoxically, both are adorned
with attractive covers of females whose obvious physical charms
are enhanced by symbolic wine glasses.

As is apparently a wise new trend in “liners,” the notes do
a fine job in further assisting in the interpretation of the moods
And tempos of the respective countries. Bill Simon analyzes the
Brazilian tempos, its ' moods and meanings, and John S. Wilson
does ah equally competent job on the Argentine music— tango,
the tango-cancion, the ranqhera, the mestiza (with its Incan Influ-
ences), the perico, the samba, and the rest.

The music is lush and th^ interpretations sultry and appropri-
ately keyed to the dinner music moods. Maestro Fafa Lemos, born
in Rio, went from a violin prodigy soloist of 13 with the Rio
Philharmonic to the Casino de Urea to an exclusive Victor artist.
Mabstro Terig Tucci, who conducts the salon orchestra, is a native
of B.A., and has been musical director of the Latin^-American
division of the Voice of . America, director of Latin- American
programs for International General Electric, World Wide Broad-
casting, NBC and CBS.

In another “foreign” idiom, Columbia offers three 12-inch LPs
(CL 569-570-571) respectively of 'Juliette Greco in “St. Germain-
des-Pres”; Jacqueline Francois’ “Mademoiselle de Paris”; and
Patachou’s “Montmartre” recital. As with the expert treatment of
Aram Avakian’s program notes in the Maurice Chevalier anthology,
he repeats again in all three, and his literal following of the song
lyrics is about as good a French lesson for American Francophiles
as seeing a French film. It’s better in that it permits a leisurely'
appreciation of the lyrics in all their nuances. And once again
it is patent how more meaningful— and original — are the French
lyricists, especially when pointing their poignant ballads at per-
sonalities like the Miles. Greco, Francois and Patachou.

The cynics, in reviewing this concentration of how-much-I-love-
Paris (in all its environs, faubourgs, Right Bank, Left Bank, e(c.)
with jaundiced ear, might well be moved to exclaiming, “So all
right already^— why doesm’t a French singer wax ecstatic about
LeHavre Or Marseilles or maybe just the Bordeaux or Epernay
Wine country.” (A Coral disk by Eddie Lawrence on “In Old Vi-
enna” is a sampling of satirical impatience with the Blue Danube
belt). But fact remains, that there is something about the 'French
idiom which does enjoy farflung appeal, and Columbia has done
a capital job in projecting this series.

In another mood music idiom — again with the cup that rtieers
on the front cover — Jackie Gleason’s “Music, Martinis and Mem-
ories,” again has Bobby Hackett featured on the trumpet (Capitol
W-509). This, too, is suave salon music, lush, nostalgic, replete
with strings and loaded with such favorites as “Time On My
Hands.” “I Love You,” “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “Yesterdays”— a sure-
fire medley of 16 popular standards of the “society” dansapat'ion
school.

All these are durable stock items for any dealer or customer,
timeless in their appeal. It’s a wise merchandising move by all con-
cerned to build a backlog and catalog by no means dependent on any
quick-whim hit of the moment. These are lasting potpourris of fine
music, given the lushest treatment in technique and interpretation..
They deserve the popular vogue they will enjoy. Abel.

In A, Op. 120 (Vox; $5.95). Pianist
Friedrich Wuehrer in engaging
performances of two appealing,
melodious works. The Sonata in A
is lyric, expressive, almost child-
like; the other (“Fantasy”) is more
dramatic and moody, though with
lively stretches. %

French Theatre Music (Mercury;
$5.95). Detroit Symph, under
Paul Paray, in effective renditions
of the familiar “Sorcerer’s Ap-
prentice” (Dukas) and “Pelleas &
Melisande” (Faure) and the un-
familiar “Spider’s Feast” (Roussel).
Last-named is a pleasant novelty,

Best Sellers on Coin-Machines

1.

2 .

3.

4.

5.

6 .

7.

8 .

9.

10 .

SH-BOOM (3)

Crew Cuts Mercury

LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT (14) Kitty Kallen

LITTLE SHOEMAKER (5) Gaylords

THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN (11) Four Aces ...

IN THE CHAPEL IN THE MOONLIGHT (3) Kitty Kallen . ....

I M A FOOL TO CARE (3) Les Paul-Mary Ford

HEY THERE (2) Rosemary Clooney

HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY (9) Archie Bleyer

MAGIC TANGO

CRAZY ’BOUT YOU, BABY' (5) ’ ’

.... Decca
. . Mercury
.... Decca
.... Decca
. . . Capitol
. Columbia

I CRIED

GOODNIGHT, SWEETHEART, GOODNIGHT

Second ‘Group

Cadence

Hugo Winterhatler Victor

Crew Cuts Mercury

T THEY WERE DOING THE MAMBO ...... . Vaughn Monroe

Patti Page . . Mercury

McGuire Sister Coral X

t ANGELS IN THE SKY

. Victor

Tony Martin ..... ..... .Victor

THE HIGH AND MIGHTY Le' Roy Holmes ...... Label

Four Knights Capitol

PERIOD

MY FRIEND Eddie Fisher .Victor

LITTLE SHOEMAKER Hugo Winterhalter Victor

THE GREATEST FEELING IN THE WORLD •....* Four Tunei \ 7.7 “ ’ ‘ ‘ ’ 'jubilee

THERE NEVER WAS A NIGHT SO BEAUTIFUL ............. Perry Como . Victor

SH-BOOM Billy Williams *. '.'.V.' .'.'.7'. Coral %

- Betty Madigan .M-G-M

l Figures in parentheses indicate number of weeks sona has been in the Top 10 ]

♦ » ft »»♦♦»»»♦♦ f m>, » , » ♦ ♦+ f # f t f »t tt-ft t tUMiMn min

a melodious ballet on the insect
world.

Rachmaninoff: Songs & Mussorg-
sky: The Nursery (Capitol; $5.70).
Russ soprano Maria Kureriko
offers some lovely art songs here,
in forceful style and attractive
-voice that occasionally 'goes shrilL
Rachmaninoff pieces are on the
sombre side; the Mussorgsky num-
bers are lighter, pleasant vignettes.

Mozart: Concerti No. 18 in B
Flat & 19 in F (Epic; $5.95). Two
charming piano works, with the B
Flat quite light and beguiling and
the F Major more energetic and
robust, but no less interesting.
Hans Henkemens has the proper
approach and a solid technique.
Vienna Symph under John Prit-
chard adds effective support.

Bron.

Marilyn Monroe to D.o
RCA ‘Show Business’ Set

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

RCA Victor has scheduled a re-
cording date for Marilyn Monroe
later this month when she will cut
several singles and her first album
for release by the Little Dog.
Items probably will be on the
Christmas list.

Album sides will consist of some
standards and some of the tunes
from Irving Berlin’s “1’here’s No
Business Like Show Business,” in
which she’s currently working at
20th Century-Fox.

From Cleffer to Cadence

Maddy Russell has completed
the circle. Miss Russell started
out as a thrush a couple of years
ago and then switched to tune
writing. Last week she cut a demo
Of her song, “No One Came To. My
Party,” and auditioned it for Ca-
dence Records’.* prexy Archie
Bleyer who pacted her to the la-
bel as a warbler.

, Miss Russell wrote the tune
with her husband, Jack Siegel.

Louis Jordan orch booked for a
one-niter at the San Aqtonio Mu-
nicipal Auditorium^ . Aug. 31.

Wednesday* AiijgttEt ^ W54

' ■« • m. vr -* * »

• ^i ■ • . •

Sr

With the rapid spread of the
mambo beat in the last year, pop
disk jockeys are now programming
an increasing number of such plat-
ters on their shows., Especially
in the big cities, the jocks are find-
ing that the pop and mambo blend
is going over with their listeners.

Catering to the mambo trend,-
rCA Victor has made up a kit of
25 disks in the Latin field for the
jocks. Kit contains • 15 alltime
bestsellers and 10 of the latest ]
numbers. Victor polled the jocks
on the kit and discovered that
most of the key cities dee jays
were either playing mambo records
or planning to. ;

Victor, - meantime, .has. repacted
Perez Prado, one of its topselling
mambo names, to a new longterm
deal.

Sales Upbeat at N.Y. Meet;

Steady upbeat in Magnavox
sales was predicted- last week by
Frank M. Freimann, prez of Mag-
navox Co., who anticipates that
sales from Aug. 1 to Jan. 1 alone
will be up 25% over last year.
Gross sales for the fiscal year end-
ing June 30, *54 were $62,500,000,
this covering all consumer* and
military purchases, such as radios,
tv sets, phonos and other , elec-
tronic devices. Sales were an in-
crease over the previous year,
which reached $57,979,000, apd are
in sharp contrast to the general
volume decline of the electronic
industry in ’53-’54.

Freimann made his prediction at
a special four-day showing of new
Magnavox models in radio, tv and
phonos held at the Park Lane
Hotel, N. Y., Tuesday through Fri-
day (27-30). Exhibit was set up for
dealers (not retail buyers) in this
area who couldn't attend the regu-
lar '54 tradeshow of the National
Assn, of Music Merchants in Chi-
cago July 12-15, and over 1,000
people attended.

Stress of the exhibit was on hi-
fi. Magnavox stepped into the
custom-built field with component
parts for hi-fi assemblage of
phonos and .radios, offering three
sets of gold-plated metal parts, at
$387, $462 and $565 complete.
New radlo-tv-phOno models fea-
ture a four-speaker sound system
using two 12-inch hi-fi speakers and
speakers and two five-inch ones.
Exhibit offered a combo of tv and
45 rpm phono consol/ette for a
kid’s room; Symphonic Model
phono with radio and tape-record-
er attachment for $745; a Mag-'
nasonic phono without radio at-
tachment, with 2(Kwatt amplifier,
for $198.50; a Concert Master
phono at $350, and other models.
The tv models were also varied.

SIX N.Y. DATES, 1ST TOUR
SET FOR CONCERT CHOIR

Latest vocal group to have estab-
lished itself on the longhair scene
is the N.Y. Concert Choir. With

its third season coming up, outfit
has six concerts set for Town Hall,
N.Y., plus its first tour. It has
three appearances skedded with
the Chicago Symphony and a tour

mapped of midwest
addition, it will sing . t
American Chamber Open
in N.Y., as before. Last ye
*ave four Town Hall com
sang four more times ’
Opera Society.

Founded by Mqrgare
Juilliard and Union Th
inusic instructor, group is
and conducted by her. R
covers the full choral mu
* rom ancients to moderns.
JWer this year will be

S n D k C « 10 ’ in a Xmas
*. ach ’ Haydn • and cont<

i 1C ' Group has also st

coidmg, with Vox issuing
Noces” of Stravinsky.

David W. Rubin Artists
Lm “ and biz manag
Loid ^ exec sec of the o

/

•

OF

TOP TALENT ANI

« \ ,

D TUNES

Compiled from Statistical Reports of Distribution

Encompassing ; the Three Major Outlets

» * • » #

Com Machines Retail Disks

Retail Sheet Music

as Published in the Current Issue

■

I NOTE: The current comparative sales strength of the Artists and Tunes listed hereunder is 1

1 arrived at

under a statistical system comprising each of the three major sales outlets enu- 1

1 merated above. These findings are correlated with data from udder sources , which are exclusive 1

1 urith Variety. The positions resulting from these findings

denote the OVERALL IMPACT de- 1

1 veloped from the ratio of points scored: two ways in the case of talent {disks, coin machines ), 1

1 and three ways in the case of tunes (disks, coin machines.

sheet music).

TALENT

I POSITIONS

1 This

Last

I Week Week

ARTIST AND LABEL

TUNE

1

1

•KITTY KALLEN (Decca)

(Little Things Mean a Lot 1

' • ’ ' /Chapel In The Moonlight 1

2

.

2

f

CREW CUTS (Mercury)

(Sh-Boom

* ' * * / Crazy ’Bout You, Baby

3

5

GAYLORDS (Mercury)

(Little Shoemaker
• * * * / Isle of Capri

4

3

FOUR ACES (Decca)

(Three Coins In The Fountain
• • • • / Wedding Bells

5

4

ARCHIE BLEYER (Cadence)

. , . . Hernando’s Hideaway

6

«

7

\

ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Columbia) .. .

(Hey There

“ ■ * / This Ole House ~

7

• •

LE ROY HOLMES (M-G-M) .

, . . . High and the Mighty

8

6

FRANK WEIR (London)

. . . . Happy Wanderer

9

♦ %

DEAN MARTIN (Capitol).

. . . . Sway

10

• «

VAUGHN MONROE (Victor)

.... They Were Doing the Mambo 1

TUNES

POSITIONS
This Last

(•ASCAP. fBMI)

Week. Week

TUN*

PUBLISHER

1

5

•LITTLE SHOEMAKER

2

1

•LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT . . .

3

2

fSH-BOOM

Hill & Range

4

_3

♦THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN: .

5

4

•HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY

6

7

♦HEY THERE ......

7

8

•HIGH AND THE MIGHTY. :

8

6

•HAPPY WANDERER

Fox 1

9

• •

♦CHAPEL IN THE MOONLIGHT

10

• -#

fl’M A FOOL TO CARE .....

1ST CONCERT TOUR SET
FOR EX-TR1B STAFFER

Saramae Endich, young soprano
who was a member of the N.Y.
Herald Tribune's European edition
staff in N.Y. for seven years, until
recently, has been set for her first
national concert tour by Columbia
Artists Mgt.

Miss Endich spent two seasons
at the Berkshire Festival summer
school in Tanglewood, 'Mass., and
was . “discovered" when given solo
work in choral and opera produc-
tions there. As result, Miss En-
dich, still in her 20’s, was pacted
by Columbia. She’s appearing this
summer as soloist with the Cleve-
land Pops Orchestra, and has a
long recital tour set for fair and
winter.

Shaw Artists Expands
One-Niter, Latin Depts.

In a new expansion move Billy
Shaw has added Jack Whittemore
to the Shaw Artists’ agents roster.
Whittemore will head up the one-
nighter department replacing Bob
Astor who’s being switched to Chi-
cago to head up the Shaw branch
there •I

Whittemore previously had j
agented for General Artists Corp. j
and Music Corp. of America;. He j
also headed up his own percentery
for a time, Shaw also is expand- (
ling' his Latih-AmefICah'dep&rtmeht,

bringing in orch leader Catalina
Rolon to supervise that division.

Boom in the rhythm & blues and
Latino fields has forced the Shaw
operation to expand physically as
well as in personnel. Outfit is cur-
rently taking additional floor space
in its N. Y. headquarters.

Best British Sheet Sellers

( Week Ending July 24)

London, July 26,
Things Mean a Lot. . .Robbins

Cara Mia Robbins

Happy Wanderer. . . .Bosworth
Little Shoemaker ..... Bourne

Wanted . . . . Harms-Connelly
Coins in Fountain. ..... .Feist

Secret Love. . . Harms-Connelly

Friends, Neighbors Reine

Idle Gossip .......... . .Bron

Heart of My Heart. . .F.D.&H.

I Get So Lonely ...... Maddox

Never Land .... Keith Prowse

Second 12

Young at Heart Victoria

Someone Else’s Roses . . Fields

Don’t Laugh At Me .Toff

Cross Over Bridge . New World
Story of Tina. . . .Macmelodies

The Book .* .Kassner

My Friend Chappell

Changing Partners Mellin

Such a Night .Sterling

West of Zanzibar .... Bluebird
D’dw’d Stage. Harms-Connelly
Bimbo ........ Macmelodies

U.S. SINGER CAN’T ENTER
BRIT. SANS WORK PERMIT

London, Aug. 3.

U. S. singer Billy Shepard was
refused readmission to Britain
when he arrived at Dover from
Paris last week. He was coming
over to discuss further recording

sessions (he waxed for Columbia
here on his last trip) and cabaret
dates, but immigration officials re-
fused to allow him to remain in
this country as he did not have a
Ministry of Labor permit. Also,
through the non-arrival of funds
from the States, he had only a
small sum of money with him' and
they contended it was not sufficient
for him to maintain himself.

Even though A1 Burnett, proprie-
tor of the Stork Room where
Shepard had worked for a success-
ful season, told the authorities that
he would he responsible for the
singer, officialdom was adamant.
The only concession they made was
to allow him to sleep the night in
Dover, with a police guard.

New Omaha Spot

Omaha, Aug. 3.

King’s Ballroom at Lincoln, Neb.,
a spot that once booked name
bands, has reopened under new
management as the Hide-a-Way.

Sammy Stevens, new manager,
heads his own t quinteJ, featuring
Joan Murray.

SPA Collects

As result of Its recent deal with
publishers on royalties due from
lyric folio publications, Songwrit-
ers Protective Assn, has collected
well over $50,000 In the last year
from pubs for distribution to writ-
ers. SPA made its latest payment
of $10,000 to writers last .week
after auditing books of publishers.

Checkups of the, books has been
made on both coasts by SPA ac-
countant DdVe Blau. Under its
agreement with pubs, the writers
are entitled to a fiat fee ora royal-
ty cut on all income from lyric
mag publications issued before
1947. The old SPA. contract was
not explicit on this point and
hence a new interpretation, agreed
on by both sides, was made last
year.

RCA to Cut ‘Patterson’
Set in Rehearsal With

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

RCA Victor will introduce two
new ideas when it cuts the cast al-
bum of the upcoming play “Mrs.
Patterson,” which stars Eartha
Kittv Leonard Sillman production,
which Guthrie MeClintic is staging,
is not a musical but a drama which
has six songs interspersed- through
the action^ Victor acquired the al-
bum rights since Miss Kitt is under
contract to the plattery.

First of the innovations is a re-
cording at the time of the dress
rehearsal so that the first pressing
can be completed in time to ship
the albums to the towns in which '
the play will try out prior to . its
Broadway bow in January* The
out-of-town engagements are ex-
pected to be aided by the album
hypo and Sillman has promised
that there will be no changes in
the songs after rehearsals get un-
derway so that the recording can i * 3
be made with ease.

Other unusual feature of the
deaLis that Victor will record the
album with important chunks of
dialog in addition to the songs. As
a result, the album purchaser will
get what amounts to a condensed
version of the show rather than
merely hearing the songs. Tunes
•were all penned by James Shelton.

CAPITOL NABS RIGHTS
TO DULY’ MUSICOMEDY

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

Capitol Records, has grabbed the
original cast album of the forth-
coming Broadway musical comedy
“Dilly,” as a result of the' signing
of Ella Logan to star. Miss Logan
is under contract to the Coast
waxery. Capitol did not invest in
the show.

Vernon Duke composed the score
and Jerry Lawrence and Robert E.
Lee penned the book from Theo-
dore Pratt’s novel “Miss Dilly Says
No.” Gala Ebin will produce.

Oakland Subs Gilbert
As Coast SPA Chairman

Ben Oakland has been named
chairman of the Coast committee
of the Songwriters Protective Assn,
to fill the spot caused by the recent
resignation of L. Wolfe Gilbert.
Pressure of other duties, notably
his election to the board of
ASCAP, forced Gilbert to exit the
SPA post.

Meantime, Miriam Stern, SPA
exec secretary, Is planning to head
out to the Coast in the fall to set
up a Hollywood office. At the
present time, there are over 800
members of SPA residing in or
near California.

Cap’s Longhair Push

Hollywood, Aug. 3.
Capitol Records’ plunge into the
fullscale album field this fall will
be highlighted by classical and
semi-classical offerings.

On the initial release schedule
are “Starlight Concert” and
“Echoes of Spain," two new albums
by the Hollywood Bowl Symphony
Orchestra. Others on the initial
schedule include Hollywood String
Quartette, St. Louis Symphony,
Pittsburgh Symphony and such art-
ists as Nathan Milstein, Leonard
i Pennario and Victor Aller.

<

0

Wednesday, Antfwi 4 , 1954

The tape recording biz made an-f
other step forward this week with
the move-in of Columbia Records.
Diskery teamed with Bell &
Howell, motion picture equipment
outfit, to manufacture tape record-
about .14 titles.). •

James B. Conkling, Columbia
prez. said the move into (he tape
recording equipment field does
not indicate that the diskery is
planning to usher in a pre-recorded
tape line. (RCA Victor now is
manufacturing tape recorders as
well as a pre-recorded tape line of
about 14 titles.'

Conkling, however, left the door
open by stating that the company
has been and is continuing to study
the problems of manufacturing and
marketing the pre-recorded tape.
Major drawback now, according to'
Conkling, is the high cost of the
raw material tape. '

The Columbia-Bell & Howell
tape recorder line will tee off with
two models, a table model aind a
portable unit. The table model will
be priced at $229.50, While the

portable unit will sell for $249.50,
•The sets will be manufactured
by B&H and marketed by Colum-
bia via its distributors around the
country. B&H plans to market a
similar model, using, the B&H tag
only, through, retail photographic
dealers.

The table model tape recorder
wilt feature Cot’s latest develop-
ment in sound reproduction,; the
Kilosphere, The device, ’the size , of
a small candy bar, provides the
equivalent of about 2,000 minute
loudspeakers capable of relaying
frequencies of up to 20,000 cycles
per second.

The “K” speaker, as the Kilo-
sphere' device is being tagged, also
will be incorporated in Col’s ‘*360”
phonograph player line.. The new
model will be priced at $149.95
while -the old-style “360,” which
debuted last year, is being marked
down from $139 to $119.

Col also added to its equipment
turnout this year with the addition
of an AM^FM tuner to its line. The
tuner is“ pegged for use with the
“360K” and ■ the Col-B&H table
model tape recorder. : The tuner is
priced at $99,95.

Duke to Coral

Coral Records has tagged Billy
Duke and his Dukes, new vocal
combo, to a longterm pact.

Initial release will be a coupling
of “t Cried” and “Love Ya, Love
Ya, Love Ya

— — •? : V' 1 : ■ ■

‘LiliY 52 Platters

“Hi-Lili Hj-Lo,” tune from the
Metro pic, “Lili,” has racked up a

total of 52 foreign recordings in
13 different languages. In the U.S.,
the topseller has been MGM Rec-
ords* soundtrack disk with Leslie
Caron, the pic’s star.

Tune, which was written by
Bronislaw Kaper, is published by
Robbins Music ,of The Big Three.
About 200,000 disks have been sold
in the U.S. and about 125,000 sheet
copies.

As Its Official Song

Kansas City, Aug. 3.

The State of Kansas has nailed
down “Home on the Range” as its
official song with a shrine "honor-
ing the home of the composer at
Smith Center in north central
Kansas. A rude pioneer cabin was
made a state shrine there last week
with Governor Edward F. Am of-
ficiating and about 1,500 people
in attendance.

The shrine honors Dr. Brewster
Higley, pioneer physician who
wrote the music in 1873 under title
of “My Western Home.” Dan Kel-
ley, a Smith Center'' druggist and
a banjo player, wrote the words.
The shrine is a project of the
Smith Center Rotary Club, which
will maintain the cabin.

Disk-Concert

in Projected
, Victor

Victor Nabs 5 Cats

RCA Victor has signed a new
vocal group, The Five Cats, and
they'll etch their first sides next
week op artists & repertoire-chief
Joe Carlton’s return from , the
Coast,

. Group has been heard on some
indie labels in rhythm & blues
tunes, but. Victor will use them for ;
pop stuff.

Sells Junk Disks As

New, So Victor Sues

■ ~ Hollywood, Aug. 3. ]

RCA Victor filed a $5,000 breach !
of Contract suit in Los Angeles
Federal Court against- .Julius Bi-
hari, doing business as Cadet
Records, and Modern Records Dis- !
tributing Inc. j

RCA customs pressing division,
sold Bihari scrap records and ac-
cording to complaint, he found
some “defective” Clef, Norgran j
and Mercury records in pile and ’
has been selling them around the i
country. Diskery also asked for .
temporary restraining order.

RETAIL DISK BEST SELLERS

. l'&fsiEfy~ —

Survey of retail' disk best
sellers based on reports ob-
tained from leading stores in
17 cities and showing com-
parative sales . rating for this
and last week.

National;
Rating
This Last
wk. wk.

Artist, Label, Title

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Six TOP
ALBUMS

1

2

3 J

4

5

6

STUDENT PRINCI

. Mario Lonxa

4

Victor

I»M 1837

PAJAMA GAME

Broadway Cast

Columbia

MI*. 4840

GLENN MILLER
STORY

Film Soundtrack
Decca

. . DL 5519.. .

v . . « » 4 «i Mh V « a • * •» *

glenn Miller

MEMORIAL

Glonn Millar

Victor

LPT 3051 ..

'*■: » * *r.-. r- ft '*« rvt.vt'H'-i *. A

SINCERELY, LIBER ACE

Ljbarac*

Columbia

. BL 1001

MUSIC FOR
LOVERS ONLY
- Jacki* Gleason
Capitol

H 352

RCA Victor and Music Corp, of
America will join in a largescale
jazz promotion this fall in both the
disk and live concert markets.
Under the overall title of “Jazz On
The Campus,” MCA is propping
about 15 jazz groups to tour
around 75’ colleges in concert dates,
while Victor will package albums
by several of these groups \vith a
'‘Jazz On The Campus” spotlighted
on* the label.

Project stems from the big in-
crease in the jazz market since end
of the War, particularly in the col-
leges. Not only are small combos
playing the campus circuit to good
boxoffice returns, but mpny schools
have added* jazz courses to their
regular music curriculum.

.Among the groups to tour will be
combos led by Max Kaminsky and
Don Elliot. The styles will range
from traditional dixieland to mod-
e:n sounds and it’s Hoped that the
series will develop so'me new names
in the jazz field. «.

The “Jazz On The Campus” proj-
ect is patterned somewhat after
Norman Granz’ “Jazz At The Phil-
harmonic” series. Granz plays his
troupe in all of the big symphony
halls and auditoriums in key citi-s
and also packages “JATP” albums
under his own label. Granz’ opera-
tion has been consistently the most
successful in Ahe jazz field. One
of the main reasons is that Granz
has a virtual corner on available
top jazz names currently.

Granz lias cut his “JATP” al-<
bums at actual concerts' and it’s
likely that Victor will do the same
for some of its “JOTC” sets.

1

5

GAYLORDS (Mercury)

"Little Shoemaker"

2

9

4

5

8

• •

• «

5

3

2

4

2

2

4

2

2

1

120

2

2

CREW CUTS (Mercury)

“Sta-Boom”

1

1

3

3

• •

3

1

1

2

9

1

1

1

2

114

3

1

KITTY K ALLEN (Decca)

"Little Things Mean a Lot”. .

9

1

3

1

2

• •

1

10

• 4

1

5

2

3

3

91

4

4

ARCHIE -BLEYER (Cadence)

“Hernando’s Hidewjiy" . .

7

4 •

8

4

1

1

4

6

1

4

1

4

5

8

69

5

7

ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Columbia)

"Hey There".

3

3

6

6

5

4

0

2

6

8

9

• •

8

63

6

6

FRANK WEIR (London)

"Hapgy Wanderer".

6

*

3

4

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3

e

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9

3

5

4 4

6

54

7

3

FOUR ACES (Deoca)

"Three Coins in the Fountain". ...........

10

..

5

2

• •

10

2

8

8

6

3

5

50

8

15

LeROY HOLMES (M-G-M)

"High and the Mighty". ;

2

2

7

* »

• •

» •

• *

4

• •

3

4 4

• •

4

37

9

14.

KITTY K ALLEN (Decca)

"Chapel in the Moonlight". ......................

6

4

• •

10

4

• •

• •

• •

5

• «

k ’ • •

8

6

34

10

9

McGUIRE SISTERS (Coral)

"Goodnight Sweetheart". .....

4

« •

• »

• »

7

4 4

« ♦

10

7

6

•

• •

8

« •

t

4 4

24

11

13

FOUR TUNES (Jubilee) •

"I Understand How You Feel"

• •

• •

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• •

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7

10

*

9

6

4 »

4

19

12A

10

KAY STARR (Capitol)

"If You Really Love Me"

• •

• •

• «

• •

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0

8

8

7

* •

7

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16

12B

12

VICTOR YOUNG (Cat)

"High and the Mighty".

« •

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5

1

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16

12C

ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Columbia)

"This C!e House"

• •

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• •

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2

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4

«

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16

15

17

DEAN MARTIN (Capitol)

"Sway"*

5

• •

9

• •

10

« •

6

• %

• »

• •

• •

14

16A

21

FRANK SINATRA (Capitol) - -

"Three Coins in the Fountain"

• •

« •

• •

• •

• •

• «

• •

♦ *

3

7

* •

12

16B

THREE SUNS (Victor) '

"Moonlight and Roses"

• •

5

• •

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» •

• • .

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..

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5

12

18

8

CREW CUTS (Mercury)

"Crazy ’Bout You, Baby". .

• •

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4 •

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3

•

10

•

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11

19A

25

PAUL FORD (Capitol)

"I’m a Fool to Care". . - •

8

**

• •'

• •

9

• •

7

• *

10

4 4 ’

10

19B

18

LES BAXTER (Capitol)

"High and the Mighty”

*■ *

7

4 •

• •

5

• •

t ,

» •

• •

10

21

JONI JAMES (M-G-M)

"In a- Garden of Roses".

• •

« •

• *

9

• •

• 4

* a

• *

. . *

9

7

8

22A

23

VAUGHN MONROE (Victor)

"They Were Doing the Marabo”. .

• •

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7

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• •

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8

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w

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15

EDDIE. FISHER (Victor)

"My Friend",.

• «

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• •

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9

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6

♦ •

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7

22C

FONTANE SISTERS (Dpt)

"Happy Days and Lonely Nights".

- * •

• •.

• •

• *

• •

• ♦

• a

• •

5

• •

•

10

• ¥

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25 :

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BOSTON POPS (Victor)

"Look Sharp". * • •

8

-

• •

• •

• <

« •

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. •

4 4

« m

• 4

4 4

9

5

Dot Records Adds New
Wrinkle With Ad Agency
Disks in Frisco

San Francisco, Aug. 3.

A new twist in record promotion
has developed here with the hir-
ing of the Roy S. Durstine Adver-
tising Agency office here by Randy
Wood of Dot Records for record
promotion. Bob England. Durstine
account executive, persuaded Wood
to take on the agency to push
specific Dot recordings in Northern
California.

So far, in a little over a year, the
agency has worked on six or eight
different records for Dot, England
says, mailing out 125 copies of
each of them to disk jockeys, pro-
gram directors and other contacts
in the area. News releases are
sent to columnists and radio-tv
editors in addition.

.Several interesting aspects of
the tie-up have been widely dis-
cussed in recording circles here.
How can an indie label afford to
pay an ad agency enough to make
it worth the latter’s while when
the prevailing price for one-shot
record promotion is $50 to $100?
It is understood, however, that
Wood bas hired the agency on a
fee basis for short periods only,
usually a week, but for one promo-
tion, which lasted longer, a fee
close to $500 was paid.

England reports that the smaller
stations in the outlying territory
are not serviced by the regular
distributors (which the latter deny)
and are delighted to get the rec-
ords and the publicity material.

Locally, at least one station
librarian pointed out how much
more weight was carried by an
advertising agency rep. whose
agency handles lots* of spot busi-
ness for the station, than by an
ordinary songplugger or record
promotion mam The station is not
likely to ignore a request from a
heavy billing agency, but might
well sluff off the glibbest talking
record promotion man in the busi-
ness.

Decca Grabs Rights To
’Egyptian’ Soundtrack

Decca Records, which clicked
with the soundtrack score from the
Universal-International pic, “The
Glenn Miller Storj£,” has picked
up the soundtrack rights to, the
new 20th-Fox production, “The
Egyptian/’ Alfred Newman scored
and batoned the music for the film.

jDdcca will tie in its promotion
to the pic's playdates around the
country.

46

MUSIC

Wednesday, Aligns! 4 , 1954

LES ELGART ORCH (15)

With Paula Adams
Hotel Astor, N.Y.

With Sammy Kaye's exit from

the Hotel Astor’s Roof, Lea Elgart
has been booked for the remainder
of August to win an early New
York showcasing. This crew only
began playing one-niters three or

four months ago, although it has
been organized as a recording band
for Columbia Records for over a
year.

Elgart’s unit is careful not to in-
novate any new sounds and closely
adheres to the tried and true dance
band patterns. The hipsters there-
fore may find this unit somewhat
unexciting, but Elgart is evidently
shooting for the average customer
who wants to dance to a simple
beet. ' • .

Combination of five reeds, six
bra. :s and three on rhythm, plus
the bandleader’s trumpet, produces
a full, clean sound. Some special
imari’menta’s are given fancy ar-
rangements but, for the most part,
the pattern is conventional and
strictly commercial. Although it’s
okay to aim . for the dancing set,
this band tends to overdo it. The
elTot't to make the beat clear is so
deliberate that the band sometimes
drags along where it should be
lightly swinging.

A fresher approach, without in-
dulging in the wild and woolly pro-
gre.-sive antics, would give this
band a big lift. It’s a goodlooking
outfit and* occasional solo bits in-
dicate several excellent siderhan,
including Elgart’s brother, Larry,
on sax.

Vocal, chores are handled cap-
ably by Paula Adams. Songstress
has a nice set. of pipes and projects
in simple, but effective style.

Van Smith quartet does a slick
job in providing dansapation
rhythms in relief. Herm.

VIRGIL MASON ORCH (4)

Hotel President, Kansas -City
Dancing rhythms get the empha-
~ sis from this combo, Which opened
Bi> in the Drum Room July 26, and
bids to hold the stand in this de-
luxe spot for several weeks. Crew
moved in here from the Kansas

City Club,' which was its first En-
gagement in these parts.

Mason, at the drums, heads a
group which - includes Red Water-
man on piapo, Larry Wilson on
sax and Zekte Stehman on string
bass. Each member is a specialist
in his held and gets a good deal
of solo work. Crew rounds out its
instrumental work with vocals by
Stehman, Wilson and Mason, with
frequent group vocals varying the
output. They readily handle most
anything in the portfolio, includ-
ing old faves, showtunes, rhythm
specials, pops, Latin and novelties.
Personality of the leader, with In-
gratiating manner as m.c. and a
willing worker at Serving up re-
quests, satisfies the customers.

* Quin.

Coral Tees Off Tonne
With Top Arrangements

Hollywood, Aug. 3. •
Mel Torme’s initial album for
Coral will be a package featuring
arrangements by several of the
country’s best -arrangers. Torme
will also be backed by an all-star
band on the eight sides.

Arrangers in the package in-
clude Benny Carter, George Cates,
Matty Matlock, Sonny Burke and
A1 Pellegrino. Album will be cut
next week and Torme will etch a
few pop sides at the same time.

GOLSCHMANN JOINS LEGION

St. Louis, Aug. 2,
For his many achievements, in
the field of music, Vladimir Gold-
schmann, who has been batoning
the St. Louis symph orch for the
past 23 years, has been made an
officer in the French Legion of
Honor. He is at present in France,
his birthplace, but he became an
American citizen several years ago.

Golschmann will conduct a mu-
sical festival in Spain before re-
turning to St. Louis for the 1954-55
season of the local symph.

Bob Cross band, with vocalist
Connie Kane, named house crew
at the Balinese Room in Galveston.

A'. VCi,
- ;

GEORGE SHEARING QUINTET

Play

I’VE NEVER BEEN
IN LOVE BEFORE

MGM 11754
K 11754

M'G'M RECORDS

THE GREATES T NAME 1 N ENTERTAINMENT

7 C 1 SEVENTH AVE NEW r O R v 3 6 N '

Songs

The top 30 tonga of week ( more in ease of ties), based on
copyrighted Audience Coverage Index k Audience Trend Index,
Published by Office of Research t Inc., Dr, John Gray Peatman,
Director * alphabetically listed.

Survey Week of July 23-29, 1954

An Affair Of The Heart Meridian

Call Of The South . ., . . Berlin

Friends And Neighbors Jungnickel

Green Years Harms

Happy Wanderer .Fox

Hernando's Hideaway— '♦‘“Pajama Game" ... . .Frank

Hey There — *“Pajama GaThae" . Frank

High And The Mighty— t“High And The Mighty" ,. .Witmark

Hit And, Run Affair . . Duchess

I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me ..... Mills

I Could Have^Told You United

I Love Johnny, Johnny Miller

I -Speak To The Stars ......... .. Witmark

I Understand Just How You Feel .... .f...... Jubilee

If You Love Me (Really Love Me) . . . . .Duchess *■

I'm A Fool To Care ...... ..... , . . . Peer

In The Chapel In The Moonlight .Shapiro-B

Joey x, .Lowell

Little Shoemaker *. Bourne

Little Things Mean A Lot Feist

Make Her Mine . BVC

My Friend Paxton

Sh-Boom H&R

Some Day Famous

Steam Heat — *“Pajama Game" Frank

Sway ..Peer

There Never Was A Night So Beautiful .Broadcast

They Were Doing The Mambo .Morris

Three Coins In Fountain-t “Three Coins In Fountain". Robbins

Wanted .......... Witmark

Young At Heart Sunbeam

"■ /

Top 30 Songs on TV

( More In Case of Ties)

Don’t Worry 'Bout Me Mills

Even Tho Acuff-R

Gilly, Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen Beaver

Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight Arc

Green Years Harms

He’s Gone Lois

Hernando’s Hideaway Frank

Hey There Frank

I Could Have Told You . . United

I Could Never Be Ashamed- Of You Acuff-R

If You Love Me (Really Love Me) Duchess

In The Chapel In The Moonlight Shapiro-B

Jilted . Sheldon

Little Shoemaker Bourne

Money Burns A Hole In My Pocket Chappell

Ricochet Sheldon

Sh-Boom ...H&R

Skokiaan : . . . Shapiro-B

Some Day .‘Famous

Steam Heat Frank

Sway - Peer

That’s All She’s Waiting To Hear ^. Chandler

They Were Doing The Mambo Morris

This Ole House Hamblen

Three Coins In The Fountain ; Robbins

Under Paris Skies Leeds

Wedding Bells Mills

Where’s Ace Zephyr

You Just Better Not Do That Central

Young At Heart Sunbeam

t Filmusical. * Legit musical.

Dipsy Doodling Trips
Brit. Agents’ License

London, Aug. 3.

Public Control Committee of the
London County Council revoked
the license last Week of two West
End band agents, Harry Pruskin
(known as Harfy Royston) and
Frederick James Duggan trading
under the name of Du Roy Direc-
tion. It was alleged that by means
of “subterfuge and fictitious
names,” they had made a profit of
$616 on contracts while acting as
agents for dance bands.

It was charged that Pruskin and
Duggan had made out two contracts
— one between the band and them-
selves, out of which they would
take 10% commission; and the
other between themselves- “usina
various fictitious names" and the
client for a larger sum. They would
then pocket the difference, paying
the orch only the money named on
the first ’ contract.

More Glam on W ax

Hollywood, Aug, 3.

This apparently is the year for
glamor. on wax with such femmes
as Marilyn Monroe, Jan*? Russell
and others etching hit tunes. La-
test is Christine Martel, last year’s
“Miss Universe” and the first
holder of ,tha title to seek a career
in the entertainment field.

Currently in Mexico City on a
personal appearance tour, she'll
cut four sides there this week,
backed by her own four piece
combo. Chirp will etch “Honey,"
“I'm in -the Mood for Love," “La
Vie En Rose," and “The River
Seine," on an Indie basis and will
bring the masters back here in an
effort to interest a major plattery.

Josefovits Holds Over
At His Yonkers Stand

Pianist Teri Josefovits is holding
over at the Yonkers, N, Y„ Light-
house Restaurant, until Labor Day
to complete a full summer’s stand
there.

Meantime, he’s collaborated on a
tune with Morrie Allen, Universal
Pictures homeoffice staffer, that
will be .used as a tie-in with the
U pic, “Francis Joins the WACS."
Tune is “Don’t Be a. Mule, Fran-
cis." Josefovits has also written
“Give Me Lovin’ While I'm Livin' "
with Red Benson of the WNBT,
N. Y., “Name That Tune" show.

Welle’* Cuffo for Kids

Santa Monica, Aug. 3.

Lawrence Welk, who starts his
fourth year at the ArAgon Ball-
room on Aug. 25, has scheduled a
teenage dance for the following
Sunday (29) for the benefit of the
.City of Hope. Affair is being spon-
sored by one of the organization’s
affiliates, the Hi-Hopers.

Welk is donating his services
and the ballroom site also is being
donated. Sidemen will get scale for
the date. There will be no other
expense deductions from the pro-
ceeds. -

RCA Victor’s Manie Sacks is im-
patient with these radio stations
AM program managers and disk
jockeys who “foolishly insist on
78s" as being “prime examples of
the type of people who hold back
progress. The 45s are the domi-
nant thing in popular music," con-
tinues the Victor • diskery com-
pany’s g.ni., “and it’s like insisting
on riding a tandem bike and ig-
noring the automobile to insist on
78s.”

Sacks, says that “76% of the
popular business is already on 45s
—50% on EPs and 26% of the re-
maining half also 45s, leaving 24%
only left for the 78s. We press ’em
because of the oldfashioned play-
ers still left in the hinterland with
78 rpm’s only, but why the deejays
can’t see the saving in space,
breakage, freight, etc. is\ beyond
us. . And those music publishers
who go out adm buy 78s, just to
pander to some stubborn disk
jockey, is also making a big mis-
take and not helping the record
business achieve faster standardi-
zation and stabilizaion."

Burgundy Label Bows

A new indie label. Burgundy
Records, was launched last week.
Outfit, which will headquarter in
Detroit, kicked off its release
schedule with a coupling by The
Revelaires.

Cleffer Art Sutton will head up
Burgundy’s artists & repertoire de-
partment while Terry. Shaffer and
Bob Sutton will handle promotion
and publicity, respectively. Orch
leader Russ Carlyle inked a five-
year exclusive deal with the label.
His first-release is due Aug. 1. Bur-
gundy also has two publishing
firms in the corporation; Cordell
Music (BMI) and Russell Music
(ASCAP).

r-r/r.v.rrfl

' O' ' >

M. WITMARK
A SONS

New Hill

10

STAFFORD 1

THANK YOU
FOR CALLING

word* and muile by Cindy. Walkar

Columbia Record 40250

HOLLIS

America's Fastest
^Selling -Records!

Wednesda y? AnfflEt 4^1954

iV r M ..

MOONLIGHT AND ROSES

MUSIC

• \

WeduMiyj Angkrt 4, 1954

On The Upbeat

New York

Abbej Albert orch opened at the
Hotel Syracuse, Syracuse, N. Y.,
yesterday (Tues.) for an indefinite
run . < . Pianist Mimi Warren at
the Sheraton Cadillac Hotel, De-
troit, until Labor Day ... Karen
Chandler, Coral Records’ thrush,
breaking in a new act at Jimmy
Fazio’s, Milwaukee. She then
moves to the Club 86; Geneva,
N. Y„ for a weekend date Aug. 6.
Warbler now is being repped by
the William Morris Agency , , .
Mac Weiss has Opened up an
ASCAP firm under his own name
. . . Betty Madigan opens at the
Casino Royal, Washington, Aug. 9
. , . Pianist Jan August headlining
at Eddy’s Club, Kansas City, for
two weeks starting Aug. 6 . . . The
Four Tunes, Jubilee Records vocal
combo, currently at the Golden
Hotel, Reno . . . Hi-Lo’s, Trend
Records vocal combo, pacted to
Shaw Artists Corp, effective Sep- j
tember. Group currently is at Tops,

* San Diego . . . Johnnie Ray into
the Steel Pier, Atlantic City, Labor
Day weekend . . . Bob Komheiser
out on a deejay tour through the
midwest plugging Cadence Records’
latest releases.

San Francisco

Del Courtney’s orch into the
Caribbean Ballroom in Capitola
for 10 days at the end of August
. . . Louis Armstrong opens at the
Downbeat Oct. 7 for 10 straight
days. . Erroll Garner Trio into the
Black Hawk Aug; 6 for two weeks
. . . Ralph Sutton quartet held over
at the Hangover for two weeks ad-
ditional starting yesterday (Tues,)
. . Folk singers Larry Mohr and
Odette Felius appearing at a con-
cert Aug. 21 in Berkeley.

St. Louis

Anne Russell, has followed Peggy
Taylor into Hotel Chase . . . Charles
Novak’s band at the Forest Park
Highlands for the dansapators . . .
Barney Greene and his 88 in the
Gourmet Room, Park Plaza Hotel
. . . Dick Fisler's band backing up
Jan Grant’s warbling chores at
Town and Country . . . Hal Havird’s
orch playing for night, dancing on
the excursion steamer. Admiral.
Johnny Polzin’s crew supplies mu-
sical entertainment for the day
cruises.

Pittsburgh

Ralph & Buddy Bond, twin or-
ganists who returned to Oakhurst
Tea Room in Somerset Moftday (2),
will stay there through August and
September . . . Bill Harris, trom-
bonist, goes into the Midway
Lounge next Wednesday (11) for
10 days to guest star with Reid
Jaynes and the Deuces Wild . ...
Phil Cavezza band goes back to
the Arlington Lodge Sept. 1 for
another stay ... Vaughn Monroe
putting in this week at the Clear-

field County Fair . , . Joyce Davis,
daughter of Hal Davis, president
of Local 60 of Musicians Union,
working in stock in Civic Light
Opera at Pitt Stadium.

Kansas City

Eileen Wilson to Florida after
closing a two-week stand at Eddys’
here Aug. 5 . . . Tiny Hill orch
playing east during August and
comes back this way in September
with string of one-nighters .

Neil Golden orch currently playing
the Kansas City Club; Golden re-
placed Virgil Mason crew, which
moved down the block to the Dhim
Room of Hofei President . . . Bob
Anson & Versa tones moved south
for Oklahoma dates after closing
an 11-week stand in the Drum
Room . . . Eric Correa orch. con-
tinues in the Picardy Cafe of Hotel
Muehlebach after first two months
there. * v

Salute Joe Perry On
20th Year With Decca

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

Local music gang turned out last
Wednesday (28) for a surprise
luncheon for Decca’s Joe, Perry to'
mark his 50th birthday and his
20th year with the plattery and its
subsidiary, Coral. Publishers, plug-
gers, artists & repertoire men and
artists were on hand for the unex-
pected festivities. He had invited a
handful of close friends to a quiet
lunch at whiclrhe expected to pick
up the tab.

Perry was given a watch and a
plaque. Perry now handles western
sales, for Coral. He joined the
Decca firm 20 years ago when it
was being organized by the late
Jack Kapp.

Cap to Slice Disney

Score Sans Peggy Lee

Hollywood, Aug. 3.

Capitol Records will release an
album based, on the music from
the Walt Disney feature “The Lady
and the Tramp,’’ although the car-
toon film features the voice of
Peggy Lee, under contract to
Decca.

Instead of taking the soundtrack,
Capitol re-recorded the entire
score. An unbilled singer took Miss
Lee’s songs.

Attach Cugat’s Salary

Los Angeles, Aug. 3.

Attachment on Xavier Cugat’s
recent salary at Ciro’s was filed in
behalf of Ben Peskay, assignee of
a $10,000 promissory note from
Ted Lewin, Manila nightclub
owner.

It’s claiyned. that Cugat borrowed
the money from Lewin two years
ago on a note calling for 6% in-
terest. It also calls for $2,000 in
legal fees if court action became
necessary.

Siegel Gets Itolo Tunes

Paul Siegel has nabbed the
U.S.; Canadian and British rights
to five Italian tunes from Nino
Ravasini jaf Publimusic, Milan
firm. Siegel operates Symphony
House in New York.

Among the tunes are “II Mio
Muletto," for which Bob Merrill
has penned an English lyric, and
“Vogiamoci Bene/’ for which
Eddie White and Mac Wolf son
wrote an English lyric.

BILLY WARD

\AND

THE DOMINOES

Currently

CHEZ PAREE, Montreal

■ J ■ . ■ -■Jl

ASSOCIATED BOOKING CORPORATION »

JOE GLASER, Pres

New York
"N5 5?li A.e PL. 9-4600

Chicago

203 No. Wabash

Hollywood
86 1 9 SurMof B I v d .

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• V

6

© .

4

o

10

“40

8

10

♦High and the Mighty (Witmark),..

2 .

2

. . .

• •• .

4

• •

8

9 '

» '♦

• •

30

1 9A 8

♦Chapel in Moonlight (Shapiro-B) . ;.

5

1

10

\

■ «

6

.• •

• t

• ’*

• •

22

| 9B 13

*1 Understand (Jubilee) . . .

• .

7

• •

- .. -

9

8

7

• *

7

6

22

11

12

♦Really Love Me (Duchess)

• ♦

• •

. .

« * ’

8

7

5

10

• •

7

18

12

7

♦My Friend (Paxton)

• i

10

7

10

10

• t

8

• •

9

12

14

tGoodnight Sweetheart (Arc)

6

• 0

. .

• •

. .

. .

• •

7

9

• •

11

14

• .

♦Walk With God (Harms) .

• .

10

» .

• •

- .

3

« •

• •

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■ •

9

15

♦Answer Me, Love (Bourife)

• •

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10

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3

NLRB Rules Local 802

Can’t Picket Remotes In
Labor Hassle With WINS

St Loo Symph May

Fold in Coin Crisis,
Civic Leaders Concerned

N. Y. Local 802, American Fed-
eration of Musicians, has been vio-
lating the National Labor Relations
Act in connection with its strike
against Gotham Broadcasting Corp.,
operator of WINS in N. Y, A find-
ing by Louis Plost, trial examiner
for the NLRB, asserts that the
union indulged in secondary picket-
ing against the operators of the
Yankee Stadium and Eastern Park-
way Rink to encourage members
of other uriions to refuse to cross
picket lines and so indirectly pres-
sure WINS. Radio station has re-
fused to renew its contract to em-
ploy eight studio musicians on the
ground that it doesn’t need them.

The trial examiner directed Lo-
cal 802 to “cease and desist from
inducing and encouraging the em-
ployees of any employer, other
than Gotham Broadcasting Corp.,
to engage in a strike or concerted
refusal in the course of their em-
ployment to force or require any
employer or person to cease doing
business with Gotham Broadcast-
ing Corp.”

Plost further recommended that'
if the union refused to take the
step within 20 days, NLRB should
issue an order requiring it, WINS
bfoadcasts the baseball games from
Yankee stadium and the fights
from Eastern Parkway Rink.

* Hutton Spec

SS Continued^from page 41

obvious that rehearsals won’t be
underway, Capitol is considering
cutting the tunes in a normal disk-
ing session and hoping the results
will he as close as possible to the
final arrangements.

One of the biggest problems, the
tunesmiths said, was in determin-
ing whether there would be any
recordings other than the original
album. It now appears that Capi-
tol will do at least some of the
numbers with other members of
the' plattery ’s stable of artists.
These singles will be available in
advance of the telecast in an ef-
fort to heighten interest.

Whether other firms will be in-
terested in slicing the material
after the telecast remains to be
seen. Similarly, there’s some ques-
tion as to the number and extent
of plugs the show and its tunes
will get on rival television stations
or on radio.

And one of the biggest headaches
the tunesmiths face is on the re-
maining trio of times. Because of
the deadline requirements, Capi-
tol has printed the liner for the
album, leaving only a space for the
insertion of the titles of the final
three songs.

Eihel Smith ankled the summer
stock tourer, “Aboard The Band
Wagon,” Saturday (31) to head out
on a pop concert tour. Kickoff
date is with the Cleveland Sym-
phony, Aug. 7.

# A Zulu tune by way of a South
African platter was picked up by
Shapiro-Bemstein Music last week
in New York along with the move
by virtually all the major diskers
to cover it. Number is titled,
“Skokiaan,” and was etched on' the
Gallotone label in Johannesburg
by a native combo, the Bulaway
Sweet Rhythms Band.

Gallotone is an affiliate of Decca
Records in Britain and since
“Skokiaan” sold 170,000 copies in
South Africa, Brit. Decca prexy
E. R. Lewis spotlighted it for his
U.S. subsid, London Records, which
is currently releasing the original
version..

Shapiro-Bernstein credits Cleve-
land disk jockey Bill Randle with
kicking off the disk. Randle was
given the South African platter by
a pilot who made the run to Jo-
hannesburg. Perking interest cued
immediate; "slices by Ray Anthony
for Capitol and Ralph Marterie for
Mercury, with Mitch Miller slated
to cut it for Columbia. RCA Victor
is also planning to cover tlm tune.

' v . . ” *

Mills Inks Les Baxter

As Exclusive Writer

Orch leader' Les Baxter has,
inked an exclusive writing deal
with Mills Music: His first efforts
for Mills will be in collaboration'
with lyricist Ted Koehler?

Baxter will continue as Capitol
Records’ artist and currently is
waxing an album of Arthur Murray
waltzes.

Mpls. Symph Surplus

Minneapolis, Aug. 3.

Guaranty fund of $266,848 raised
for the Minneapolis Symphony has
made it possible for it to finish the
1954-55 season with a $337 sur-
plus.

This year’s guaranty goal is
$265,000 and to date $169,218 has
been raised, as compared to $145,-
095 at the same date a year ago.

St. Louis, Aug. 3.

A meeting of civic biggies will
soon be called by Mayor Raymond
R. Tucker to raise coin to save
the St, Louis Symph Orqh, the sec-
ond oldest in the U. S., from pass-
ing out of . existence, The mayor

said the organization faces “the
most serious financial crisis” in its
history, following a meeting last
week with members of the orch’s
exec committee.

Committee members told the
mayor there is insufficient coin on
hand to complete the 1954-55 sea-
son, the 75th. Only $132,252 has
been raised, exclusive of ticket
sales, against a minimum budget of
$337,000. Ducat sales usually ac-
count for 40% to 50% of the oper-
ating costs. The com now in the
strong box will only carry the
symph to next February, or only
two-thirds of the season.-

Mayor Tucker said, “The loss of
the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
would signify a kind of bankruptcy
and decadence that this community
cannot afford.’ 7

Joseph Fuchs, concert violinist
appointed visiting professor of
violin, at Boston U.’s school of fine

and* applied arts.

~

SONG FROM

MUTINY

1 Can't Believe

That You’re In Love With Me

by JIMMY McHUGH and CLARENCE GASKILL

MILLS MUSIC. INC.

“RtcaKUci Ok /f(( "Wajoi

BMI

nvf'Hii

OH, WHAT A DREAM

Records

■•atti page

ROTH BROWN. '* * ” * " ** Mercarr

■•••••••••*»

•i Atlantic

Published by
BERKSHIRE MUSIC.

Wednesday* August 4, . 1954

N. Y. Par SeeksSpot Stageshow

The Paramount Theatre; N. Y.,
on a straight film diet since last
Christmas, is how shopping around
for name talent in an effort to in-
stall a spot booking in that house
around Labor Day. It*? likely that
this booking will be made for two
weeks and options, and might con-
ceivably be the first of a series
that would be made as soon as
suitable headliners became avail-
able. *

The Paramount would like to get
names in the singing line, presum-
ably record clicks, such as were
the mainstay of the house until it
dropped stageshows, The appeal
would still be pitched to the juve
trade. ,

The Paramount straight film
policy has had varied results, de-
pending upon the picture. Grosses
with poor pictures have fallen con-
siderably below the average of a
sub-par pic plus stageshow.

However, in view of high costs
of top talent, it became an increas-
ingly difficult matter to book the
proper kind of shows. For ex-
ample, the Paramount had to go
into a steep percentage deal with
Martin & Lewis. When Bob Hope
played that house some years ago,

(Continued on page 51)

Vauder Curing Western
Ballclub B.O. Blues

Omaha, Aug. 3.

Coy Poe’s All-City Good Will
Party vaude show has proved it
can cure the b.o. blues In Western
League baseball cities.

The five-person show, with local
orch augmented, drew a record
12,535 fans to Omaha’s new
stadium two weeks , ago and Gen-
eral Manager Bill Bergesch esti-
mated some 1,000 turned away
from the ticket windows.

Then, last week, Poe’S show
lured 15,232 at Denver — a high at
that city, too. Poe now heads
eastwards for dates running into
September.

New ‘Cycles’ Opens Tour
In Washington Aug. 26

' Pittsburgh, Aug. 3.
The new edition of “Ice Cycles,”
produced by John H. Harris and a
sister show to his “Ice Capades,”
will, open its 1954-55 tour outdoors
with an engagement at Carter Bar-
ron Amphitheatre in Washington.
Refrigerated entertainment begins
tuning up here at The Gardens end
of this week and goes under the
stars in nation’s capital Aug. 26
through Sept. 14.

At same time, Harris will be
preeming the ’55 ■ “Capades” edi-
tion at Gardens on Labor Day
night (Sept. 6). "

“Cycles” had originally been
skedded to preem in Johnstown,
Pa,, but the Washington, date
opened up when a new musical
which was to have been tested
there blanked out at last minute,

A Latin Quarter, N. Y., show
will soon be. readied for export.
Spot, operated by Lou Walters, has
committed "itself to produce a lay-
out to tour for a’ minimum of 12
weeks in South America under aus-
pices of Francisco^Gallo. Show is
set to open in Buenos Aires late
September or early October, and
will thence go to Rio de Janeiro,
Lima, Bogota and^ other cities.

Cast is still to be set. Walters’
staff will attempt to get some of
the girls in the “Miss Universe”
contest to go on tour with the
South American layout.

Henny Youngman after his week
at the Nautilus, Miami, will play
the Olympia Theatre there, too, be-
fore hitting for Las Vegas,

Monte Froser is expected to open
his new nitery In' the Shelton
Hotel, N. Y., the latter part of
September or early October. He
has been negotiating for a series
of names, with Lenny Kent & Rose
Marie likely to be the opening
headliner. ~

Proser, who is currently at his
summer operation, the Bucks
County Playhouse Inn, New Hope,
Pa., until recently operated La Vie
en Rose in N. Y. Spot was taken
over by the owner for operation
of a straight eatery.

New York City nitery owners
just can’t get lucky with Ameri-
can Legion conventions. The New
York State division of the serv-
icemen’s organization had a con-
fab in Gotham last week, and ef-
fect on business was negligible.
There were some parties in a few
stray spots, but Legionnaire pres-
ence wasn’t felt too much, either
financially or in numbers. The
Legion parades on Fifth Ave; on
Thursday and Friday .nights (29-
30) didn’t help business either,

Of course, it could have been
the terrific heat that kept the gen-
eral run of citizenry out of dubs
and off the streets. The heatwave
decimated cafe business consider-
ably.

American Legion conventions in
New York have rarely helped the
cafe business. During the national
confabs, most of the members
stayed on the streets with their
impromptu parades and manifesta-
tions of their own brand of fun.'
Some bonifaces even felt that they
prevented people from coming into
the clubs or other amusement en-
terprises. However, Legion she-
nanigans were negligible during
the current plaver.

Hassle With Musicians’ Union

'Pittsburgh, Aug. 3.

Although the dancing Evans
Family, standard vaude and nitery
act, is temporarily on the shelf as
a result of major surgery on Mrs.
Evan Evans, wife-mother of the
tr&upe, some of the individual
Evanses are keeping busy.

Marietta and Les Evans, brother-
sister, are working as a twosome in
cafes, playing the Vogue Terrace
here last weekend, until their
mother recovers.

Club, Vaude Dates

Mae West, who returned to show
biz ranks with a bofT opening at
the Sahara, Las Vegas, last week,
is now anxious for more people to
come up and see her sometime,
She has okayed the William Mor-
ris Agency to submit her to other
cafes and possibly theatres.

Problem in her case, of course,
is just how. many spots can afford
to buy Miss West and her pres-
ent act, comprising 20 people.
She’s getting $25,000 at the Sa-
hara, but that kind of money can’t
be obtained anywhere else, and
even. if the price goes down to $20,-
000, the number of spots that can
afford La West are . limited.

Nonetheless, submissions will go
out to Florida, a few metropolitan
theatres where she may be able to
clean up on percentage deals, At-
lantic City and a few other
niteries.

Miss West spent a considerable
sum on her ''cafe debut and couldn’t
possibly come out ahead on her
Vegas salary.

The fight between the American
Guild of Variety Artists and Amer-
ican Federation' of Musicians may
become a matter for the Associated
Actors and Artistes of America,
parent organization of the various
talent Unions. Jack Irving, AGVA’s
national administrative secretary;
last night (Tues.) took off for Mont-
real, in another effort to survey
the situation and attempt to find
a peaceful solution. If it fails,
then it’s likely that he’ll go to the
4A’s and enlist their aid. The AFM
in Canada has ordered its members
to play for AGVA performers and
has insisted they resign AGVA and
join an auxiliary organized by
Walter Murdoch, AFM topper in
Canada.

Although it’s not known how the
4A’s would react to the proposal
that they join in with AGVA to
battle the AFM, it is known that
there is a deep-rooted suspicion of
the AFM and its president James
C. Petrillo, who has in the past
battled with various 4A’s affiliates.
For example, American Guild of
Musical Artists and AFM fought
over the jurisdiction of instru-
mental soloists. In a court case,
AGMA won.

The American Federation of
Television and Radio Artists is. cur-
rently engaged in a battle with the
AFM on the jurisdiction of musi-
cians who have displaced AFTRA
members in announcing and per-
forming roles. In some quarters of
the 4A’s it’s believed that Petrillo,
faced with huge losses in mem-
bers and revenue, must seek other
sources of membership to maintain
the AFM’s present status, and is’
therefore eyeing the 4A roster,

If the 4A’s supports AGVA in
the AFM matter, it could declare
any performer with an AFM card
unfair if he damaged an affiliate
union. Thus, those that resign
AGVA and join Murdoch’s affiliate
might be put on the unfair list.

From LOOK MAGAZINE (Current Issue):

“The Man Who Made Ed Sullivan LAUGH!”

WILL

August 5th

RADISS0N HOTEL

Minneapolis

August 2 3rd

LAST FRONTIER

Las Vegas

Personal Management: JACK ROLLINS

A few weeks ago,
a comedian named
Will Jordan did
an impersonation
of Ed Sullivan on
Ed’s own show
that made TV his-
tory: He actually
made poker-faced
Sullivan laugh!
You’ll howl, too,
over Jordan’s dev-
astating imitation
of Sullivan, now in
LOOK magazine*

Reprinted by Permission of
LOOK MAGAZINE

Weinger on Names

Over Top Dollar to Play Florida

Murray Weinger, partnered with
industrialist Lou Chester in the
Copa City (Miami Beach) operation,
is en route to Hollywood to see
Tony Martin and other names for
his Florida nitery. While in New
York* Weinger observed that
“while Mr. Chesler may be content
to break even in the Copa City op-
eration, and get it back from other
sources, we still can’t quite com-
pete with Las Vegas prices/’

Weinger is willing to pay top
salaries but he appears frustrated
when people like Milton Berlc ask
“what is your top dollar; then add
on $5,000 more and I’ll play Florida
fortyou.” This despite the fact that
stars in those brackets are merely
pipelines for Uncle Sam when it
comes to that type of salary, on top
of already established peak income.
It’s the pride of “getting the most
money” that inspires this type of
negotiation.

Weinger, however, can pay Mar-
tin $15,000 a week; told the Wil-
liam Morris Agency that “if Betty
Hutton is getting $17,500 currently
at the 500 Club, Atlantic City, then
I’ll do the same.” Ditto for Frank
Sinatra, Jimmy Durante and Danny
Thomas. But he stresses (1), there’s
no gambling; (2), Copa City will
have one show a night (two on Sat-

( RALPH AND MARY)

JUST CONCLUDED :

(Week July 1st)
CASINO THEATRE, Tor.

_ (Week July 8)

GATINEAU C. C., Ottawa

2 Weeks (July 19-30)
ELMWOOD HOTEL,
Windsor, Ont.

CURRENTLY:

(Aug. 6-7-8)

CLUB 86, Geneva, N. Y.

Opening Aug. 9
ALPINE VILLAGE
Cleveland, Ohio

Dir.: Jimmie Husson Agency
119 W. 57th St.. New York

urday only); (3), there is no couvert
or admission but a $10 minimum is
expected to get them even in the
850-900 capacity* room.

The gravy comes from the Little
Club, with its $4 minimum, where
Weinger’s act, The Red Caps, have
been a click and have grossed 30-
40G a week in season, which rep-
resents beaucoup gravy.

The stores and advertisers rep-
resent a profit, too, and Weinger,
is particularly pleased with the
specialty shop that Jolie Gabor;
mama of the glamorous Gabors*
will operate in the lobby this-win-
ter on a percentage split.

Durante has agreed to originate
one of his tv shows from Copa City,')
and Dave Garroway will probably
do his 7 t 9 a.nri. shows from there
also, at a time when the joint is
dead, but will create traffic into the
shops. That’s why Chesler-Weinger
are offering free facilities; . Chesler,
in fact., has a bid in for his own
channel, or plans buying into a
video station.

TV Stars’ Big Pull ...

Weinger is bullish on “TV stars
for personals; they’re surefire box-
office, as witness how Liberace
jammed Madison Square Garden,
the first pianist to do so since
Paderewski.

“Actors like Florida,” he con-
tinues. “Who doesn’t? Godfrey
spends plenty to work out of Mi-
ami Beach; Winchell wants to also.
After November, both NBC and
CBS will have tv lines and there’ll
be no problem on wire facilities.”

Copa City has no dancing; just
dining and then the show, so Wein-
ger stresses “it's no ratrace to turn
’em oyer; once they’re in that’s it
for the evening. If they get tired
sitting then that’s where the ad-
joining Little Club and the Red
Caps get ’em at $4 minimum, and
this is our real profit. Main thing
is the traffic and the draw only
comes from big names. But that,
too, must have a ceiling — we’re not
Las Vegas.”

Sauter do Coast to Set
Xmas 0’Seas USO Shows

Hollywood, Aug. 3,
USO-Camp Shows has started its
Christmas shopping at its usual
early date. Janies Sauter, USO-
Camp Shows prexy, is now on the
Coast conferring on Christmas en-
tertaiqment with Abe Lastfogel,
board chairman of the organization
and William Morris Agency gen-
eral manager, and George Murphy,
Hollywood Coordinating Commit-
tee topper.

Group will attempt to plot the
number of shows needed for the
worldwide Y u 1 e entertainment
chores of celebrity units, and start
getting commitments from film
headliners.

AFM, Setting

• 4 / *

THREE GUYS
Singing
11 Mins. .
Palace, N. Y.

A youthful
Three Guys &

& A DOLL

harmony quartet,
a Doll is a fresh
and appealing group with a flair
for rhythm. Frequently on tv over
the past year, they do four num-
bers in their Palace stint ranging
from “Lullaby of ■ Broadway” to
“Young at Heart.” Distaffer han-
dles the melody backed by her
mates’ vocal support.

Foursome is smartly attired with
femme encased in a strapless blue
gown, and males garbed in a
similar blue motif. When their
harmonizing shows more inventive*
ness and slicker arrangements, the
group may well go on to better
bookings in most visual media

Gilb. '

HELLER RETURNING TO
N.Y. TO ACT TOR GALE

Pittsburgh, Aug. 3.

I Jackie Heller has been signed
’ by Alan Gafe to a 30-week con-
tract as a featured performer at
! a new club in N. Y. which Gale,
i comedian and entrepreneur, will
: launch this fall. It'll be Heller’s !
(first New York spot in many years,
j and will launch him on his come-
back.

Not that he’s been away, but
! the singer has limited his profes-
’ sional work the last several years
to Pittsburgh, .where he and his
brothers have been operating a
nitery, the Carousel, for some
time. However, Carousel has
j been dropped by the Hellers in
s favor of strictly an eatery-and-
drinkery under name of My
Brother’s Place.

Toronto, Aug. 3.

On the premise that sight acts
don’t need an orchestra, Jack Ar-
thur, producer of the Canadian
National Exhibition’s 24,000-seater
grandstand show, has decided to
go ahead with his program of after-
noon and evening performances of
outdoor AGVA acts, headed by the
Roy Rogers troupe.

On the current demand of Wal-
ter Murdoch, Canadian topper of
the American Federation of Musi-
cians, that there be 30 musicians
in the pit for the afternoon show
and 60 in the pit for the night en-
gagements (Aug. 27 to Sept. 11),
Arthur is defying the current tug-
of-war between the two unions and
abiding by his CNE grandstand
show setup, several acts of which
he had already lined up on con-
! tract prior to the AGVA<-AFM
squabble.'

Out a-re Arthur’s four big pro-
duction numbers, with a 60-girl
line and a 38 mixed-voice chorus.
But in is the Roy Rogers troupe
with Dale Evans and The Pioneers
(5), Pat Brady, Trigger and eight
palominos, and Bullet; the dog.
These will work hoth shows, as
headliners. Acts inked are Pat
Henning, comic monologist; Maz-
zoni-Abbott troupe, three girls and
a man for Apache dances; Nita &
pepi, acrobatic team; Estelle
Sloane, singer and spin dancer;
The Rudells (man and two women)
for trampoline act; A1 Dault for
comedy table balancing; Calgary
Bros. (2) for comedy acrobatics/
i ditto The Mathurians (2>; Dean
; Bros. (2 1 for comedy bar acts and
! Wells Bros. <2> for same; The Bag-
! dadies (4), Egyptian hand-balanc-

LAMIA & LAILA
Exotic Dancing
10 Mins. . .

La Nouvelle Eve, Paris
Two lush Egyptian girls go
through a series of North African
shake dances that make for fine
basting for any show. Lithe, with
beautiful body control, gals ,dis-»J
play a marked range of excellent
costuming, timing and rep to make
this a natural for U.S. revues or
for vaude placing/

The “belly dance” gets, a pair of
the best disciples seen here in
some time by this look-alike team.

Mosk.

VICKY & COCKY
Acro-dance
8 Mins.'

La Nouvelle Eve, Paris

Two good looking youngsters, a
boy and gal, go through an Indian
dance that bears no aspect of
authenticity, but displays a good
and well coordinated duo who
should branch oUt in rep to estab-
lish themselves as a neat pair for
revues or vaude situations. As is,
they could be revue material for
U. S. chances, but need a more
comprehensive rep.

Girl is a lithe and squealing
number whose nbises add to the
offbeat acro-dance interp of the
duo. Mosk.

MAX CHAMITOV TRIO
With/ Norma Hutton ■

Music, Songs ?

Mt. Royal Hotel, Montreal

With the' AGVA-AFM hassle
knocking out shows in Sheraton-
Mount Royal’s Normandie Room
the management has retained a
single policy of dance music for
the payees and Max Chamitov
who batoned the. full orch ip past
years, moves in with his trio and
the chirping of Norma Hutton. The
move has proved a°highly success-
ful -one on all counts and has
brought back many former clients
Who had dropped this room be-
cause of indiscriminate shows over
past two or three ‘years.

The trio comprising Chamitov at
the piano, Ben Herman , on bass
and Louis Hamilton on drums, is
not a new venture for tjie maestro.
After experience before and dur-
ing World War II .with name bands
throughout the country, he re-
turned to Montreal and formed a
combo that clicked in the old Nor-
mandie Roof atop the Mount Royal,
The return to a small combo makes
a better showcase for the talented
Chamitov pianoisms and results in
a type of. customer dansapation
that is surefire. As an extra fillup
Chamitov has r.etairted Norma Hut-
ton from his Old band, and the
attractive thrush does much visu-
ally and vocally, to spark the newly
formed outfit. Newt.

AFM Orders Canada Ops
To Pay Apollon $7,195

International Executive Board
of the American Federation of Mu-
sicians has ordered Club 1-2 of
Toronto to pay Dave Apollon $7,-
195. Case involves a group of girl
musicians .set by Apollon (acting
as a packager but not involving his
own services) for eight weeks.
After four weeks, group was can-
celled on Dec. 12, 1953.

Apollon charged breach of con-
tract against Louis Chessler and

ing act; Captain Eddie and his
comedy car act, with four people.
Incidentally, Henning, Miss
Sloane and the Mazzoni- Abbott
troupe will work only in the night
show.

Borscht Belt Hotel Ops
Hope for Dewey Action
Vs. Highway Accidents

Albany, Aug. 3..

Operators of hotels in the N. Y.
State borscht belt hope that fhe
latest action by Gov. Thomas E.
Dewey, who called for a three-
pronged survey of Route 17 which
runs between New York City and
the resort area, will result in ac-

TRIO MORLIDOR
Acro-Contortion
10 Mins.

La Nouvelle Eve, Paris ,

Two sprighly girls carry in a big
box which shoots open to display
what looks like a rag doll. Then
doll is put through a series of
brilliant contorto. bits that seem to
defy all human stretch ability.
Clever handling and uncanny
elasticity of boy in doll’s clothing
make this a classy, unusual entry
good for revues, tv or top vaude
slotting in the U. S. Lou Walters
already has them set for his next
Latin Quarter show. A good choice
this.

This German act is a duplicate
of an .Italo act, Trio Florida, which
played the circuits here earlier this
year. This one has more finesse
but content and pacing are the
same. Mosk.

Saranac Lake

By Happy Benway
Saranac Lake, Aug. 3.

- Murray Weiss, of Boston, and
Ned Shugrue and Arthur Mayer of
N. Y. Variety Club, in for general
inspection tour of the Will Rogers
San. Room-to-room! visit by the
execs is a mental tonic.

Jesus Palacios, of Plaza Theatre,
El Paso, ended two-month once-
over period with flying honors.

Birthday greetings due to John
(IATSE) Streeper, Alliie Hansen

'.■f.yf/tf.'AV.W

i'i-C •J. X- -■ / s

Ris '/ ' ' '

BILLY GILBERT

SAXONY HOTEL

Miami Bfach

Personal Mat.:— DAVID L. SHAPIRO
1774 Broadway, N. Y. Cl 5-5361

T. Holmes, who operate the Toron- 1 tion that will reduce the fairly f.re- i and Mabel King Hutchins, in-bed

in ennt nnHop QanHhnlm TlnMincr ! r..<nnf ~ — i l uriii r-i ^ ^

to spot under Sandholm Holding jquent accidents on this highway,
Ltd. Owners’ defense was that the which feeds one of the .more im-
girl musicians lacked sufficient ! portant talent-employment centres
changes of gowns and suitable ar- j in the U. S. The governor’s ac-
rangements, and that they were [tion follows an accident last week
unable to reach Apollon by long r in which three persons were
distance phone. Girls were can- j killed.

celled on two days’ notice. | The governor asked for a series

Jack Gerstein of New York, j of reports and surveys by the State

acted as attorney for Apollon.

RAJAH RABOID

Odd Man Complete Show
NOW 3rd WEEK

TOWN HOUSE

Rehoboth Beach, Del.

New York: Dick Henry' lot Angolos: Hal Gordon
Canada: Mao Johnson

Traffic Commission, Public Works
Dept, and state Chief engineer,
along with recommendations on
accident reduction,

Route 17, travelled extensively
by performers and vacationers, has
been the scene of frequent acci-
dents, many of them fatal. Last
week’s mishap occurred hear the
scene of another accident a couple
of years ago In which 11 were
killed. Some years ago a N. Y.
booker took an ad in a Liberty
(N. Y.) paper in which he termed
the road a “killer.” Mounting pro-
tests alohg with an increasing ac-
cident rate ultimately forced the
action.

Will Roge rites who are steadily
improving.

Muriel Sirgheny Danzi, one of
the original Four Eddy Sisters, to
general hospital for major opera-
tion; now recuperating in solid
comfort. She is a two-timer here.
Her husband, Jack Danzi, planed
in from N. Y. to be by her bedside.

Bob Cosgroves, staffer of Colum-
bia Pictures, N. Y„ in for his an-
nual summer six-week vacation;
checkup was a 100% okay. .

Earl Lewis, chief engineer of
WTVJ radio and television station,
Miami, registered in as a new
guest.

Mabel (IATSE) Hutchins into the
general hospital for emergency op-
eration; it was successful. Her
brother Ray (IATSE) King planed
In from N. Y.

Among those who rate a special
mention for their excellent prog-
ress are Otto Hayman, John
(IATSE) Streeper and Sylvia Lich-
tenstein, who all drew limited priv-
ileges;

Write to those who ar6 111; ’

COMEDY MATERIAL

For All Bronchos of Theatricals

FUN-MASTER

THE ORIGINAL SHOW-BIZ GAG FILE
(The Service of tho STARS)

First 13 Files $6.00-AII 35 issues $25
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• 3 Bks. PARODIES, per book, .$10 o

• MINSTREL BUDGET......... $25 o

• 4 BLACKOUT BKS., ee. bk...$25 o

• BLUE BOOK (Gags for Stags) $50 o
HOW TO MASTER THE CEREMONIES

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GIANT CLASSIFIED ENCYCLOPEDIA
OF GAGS, $300. Worth over a thousand
No C.O.D.'s

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200 W. 54th St., Now York 19— Dept. V
Circle 7-1130

SHE'S DYNAMITE!

KAY MARTIN

(and her TRIO)

Currently

OTTO'S

Latham, N. Y.

Direction

MERCURY ARTISTS

WHEN IN BOSTON

It's fhe

HOTEL AVERY

The Horn* of Show Folk

Avery & Washington $»•»

COMEDY ACTS

5 different acts. Can be used anY-
where. All for IS. An Introduction
to tho most helpful writing service In
the field of entertainment.

A. GUY VISK

„ Writing Enterprises v

14 Hill Street \ ^ Troy, N-.X;

^WjjStaF.s, of Spetal.'CpMedy Material

Tightens Belt

' ►

The American Guild of Variety
Artists has stepped up the collec-
tion of dues from' its membership.
Agents booking the mountain cir-
cuit have now been asked to take
0 ff delinquent dues from salaries
of performers being booked and
forward the arrears to the AGVA
headoffice. The agents aren’t too
pleased with this task, but accord-
ing to their agreement with the
union, they are not to book any
performers who are either delin-
quent in dues or who do not belong
to the union.

The union, of late, has gone on
a lot of economy binges and at the
6ame time, has beeh attempting
to exploit all its avenues Of revenue
to the hilt. Organizers have been
hitting the mountain, resorts with
greater frequency, inspecting dues
books, and dunning acts who are in
arrears. They’ve also been cutting
down on ‘office expenses. Several
organizers who were let out some
time ago have not been replaced.

II. Y. Par

Continued from; page 49

he was given a $50,000 guarantee
plus half the gate over $100,000.
This deal was again given to M&L
the first time in, and then it was
hiked percentagewise on their sec-
ond time around.

There had been *n attempt to
install a stager previously , but
union difficulties intervened.

Aside from the Palace Theatre,
there has been only one stageshow
on Broadway since Jan. 1, and that
was the two-weeker by Julius La-
Rosa at the Loew’s State. The
house made a fairly good profit
with that display.

John Flanagan's

STARS OH ICE

a Complete lee Revue

Now at

VAGABOND CLUB, Miami

Recently Concluded Tour
of Florida State Theatres

Exclusive Management
HERBERT MARKS AGENCY

New York Miami Boaeh
113 W. 57th St. 600 Lincoln Rd.

Currently
CHEZ PAREE
Montreal
e 4> Wlth HU
Entertaining Unit

HJAturfng

Direction
LOU WALTER8

.4 BUYS AND A DOLL ' Lou WALTEI
MfiM BcrABM 1 ENTERPRISES. Ine.
MGM RECORDS Chi tmnklln. Mar.

FAMILIES OF ENVOYjS
GAIN NiTERY TAX EASE

Washington, Aug. 3,

..Foreign diplomats and members
of their families and . households
are exempt from the 20% excise
on nightclubs if they present
proper credentials when they pay
their bills, the Bureau of Internal
Revenue has just ruled.

This follows up a ruling of last
year under which diplomatic per-
sonnel was recognized as exempt
from the admissions levy at thea-
tres, sports events, etc. Ruling
declares: “Where . charges other-
wise subject to the cabaret tax
are collected from ambassadors,
ministers, and other duly ac-
credited diplomatic representatives
of foreign governments, members
of their families living with them,
and those members of their house-
hold described in Rey: Ruling 296,
the transaction will hot be taxed
if the proper credentials are pre-
sented at the time the charges are
paid.

“This privilege does not extend
to consular officers of foreign gov-
ernments or other officers (other
than diplomatic representatives),
agencies or commissions of foreign
governments.”

Shaw Unit Sydney Hit
But Biz Is Off; Dailies
Decry ‘Cowshed’ Stadium

Sydney, July 27.

Artie Shaw, Jerry Colonna and
Buddy Rich pulled a crowd esti-
mated at around 13,000 on two
shows at Sydney Stadium July 22.
The Benny Reyes-Lee Gordon man-
agement anticipated around 24,000
for the debut. Opening stanza,
timed for. the supper hour, 6 p.m.,
pulled a mediocre 4, 000,, with 9,000
in for the second stanza at 9 p.m.

Combo will give shows in Mel-
bourne and Brisbane prior to re-
turning to Sydney July 30 for two
additional shows. Ella Fitzgerald,
who missed the first date, will ap-
pear here July 30.

Shaw went over to a sock hit
with Wally Norman’s Orchestra (lo-
cal combo) and had the fans yelling
for more after* 4 ‘What Is This Thing
Called Love,” “Stardust,” “Night-
mare.” “Besame Mucho” and “Sum-
mit Ridge Drive.” Colonna opened
the show to a cold house but quick-
ly had them awake with “You’re
My Everything” and “I Play Trom-
bone Chicago Style” and bowed
off to a hit.

If the Reyes-Gordon managerial
combo shows a profit on current
span with Shaw, Fitzgerald, Co-
lonna and Rich, other topline U. S.
stars will he booked. If the Shaw
tour is a flop, Reyes & Gordon will
probably call it a day insofar as
Down Under is concerned. Present
indications— with Melbourne and
Brisbane regarded as solid show-
places— is that the duo will come
out of the red on initial bid.

With all. Aussie theatres tied up
to opposition managements, mainly
small capacity houses, Reyes &
Gordon could only hook the Syd-
ney, Melbourne and Brisbane Sta-
diums which are used for boxing
and wrestling bouts.

Indicative of the Stadium setup j
is this editorial from the Sydney
Sunday Telegraph: — “A group of
America’s — and the world’s — top
artists in the light entertainment
field, are giving of their best in the
giant cowshed which is the Sydney
Stadium. The fact that Sydney—
larger than San Francisco, Detroit
or Boston — has no adequate enter-
tainment house for really big audi-
ences, does not do us proud.”

Vaude, Cafe Dates

New York

George Jessel will work a
borscht-belt date at the Concord,
Kiamesha Lake, N. Y., Aug. 14 . . .
Olsen & Johnson have been
signed for the Lake Club, Spring-
field, 111., Aug. 13 . . . Billy Ward
& Dominoes have moved into the
Chez Paree, Montreal, on a deal
set by Joe Glaser’s Associated
Booking Corp. ... Trade Adams
to the Congress Hotel, St, Louis,
Sept. 2.

Bobby Gordon, former writer on
the Milton Berle show, and come-
dian Jimmy Husson are reviving
the “Fun for your Money” unit,
in former years a staple on the
cafe circuits . . . Diahann Carroll
signed for the Mapes Hotel, Reno,
Aug. 26 . . . Jackie Kannon and
Lily Hayes pacted for UfiTty House,
Forest il ^ark t Pa., Aug n ,7. : .

/Stager

Las Vegas, Aug, 3. ,
Sammy Lewis, vet nitery opera-
tor and unit packager, checked in
yesterday (Mon.) as director of en-;
tertainment at the Flamingo Hotel.
He will continue to be partnered
with Danny Dare in the legit revue,
“That's Life,” current at the Las
Palmas, Hollywood, in a pre-Broad-
way tryout run. "

£e wis will buy all talent and will
produce and stage the shows him-
self. He recently severed his con-
nection with Billy Gray’s Band Box
in Los Angeles and formerly oper-
ated Slapsy Maxie’s on the Coast.

When Hildegarde returns to the
Cotillion Room of the 'Hotel Pier-
re, N.Y., Sept. 22 for eight weeks,
she will be sans Johnny Johnston.
Instead, she may have a newcomer
pair, Howard Fenton and Gene
Bone, to plug the waits while
Johnston returns to Hollywood on
several film commitments which
his personal rep, Sam Weiler, hqs
lined up. In the course of the new
Hildegarde- Johnston team this past
season there was another four-
week hiatus for a previously com-
mitted -film chore.

The Beverly Club, Cincinnati,
and the Desert Inn, Las Vegas, for
four weeks commencing Aug. 17,
wind up the Hildegarde — Johns-
ton pairing,

Hildegarde is set for five weeks
at the Palmer House, Chicago, in
November, following the Pierre
date, and then may essay a tv
format which Anna Sosenko, her.
personal rep, and NBC prexy Pat
Weaver discussed last week.

$560,000 Atlantic City
Boardwalk Fire Wrecks
Entrance to Steel Pier

Atlantic City, Aug. 3.

A $500,000 fire which started un-
der the Boardwalk in front of the
mDdcity Steel Pier last Friday
afternoon (30) at 6 p.m. destroyed
the entrance to the big amusement
centre at a loss estimated at
$ 200 , 000 .

Although many vacationists were
on the pier as the alarm was
turned in, only one pier theatre,
the Casino, a motion picture house
which faces the Boardwalk, was
evacuated, and this without panic.

Many in other theatres were un-
aware of the blaze, which was con-
fined by firemen to the front of
the big amusement spot. Others,
assured that there was no immedi-
ate danger, preferred remaining
on the Pier, stretching a quarter
of a mile to sea.

Before being curbed, the fire
gutted the fronts of four stores,
Planters Peanuts included, across
from the Pier. Damaged besides
Planters, where the loss was cited
as above $50,000, were the Howard
Johnson restaurants (2), between
$50,000 and $75,000 loss; Fra-
linger’s salt water taffy store,
$50,000, with the cost of replacing
the damaged Boardwalk figured at
$40,000 or more.

Zeckendorf’s Astor Buy;
Hilton’s Statler Deal

On the heels of the Hotel As-
tor (N.Y.) deal, William Zecken-
dorf’s (Webb & Knapp) bid for the
Statler Hotels chain fell through
yesterday (Tues.). Hilton hotels,
instead, acquired control for $37,-
650,000, paying $50 a share for the
753,000 controlling shares.

Over the weekend the W&K
head effected a lease on the Times
Square landmark, with an option
to buy the Astor. Zeckendorf’s as-
sociates are Benjam H. Swig, of
San Francisco and Jack D. Weiler
of New York, who jointly own the
Fairmont Hotel, Frisco, and with
Webb & Knapp (Zeckendorf) are
also owners of the Western Mer-
chandise Mart, S.F.

Robert K. Christenberry, N.Y.
State Boxing Commisssioner and
longtime president and managing
director of the Astor, remains at
the helm.

By MAX NEWTON

Montreal, Aug. 3.

Despite the charges and counter-
charges, near-threats and double-
talk, there is no sign of an im-
mediate settlement of the AFM-
AGVA hassle current here in
Canada. The dispute, as to whether
the. talents of an entertainer be-
longs with AFM or AGVA, started
some months ago and execs of both
unions chose Canada as the testing
ground. .

The apparent disinterest of both
unions’ top brass in the prelim-
inary fight and the delaying tactics
has resulted in a first-class wrangle
between entertainers, clubowners
and the unions. With both unions
taking off the wraps in recent
weeks and issuing sharp edicts to
operators and artists alike, the
dispute has been brought in
sharper focus.

With the AFM taking the ini-
tiative, Walter Murdoch, Canadian
member of the International Ex-
ecutive Board and AFM prexy in
Canada, arrived in Montreal last
week with Jack Ferentz, assistant
to James C, Petrjllo, for talks with
both agents and musicians.

Following one of the largest
AFM meetings (approx. 800) ever
held in Montreal, last Friday (30),
with, all members i unanimously
backing the fight, Murdoch met
the press and deftly parried their
questions with the reasons for
AFM’s stand on this matter.
Principal reason for the present
situation is the, outgrowth of a
violation by AGVA of a- written
agreement dated May 29, ’50, and
signed by Petrillo and Gus Van,
then president of AGVA, defining
their respective jurisdictions and
providing for the settlement of all
disputed matters at top level. When
asked why such an inter-union
fight could not have been settled
by the parent AFL body, Murdoch
stated that both groups had been
told to “bring your arguments here
with clean hands. The AGVA still
has smudgy hands. They still have
to make an appearance,”

Rumors of growing discontent
amongst AGVA members in Mont-
real are rife and reiterated by
Murdoch, who claims that many
have written, wired or phoned his
office in Toronto asking that an
auxiliary similar to the one now
in force in Toronto aligning for-
mer AGVAers with the AFM be
instigated here in Montreal. Mur-
doch outlined in glowing terms the
maternal interest taken by the
AFM in. this new auxiliary group,
and cracked that “AGVA has been
an absolute racket from the begin-
ning and continues to be that. They
are simply a dues-collecting organ-
ization.’’

He compared the open-handed
dealings of the AFM to the secret-
elected officers of AGVA, pointing
out that Jack Irving, key operator
of AGVA, is more interested in
his outside business than with the
affairs of AGVAites.. A recent
meeting in Toronto between Irving
and Murdoch ended in a stalemate
and a solution was turned down by
the AGVA prexy “for fear of losing
face with other AGVA directors
and'fnembers.”

Meanwhile, operators in Mont-
real are booking as many musical
acts as possible to keep their rooms
open, but biz, for the most part, is
falling off and the local nitery
scene takes ob a sombre appear-
ance for the first time in many
years.

CHRISTINE’S 1ST TEXAS
DATE CUT SHORT BY FIRE

Pallas, Aug. 3.

Christine Jorgensen’s first Texas
date was cut short when fire
damaged the Colony Club early last
Wednesday (28). With comedian
Myles Bell, headliner had com-
pleted five nights of an eight-night
stand here to good business. Duo
sails from N. Y. Aug. 6 for vaude
dates in Europe.

• Abe Weinstein, Colony owner,
will refurbish his midtown cabaret
for a Sept. 15 reopening.

NOT TELEVISED

World’s most NOVEL NOVELTY ACT

LOU FOLDS

Currently 4th WEEK

Presenting

"CONTINENTAL CAPERS"

SHAMROCK HOTEL

Houston* Texas

— ■■■ Past Engagements —

SAVOY HOTEL, London
MOULIN ROUGE, Paris

ROXY THEATRE, New York

"CAROUSEL." New York
"ICE TIME," New York

(THIS ACT NOT TELEVISED)

?1* >V* * • • a 1 ***** ‘ ?.&•

mUmmAUtStJtiumm

NIGHT CUH REVIEWS

Wedneaifaft; August 4, 1954

Waldorf-Astoria* N.

Perez Prado Orch (14), with
Montoyo Sisters (3), and Alva
Bros. (2)* Mischa Borr Orch (8);
$1.50 and $2 c ouvert.

A couple of seasons ago the Star-
light Roof of the Waldorf hit the
jackpot with Los-Chavales de Es-
pana (The Kids from Spain), a
suave, musicianly and showmanly
group. They became a tJ. S. attrac-
tion, and the Hilton flagship hos-
telry was able to bring them hack

7. '' .. 1 lnnl ...nor. This

for an entire season last year
season Freddy Martin inaugurated
the summer and the hotel found it-
self stuck for an attraction for Au-
gust until somebody — like Music
Corp. of America, which has a
longtime “in” on bookings here,
and obviously a positive approach
to mutual - problems — must have
vouchsafed that mambo is the thing
of the year.

And so it is. It even brought
back Vaughn Monroe as a No. 1
diskory bestseller for RCA Victor,
so why not take the top Victor
band which specializes in the new
beat and let ’em have it.

. They do. They almost blow the
customers off the roof. The Anacin
concession at the Waldorf, for the
. waiters and captains alone should
do a good business.

On the third night caught, the
Prodoites were blowing the brass in
so lusty a manner that they were
probably heard right clear down to
Havana’s Prado, near where the
maestro-composer was cradled.

No question about his prowess,
but there’s such thing' as overdo-
ing your strength. Tne maitre d’
and other Starlight Room attaches
aver that if you put Prado under
wraps he loses his appeal. That he
has appeal was evidenced by the
turnout business although if a Wal-
dorf-Astoria Roof doesn’t do busi-
ness in - this weather in Gotham
what will? Discounting its auto-
matic draw, the management wise-
ly makes sure of its dansapation
and other attractions.

That they’re mambo-happy was
evidenced from the immediate
surge onto the floor (also played by
Prado and his hi-Octane acoustical
team) directly after their 20-min-
ute show stint. In fact the custom-
ers came onto the floor before
schedule, an elementary detail

.as choice, a brand erf ail-tasteful
dansapation as. any hotel orclien-
tele .could^ deslte., . ‘Abel

Casino Royal* Wash*

Washington, July 28,

Ann Sothern & Escorts (5),
Raquel h Lennie Paige, Gene Rus-
sell Se Line (5) , Bob Simpson Orch
(ID; $l entertainment charge, $4
minimum.

1

Ann Sothern has what it takes
to make good in a big way on the
nitery circuit,. Although pub enter-
taining is new for her, she unveils
the right kind of singing voice and
comedy approach, _ together with
ability to hold an audience and
squelch a loudmouth. Topping off
is a timing of which any nitery
artist can be proud.

Working with Miss Sothern are
the Escorts, a singing-dancing unit
of five men who back her up
solidly. Highlight of the offering
here is a “Too Dam Hot’’ number
which would be a showstopper any-
where, Miss Sothern plays it as
Maisie Revere, with big-feathered
hat and green boa, just a gal who
keeps the sailors of the U.S. Navy
happy. The Escorts are in sailor
summer whites. They sing and
dance “Too Darn Hot” and “Sum-
mertime.”

Star also does a private secre-
tary monolog in which she tells of
various types of secs, the office
wife* office flirt, the one who
hates her boss, etc. After a “Hello,
hello” throwaway, she and the boys
swing into a “Happy” number
which includes ’a medley of such
songs as “Happy Tall,” “I Want to
Be Happy," "Hallelujah,” etc.

At show caught, when there was
noise out in the audience, she

squelched it by smiling, sweetly
and commenting, ‘I’ll Wait.” This
show, incidentally, was cut about
15 minutes from scheduled length.

Raquel, a circus juggler, who
works mostly by juggling a large
log with her feet, looks good as an
early nitery number. Gal is a good
looking brunet with plenty curves,
who wears a tight costume for
showing them. Lennie Paige, the
house emcee, sings with a line of
five girls and their choreographer,
Gene Russell. Gals are handsomely
j costumed. Bob Simpson orch,
which for the show and for dansa-
S pation, goes in heavy for the jitter-
Kbug stuff. Loicc.

which could and should be basic- [
ally corrected by the bilingual sax - 1
opiionist who does most of the
spieling in English from a portable

t'hf hA S nt hpr i Rcne Bard V Presents “Histoires ! w ith question-mark tall red feath-
the ranks with the oilier reect . pe I D . Er(? „ revue j n {/, ree > parts . by I er. As “Sexy Sadie” "she and

La Nouvclle Eve, Paris

Paris, 'Aug. 1.

500 Cln* 9 A~ •

Atlantic City, N. J., July 31.

Betty Hutton, Jerry Antes, Jack
Regis, Joe ■ Prior; Carolyn Ayres &
Escorts; Joe DeMarco ; 'Jack Cur-
tiss; Pete Miller Orch (15) with
Joe Frasetto; $5 minimum week-
ends; $4 weekdays.

Betty Hutton again; proves that
she is truly the “blonde bombshell
at Paul (Skinny) D’Amato’s spot
before an audience which jammed
the 700-seater to the doors, Sup-
ported in her songs . and dance
numbers by three boys, Jerry
Antos, Jack Regis and Joe Prior,
she gives payees almost a solid
hour of entertainment, begging
off after an added 15-minute Stint
for the firstnighters.

Star makes her entrance to the
stage dramatically through dark-
ened house, way being lit by spots
while her theme, “It Had to be
You,” is softly played. There she
is met by the three boys in her
act and - immediately goes into
slambang routine which keeps
them at strict attention and yelling
for more right through until the
end, and even later.

Miss Hutton takes some of her
best from the motion picture and
record field and combines them
into a finished routine which
moves along at a bombastic and
sometimes deafing pace, changing
costumes for the numbers without
a break in the swiftly moving pre-
sentation.

Attractively garbed in sheer
pink Sheer brocade appliqued with
silver butterflies highlighted with
rhinestones made with a tight
bodice with full skirt and a tiny
poplum, she opened with Gersh-
win’s “But Not for Me,” following
patter wherein she thanks all for
the great welcome. Follows then
songs old and new, belted over as
only -a Hutton can.

“Can’t Get A Man With A Gun”
finds her in cowgirl and pistols get-
up. Broadway of 1924 recalled. with
“Ziegfeld Follies” of that year and
Blossom Seeley and Benny Fields,
the stars, as she and boys nicely do
“Broadway” and then “Roseland.”
Miss Hutton recreates the mood
of the Blossom Seeley biopic she
last did for Paramount.

Top spot of Miss Hutton’s show'
brings in the three boys dressed
as sailors through payees with star
appearing wearing short, form
fitting tomato red silk crepe with
two row’s of fringe reaching from
hips to top of skirt which barely
touched knees. Ankles decked with
matching bows. hat black pancake

dies, with Benny the prime target.
Corn Abounds and 'is aided ■ by
Benny's recorded voice. “The Adam
And Eve Story” is gooL Close
harmony in spirituals .nets a big
audience response. The topper is
“Play No. 17,“ a 10-minute gam-
bling saga with the cleverly-in-
jected recorded voice of Benny s
favorite tout (Sheldon Leonard)
that all but walks off with top
honors. , ■

Andre & Delphine are an adagio
duo that please with a gracefully
athletic turn that indicates a circus
background. The Flamingo line
weaves smoothly through a pair of
production numbers costumed to
capture the male eye, and the Tor.-
ris Brand orch is okay. Boh.

Colony Clnl» 9 Dallas

Dallas, July 24.

Christine Jorgensen, Myles Bell,
Johnny Cola Orch (5); $2.50

cover .

Only Texas stopover for Chris-
tine Jorgensen, who sails from
N. Y, Aug. 6 for English vaude
dates, augurs a hefty b.o. for
cabaret owner* Abe Weinstein;
Opening drew an SRO house, as
the ex-GI benefitted from heavy
flacking, and the local eight-night
stand, with 17 shows, boasts a
hefty advance sale.

Veteran comic Myles Bell opens
the show with 20 minutes of old
and new patter, and builds into a
nice mitting. His show savvy
spills over to the topliner, who
pleases the stubholders in a sur-
prisingly good turn. In strapless
beige tulle and lace gown, topped
by stone marten fur, headliner
half talks, half sings “Getting to
Know You,” “Keep It Gay,” “You’ll
Never Walk Alone” and a closing
“Thanks A Million.”

Between songs banter with Bell
scores solidly with ringsiders,
wherein star boasts of being no
crazy, mixed-up kid. knows all the
Jorgensen jokes, all about the birds
and bees and is only, working long
enough “to afford Rubirosa.” Gets
nice palming throughout the lighter
stuff; it’s the serious talk, after
some incidental ballroomology,
that brings on the hefty response,
as star tells of the trials and
tribulations suffered before the. sex
changeover brought peace of mind
and happiness.

Pianist Johnny Cola takes his
quintet through top showbacking,
and amply fills the floor with terp
fans. Bark.

cialists. There is no theatrical fan- , r nr™ p„„ n i

fare or other vivid evidence that \ Marsac , Maa Reyol, J<.an

the shovv-is-on. hence it spoils tlie : Afare. Staged -by Rex>ol; choicog-
effect as waiters and captains must ; raphy, George Carden; costumes .
shoo off the mambo-happv hoofers • Erie, Va re; music, Eduardo Adam -
before the presentation gets under ; is. With George Carden, Janet Gray,
way'. I Scott Jackson, Vicky & Cocky, Trio

masculine trio do neat “Way Down
Yonder in New Orleans.”

The Charleston, a self-t’aped duet
to “Tea For Two,” a luminous paint
number and “New Orleans” lead
into the final number is nostalgic

Hold Radfsson* Mpls.

Minneapolis, July 24.
Lanny Ross, Don McGrane Orch
(8); $2.50 minimum.

oil'll %/uifiaim, v nny ut i^virvy, j. i ,, , K ■, .

No question about Prado's prow- Mortidor, Dany Middleton, Joseltc ; Iv f i “ rn H t ° tt °°' f^whaMiroved
ess. He’s a sort of Stan Kenton ' Crisp, Sergine Kay. Kodeit , ^

in mambo, with his piofiicssivc Alcxssis, Lamia & Laila, Roland i "For thi^ chp hrinss the oiano out

be.it. Only thing is that he must j Leonor, Andree Lescot, Gerard j summon s trombone, trumpet and

keep it down. The eardrums can’t j Lancelle, Arlette Antoni, Claude clarinet and goes into a Dixieland,

take it from a sitting-down position ; pang, Les Filles D’Eve (12), May- j winding it up with SoDhie Tucker’s

as he unspools his musical reper -[fair Lovelies Girls ( 17), Raphael ‘

toire which is forte on the brassy- : Biondu Orch (12); $3 cover, $5
there is one trumpeter who do?sn t minimiim .

have to take a back seat from j _

Harry James or anybody. j

Maestro Prado is in white tails, 1
a getup which inspires the obvious
crack about “Perez, you made the
pants too long.” He is given to
kicks, a la the French “sabot” style
of pugilistics, to punctuate his con-
ducting, but in the main he does
his- stuff conventionally. The per-
sonnel comprises four saxes, four
trumpets, orte trombone, string
bass, drums, two bongoites (mara-
cas 1 and piano. Prado doubles or.
the ivories for one specialty which
is more subdued and proves they
can do melodic stuff*. He mixes i.p
the m-imbos with the “suby,” which
is even faster than the mambo. and

!if-nim aU T^ • u * Without any of the pressing of ! work with" the "WqUeezebox." ' When

lh.ithm, The.\ should poui on that yore Biz tops when caught. ! he confines himself to the ihstru-

- 1/ Arl 1 to O' TI C moiti/tA u*li n ^ a i .1 n'A

“Some of These Days” after prais
ing vet songstress and declaring
that she had been selected to play
j her life story when filmed.

Dames and dress are the corner- ! Carolyn Ayres & Escorts, in two
stones of this lavish new show. ; dance nutnbers, open show. Blonde
brought in for the summer season : looker and boys are well received,
at this lush boite. Spectacle is 1 Joe DeMarco’s nice tap dance,
stressed, and the more cohesive I routine uses three tennis balls to
comedy qualities of the last show ; get good response. Walk.

have been sacrificed until the new: — =

opus next November. Result is an j Flamingo* L«1S Vogas
eyefilling, superbly costumed show j Las Vegas, July 27.

which bowls through its four hours, Dick Contino, Sportsmen < 4 )
pyramiding a series of racy num- (with John Rarig ). Andre & Del-
bers and variety acts into a most \phine. Flamingo Starlets (12), Tor-
satisfying affair. -This is still the | r is Brand Orch (ID; no cover or
leading plushery here and prices j minimum.

are still steep, with a $3 entrance j

fee and $5' minimum. However.! Dick Contino easily lives up to
one can dawdle through the whole j his sobriquet, “Mr. Accordion,”
show with a drink, if one can stand i and evokes enthusiasm for his

It’s been several years since
Lanny Ross last appeared here,
but those renewing an old, pleasant
acquaintance will find that the
singer still retains his vocal magic.
Ross’ current act stacks up as an
agreeable, genteel songology
marked by a quiet, intimate mood.
In this class boite it sits weli.

As he tells stories in sO'ng or has
flings at current top pop tunes,
Ross’ experience and proved tech-
nique stand him in good stead. He
invests several numbers with infec-
tious humor and never seems to
take his efforts too seriously as he
proceeds in a light-hearted manner
that spells customer enjoyment.

Best-liked contributions include
“Hernando’s Hideaway,” “Little
Red School House,” “I’m a Bad,
Bad Man,” “In Venezuela,” “I
Think I’m Falling in Love” and
“Antoinette.” His skill with love
ballads still impresses, but his
routining, with its pace . changes;
shows him to advantage in a varie-
ty of numbers. ^

Highly capable Don McGrane
and his orchestra help to enhance
Ross’ effectiveness. Rees.

patirpau more.

No question about the impact of
the mambo, which is Afro-Cubano
dansapation at its most uninhibited
—a blend of the jive and the
rhumba.

He has two specially acts, both
on the conventional side. The Mon-
toya Sisters are a willing albeit un-
socko vocal trio, in same purple
gowns and general derrieres. who
essay “Sway With Me.” a Latino
number in English. The hoofing
Alva Bros. (2) may look good to

Kodell is a U. S. magico who me nt he shines, and the 30-minute
adds a group of lovebirds to his ; stint covers melodic medleys
act. He goes through his paces in [ through which the star’s nimble
a rhythmic manner and birds ap- j fingers race to steady palm-stinging
peaf and disappear at will. This ! reaction. As the act builds, his
is a class, distinctive entry with showmanship comes into good fo-
solid Tan-tailed costuming and jcus. By the time he ha A hurdled
good presence helping. Three ^Sorrento” and “Peg O’ My Heart,”
other acts, Vicky & Cocky, Lamia ; Contino is home a wdnner.

& Laila and Trio Morlidor are un- j The only letdown comes in the
der New Acts. Mayfair Lovelies vocal department, in which, al-
Girls (12) and nudies Les Filles though exhibiting a warm, pleasing
D’Eve <12)'are lovely and plastic, voice, especially in bouncy num-
with the Raphael Biondi orch (12* = bers, he may not be adapted to

the tourists making the rounds of j a fine background for the various such langur chirpings as “Wanl-

Havana’s “Pennsylvania Ave.” out-
skirts but are out of their league
in the Waldorf. However, they’re
both one-to-fill; main thing is
Prado. He has a Victor record rep,
more or less focused on the Latin
trade- although the diskery has
been trying to extend his scope.

Given more showmanship he
should project the mambo beat
into classier envuftms— it need not.
be confined to Broadway's Palladi-
um dancehall. But for tbe Waldorf
it requires ■ greater .versatility.
Mischa band stiU^v^^qt

[sketches. Andree Lescot, Roland ! ed.’.’ Contino got a vocal lesson
Leonor and Sergine Kay handle 1 from his father at performance
— i.. . gayght £) a( j ( a Fresno butcher,

the vocals effectively.

Show starts at 10 p.ni., goes
through till midnight, then breaks
for a half-hour and segues into the
second part, and then a break and
third section. Single theme makes

a Fresno
went on to sing the ‘ Italian Butch-
er Song,” to. the younger Contino’s
accompaniment, and scored a big
hit. ->

Costarring in this three-framer.

this too tedious for a whole sitting [and deservedly sharing top honors

and helps in turnover.- Interims
have goodlooking taxi girls for the
loners at 75c a dance, and there
are also taxi boys, working their
Way through med school, for tho
nes. v v > i Mosk. .

with Contino. are The Sportsmen,
a merry musical group. Jack
Benny’s favorite quartet, under the
f> iano guidance of musical director
John Rarig, taientedly and spirit-
edly romps thfough pop jtime.frthto-

Iffangovor Cluli, Frisco

San Francisco, July 23.
Ralph Sutton Quartet, Meade
Lux Lewis. No cover, no minimum

This Bush St. bistro is the dixie
land headquarters for the Coast
sort of the Nick’s of San Francisco
Currently running a relief inter
lude from the regular house band,
Kid Qry, is the Ralph Sutton Quar-
tet from Eddie Condon’s in New
York.

Sutton, an effective barrelhouse
pianist, scores with his solos on
Fats Waller tunes, and backs up
other members in their solos. Ed
Hall on clarinet is outstanding and
the rhythm section of Walter Page,
bass, and Charlie Lodice, drums,
works out effectively.

Overall, the group gets a sound
very reminiscent of the Benny
Goodman Quartet, and since they
run down many of the BG num-
bers, gets a tremendous hand from:
the

Beverly WU% Newport

\ ^Newport, Kyi, July 21. -

Hildegatde fc Johnny Johnston,
Victor Charles, Earl Lindsay Danc-
ers (10), Dean Campbell, Gard-
ner Benedict Orch (12 ) ; $3 mini-
mum, $4 Saturdays .

Biuechip performance U turned
in this sessions by 4-karat princi-
pals and a stellar line op chorines.
Solid* entertainment from start to
finish and not a -taint of smut

Hildegarde aiid Johnny Johnston,
one of the top headline teams to
play here over the years, bow off
graciously after nearly a full hour
of solid returns. Fetching in gowns
of gray and black, Hildegarde
opens alone and scores with piano
selections and vocals before John-,
ston, handsome in tails, takes over
for a brief routine of singing, guitar
strumming. He registers with a
hillbilly takeoff, splendid bariton-
ing of a couple standards and the
“Gambler Guitar,”

In one of her numbers at the
Baldwin, Hildegarde has effective
violin accompaniment by Robert
Norris. She waltzes with a male
patron and later with Johnston
after the, two of them hoke a song
and softshoe routine to a medley
of the ’20s. Oscar Kosarin, con-
ductor and pianist, rounds out the
H-J support.

Victor Charles contributes a de-
lightful 12 minutes, dancing with
his distinctive puppet personalities
and putting one of them through
acrobatics. Earl Lindsay Dancers,
With singing- Dean Campbell, reg-
ister in “Haiti” and “Ladies of the
Evening” ensembles, well-routined
and costumed. Gardner Benedict
combo is strong aid to Hildegarde
and partner. Koll.

Beachcomber* Miami. B.

Miami Beach, July 30.

Martha Raye , with Frank Still;
Novelites ( 3 ) , -> George DeWitt,
Condos & Brandow , Len Dawson
Orch; $3.95 food or bev, minimum.

— ~7

Back in her . adopted hometown,
Martha Raye is money .in the bank
or Norman Schuyler, who re-
lighted his huge Beachcomber for
the date. The duo were partnered
in the Five O’clock Club fdr sev-
eral years before the comedienne
headed for Marthattan and tv suc-
cess.

Though somewhat more subdued
than when working the Five
O’Clock, Miss Raye is still the dy-
namic performer when she hits the
boards for the initialer, a smash
teaming with the Novelites on
“Lover” to spark matters. It is in
the solo portion of the package
that she works the straight, always
effective angles, eschewing the blue
tinge, such as the bawdy “Song of
The Shord,” once, an integral part
of her act. It^s all for the better,
the- tabpayers enthusiastically ac-
cepting her delineations of “I’ve
Got My Love To Keep Me Warm,”
“Black Magic” trademark, “Mr.
Paganini” and “You Can Depend
On Me.” The carefully blended as-
sortment allows for full projection
of her considerable talents, be it
ballad or jump. The zesty per-
sonality reaches her peak when
the entire company joins her in a
rousing session of “St. Louis
Blues,” to wind her into a boff
finish.

The Novelites, who’ve always
been part of the Raye unit in this
sector, are an increasingly effective
trio of Instrumentalists and com-
edy-song stylists; The compote
offered contains straight harmonics
as well as the specials that accent
laughs. On the harmony side they
click big with “Mississippi Mud”
and “World Is Waiting For The
Sunshine.” Comedy is projected in
the Marx Bros, takeoff and the big
howler, their screwy. t mugged-up
lampoon on cornbalT -musician-
singers. Add to 'palm-build with,
impressions of Billy Daniels, et al,
for a Wrapup. They’re obvious bets
for tv appearances and as topliners
along the cafe run.

George DeWitt adds his smooth
comedy to the proceedings, fitting
neatly into the pjcjture with his
Waggery, carbonings and songs.
Vocal impressions are especially
notable, leaving impression that
the good-looking laughmaker could
well essay tuneselling ih own style.
As is, the rounded act contains
healthy assortment of ingredients,
from quickie-lines to quickie car-
bons of the better kriowns. Off to
solid returns. •

Condos & Brandow get the show
going at a fast pace with their
combo of ace hoofery, trumpet-
piano interchanges and jump-sing-
ing. They’re an adept, team, with
the hoofing standout in their ses-
sion. . Len Dawson and his oi’ch
back the proceedings .in top man-
ner. Frank still rates kudoes_ for

aficionados who ' congregate
here. Meade Lux Lewis, a boogie-

woogie artist of some vintage, belts , — - . _ .

out solld eight-tMhe-bar in the'in- his accompk in* the Martha .Iw c

irtettpissiApa; Ratbi feejmertU l sir; r> v/ * ta&it-

wv.IncadaY, Angn»t *, 1954

SIGHT CLUB REVIEWS

53

Veg«» -

Mae West with Louise Beavers ,
St¥v *Rok Don 'Kent,DickDuv
hais (19); Nita & Pepi, Pick Kerr,
Sharem Girls (12), Cee Davidson
Q rch; no cover, no minimum. ,

it’s 28 years since Mae West
hiflved Margie LaMont in her self-
Sen "Sex'’ and she still hasn’t
lost interest in the subject. Here
]S S Vegas she’s found the perfect
audience for her type of script,
S it’s likely that she’ll be the
alltime entertainment jackpot for
this funloving resort, where there’s
at least as much interest iri bou-
doir sports as there is in the gal-
loping dominoes. •

Overtures had been made inter-
mittently to Miss West for several
vears to play Vegas, and she fi-
nally succumbed to the Sahara’s
Bill Miller. The payoff for him is
.like making a nine the hard way
—not alone becausp of the surefire
great business, but also from the
standpoint of press attention that
gives- the Sahara .major national
and international newsbreaks.

In the same Congo Hoorn that
saw the Vegas debut of Marlene
Dietrich 10 months ago, and the
sehsation caused by her "topless”
gown, Diamond Lil last Tuesday
night (27) swayed her ballbearing
hips on a nightclub floor for. the
first time in her career. Unlike
Miss Dietrich, she bares nothing,
yet reveals everything. Elsewhere,
her payoff with. this act and most
of its material may chiefly attract
the cops, but for Vegas she’s made
like the proverbial farmer’s daugh-
ter. She’ll be back and ofteh.

It’s difficult to judge Miss West
by standards other than the old
Irving Place burlesque house in
N.Y. Except for the fact that she
doesn’t strip, literally, and there’s
no baggypants cbmic leering, "I’ll
meet you around the corner in a
half-an-hour,” Miss West is strict-
ly the low burlesque leading lady
with an unabashed interest in
S-E-X, spelled out by a stutterer
who can let go of the word. Ex-
cept for the plays "Sex” and "The
Pleasure Man,” which caused a
conclave of gendarmes on -Broad-
way and afforded Miss West a va-
cation in the Welfare Island clink,
she’s hardly ever- been dirtier than
she is here. Comparatively, “Cath-
erine Was Great” was "The White
Sister.”

However, here in Vegas it fits —
like the tag end of her show, when
the well-muscled Mr. America
(Dick Dubois) sings “Everything I
Have Is Yours” and Mae archly ad-
vises him “And I’ll know what to
do with it.”

The word "coy” isn’t in Miss
West’s vocabulary. She knows
what she wants when she wants it
—and everybody is going to know
about it. too. She’-s on for 39 min-
utes and . her act is routined so
that nobody can . be expected to
say, “Well, this is a surprise.” Just
in case some hermit wanders in
from the salt mines, Miss West
makes .him hep immediately with
her opening song, “I Wanna Do All
Day What I Do All Night”— and
she doesn’t mean listening to the
radio.

Seventeen men are with her^ —
nine of them loin-clothed weight-
lifters with the biggest biceps.
What a sensatiort they would have
been in "The Pleasure Man,” at
least with the cast. She uses them
for obvious window-dressing and
sets the theme in acknowledgement
to their first -introduction, "I’m
pleased to meet you boys — face to
face,” followed by "Don’t crowd
t 11 ®- boys, there’s enough for all!”

rhe muscle-boys are strictly
Ensile, but Mae recommends them
io the girls in the audience with a
special song, "I’ve Got Something
for the Girls-— Boys, Boys, Boys.”
c>ne then advises prospective cus-
tomers, for Mr. America, “If
there s any defective parts, send
to me » because he’s got
my 90-day factory guarantee,” This
musde-bey, she brags, "is an all-
inn! 1 * man — 116 *v°h the broad
jump, too.”

There are eight other men work-
2L on sta Se with Miss West— a
? r ? u P of six organized by
ost but n °t billed under his
X : V sin g»ng bit Player, Steve
S, wh c ° works in . a sketch that
Sih K P „? re , 1 opening night, and
sirta«Vc. ent ’ who works as m.c. The
ber turn with a num-
co ^!? be titled "The Fabu-
intnw ae .^est” and this segues
Pectin entra nce— as expected, ex-

fhSise 1 Li eclini . ng on a fancy

black ’ ^ h . 6 s eostumed in a tight,
midriff eq ^ ne 2 g°wn with a net
*nd a i, a W b ite fox * stole

dresc a cl lgh i bla ck-plumed head-
tionon u°i? s Uke-ari Mustra-
»nd evp^Jfh/ 1 Pol i ce Gazette cover

N’omlsedf th ng SUCh a fancy frail

Kasyan 0 ! ?? er J 0 ?® 8 i® "Take It
Written 0 bv v wh J ch was originally
Hayworth i H ster Lee for Rita
Thomoenn m° in “Miss Sadie
ship tro^uhi a had its censor-
b®ar f s L w i bou t it: And up

• th * Msh, she delivers a "D&r

I mojad Lil” monolog, followed by
1 "Frankie and Johnnie,” that also
leaves nothing to the imagination.
That just about winds it up, ex-
cept for a finale bow with all the
men/ particularly the boys .with the
muscles. .

• i , .

Also in the act, but wasted, is
Louise (Beulah) Reavers, playing
her maid and feeding only one
joke, "Beulah, peal me a grape,”
out of a picture she once did with
Miss West;

There’s a considerable list of
credits, one of the most worthy be-
ing that of Charles O’Curran, who
produced and directed and rates a
bow for a remarkable job done in
a short time with a rather cumber-
some cast. Jerry Franks gets bill-
ing for production supervision;
Sam Minneo conducts Cee David-
son’s •• orch for Miss West’s stagei
portion, Ray Bello is on the drums
and Coco is Miss West's guitarist.
Joe Erens, Alan Alch and Bob
Thompson wrote the t\vo specials,
"I Wanna Do Ail Day” and "Some-
thing for the Girls,” which, 'while
not deathless prose, fit Miss West
like a bedroom, and Edtyard Se-
besta designed her gown, also in
the proper mood.

Up ahead oflMiss West are two
fine acts, Nita Sc Pepi, a mixed
acrobatic team, employing some ex-
ceptional hand-to-hand tumbling
tricks, and Dick Kerr, a young
mimic who is both novel and ex-
cellent. The mixed team is in tra-
ditional collegiate costume, and
really give it the old college try,
winding up with a sensational crab
crawl over table and stage to great
applause.

Equally clicko in his eight-min-
ute act is Kerr, who uses a high-
pitched, screechy falsetto as the
teeoff for a series of fine vocal imi-
tations. He moves from the high
whine to the low baritone of Billy
Eckstine, mellow soprano of Rose
Murphy, gravel vocalistics of
Satchmo Armstrong, mellow bary
of Tony Martin and, finally, a hec-
tic imitation of Johnnie Ray, parr
ticularly effective at the opening
show because of Ray’s presence in
the audience. Kerr could have
stayed on considerably longer, as
the audience demonstrated,

The line, a Moro-Landis produc-
tion, is doing a holdover routine to
a potpourri of Continental num-
bers sung by a mixed pair of
singers. ’

It must be said in closing that
Miss West’s appearance is excel-
lent. No babe,’' she still looks fine.
Maybe not quite what she was
when she did a single in vaude-
ville, with Harry Richman at the
piano, but good enough to still get
plenty of attention from the only
genre she’s interested in.

For the house, she’s a particular
sweetheart. Not onjy will she jam
this room during her current two-
and-a-half week stay, but she’s on
fast, works fast and gets ’em out
into the casino even faster — 61-
minutes for the entire show.

Scho.

Hownlicat Hub, Frisco

San Francisco, July 27.
Duke Ellington Orch (15),
Jimmy Grissom, Mcmery Midgett;
$1.50 admission, two-drink mini-
mum.

Back for his second two-week
stanza at this spot in four months,
the Duke looks to score again.
Opening-night crowd was heavy
and business stayed up the rest of
the week.

Ellington remains the class of
the field in nightclub presentation
of an orchestra. Despite his more
than 25 years in front of the pub-
lic, the Duke has retained the gla-
mor that tv has taken from many
other music names.

The current Ellington unit
shapes up as one of the best he
has ever led, with every man in it
a soloist featured in one number.
Standout instrumentalists are high
note trumpet specialist Cat Ander-
son, whose "September Song” is a
crowd-pleaser; bassist Wendell
Marshall, displaying his virtuosity
on "Jack the Bear” and tenor sax
Paul Gonzalves and trumpeter Ray
Nance on "A Train.” Nance, a
sock dancer and mugger; is also
featured frequently on the violin,
with "Sophisticated Lady” a stand-r
out number. Harry Carney, vet
baritone saxist and only remaining
member of the original Ellington
unit, scores with powerful solo
work on "Frustration.” and Britt
Woodman, a new trohibone player,
displays a lot of class on "Theme
for Trombone.”

Vocalist Jimmy Grissom belts
out a rhythm version of "Blue
Moon” to heavy applause” and El-
lington manages to review many
of his standards front "Mood In-
digo” and "Black and Tan Fan-
tasy” through "Caravan,” "Per-
dido” and "Satin Doll” with great
effectiveness. The entire show,
which occasionally runs as long as
90 minuses,, still holds the audi-
Hncf solid. - Rafo i

* Meat Wave* X- Y*

Salt City Five St Will AlgUr,
George Wettling Band (5); $2.50
minimum.

Jazz,, whether it’s delivered hot
or cool,, has been a boon to nitery
operators in New York. In the past
couple of years a number of spots
have reconverted to a strictly jazz
tolicy and the bonifaces continual-
y have been scouting new loca-
;ions suitable for an intime jazz
yash. The Heat Wave is the most
recent jazz room to spring up in
town and if it continues offering
the same calibre pombos as on the
preem bill, it should have no
trouble building a solid trade. It’s
located in Greenwich Village, but
Eddie Condon’s and Nick’s have
built healthy, reps there, so there’s
no reason that the location should
limit the Heat Wave’s draw.

It’s a pleasant-designed room
and the acoustics are just right for
the torrid sounds emanating from
the podium. Opening card is shared
by vet George Wettling with his
combo and the youthful Salt City
Five. Both groups are solid Dixie-
land purveyors and they project
the kind of musical zest that keeps
the room rocking.

With Wettling on drums, Joe
Sullivan on piano, Jimmie Archie
on trombone, Henry Goodwin on
trumpet and Bob Wilbur on clar-
inet, the combo bats out a zingy
instrumental session that’s hard to
beat. Highlights in the group’s
songbag, are "Tin Roof Blues” and
"Ballin’ The Jack.”

The way the Salt City Five at-
tacks the Dixieland beat belies
their youth. The boys look like
they’ve just come off the campus
but they play with a vet savvy* It’s
a well-integrated group with each
man knowing his job and doing it
well. They ride through each num-
ber with an ingratiating vigor.
Combo consists of Will Alger,
trombone; Bob Cousevis, drums;
Jack Maheu, clarinet; Frank Fraw-
ley, bass;* Dick Oakley, trumpet,
and Tom Aquino, piano. Some of
the standout, numbers in their sets
are "Shake It and Break It,” "I
Can’t Give You Anything But
Love, Baby,” "Dixie.” and "Love
Is Just Around The CoYner.”

Gros.

Billy Gray’s, L. A.

Los Angeles, July 29.
r Billy Gray, Leo Diamond, Dor-
othy Claire, Nicco & Barba, Larry
Green Trio; $3 minimum.

An elaborate takeoff on "The
Caine Mutiny” highlights Billy
Gray’s return to his own spot for
a show that gives promise of meet-
ing ringside demands for the hot
weather. It’s a cinch tffough that
the original author of "Mutiny”
wiU be tempted, after seeing the
satire, to pen an autobiography en-
titled "I Wouk Up Screaming.”

Gray uses nine people in the
sketch, but it really hits the hi^h-
spots only when he himself takes
the stand as Queeg. Similarly,
later in the show, he saves the
day with liis monolog after the pro-
ceedings have slowed to a walk.
He has some good new parodies
and a finale skit based on the pro-
jected Rubirosa-Zsa Zsa Gabor
film provides a funny finish to the
two-hour layout.

Leo Diamond’s excellent har-
monic work is a fine musical seg-
ment and he blends his musician-
ship with showmanship on such
items as an impression of a jam
session or a musical kaleidoscope
of N. Y.’s Little Italy. He tops it
off with his electro-harmonica
version -of "The High and the
Mighty” '‘theme which he has
recorded for RCA Victor.

Other musical portion of the
show is Dorothy Claire’s 25-minute
stint. She does okay with • such
items as "I Get a Kick Out of You”
and "Glocca Morra,” but she at-
tempts too much bad comedy be-
tween the numbers and Joses her
audience. She should either stick
to- warbling or get new writers.

Comedy dance stuff of Nicco &
Barba opens the show with Nicco
taking a beating from his statu-
esque partner. It’s good for laughs.
Larry Green Trio continues to
earn attention with an excellent
job of showbacking. Kdp,

ards most femme .songstresses
utilize for the warmer-upper, "Real
Gone Guy,” sets, her on the right
track with the tatfiers. Follows
with special lyrics on "Whoopee,”
tjten launches her newest platter
tune from "A Star Is Born” — "The
Man Who Got Away,” Handling of
the ballad is finelv shaded, the
hearer’s reaction indicating, poten-
tials, contained, Switch to a tune
medley of.pSst two decades paces
second half, with theme, "Sunday
Kind Of Love,” leading into an-
other medley of pops that mixes
ballad . and rhythm to wind her
Into solid finish.

House . dancers Antone & Ina
hold over with their lift-spin ball-

showbacks and provide easy. La ry.

roomology, to initiate proceedings.

Syd Stanley and his unit are well
versed, per usual, at handling the ^saloons, with a triangular bar sup-

Jta la Aaa alaL. A -A M a] •, • 1 «] A * A A A«t T 1 I " ' _

The plight of the Negro enter-
tainer seems especially downbeat
these days. Harlem, as .a major
talent outlet, disappeared years
ago. There are few representative
New York midtown spots and few
niteries on a Harlemese policy. It’s
a tough deal to keep an . act going
on ’a regular basis at this time:

Gotham’s Eighth Ave., a haven
for sailors, girls and guys on the
make, has up to now been virtually
devoid of even a good honky-tonk.
This once - good - street - gone - bad
isn’t attracting much of a carriage
trade these days, or even a repre-
sentative subway .trade, but there
are still hordes on the streets.

In this kind of atmosphere,
Briggs, one of the street's better

porting a small stage, brought in
a unit last Thursday (29) with a
batch of standard Negro entertain-
ers. The topliners have worked the

Tlie Hungry i, Frisco

San Francisco, July 2 1 * - _ „ , , ,

Josh White, John Hawker, Mart ;

c .. t various times. Bill Bailey and Ida

75 i James are well-known turns on the
l&eekntghts, $1 Salfurday. | circuit, while Manhattan Paul is a

. j ubiquitous emcee wllo has been
An avant-garde entertainment in. i allied with better-known. Negro
the round-style club in the North ; packages. Management of Briggs is

Beach section, this spot has scored
in recent months and has had to
move to larger quarters adjacent
to Chinatown, where it is now one

the same as that of the Metrot>ole
on Broadway, where the operators
have long put the show on a plat-

tu viiuiatuwu. vnicic it ip iiuw uuc ' a _ , * • « _

of the top tourist attractions on i f° rm °' ,er * be b f r ^ * be P ass "

I i n A n a 1 A aTMi a m n f a a* a a

the nightclub circuit.

A converted chop suey joint, the
club has an outside bar and an
inner, soundproof room in which
the talent performs - before a brick
wall on a bare stage framed by
modern arty designs. Audience sits

ing pedestrians to see.

The unit doesn’t work under the
best circumstances nor do mem-
bers get a chance to . work for a
crowd that provides some stimula-
tion. However, these are the jobs
that are available these days and

in canvas garden chairs and the al- j they can’t be turned down the way

mosphere is intime in the extreme.

Josh White, standard folksinger.
heads the current bill running
through his w.k. repertory of blues,

things are running.

Still — this is a neat package —
one that’s superior to its surround-

Nniililiis, Miami lleacli

Miami Beach, July 31.

Fran Warren, Antone & Ina, Syd
Stanley Orch; $2.50 bev. minimum.

Fran Warren has become a fre-
quent returnee to these precincts,
with the Driftwood Room of this
big oceanfronter her base of opera-
tions. Reason for the returns is
obvious. She is the type of thrush
the lively set which frequents this
room appreciates.

Mixture of recording clicks and
zingy arrangements of the better
pops and familiars is adroitly
balanced to 'provide sound changes
in mood and tempo, Teeoff is a
refreshing one, in.ithat it ,g£ts
away Jacked around stand-

folksongs and work songs. White j f here’s . production, not^ too

was ill on night show was caught
and billy did a short set, including
“I Gave My Love a Cherry” and
“Evil Blues,” both of which scored
effectively with the audience.

John Hawker, young San Fran-
cisco Negro, is featured singing
ballads and show tunes with un-
usual class. He has a voice capable
of tremendous emotion and feeling
and could easily develop into a hot
personality on the basis of the
pipes alone. However, he seems
unable to sell effectively in the
club and looks unpreposessing on
the stage. ,

Comic Mort Sahl, who is kicking
up quite a storm locally, is a nat-
ural click in front of an intelli-
gentsia# audience, with frequent
barbed political and psychological
quips. A monologist who works
with no props other than the daily
papers, he is glib, sharp and effec-
tive in this setting.

skillful or polished, but at least it’s
a good tiein for the acts. Costum-
ing ol the line is okay and the
four kids are young and pretty, and
are hard workers.

Bailey does virtually the same
turn that he has done at the Roxy,
Paramount. Apollo and elsewhere.
He’s one of the more expert hoof-
ers, and also a cleric in his Harlem
heath. He turns in a neat parcel of
cleats and some badinage very un-
clcrical in tone. He’s a good per-
former even under these circum-
stances.

Miss James, a good-looking girl
with a babyish voice, is also a
thorough professional. She works
this job with the. same skill as if
she were working one of the more
flossy spots. Miss James is similar-
ly fine here.

Other: act. aside from the ener-

Pianist George Miller, who Sup- ; getic emceeing of Manhattan Paul,
plies intermission music and* ac - ; is .exotique Etheline Butler, who
companies^ White and Hawker, is | w jjj positively tear down the joint
an okay nitery pianist with a good qotnrriav when the street is

touch and a well-rounded reper- !<)n a batulda Y when tne slieet IS
toire ranging front jazz to cocktail-

lounge ballads.

Rafe.

loaded.

This show is presented as a floor-
display and not as continuous en-
tertiainment. It’s a fullscale revue
appearing three times a night.

Until the war, there was a lot of
travel to Harlem for a hot brand
of entertainment. But that disap-

T . _ , — i peared. Maybe they’ll go over to

Joel Gray played the swank Blue i Eighth Ave. for this kind of show.
Sails Room here some months ago jf ^ happens, then even this sec-

SL d e m ^ ked ^ P 4 a SOhd 4 Ch ? k * ^u S1 " tor could conceivably become a
ness and entertainment-wise. For onforiainmonf-

his return he's come back with an respected cenlic of entcitainmcnt.

even more potent, tightly routined j s .

Sans Soiici, Miami B’cli

Miami Beach, July 31.
Joel Grey, Ann Herman Danc-
ers, Sacasas Orch; $2.50 bev. mini-
mum.

act that contains new material plus
revision and rewrites on his origi-
nal stuff to stamp himself a young
performer who keeps growing in
stature with each viewing, bespeak-

Galinoan* Oilawa

Ottawa, July 30.
Joanne & Stanley Kayne, Fe 7 o &
Brinio, Gene Griffin , Lmdsay Sap -

ing the continued work and polish- 1 Zancer7 (Oh Hany Pozy

mg.

Illustrative is his rework of “Ro-
mania,” the Yiddish nutsieomedy
extract that was a forerunner of
the ti’iple-tongued rhythmics popu-
larized by Danny Kaye. The young-
ster has twisted the concept into a
“Folk Song” idea which makes it
an entry that all types can under-
stand, leading up to the body of
the tune with tongue-in-cheek
takeoff on folk-singers a la Harry
Belafonte and Burl Ives.' It’s a
wru'pup segment. .

New is an imaginative . “Straw
Hat Song” with work in of the
toppeis who used the skimmers as
a trademark in their work — Harrv
Richman, et al — the piece artfully
staged and written to a sock wind-
up. Rest of stint is up to the afore-
mentioned sequences allowing for
lad’s ability at impreshes and hoof-,
ing; the ode to Betty Grable and
the by-now standard lampooning
of the nostalgia ridden a..ls, »»ith
Grey taxing the aud as far back as
10 years ago c own his memory
lane.” • * Lary.

Orch (8); $1 admission.

Fresh, zingy comedy of Joanne
and Stanley Kayne is a perennial
business-getter here and the Gatin-
-eau. Club' s G arnivai Room was
comfortablv^filled opening night
(29) in spite of heavy rain. Stan-
ley’s rubberfaced antics keep the
tablesitters heavily mitting and Jo-
anne sparks the stanza throughout
with slick appearance, nice line-
handling and okay pipes. Standouts
are Stanley's gag impression of
Spike Jones’ “Cocktails For Two’
(sans record) aid pair’s zany maul-
in® of Jan PeCrce’s disking of
“Bluebird of Happiness.” with Jo-
anne juggling the turntable and
needle* with Stanley gives socko
panto aping.

Held over are Felo Sc Bruno,
Latin two-piano team, and chanter
Gene Griffin, who also sings with
the line and emcess. Harry Pozy
band showbacks and plays for
dancing. Bunny Dixon is lounge
canary and 88cr. Gorin.

WEEK OF AUGUST 4

Numerals in tonnacflon wllh bills balow ln#leata apanlnt tfay of show
whothtr full or spilt weak

• attar in paranthasas Indicatas circuit. <l> Indapondanti <L> Logw; (M) Moss;
ip) paramount; (R> RKO; <S> Moll; <T) Tivoli; <W) Warnar

Sacasas Ore
Ann Berman Dpra
Anne Barnett
Saxony Hotel
Kirby Stone: 4
Tano St Pee

Nlrva

Mandy Campo Ore
Johnny Slivers Ore
Roney Plaia
Johnny Pineapple

Hawalan Rev

: Vaflabonda *

"Stars On lee“
Mary Jane Lawson
Johnny Flanagan
Forrest & Reef
Two Adams ft Eve
Jimmy Shaw
Bea Lumlen
Calypso Eddie
Frank Unale Ore

NEW YORK CITY
Music Mall (I) 5

Corps fle Ballet
Marilyn Murphy .
Milan Timotich
Larry Griswold
Glee Club
Rocketles
Sym Ore

Palace (R) ft
Eddie Hanley
Marty May
Ernesto Botiino

De Mattiazzls
4 to fill

CHICAGO
Chicago (P)
Diosa Costello
Crew Cuts
2 to fill

MIAMI

Mary McCarty
Bob Manning
Wally Dean .
Christine & Moll
Skating Regals

ft

Co

AUSTRALIA

MELBOURNE
Tivoli (T) 2

Buck Warren Co
Warren Latona
Sparks —

Dagenham Girl
Pipers
Maxwells
O’Hagan & Stead
Rudl Grasl
Johnny ‘ Rubber-
face’’ Craig
Edith Crocker Co
Ron Parry
Gloria Dawn
Frank Cleary
David Stcrlc
David Hamilton
Judd Lane
Adorable*

PERTH

His Mai's (T) 2
3 Daresco ..
Charly Wood. Co
Frank Cftok & J
Gnus Bros AM
Chevalier Bros
-G Nelson A C
Norman Vaughan
Bernice Vaughan

Rcnita Kramer
Sonya Corbeau
Bert Duke
,Ioy Horsburgh
Dorothy Hall
Show Girls
Nudes

Dancing Boys
Ballet

SYDNEY
Tivoli <T) 1
Roy Barbour
Harry Jacobs
-Myrons

Margaret Brown
Mike Joe & Coco
Bouna

Tony Fontane
Julian Somers
Kerry Vaughn
David Edie
John. Bluthal
Max Blake
Choral Group
Dancing Boys
Dancing Girls
UNLEY

Qdeon (T) 2 .

Vienna Boys Chou

NOTTINGHAM
Empir* (M) 2
Rolf Hansen
Frances Duncan
Bobby Wright & M
Betty . Driver
Phil Darban A W.
George . Martin
Tommy Dale
Archie Lewis
I Lee Youngsters
PORTSMOUTH
Royal (Mi 2
Harry Secombe
Jackson
Bow A Darnel
Ray Alan
Peggy Desmond
Cardew Robinson
Owen McGlveney
I Jenny Hayes
| Wilfred Briton Co

SHEFFIELD
Empire (M) 2

Rex A Bessie
Teddy Johnson
Winters A Fielding
Benny Hill
3 Hellos
Pearl Carr
Ted Overbury AS
SOUTHAMPTON
Grand (I) 2
Charlie Ellis
Wilton Family
Angelina
Amur A Alana
[ Paris Lovlies:
SUNDERLAND
, Empire (M) 2
| Clayton A • Ward
Frank Preston

Terrie A Watts
Chas Warren A J
Fayne A. Evans
Lorraine *

Gary Miller a
H Norman A Ladd
Cyclo Bros

SWANSEA
Empire (M) 2
Ronnie Ronalde
Candy Sis A Eddie
Jimmy Jeff A June
Scott Sanders
Skylons

Dickie Henderson
Pharos A Marina

WOLVERHAMPTON
Hippodrome (I) 2
Jill Manners
Gaye A Van
Meltones
Danny O’Dare
Our Girls

WOOD GREEN
Empire (S) 2
Benny Lee
Robin Richmond
Harriett A Evans
Graham Bros
Alec Pleon.
Brazilianos
Darlys Dogs
Michels

YORK

Empire (I) 2

Leon Cortez
Doreen Harris
Nat Gonella
Afrique

C A H Duprez
Nelson Lloyd
Perclvale Dog W

IAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Flamingo

Dick Contino
The Sportsmen
Silver Slipper
Sally Rand
Hank Henry
The Appleton*

Eve Marley . .
Sparky Kaye
Bill Willard
Jimmie Cavanaugh

Desert Inn

Palladium Revue
Sahara
Mae West

Last Frontier

Herb Shrlner
Connie Russell

El Corttz“

Luxor Gall Gall
Golden Nugget
Bonnie Baker
Sands
Milton Berle
Sid GarY
Leonard Suess
Mountaineers
New Yorkers
El Rancho Vegas
Joe E Lewis '
Gloria De Haven
Thunderblrd
Frances Faye
Phil Foster
Ralph Curtis
Patio

Dinah Wasnlngton

RENO

Stateline

Ted Lewis Rev

Mapes

R A Lenny Kent
Lill St Cyr
D Arden Dancers
Eddie Fitzpatrick
ore

New Golden

Four Tunes
Yonely
Bud ' A Cece
Golden Girls
Will Osborne ore

Cabaret

BRITAIN

ASTON

Hippodrome (I) *

Harry Shields
Harry Dawson
3 Astaires
E Keif son A Carol
Rema Fcrrl
3 Toledos
Paris Lovlies

BIRMINGHAM
Hippodrome (M> 2
Billv Cotton Bd
Fred Atkins
Bill Finch
Eddie Arnold
Vera Cody Co
Alnin Diagora
Bob Andrews
Renee Dymott
BLACKPOOL
Opera House ill 2
Jimmy Edwards
Tony Hancock
Joan Turner
Bassi 3
Lucicnne
Bob A Astor
Eliane A Rodolphe
Kathryn Moore
Monte Norman
Corps de Ballet
20 Tiller Girls
Palace (l> 2
Tessle O'Shea
Walter Niblo
’ Sid Plummer
4 in A Chord
Canfield Smith A i
Sohra . „

Gold A Cordell
Fralelli A Mallini
Tower Circus <n 2
C Cairoli Paul
Knies Animals
August Natsch

3 Craddocks
Vivian A Tassi
Knies R Horses

2 Cherks •

Harold Gautier Co
Fattini

4 RSmses

Douglas Kossmayer

3 Petroffs
George Ruzsa
7 Eagles

2 Rassos

10 Beer Barrel P
Little Jimmy
Jimmy Scott
W G Pavillion (.1) 2
Terrv Thomas
David Whitfield
Stella Moray
Freddie Frinton

3 Najas

Cycling Brockways
F Langford Co
Herbart Walton
Sonnie Willis
12 Holidaymakers
B0SCOMBE
Hippodrome (I) 2

Jack Haig
Mary Harkness
Eric Williams
Musical Elliotts
Earl Darnev
Patricia Solcil
Leslie Dowsey
Eddie Hart
S Fisher Girls
BRADFORD
Alhambra (M) 2
Josef Locke
Dennis Bros A June
Valento A Dorothy
Hackford A Doyle
Des O’Connor
Kelroys
Joan A Ernest
Les Dounos
Joe King

BRIGHTON
Hippodrome (M) t
Max Bygraves
Nitwits

Joyce Golding
. Katherine Feather
Nelson Bros
Tux

Virginia Vernon
Shirley Hepburn
Donald Clive
BRISTOL
Empire (I) 2
Jimmy Mac
Ragoldi Bros
Jan Harding
bliss Blandish
Jean Raymond
Burke A Kovats
Accordionaires
A1 Shaw

Hippodrome fSJ 2
Beverley Sis
Bonar CoCeano
Tommy Reilly
Keefe Bros A A
Manning A Lee
Muo: A Dixon
A Lamar

, > ( : » >

brixton a

Empress (I) 2

Erik Barker
Hnrru Dawson
CingalOe

Whittaker A Law
Walter Jackson
Skating Vogues
CARDIFF
New (S) 2
Alan Alari •

Tom Jacobson Co
M C Mokowski
Sensational Garcias
Kelroys'

Joan A ..Ernest
Denvers
Ladd West
Sam Rogers
Reggie DcnhiS
. CHISWICK
Empire (S) 2
Lester Ferguson
F Bamberger A P
Jo JaC A Joni
David Bcrglas
Artemus ■

Johnny Paul 3
Les Traversos

east ham

Granada (l> 2

Avis Dainton
4 Riegels
Peter Raynor
Rai Putana Co
Metropolitan (I) 2
Ron Perrian
Ike Hatch
Johnny Mason
4 Tune Tellers
Jacqueline McVee ;

8 G Lawrence Girls
EDINBURGH
Empire (M) 2
T - A D Kendall
Issy Bonn
Morris A Cowley
Joan M*nn
Harry Worth
A1 Koran
Angelos
Rovbeiles

FINSBURY PARK
. Empire (M> 2

Dirlfie Valentine
3 Monarchs
Dassie Bros
G A A Doonan
Mario A Floria
BAB Adcms
J A J Bentley
LEEDS

Empire (M) 2
Mayfairs
Bobbie Collins
Jolly Co
Peter Sellers
3 Henrys
M Mitchell Co
Billy Maxam
Alma Coean

LEICESTER
— Palace (S) 2
Kals
Luns

Dickie Dawson
S Linficls Cadets
Cant Lahrs Co
Mckko

A1 McCarthy Co
LIVERPOOL
Emoire (M) 2
Guy Mitchell
Mills & Melita
F Harris A C
2 Peters
Jack Watson
Alohonse Berg Co
Brian Andre
Richnv’n A Jackson
MANCHESTER
Hippodrome . (S) 2
Littlewood S .
Morton Frasor Co
Billy Russell
Valettos .

Archie. Glen.

M French Co
Arch : e Elrav
NEWCASTLE
Empire (M) . 2
A1 Martino
Raynes A. Osborne
Trls Sadler
G GrosSetto A G
Clifford Stanton
Eddie Gordon A N
Lester Shame A I
NORTHAMPTON
New (I) 2
Sandy Daw
Marie Joy
Vic Sanderson
Margaret Hayes
Gordon Webster
Milo Models
Marda

Jimmy Stacey
Luscious Lovlies
NORWICH
Hippodrome (I) 2
Joe Povnton '
Dave Wlnton
fc r i ; } i I i

NEW YORK CITY

Basin St
Louis 'Armstrong

Blue Angel

Mickey Deems
Martha Davis
Calvin Ponder
Orscn Bean
Trude Adams
Bart Howard
Jimmy . Lyons Trio

Bon Splr

Jimmie Danielw
Mae Barnes
Charlotte Rae
Jimmy 1 Komack
Norcne Tate
Three Flames

£opacauana

A1 Bernie
Dolores Hawkins
Delta Rhythm Boys
Ramona Lang
M Durso Cr-c
Frank Marti Ore
No. 1 Fifth
Cedrone A Mitchell
Bob Downey
Harold Fonvllle
Hazel Webster
Old Roumanian
Sadie Banks
Joe LaPorte Ore
D'Aouila Ore
.. Hotel Astor
Sammy Kaye Ore
Hotel New Yorker
Ed A Wilma Leary
Jo Barnum
Steve Kisley Ore
Dee Drummond
Trank Soncll

Hotel Pk Sheraton

Milt Herth Trio
Joan Bishop
Hotel Roosevelt
Lenny Herman Ore
Hotel Statler
Ted Weems Ore
Hotel Taft
Vincent Lopez Ore
Latin Quarter
Bernard Bros
Szonys

Jane Morgan
7 Ashtons
Ralph . Young
Piroska

Art Waiter Ore
B Harlowe Ore
Versailles

•Nice To See You’
Fay DeWitt
Don Liberto
Lou Nelson
Dorothy Kfeller
Patti Ross
Linda Lombard
Margy Duncan
Paula Stewart
Carol Ohinart
Salvatore Gioe Ore
Panrh.ito Ore
Village Barn
Vickie Barry
Joel Shaw Ore
Dale A Mullen
Joe Furst
Piute Pete
Rachel Ellen
Waldorf-Astoria
Perez Prado Otc
Miccha Borr Ore
Viltage Vanguard
Robert Clary
C Williams Trio

Rlvgrslde

Peggy Let
Marquis Family
Riverside Starlets
Bill Clifford Ore
LAKE TAHOE
Cat-Neve
Harold Stern ,

Tara ■ Summers
Don Arden Dancers
Matty Malnegk Ore
Cal-Vade
Nat Cole
Ike Carpenter
Stateline
Ted Lewis

Palaee 9 N. Y.

Mac Be Lorraine, Beatrice Dante,
Maxie Be Millie, Three Guys Be
Doll, Eddie White, Ross Be La
Pierre, Edwards Bros. (3), Mambo
Aces, Jo Lombardi House Or eh;
“ Francis Joins the Wacs” ;IV) re-
viewed in Variety July 7, '54.

Chicago, Chi

Chicago, July 30.

Crew Cuts (4); Diosa Costello
with Roberto Be Alicia, Mario Re -
gis Be Phil CoQk,' Don Reynolds and
Edward Abreu; Paul Gray, Louis
Basil House Orch ; “Living It
Up” (Par). „

Ore

HAVANA

Montmartre

Benny Moore
G A Guedes

Rita Montaner
Lcopoldo Fernandez
Mimi Cal
Chino Wong
Matamoros Trio
Nancy A Renny
Sonia Caleepo
Alonso Ballet

Troplcana

S de Espana Orq
Celia Cruz
Rene A C Delaine
Mano Lopez
Marta A Alexander
Paulina Alvarez
Bertica A Rolando
Orlando de la Rosa
Kiko Gonsalves
A Romeu Orq
Senen Suarez Orq

Times Sq. Weirdies

CHICAGO

Black Orchid

Felicia Sanders
Dr Arthur Ellen
! Mort Sahl
R Kerpays Duo
Blue Angel
S^m Manning
Whalebone Willie
Lady Jamaica
Princess Orclia
Lord Carlton
Lady Trinidad
D’Lacy Quartet

Chez Paree
Ann Sothern

Escorts (51
Shecky Green
Pryde A Day •
B Farnon Ore
Rodriquez Rhumba
Edgewafer Beach
Pat Henning
Hightowers
Romanos
D Hild Dcrs
Dick LaSalle Ore
Palmer House

Dorothy Shay
DarVas A Julia
Charlie Fisk Ore

lOS ANGELES

Ambassador Hotel

Los Chavales de
Espana

N Brandwynne Ore
Band Box
Billy Gray
Leo Diamond
Dorothy Claire
Nlcco A Barba
Larry Green Trio
bar of Music
Dwight Fiske
Odette Myrtii
Dick Hazard Ore
Biltmore Hotel
Wcire Bros (3)

Allan A Ashton
Bob Douglas
Hal Derwin Ore
Ciro's

Sophie Tucker

Dick Stabile Ore
Bobby Ramos Ore
Charley Foy's
Dave Barry
Ann McCormack
J Black Ore
Moca m bo
Earlha Kitt
Paul Hebert Ore
. Moulin Rouge
Chiquita A Johnson
Rudy Cardenas
DeCastro Sis (3)

B Mipevitch H R
Tony Gentry Circus
Barbettes /5>

Gina Genardi
Fluff Charlton
Bob Snyder Ore
Statler Hotel
Celeste 'Holm
Skinnay Ennis Orb

Continued from page J

charities still accost pedestrians,
and other girls accost, other pedes-
trians for other reasons.

The raids, along with Police
Commissioner Adams’ warning
that«New'York faces a crime-wave
unless he gets 7,000 more men,
have alerted New Yorkers to a
grave problem. However, it’s,
likely that the two are related. It
may be that Commissioner Adams’
plea for a bigger department was
dramatized by sudden raids in a
section that has a surplus of char-
acters at any time.

The ohly positive effect seems
to be the disappearance of the very
young, kids from the area. The
young boys just living it up for
the whole world to see are prob-
ably camping elsewhere or are
just staying home and reading upj
on Ki'aft-Ebing, Young hoods just
aren’t running roughshod in the
area, and few are now foolhardy
enough to molest anyone in the
Times Square district.

However, these seem to be only
surface improvements in a sector
that has always attracted a lot of
questionable citizens. The spots
such as the Silver Dollar, Ring-
side and others are still doing tre-
mendous business. Many of the
hotels in the area still will con-
done anything as long as they’ve
registered, and the local nymphs
du pave, augmented by Har-
lemese practitioners, are still
patrolling the beat, but maybe a
little more subtly than last week.

Palace bill this semester shapes
up as average entertainment, yet
biz over the weekend was the best
in months. While the stage fare
was a factor in the upped attend-
ance “Francis Joins the Wacs” on
the screen and relief inside from
the recbrd-breajcing heat were also
responsible for swelling the gross.

With few exceptions, the cus-
tomary eight-^ct layout edmprises
familiar turns. Fralik Ross and
Anita La Pierre, who’ve been
around vaude for probably longer
than they caYe to remember, score
nicely with songs and comedy.
Ross still sends ’em with his vocal
imitations a la Clyde McCoy’s
famed horn, among other things,
while Miss La Pierre is effective
in warbling a trio of tunes.

Sesh opens with Mac & Lorraine,
youthful boy-and-girl terp team.
They dish out some conventional
stepping, softshoe and challenge
stuff to win a warm reception.
Beatrice Dante has a sock novelty
in' Charlie, a trained chimpanzee.
He smartly executes ' a baker’s
dozen of feats from rollerskating to
stilt walking.

Maxie & Millie is one of those
comball turns that was a must for
every show in vaude’s heyday.
Wrapped in bizarre attire, Maxie
plays three flutes simultaneously.
Also toots a trombone and plucks
a guitar at the same time. His
femme partner does little except
bring out the instruments. Off to
fair returns.

Eddie White, vet monologist, is
using the same routines he’s relied
upon for years. Two songs and an
Irish novelty ditty, plus varied
patter, get him through his 13
minutes onstage, to win a salvo.
Mambo Aces, who recently appear-
ed at .Harlem’s Apollo Theatre with
a femme member, are on their own
here sans the gal. Lean and lithe,
the lads excel in ‘ rubbery move-
ments and hip-shakin'g akin to
mambology.

Edwards Bros., threesome who
specialize in acro-balancing, reg-
ister solidly in the closing niche.
Working atop a piano, they , do
several hand - to - hand routines.
Climax has a chair balanced on
four bottles, on which three Other
chairs are placed. One of the freresj
does a handstand on the topmost
chair for hefty applause.

Three Guys and a Doll, harmony
quartet, are under New Acts. Jo
Lombardi’s band backs the show
with its customary finesse.

Gilb,

Combination of this lush vaude
package and the Martin & Lewis
pic bodes well for biz at the Windy
City Balaban & Katz flagship.
There’s something for everybody
in this layout that should get a big
play from the regulars and tour-
ists.

The Crew Cuts, personable
young male quartet riding on the
crest of their recent Mercury
etchings, top off the hour-long bill
with a showmanly bundle of dit-
ties that’s a cinch to win them new
fans. This is their first time around
the Windy City circuit, but it won’t
be their last. Four lads have wisely
taken the trouble to learn some
bits of stage business, which adds
spice and movement to their sing-
ing. They unspool a smoothly-
tailored packet of six tunes ^ rang-
ing from their Mercury topper
“Crazy About You Baby” to “Got
the World. On a String,” that
rightly garners strong response.

Sprightly eyeopener is provided
by Diosa Costello and her Latino
company that’s a potent vaude unit
iri itself with dancers Roberto &
Alicia, Mario Regis & Phil Cook
and singer Don Reynolds. Colorful
display, albeit a bit overlong on
opening show, registers solidly.
Miss Costello's “Peanut Vender”
roundelay with Regis and Cook
and the reprise of her “Bali Hai”
sequence from- the “South Pacific”
legiter . with Reynolds, are fine
fodder.

Urbane monologist Paul Gray
contributes the comedy relief with
a fast-paced -string of gags that
builds into plenty of yocks. His
mimicry of the Ink Spots and his
song-&-dance man takeoff • are
small classics of their kind.
Polished gent makes his work look
easy and has no trouble holding
attention. Dave.

Venice Festival

Continued from page 2

MIAMI-MIAMI BEACH

Bar of Music

Bill Jordan
Hal Fjsher
Harvey Bell
Bctb Challis
Gina Valenta
Ethel Davis
Fred Thompson

Beachcomber
Martha Raye
Novelites <2t
George DeWUt
Condos A Brandow
Len Dawson Ore

Clover Club
LIUlan Roth
Charlie Carlisle
Ted Lawrie
Marilyn Hightower
Tony _Lopez Ore
Selma Marlowe Line
Woody Woodbury

Five O'clock
BeUe Barth
Dick Hall
Don Ostro Ore
* 4 * * . 1 1 ». i : i

La Vie En Rose

i Pat Morrissey
Tommy Miles Ore
. Leon A Eddie's
Lois De Fee
Lynn Star
j Rose Ann
' Rita ALzr3<y*r
5 Charlotte Waters
Dl Lido Hotel
i Sammy Walsh
f Martin and Main
- Freddy C’alo Ore
Nautilus Motel
Henny You ngman
j Eddie Snyder
I Antone *t Isa
jSid Stanley Or*
j Place Plgallo
Wanani

i E, Litko ft Mari*
Sandra

ducer began to stall on the deal.
Today, the picture still has no U. S.
distribution and is being peddled
for a . substantially lower guaran-
tee than the one originally offered.

Venice fest comes off Aug. 20-
j Sept. 6. The U. S. industry will,
| as usual be repped, with the pos-
j sibility that Eric Johnston, Motion
\ Picture Export Assn., may be oh
i hand. Several of the importers who
\ have been to the Venice affairs
t over the past years state flatly that
; the atmosphere is anything but
• cordial to the Americans, and there
p are complaints of intellectual
5?no hikTA working against the Hol-
; lywood pix.

The Americans are very much in
; favor of a recent move by the In-
jj temational Federation of Film
; Producers Agsrrs, at the conclusion
j of its Locarno meet’, when the
f Federation came out in favor of a
competitive festival each
This, In effect, revives the

:!i single

Casino. Toronto

Toronto, July 3d.
Louis Armstrong Sextet, Velma
Middleton, Miller & Lee, Spence
Sisters (2), McHarris & Dolores,
Archie Stone House Orch; “Coivboy
and the Girl ” ( RKO ) .

'year.

Cuban* Sugar GitiM i(,e bedding the Venice

Hilda ^4 Cannes fests on alternate

sSm* %*uv affair wants to give I setup Is like vamfe’s old times.

Etieen wiW the year. I McStay.

< in* n*';j :» ,1 1 i i :• n i

On jump jive of sextet and solo
stepouts, Louis Armstrong unit is
currently jamming the Casino for
best biz in several weeks. Hepcats
shout out requests and interpolate
their applause throughout for the
ensemble and individual stints of
Satchmo himself, Barney Bigard
on clarinet, James Young, trom-
bone; Billy Kyle, piano; Barrett
Deems, drums, and Arvell Shaw,
bass viol. From behind-the-drapes
smash opening of “When It’s
Sleepy Time Down South” to rous-
ing finale Of a 60-minute stanza,
complete with Satchmo’s gravel-
voiced but articulate enunciation of
the lyrics, this unit is red-hot on
delivery and audience reception,

Armstrong is. terrific on trumpet
and vocals and generous to the
sextet members for their spot-
lighted solo stints; Biggest re-
sponse goes to Satchmo and Velma
Middleton for their comedy duets
of “Npws for You, Baby” and their
wham “That’s My Dearie” on bm>
lesqued delivery and parody lyrics.

Interpolated in the swift pro-
ceedings are McHarris & Dolores
for brisk taps and stomp styles;
Miller & Lee for their standard
cross-patter on court decisions and
income tax infractions, rating a
begoff when Caught; the shapely
Spence Sisters in their strip satire,
off to a stunning wardrobe start,
and all the glides and sinuous peel
ings in Unison, with an audlence-
uproarious finale to torso-tossing,
bumps and grinds, all in fun and
avoiding the salacious. All acts re-
ceive a big reception and whole

Olympia, Miami

Miami, July 30.

Kirby Stone Four, Judy John*,
son, Roy Benson, Bob Karl, Gar-
cias, Les Rhode House Orch; “ Re-
turn to Treasure Island ” ( UA ).

Lineup this . week merits the
variety” appellation, the blend
marking up strong stubholder re-
action throughout.

- In topliner spot the Kirby Stone
Four, cafe regulars hereabouts,
prove a potent vauder unit, con-
taining a solid mixture " of xisual
and ear appeal. On the instru-
mental side (bass, piano-accordion,
drums and trumpet) they’re expert
musicians. Vocally they handle
straight harmonics in artful man-
ner; comedywise they hit high on
the laughmeter with some incisive
lampoons. Special material is
fresh-sounding and. well-timed,
with the foursome taking turns at
the horseplay ito sustain hearty
howls throughout.

Judy Johnson is another scorer.
Attractive young thrush knows her
way around a pop or' specially-ar-
ranged tune with results on the
plus side, be. it a slow or fast-
tempoed song. Her stuff is pro-
jected with verve and warmth to
bring out the personality side.
Gowning and stage deportment
add to values.

Roy Benson purveys tongue-in-
cheek magico routines to con-
sistent mitting. Sleight-of-hand-
ler’s spoofing while working out
his bag of tricks keeps them in-
trigued and giggling throughout
his stint.'

Bob Karl takes ^n the difficult
job of handling four dummies at
once, a tough chore which he does
adeptly, all singing, talking and
mugging for a novel twist to a
ventro act. The Garcias set up
some 2ingy hip-weaving and
stomps with routining imaginative-
ly designed. They impress as one
of the better Latino turns playing
the cafe and vaude circuit. Les
Rhode and house orch back the
proceedings in top style. Lary.

Alhambra, Paris

• Paris, July 28.

Xavier Cugat Show presented
by Spettacoli Trinca and Pierre
Andrieux with Cugat Orch &
Choir (30); Abbe Lane, The 5
Facundo Rivero, Raffael Mendez,
Jose Martero, Candido Divianly «
Diablito; Step Bros. (4), Bar*
rancos (2), Juan Manuel, Tippy “
Cobintt; $3 top.

Pierre AndrieuX has more than

(Continued on page 63) ^ .

Wednesday, Augiiet 4; 1954

a a e. <• ^ .

If

LEGITIMATE 55

Chorusers Sons at

Chorus Equity members are
burning again over the union’s
‘‘step-child” status with Actors
vnuitv Newest hotfoot is the al-
leged brushoff treatment the
chorus branch got in the recent
contract negotiations with the
League of N. Y. Theatres.

Immediate upshot has been tl\e
formation of a constitutional re-
view committee to insure “proper
representation” for the affiliate
croup Speculation that . this move
is a step towards “liberating” the
chorusers from the parent group
has been emphatically denied by
Ted Thurston, spokesman for the
dissatisfied element?

Thurston had been a member of
the Negotiating Committee in the
working out of a new’ pact with
the League and it was he who pro-
posed, at Chorus Equity’s 35tjh an-
nual meet held last month, that a
constitutional review committee
be set up.

According to an Equity repre-
sentative on the negotiating group,
Thurston had previously promised,
during one of the committee ses-
sions, that he would support the
new contract provided an addi-
tional’ $5 raise were given chorus
members on tour.

Ralph Bellamy, Equity president
and head of the negotiating delega-.
tion, thereupon personally obtain-
ed the $5 boost from the League
negotiators. So there was consider-
able resentment by the Equity
members of the committee when
Thurston subsequently criticized
the contract.

Counsel Barred

A principal factor prompting
the Chorus move was the exclu-
sion of the organization’s attorney,
Rebecca Brownstein, from the Ne-
gotiating Committee. Scratching of
Miss Brownstein from the group
had first brought a petition from
164 chorusers. expressing their
confidence in her and her restora-
tion as a negotiator.

Equity Council, when presented
with the petition, declined to re-
consider Miss Brownstein’s re-
moval from the committee and
stymied further action on the mat-
ter until last month’s meet, which
\va6 held after a new agreement
had been reached with the League.

The Equity Council, incidentally,
comprises 50 actor reps and nine
chorus members. The entire body
sits as counceliprs for Chorus, but
the nine chorus members do not
participate in actor matters.

In line with Miss Brownstein’s
elimination as a bargainer, Bellamy
declared that the union “would,
never have gotten anywhere, even
with a strike” if the. League felt
it was dealing with two organiza-
tions, two committees and two
counsel. Herman Cooper, counsel
for the parent body, was active in
the negotiations.

Miss Brownstein was formerly
attorney for both Equity and
Chorus Equity, but exited the
former spot in a dispute over the
legal department budget. Move in-
volved a prolonged controversy in
the union.

‘TIGHTS’ LOST $286,691
ON 300G INVESTMENT

"Girl in Pink Tights,” the Renee
Jeanmairerstarrer which closed
une 12 at the Mark Hellinger

$300 nnn NY ’. lost *e«6.691 on a
Jdoo.ooo investment. Total cost to

two inn m J , usica i '°n. Broadway was
rm.nS 9, 0{ which $53,008 was re-
run PG ci on tke 115-performance
run Show grossed $49,031. in its

for ih V ? Wee . ks ’ "Presenting a loss
w that period of $11,288.

Tranh ° f shutter ing the Shepard
Net , production was $13,270.
309 aSSGtS at closin £ totalled $13,

Yiddish Musical to Bow
“™^ c * ors Union’s Seas<

Ka'im 1 T1 ? e Y Remember?,” Ha
S n n0Wltzs new Yiddish cc

Hebrew 1 ! V th ™ usi c. will be

Auction Ax l* 0rs Union’s first p
tft’ that group op.

toJRSg - ?. (N ‘ Y '>

coZt.$ ay - is .to featuri

( °" P e e,a r e tro . UBe o£ Yidd

niEhn„ .l rs ’ wW b e presen

*f L reaftet ' for “ ind

Runs For

v Las Vegas, Aug. 3.

Bill Miller, Sahara producer,
and Wallace Garland, president of
Broadway Angels Inc. and the
newly- formed Hollywood Angels
Inc., signed a unique pact here last
Friday (30).

Garland, through Broadway An-
gels Inc., a financing organization
which has invested in such Broad-
way hits as “Pajama Game,” “Tea
And Sympathy/’ and “Ondine,”
has made arrangements to use the
Sahara’s Congo Room to try out
Broadway-bound Stage produc-
tions. In addition, Garland and
Miller announced that Broadway
Angels Inc will present certain Sa-
hara-packaged shows in Gotham
following their Las Vegas engage-
ments. Miller’s spotting the Mae
West shpw here proved tlje Minch-
er for the deal, according to Gar-
land. Paula Stone and Michael
Sloane, board members of the .fi-
nancing outfit, are due at the Sa-
hara soon to discuss future pro-
duction plans with Miller.

Eva Marie Saint, whose first
film, “On the Waterfront,” was re-
leased in New York last week, is
already being sought for two plays
being readied for Broadway this
fall, besides various starring bids
for television. She’ll probably de-
cide on the legit show in a week
or so.

Actress, whose initial Broadway
appearance last fall in “Trip to
Bountiful” won the citation in
Variety’s poll of the N. Y. drama
critics as the most promising of
the season by a young femme play-
er, is being paged by Sidney
Kingsley for his untitled new
comedy and by Leslie Stevens for
the title role in “Hilda,” a new
adaptation of Ibsen’s “Master
Builder.” fyliss Saint turned down
a part in the forthcoming Theatre
Guild production of Walter Mack-
en’s “Home Is the Hero.”

Among the definite tv offers for
Miss Saint are starring appear-
ances on the Chrysler and General
Electric shows. There has also
been intensified Hollywood inter-
est since the “Waterfront” re-
viewsj but nothing specific and, in
any case, the actress has indicated
she doesn’t want a term picture
contract.

Wymetal’s 3-Year Pact
Cues Pitt CLO Future

Pittsburgh, Aug. 3.

William Wj^metal, managing di-
rector of the summer opera com-
pany here for the last eight years,
has been signed to a new three-
year contract by the Civic Light
Opera Assn, and will make, his
permanent home in Pittsburgh.

Deal calls for the director to
devote year-around time to the un-
der-the-stars project with the ex-
ception of seven weeks in the fall,
when he’ll stage the productions
of the newly-organized Chicago
Opera. Wymetal had previously
also put on grand opera in San
Francisco and New Orleans in the
winter months.

Wymetal has been with the
CLO since 1947, a year after it was
first organized. His new contract
means that the summer operas will
continue despite the b.o. licking
they’ve consistently taken. How-
ever, the sponsors feel they want
to keep going, even at the incon-
venient Pitt Stadium, rather than
break the continuity until warm-
weather operettas get their pros-
pective permanent home, with a
removable roof, in down town
Pittsburgh within the next few
years.

Alan Marison touring the silo
circuit, playing opposite Constance,
Bennett in “Sabrina Fair.” This
week, show is at Clinton, Conn. .

On the Level

Film actor Frank McHugb
and his 19-year-old son,
Michael, are retaining their
offstage relationship in the re-
vival of Eugene O’NeiH’s “Ah,
Wilderness* this week at the
Great Lakes Drama Festival,
Saginaw, Mich. They are re-
peating the father and son
roles created on Broadway in
1933 by George M. Cohan and
William Post Jr.

Production marks the
. younger McHugh’s legit de-
but.

Over Union Coverage

Ralph Lycett, who was given the
“protection” of union membership
last summer by being admitted to
the Assn. _ of Theatrical Press
Agents & Managers, is still out of
a job as a result. . He’s the . ex-
pendable of the group’s current tiff
with the management of the West-
port (Conn.) Country Playhouse.

After working as p.a. and sub-
scription manager of the strawhat
for 10 years, Lycett was finally ad-
mitted into the ATP AM last sum-
mer ‘as part of a deal with the
spot’s producers, Lawrence Lang-
rier, Armina Marshall (Mrs. Lang-
ner) and John Q. Wilson. The
union had previously turned down
the flack’s applications, but finally
gave him a qualified card, limiting
him solely to the southern-Con-
necticut area.

ATPAM had been trying for sev-
eral years to pressure the Westport
barn to hire a union manager and
flack, as part of its general effort
to organize the strawhat field. It
had not succeeded, however, until
last summer, when the Langers
and Wilson employed Richard
Skinner as manager. The pro-
ducers explain that they engaged
Skinner because he. was the best
qualified man available. They say
the fact that he was an ATPAM
member wa$ entirely incidental.

Taking the employment of Skin-
ner as an opening wedge for
ATPAM in the whole silo circuit,
of which Westport is a key spot,
the union okayed Lycett as a mem-
ber for the southern Connecticut
territory. But although he had
done publicity work in various
non-theatrical categories in New
York for some years, ATPAM re-
fused to give Lycett full union
status with the right to take
Broadway assignments.

This summer, with Skinner
working as general manager for
(Continued on page 59)

BALLETS ESPAGNOL SETS
U.S. DEBUT FOR OCTOBER

Ballets Espagnol, Spanish dance
troupe due to make its U. S. debut
this fall under Michaux Moody’s
direction, with David Libidins
booking, has been a hot ticket in
its South America bow this sum-
mer, so that an original one-month
Buenos Aires engagement has had
to be extended to three.

Troupe, headed by Teresa and
Luisillo, wound its B. A. date Sun-
day (1). It opens in Santiago to-
day (Wed.), and in Lima Aug. 26.
Dates in Bogota and Caracas fol-
low. Pre-Broadway tour opens early
in October, with the N. Y. run
planned for mid-October. The U. S.
visit will extend to next March.

Moppet Matinee Wows

New Hope, Pa., Aug. 3.

Special matinee offering for
kiddies was introduced at the
Bucks County Playhouse here
recently. . Show was. the 92nd
Street, N. Y., YMHA Playhouse
production of the juve fairy tale,
“Freddie and His Fiddle.”

Tickets were 50c, with adults
only admitted when accompanied
by children. House was sold out
three days in advance of the per-
formance, *with proceeds, which
went to the local Little League,
hitting around $100. Local res-
taurant, the Tow Path, donated ice
cream for each kid at intermission.

Smallfry project will be repeat-
ed Aug. 20 with two performances
of “Rumplestiltskin.” The kiddie
shows come intact, necessitating a
minimum of technical aid on
the part of the Playhouse. Only
two technicians were used on
“Freddie,” one on lights and the
other on curtain.

Stratford (Ont;) Fest
SRO,. Extends 2 Weeks

Stratford, Ont., Aug. 3.

Shakespeare Festival, after hit-
ting 99% capacity in its third
week, went clean in the fourth
with 13,916 payees at . $1 to $6
scale. Ninth week . has been an-
nounced (first festival, last sum-
mer, was extended from four to
six).

James Mason must exit because
of film commitments, but his un-
derstudy, British-experienced Don-
ald Davis of Toronto’s Crest The-
atre, is taking over his “Measure
for Measure” lead. “Oedipus Rex”
will be dropped, but “Taming of
the Shrew,” with . Canadian leads
as before, will alternate on Tues-
day, ‘Wednesday, ’ Friday evenings
and Sat. mat. New closing date is
Aug. 28,

Tyrone Guthrie Award, to send
promising Canadian actors to U S.
or Europe (they can choose their
spot) for a year’s study, will re-
ceive all proceeds from an extra
matinee Aug; 17 of “Oedipus.” As
none was chosen last year, two will
probably be selected this year.

Season in ’54-’55

Philadelphia, Aug. 3.

Advance interest in the forth-
coming local legit season can be
gauged both by production an-
nouncements and the upsurge in
subscriptions to the Theatre Guild-
American Theatre Society. . Lewis
D. Cook, local Guild-ATS manager,
reports 8,000 subscriptions so far,
^vithout advertisements and little
more than a prospectus mailing.

Guild-ATS should have no diffi-
culty, as last year, in filling a nine-
production season. Subscriptions
already in the till guarantee a pro-
ducer $10,000-a-week for a fort-
night stand before the mail order
opens, so the final tally should run
higher.

Opening item of the new season
will be the new Marcel Pagnol
musical, “Fanny,” adapted by
S. N. Behrman and Harold Rome.
It’s skedded for Shubert, Oct. 12,
with Ezio Pinza and Walter Slezak
as stars. “Fanny” booking, how-
ever, forced the withdrawal of the
previously announced Noel Coward
“Quadrille,” starring Alfred Lunt
and Lynn Fontanne.

Other subscription definites for
the season are “Tea and Sympa-
thy,” starring Deborah Kerr;
“Saint Joan,” starring Jean Arthur;
“Fragile Fox,” with John Ireland
and Dane Clark; and Menasha
Skulnik, in Clifford Odets’ “Flow-
ering Peach.*’

Also listed are “Silk Stockings,”
musical based on the picture,
“Ninotchka,” starring Hildegarde
Neff and Don Ameche; “The
House of Flowers,” the Truman
Capote-Harold Arlcn musical with
Pearl Bailey and Josephine Prem-
ice starred; Harry Kurnitz’s com-
edy, “Reclining Nude;” N. Richard
Nash’s "The Rainmaker,” with
Geraldine Page and Darren Me-
Gavin, and “Faster Faster,” Wil-
liam Marchant comedy adapted
from the comic strip “Lil Abner,”
with Shelley Winters and Ben
Gazzara.

Also, Jay Presson’s “Stars in a
Person’s Backyard,” “World of
Sholom Aleichim,” three plays of
Jewish lore translated by Arnold
Perl and starring Jacob Ben-Ami,
“Desperate Hours,” the Joseph
Hayes thriller, and “The Ilot
Rock,” new musical with Hal
LeRoy iii the leading role.

Finally, too, Philly is promised
a look at “South Pacific” and
“Seven Year Itch,”

Test ‘Pride and Joy’

Hyde Park, N. Y., Aug. 3:

Hyde Park Playhouse will wind
up its initial season with an Aug.
31-Sept. 5 tryout of John O’Hare’s
“Pride and Joy.” O’Hare’s an actor
who’ll be making his pro debut as
a playwright with the production.
It’ll be the second preem at the
Playhouse, the first being Laslo
Vadny’s “The Stronger §ex,” with
Buddy Rogers as star, Aug. 17-22,

* Philadelphia, Aug. 3.

Combined effort to bring back
Philly’s fading legit setup is being
made by local theatre management,
hotel operators and newspaper
publishers. On. the basis of prelim-
inary prospects/ the move may pafr
off, at least for the immediate
future.

' Promise of more tryouts and
^touring Broadway hits for next
fall was held out recently by
Lawrence Shubert ; Lawrence, local
general manager of the Shubert
interests, at a meeting of hotel
managers. Latter group included
William Harned* of the John Bar-
tram; Paul McNamara, of the
Warwick; Bennett Towsley, of the
Bellevue Stratford, and Jack
Hardy, of the recently-closed Ritz
Carlton.

Session was a sequel to a request
made by the hotel managers to
Lawrence to spur the booking of
shows, particularly musicals, as an
important stimulating force for
hotel room, restaurant and bar
business. That would cover the
trade of show people and also
suburbanites and out-of-to\vners
coming into the mid-city theatre
district.

Lawrence’s first reply had been
that his efforts to increase the
number of Philly bookings, which
in the past’ three years have
dropped off sharply, were ham-
pered by lack of co-operation and
support from the local papers,
Shubert rep claimed t*Tl f ' r "-
erage of theatre items by the city’s
three news sheets had been cut 10
a minimum.

The hotel men, thereupon, went
to see Walter Annenberg, owner of
the Inquirer, and Richard Slocum,
general manager of the Bulletin,
the two biggest local dailies.
Lawrence told the hotel men that
the newspaper heads had promised
full support and increased space.

Lawrence, in turn, announced a
fall booking lineup including the
Joshua Logan-$. N. Behrman-
Harold Rome “Fanny,” the Cole
Porter-George S. Kaufman “Silk
Stockings,” as well as “South
Pacific,” “King and I,” “Tea and
Sympathy,” Lunt and Fontanne in
Noel Coward’s “Quadrille” and
probably the Truman Capote-
Harold Arlen musical, “House of
Flowers,”

YANK ‘DISH’ WELCOMED
IN LONDON AS WINNER

London, Aug. 3,

Major production this week is
E. P. Clift's presentation of “The
Wooden Dish.’’ an Am-rican n’*»v
by Edmund Morris, staged by ar-
rangement with Aldrch & Myers
and Julius Fleischma<m, at the
Phoenix last Tuesday (27).

Story of rebellious wife forcing
her husband to evict ms aged
father under threat of leaving him
is movingly told arid superbly
acted. Wilfred Lawson was ac-
claimed on his return to the stage
and Joan Miller warmly praised in
the femme lead. Joseph Losey di-
rected the play, whose enthusiastic
reception augqrs a b.o. winner.

Ralph Birch presented “The
Duenna,” a comic operetta by Rich-
ard Brinsley Sheridan,” at the
Westminster Theatre last Wednes-
day (28), with new music by Julian
Slade. Play is artistically mounted
and was enthusiastically received
for its charm and commendable
production.

Singing roles are capably han-
dled by Jane Weriham, Denis Mar-
tin, Desmond Ainsworth and Joan
Plowright. IL is splendidly di-
rected by Lionel Harris. Show
looks winner, and new composer
regarded as budding topliner.

Gala Set a Year Ahead For
Vienna Opera Reopening

Vienna, July 27.

“Austrian ‘Musical Coronation.”
opening of the rebuilt Vienna
State Opera, will take place Nov.
5-30, 1955, with “Fidelio" as cur-
tainraiser. “Don G i o v a n n i,”
“Rosenkavalier,” "Aida,” “Meister-
singer,” Alban Berg’s “Wozzeck”
and a ballet preem (title not yet
set), will follow.

Reservations for tickets are being
accepted already, and are reported
pouring in from abroad. ■'

legitimate

Wednesday, August 4, 1954

Put Them All Together

Somerset, Mass., July 28.

Fred and Martha Miller production (in
association with Vlolla Rubber) of comedy
in three acts, by Theodore H»rsch and
Jeanette Patton. Stars '/»'

iiam Prince: features Jtlnls Carter, ivay
Medford Directed by Arthur Sitcoms set.
in«, Emanuel Gerard, At Somerset- (Mass.)

ffi? 1 ®'. ,u ! y . . 2 . : • , ■

Jo Anne Storey
Ka.v Medford
George Turner

Mrs. Hall
Hilda

Miss Oliver

£SSbT%au • • w ftjjg ygig;

•Joice H Reld”' Martha Miller

John Bolton - Jon ^Aa E Jertfil

O’Sliaugrifcssy Francis Jerkins

Producer Violla Rubber intends
to present “Put Them All To-
gether,” which had its preem at
Fred and Martha Miller’s Somer-
set piavhouse, on Broadway in the
fall. The script has possibilities,
both in its basic situation and its
0 '*c ^ r >nally bright dialog, but
co-authors Theodore Hirsch and.
Jearictle Patton need to work on
characterization and on a more
convincing last-act curtain.

u Put Them All Together” stars
Fay Bain ter as the immensely
. wealthy widow of a cereal tycoon,
whose guide to the good life is the
Social Register and whose only
horticultural interest is in family
trees. She dominates her son,
Lewis, who runs the family’s busi-
ness enterprises but who is not
allowed a personal life of his own.
When he brings home a girl, he
Wants to marry, his mother, with
the ah- of a venomous-tongued
family friend, convinces the girl
that she isn't good enough for him.

Lewis, though, is a stage worm
who eventually turns. A shapely
nurse of easy virtue and a generous
heait takes Lewis on the customary
route from barroom to boudoir,
convinces him he is a man rather
than a mouse., and sees to it that
he gives mama her come-uppance
in the last act.

Although Miss Bainter as the
possessive mother and William
Prince as the long-suffering son
are supposed to be playing the
major roles, the play really belongs
to Kay Medford as the tough-talk-
ing but likeable nurse. The play-
wrights have given Miss Medford
practically all of the comedy’s best
lines, and her character is the most
fully realized one in the script.
The actress delivers a boffo per-
pormance. displaying an attractive
torso, a decided flair for comedy
and expert timing.

Miss Bainter plays with charm
and with spirit, but the playwrights
have been fuzzy in their conception
of the role. Her last act reforma-
tion, for example, seems both out
of key and out of character. Prince,
particularly in the scenes where he
and Miss Medford are pleasantly
inebriated, does an appealing job
—but, again, the character is rather
sketchily drawn.

B’ond and statuesque Janis
Carter is decorative as Mrs. Hall’s
married daughter, while Fred Mil-
ler, as the son-in-law, does a good,
comic piece as an erring spouse.
George Turner makes an elegant,
snohb ;c h butler, Martha Miller is
attractively convincing as the
frov/ned-upOn fiancee, and Jona-
than Edwards does a satisfactory
job as the waspish, effeminate
family friend, whose chief passions !
are scandal and Manchurian lace.

Arthur Sircom has staged the
comedy with a deft and sure hand.
Emanuel Gerard’s setting is hand-
some and ornate.

“Put Them All Together,” whose
title is derived from one of the
more saccharine songs about
motherhood, is good strawhat fare,
with an amusing blend of fcex and
society. But it needs revision. In
its present state, the plot seems
too contrived, and some of the
characters are insufficiently moti-
vated and developed. In addition,
the comedy material should be
more shrewdly distributed. Dias.

to warrant further work, looking
to* a Broadway debut. :

At present there are glaring de-
fects and weak spots throughout,
but the tragic story of Toulouse-
Lautrec, the crippled artist, .tugs
at the heart strings. It's a periodic
piece, , set in the colorful Mont-
martre district of Pans in the
1880’s

Diana Barrymore is. starred^ and'
turns in an excellent job . as Mai ie
Charlet, the spitfire prostitute who
snares Lautrec. The actress over-
shadows the other members of the
well-balanced cast. Karl Scnanzer,
as Lautrec, recalls Ferrer in his
artist makeup. He commands audi-
ence sympathy from the opening
scene, as it becomes apparent that
his search for happiness is headed

for failure. ■ . /. .

Donald Elson, a resident member
of the Stage '54 stock company, is
especially effective as Vincent Van
Gogh, the doomed Dutch artist
Sylvan Burr contributes comedy
moments as Sgt. Patou, the -police
nemesis of prostitutes who forget
their registration cards.

Gerald Lee makes two brief ap-
pearances at Lautrec’s aristocratic
father. Joyce Widoff, as a disillu-
sioned street harlot, provides wel-
come laughs with her comments on
the passing scene and Lee Norman
scores as Marie’s sarcastic sister in

fence, and Carl Harms as the hero-
ine’s patient father.

Costumes by Minerva Farrell ana
lighting by Doris S. Einstein are
assets. Grtj.

Carmen

(IN ENGLISH) .

Kansas City, July 20.

Starlight Theatre Assn, prodwetiwr of
Georges Bizet opera in three acts and four
scenes; new English adaptation by. Vir-
ginia Card and George Houston. Staged
by Glenn Jordan; musical direction,
Roland Flore; choreography, Theodor
Adolphus; settings, G. Philllppe deRosler,
lighting, Al Burns; associate musical di-
rector. Sherman Frank; ensembles jstagpd
by William Holbroftk; produced and
staged under personal direction of Rlcn-
lid H. Berger. At Starlight Theatre,
Swope Park, Kansas City. Mo., July 19-25,
’54; $3.50 top. _ , . „

Don. Jose Donald Clarke

Escamillo ...... ....... William Shriner

n

and

dum,” "The Four Marys,

“The Loathly Bride.”

From the technical viewpoint,

Miss Holman’s voice can be de-
scribed as a rich contralto of con-
siderable range. As a vocal Instru*
ment, it is ’of velvety and darkly
resonant quality in both the mid-
dle and' lower registers but in-
clined to stridency in the upper.

Miss Holman’s voice also is cap-
able of considerable tonal coloring
—dark and tragie for those melan-
choly tales of unrequited love,
pert and cheery for comic songs,
and appropriately light .and wist- man,, the old-shoe fiance.

lar— who turns out to be Guess
Who. , '

Jp Wilder is admirably cast as
the confused, but sincere borscht
belt Juliet, She has an appealing
voice and a delightful way of play-„
ing into a song number. Sonny-
Sparks scores as the social direc T
tor, registering with the. required
zany ' antics and drawing a heavy
mitt on the “Don Jose” number.
Bruce Adams,' a member of the
Sea Cliff resident company, gives a
nicely balanced performance in the
I small but demanding role of Her-

ful for the ballads. . . , , , ,

Miss Holman isn’t afraid to let
herself gov More diseuse than con-
ventional singer, she 1 dramatizes
wuuani , each song with considerable use

funlga^. V.’. *.*.;Morley Meredith I 0 f • facial expression and bodily

z/ Ham DaIcah 1 • A i. > amm mmama

Morales
Carmen
Micaela .

Frasquita

El Dancairo . Emile Renan

El Remendado Michael Pollock

Lilias Pastla Norman Wlgutow

Guide Jordan Poropat

Dancer Inesita

Something new in outdoor mu-
sicals in K, C is the presentation
by the Starlight Theatre of the
opera “Carmen” in a new English

Jea^f M?de£a’ posturing. In fact, she can drape
Ana Boilinger herself 'around that ever-present
Martha Rosenquist chair with a lithe grace that would
5h, Si. W k n eS|do credit to a contortionist

• Although Miss Holman is obvi-
ously sincere and although each
interpretation . is clearly the result
of careful study of both text and
melodic line, her program seems
strangely out of place in the in-
formal confines of a strawhat.
playhouse. Somehow, her voice and
personality seem to call for smoker

version and with other adaptations filled nightclubs, the clink of
suitable to the huge al fresco stage. gi asse s and a cover charge..
Opening night the ; opera drew ® a reS ult, she doesn’t quite

crime. •

Joanna Taub is a breath of fresh
air as Denise, a girl from the coun-
try who spurns Lautrec’s love, the
only non-trollop femme in the
play. Justine Johnston stands out
in the juicy role of the caustic
landlady with a heart of gold.

The show’s title is accented by a
Can-Can number at the first scene
finale.

Day Tuttle, ^of the [54 Stage
company, has directed with a sure
touch, following a draggy first act.
Bilh Duicho’s setting of a Mont-
martre studio rates applause as
does Stanley Bodan’s imaginative
lighting. ‘‘Moulin Rouge” de-
serve a chance in the big town, pro-
vided its evdent flaws are cor-
rected. Klep.

nearly capacity in the 7, 600-seat
theatre and was enthusiastically
received, indicating among other
things that nothing goes so well
in a musical theatre as good mu

succeed * in igniting the spark in
this legit audience that makes the
difference between a routine show
and a solid hit. Incidentally, the
singer does, not intend to offer
this orie-woman enterprise on
Broadway ... a wise decision.

Assisting in the program at
Dennis is Mary Hunter’s brief
revue, “Musical Americana,” a so-
so potpourri of typical American
songs .and dances. The cast in-
cludes Joan Skinner, Ray Harri-
son, Mary .Alice Kubes, Elizabeth
Parrish, William Ross, James Tar-
button, John Anderson, and Pe-
nelope Christian, with Baldwin

The Snow Was Black

Westport, Cofln., July 24.

White Barn Theatre production of
drama in two acts, by Georges Simenon;
American adaptation by Frances Frankel,
based on the Kitty Black adaptation for
the London stage'.. Directed by Gene
Frankel; setting, Richard Merrell; light-
ing, Doris S. Einstein; costumes, Minerva
Farrell. At White Barn Theatre: West-
port, Conn., July 24, ’54.

Frank Friedmaier John Reese

Commandant Peter Von Zerneck

Soldiers Tom Grant, Gil Strunk

IV-rtha “Carol Hebald

Lotte Margaret Draper

Minna . . Pat . Sales'

Cissy Marjorie Barrett

Wimmer Robert Gibbons

Timo Michael Vale

Mute Jack Banning

Eunuch John Elgin

Nouchi Rosemary King

Kromer Steve Gravers

Holst Carl Harms

Violinist ........ Alex Keminy

Woman Minerva Farrell

Inspector J. Kermit Echols

Detectives .. .Ted Rozar, Edward Einhorn

Moulin Bongo

Wilmington. Del., July 27.

Stage '54.. in association with George
Bp io ft' production of drama in three acts
(five scenes), by Pierre La Mure, from'
his own novel of same title. Stars Diana
Barrymore. Directed by Day Tuttle: set-
tings. Bill Duicho; costumes. Glenn; light-
ing, Stanley Bodan. At Strand, Wilming-
ton, July 27-AUg. 1, ’54.

Count de Toulouse-Lautfec . Gerald Lee
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Karl Sehanzer

Madame Loubet Justine Johnston

Vincent Van Gogh ... Donald Elson

Ernest . . Bill Duicho

Leontine Joyce Widoff

Marie Charlet Diana Barrymore

Sgt. Patou Sylvan Burr

Denise . Joanna Taub

Rose Charlet Lee Norman

.Students, Midinettes Glenn Gress,

Patricia Sherwood. Carlos Gorbea,
_ ■ Jeanne Cooper

CaaCan Dancers Phyllis Dugan,

Esperanza Guandlgue, Carol Snyder.

Helen Slayton, Rita Petrucci,
Valerie Vaughn

sic.

The Starlight management was
alert to the possibilities here by
beginning with a strong cast,
bringing in Jean Madeira from the
Met for the title role, Ann Boll-
inger also from the Met as the
village girl, Micaela, and Donald
Clarke as Don Jose and William
Shriner as Escamillo.

Miss Madeira was a fortunate
choice for the capricious gypsy, a
brunette who looks and acts the Bergersen as musical director, Wil-
part, dnd has a rich and pliable ii am Akers pianist, and choreogra-
contralto. With most of the arias p hy by Harrison and Jerome Rob-
in these four voices the famous bins. Dias.

Bizet musfe was aptly' presented

throughout, bo.th Clarke and Shrin- Vatu*

er being in good voice, and Miss ® nD1 r * lli " oa

Bollinger making of .the usually _ . _ ■ rt^’hv

cowed Micaella a girl with spirit Samuel Ta'ylJr inTwu aits, ^tarrlng joseph
and human qualities. Cotten, Arleen Whelan. Directed by Nor

Thp QAtidtpd onprs lnvpr mav nnt nian Lloyd; $ct» lighting by Robert Cor
c j n xu Sa V^,. ra iOV - r rigan. At La Jolld (Cal.) Playhouse, July

find the English lyrics just to his 27 ; * 54 ; $ 4.20 top.

liking, but for the average theatre- Cast- Joseph Cotten. Arleen. Whalen,
goer, which is nearly 100% of the
Starlight patronage, the lyrics in
the language he understands
readily is an obvious boon. “Car-
men” in this version is a first-
rate attraction for outdoor thea-
tres, and should do as well indoors
where anything .but traditional
opera is demanded.

Production director Richard
Berger and his staff have clicked
with the settings, costumes and
staging. The deRosier scenery
makes excellent use of the huge
sweep of the outdoor stage. Musi-
cal quality of the big pit orchestra
and the large singing ensemble
is in keeping with the abilities
of the leads. A colorful cape dance
is inserted by the terp ensemble
near closing, and the Spanish
dancer, Inesita, does her fancy
castanet clacking and Iberian step-
ping as a pleasant interlude also
near closing. This is in-line with
the usual Starlight policy of adding
special attractions to each show.

Aside from one or two of the

Faith Dane, as the heroine’s
wacky friehd, overplays the wacky
angle to the point of losing char-
acterization^ but shows promise if
she can calm down a bin Joe Sar-
gent as the hero and Tony Foster
as the lecherous camp guest are
well cast* but both could do with
a few mor.e decibles vocally. Gor-
don Hanson is an effective “Mus-
cles” Green, with a better than
average voice. $

Remi Martel plays the camp-
owner and appears as featured
dancer in his own choreography*
Except for the unfortunate be-bop
reprise of “Where Did the Night
Go,” the dancing is more than
passable.

Mervyn Nelson’s direction on
opening night seemed more chaotic
than organized. The wiener-roast
opening of the second act was a
particularly bad jumble of poor
crosses, hanging dialog and unmoti-
vated musical bits.. The stager’s
nightclub background is evident in
the way the. cast tends to play to
individual seat-holders rather than
to the house as a whole. On the
Credit side, however, Nelson makes
effective use of the theatre aisles
and side exits to move his cast on
and offstage. . Hank.

Blaze of dory

Laguna, Cal., July 28.

Brltton-Paul production of a new play
in three acts (four scenes) by Leo Lelber-
mtn. Stars Alex Nlcol. Lynn Bari, Olive
Blakeney, Phyllis Coates; features Jack
Hill, Glen Wells, Stephen Colt, Jean
Nicol. Directed by Demetrios Vilan; set-
ting. Paul Rodgers. At Laguna Summer
Theatre. July 27, *54. $2.40 top.

Kenny Madigan Alex Nicol

Joe Madigan Glen Wells

Mamie Madigan Olive Blakeney

Josie. Madigan Phyllis Coates

Phil Donovan Jack Hill

Fran Madigan Stephen Coit

Sylvia Madigan Jean Nicol

Lamarr Daly Fred Nilsson

Kay Madigan Lynn Bari

Detective Lund Donald Gates

Robert Warwick. George Chandler, La-
mont Johnson, Rose Hobart, Louis Lon-
mer, Margaret. Wills.

In its U.S. preem at the White
Barn Theatre, Georges Simenon’s
“The Snow Was Black” shapes up
as good off-beat theatre fare, but
seems a questionable prospect for
Broadway’s hit requirements.

Simenon’s hero Frank is another
of those embittered young citizens
of an occupied country during the I . ....

past war, and like the heroine of I traditional values, “Carmen” loses
“The Girl on the Via Flaminia,” he ! kttle in this presentation. It could

Pierre La Mure has retained
plenty of strong meat in dramatiz-
ing his best-seller, which also Was
the basis for the hit film starring
Jose Ferrer. “Moulin Rouge” in
stage form shows enough potency

is portrayed so realistically as to
sacrifice the audience’s sympathy.
The son of a prostitute, he is at
the age of 20 a thief and murderer
who seeks to destroy not only him-
self but also his love for a pure
young girl.

Taut and well-written, the play
has a sock climax in which the tor-
tured young man, while seducing
the girl he loves, allows andther
man to take his place under cover
of darkness. When this man be-
trays him to the Nazis, he goes
gladly to his death.

The White Barn has given the
work an outstanding production.
Gene Frankel does a fine job of
directing, imaginatively using the
auditorium for some of his en-
trances, and keeping the scenes
flowing smoothly into each other
on Richard Merrell’s atmospheric
unit set, combining four locations.

John Reese is an able performer
as Frank, but he is not quite up to
the demands of this star part. Mar-
jorie Barrett, a winsome ingenue
who shows definite promise, is. im

even be said that it somewhat re-
verts to the original, for in its
original presentation the opera had
spoken dialogue and did not have
the recitatives. The quality of
singing by the principals on this
occasion also puts this a notch
above usual Starlight musical
comedy productions. The week’s
business indicates a gross of about
$50,000, not big, but satisfactory.

Quin.

For the second time this sum-
mer, La Jolla Playhouse comes up
with a Current Broadway show,
Sabrina Fair,” plus Joseph Cotten
in his original co-starring role,
from which he withdrew only a
month ago. This coup for exec prqr
ducer John Swope follows his re-
cent presentation of “Anniversary
Waltz,” also a current Broadway
item.

A comedy in the Philip Barry-
S. N. Behrman manner .“Sabrina
Fair” demands excellent perform-
ance to get full value from Samuel
Taylor’s amusing fable and witty
lines. A strong cast and skillful
direction by Norman Lloyd put, it
over here.

As expected, Cotten has a breeze
as the self-contained hero, making
a difficult part appear simple. In
the demanding title role, Arleen
Whelan has vivacious, intelligent
charm and sure discipline.

There are also notable perform
ances by Robert Warwick, as the
father who makes a career of at-
tending funerals; George Chandler,
as the chauffeur; Lamont Johnson,
as the younger brother; and a trio
of fine actresses, Rose Hobart, Lou-
ise Lorimer and Margaret Willsin
principal' supporting parts.

Robert Corrigan’s Long Island
setting estate is handsomely real-
istic. Don.

Blues and Ballads

Dennis, Mass., July 27.

Richard Aldrich production of song re-
cital by Libby Holman. Associate pro-
& uce f’i Charles MoQney; accompanist,
Gerald Cook: setting. Paul Bertelsen. At
Cape Playhouse. Dfcnnis, Mass., July 27-
31. *54. $3.85 top. *

Back in the ’30s Libby Holman’s
lush, throaty voice, warbling the
sad tales of deserted damsels and
assorted blues, was one of the
S landmarks of show biz. In her one-
woman songfest, offered at Richard
Aldrich's Cape Playhouse, the
dark-haired singer performs many

pressive as the youth’s awkward , of the songs she made famous,
sweetheart. Under Frankel’s direc- 1 Using a chair as her only prop j
tion, all of the supporting parts , and to excellent piano accompani

are well;played, especially those by
Peter von Zerneck as a cold-
blooded but cordial Nazi com-
mandant; Steve Gravers, as a
flashy, big-time operator; Margaret
Draper as Frank’s well-meaning
mother, the madam whose relation-
ship to her son is at the root of
his. disturbance; Patricia Sales as
one of the prostitutes; Michael

ment by Gerald Cook, Miss Hol-
man, gesturing expressively, does
such old stand-bys as “Moanin’
Low,” “Body anti Soul,” “Some-
thing to Remember You By,”
“Love for Sale,” anti “Duke Elling-
ton’s Blues,” In addition, she em-
! ploys her recently-acquired inter-
est in old American ballads and
sings such samples of this genre

Vale as a caustic bartender and J as “Barbara Allen/’ “Roly Tru-

Wlsh You Were Hero

Sea Cliff, N.Y., July 29.
“Wish You Were Here” proved
a payola for Tom Ratcliffe and
Louis Macmillan’s Sea Cliff Sum-
mer Theatre when it roiled up the
largest opening night gate of the
current season. The show has the
definite b.o. appeal of a “fresh
from Broadway” musical and there
was evidently . curiosity as to how'
the strawhat production would han-
dle the swimming pool scene.

The scene is done without the
pool, of course, and while this has
no effect on the action, it does
point up the general weakness of
book and score that critics spotted
in the Main Stem version and that
was overlooked in the flood of
press-agentry over the pool
“Wish,” as adapted for the silos,
suffers chiefly from a hoked-up
ending that has vacationing heroine
walk out on her Kamp Kareffee
flame, presumably to marry her
aging fiance. The crushed and de-
spondent swain goes off-stage to
greet a new group of camp ar-
rivals, and quickly returns leading
a girl whose features are concealed

It’s going to take a lot more fuel
to make this “Blaze of Glory”
flame for more than a short time
on Broadway. Leo Leiberman
script has been optioned by Rich-
ard Krakeur, who has been mother-
henning the silo tryout, but it
doesn’t stand a chance in its pres-
ent form.

Three-acter is a standard and
frequently turgid melodrama about
a one-time highschool football hero
who keeps seeking ways of recap-
turing his lost glory, if only td
satisfy his hero-worshiping father.
He lies, cheats aiid finally becomes
involved in the slaying of the wife
of a union leader, an old family
friend. Both union detectives and
the actual assassins are out to get
him and the latter win, to no one’s
great dismay.

Play eomes to life momentarily
in the second scene of the second
act in which the suggestion of the
boy’s incestuous feeling for his
sister becomes more apparent. This
scene might serve as a first act for
a play, but it’s about the only thing
in the script worth keeping. The
first act is slow and the third tele-
graphes every line. Leiberman’s
basic difficulty is that he has at
least two plot ideas and hasn’t de-
cided which to develop.

In performance the Laguna pro-
duction offers little. Alex Nicol is
miscast as the son and most of the
other performances are little more
than competent, although Jean
Nicol impresses in one short bit as
the pregnant sister-in-law. Direc-
tion isn’t up to Demetrios Vilan’s
usual level, and the only unquali-
fied credit is the single set by Paul
Rodgers. Kap.

Our Miss Brooks

White Plains, N.Y., July 17.

Westchester Recreation Commission
production of comedy in three acts by
R. J. Mann. Directed by Albert K. Did-
out; setting, Bette Eutterworth. At County
Playhouse, White. Plains, N.V.» July 15*
’54; $1.50 top.

Any resemblance between “Our
Miss Broods” at. the County Play-
house here and the video show is
not accidental. If author R. J. Mann
has ideas about mainstemming his
fable of the harassed highschool
teacher, he’ll have to start from
scratch

In going strawhat, the Westches-
ter Recreation Commission shows
gumption in skedding two tryouts.
It’s a community project, with at-
tendant hazards. Debit is against
staging aspects, talent pool not
being crafty enough to gloss over
weaknesses of hew' script.

Miss Brooks’ misadventures pr®"
during, a highschool -VLost Hon-

by a long clQ8£ and: a turiirup cul- j ^ . . .(Continued . on page 58)

Wednesday? Angml 4, .1954

PMbIETy

LEGITIMATE 57-

VK

New Hope, Pa., Aug. 3. ,

Bucks County Playhouse broke
its gross record again last week
with a $7,323 take .for. the holdover
stanza of the revue, "Aboard the
Bandwagon." ’ That bettered the
previous mark set recently by the
second week of "The Cocktail
Party." Two-week gross for "Band-
wagon" totalled $1A»572. Audience
reaction for the musical was gen-
erally enthusiastic. t

Producer Mike Ellis revealed
that the new house record was
made possible by the sale of three
seats at the closing -performance
Saturday night (31) to Broadway
actor Murray Matheson and two_|
friends. That was- particularly
appropriate, Ellis figures, as
Matheson played the male lead , in
"Cocktail Party," the previous
record-setter.

"The Automobile Man,” comedy
by Calder Willingham, is the
current bill at the Playhouse.
Elliott Nugent Is the -star of the
tryout, but is not slated to continue
the assignment in the scheduled
Broadway production of the play
this fall by Producers Theatre,
Next week’s Playhouse offering is
"Stalag 17." Spot has announced
an extension of its season through
Nov. 27, with four undisclosed
tryouts carded during October.

Carol Stone and John Dali in
"Bom Yesterday" the previous
stanza and $6,000 with Ilona Mas-
sey in "Tonight Or Never" the
opener. Sylvia Sidney , stars this
week in "Angel Street,"
Strawhatter plays arena-style in
tent nicely situated in suburban,
wooded , area. It's the only legit
available here this summer. Top
is $2, with 10-week season tickets
at $16 good anytime.

Maryland Barn Shutters

Baltimore, Aug. 3.

Summer season at the Mountain
Theatre, Braddock Heights, Md.,
is belngshortened from 12 to eight
weeks because of spotty grosses.
Barn will shutter Aug. 14 aft.er a
two-week run of "Fourposter."

James Decker operation, cur-
rently in its-idth year, will resume
next season.

Itudy 6G, Saratoga
Saratoga, N. Y., Aug. 3.

Rudy Vallee pulled a fair $6,000
last week in Jean Kerr’s "Jenny
Kissed Me" at the 587-seat Spa
Summer Theatre here:

"Wish You Were Here” is cur-
rent at the John Huntington barn.

’HuP $13,000, Phllly

Philadelphia, Aug. 3.

"Little Hut," with Barbara Bel
Geddes and Hiram Sherman,,
chalked up another big stanza for
the Playhouse in the , Park last
week, benefitting by a bigger than
usual opening night and good at-
tendance at the midweek, matinee.
Scorching weather affected the
weekend somewhat, but the week’s
total came to nearly $13,000. '

"Golden Boy" with Jacob Ben
Ami, Olive YDeering, Leo Penn,
Philip Bournef and David Clarke,
is current. Martin Ritt staged it.

‘Madam* $6,20d, Stockbrldre
Stockbridge, Mass., Aug. 3.

William Roeriek, Gaye Jordon
and Sidney Howard made a win-
ning trio for the Berkshire Play-
house here last week when the
late playwright’s "Madam, Will
You Walk” set a new house record
with a $6,200 gross. That topped,
the 23-year mark set by "My 3
Angels" two weeks ago and was
just $300 under the potential $6,-
500 capacity for this 483-seater at
$2.75 top, Roeriek and Miss Jordon
are favorites of local audiences and
Howard was a resident of nearby
Tyringham.

This week comedienne Anna
Russell is making her U, S. legit
bow in the Arthur Macrae- London
farce, "Traveller’s Joy." Play was
done, given a barn tryout by Ger-
trude Lawrence in 1950.

Donlevy $4,400, JMney

Washington, Aug. 3.

First stanza of "Country Girl" at
the Olney Theatre, nearby Mary-
land strawhatter, drew a nice $4,-
400 last week. Brian Donlevy plays
the lead with the regular Players,
Inc., company supporting.

Second week, with nights of per-
formances should be even better.
Olney operates with a five-day
first week and six-day second week
for its fortnight runs. Margaret
Phillips returns next week in
Shaw’s "Heartbreak House."

Maggie 12G, Marblehead

Boston, Aug. 3.

Song of Norway,” featuring
Manners, nabbed a nifty
59,000 at the Boston Summer The-
atre last week. "Autumn Crocus,"
starring Margaret Trumaii, pulled
a hefty $12,000' at Marblehead
Summer Theatre, the largest gross
at the LeerFalk operated silo this

Reason. Both theatres have a $3
top.

Current at the BST is Marie Wil-
son in "Little Hut." Wally Cox is
trying out the F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Vegetable," at Marblehead.

Ind’pls Tent Click!

Indianapolis, A
New Town and Country
L h . e .® tr e directed by A
White looks to be set for p
season here after upping
each of first three weeks.

Spot played to a virt
nouse all last week for
mated gross of $8,000, u
«£ anci , s as guest- star in "1
after increasing its seatin

I5- y fr° m 600 to 700. It d
57,000 with, Myron Mc<

Marie Wilson 12G, Chi

Chicago, Aug. 3.

Drury Lane Theatre, with Marie
Wilson starring in "Little Hut,
grossed over $20,000 for its two-
week run ended Sunday (1).

Current at the suburban straw-
hatter ^operated by Tony Di Santis
and Phil Tyrrell is “Mid-Summer,"
with Geraldine Page starred in her
original Broadway role.

‘Stalag* 8G; Matunuck
Matunuck, R. L, Aug. 3.

- Sock season at the Theatre-by-
the-Sea here continued last -week
with "Stalag 17” nabbing a nifty
$8,000. Previous week, "The Little
Hut" package, with Barbara Bel
Geddes and Hiram Sherman
starred, played to excellent biz.
Margaret Truman in "Autumn
Crocus," was also a recent click
with a $9,500 sellout.

/Current bill, Tallulah Bankhead
in "Dear Charles," was sold out
prior to last- night’s' (Mon.) open-
ing.

How Hunt Took Stock

Northport, N.Y., Aug, 3.

During the last year, stock pro-
ducer Bill Hunt has progressed
from bar to barn — or, more ac-
curately, from ballroom to stall-
room.

Hunt’s present Red Barn Thea-
tre, a converted Northport carriage
house, is continuing the theatre-in-
the-round programming' he
launched last year at his Center-
port Summer Theatre. The latter
was a unique, if not Satisfactory,
drama-as-you-dine experiment that
functioned in the midst of the Pen-
guin Inn, a Centerport feedery.

Attendance, according to the
producer, has doubled at the new
Red Barn- location on Route 25 A
facing Northport Harbor. The 130-
year-old carriage house has been
dressed up with 150 upholstered
film theatre seats. Productions run
Tuesday-through-Sunday.

Current bill is Thornton Wild-
er’s Pulitzer-prizer, "Skin of Our
Teeth." It will be followed by
"Bell, Book and Candle," "My 3
Angels," "Little Hut’ and, as a
closer, "Stalag 17.’ The Red Barn
has a permanent resident company.

Current Road Shows

(August .2-14)

Caine Mutiny Court Martial
(Paul Douglas, Wendell Corey,
Steve Brodie) — Opera House,
Central City, Col. (2-14).

King and I (Yul Brynner, Patri-
cia Morison) — Opera House, S. F.
(2-7); Aud., Portland (10-14).

Peter Pan (Mary Martin) (tryout)
— Curran, S. F. (2-14) (Reviewed in
Variety, July 21, ’54).

Picnic (Ralph Meeker) — Aud.i
Portland (3-5); Tempi*, Tacoma
(6-7); Metropolitan, Seattle (9-14).

Porgy Ac Bess — Philharmonic
Aud., L. A. (2-14).

Seven Year Itch (Eddie Bracken)
—Geary, S. F. (2-14).

South Pacific (Jeanne Bal, Webb
Tilton)— National, Wash. (2-14).

Time Out for Ginger (Melvyn
Douglas) — Harris, Chi (2-14).'

Wonderful Town (Carol Chan-
nlng)— Shubert, Chi (2-14).

175G Confer Toes’

George Abbott's scheduled re-
vival of "On Your Toes" (in which
Richard Rodgers will be unbilled
co-producer) will’ be capitalized at
$175,000, .with provision for 15%
overcall. The musical, slated to

open Oct. 11 at the 46th Street
Theatre, N.Y., will have new or-
chestrations . by Don Walker.
Rodgers-Hart tuner was produced
originally by the late Dwight Deere
Wiman in the spring of 1936, with
Abbott as stager,

Abbott, whoTl also direct the
revival, collaborated on the book
with Rodgers and Hart. Vera
Zorina and Bobby Van will costar
in the revival, which goes into
rehearsal Aug. 25 and will have a
one-week tryout at the Shubert.
Theatre, New Haven, beginning
Sept. 27.

Leland Hayward, seriously ill of
undiagnosed cause on the Coast,
was reported greatly Improved
, yesterday. (Tues,). His hemorrhag-
ing had stopped and he was given
solid food for the first time. Blood
transfusions were discontinued.

Legit-film-tv producer, who was
rushed, to the Good Samaritan
Hospital, Los Angeles, about a
week ago with a recurrence of an
old intestinal ailment, is now ten-
tatively due to be released , in about
a week. He’ll then go y away for-
about a month’s complete rest,
after which he’ll return to the
hospital for exhaustive tests . to
determine the nature of the illness.

Although Hayward will probably
have to be inactive personally for
sin indefinite period, his various
current production projects may
not be seriously curtaHed. His
film production of "Mister Roberts”
for Warner Bros, is going ahead as
scheduled, and Billy Wilder is said
to be about ready to start on Hay-
ward’s production of "Thev, Spirit
of St. Louis," the Lindbergh biog,
also for Warners. "The Old Man
and the Sea,” the Hemingway
story in which Spencer Tracy is
to play the title role, is also under-
stood to‘ be pretty completely laid
out.

With legit actor-director-d co-
signer Richard Whorf in actual
charge of production, Hayward’s
scheduled series of video spectac-
ulars for NBC-TV is also proceed-
ing as scheduled. The tentatively-
scheduled Broadway presentation
of the musicalized "Peter Pan,"
with Mary Martin in the title part,
depends on revisions to be in-
serted for the forthcoming Los
Angeles engagement. Four new
songs, including a number for
Miss Martin, are being added.
Hayward would be partnered in
the . New York run with Edwin
Lester, who produced it on the
Coast.

ire as Joan
In Honegger Opera, S.F.

San Francisco, Aug. 3.

Dorothy McGuire has « been
signed to take over the speaking
title role in the American pre-
miere Oct. 15 of Arthur Honeg-
ger’s "Joan of Arc at the Stake"
at the War Memorial Opera House
Hre, by the San Francisco Opera
Co.

Greer Garson was originally an-
nounced for the part, but has with-
drawn* reportedly because <of a
film assignment that will continue
later into the year than expected.

There will be another presenta-
tion Oct. 21 of "Joan" at the War
Memorial Opera House. Conduc-
tor of the San Francisco Opera
performances will be Pierre Mon-
! treux/ Marvin Lee will have a
male speaking role in the charac-
ter of Friar Dominie.

“Joan” has had various perform-
ances abroad, recently with Ingrid
Bergman as star in a version
staged by her husband, film direc-
tor Roberto Rossolini.

Operating Statements

TEA AND SYMPATHY

(As of July 3, ’54)

Gross last five weeks,
$122,975.

Profit last five weeks,
$24,176'

Total net profit to date,
$208,046.

Distributed profit to date,
$145,000.

SABRINA FAIR

( As of July 3, ’54 fe

Gross last five weeks, $66,142.
Profit last five weeks, $1,923.
Total net profit to date $55,073.
Distributed profit to date,
$30,000.

CAN-CAN
(As of June 26, ’54)

Gross last four weeks, $198,200.
Profit last four weeks, $36,451.
Total net profit to date, $378,416.
Distributed profit to date,
$282,605,

OH MEN, OH WOMEN
(As of July 10, ’54)

Gross since opening, $574,506,
Profit since opening, $43,126.
Gross last two weeks, $23,670.
Loss last two weeks, $1,357.
Distributed profit to date, $19,-
) 0 .

ANTA Playhouse, formerly the
Guild Theatre, is being enlarged
and redecorated, and will be
booked as a regular Broadway le-
git house starting in late October.
Seating is being increased from
900-odd to~a bout 1,150. Since the
theatre already has unusually
good backstage facilities, the upped
capacity is expected to 'make it a
desirable spot for commercial pur-
poses.

American Academy of Dramatic
Art, which has the property under
lease from ANTA, will officially
operate the Playhouse, at least for
the immediate future, with ANTA
actively interested. Renovations, es-
timated costing over $200,000, are
being underwritten by City Invest-
ing Co. and ANTA board member-
producer Roger L. Stevens, who
hold a second mortgage on the
property. The Shuberts hold the
first mortgage.

Barns Echo Off-B’way;
’53-’54 Non-Stem Flays
Getting Silo Bookings

Smash success of the ’53-’54 off-
Broadway season is having rever-
berations on the strawhat circuit
this summer. Plays that were
among the top off-the-Stem offer-
ings- of last season are cropping up
this semester on bam slates.

Two summer theatres last week
offered plays that were showcased
off-Broadway last season. These
were the Norwich (Conn.) Summer
Theatre and the Berkshire Play-
house, Stockbridge, Mass. Former
silo presented "Girl on the Via
Flamina/’ with Robert Wark head-
ing the cast, while the latter
showed "Madam Will You Walk.”

Although past productions of
both play have not been confined
solely to off-Broadway, it was in
that locale that they were effec-
tively brought before the public
eye and also received the critical
nod from most of the Gotham
newspaper and magazine reciewers.

"Madam" had originally been an
out-of-town flop about 15 ^’ears
ago, Show was picked up last
season by T. Edward Hambleton
and Norris Houghton as the preem
production of the stock Season at
the off-Broadway Phoenix Theatre.
With . Hume Cronyn and his wife
Jessica Tandy starring, it proved
a solid opener, making an approx-
imate $10,000 profit in a limited
six-week engagement.

"Girl" was initially produced
last season at the off-Broadway
Circle in the Square. Play had a
strong advance sale at the Circle
but was forced to exit the house
early in the run when the theatre
was shuttered because of alleged
fire violations. Work was then
moved to Broadway’s 48th Street
Theatre, where it ran for nine
weeks and closed at a loss of about
$7,000.

Hartford, Aug. 3.

Strawhat venture of Outdoor
Stages on the campus of Avon Old
Farms, prep school at nearby Avon,
Conn., is experimenting with a
new concept in stage presentation.
Venture is the idea of Hal Wise,
faculty member and formerly legit
company and theatre manager. It
involves- the performance of dra-
matic shows outdoors, with the
"stage" shifted from place to place
and the audience following along.

Shows are. presented in a
marked-off area on the campus.
Number of locations utilized de-
pends on needs of the show itself,
with, natural terrain being favored
over stages, backdrops, etc., when-
ever possible. First presentation,
"The Warrior’s Husband," called
for the use of three stages on dif-
ferent locations. Each outdoor spot
was chosen on the basis of the
script’s description, of the 'scene.
Thus, nature is called on to assist
in the projection of the action.

One hitch is that spectators must
move from location to location
carrying their hard seated, folding
chairs with them. However, a poll
and turnouts indicate that they
don’t mind the effort.

On the basis of a poll taken of
audience, the policy calls for. a
single $2 price, with seats wherever
space is available and visibility and
hearing seem best.

Although productions aren’t of
professional calibre, the Shows offer
several novel appeals to the pa-
trons. Performances out of doors
amid the high hills of Avon moun-
tain make smoking permissible,
and there is no Wall to back bounce
whisperings. If anyone doesn’t like
his location or his neighbor, all he
has to do is pick up his chair and
move elsewhere.

Grounds are sprayed daily with
insecticide, but there’s little like-
lihood of mosquitoes, as the cool-
ness discourages such wild life.
However, weather is a distinct
uncertainty. The spot is perhaps
the only strawhatter that can have
a show postponed because of wet
grounds. *

Through its maximum use of
natural facilities and minimum use
of props, etc., the spot is able to
operate on a nut not possible for
other strawhats. Effective use of
blackouts and lighting aids consid-
erably here. One handicap encoun-
tered here is stage waits, etc. Be-
cause there is no compactness as
on a regular stage, there are apt
to be stage waits between scenes -
and sometimes between entrances
made by actors.

Caste cons ist °f students, plus
theatrically-minded friends and
semi-pro localites.

Robert Bacon, chief of staff of
the Parsons Theatre, has taken
over similar duties here for the
summer. Four shows have been
set for the season. Skedded for
August are "Liliom" and "A Mid-
Summer Night’s Dream."

Hassle Looms in Silo
Tryout of Pre-B’way
Bel Geddes-'Lavinia’

Barbara Bel Geddes, who has
been announced to star in Gilbert
Miller’s Broadway production of
Graham Greene’s London drama
hit, "The Living Room,” is set to
guest the week of Aug. 3$ in a
tryout of "Michael and Lavinia,"
by John Matthews, at the Theatre-
by-the-Sea, Matunuck, R, I. It’s

J fot clear whether or not that will
nvolve a conflict.

"Michael and Lavinia" is being
tested by the Matunuck producers,
Donald Wolin and Harold Schiff. as
a. Broad way prospect this fall. Pair
is understood anxious to have Miss
Bell Geddes appear in the play in
New York as well as at the straw-
hat, provided it impresses in try-
out.

"Living Room" had been slated .
to start rehearsals about Oct. 1
under Peter Glenville’s direction.
However, Glenville has withdrawn
from the assignment because of a
film commitment, so the date and
perhaps even the production, may
now be uncertain. With Miller still
in England, the exact status of the
project could not be checked
yesterday (Tues.).

Miss Bel Geddes, meanwhile, has
been costarring with Hiram Sher-
man in a strawhat edition of “The
i Little Hut."

58

ubgitimato

Wednesday, Aligns! 4 ,' 1951 ,

Strawhat Reviews

Continued from page 56

Our Mias Brooks

zon” are good for about two yocks
per act, balance eliciting only
minor titillation, Muriel Sharon
plays the title role With enough
stage savvy to keep vehicle rolling.
She is anxious about mating with
the basketball coach, worried about
losing her job, and an instructor
most of the lads, would be glad to
babysit with.

A. P. Cobb plays a languorous
coach who has a yen for sailing
alone, JU1 Scully is earnest as a
bobbysoxer who idolizes the cur-
rent athletic hero, and Donald
Neville is hep as the object of her
regard. As a gumchewing sopho-
more, Ann Boyer unconsciously
steals the stage at every , oppor-
tunity, but makes the larceny thor-
oughly forgivable.

. Highs'chools and a few stocks
migh be markets for this “Our
Miss -Brooks.” but that would be
all. The writing is slender, the

a play of this type to exciting ;
theatrical life. , , , j

This play by David Hertz is
based upon the domestic-marital
troubles of the ,I8th centuiyas-
tronomer-musician, William Her-
schel, and the hand-in-hand assist-
ance of his sister and the patron-
age of George III of England.

Perhaps one strike against this
Herschel biography is the fact that
to the uninitiated, looking through
a telescope, discovering nebulae
with the intricate math involved,
necessarily seems remote. Never-
theless, more of the exciting sci-
ence with Herschel and especially
his crony. Sniadecki. and less of
the palaver of whether Herschel
should live with his sister or his
wife, might keep audiences more
wakeful.

The plot is slender, the writing
leisurelv and old-fashioned. Too
many difficulties present them-
selves in producing a play of mood,
of historical and biographical mo-

saics appeal will depend on net
work notoriety. Gcor.

of

situash gags fevy and far between. ! men t to overcome the shortcom-

J * inss of a summer theatre and

bring the life and period to an ef-
fective aliveness.

Charles Korvin, as William Her-
schel. remains stoic and expres-
sionless throughout the play, ap-
parently waiting for something to
happen. The film actor neither
looks nor seems to be astronomer
or musician, or interested in either.

Sally Chamberlin and Margit
Forssgren, as wife and sister, re-
spectively, kindle the only electric
spark of the evening in a second-
act clash. Miss Chamberlin begins
the play effectively enough, but py
the end is worn down by the in-
effective lines. . Miss Forssgren
works and tusssles with the role of
Caroline, but it is impossible to
overcome the handicaps. “Miles of
Heaven” just doesn’t spark.

Lama . .

I3<»r<* Fs I5ac Xows

Westport, Conn., July 31.

While Bun Theatre m'ocluction
diimvj in two nets, by Nornvn Hudis,
Directed by • H-z.el Vincent W'Uace: set-
tin-T-s. Itichird MerrcMr lli*hMn w .' Dorh S.
Einstein. At White Barn Theatre, July

31. '34.

Tina Jane Du "Frayne

Carl Miehael Tolan

John Stockman Arthur Seelen

Tint George Ross

Mark Roder James Nolan

Robert BaJIantyne . . Charles Omobell
Anna Argon . . . Hazel Vincent Wallace
Minister Luis Martinez

, Based on the newspaper La
Prensa’sS struggle against the
Argentine government, Norman
Hudis’ “ITere is the News” is an-
other of those talky British imports
treating a serious subject super-
ficially. Dull and unimaginative, it
is not a Broadway possibility and
its chances for stock in the U. S.
are negligible.

The play’s chief failing seems to
be that it does not capture any of 1
the dramatic impact of the real-
life story, but relies on unexciting
characters who prosaically report
the events but do not convince us
that these happenings are real or
worth interest or attention. The
contrived plot is centered in the
office of the editor of The News.
When the dictator’s forces take
over the country, he fights them,
editorially for three days and on
the fourth is arrested.

The author, listed as a film
writer for J. Arthur Rank, has
provided a set of stock newspaper
characters familiar to any filmgoer.
There is the editor’s pretty and
idealistic secretary in love with a
flashy columnist, an aspiring mes-
senger (copy?) boy on familiar
terms with the editor, a plain-talk-
ing. crackerjack woman reporter,
and the crusading editor himself,
who always speaks in editorial
pomposities. True to popular con-
tention, they all talk very fast.

The actors do everything they
can to humanize these bloodless
roles. James Nolan as the editor,
Charles Campbell as a British
correspondent and George Ross as
the embryo reporter, are all good.
Direction by Hazel Vincent Wallace
is static and fails to create an
atmosphere of tension which might
make the yarn more convincing.

Richard Merrell has designed a
creditable panelled office where all
of the conversation takes place.

Grif.

A S ml ilon Alarm

Gloucester, Mass., July 28.

Cape Ann Playeis production of drama
in three acts (nine scenes) by Gene O Don-
nell. Staged by Howard Adelman; set-
tings, David Platt. At Cape Ann Play-
house, Gloilstev* - Mass., July 26, -54.

Charity Martin Helen Henning

Dime Rowe ...... ... Norma Leary

Abby Martin Valerie Spear

Tobias Martin Garry

Dummv Ross ■ Harry MacNewman

John Rowe Michael Moore

Clara Rowe Mary Moor

Gregory Holt Raf Michaels

Ben Tarr Danny Malloy

Youth Jerry Block

Milos of Heaven

Orwigsburg, Pa.. July 20.

Jos. W. Kapfer & Leonard Soloway pro-
duction of drama in three acts, by David
Hart]’.. Stars Charles Korvin. Directed by
Arthur J. Beckhard; sets and lighting,
•Tos. W. Kapfer. At Deer Lake Theatre,
Orwigsburg. Pa.; July 20, '54.

E?.(! > . lme Herschel Margit Forssgren

William Herschel Charles Korvin

M d . r - V PRt • Sally Chamberlin

J 9 hn Pitt . Scott Hale

Sit; Josenh Wetherbridge Elek Hartman

“ n !^decki . Woodrow Parfrey

Feldhammer Arthur J. Beckhard

S» e ?. el Joseph W. Kapfer

Lmllo Jeffery Longe

George III Charles Gilbert

Queen Charlotte Alberta Johnson

Bishop of Canterbury .. Forrest Wood
Prince Frederick..;. Marlin Zimmerman
Prince Edward Edward Dolan

“A Sudden Alarm,” runner-up in
last season’s scripting contest at
Gloucester, is a verbose, compli-
cated drama that needs plenty of
scissoring and tightening before it
rates as Broadway fare.

It’s hindered by its structural
setup, nine scenes in three acts,
some of which could easily be
eliminated or at least shortened.
It’s a one-set play, and the curtain
should be lowered momentarily for
time passages, but .usually remains,
down too long. Also, the main
theme, that war should be settled
by statesmen at the conference
table instead of by men on a battle-
fieM, is too editorialized.

The 1775 plot, or rather plots,
concern the marriage of a Sandy
Point villager to a “high-born”
Boston girl, suspected of Tory
sympathies, and her futile attempts
to overcome the hostility of her
mother-in-law or to dissuade her
patriotic husband from leading the
local militia into the Battle of
Bunker Hill. Only with the news
that the young husband and his
band have been annihilated do the
opposing wife and mother-in-law
make a grudging peace. Various
sub-plots merely slow the action.

Mary Moor does a standout
portayal in the difficult role of the
wife, and Norma Leary is entirely
plausible as the high-handed, grim-
visaged mother-in-law. Balance of
the cast handle the various roles
skillfully arid the one set, of a
barren Colonial living room by
David Platt, is okay. Elie.

“Gulliver’s Travels.” Interesting
as Swift may hgve seemed in the
study, however, he does not com-
pel as a dramatic personage, his
company palling well within two.
hours’ stage traffic. . . :

As a band of players inquire into ,
the life of the Dean of St. Pat-
rick’s, Dublin, the problem is to
decide which of the seven deadly
sins was his greatest fault, all
seven evidently having been in-
dulged in freely by the testy mis-
anthrope. Playing various people
close to the Dean, the actors dra-
matize a baker’s dozen of episodes,
each illustrating a different phase
of his life and character.

Although the play is question-
able as Broadway fodder, the com-
pany here gives it a thoughful pro-
duction. Emile Autor has the
somewhat thankless task of play-
ing Swift, but he faces up man-
fully, being best in moments of
anger and the self-centeredness of
age. His tag, “I am that I am,” is
the author’s deadliest barb, the de-
cision going to pride as Swift’s
fatal weakness.

Virginia Thoms and Anne Ger-
ety play the women between whom
Swift WJV 3 torn and to neither of
whom he could pledge allegiance.
Both precede him to the grave, one
to bless, the other to curse. The
serene loyalty of Miss Thoms is
in good contrast to Miss Gerety’s
virago. As asssorted personalities
and friends, Catherine Huntington,
Thomas J. Clancy, Patrick Clancy,
Robert Beatey and Fred Levy
move easily from one Swift con-
temporary to another.

Tom Newton’s concentrated di-
rection has kept the play moving
smoothly as the actors switch back
and forth in time. Arnold Kelley's
lighting gives" a needed fluidity,
and Patrick Clancy’s set uses sug-
gestion to great advantage as he
creates a cathedral on the small
stage. Geor.

Wall x Down the Aisle

St. John TerreU production of operetta
in three acts, with music by Johann
Strauss; book and lyrics. Edward Eager.
Staged by Robert C. Jarvis; musical di-
rector,- Oscar. Kosarln; choreography.
Jerry Ross; scenery, James Hamilton; as-
sistant conductor and choral director,
Leo Russotto; costumes, Charles Macri.
At Music Circus, LambertviUe, N. J..
July 27- Aug. L *54.

Gustave George Smiley

Franzi Palotka Marthe Errolle

Laszlo Patrass Larry Douglas

Commodore Dykinck Arthur Newman

Geraldine Dykinck Peggy Bonini

Ralph 'Baxter Earl Williams

Countess Zedlau Shannon Bolin

Singers: Eeter Binder, Jeanne Bruce,
John Geister. John Gordian. Dorothy
Manning, Sara Martin. Rene Miville
Bettyan Papcun, Stanley Phillips, Leesa
Troy, Joe Wessel. Candida Pilla.
Dancers: Ana Baldwin, Greta Aldene,
Rosa Bruton, Michael Falcon, Marilyn
Greenman, Eric Russell.

f'nrousel

(City Center, N. Y.

The Dreaming Dust

Provincetown, Mass., July 21.

Provincetown Playhouse production of
play In' two acts, by Denis Johnson. Di-
rected by Tom Newton; setting. Patrick
Clancy. At Provincetown (Mass.) Play-
house, July 19, '54; $2.20 top.

Handicapped byinadeauate Leading M:*n, later the Dean

A - . . i_ ft • * * / i * . . _ ~ _* '"'I o-n/lT'fttP Ct«/I fr

theatre facilities, “Miles of Heav-
en” failed to illumine the sky in
its barntryout here. What might
have , been a serious and absorbing
biographical drama about the as-
tronomical pursuits of William
Herschel and his sister Caroline,
failed to catch the excitement in-
herent in their lives.

Plays about astronomers, cos-
tume dramas and plays with royal-
ty walking the stage frequently j “The Dreaming Dust” is a seri
prove uninteresting and unbeliev- ! ous effort by a serious writer,
able for theatre audiences. “Miles , Since Irish playwright Denis John-
of Heaven”— about all three--- ; stort is a poet as . well, as a play-
proves no exception. Only excel- i wright, he has found moments of
lent writing, direction, acting and ! beauty in his quest for the truth
a very tight production can .bring about Jonathan Swift, » author of

and Dr. Swift . Emile Autor

Leading Woman, later Stella

and Moll Virginia Thoms

Character Man. later Rev. Mr.

Tisdale and John Gay . . Fred Levy

Ingenue, later Vanessa and

Trollop . Anne Gerety

Character Woman, later Dingley and
Mrs. Vanhomrigh Catharine Huntington
Ll?ht Comedian, later

Charles Ford Robert Beatey

Heavy, later Dr. Berkeley and a
Ballad Singer..:. ...Thomas J. Clancy

Clown, later Brennan Patrick Clancy

This 19th century operetta, writ-
ten and produced in the 20th cen-
tury, is excellent summer fare, but
it’s not for Broadway. .

The book and lyrics, laboriously
constructed to fit some fine waltzes
and polkas by Johann Strauss,
make for excellent tent fare, and
the first night audience enjoyed it.
However, the competent produc-
tion, superlative music, good sing-
ing and pleasant costuming and
lighting didn't offset the fact that
this is a thin vehicle.

An American industrialist brings
his daughter to Vienna in 1880 to
find a titled husband so they can
make the social register. However,
she falls in love with a Harvard
instructor and after considerable
confusion involving phony nobility
and a penniless countess, the lov-
ers end up in each other’s arms.
This is acceptable only because
papa discovers that the instructor’s
mother was a Saltonstall.

Earl Williams and Peggy Bonini,,
as the Harvard man and the Amer-
ican girl, have excellent voices.
Shannon Bolin, as the beautiful
countess who loves and then gives
up the Harvard man, sings well
and can act, too. Larry Dbugl’as
and Marthe Errolle, as two opera
singers pretending to nobility, are
good. And Arthur Newman is
amusing as the American industri-
alist.

The plot isn’t strong enough to
warrant all the excitement, how-
ever, and often even the music
seems Irrelevant, “Waltz Down the
Aisle” is merely a pleasant show
for the summer circuit. Ward.

Lake George Music Tent
Folds After 3-Week Run

Lake George, N.Y., Aug. 3.

James B. McKenzie and Willard
C. Merrill’s tent Musicarnlval fold-
ed here July 25, after three weeks’
operation. had been scheduled
to run through Sept. 5.

Two productions, “Brigadoon”
and “Annie Get Your Gun,” were
presented, of the six that had been
announced for the 2,700-seat can-
vasser a mile outside the town.

McKenzie and Merrill are co-
producers of the Dobbs Ferry
^NtY.i Playhouse, a winter stock
operation.

Although Maxwell Anderson has twd new scripts, neither is defi-
nitely set for production this season. More likely of the two is a
dramatization of William March’s novel, “The Bad Seed,” which the
playwright expects to finish within a few weeks. It’s tentatively
slated for production by the Playwrights Co., of which Anderson is
a member. Other script, which the dramatist completed some time
ago, is an original, “The Masque of Queens,” dealing with the end
of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. (Incidentally, Anderson's “Masque
of Kings” was a failure of the 1936-37 season). Television director
Ralph Levy, erroneously reported to be staging “Bad Seed,” is under-
stood considering a production of “Queens” in partnership with the
Playwrights Co. K presumably with Rosalind Russell as star. Levy
would direct.

Gross for “Lady’s Not for Bulling,” starring Uta Hagen and Herbert
Berghof, at the Boston Summer Theatre for the week ending July
17, was actually $7,381, not $6,000 as reported in a recent issue.
Touring production of the Christopher Fry comedy is playing the
strawhat circuit.

♦r — — ^ — — — — — — — .

Legit-Conscious Metro
Sends Rep on Silo Hunt
For Any Likely Scripts

With the emphasis on story
values in Hollywood and increase
in the number of strawhat tryouts,
Metro is stepping up its coverage
of barn productions this summer.
The studio’s eastern play repre-
sentative, Sidney Phillips, is not
only reading -more scripts than are
usually available, but is taking
more time to o.o. the silo fare.

Obvious factor in the situation
is that th'ere are many m6re try-
outs on the haymow circuit this
season than normally. Since Phil-
lips regularly reads all new scripts
available he hqs already evaluated
most of the shows being summer-
tested, so he has to make personal
inspection trips to only a relative
few of the citronella preems.

Even so, there are so many
scripts getting performance break-
ins in the strawhats this year that
Phillips is putting in considerably
more than customary show-catch-
ing mileage* He . has already
glommed about a half-dozen offer-
ings and leaves next Friday (6) on
a three-week safari covering about
dozen more spots.

Fact that the other major* film
companies are following their usu-
al policy of ignoring most of the
silo testings indicates that Phillips’
stepped-up travel schedule is in
line with a special attitude on the
part of Metro. Explanation is that
Metro, besides being keenly inter-
ested in story properties, is becom-
ing more legit-consciOus than in
some years.

New attitude of the studio is re-
flected in its trend toward pre-
production buys of Broadway plays,
plus its new policy of also supply-
ing substantial backing for the ac-
tual stage productions. Thus, Phil-
lips’ advance reading of scripts and
his barn scouting takes on double
significance.

All this is, of course, In addition
to the hypoed story-consciousness
of all film companies in this day
of big-budget pictures. Since only
extra-dimension stories tend to be
suitable for the major-effort fea-
tures now in vogue, the search for
material Is intensified.

While the prospect of uncover-
ing a suitable screen property in a
strawhat tryout is admittedly
slight, Phillips is constantly on the
lookout for any kind of a play
with even an idea from which a
full-scale picture could be de-
veloped.

The operetta season at the City
Center, N. Y., originally skedded
for six weeks through June 13, is
still running but finals this week,
it’s 14th. Major part of that time
has been devoted to “Carousel,”
the 'windup bill of a three-tuner
series that began with “Showboat”
and was followed by "Fledermaus.”

Each of the shows was to have
run for two weeks but the nifty b.o.
reaction to the Richard Rodgers
and Oscar Hammerstein 2d musical
adaptation of Ference Molnar’s
gave it 10 weeks.

“Carousel” represents a superla-
tive blending of words, music and
dance, effectively brought out via
this Center production. Because
show was slated for a two-week
run, several cast members made
other commitments to follow the
fortnight’s engagement. Replace-
ments include David Atkinson as
Billy Bigelow. Mariquita Moll as
Nettie Fowler, Tom Reynolds as
Joshua, Calvin Thomas as the star-
keeper and Gemze de Lappe as
Louise.

Atkinson is somewhat stiff, but
reasonably satisfactory as Billy,
with emphasis on his robust sing-
ing. Miss Moll, making her Broad-
way debut, scores nicely with the
lilting “June Is Bustin’ Out All
Over.” while Miss de Lappe is an
excellent terp successor to Bambi
Linn. Performances by Reynolds
and Thomas are pleasing.

Standout among the holdover
performers is Barbara Cook, with
stage savvy and surqfire delivery
as Carrie Pipperidge. Jo Sullivan
is a likeable Julie Jordan, although
occasionally lacking in emotional
projection. Don Blackey is believ-
able as Enoch Snow, while John
Conte’s portrayal of the menacing
Jigger Craigin is a little too stud-
ied at times.

Winifred Heidt is good as the
carousel owner. Dancers, headed
by Robert Pagent, who restaged
Agnes De Mille’s dances, and Dusty
Worrall. display some neat foot-
work. This “Carousel” revival holds
up as melodious, emotional power-
house. Jess.

Oli Men, Oh Women

(HENRY MILLER, N.Y.)

Edward Chodorov’s comecjy is
funny enough to be a natural for
the summer dog days. But Broad-
way attendance being unpredict-
able, “Oh Men, Oh Women” is one
of the 1953-54 holdovers sweating
out the high temperature with low
grosses.

Cheryl Crawford’s production
has had several cast changes since
its preem last December, without
apparently affecting its risibility se-
riously. Heading the replacement
roster is Lloyd Bridges in the star-
ring role originated by Franchot
Tone. He seems a bit stiff in the
role, which doesn’t particularly im-
press as of star stature. Actually,
the harassed psychiatrist engaged
to a comely, casual amor&list, is a
tough assignment as the only
straight part,

Tony Randall, recent successor
of Gig Young, has a. romp in the
drunk scene in which he rational-
izes his marital tribulations. At the
performance caught last week,
Joan Gray stepped up from the
minor role of the psychiatrist’s
observant receptionist - secretary,
subbed as a neurotic wife played
originally by Anne Jackson, then
by Barbara Baxley and subsequent-
ly taken over last Monday (2) by
Dody Heath. Miss Gray’s perform-
ance as the wailing analysis patient
got big laughs. Lillian Wilder was
okay as the stand-ip receptionist.

Remainder of the cast remains
intact, with Betsy von Furstenberg
a natural as the pscho-medico’s
scatter-brained fiancee, Larry Bly-
den getting solid laughs as a re-
luctantly discarded lover and Paul
Andor okay in the brief stint of a
ship’s steward 1 .* "• . • 'Jess ;

Festival Fad Still On;
Horton Is Latest Star

The “festival” craze is apparent-
ly unabated on the strawhat cir-
cuit.

Latest barn to employ the gim-
mick is the Kennebuhkport (Me.)
Playhouse, with a two-week Ed-
ward Everett Horton anniversary
festival to begin next Monday (9),.
Move follows the pattern set this
summer with Helen Hayes and
Judith Evelyn rural-circuit “festi-
vals.” Former recently wound up
a four-week stint at the Falmouth
Playhouse, Coonamesset, Mass.,
while the latter is appearing at the
Ivy Tower Playhouse, Spring Lake,
N.J., for the same number of
weeks.

The Horton “festival” marks the
40th anni of the actor’s first sea-
son as a stock leading man in the
state of Maine, During his first
week at the Playhouse, he’ll ap-
pear in .“White Sheep of the Fam-
ily,” with “Present Laughter” as
the followup production. * Horton’s
been touring the bkm circuit this
season in the former Vehicle,

Wednesday, Anffwt 4» 1954

LEGITIMATE

S9

Timberlake’* Biug Fab
To Capture ‘The Bishop
Of B’way’: David Belasco

Craig Timberlake has written
“The Life and Work of David Bel-
„c(><y The Bishop of Broadway” (Li-
brary Publishers; $4.75). •

Mr Timberlake is a performer
on the Fred Waring tv show. He
made his New York debut as' a Gil-
bert & Sullivan singer in 1949, and
later appeared with Katharine
Hepburn as Rowland in “As You
Like. It,” •.

It is a pity that a work upon
■ W hich so much devotion has been
lavished fails to come to life. Bel-
asco remains the “elusive Pimper-
nel” of the Grand 'Legit.

Early in this century, William
Winter, drama critic and stage his-
torian, began to write a monumen-
tal life of Mr* Dave. Death halted
Winter’s work, which, nevertheless,
was published id two volumes and
well over 1,000 pages, in 1918. Tim-
berlake views the Winter undertak-
ing with small appreciation, al-
though he has used the latter’s
findings extensively.

It may be, as Timberlake asserts
(in an odd comment from a deriva-
tive biographer), that Winter’s
phrases were “pompous”— but the
old gentleman at least ;stuck to his
subject matter.

Belasco often 1 becomes side-
tracked and lost in Timberlake’s
book, and the tome is poorly bal-J
anced. Whereas Winter devoted*
two volumes to bringing the pro-
ducer to 1917, Timberlake’s 412-
page tract supplies less than 100
pages (the only “new” material in
the biography) to Belasco’s activi-
ties between 1917 and his death in
1931. Yet this was the period dur-
ing which Mr. Dave produced and
directed “The Auctioneer,” “The
Gold Diggers,” “The Son-Daugh-
ter,” “Kiki," “Shore Leave,” “The
Merchant of Venice” (with David
Warfield as Shylock), “Mary, Mary
Quite Contrary,” “Laugh, Clown,
Laugh,” “Ladies of the Evening,”
“The Dove,” “Lulu Belle,” “The
Bachelor Father,” “Mima,” ‘It’s a
Wise Child,” and “Tonight or
Never,” among other presentations.

Timberlake adds very little to
general knowledge of Belascb. An
appendix to his book, containing
letters from Mrs. Leslie Carter to
Belasco, reveals more about his
hero as a human being than all the
rest of the volume. JDoum.

Frisco Fops Concerts ,
Getting Sellout Trade

San Francisco, Aug. 3.

Arthur Fiedler and the . San
Francisco Fops Concert series are
proving jtcfbe one of the biggest
draws in town. Nearly all of the
four concerts performed so far
have sold out. Five more remain
to be played.

Biggest crowd, was at the July
24 performance, when a full house
of 7,000 packed the Civic Auditori-
um, with over 1,000 turned away.
The concerts are scaled from 30c
to $2.40, with a gross of $5,500 for
a sellout.

Tinian’ $15,200, Toronto

Toronto, Aug. 3.

On annual “Civic Holiday” long
weekend, with jmost theatregoers
out of town and the weather dis-
couragingly hot, Leighton K. Brill’s
production of “Finian's Rainbow”
fell off to a near break-even $15,-
200 last week at Melody Fair.
Masked-off Arena Gardens 5,300-
seater theatre-in-the-round setup
was scaled at $2.50 top. Piece
starred Mimi Kelly and Wilton
Clary.

With Clifford Harvuot and
Arlyne Frank in the leads r the
current “Desert Song” had" a hefty
$8,000 advance.

Strawhat Biz

Continued from pas* 1

Lyeell

Continued from pace SS

Huntington Hartford on the Coast
and therefore unavailable to return
to Westport, the Langners and Wil-
son hired James Awe, a non-
ATPAM manager (he’s an Actors
Equity member), to run the house.
The union protested and, when
that proved unavailing, declared
the Westport spot “unfair,”
“Unreasonable” Charge
It immediately called Lycett off
his job.: Although the. Langners
and Wilson claim he has a personal
contract as subscription manager
as well as p.a., Lycett had to walk
out of both assignments. He de-
clines to discuss the situation, re-
ferring questioners to Mrs. Lang-
ner and the union.

Mrs. Langner has expressed sat-
isfaction with* Awe’s work as house
manager and adds that she, her
husband and Wilson, are deter-
mined to resist what they regard
as the unreasonable attitude Of the
umon j n common with most other
strawhat managements, she asserts
y,L a t there are relatively few
ATPAM members qualified <for*the
specialized summer theatre field
and that most of them would not
Work _ f or * the limited salaries
available.

4 i,J h ? Westport management says
il\ 0 i ie s i , n °thing whatever to specu-
ation that it Is considering breach-

Fnt° n ^u Ct act * 0n against Lycett.

.the summer season now
ai the halfway mark and the bam

S atin i without apparent diffi-
u, y ’ ^ spot is unlikely to
SSfW* under to ATPAM. Par-
unaKi 1 * y S nce the union has been
as usual » t0 wily even
ei A-£r Ppor * * rora Actors Equity,

unin^ Fl uu a * filia t e and the sole
union with power i n the silo field.

serrfn? 0 * 3 ®® n °it held over for a
* akp nd * eek *‘Gigi” at the Great
totch Dran / a Festival, Saginaw,
thl p ‘ * LI *y Dodge, daughter o i
ioinpH°\u rnor *®F. Connecticut, has
Toppfhi!?® cast of ,4put Them All
■the® nST' currently trying out at

«n 1 ^ t 3 or ? i C ^“ H Playh ° USe - La ‘

number of names playing the cir-
cuit have proved solid b.o.

Probably the hottest draw this
season is Tallulah Bankhead, who’s
been selling out in the touring
“Dear Charles.” Actress set a new
high at the Ivoryton (Conn.) Play-
house, copping $15,200 for a week’s
stand. She also established a new
high at the Cape Playhouse, Den-
nis, Mass. Another strong puller
was Helen Hayes in a four-week
play series at the Falmouth Play-
house, Coonamessett, Mass.

Television talent is continuing to
show marquee strength, notably
Fay Emerson, Imogene Coca and
Patricia Benoit. All three have
broken b.o. records this season.

Miss Coca hit a new high at the
Westport (Conn.) Country Play-
house, pulling over $15,000 in
“Happy Birthday.” Opening week
records were established by Miss
Emerson and Miss Benoit, respec-
tively, at the Sea Cliff (L. I.) Sum-
mer Theatre and the Theatre-by-
the-Sea, Matunuck, R. I. Former
drew $10,300, including tax, in the
trybut of William McCleery’s “The
Lady Chooses,” white tatter took in
$7,800 in “Gigi.”

Others who’ve been b.o. have
included Charles Coburn, Joan
Blondell, Constance Bennett and
Jeanette MacDonald. Coburn in
“You Can’t Take It With You” set
a new record at the Salt Creek'
Theatre, Hinsdale, 111., drawing
just under $20,000 in a fortnight’s
stand.

Miss Blondell in “Happy Birth-
day” got Philadelphia’s Playhouse
in the Park the biggest opening
week in its history with a $13,000
take. “Sabrina Fair” package,
starring Miss Bennett, hit a record
$8,300 at the Lakes Region Play-
house, Laconia-Gilford, N. H., and
Miss MacDonald grossed $40,000 in
“Bittersweet” at the Iroquois Am-
phitheatre, Louisville, Ky., break-
ing a 16-year record.

Bucks County Playhouse, New
Hope, Pa.; is registering excellent
grosses, with two-week runs of
“Confidential vClerk” and “Aboard
the Bandwagon” getting smash biz.
“Song of Norway” package was a
strong opener at the Spa Summer
Theatre, Saratoga, N. Y., winding
Up a week’s stand with $7,600.
Melody Fair, Toronto, production
of “Oklahoma" hit a record $34,-
300. A new high was established
at the Berkshire Playhouse, Stock-
bridge, Mass., with a $6,020 take
on “My 3 Angels.”

Summer theatres that have shut-
tered are the Wesihampton (L. I.)
Playhouse; -Strand Theatre, Wil-
mington; Hunterdon Hills Play-
house, Jutland, N. J.; and the Mu-
sicarnival, Lake George, N. Y.-Last
named was a tent operation. Re-
cent addition to the Equity barn
roster, the Grand Theatre, is sched-
uled to open soon in London, Ont.

WISH’ $26,000 AT Pin,
WITH 2 SHOWS DUNKED

Pittsburgh, Aug. 3.

‘Wish You Were Hera” got a
tough break last week -at Pitt
Stadium -when final performance
Saturday (31) was washed out by
the storm and the Thursday at*
tendance was held down by rain,
which ended the show midway.

Even atHhat, the ihusical wound
up with $26,000 f a pleasant surprise
to the sponsors, who figured it one
of the season’s weak entries. Cast
was headed by Sheila Bond, Jack
Cassidy, Patricia Marand and Paul
Valentine, all from the original
Broadway production.

Current is “Student Prince,”
with Brian Sullivan, Jeanette Mac-
Donald winds up the al fresco sea-
son next week with “Bittersweet.”

King’ $97,000, SI;
Martin-‘Pan’ 54G,

San Francisco, Aug. 3.

For the second straight week
Frisco legit biz was brisker than
brisk, despite the heat wave. Two
house records toppled, with only
three, houses open.

“King and I” starring Yul Bryn-
ner and Patricia Morison broke the
house record for the second week
in a row at the Opera House.
“South Pacific” two years ago
racked up the previous mark, a fat
$88,000. “King” drew $97,000 last
week and $94,800 the week before.
Civic Light Opera has fewer sub-
scribers this year at the special
rate and more seats are going to
the public at the full rate.

“Peter Pan,” which . previously
set a new house record of $53,200
at the Curran, again cracked Dan-
ny Kaye’s $50,000 mark with a fat
$54,000. But again, operating in
the show’s favor is a $5.50 top as
against a $4.40 when Kaye set his
mark.

Estimates for Last Week

King and I, Opera House (3d wk)
($4.75; 3,252) (Yul Brynner, Patri-
cia Morison). Sky-high with $97,-
000 (previous week, $94,800).

Peter Pan, Curran (2d Wk) ($5.50;
1,758) (Mary Martin). New house
record at $54,000 (previdus week,
$53,200).

Picnic, Geary (5th wk) ($3.85; 1,-
550) (Ralph Meeker). Over $15,600
(previous week, $13,000).

Channiiig 36G, Chi;

Ginger

Susan Hight, who replaced Isa-
bel Bigley on Broadway in the
lead of “Guys and Dolls,” engaged
to Washington publicist Robert R.
Denny . . . Audrey Michaels back
in N. Y. and in publicity depart-
ment of National Concert & Artists
Corp. ... Jeff Morrow now in Dub-
lin, doing a film with Rock Hud-
son and Barbara Rush, “Captain
Lightfoot.”

Chicago, Aug. 3.

Chi’s two shows held their own
last week despite return of steamy
weather. Couple of fair-sized con-
ventions helped a bit.

Estimates for Last Week

Time Out for Ginger, Harris
29th wk) ($4.15; 1,000) (Melvyn
Douglas). • Almost $9,800 (previous
week, $9,700).

Wonderful Town, Shubert, (4th
wk) ($4.60; 2,100) (Carol Chan-
ning). Nearly $36,000 (previous
week, $37,300).

‘PACIFIC’ $22,200, WASH.;
SETS LOCAL RUN MARK

Washington, Aug. 3.

“South Pacific” held about even,
at $22,200 at the National here last
week, the 11th of its summer run
here. Musical exits Aug. 14 after a
13-week engagement, longest in lo-
cal history.

Rodgers-Hammerstein hit goes
next to Toronto and then to Mont-
real.

‘Syracuse’ 22G, L'vOIe

Louisville, Aug. 3.

Blackburn Twins in “Boys From
Syracuse,” Rodgers and Hart mu-
sical based on Shakespeare’s
“Comedy of Errors,” grossed a fair
$22,000 last week at the Iroquois
Amphitheatre here. Patronage was
down after the previous week's
“Bitter Sweet,” with Jeanette Mac-
Donald starred, set a $40,000 gross
record for the open air theatre.

Featured in support of the Black-
burn’s were Joey Faye, Herb
Corey, Mildred Cook, Victoria
Sherry, Evelyn Ward, Ronnie Cun-
ningham and Emalyn Remmel.

“Three Musketeers” is current,
with Don Ameche as* star, and
Gloria Hamilton, Jack Goode and
Rose Jnghram top^featured.

in; ‘Apple’ $12,800,

Scheduled B’way Openings

(Theatre indicated if set )

Almanac, Imperial (8-23) (re-
opening).

Fifth Season, Cort (9-5) (reopen-
ing).

Home Is the Hero, Booth (9-22).

Summer Long, Coronet (9-23).

Boy Friend, Royale (9-30).

Dear Charles, Morosco (9-15).

Peter Pan, W. Garden (9-30).

Reclining Nude, Lyceum (10-7L

On Your Toes, 46th St. (10-11).

Tender Trap, Longacre (10-11).

Fragile Fox, Belasco (10-12).

Ensemble (rep.), Bijou (10-15),

Champagne Complex (10-27).

: Flowering Peach (10-27).

->■ Rainmaker, Cort (10-28).

Living Room, Miller (11-11).

Quadrille, Coronet (11-3).

Fanny, Majestic (11-4).

Festival (11-10).

Tonight Samarcand, National
, (early Nov.)

Untitled Sidney Kingsley Play,
Broadhurst (mid. Nov.).

Hot Rock (11-22).

Sandhog, Phoenix (11-23).

Black-eyed Susan (Late Nov.).

Mrs. Patterson (12-1).

House of Flowers, Alvin (12-23).

Silk Stockings, Imperial (12-29).

Desperate Hours (1-26).

Torgy’ (36, LA;
M OK $13,600

Los Angeles, Aug. 3.

Continued , heat wave kept local
legit grosses below hopes last week,
although all houses stayed on the
right side of the ledger. “Seven
Year Itch” left town after five
weeks at the Biltmore, which now
has nothing in the offing until De-
cember.

Estimate* for Last Week

Lady’s Not for Burning, Ivar, 3d
wk) (499; $3,30). Drew $3,000 and
will wind up next Saturday (7).

N. Y. City Ballet, Greek. Theatre
(4th wk) (4,407; $3,60). Fourth pro-
gram snared $37,600.

Porgy. and Bess, Philharmonic
Aud (3d wk) <2,670; $4,80). Boff
$63,300, including tax.

Seven Year Itch, Biltmore (5th
wk) (1,636; $3;85). Final frame’s
$13,600 gave it a total of $79,000
for the five weeks.

That’s Life, Las Palmas (5th . Wk)
(400; $3.30). Got $5,800.

Yiddisher Dragnet, Civic Play-
house, (2d wk) (400; $3). Up to
$3,600.

TANAMA’ HEFTY $49,000
IN ST. LOO MUNY WEEK

St. Louis, Aug. 3.

“Panama Hattie!’ drew an okay
$49,000 in the Forest Park play-
house last week, with about 55,000
payees. Heat wave failed to dry up
business. Mary McCarty, Lew
Parker, Doriny Scholl, Martha Ste-
wart, Colee Worth, Dick Bernie
and Nick Bullett played leads.

“Where’s Charley?” opened last
night (Mon.) for a seven-night
stand before an audience of 7.500
and a. gross of approximately $6,-
000. Gil Lamb heads the cast.

♦ Receipts continued to wilt on
Broadway last week. All but the
smash shows were nicked, with one
entry dipping $7,000. Current may
hold about steady but isn’t ex-
pected to afford substantial rejief.
Upturn is due Aug. 16.

Weaker entries are still holding,
with only two shows calling it quits.
These are “Golden Apple;”’ and
“Carousel.” Both are *exiting next

‘Blondes’ Nifty $58,000
In Starlight Week, K.C.

Kansas City, Aug. 3.

Slight letup in the heat wave
and 4 sock show brought a $58,000
gross for “"Gentlemen Prefer
Blondes” last week at the Starlight
Theatre in Swope Park. An enthu-
siastic performance • by Penny
Singleton as Lorelei and Betty
O’Neil very much in character as
the show girl, Dorothy, sparked the
musical. .

“Hit the Deck,” opened last night
(Mon.) as the seventh production
of the season with Sterling Hollo-
way in the lead.

‘Winslow* 18G, Salt Creek
Hinsdale, 111., Aug. 3.

Salt Creek Theatre here regis-
tered just under $18,000 during
its two-week presentation, ending
last Saturday (31), of “The Wins-
low Boy” with Vincent Price
starred,

Current at the Marshall Migatz
strawhat is Joe E. Brown in George
Kelly’s “The Show Off.”

weekend (7-8), with, the former show
moving to the Carter Barron Thea-
tre, Washington, for a two-week
windup nan beginning Monday (9).

Estimates for Last Week

Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama),
CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Revue),
MC ( Musical=€omedy ). MD (Musi-
cal-Drama), O (Opera), OP ( Op-
eretta ).

Other parenthetic designations
refer, respectively, to weeks played,
number of performances through
last Saturday, top prices, number
of seats, capacity gross and stars.
Price includes 10% amusement tax,
but grosses are net: i.e., exclusive
of tax.

Anniversary Waltz, Broadhurst
(C) (17th wk; 131; $4.60; 1,160;
$28,000) (Macdonald Carey, Kitty
Carlisle), Just under $9,500 (pre-
vious week, $10,200).

By the Beautiful Sea, Majestic
(MC) (17th wk; 132; $6.90; 1,510;
$58,000) (Shirley Booth). Almost
$23,000 (previous week, $26,300).

Caine Mutiny -Court Martial,
Plymouth (D) (28th wk; 220; $5.75-
$4.60; 1,062; $33,500) (Lloyd Nolan,
John Hodiak, Barry Sullivan). Just
$33,400; first time under capacity,
with some empty seats Saturday
(31) (previous week, $33,700).

Can-Can, Shubert (MC) (65th wk;
516; $6.90; 1,361; $50,160). Just
$42,200 (previous week, $45,800).

Carousel, City Center (MD) (9th
wk; 72; $3.60; 3,099; $46,000). Al-
most $16,200 (previous week, $23,-
200); closes next Sunday <8).

Golden Apple, Alvin (MC) (15th
wk; 119; $4.60-$3.45; 1,150; $40,807).
Almost $12,800 (previous week,
$14,000); closes Saturday <7).

King of Hearts, Lyceum (C)
(18th wk; 138; $5.75-$4.60; 995;
$23,389) (Donald Cook, Jackie
Cooper). Over $7,700 (previous
week, $9,000).

Kismet, Ziegfeld (O) (35th wk;
276; $6.90; 1,528; $57,900) (Alfred
Drake). Nearly $50,300 (previous
week. $53,000).

^Oh Men, Oh Women, Miller (C)
(33rd wk; 270; $5.75-$4.60; 920;
$23,248) (Lloyd Bridges). Same as
previous week, over $7,000.

Pajama Game, St. James (MC)
(12th wk; 92; $6.90; 1,571; $51,717)
(John Raitt, Janis Page, Eddie Foy
Jr.). Almost $51,700 again.

Sabrina Fair; Royale (C) (37th
Wk; 293; $4.60; 1,172; $24,OOQ).
Nearly $9,000 (previous week,
$9,800).

Seven Year Itch, Fulton (C)
(89th wk; 709; $5.75-$4.60; 1,063;
$24,000) (Tom Ewell). Over $13,000
(previous week, $15,300).

Solid Gold Cadillac, . Music Box

(C) (39th wk; 309; $5.75-$4.60;
1,077; $27,811). Just under $13,500
(Previous week, $15,200).

Tea and Sympathy* Barrymore

(D) (44th wk; 349; $5.75-$4.60;
1,060; $28,300) (Joan Fontaine). Al-
most $17,800 (previous week, $18,-
100 ).

Teahouse of the August Moon,

Beck (C) (42nd wk; 336; $5.75-
$4.60; 1,214; $31,681) (David Wayne,
John Forsythe). Went clean again,
holding at almost $32,200; b.o. scale
was hiked Monday (2) to $5.95 on
Saturday night and $5.50 during
the week.

‘Marietta’ Tuneful 40G,
First Week in Dallas

* Dallas, Aug. 3.

State Fair Musicals’ fourth in-
door production of. the . season,
“Naughty Marietta,” drew a $40,-
000 gross for its first seven per-
formances through Sunday (1)
matinee. Break in record heat
wave, with temperatures below 100
degrees and good rainfall, backed
the smash local reviews to give
the Victor Herbert piece a hefty
sendoff. Season’s only operetta
continues this week, with Patrice
Munsel and Jim Hawthorne top-
ping the cast. . , .

Rehearsals “started yesterday
(Mon.) for “Panama Hattie,” with
Vivian Blaine, Buddy Ebsen and
Arthur Treacher set for Aug. ‘9-22.
Season’s closer will star Imogene
Coca in the first off -Broadway
staging of “Wonderful Town,” Aug.
23-Sept. 5.

60

LEGITIMATE

Vcdne»day, August 4, 1954.

/

Rodgers and Hammersteln have
postponed until the fall of 1955
their musical, “Pipe Dream,"
adapted from a John Steinbeck
story . . Robert E. Sherwood, due
next month from England, is ex-
pected to bring a completed script
of “The Better Angels," for pos-
sible production this season by the
Playwrights Co. . , . Jed Harris is
planning a production of “The
Loud Red Patrick," John BorufTs
dramatization of Ruth McKenney’s
biography of her grandfather.

Virginia Copeland, who won the
audition to replace Priscilla Gil-
lette in “Golden Apple,” rates as
a discovery of Mary Hunter. Lat-
ter producer-director picked ' her
as femme lead for the Hunter con-
cert platform package, “Musical
Americana" last fall. Incidentally,
prior to resuming as a concert
tourer this fall, a capsuled version
of “Musical Americana” has been
playing as a curtain-raiser novelty
on the summer circuit.

Ralph Alswang will design the
sets, costumes and lighting for
“Fragile Fox," which goes into re-
hearsal Aug. 24 ..Donald Flamm
and his wife sailing on the Inde-
pendence today (Wed.) for a two-
month o.o. of legit in Paris and
London, with Flamm keeping an
eye open for a possible import ..
Bob Shaver, appearing with Helen
Gallagher and Bill Hayes in “On
the Town” at the Music Theatre,
Highland Park, 111., takes over
the Frank Lippencott role next
Friday (6) in the Chicago company
of “Wonderful Town/’

Franchot Tone will make his
managerial bow next season as co-
producer with Ted Mann of Robert
Thom’s “The Minotaur.” Script was
originally acquired by the Circle
in the Square, but was turned over
to Mann, a member of that group.
Tone and Mann are also scheduled
to produce Thom’s “Starfish,” re-
cently purchased by the actor-
turned-producer. . i . Stratford
(Ont.) Shakespearean Festival has
been extended one week to Aug.
28. John Yorke and Max Gendel
are sending “Getting Gertie’s Gar-
ter” on the road next season with
a Sept. 16 opening at the Court
Square Theatre, Springfield. Mass.
The Avery Hopwood script has
been revamped' by Charles George.
Production will be directed by Nat
Burns, who’ll also be in the cast.
. . . Norman Thomson, Bernard

Legit Bits

Deckle and Mariko Niki, have ac-
quired the production rights for
“Teahouse of the August Moon" in
Japan. Miss Niki is featured in the
Broadway production of the com-
edy and, although previously a per-
former in Japan, she’ll not appear
in the play there.

Pressagent Arthur Jay Levy re-
joined “Time Out for Ginger" in
Chicago after a six-week vacation
at his Connecticut home . .

George White is now planning
to preem his new “Scandals” on
Broadway next spring . . -. Press-
agent Arthur Cantor is loafing this
week at Fire Island, N. Y. -. . . Jill
Kraft, will play the ingenue lead
in “Darling, Darling," the Anita
Loos comedy adapted from the
French. It gets a tryout at the
Pocono Playhouse, Mountainhome,
Pa., prior to a Broadway produc-
tion next winter . . . Joe Magee
and Charley Baker, of the William
Morris legit department, now plan
to live year-around at the Sneden’s
Landing, N. Y- , place they rented
for the summer , . . After visiting
friends in the midwest, Martyn
Green will direct and star in a
production of “The Mikado" at the
Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, in
mid-September.

Brenda Lewds, stage - concert
singer seen last in “Girl in Pink
Tights,” is singing Salome in the
final scene from the Strauss opera,
to feature Tanglewood on Parade,
Aug, 13, in Lenox, Mass., when
the annual event to benefit the
Berkshire Music Center is held . . .
Burton Wohl, formerly on the
Sunday staff of the N. Y. Times
and a reporter for Time and Life
in Rome, joined the press depart-
ment of the Metropolitan Opera
this week.

Sneak thieves who broke into
the Selwyn Theatre Bldg,, N. Y.,
Monday night (2) merely ransacked
the office of Sol Jacobson^ press-
agent for "Teahouse of the August
Moon,” but didn’t even take the
supply of postage stamps: Shubert
Alley characters quipped that the
intruders must have been looking
for house seats ... Jack Schlissel
will be general manager for the
Joshua Logan-David Merrick pro-
duction of “Fanny,” with Dick
Weaver as p.a. Chandos Sweet
succeeds Schlissel next week as
manager of “By the Beautiful Sea.”
George Gaynes out of “Wonderful
Town,” currently at Chicago’s

Shubert, for three weeks>rest. Dick
Smart is subbing as featured male-j
lead in the musical.

Christopher Fry will adapt,
Harold Clurman will direct and
Michael RedgraVe will star in “La
Guerre de Troie N’Aura Pas Lieu”
(“The Trojan War Shall Not Take
Place”), • by Jean Giraudoux, to be
produced in London next spring by
Robert L. Joseph in partnership
with West End manager Stephen
Mitchell, and on Broadway the fol-
lowing season by Joseph, Play
will be retitled.

Alan Schneider, who will stage
Robert Anderson’s “All Summer
Long” for the Playwrights Co., has
returned from a European 'vaca-
tion , . . Elia Kazan, stager of “Tea
and Sympathy,” is due from the
Coast today (Wed.) to ready . the
touring company Of the drama,
with Deborah Kerr as star . .
Walter Kerr, drama critic of the
N, Y. Herald Tribune, ajad his play-
wright-wife, Jean Kerr, return
tomorrow (Thurs.) 'from a month’s
stay iii London < . . Producer Rich-
ard Myers is due from London
today and will weekend at Cape
Cod to see “Dear Charles,” which
he and Richard Aldrich will pre-
sent Sept. 15 at the Morosco. N.Y.,
with Tallulah Bankhead as star.

Barn Notes

Jean Stapleton, after several
parts in shows at the Pocono Play-
house, Mountainhome, Pa., goes to
Philly next week to appear at the
Playhouse-in-the Park in “Time of
the Cuckoo.” She takes time off

next Saturday afternoon (7) for a
tele stint on “Camera Three” on
CBS-TV . . . Mimi Benzell, with
June Carroll and Arthur Maxwell,
open Friday . (6) in the Highland
Park (111.) Music Theatre’s two-
week ‘)Show Boat.”

t

Eric Elgar on leave of absence
from “Arabian Nights” to appear
in featured role at the Westhamp-
ton Star Playhouse, Westhampton
Beach, L. I.

Tom Barbour's “Champagne For
Two/’ winning entry in the third
annual national playwriting con-
test conducted by Don Swann, Jr.,
will preem at the latter’s Hilltop
Theatre, Lutherville. Md„ the week
of Aug. 24. Resident members will
appear in the play, to be directed
by. Frederick Meyer . . . Sandra
Hochman is featured in the Con-
stance Bennett “Sabrina Fair”
package at the Clinton (Conn.)
Playhouse this week. She’ll also
appear in “Time of the Cuckoo” at
the barn next week.

Pasadena Fund Loans
To Needy Young: Talent

\ Pasadena, Aug. 3.
Scholarship loan fund to aid in-
digent but promising youngsters
has been established at the Pasa-
dena Playhouse under the terms
of the will of the late Charles Fill-
more Pricket, long-time financial
leader of the organization, who
died last week.

Roger Stevens

Continued from page 1 sasias

Joan” tour, with jean Arthur
starred.

Additionally, h e’ 1 1 produce
Christopher Fry’s “The Dark Is
Light Enough” in partnership with
Katharine Cornell, who will star-
in the play. Comedy is a current
click in London, with Edith Evans
as star. Stevens slate also includes
Baruch Lumet’s “Once Upon a
Tailor,” in which he’ll be part-
nered with George Boroff.

Besides his producing activities,
Stevens is a prolific legit investor,
a /realtor (heading the syndicate
that owns the Empire State build-
ing and numerous other ^holdings)
and is a theatre operator through
Producers Theatre, which has the
Morosco and Coronet, N. Y., under
lease.

Strawhat Tryouts

(Aug. 2-15)

Aboard the Bandwagon, revue—
Grist Mill Playhouse, Andover,
N. J. (Reviewed in Variety, July
28, ’54).

Automobile Man, by Calder
Willingham — Bucks County Play-
house, NOw Hope, Pa. (2-7) Re-
viewed in Variety this week).

Dear Charles, by Alan Melville

— Theatre-by-the-Sea, Matunuck,
R. I. (2-7); Falmouth Playhouse,
Coonamessett, JVIass. (9-14) (Re-
viewed in Variety, July 14, ’54),

‘Feathered Fauna, by Charles
Robinson and Jean Dalrymple —
Somerset (Mass.) Playhouse (9-14).

Iron Gate, by John T, Chapman
— r Berkshire Playhouse, Stock-
bridge, Mass. (9-14).

Jimmy Potts Gets a Haircut, by
George Panetta — John Drew The-
atre, East Hampton, L. J. (9-14).

Magic Morning, by Thomas
Phipps and Russell Medcraft —
Ivy Tower Playhouse, Spring Lake,.
N. J. (2-7).

Sin of Pat Muldoon,- by John
McLiam — Pocono Playhouse,
Mountainhome, Pa. (9-14).

Southwest Corner, by John Cecil
Holm — Spa Theatre, Saratoga,
N. Y. (9-14).

Summer’s Day, by Reginald Law-
rence— Lakeside Summer Theatre,
Lake Hopatcong, N. J. (3-8).

Triumph of Honor, by Alexandro
Scarlatti — White* Barn Theatre,
Westport, Conn. (7-8).

Trouble in Tahiti, by Leonard
Bernstein, and Thirteen Clocks, by
James Thurber— Somerset (Mass.)
Playhouse (2-7) (Reviewed in
Variety, July 28, ’54).

Vegetable, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
— Marblehead (Mass, Summer The-
atre (2-7).

Walk Tall, revue — Lakewood
Playhouse, Barnesville, Pa. (2-7);
Clinton (Conn.) Playhouse (9-14)
(Reviewed in Variety, July 28,
’54).

Death and Taxes, by Warren E,
Murray — Dorset (Vt.) Playhouse
( 6 - 8 ).

Put Them All Together, by

Theodore Hirsch and Jeanette
Patton — Lakes Region Playhouse,
Gilford-Laconia, N. H. (2-7) (Re-
viewed in Variety this weekh

Out of This Wilderness, by Jo-
seph F. Ingham — Outdoor Theatre,
Selinsgroye, Pa. (4-5, 7);

Stranger from the Hills, by Nor-
man Vein — Tuffs Arena Theatre,
Medford, Mass. (3-8).

Traveler’s Joy, by Arthur Macrae

— Berkshire Playhouse, Stock-
bridge, Mass. (Reviewed in
Variety, July 26, ’50).

Current London Shows

London, Aug. 3.

(Figures denote premier* dates)
After th* Ball, Globe (6-10-54).

Airs Shoestring, Royal Ct. (4-22-53).
Angels In Love, Savoy (2-11-54).

Both Ends. Meet, Apollo (6-0-54).

Boy Friend, Wyndham’s (12-1-53).
Cockles A Champagne, Saville (5-28-54).
Dark Light Enough, Aldwych (4-30-54).
Day By The. Sea, Haymarket (11-26-53).
Duenna, Westminster (7-28-54).

Folies Berger#, Pr. Wales (9-24-53).

Guys and Dolls, Colllieum (5-28-53).
Hippo Dancing; Lyric (4-7-54).

I Am a Camera, New (3-12-54).

Intimacy At 8:30, Criterion (4-29-54).
Joyce Grenfell, Fortune (6-2-54).

King and I, Drury Lane (10-8-53).

Love Match, Viet Palace (11-10-53). '
Manor of Northstead, Duchess (4-28-54).
Meet a Body, Duke York (7-21-54).

MOon Is Blua, Vaudeville (3-5-54).
Mousetrap, Ambas. (11-25-52).

Murdar Story, Cambridge (7-22-54).
Never Too Late, Strand (6-3-54).

Pal .Joey, Princes (3-31-54).

Relations Apart, Garrick (8-3-54).

Six Characters/ St. Jas. (7-20-54).
Teahouse Aug. Moon, Her Maj. (4-22-54).
Wedding In Parts, Hipp. (4-3-54).
Witness Prosecution, W. Card. (10-28-53).
Wooden Dish, Phoenix (7-27-54).

You'll Be Lucky, Adelphl' (2-25-54).

Your Entertainment, Lindsey (7-27-54).

Pygmalion $£,200, Reading, Pa.

Reading, Pa„ Aug. 3.

Hefty biz continued at the Green
Hills Theatre here last week, with
the Berks Players taking in almost
$2,200 for five performances of
“Pygmalion.” Attendance totalled a
near 1,300, with house sold out
Friday and Saturday nights (30-31).

“Male Animal” is current.

‘Moon’ Is A# Chr«r, LI,

But Not East Hampton

East Hampton. N. Y. r Aug. 3.

The “Mbon” won’t shine on East
Hampton this -summer. Producer
Ron Rawson has cancelled his
scheduled booking of “Moon i s
Blue” at the John Drew Theatre
here Aug. 16-21 bn the grounds
that the film version plus straw-
hat productions elsewhere on Long
Island have dimmed the F. Hugh
Herbert comedy somewhat for local
viewers.

Play has already been given on
the Island at the Hampton Star
Playhouse, Westhampton; the Sea
Cliff Summer Theatre and the Red
Barn Theatre, Northport. Rawson
is moving the new Paul Hartman
revue, “Walk Tall into the Aug.
16-21 slot. Hartman's original book-
ing the following week will be
filled by “This Happy Breed,” with
a cast to be announced. Bramvvell
Fletcher was top-billed in the can-
celled “Moon.”

Deer Lake, Pa., May Fold;
Not Enough Star Draw

Reading, Aug. 3.

Premature closing of Deer Lake
Theatre near here before the
completion of the season is being
considered. “Country Girl,” with
Betty Field and John Beal, last
week did better . business than
previous shows, but producers
Joseph W. Kapfer and Leonard
Soloway have been running at a
loss an'd may have to toss in thu
sponge.

This week’s offering is “Goodbye
Again,” with Jeffrey Lynn and
Elaine Stfitch which opened last
night (Mon.). Unless it makes a
pickup, that will be the finale.

“All the King’s Men,” with no
star mentioned, has been an-
nounced for next wefek. The pro-
ducers are sitting tight until later
in the week before signing a star.

This is the first season for the
return of names at the 350-seat air
conditioned theatre. Stars have in-
cluded Mary Astor, » Fay Bainter,
Kurt Kaznar and Charles Korvin.
House is tabbed at $2 tops.

ADVANCE AGENTS !
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SCHEDULED OPENINGS
Ssbrlns Fair, Palace (8-4-54).

Salad Days, Vaudeville (8-5-54). .

Salome A Prostitute, St. Mart. (7-20-54).
Vienna Blood, Stoll (8-16-54).

CLOSED LAST WEEK
Rsluctant Herots. Whitehall (9-12-50).
We Must Kill Tenl/ W ’minster (0-29-54).

Nancy R. Pollock

APPEARING AS

Leona Samish

“TIME OF THE CUCKOO”

Lakeside TJieatre Landing, M. J.
AUG. 10-15

"SUMMER HOUSE ' 1
"ONE BRIGHT DAY"
"DIAMOND LIL"

ALL MAJOR TV NETWORKS

CAB CALLOWAY

110th Week as Sportin’ Life

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Currently July 12 to Aug. 7
PHILHARMONIC AUDITORIUM
Los Angejts

Mgt.i BIU MITTLER, 1619 Broadway, New York

CHATTER

Pt fitlE Tf

Ttdne»dly, August 4,1954

Hortensia Rivas, columnlstLouU
Sobol's .secretary* ..wed* NBA col-
umnist Dick Kleiner Aug. 7. ■ •

Earl Blackwell, prez of Celebrity
Service, to Eiirope and the Venice
Film- festival .which, starts. Aug. 22.

Pietro Bullio, Scalera Film, prez,
returned to Rome Saturday (31) on
the Cristoforo C.olombo after a six-
week U. S. stay. ' ' ‘

Charles Levy, ad-pub head of
Walt Disney Productions, off bn
vacation swing of Germany, Eng-
land and France. ‘

Ruth and Monroe Greenthal
hosting their annual Westchester
brawl Friday-the-13th when show
biz moves to Scarsdale.

Elizabeth Winston, artists^ rep,
flew yesterday (Tues.) |o Sicily on
biz. Will stop in Milan before re-
turning to N. Y. end of August.

The late producer-publicist Mi-
chael Mindlin’s daughter, Con-
stance, engaged to James W. Hart-
man; she's now with the Damon
Runyon Memorial Fund.

Union Dime Saving? Bank seek-
ing Frederick Sumner Logan, last
known address 1 W. 69 St., who has
unclaimed balance. He’s a writer,
since believed gone to Hollywood.,
Ram Gopal, Hindu dancer not
seen in the U. S. since 1938, arrived
in N. Y. last weekend for appear-
ances at Jacob’s Pillow Dance
Festival, Lee, Mass., next week
(11-14).

George Jessel, just returned
from a European trip, complained
about the mosquitoes in Israel:
“They were bigger than Abe Last-
fogel and anybody else in the en-
tire Morris office.”

Wil Marcus, veepee of Loucks &
Norling Studios, bought the 18-
room Scarsdale estate of Robert K.
Haas, executive veepee of Random
House. It includes over six acres,
plus gardener’s cottage.

Steve Allen, who married Jayne
Meadows this past weekend, is of
a show biz family; his mother was
known as Belle Montrose on the
stage and his late father, Billy Al-
len, was a vaude singer.

Larry Parks and his actress-wife,
Betty Garrett; actor Richard Bur
ton, Metopera singer Robert Mer-
rill and E. R. (Ted) Lewis, man-
aging director of British Decca,
in from Europe Monday (2) on the
Queen Elizabeth.

Paris

By Gene Moskowitz

(28 Rue Huchette; Odeon 49-44)

Larry Adler back to England for
longhair recording sessions.

Hazel Scott topping Moulin
Rouge nitery vaude show here.

“‘‘Greatest Show On Earth” (Par)
being ’ reissued here in four first-
runs.

Jane Russell coming in for ex-
teriors on pic, ‘‘Gentlemen Marry
Brunettes,” in September.

Line Renaud up for possible lead
in London presentation of “Can-
Can,!.’ Miss Renaud is the top disk
name here. ^

Olympia Music Hall goes magico
with its next show, composed only
of' prestidigitation numbers head-
lined by hypno Le Grand Robert.

U. S. film biz personalities here
are Carmel Myers, Thelma Jordan
Muriel Berkson and Alfred W
Schwalberg, Miss Myers’ husband
and head of Par distribution.

Sarnia Gamal signed by the Mar-
quis de Cuevas to appear with his
company at the Sarah Bernhardt
Theatre in September in a special
Oriental ballet written for her.

Olivia De Havilland heads back
to Hollywood, after her stint on
the Anglo - Spanish pic, “That
Lady,” for a top role in United
Artists’ pic, “Not As A Stranger.”

Morris Novik, U. S. radio con-
sultant, here from London for a
few days when he repped the U. S.
at a UNESCO conference on the
use of tv for educational and labor
purposes.

Glenn E. Wailichs, Capitol Rec-
ords prexy, being feted by Pathe
Marconi, Capitol distrib here. Goes
on by auto to Rome, Naples, Flor-
ence, Venice, Stuttgart, Frankfort,
Amsterdam. Hamburg, 'Copenhagen,
London, and then to the U. S. Sept.
10 .

Log strawhatter offering initial
production of new play anywhere,
“Only Young Twice," by Boh Mur-
phy, Minneapolis Star-Tribune film'
editor-critiC. ^Set f or two' weeks,
starting Aug. 4.

Entire- Nicollet Park capacity
sold out in two hours on first come -
first served basis for Aug. 12 ex-
hibition baseball . game^ between
Minneapolis A. A. team and New
York Giants, its parent club, with
many people standing in line all
night. It's Giants’ first appearance
here since it acquired franchise
five years ago.

San Francisco

By Ralph Gleason

Charles Washburn Up from L. A;
in advance of “Seven Year Itch”.

Eddie Laguna, of Gefhe Norman
Presents record firm, in town visit-
ing deejays and Bob Chatton, local
distributor.

Kenneth Dodson, who wrote
“Away All Boats” which was pur-
chased by Universal, here to see
drama eds-and radio interviewers.

Irena Brynner, Frisco jewelry
designer and cousin of Yul.was
robbed of $50 by an armed prowler
who broke into her Marina apart-
ment during the night. ^

Courtney Burr, producer of
‘Seven Year Itch,” in from N, Y.
for opening at the Geary Monday
(2) and host to press at a cocktail
party prior to performance.

Walter Herbert, former San
Franciscan until recently director
of the New Orleans Opera Co.,
here to visit his mother. Next
season Herbert will direct operas
in Shreveport, La.

Atlantic City

By Joe W. Walker

Quarterdeck theatre offering
“Yes, My Darling Daughter” with
Vera Tatum this week.

Elena Nickolaidi featured Tues-
day (3) at seventh annual Ventnor
Summer Music Festival.

Jean Carroll and Russell Arms
into Steel Pier vaudeville with
Charlie Spivak in ^Marine ballroom.

Sally Joan Waller ’ picked as
“Miss New Jersey” here Saturday
(31), with Al Owens, WMlD dee-
jay acting as m.c.

Atlantic City Boy Scout Council
benefits from performance of Joftn
Harris Ice Capades Monday (2),- an
annual gesture by the show’s pro-
ducer.

“One Touch of Venus” opened
Aug. 3 at Gateway Musical Play-
house in surburban Somers Point
featuring Margot Moser, Arthur
Hammond.

By Les Rees

Lionel Hampton combo played
one-night Auditorium date.

Edyth Bush Little Theatre offer-
ing “The Curious Savage.”

“Hippodrome of 1955,” roller-
skater-water show, set for St. Paul
Auditorium Oct. 26-31.

Lanny Ross held over at Hotel
Radisson Flame Room which has
comic Will Jordan and singer
Giselle MacKenzie underlined to
follow in that order.

Theatre-in-Round here to pre-
sent “My Three Angels,” “I Killed
the Count," “Time of Cuckoo/'
“Death Takes a Holiday" and “Bell,
Book and Candle" in fall-winter
season.

For first time in long history, Old

Pittsburgh

By Hal V. Cohen

Raul and Eva Reyes back here
for first time in years for an An-
kara stand.

Mission Players lost one of their
strawhat actors, Jimmy Spino, to
the Army.

Norma Winters back to her old
spot, the White Barn Theatre, for
“Elizabeth Sleeps Out.”

Earl Gordon, manager of the
Squirrel Hill, joined his family at
Crystal Beach, Canada.

McKeesport’s girl bullfighter,
Bette Ford, will be starred in a
WB color featurette based on her
career.

Mrs. Evan Evans, of dancing
Evans Family, went home from
West Penn Hospital after major
surgery.

Sheila Bond to Lido Beach Club
as guest of Sid Caesars after fin-
ishing “Wish You Were Here” at
Pitt Stadium.

WDTV general manager Harold
Lund’s mother flew to Hollywood
to visit her granddaughter, the for-
mer Shirley Stevenson,

Vogue Terrace has big lineup for
September: Julius LaRosa, Billy
Daniels and Harry Belafonte. Kitty
Kallen comes in next October.

Dick Cvetic, who now manages a
theatre in Fargo, N. D., home on
vacation; he’s the son of Matt
Cvetic, who was “a Communist for
the F.B.I.”

Bill Krot, who got his start here
in summer opera chorus eight
years ago, now stage manager for
outdoor Music Theatre, Highland
Park. 111.

Metro’s pew picture house at
Aberdeen, .which • had opening
junket July 26, is fitted- with the
second British Perspecta sound in-
stallation. * . . „ ,

•Gala^preem skedded for Caine
Mutiny" ?t Leicester Square Odeon
Aug. 12, with stars and top brass
from the U.; S. and Royal navies
expected,

A new D’Oyly Carte season of
Gilbert and Sullivan operas opens
at the Savoy later this month fol-
lowing “Angels in Love" which
folds this week,

Eddie Vitch, originally in Folies
Bergere revue, “Paris to Picca-
dilly,” signed up for its 40-week
tour following his return to Lon-
don from the U. S.

Patric Doonan to .replace Rich-
ard Attenborough in Agatha Chris-,
tie’s record-breaker, “The Mouse-
trap," when star ankles thriller
next month for film stint.

Val Parnell’s seventh Palladium
pantomime is to be “Mother
Goose," starring Max Bygraves,
Richard Hearrte, with Margaret
Burton making her West End de-
but as Principal Boy.

Frakson returns to England
after several years absence, open-
ing at the Savoy Hotel Aug. 2 for
two weeks with option. Then he
starts vaudeville tours for Moss
Empires- and Stoll theatres.

Passengers to N. Y. last week in-
cluded Ben Schrift,. Roberta Mac-
Donald, Robert Merrill, Richard
Burton, Larry Parks, with incom-
ers including Patricia Medina,
John Blake, John Fischer, Eugene
Spaulding and William Cowles.

John Van Druteh’s “Bell, Book
and Candle” goes into rehearsal
soon for a pre-London tour in Sep-
tember. Lilli Palmer and Rex Har
rison are set for their original
roles, with Athene Seyler, Liam
Redmond and David Evans in sup-
port.

Exclusive . Pictures signed Eva
Bartok to star in new film, “Break
in the Circle,” in which Stirling
Hayden will play opposite her.
Scripted by Val Guest, who is also
director, film starts shooting Aug.
16, With locations in Hamburg and
Cornwall,

Cicely Courtneidge and Jack
Hulbert are to co-star in a new
comedy thriller, “Miss Tulip Stays
the Night,” being filmed by Jaywell
Productions. It is to be directed by
Leslie Arliss. Other players in-
clude A. E. Matthews, Diana Dors,
Patrick Holt.

Syndicate Halls, operated, by
Gerard Heath, experiments with
No. 2 revues during the summer
months, instead of the usual vaude-
ville shows, as a stopgap. This year
these shows have proved a very
profitable proposition, attributed
primarily to the inclement weather.

Records distrib, took over distrib-
ution of Victor’s Label X. and
Groove platters, formerly handled
by Lop ■ Bbrstejp, : ; ' / ■ ?* : * *

Lester Vihoft and : Mart 1 n
O’Shaughnessy held preview re-
ception for disk jockeys and press
at Hotel Warwick (27) for new
Recordland magazine.

V

Athens

By Irene Velissarlou

Berta Kardova at the Argentina.
Great folk dancers, returned from
successful tour of Israel.

Andrew Nezeritis in’ from a long,"
successful' tour of U. S., England
and France. '

Christine Verssel and Sylvio
Siveira . playing Athens nightclubs
and the Athens radio station,

Hungarian pianist George WeS-
serly, in from Copenhagen, will be
heard over Athens Radio Station.

“They Knew What They Want-
ed" at the Rialto, with Helen
Hatzearguyre and Nico Tzoya
starred*

Robert Rossen, here on Visit,
offered Katina Paxinou a role in
“Alexander the Conqueror,” his
next film.

National Symphony concerts
every Monday night at ^erodous of
Attica Theatre draws mostly long-
hair fans. „

“Hippolytos," ancient Greek dra-
ma presention in the Epidavros
Theatre, was tops here with 10,000
patrons from Athens .and nearby
cities as well as many tourists.

Portland, Ore.

Dell O’Dell, Charles Carrer and
Red Watson at Latin Quarter.

Oregon Film Men will have their
annual golf tourney at Tualitan
Aug. 10-11.

Arthur Lee Simpkins and The
Glenns at Amato’s Supper Club for
three week 3 .

George Amato flew to San Fran-
cisco to catch opening of Frank
Sennes’ Minsky Follies.

Woody Herman and Third Herd
opened a week’s date at Jantzen
Beach Ballroom last night (Tues.),

Ralph Meeker in “Picnic" at the
Auditorium for three days Aug. 8-5
for William Duggan. “King and I*
inked for Aug, 10-14.

Fire Island

By Mike Gross ’

Arnold Auerbach guesting at the
Herman Wouks in SeavieW.

Legit producer Mort Gottlieb in
for a two-day stand with the
Arthur Cantors.

Red Buttons pacing the head-
gear fashion for the beach with a
plaid tarn topped by a white pom-
pom.

Among the weekenders:. Tele
thesp Frank Baxter, Hill & Range
exec Arnold Shaw, and flack Mar-
vin Frank.

Tele producer Irving Mansfield
traded in a weekend at the Con-
cord (N. Y.) for his debut stay at
Ocean Beach.

Record company reps on the
beach: Jack Lewis (RCA Victor),
Arthur Shimkin (Bell), and Jerry
Wexler (Atlantic).

Goldie moves his Fire Island
bistro operation to Gotham in the
fall when he takes over the Q
Club, eastside nitery.

Tele scripters Everett Green-
baum (“Mr. Peepers”) and Regi-
nald Rose (“Studio One”) trekked
to Ocean Beach from Fair Harbor
Saturday to o.o. the night life.
Publisher Herbert E; Marks in
from Ocean Bay Park foF the same
reason.

By Maxwell Sweeney

Turner Layton in for stint at
Theatre Royal, Dublin.

Seamus Kelly, in John Huston’s
“Moby Dick,” hospitalized.

Abbeyite Ronnie Wash opening
recording studios in Dublin.

Radio Eireann Symphony Orch
will do northern Ireland tour, this
fall.

The Capitol in Dublin will be
first Irish cinema to install Vista-
Vision.

Peter D. Rackow, director of
Cinema Films, broke bone in his
foot while vacationing in France.

Scottish chirper Robert Wilson,
currently on stint here, slated .for
three-month U.S. and Canada swing
this fall.

Comedienne Maureen Potter
sicklisted and out of Jimmy
O’Dea’s August revue “Old Ac-
quaintance,” at Dublin Gaiety.

Brendan Smith staging three for
Butlin’s Holiday Camp at Mosney
— “Whiteheaded Boy” (Lennox
Robinson), "French Without Tears”
(Terence Rattigan) and “Love In
a Mist” (Kenneth Horne).

By Jerry Gaghan

Al Freeman, Sands Hotel, Las
Vegasr publicity director, here to
visit ailing mother.

Arnold Orsatti, proprietor of Or-
satti’s midtown cafe, has reopened
his Somers Point, N.J., seashore
spot.

Julie Gibson, danseuse at the
Wedge, made principal address at
luncheon meeting Junior Chamber
of Commerce.

National convention of Veterans
Foreign Wars hiked entertainment
in bars, clubs and film houses by
bringing in estimated 50,000 vets.

Willard Keefe, press rep of
Theatre Guild, in to do missionary
work for coming Guild-American
Theatre Society subscription sea-
son,

Edward S. Bargky, local MGM,

Barcelona

By Joaquina C. Vidal-Gomfs

Maria Aranda in Barcelona in
search for 15 gypsies to form a
Spanish Ballet for Paris dates.

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., in from
Rome, stopped overnight in Madrid.
He left for Malaga for a long rest.

Ismael Merlo legit company at
the Carrion in Valladolid with
“Life in a Block,” play by Carlos
Llopis.

Adolfo Torrado’s new legit play,
“My Spinster’s Flat,” with Mer-
cedes Barranco, Maercedes Mon-
terrey and Mario de Bustos.

Mercedes Vecino with new show,
“Cabalgata Cinematografica,” at
the Calderon. Plays leads herself.
Manolo el Malagueno and Paul
Cancio are in cast.

Gloria Swanson and Lois’ Wilson
in town and made a personal ap-
pearance at Monterrey nitery em-
ceed by journalist Vic Rueda who
came along with them from Ma-
drid. The two former pic stars
are well remembered here from
the time of .silent pix.

O’Brien’s Expecations

Continued from page 5

ture Export Assn, will ask for free
transfer of U. S. film monies from
Britain. One potential stumbling
block has been British production
by the American companies. With
remittances running to around $22,-
000,000 annually, the Hollywood
outfits have an incentive to invest
their blocked earnings locally in
production. With convertibility a
fact, this incentive would’ no longer
exist.

O’Brien said employment in
British studios • had settled down
to a steady level after a 12,000 drop
from 1946 during^ which period
five studios shuttered. He was sat-
isfied with the quality of British
films, he commented, which are
doing Increasingly well in their na-
tive country. There was no need to
raise the present quota, he thought,
unless it was done as a wedge to
force American labor to grant free
trading privileges to the British
industry.

Jack

* . W .; '

> v Osrgon-backTrom two-week
trip; to NrY. and Minneapolis *
Harpo Marx reported in snorf
condiuon at St. John’s hospitS
Santa Monica. * ’

Donna Reed rushed by chartered
plane irona jJaclcson Hole, - Wyo to
Salt Lake City for emergency op!
eration. ^

Irving Berlin in from Washlng-
;£SL’ D \ C/ior further confabs on.
“There’s No Business Like Show
Business.”' i

Ralph Bellamy, prexy of Actors
Equity Assn, and Chorus Equity
sn„ arrived for annual meeting
coast membership.

Assn
of

Marty Cain, indie booker former-
ly with Frank Sennes agency, ill
and in Mi. Sinai Hospital for ob-
servation.

Sam Costellt looking over new
Westgate shopping center for a
site to open new Arthur Murray
branch dance studio.

Four Aces at Sky-Way and rest
of town’s nitery talent doubled
July 29 in Fun For Funds Fair,
outdoor charity mardi gras.

Johnny Huntington, former
bandmaster-booker, sold his home
here and is moving to Detroit to
open liquor package store in
Grosse Point,

Steve Mosberger, one-time .local
prizefighter, had new song tabbed
“Little Sleepy. Head,” published
by Doolie-Williams Co. and waxed
by Georgia Brown on Dootone disk. .

Val Novak made new head of
Koehl, Landis and Landan ad
agency, /Which handles several
niteries here. Succeeds his boss,
Russ Rowan, promoted to account
exec post in New York.

Perry Como, here for “Star
Night,” partied by Tony Carlone,
biz agent for musicians’ lbcal. Long
friendship dates back to era when
Como began crooning in band
formed by Freddy Carlone, brother
of Tony.

Cape Cod

By Earl J. Dias

Rocky Marciano at Manomet.

Edgar Bergen and family visiting
in Hyannis.

Roland Winters vacationing on
Martha’s Vineyard.

Steve Cochran at Dennis in
“Heaven Can Wait.’’

Margaret Truman at Falmouth
Playhouse to do “Autumn Crocus,”

Arthur Sircom has completed his
directing chore at Somerset Play-
house.

Dennis King is at Dennis to re-
hearse for his appearance next
week in “My 3 Angels.”

“Oklahoma” in successful second
week at Richard Aldrich’s Cape
Cod Melody Tent, Hyannis.

Rome

By Robert F. Hawkins

Ruth Roman went to Turin to
start work in Lewis Milestone’s
“The Widow.”

Xavier Cugat, Abbe Lane and
troupe due* in for series of shows
in Rome’s Foro Italico.

Reissue of Richard Thorpe’s
“Tarzan Escapes” lists Johnny
Weissmuller as “the real Tarzan.”

Lucienne Boyer, spotlighted in
new show at the Belvedere dellc
Rose, fashionable local alfresco
nitery.

Nino Taranto and Dolores Pa-
lumbo into Casina delle ’Rose
nitery, using their winter revue
material.

Rossana Ppdesta, Helen in WB
locally shot' "Helen of Troy,”
injured her ankle in crowd scene;
injury is third in pic.

Ingrid Bergman slated to start
new pic soon. Titled “Fear,” it
will be shot in Germany with Ro-
berto Rossellini directing.

Vittorio DeSica back at work
here, starring opposite Gina Lollo-
brigida in “Bread Love, and
Dreams” followup pic titled
“Bread Love and Jealousy.” Luigi
Comencini will' direct the Titanus-
Girosi production.

By Matty Brescia

Tex Beneke crew to Hotel
Claridge’s Magnolia Roof for two
weeks. .

Frank Willis, commercial chief
for WJTV, Jackson, Miss., here on
biz trip.

Jim Ownby, skipper- of WJXN,
Jackson, Miss., checked in here
enroute to Phoenix, to open his
new daytimer, KONI, at Arizona.

Tom O’Neil, Mutual prexy, and
aide Johnny Poole in town hosting
staffers of WHBQ and WHBQ-TV
new properties of General Tele-
radio. A .

Prencess Nelson, Memphis model
hefe for rest from the Copa line,
will judge the Miss Tennessee
Bektity Pagent at Jackson this
week. ’

WILLIAM p* RAOUL
„ rn "' p Raoul, former general
treasurer of the Interna-
fnnal Alliance : of Theatrical Stage
Emploveef and Moving. Picture
«hinp operators of toe U. s,
Ma i h fanada,' died July 26 in
A^fanta Ga, He became a projec-
rSSt While a student at Georgia
KfaX'W appointed to At-
Ss first board ot exantiners o£

PI Tn *1910. Joined Atlanta

ctaee Employees Local. 41 of
?ATSE and helped, establish [Opera-
tes Local. 225 .in 1911. He was
its first secretary and then its pres-
ident for many years. In 1918, he
vas appointed an. Inteiinatiqnal
representative... and was active 4n
hnildinc up that org in. south. He
was ^imed assistant 'International
Sv when Richard F. Walsh took
■Si!? Mie presidency- in-1941, and
was elected general secretary-
treasurer in 1945, serving.; from
then until poor health forced his
retirement last August.

DANIEL HAYNES
The Rev. Dr. Daniel Haynes, 60,
a clergyman who was also a legR
and film actor, died July 28 ifi
Kingston, N. Y„ of a heart attack.
His legit appearances included a
five-year run on Broadway and
on tour in "The Green Pastures.”
He played two supporting roles
in the original production of the
Marc Connelly drama and was cast

an automobile crash. He had
joined KOVR this summer after
serving as an account executive t>f
KJBS, ’San Francisco, for some
time. Prior to that, he had served
in the U. S. wavy and was with
ABC in Chicago,

Surviving are his wife, the for-
mer Patsy Lee of Don . McNeil’s
“Breakfast Club,” and the couple’s
six-months-old daughter.

V CHARLES ROSSKAM •

Charles Rosskam, 81, retired
theatrical agent, died July 29, in
Wildwood . Crest, N. J, He directed
and managed the Chicago Stock
Co., touring with that group for
30 years, appearing in 29 .states
and Canada^ He was also manager
of the Nixon and Regent Theatres
in Wildwood.

A daughter and a son survive;

CHARLES- COTTLE-
. Charles Cottle, 53, a' member of
ine Balaiban & Katz Theatre organ-
ization for 25 years, died July 26
m Chicago. For the last 10 years
he had been a B&K district, man-
ager in charge of the chain’s West
Side theatres in Chicago. Prior
to joining B&K, he was a drummer
with Ted Lewis’ band.

Survived by ’wife and son,

JOHN G. LYMAft

John Gardner Lyman, 53, stage
and radio-tv writer, died July. 26
in New York after a three-year iii-

ln Remembrance

BARRETT H. CLARK

August 5, 1953

His Staff at D.P.S.

as De Lawd when the play was
revived several seasons ago.

Early in his career Dr. Haynes
had roles in “The Bottom of the
Cup" and “Earth.” In 1938 he ap-
peared in “Androcles and the
Lion,” put on in the Lafayette
Theatre in Harlem by the Federal
Theatre Project. He played the
lead in “Hallelujah,” the first all-
Negro pic. Among other films in
which he was seen were “So Red
the Rose,” “Escape From Devil’s
Island.” “The .Last Mile” and
“Androcles and the Lion.”

Wile survives. ■

JOSEPH H, CURTIS

Joseph H. Curtis, 37, vice presi-
dent of the DbnahUe & Coe ad
agency and son of Jack Cohn,
executive veepee of Columbia Pic-
tures, died of a heart attack July
31 in Mount Kisco, N. Y. Long a
cardiac sufferer, he was stricken
at his father’s farm in nearby
Katonah, N. Y., Prior to joining
Donahue & Coe, he was v.p. of
Weiss & Geller, also an ad agency.

Surviving besides his father and
mother are his wife, Jewel, who
retired from the stage upon her
marruigc; two sons and two broth-
ers. One. Ralph, heads Columbia’s
Screen Gems affiliate, and Robert
c oiin is a Columbia studio associ-
ate producer.

LLOYD A. PIXLEY

1>ix ley, 54, part owner
?, f and WLOK-TV in Lima,

D. ; died in Columbus, July 30. Be-
sKies his broadcasting interests, he
'as a civic leader ih Columbus and
a manufacturer.

PiS. loy , father in the

lecu ical business, was executive
lour electric companies and was
a district^ manager in Detroit for
Electric. He was owner
and president of WCOL-AM-FM in
Columbus from 1944 until 1952.

by wife * mother and

mice sons. .

T JEANNE GUSTAVISON
th - e gJ ln f Gustavison, who sang in
■ Louis Municipal Opera for
' CJ ”*fcutive yeats * di e d of can-

tiVori i th ?LS lty July 29 - She re-
voum»i? 1944 “ make room for
si-iinn 01 . sm 8 e rs according to her

join. Kennedy Pr ° ( ’ UCti0n dlreCt01 '

hn Ii! i‘L Gu ^ avis °h r ^ver revealed

willing 0, s R ent a number of

ine ^ !,i sea i s -x 1 ? s ln road shows work-
‘ng out of New York,' . ' •

ness. In collaboration witti Roman
Bohnen he wrote the three-act
play. “Incubator,” which was pro-
duced on Broadway in 1932.

Lyman also wrote “Bacon's' Re-
bellion,” a production of the Group
Theatre.

KUY KENDALL

Kuy Kendall, 60, retired actor-
dancer, died July 21 in Hollywood,
following a heart 'attack. He had
been a choreographer for the
Shuberts and danced with the
Dolly Sisters in the Ziegfeld
Follies;

Kendall also assisted in staging
shows at the Masquers in Holly-
wood. ~

HARVEY C. HODGENS
Harvey C. Hodgens, theatre
architect who designed the Tower
Theatre, in Upper Darby, Pa., and
100 other film and playhouses,
died July 30 in Philadelphia.

Hodgens, who was nationally
known for his theatre architectural
work, was also prominent as a
naval architect. His wife and a
sister survive.

SOJIN KAMIYAMA

Sojin Kamiyama, 70, onetime
actor in Hollywood silent films,
died July 28 in Tokyo. He ap-
peared in U. S. pix from about
1913-1929. He had roles in such
films as “The Thief of Baghdaid”
and “Chinese Parrot.”

In later years Kamiyama worked,
in the Japanese film industry.

Nemo” and “Ben Hur” in the early
1900’s,

, Surviving are three^sisters and a
brother.

(MISS) BILLY TICHENOR
•Mrs. Jerome H. Cargill, 54, for-
mer musicomedy ingenue and
vaudevillian, professionally known
as Billy Tichenor, died July 20 in
New York. During her career she
had worked for the Shuberts and
Florenz Ziegfeld,

Her husband, Jerome H< Cargill,
sr packager-producer, survives.

RUTH ARELL

Ruth Arell, 47, show biz publi-
cist and freelance writer, died July
31 in New York, after a long ill-
ness. She had been with the Mur-
iel Francis office for the pastjseven
years as press rep for music per-
sonalities.

Husband and a sister survive.

RALPH CARE 0

Ralph Care, 36, .lyricist, died
July 22 in New York* He wrote “A
Penny A Kiss,” “Blue December,”
“It’s Not for You” and “I Envy,”
among other tubes.

Surviving are his wife and a
daughter.

Shep Waldman, 59, former book-
er with the Harry and Herman
Weber office and onetime straight-
man in burlesque, died July 24 in
Hollywood. His brothers, Ted and
Al, were blackface comics and: his
sister, Thelma, a pianist.

MARRIAGES

Mimi Cooper to Dave Murray,
Pittsburgh, July 23. He’s news-
caster and program head at WENS,

Grace Weisberg to Jack Weil,
Pittsburgh, JuljP 24. He’s tv head
of Friedman-Rich ad agency.

Virginia Lawnizak to Don
D’Aqitila, Pittsburgh, July 31. He's
with Stanley Warner Theatres.

Marjorie Morse to Milton Saul,
New York, July 31 : . He’s an analyst’
with Metro's eastern story depart-
ment. ’

AnneFleischman Bernpys to Jus-
tin D, Kaplan, New York, July 29.
Bride is an editor and daughter of
publicist Edward 'L. Bernays; he’s
also an editor. .

Susan Ellenn Ott to- John C.
Faulkner III, Petoskey, JMich., re-
cently, Bride is director of Keene
Children’s Theatre, Keene, N.H.

Jayne Meadows to Steve Allen,
Waterford, Conn., July 31, Both are
tv performers.

- BIRTHS

• Mr. and Mrs. Bill Tusher, daugh-
ter. North Hollywood. July 29.
Father is a radio commentator.

Mr. and Mrs, John Springer, son.
New York, July 29. Mother is
singer Monica Lane; father is an
RKQ publicist.

Mr. and Mrs. Terrance Mullin,
daughter, Hollywood, July 29. Mrs.
Mullin is the daughter of Mrs. Her-
bert T. Kalmus.

Labor Envoy

Continued from page 5

Mr! and Mrs. Bob Berry, son,
San Antonio, July 28. Father is on
Thomas H. Ealand, 69, former ! commerctel staff of KITE in that

actor who was general manager of
the Miles The'atre chain in Detroit
from 1914 to 1931, died July 30 in
Ferndale, Mich. He Owned, the
Ferndale Theatre until his retire-
ment last year.

sary ” He -added that Britain might
be forced to •* adopt retaliatory
measures such as the raising, of the
current quota (which he considers
adequate for the moment to pro-
tect British industry interests).

' “It’s ridiculous to maintain that
tv films made in Britain seriously
impair Hollywood employment,”
he held. “,At the present, the num-
ber of tv .films made in British
studios would take up less than
1% of the time available on Amer-
ican networks. And yet, look at
the U.S. record in Britain where
70% of the films shown on the
screens come from America and an
increasing number of. Hollywood
productions find their way onto the
BBC programs.” * ..

Indicative of the seriousness
with which such “outsiders” as the
Motion Picture Export Asssn. con-*
sider the matter is the reception
accorded O’Brien during his stay
here. In'N.Y. yesterday (Tues.) he
was guest of honor at a luncheon
thrown for him by the MPEA and
attended by the foreign 1 toppers
and other execs.

His itinerary calls for Him to
leave for Washington; Friday (6)
for talks with MPEA prexy Eric
Johnston, the British Ambassador
and George Meany,. AFL president.
From the capital he goes to Cin- (
cinriali where Richard Walsh,
IATSE prexy, has invited him to
address the IA convention there.

city.

FatSr MfeU also confer with Dolf Thomas,
^552fSlh T Siili»y?hHi.- P,,h “-! Fill#* Council topper. Later,

TOM HEARN

Tom Hearn, 75, known as the
Lazy Juggler, died July 26 in Lon-
don. Coming from a theatrical*
family, all of whom appeared with
him in his early days, he was. a
star for years.

A pilot in the first World War,
Hearn met Maurice Chevalier in a
prison camp, later became his man-
ager.

JACOB MELOFF

Jacob Meloff, 65, general main-
tenance superintendent for the
William Greenfield Theatres for
18 years, died July 25 in South
Philadelphia. He was in charge of
maintenance at the Carman, Am-
bassador and Byrd Theatres.

His wife, two sons and three
daughters survive.

JOHN F. R. HENRY

John F. R. (Jack) Henry. 65, re-
tired vaudeville, comic and legit ac-
tor, died July 30 in Bronxville y

Nu.Y, , He,.’ .had, lappemieA ■; jn -SWb
Broadway * productions as ’“Little,

J. Myles Putnam, 50, former ac-
tor and theatrical manager, was
found dead July 28 in his New
York apartment. He had a gunshot
wound under his chin and a .22-
caliber rifle lay beside him.

’ 4/0- /

Jacob G. (Jack) Hexter, 68, for
many years a booking agent for the
Pastime, Breeze and Dixie Theatres
in Philadelphia, died July 31 at his
West Philadelphia home. His wife,
son and a daughter survive.

Walter H. Kirkham, 42, film
booker for Commonwealth Thea-
tres, died July 27 in Kansas City.
He was with the chain for some
15 years. Surviving are his wife,
sister, brother and father.

Mrs. Edward Hope Coffey, 50^
wife of. screen writer Edward Hope
(Coffey), died July 29, in Holly-
wood, after a long illness. In
addition to her husband she left
a son.

Thelma Warren, 48, studio secre-
tary and script girl, died July 26 in
Hollywood, Surviving is her sister,
Edith Warren, Paramount film
cutter.

. . •

Sister of singer James Melton
died Aug. 2 in. Ocala, Fla. Her hus-
band, a daughter,, two sisters and
another brother also survive.

is staffer with KTRH there.

Mr. and Mrs. Herb GoTd, son,
Hollywood, July 30 .Father is an
agent in the Louis Shurr office.

Mr. and Mrs. William Mertz.
daughter,. Columbus, July 28.
Father is a disk jockey;

Mr. and Mrs. . David Polland, 1
twins, son and daughter, Washing-
ton, July 30. Father is Universal
flack for capital area;

Mr. and Mrs. Stan Conrad, son,
Pittsburgh, July 26. Father’s a
nitery organist.

Mr, and Mrs. Frank Liberman,
daughter, Hollywood, July 25.
Mother is the former Pat Harris,
tv casting director and onetime
N. Y. talent agent; father is a
publicist.

Mr. and Mrs. William Talman,
son, Hollywood, July 27. Mother
is Barbara Reed, actress; father is
an actor.

Mr. and Mrs. Dick Davis, son.
New York, July 23: Father is with
BBD&O and exrABC staff write) ;
mother is former Cleveland child
star Jeanrte Lqvery.

Mr. and Mrs. Len Dresslar,
daughter, Chicago, July 28. Father
is singer at WfiBM thereT--'*

Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Kasser.
daughter, Chicago, July 27, Father
is radio-tv time buyer at Ruthrauff
&TRyan’s Chi office.

■Mr. and Mrs. Neil Murphy, son.
Chicago, July 25. Father is Chi
NBC controller. ‘ \*j.

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Parker Jr;,
son, Pittsburgh, July 24. Mother’s
the daughter of Ted Blake, nitery
comic.

Mr. and Mrs. John Walker.
Jesse . Fromkess, 44, brother of j d a ughter, Baltimore, July 24.
film producer Leon Fromkess, died father is son of Frank B. Walker,
of a heart ailment July 27 in Holly- 1 Mri1vr '‘ Hc
wood. His wife survives.

Mother, 66, of television writer.
Marion Cooper, died of cancer July
24 in Hollywood. She leaves an-
other daughter and son.

I. Val Levey, 65, studio projec-
tionist at Paramount for 17 years,
died July 26 in Hollywood follow-
ing a heart attack.

O’Brien will address the full Coun-
cil during a week’s stay on the
Coast. *

After that he goes to Seattle on
British Foreign Office business,
and to Vancouver. On Aug. 23, in
Regina, he is to address the con-
vention of the Canadian Trades &
Labor Congress on the broad sub-
ject of trade between Britain and
the U.S. O’Brien is immediate past
president of Britain’s powerful
Trade Union Congress. He’s due
back in N.Y. Aug. 26 and will re-
turn to London Sept. 1.

O'Brien refused to commit him-
self on the current struggle for
power within the IATSE. He is a
close friend of . Walsh’s whom he
nevertheless characterized as “a
tough trader.” He said he expected
also to see and meet with Roy M.
Brewer, contender for the IA pres-
idency, “We in Britain have great
respect for Mr. Walsh, arid we ad-
mire what he has done for the un-
ion,” O'Brien commented.

The four unions for which
O'Brien speaks are the Assn, of
Cinematograph 'and Allied Techni-
cians! British Actors’ Equity Assn.,
Electrical Trades' Union, and
NATKE. On July 21, acting for
the first time in unison, the four
groups issued a joint statement.
It deplored the Hollywood Films
Council’s position, noted the lack
of notification to the British un-
ions, and urged the Americans to
Withdraw their “pressure cam-
paign.”

House Reviews

i Continued from - page 54 5

Alttainlirn. Paris

MGM Records topper.

Mr, and Mrs. Sidney Edelstein,
son, Freeport, L. I., July 24. Father
is a tv scripter.

Mr. and Mrs. Graham Giles, son. I

Des Plaines, 111., July 30. Father ! , _ reppn-

is manager of the Des Plaines made up for the lukc»aim >ecep

Thpstro in THi-irian riiTiiit 1 tion of his last music nan snow-

Theatre in H&.E Baiaoan cncuit, : witfl j 1 j s solid Xavier Cugat pac-
kage. In for eight performances,
this looks like it will be held over.
Crowds were the most demonstra-
tive and exuberant to be seen at
a Parisian music hall in some time,
and tix were at a premium. CnX

Newest Gripe

Continued from page 1

Luther Ashby Dirting, 66, Para- , . „„„ ,

mount studio technician, died July tuit executive who commented oni vverc unanimous in giving the nod
27 in Hollywood. Wife, son, and j the situation “off the record.” j to Cugat for his rhythms, talent

“I’ve often had complaints from- j roster and socko pace of the pro-
potential customers that they’ve ; ceedings.

three daughters survive.

' Marie J, Flynn, 63, widow of
John E. Flynn, former Metro mid-
west division sales manager, died
July 28 in Chicago.

Mother of George Uribe, assist-
ant manager of the Warfield Thea-
tre, San Francisco, died in, that
city July 29.

Mrs. Florence L. Edwards, 63,
longtime singer, died July 22 in
Laconia, N. H., after a long illness.

Mother, 73, of Larry Johnson,
musical director at WNBQ, Chi-
cago, died in that city July 17.

Wife of * Walter A. Thimmig,
owner of the McNair Theatre. St.
Louis, died July 13 in that city.

wanted to go to a .movie, but with
holdovers predominant downtown
and so many neighborhood theatres

Latino sounds actually had pat-
rons dancing on the seats when
caught and orch and choir gave

Charles Webber, 79, longtime

, j j tarn. mov, ou veil XJk iuco aui

Conductor oi the. Carl Rosa Opeia c. vpn nnrt nlhpr

Co., died July 28 in London. ! beven Broth eis and several other

dllU bU llldliy UCIKUUUIIIWU Ull-dMLS , rwlnc flio

in thp cinu> rleirnnre slot nlavine • out 'With many numbeis, plus- the
in tne same cieaiance slot playing ; adding and flanking of the various

he .identical film day-and-datc b tenure. Using the

they didnt have any place to go. [^tremelv malleable mambo team

■ They had seen most of the pictures j of candido Dimarily & Diablito

being shown and didn’t care to at- !- was fi ne showmanship, and in for

tend the others and there was sojj. u ^ 0 s arc the Step Bros. (4) in a

little ln the way of offerings from 1 solid terp turn, Raffael Mendez for

which to select. So they stayed at ; his outstanding trumpeting, The 5

home and watched tv or attended i Factindo Rivero in their ensemble

some sports event.” (Latin terp. The Barraneos (2) in a

As far as the near-term is eon - 1 fine mambo outpour, Juan Manuel

cerned here, there’s little likeli- jin the charm tenor cat ®8ory, and,

hood of muph improvement in the ;Qf course tne orch and ei

aforementioned situation.* Ciner- a . full carioca and standard 1 ep.

cm., “Gone With the Wind" and | ^

"The Caine Mutiny" are in the ISfns of a couple of monkeys. Tippy

midst , of long runs,., the ends of | Abbe L ' ane gives this the torch
which are believed to be far chs- ; and pash louc h in her poured-on
A1 “‘ : gown a nd well rendered songs. Gal

draws whistles of admiration and

j just about to arrive on the local ; deserved it. Cugat is his amiable
! scene are believed certain to chalk 'self and solos on his violin. There
extended ^gagpmenfs, . ifs.j is no mistaking ,th

Jijly. in .jf.ayi) 9 , JE>au t ^ 1,omte ' d 0,it - . . V- .*• . . ’ Pans- thesj, 4ws. • , . iUosU ’

Brother, 85. of writer-musician

FOR MAKING MY NEW
ADVENTURE IN SHOW BUSINESS

So thrillingly gratifying!

f

c\vc*- n d t* e

ie< ^< ott f(,td ^ * bo^^v

’as f > os vf> tV

o^'

BEVERLY HILLS
COUNTRY CLUB

Cincinnati

-Folks who.Mmeto Jjewlir

£S5t» wm ' not be°«s»PPotoUd.

If oh/ sings <m * fS'^jkiTwi-

2 Svas?fe^ss

breathtaking. Kind o § _ j wa y

as: T r«i h .? &

w ‘ h ““ 'Tobert heJdler

Cincinnati Times Star

1

SHAMROCK HOTEL
Houston

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Houston Pre 5s

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. Times Star

Thanks to THE FELLAS, GEORGE BURLES, GARY FLEMING,
JOHN FORTNA, DICK HILL and DAVE FLEISCHMAN con*
ducting from the piano— for their consistently wonderful
performances*

Thanks to Jerry Seelen and Lee Pockriss for creating the in*

. spiring material.

Thanks to Herb Ross for inspirational direction and staging.

Thanks to Joe Merman for imaginative arrangements and
untiring efforts at the piano in rehearsal and the first
break-in dates*

Thanks to Charles Wick and General Artists Corporation for
their guidance and cooperation.

Thanks to Solters-O'Rourke for spreading the "good news."

c£4?*S- «

LV>‘ 'W*.

Press Relations

SOLTERS-rO’ROURKE

Ftrtonai Management

CHARLES WICK CO.

Direction

GENERAL ARTISTS CORP.

'V*.*

VOL. 195 No. 10

NEW YORE, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1954

PRICE 25 CENTS

Hollywood, Ailg. 10.

Van Johnson, currently in Eng-
land for filming of “End of the
Affair,” in which he stars opposite
Deborah Kerr, has been asked to
emcee Chrysler’s upcoming . hour-
long show on CBS-TV beginning
Sept. 30. ,

Negotiations have been conduct-
ed ' via trans-Atlantic phone and
cables for thesp to host the weekly
frames, but so far he’s mulling the
offer* hasn’t yet given his decision.

Chicago Tribune Refuses
Ads For la Ronde’; Mere
Title Held Objectionable

Chicago, Aug. 10.
The Tribune, Chicago’s largest
newspaper, has nixed ads for “La.
Ronde” because it fears the re-
proach of the strong Catholic ele-
ment here. Led by the New World,
r«ui Cla * ' veekl y publication of the
Chicago archdiocese, certain Cath-
olic groups have been waging a
vociferous campaign against sex eX-
PJoitatioir in films ever since
• French. Line” blew in and out of
town. The boycott against what
tney term “smut” in films sqbse-
• y sprea( ! to newspaper ad-
1 £ emen * s ' to the extent of
♦.•M ■ miere mention of the
title of an "undesirable” pic is
taken for a dirty word.

■twP 1 ?’** 11 . effect » was what hap-
K”!? to La ’ Ronde.” The Trib,.
n pJ f man . t in squelching all copy
thf o? to the Pic — and to the

rpn? tre ^ hile “ La Ronde” is cur-
~i tt ;-’ re * use d even such no-names-
c ffi y as w "Now Playing: A
gjgjcli _ Film- With English Sub-
ou,n!’ ^cording to Abe Teitel,
Teitftf °fj World Playhouse,
tho KH Sa !^ offered to translate

hnf • Merry-Go-Round”

■ ■ ioj> was spurned. Anxious
' uentinued on page 63 )

Entry of Eastman Kodak into
network television sponsorship
ranks, and on a color-only basis,
is expected in January. Firm is
close - to a deal on a new David
Wayne package to be shot in 35m
Eastman color, and the deal would
be significant in more ways than
one. It reaffirms Eastman’s faith
both in tele as a spectacular sales
force and as a future customer for
Eastman product, especially color
stocks And more significant, it in-
dicates that Eastman has .finally
reached the decision that transmis-
sion of color film on tv is no longer
a problem.

Series, which is being packaged
by Wayne's Norby Productions, is
a comedy-drama titled “Norby”
and will mark the “Teahouse of
tho August Moon” star’s debut as
a television regular. Films will be
Shot in N. Y. at the Fox Movietone
Studios, and will he ..budgeted at
$40,000 each. There will be 39 half-
hours in all, making a total for the
package of $1,500,000 for the films
alone. Roger Brackett is due in
from the Coast to direct the series,

By End of Year’: AT&T

Washington, Aug, 10.

American Telephone & Tele-
graph Co. reported to the FCC yes-
terday (Mon.) it expects to have
40,000 channel miles of transmis-
sion facilities equipped to bring
color tv service to 94 cities by the
end of the year. Company is now
able to serve 47 cities with color.

Among new cities to be placed
on color circuit in next five months
are Buffalo, Des Moines, Indianap-
olis, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Little
Rock, Miami, Norfolk, Richmond,
Seattle, Portland, Ore., Portland,
Me., Wheeling, Galveston and
Phoenix. ' ’

By FLORENCE LOWE

Washington, Aug. 10.

A new era in the use of tv in
politics is about to dawn with the
imminent end of the Congressional
session. When the candidates hit
the road to make friends and in-
fluence voters, they’ll go armed
with vidpix and 16m film to an ex-
tent never before equalled.

Accent in this stepped up use of
tv is not on the big web shows,
such as saturated the channels
during the 1952 national campaign,
but on the local level. The man
fighting to retain his Congressional
seat will try to win the home folks
With tv film prepared on Capitol
Hill. The Joint Radio-TV Record-
ing Facilities of Congress has been
working overtime for weeks to
keep up with the demand from
members for film and more film
to send home to local video sta-
tions. And indications are that
many members of both houses are
waiting for the final gavel to take
advantage of the favorable rates
and setup of their own tv studios
to get to work on campaign pix.

The expanded use of film, rather
than live telecasts, is the unique
feature of the coming political
fray. Not only do stations find the
complete package, such as those
being prepared in the Congres-
sional studios, better, but cam-
paigners can use them over and
(Continued on page 63)

Ike, Cabinet
In ^-Hr. Film

Washington, Aug. 10.

A precedent-breaking 30-min-
ute tinted film short, ’’Report to
the People,” starring President
Eisenhower, with the entire Cabi-
net and GOP Congressional leader-
ship playing supporting roles, will
be widely used during the fall po-
litical campaign. In addition to the
unique aspects of such a star-
studded cast assembled to assist
local candidates, film is a shadow-
caster of things to come on politi-
cal colorcasts.

Film, the brainchild of Robert
Coar, director of the Joint Con-
gressional Radio-TV Facility, is
intended primarily for the expand-
ing 16m political sawdust trail. Al-
though expandable to 35m for the-
atrical purposes, it will undoubted-
ly be most Widely used in political
rallies,- clubs, and . at state fairs.
Latter type of tent show, incidental-
ly, is likely to be one of the phe-
nomena of the coming campaign,
with tv-conscious Congressmen us-
ing their film shorts for the mil-
lions of their constituents who
annually flock to the county or
state fair.

Led by the President, who will be
(Continued oh page 61 > '

Mae Vs. Soph in Las V.

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Mae West and Sophie Tucker
will battle it out for top attendance
in Las Vegas in December. Miss
Tucker opens Dec. 22 at El Rancho
Vegas for six weeks. Miss West,
who closed her initial rtitery date
at the Sahara yesterday (Mon.), re-
turns there some time in December
for four weeks.

Each, of course, will be the New
Year’s attraction.

N.Y. Cops’ Drive

Owners Of N. Y.’s first-run the-
atres and proprietors of all other
show business enterprises in Goth-
am’s midtown area are hopeful
that the current, police drive
against undesirables Will alleviate
a situation that has had a definite
detrimental effect on the boxoffice.
More than one film exec has com-
mented in past that he’d prefer to
keep younger members of his fam-
ily .away from the Times Square
area at night. It’s a cinch that the
general public has the same atti-
tude.

The seedy set is in evidence on
nearly all side streets in the Forties
and low Fifties from Sixth to Eighth
Avenues. Alcoholics, derelicts, pan-
handlers, punks and loiterers of
varying descriptions in recent
months have appeared increasing
in number. They’re a disreputable
element that has added shahbiness
t6 the entire Broadway sector.

First full-scale effort to put the
creeps on the run was launched
by the cops week before last.

Life Is Dull for Mambo
Maestro: No Bullfights

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Most people welcome a change
that puts them into one job instead
of six, but mambatoneer Tony Mar-
-tinez is complaining.

Martinez starts tonight (Tues.) at
the Beverly Hills Hotel, playing
nightly except Monday, instead of
his former schedule of six different
locations weekly, ranging from the
Crescendo nitery on .Sunset Strip
to the South Pacific in Hermosa
Beach.

Under the old system, Martinez
complains, he kept Sundays invio-
late so he could go to Tijuana,
Mex., for the bullfights. Now he’s
stuck on the gringo side of the
border until Monday — when there
are no bullfights*.

Preliminary study of a survey
of advertising rates conducted by -*
Theatre Owners of America reveals
that 89% of newspapers with a
circulation of over 250,000 charge
theatres higher rates than they do
local merchants. While TOA notes
that its study cannot be accepted
as final on the basis of the returns
it received so far from its mem-
bers, it nevertheless feels that
the sampling has been enough to
indicate a trend.

General conclusions reached
from the study are: the majority
of newspapers with smaller circu-
lations and in smaller towns have
the same rates for theatre advertis-
ing as for local merchants; in
metropolitan areas, the rates tend
to be higher for theatre advertis-
ing; a certain percentage of news-
papers, although small, charge
less for theatre advertising:

The questionaires, answered by
exhibitors, covered 224 newspapers
in 154 cities and included answers
from 36 states. The returns re-
ceived at the TOA office to date
also broke down percentage-wise
the degree of cooperation local
exhibitors receive from news*
papers. The totals reveal 26%
good, 43% fair, 31% poor.

TOA emphasizes that the study

( Continued on page 63 )

Chevalier’s Pledge: To
Prove to World He’s No
‘Dangerous Frenchman’

Cannes, Aug. 10.
Editor, Variety:

Thanks for having kept confi-
dence in me. The American Em-
bassy gave me my visa under very
friendly circumstances. They cer-
tainly ought to know — after all,
they’re in Paris.

Will spend the rest of my life
proving to the world that I am
the contrary of a “dangerous
Frenchman” for anybody, any-
where. Longing to shake the hand
of all my show biz friends on
Broadway, Hollywood, and the
the world over.

Maurice Chevalier.

Beaucoup Bids

The State Dept.’s green light to
Maurice Chevalier was wire serv-
ice news the world over wjien it
broke last week. Understood the
French star can write his ticket
for Las Vegas and points east; that
William Goetz may now reinstate
“The Chevalier Story” as a biopic
for Danny Kaye, a project that was
automatically kayoed with news of
the lack of visa for the star; and
that, similarly, several vidpix ideas
are stirring anew for a Franco^
American tv film series.

Presumably Chevalier’s stale-
mate stemmed from the “Stock-
holm Peace Petition,” which he.
says he sighed unwittingly, and in
complete ignorance of its Russof -1
inspired or other political infer-
ence.

MISCEIXm

Just When Consolidation Looked Set

surface calm that existed

The
last
of

planned consolidation with, the pro-
posed Writers Guild of America
has dissolved. A faction of the
TWA membership is dubious now

week when Television Writers ; ■ p^ij
A merica announced that it j * AKCi Leon EATOl S iNAinc

. Detroit, Aug. 10.
Probate Judge James H. Sexton
has granted Mrs. Bertha Gertrude
Hood the right to change her name
about a happy alignment with the ; to Bette Errol Hood because she

was reared by the late stage star,
Leon Errol, and his wife.

Mrs. Rood, a divorcee, has a two
and a half-year-old daughter.

Freeloaders Attention:
Champagne On the Cuff
At ‘Complex’ Openings

union since the latter filed with
the NLRB for jurisdiction in the
live television field, ,

Irate members of TWA slapped
out at WGA for “going to Wash-
ington.” Since TWA had decided
to join with Television Writers
Group, Screen Writers Guild and
Radio Writers Guild in the hew or-
ganization, it . was decided that
there was no need for the petition
for.control of scribblers. “Why file

alone when we could file together?” ■ _ . . ... . .

It was felt that the filing and the j 0ian 8 e drlnk concessions at
suspicious attitude of some TWA • theatres that have booked Leslie
men were- stumbling blocks to gen- ' Stevens’ “Champagne Complex”

nine unity. Jffowever, pne , ° f t* 10 will have stiff opening night com-
dissenting TWA members still fore- . ... ...

saw unification because the board ' petltlon ’ W1 ^ Probably re-

of TWA was “discouraged.” This, stricted to teetotalers. First-night-
he opined, was not like the breezy ; ers will be able to imbibe cuffo
tieup expected as recently as last champagne,
week ^ .

With what the same TWA spokes- ' f v / a at^in- with the Park & Til-
man considered a lack of faith on : distributor, Heidsieck Dry

the part of WGA, he launched into i Monopole . champagne will be
a rap at the planned makeup of i Poured out to opening night ^udi-
the new organization. He said that, ?hces in New Hope, Pa,, Hartford,
with A,.fWe t ; Boston and New York. Stunt will

as with Authors League, every-
thing in the new organization will
be decided by the council of the
union and not by the general mem-
bership. This, he said, was what
the WGA constitution Ptovided. As
for TWA, he observed that “deci-
sions were made by the rank, and
file.”

“Existence of TWA has forced a
(Continued on page 61)

Dismisses Castleman
Suit ‘With Prejudice’ And
No Fees for Reich

Judge Ben Harrison in Los An-
geles last week <6) dismissed “with
prejudice” the action brought by
attorney Bernard Reich against
RKQ and Howard Hughes. He also
denied Reich’s application for at-
torney fees, holding that Reich was
in the employ of the N. Y. attor-
neys for Eli B. and Marion V. Cas-
tleman who had brought the origi-
nal suit against the defendant.

Judge Harrison’s decision puts
an end to further action in the case
brought, by the minority stockhold-
ers of RKO.

The court held that dismissal
with prejudice was in order since
fl) the sales of all RKO assets to
Hughes had made the action mute,
and the Delaware court had upheld
the validity of the transaction. (2)
The action involving the same is-
sues in Nevada had gone to final
judgment and another examination
was therefore not in order.

Harrison held that “local counsel
must look to his employer and . not
to this court for his fee.” The
Nevada court had made allowances
for attorney fees, but had not in-
cluded. Reich. 1

Latter in late June had filed a
130-page memorandum of facts
with Judge Harrison, asking reac-
tivation of his (Reich’s) reauest for
a master to investigate the entire
Hughes-RKO-Castleman case which
•has dragged through the courts of

be initiated Aug. 23 when the com-
edy starts a tryout at the Bucks
County Playhouse, New Hope.
Drinks, will be. dispensed by six
femme bartenders. Special glass-
ware with the play’s title and a
picture of the femme lead, Patricia
Smith, will be used.

Bucks County is adding a special
feature to the gimmick, a Cham-
pagne Toot bus package, covering
transportation to and from New
York, dinner at Monte Proser’s
Playhouse Inn, which adjoins the
theatre, and a ticket to the show.
"Tab for the works, including the
’champagne freeload, is $8.95.

! “Complex,” scheduled to open
on Broadway Oct. 27, is being pro-
duced by Alex Cohen, in associa-
, tion with Gayle Styne. As a press-
’ agent for commercial clients,
I Cohen is an experienced hand at
i tie-ins. He and Park & Tilford fig-
ure the champagne stunt is a nat-
i ural for national picture spreads.

Equity Mulls Charges
Against Barrymore Jr.

Charges against John Barrymore
Jr. of “conduct unbecoming an
Actors Equity member” were pre-
sented to the union’s council yes-
terday (Tues.). No decision was
reached on the acceptance or dis-
missal of case.

Cbmplaint was filed by Charlotte
and Lewis Harmon, operators of
the Clinton (Conn.) Playhouse, and
the Equity members who appeared

at the barn in the July 26-31 pro-
duction of “The Man,” in which
Barrymore starred.

Charges involve insubordination
and the use of obscene language.
If the council accepts the com-
plaint, a date for a hearing will be
set. A final decision against Barry-
more could result in his being
censured, fined, suspended or ex-

pelled. Union has never ousted a,
N. Y., California, Nevada and Dela- ! member, but has occasionally sus-
ware for more than a year and a pended or otherwise penalized
half. I individuals oh various charges.

Subscription Order Form

Enclosed find check for $

Please send VARIETY y*“ rs

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• • Zone. . . . State. . . . . . .

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One Year— $10.00 Two Yoars— $18.00

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1S4 West 46th Street New York 36. N. Y.

HORACE HEIDT

Currently On Tour
Under Personal Management

WALTER PLANT

Team on Musical

George Abbott and William
Saroyan will collaborate on the
book of a new musical 1 , to be pro-
duced by Frederick Brisson, Rob-
ert Griffith and Harold Prince,
presenters of “Pajama Game/’
Original yarn will have a San
Francisco locale and may star Shir-
ley Booth. No composer is set, but
Abbott will direct. . Show is slated
for the fall of 1955.

Saroyan is due east shortly, but
intensive work on the new script
won’t get. under way until after
the opening of “On Your Toes,”
the Rodgers-Hart musical of 1936-
37, which Abbott will stage and
produce with Richard Rodgers as
silent partner. It’s due to open Oct.
11 at the 46th Street, N.Y. °

Second company of “Pajama
Game” will probably be produced
next January by Brisson-Griffith-
Prince to play Chicago and other
towns. No casting has been an-
nounced.

Anonymous Unanimous

= By HAL BLOCK ==

I have just been asked to be a
charter member of a new fra-
ternity called “Anonymous Unani-
mous.” The purpose of this Society
is to band together in fraternal
misery, all the poor souls who
“can’t remember a person’s name
to save their lives.” - —

There is nothing quite as discon-
certing as seeing someone ap-
proaching you that you ki,ow very
well and realize that you don’t
remember his name. If you are
alone you can usually bluff your
way through with such inane
phrases as “Glad to see you . . .
How are things? . . . What are you
doing now? ... How is the old
gang?” . . . and other famous
quotes from Roget’s Thesaurus.

However, when Blank Night
reaches you, you are never alone.
There is always the “little woman”
with you, who stands around like
an expectant M.P. until you have
to introduce her. Sometimes you
can get around the embarrassment
by saying to Mr. Anonymous, “Of
course, you know Barbara Kline-
mine . . .?” If he says no . . .
you’re cooked! Another way to do
it is to say, “Barbara, this is Mr.
Gxvmragt” — and hope for the best.
If Barbara says, “What was that
name again?” — you have a choice

(Continued on page 61)

‘ Miscast, Paid Off

* Hollywood, Aug. 10.

In latest in a series of cas
changes by Allied Artists, “An
napolis Story,” Kevin McCarth;
has replaced Richard Aeckel. Lat
ter reportedly bowed out becausi
he was too youthful to play Johi
Derek’s older brother. Studio re
portedly paid him full salary am
is now searching for another par
for him to undertake later. He wa
to have co-starred with Derek am
Diana Lynn.

Miss Lynn took over when Debr
Paget was withdrawn by 20th-Fo:
to go on loanout to Panoramic fo
“White Feather” and Terry Moor
nixed part.

Feature directed by Don Siegel
rolled Monday.

VfNanogday^- August 11,1954

on

• . • m. <: • ^

United Artists has received some unexpected' advance ballyhoo
on “Summertime,” the Ilya Lopert # film version, of “Time of -the
Cuckoo” now shooting in" Venice. .

David Lean, who is directing Katharine Hepburn in the picture,
employed a guided group of 30 American tourists as extras. As
Lean briefed the vacationists on their background camera stint,
unit publicist Mike Mindiin snapped stills and ferreted out the
names and addresses of the rubbernecking supernumeraries.

By the time the third take was wrapped up, stories and photos
about the film tyros (with a “Summertime” plug, of course) were
on their way to homeside papers in such places as Venice (Cal ),
Evansville and Pensacola. .

♦ By LUCETTE CARON

To the Showers, Ed

Ed Sullivan, the “Toast of
the Town” topper, frequently
becomes a minor Milton Berle,
inasmuch as he joins in the
performance with various acts.
Sullivan found the ..ideal spot
last week (8) wheij he re-
hearsed joining Les Charlivels
(3) in their final trick; where
one brother is carried piggy-
back by another and catches
the third frere with his legs,
Sullivan elected to Be the
piggyback sitter and was in-
structed not to move when the
catch was being made. During
. rehearsal, Sullivan • assumed
his stance and when the frere
came flying, Sulliyan moved
his noggin to one side and was
slammed on his conk. In an-
other try, he moved in another
direction, and got cracked on
the face. The Charliyels per-
formed their regular act on the
show without Sullivan.

Adventure Still Rules
Macao; Gals Serve Your
Opium at Hotel Bedside

By DICK LARSH

Macao, Aug. 3.

The tiny Portuguese colony of
Macao, only a four-hour ferry ride
from Hong Kong, is a must on the
tourist list for visitors to the
Crown Colony. Its deserved repu-
tation for dark hours, intrigue and
wickedness comes from its odd
position between the two worlds
separated by the Bamboo Curtain.
Its Chinese population of 300,000
is 95% of the entire citizenry—
and which side these Chinese are
on, at what time, is strictly a mat-
ter of conjecture.

Adventure can be found in Ma-
cao’s night— and danger for the
unwary who 3 overimbibe and wan-
der its cobblestone alleys alone.
Gambling is the chief relaxation
for the localities, with fantan and
bird cages operated by smiling
Chinese girls to be found every-
where. Dancehall hostesses wear
slit skirts and highnecked blouses
and earn about $30 a month. For
32c the tourist can smoke a single
pipe of opium in any number of
dingy dens; for a little more, the
pipe of forgetfulness can be de-
livered to your hotel room — by a
comely serving gal to heat the joy
gum by your bedside. Some hotels
even feature rooms with built-in
wooden couches, the preferred
equipment for the hep lolling puf-
fer who spurns the. softness of a
mattress for his escape to tempo-
rary Nirvana.

Prosties work only in the mat-
sons de, joie arid there are no
femmes de pave. Neither a recent
government ban nor the efforts of
the churches have been able to
close down the brothels which pro-
vide a variety of Eurasians, White
Riftsians, Chinese and Japanese
(Continued on page 63)

Relief Fund Home Benefits

Los Angeles, Aug. 10.

Motion Picture Relief Fund will
benefit by $153,342 through a de-
cision by Superior Judge Roy L.
Herndon upholding the validity of
the will of the late Hugh Herbert.
The will had beCn contested by
Herbert’s brother and niece.

The estate was valued at $163,-
Mrs. Rose E. Herbert, and the rest
queathed to Herbert’s former wife,
Mrs. Rose E.. Herbert and the rest
to the MPRF.

Paris, Aug. 10 .

By eliminating women’s bosoms,
Christian Dior crowded all other
news from the Paris headlines and
stirred up an* even greater i storm
of publicity than last year when
he raised their skirts.

His flair fot* the sensatiohal is
equalled by his sense of timing.
Realizing that Audrey Hepburn on
a Vespa was better b.o. than Mari-
lyn Monroe on a sofa, he pulled a
fast switch, et voila! — the 3-P
curves he gave women seven years
agio in the New Look of 1947. he
took away in the Flat Look of 1955.

It was only after the first three
or four . mannequins had paraded
before them, that the fashion press
got the full, impact of the delayed-
action bomb that . had been ex-
ploded (named with questionable
innocence, the “H” line). By use
of a new geometric pattern and a
tricky bra, whose construction is
a carefully guarded secret, Dior
irianages to create the illusion that
a woman’s figure resembles the
parallel verticals of art H. As dis-
tinguished from the Chanel girl of
the ’20s, the unwanted bust is
pushed upwards, as well as flat-
tened. “The ideal distance for the
bospm is now 8 inches from the
shoulder seams,” Dior has .ruled,
lit was previously 10). v .

Everything in Dior’s collection
carries out the underlying “H”
theme and . the deejpphasized
bosom. . Coats are narrow tubes
with soft draped collars. Perfectly
cut suits have neat tight sleeves,
and their longer jackets hit the
middle of the skirt, forming the
horizontal bar of the H. Dresses
with narrow plain tbps arid long
torsos flare out after five. Ballet
dancers’ tutus and formal 18th
century dresses are equally popu-
lar. Busts or no busts, there is
perfect agreement among American
manufacturers: Dior has never pro-
duced a better show.

Fath’s Showmanship Also

Jacques Fath can always be de-
pended on for amusement. His
opening number was more like a
can-can ballet at the Fblies Ber-
gere than a collection. The delight-
ed audience was treated fo a dis-
play of four beautiful girls in ruf-
fled petticoats who temptingly
lifted their skirts to disclose gold-
en-topped stockings, held up by
diamond garters. The “bride” pro-
vided a slightly novel touch by
wearing over her virginal satin
gown a lace maternity jacket. Even
Ingrid Bergman— a faithful atten-
dant at the Press collections—
failed to keep a straight face. Falh

( Continued on page 61 )

Betty Garrett Returns,

Subs for Judy m Col’s
Remake of ‘Sis Eileen’

Hollywood, ‘ Aug. 9.

Betty Garrett replaces Judy Hol-
liday as lead in Columbia’s musical
remake of “My Sister Eileen’
under, new longterm contract. Fea-
ture starts in mid-September, with
Janet Leigh as Eileeri, Aldo Ray
as the Wreck. Miss Garrett plays
Ruth. Her last pic was Metro’s “Oh
The Town.”

Jack Lemmon, originally set for
male lead, was forced to exit cast
lineup .due to conflict with
Warner’s “Mr. Roberts,” for which
he goes on loanout from Columbia
Aug. 15.

Judy’s Foot Mending

Judy Holliday is recuperating at
Harkness Pavilion, N. Y., following
a successful foot operation. She
recently returned from the Coast,
where she completed' a starring
role in Columbia’s “Phffft."

Wednesday* Asgnrt H, 1954

Columbia is negotiating with the
Chase Nationa^Bpnk for financing
for three pictures involving indie
producers. The deals would be
similar to .the one arranged for
Sam Spiegel’s “On the Water-
front,” for which the bank pro-
vided up to 50% of the production
costs with Col guaranteeing com-
pletion of the picture. Although
the coin went to Spiegel’s Horizon-
American company, the Chase ac-
tually had no dealings with Spie-
gel, Col pursestringers handling
the whole deal.

Chase, which had been absent
from film financing for a long pe-
riod, is back in the fold now on a
more active basis. While its picture
business does not approach the
scope of that of Bankers Trust and
the Chemical Bank & Trust Co.,
it is now lending a more attentive
ear to picture propositions. How-
ever, it’s policy now is to accept
only gilt-edged deals, with the as-
surance that a major producer-
distributor is backing the indie
filmmaker.

Chase returned slowly to film
financing about two and a half
years ago after a previous unpleas-
ant experience with the entertain-
mept business. During the 30’s, it
found itself the unwanted owner of
what is now 20th-Fox. Of the ma-
jors, Columbia, which likes 1 to
spread its borrowing around, is its
most active client. Many of the
Sam Katzman pictures released by
Col are financed partly by the
Chase.

Wins Czech
Fest Grand Prize

Berlin, Aug. 3,

The recent Eighth Karlsbad In-
ternational Film Festival (CSR),
according to dispatches, saw the
U. S. pic, “Salt of the Earth,” and
the Russian film, “The Faithful
Friends,” winning the Grand Prix.
So-called Peace wards were given
to the DEFA (East German) bio-
pic, ‘‘Ernst Thaelmann,” and the
Japanese “Children of Hiroshima.”
Festival was attended by 28 na-
tions., •

While most of the pix came from
behind Iron-Curtain countries,
there were also several entries
from West European nations, such
as England’s “The Cruel Sea,”
France’s ‘‘Mauritius Case,” Swe-
den’s “The Ardent Loves of My
Youth,” "Switzerland’s “Heidi,”
etc.

Charges Red Slant
Washington, Aug. 10.

Salt of the Earth,” indie pic
made by several of the original

Hollywood Unfriendly 10” is once
again “proven” to be Communist
slanted or favored. Its victory in
the recent Prague (Czechoslovakia)
*ilm Festival, is so interpreted by
(Continued on page 16)

‘Rose Tattoo’ For Wallis;
Rolls In Hollywood

Italy’s Anna Magnani has been
*|gned for the lead in the film ver-
son of "Rose Tattoo,” the 1951
click and is due to come to the U.S.
m September for the preliminaries.

' l u ro s * n November,

Hal Wallis, who’ll produce for
paramount release, left for Europe
board the S.S. United States from
i. last week (6) bound for Paris,
^ome, Germany and Switzerland.

cii!! ' m ** ome . he’ll have discus-
* ™. s on the film with Miss Mag-

Williams^ playwri Sht Tennessee

eriL? a f is ’ .WaUU will do back-
l ensi ng for his upcoming
Martin and Lewis in Paris” which
goes into production on the Coast
exnf * th ! first of the year. Waliis

m W Septe°m b e er baCk £rom Europe in

' Talented, Too

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Simone Silva is an actress,
... officially. The Immigration
Department in Washington re-
versed the ruling of District
Officer Landon to issue a work
permit to the British gal, who
is under contract to *A1 Petker.

The gal who posed in the
semi-nude with Robert Mit-
chum was first denied the per-;
mit on the ground that she
did not have the necessary
talent. _

Philharmonic Telltale
Closed-Circuit Tele Test;
Set Asking Terms: 45%

Dor Theatre Television, promo-
ter of the closed-circuit theatre
telecast of the N. Y. Philharmonic
SyfnphOny Orchestra’s opening
concert Oct. 7, is asking terms of
a straight 45% of the b.o. take.
No advance guarantee is involved.

According to President Edmund
L. Dorfmann, the concert, originat-
ing from Carnegie Hall will deter-
mine his future program iii this
field. If the event proves a suc-
cess, Dorfmann plans to line up a
subscription series involving the
Philharmonic, the Philadelphia and
Boston symph orchestras. He has
an option on all three outfits for
a number of years.

Some 22 theatres have already
signed for the concert, and on the
basis of current negotiations, Dorf-
maim anticipates a network of 31
theatres by Oct. 7. He is current-
ly negotiating with a national or-
ganizations in the Women’s Club-
Junior League category to serve
as local sponsors of the concert.
Average price per seat for the at-
traction is expected to be $2.

The opening Philharmonic con-
cert, Conducted by Dimitri Mitro-
(Continued on page 18)

STUDIOS GRANT MORE
ACTOR PARTICIPATIONS

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Universal-International started
something when it handed James
Stewart those fat. participation
deals. Now every studio in Holly-
wood, with the sole exception of
Metro, is doing it and the free-
lance stars are gathering in the
shekels by the truckload.

In addition to the Stewart setup,
UI has made participation deals
with such stars as Tyrone Power,
Alan Ladd, Gregory Peck and Er-
rol Flynn. Ladd has a similar deal
with Warners for one of his, films,
and at the same studio Doris Day
draws a salary of $150,000 a pic-
ture — plus 10% of the gross of
each film after expenses are paid.

Paramount has a participation
deal with Alfred Hitchcock and
Stewart in "Rear Window,” another
with Hitchcock and Cary Grant in
"To Catch a Thief” and still an-
other with Peck in “Roman Holi-
day.”

In addition, many top stars have
formed indie corporations which
work with major studios on a par-
ticipation basis. Danny Kaye’s
Dena Productions has a profit shar-
ing agreement with Paramount.
Others in the participation busi-
ness are Bob Hope, John Wayne’s
Batjac and the Alien-Broccoli War-
wick Productions.

Metro still frowns on the idea,
although it lost the services of
Clark Gable who ankled the lot
because of a participation deal with
20th-Fox where gets 10% of the
gross from the first dollar.

Bernie Wayne on 'Flanders'

Composer Bernie Wayne has
been signed to write the score for
the 20th-Fox’s “Moll Flanders,”
starring Vanessa Brown.

Wayne previously worked on the
Paramount lot under Buddy De
Sylva.

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

A completely new type of film
production demands a completely
new approach to selling — so
Michael Myerberg has opened up
a complete new world of promo-
tional tieups in a saturation cam-
paign for “Hansel and Gretel” that
appears to dwarf anything hereto-
fore. attempted. Backbone of the
campaign is close collaboration
with old line commercial firms
which have never before agreed
to picture tieups because of the un-
certainties of release schedules and
other details. v

Myerberg, however, operating on
the theory that “show ’em you’re
a business man and they’ll do busi-
ness,” has laid down a pattern for
release and guaranteed that his
puppet feature would adhere to it.
As a result, he has grabbed a
whopper tieup with the usually
conservative National Biscuit Co.

. Bakers are going' all out to pro-
mote the film in return for re-
ceiving, without cost, the exclusive
rights to market a Hansel and
Gretel cookie which will be on the
market concurrently with the open-
ing of the film at the Winter Gar-
den in New’ York this fall. As part
(Continued on page 18)

Theatres planning to carry the
theatre telecast of the Rocky Mar-
ciano-Ezzard Charles championship
fight on Sept. 15 may be faced with
stiff er terms than for the June tele-
cast of the first fight between the
pair. For the first tilt, Nate Hal-
pern’s Theatre Network Television,
which again snared the rights in a
deal with the International Boxing
Club, signed theatres for the low-
est terms yet offered for a title
bout telecast.

The terms, a guarantee of 10c
(Continued on page 18)

3 A.M. Premiere

Hollywood,' Aug. 10.

World preem of Filmmak-
ers’ "Mad At the World” will
be held at the Flamingo Hotel,
Las Vegas, Sept. 30 at 3 a.m.

Keefe Brasselle, one of the
stars in the picture, will-great
the guests when he completes
his nitery show at the hotel.

Columbia Asks ‘Official’
Status For ‘Waterfront’
At Venice Film Festival

Motion Picture Export Assn, has
a request from Columbia that Sam
Spiegel’s "On the Waterfront” be
made an official MPEA entry at
the Venice International Film Fes-
tival. If MPEA accedes, this would
give Columbia two entries at the
fest and is likely to cause some
unhappiness in the ranks of other
companies.

The Americans will have a total
of five pix shown at Venice, four
of them MPEA contenders. The
fifth — "On the Waterfront”— -was
accepted by the Venice authorities
at the behest of Spiegel who was
very anxious to have the film
shown. Now Col argues that
"Waterfront,” a Col release, should
join the rest of the MPEA selec-
tions.

Official quartet, picked by an
MPEA committee, consists of
"Three Coins in the Fountain,”
“Executive Suite,” "The Caine Mu-
tiny” and “Rear Window.” There
were a number of runners-up, and
MPEA ; execs fear that, should
"Waterfront” be changed from in-
die to Official MPEA status, some
of those that didn’t make the grade
might have a legitimate, beef.

Just why Col is so insistent to
having “Waterfront” presented un-
der MPEA aegis instead of as an
indie entry isn’t quite clear but
could well be due to a desire to
give the film the added prestige of
being an Export Assn, selection.

- The industry’s “Little Three”—
Universal, Columbia and United
Artists — are * growing up and, as
usual, are having some difficul-
ties in making their big brothers
accept that fact

Differences are, for the moment
at least, most apparent in the for-
eign market where the companies
work Within the framework of the
Motion Picture Export Assn, and
must make decisions on the alloca-
tion of licenses and remittances.

Latest example comes in Italy
where the divvying up J of the 189
permits for 1954-55 has hit a snag.
While the distribs want to cut up
the licenses on the same basis as
in prior years, Universal flatly re-
fuses to accept its cut of 20
licenses. Company insists it has
a right to 26.

Difference goes back to 1951,
when U agreed to take fewer per-
mits “for the sake of industry har-
mony.” Distrib claims it was its
understanding at that time that it
would eventually be reimbursed
for that' loss with additional per-
mits. However, it hasn’t gotten
them. And to make matters worse
(Continued on page 16)

Reissues Also
Come in Shorts

Columbia will launch its 1954-
55 shorts subjects program in Sep-
tember with a schedule of 26 two-
reelers, 84 single reels and four
serials. The new program will be
featured by the first Cinemascope
entry from United Productions of
America, cartoonery which releases
through Col. The C’Scope entry
will be a “Mr. McGoo” short titled
"When .McGoo Flew.”

Program is being bolstered by
reissues. For example, out of the
(Continued on page 18)

National Boxoff ice Survey

Biz Still Great; 'Caine 9 Again First, ‘Obsession 9 Is
Second, 'Lance* Third, 'Living* Fourth

Break in torrid temperatures in
many sections of .country and re-
lease of additional topnotch prod-
uct is spelling sturdy biz at the
wickets this stanza. Whether the
heat in the past or the cooler tem-
peratures plus rain in the current
week are factors affecting biz are
unimportant since basically it’s the
big pictures that are making exhibs
happy. Some idea of how trade is
shaping up is seen from the fact
that the top four films this week
will show better than $1,000,000
currently in gross figures.

For the sixth stanza in succes-
sion, "Caine Mutiny” (Col) is wind-
ing in first place. "Magnificent-
Obsession” (U), with some fresh
playdates, is pushing up to second
position, with a majority of dates
being rated smash to terrific.
“Broken Lance” (20th), first week
out extensively, Is capturing third

pldC0»

“Living It Up” (Par), second last
round, is finishing fourth, some
holdover engagements slowing this
pic up in . certain keys covered by
Variety. “Cinerama” (Indie), With
no additional openings, is taking
fifth spot,

“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reis-
sue), now mainly on extended-run,
is .dipping to sixth. “Apache”
(UA), long high on the list, is tak-
ing seventh position.

“Knock on Wood” (Par) will land
eighth money. “Garden of Evil”
(20th) is finishing ninth, with
“Ring of Fear” (B) in 10th slot.

“Valley of Kings” (M-G), “High

and Mighty” (WB) and “Man With
Million” (UA) are the runner-up
pix in that order.

"7 Brides For 7 Brothers” (M-G),
which is racking up a tremendous
run at N. Y. Music Hall (third week
is $180,000), also is smash in Chi,
great in Indianapolis and sock in
Portland. “On Waterfront” (Col),
still terrific at N. Y. Astor, is wow
in Detroit, smash in Philly and fine
in L. A.

WB appears to have a winner in
“King Richard and Crusaders,”
based on some seven initial play-
dates, ' It is sock in K. C., hotsy in
Providence, big in Balto, great in
Omaha, big in Washington and
sturdy in both Indianapolis and
Buffalo. "Rear Window” (Par) also
shapes as a potentially smash
grosser judging from a huge open-
ing week in N. Y. and great takings
in Atlantic City.

"Adventures of Robinson Cru-
soe” (UA), nice in L. A., is big in
N. Y. and sock in. Philly. "Weak
and Wicked” (AA) looms good in
Detroit and Denver. "The Cow-
boy” (Lip) is rated fair in N. Y.
and Denver.

“Francis Joins Wacs” (U), big in
Chi, is smash in K. C. "Susan
Slept Here” (RKO) looms good. in
N. Y. and Buffalo.

“About Mrs. Leslie” (Par), solid
in Washington, is fair in Chi and
Frisco. It’s rated mild ih L. A.
and Boston, “Gorilla At Large”
(20th) is oke in Indianapolis.

( Compute Boxoff ice Reports on
Pages 8-9)

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INDEX

Bills

Chatter

Film Reviews . . .
House Reviews . .
Inside Legit ...
Inside Pictures

54

62

6

54 |
56
18 I

Inside Television

...37

International

. 12

Legitimate

...55

Literati

. 61

Music

...42

New Acts

. . 50

Night Club Reviews . . .

.. 53

Obituaries

.. 63

Pictures \

. . 3

Radio-Television

.. 26

Radio Reviews

.. 37

Record Reviews • -

.. 42

Television Reviews . . . .

.. 34

TV-Films

.. 39

Vaudeville

. . 50

DAILY VARIETY

(Published in Hollywood by
Daily Variety, Ltd.)

$15 a Year $20 Foreign

HOW, NOT WHAT, KEYS STORY MORALITY’

Hollywood is taking a different f
view of screen “morality" and, as '
a result, marked changes in inter" |
pretation of the Production Code
are on the way. More and more,
the film industry leaders are tend-
ing to the belief that “adult"
themes can be treated realistically
and still be in good taste.

In a sense the picture business
is embarking on a new era, for
even the symbol of old-guard,
screen * standards— Code adminis-
trator Joseph I. Breen — is doing a
fade. Breen is set to become "chair-
man" of the Code, which means a
less active role in its affairs.

In the past few years a number
of films have stirred suspicions
that the Code was being “relaxed."
This was strongly denied; the pro-
ducers simply had learned how to
handle certain subject material
frankly but within bounds, ex-
plained Eric A. Johnston, president
of the Motion Picture Assn, of
America.

Easing, Not Revising

On this basis, the upcoming
changes will not represent any eas-
ing of the Code. That is, there will
be no major rewrite of its provi-
sions. The departures will be in
terms of trade "thinking." What
was formerly nixed will be reap-
praised in light of today’s more
advanced audiences and the gen-
eral attitude toward stringent blue-
penciling.

A factor in this respect was the
experience with the Otto Prem-
inger independent film, “Moon Is
Blue." It has become apparent that
many industry execs are regret- J
ful that they refused this breezy!
comedy a seal of approval. The I
Code’s thumbs-downing of "Moon” j
set off protests in volume suffi-
cient to convince the officials that
* this wasn’t just another situation
where the advocates of no Code at
all were doing the squawking.

Seen as particularly indicative of
the "new era” thinking is Metro’s
(Continued on page 22)

Not Seeking Proxies

Cinerama Iric., the equip*
ment manufacturing firm, has
not solicited proxy statements
for its stockholders meeting
today (Wed.) at Oyster Bay,
N. Y.

Stanley Warner Corp. and
Hazard E. Reeves, the com-
pany prexy, own a majority of
the stock, with SW holding
60% of this share. Although
SW actually controls the com-
,..pany, it is only placing two
men on the five-man board.
Previously SW had four reps
on a seven-man board.

Grainger, Raftery Acted

JACON FORESEES IFE
FIX GROSS OF $35-MlL

Prospects fbr a $35,000,000 gross
for IFE Releasing Corp. pix in
1954-55 were seen in N. Y. Monday
(9) by Bernard Jacon, v.p. in charge
of sales, as the Halo outfit wound
up its first national sales conven-
tion.

Apart from discussions on sales
policy, the four-day meet of IFE
sales personnel also saw four IFE
releases screened. At a windup
lunch Monday, Jacon voiced his
conviction that the outfit had at
least five solid b.o. attractions on
its- hand, and he said eight addi-
tional pix would be added to the
IFE sked for 1955.

Bernie Jacon testimonial sales
drive was launched at the conven-
tion. It runs to Dec. 31. 1954 and
will see distribution' of $10,000
worth in prizes on the basis of
sales, playdates and collections.

According to E. R. Zorgniatti,
IFE exec v.p., IFE Releasing so far
is still running in the red. How-
ever, he thought the org should be
able to stand on its own feet as
the result of releases during the
coming year. The IFE dubbing stu-
dio is showing a profit.

IFE Releasing has issued an at-
tractive 19-page brochure, replete
with text and illustrations, outlin-
ing the IFE product upcoming. In-
cluded are 11 pix, four Of them in
color. IFE primary concentration
is on commercial rather than art
houses.

Probate, Judge Rules

Final settlement of the $3,000,-
000 estate of circuit owner Maurice
A. (Mott) Shea moved a step nearer,
last week when Judge Christopher
McGrath in Bronx Surrogate Court,
N. Y., ruled that E. C. Grainger
and Edward C. Raftery had admin-
istered their duties as executors
and trustees With "a high degree of
fidelity." Court’s decision noted
that there was not a “trace of
fraud" as charged by members of
the Shea family.

In praising their successful man-
agement of the Shea estate, Judge
McGrath held that both Grainger
and Raftery each were entitled to
commissions of $30,000. At the
same time the court noted that
compensation for attorneys who
represented Grainger and Raftery
in the lengthy litigation will be
determined after submission of af-
fidavits.

Arthur F. Driscoll, who repped
Raftery, seeks $185,000 counsel
fees while Thomas F. O’Brien, at-
torney for Grainger, asks $175,000.
Shea, who died Oct. 19, 1940, left
an estate which was appraised for
tax purposes at that time at $947,-
924. Judge McGrath, in his opin-
ion, wrote that the estate value
had now “gone up to $3,000,000.’’
Jurist also noted that Raftery pre-
viously had been paid $7,500 on ac-
count toward his commission.

Chester Morris Up To
Date; Made Unchained/
Going Into ‘5th Season’

By GEORGE GILBERT

Participation deals, which have
been a common practice with many
stars in recent months, are held by
most of the principals in “Un-
chained/’ which Hall Bartlett Pro-
ductions completed a few weeks
ago at the California Institution
for Men at Chino, Cal. Release pact
hasn’t been set as yet on this indie
venture but reportedly some three
distributors are interested.

Picture marks the first Holly-
wood role in five years for Chester
Morris who rtiatter-of-factly ex-
plains his previous Coast inactivity
with “I just didn’t have an offer."
A veteran of 28 years before the
cameras, he said in New Yprk this
week that the script for "Un-
chained" was a “fresh approach"
to prison pictures and expressed
confidence that his participation
arrangement will mean more of a
profit than if he accepted a flat
rate ticket.

Morris plays the warden in “Un-
chained," which Bartlett produced,
directed and screenplayed from
“Prisoners Are People,” an auto-
biography by Kenyon J. Scudder
(Continued on page 22)

Inditf Importers Intend tdpresx their charge# against Italian
Films Export by qnllstirig the aid of the NX Senators.

Member! of the Independent Motion Picture Distributors Assn,
which .close to a year ago filed a complaint against IFE with the*
Federal Trade Commission, are waiting for the end of the current
session of Congress before approaching the lawmakers who’vt
already been alerted to the indies’ beefs,- /

IMPDA complaint against IFE charged the Italbrir setup with
operating as a monopoly. FTC has combined this complaint with
a prior charge against IFE and the Motion Picture Export Assn,
hut has -delayed a report on the findings of its extended investiga-
tion. IFE got started via subsidies granted the Italo industry by
MFEA* ' . < • •

Davis, Hoare To Coast

Frank I. Davis, Jr., proxy - of
Selznick Releasing Organization,
and Victor Hoare, v.p. and foreign
sales chief, planed to the Coast
from New York over the weekend
for confabs with David O. Selznick.

Selznick, currently occupied on
the Coast with the tv "pectacular,
“Light’s Diamond Jubilee," re-
quested the toppers to gather on
the Coast for confabs on the com-
pany’s worldwide rerelease policy.

Following "Duel in the Sun,”
which has chalked up good returns
in a New England saturation, Selz-
niek will rerelease “Tom Sawyer,”
Alfred Hitchcock’s “Notorious,”
and Dore Schary’s “The Farmer’s
Daughter,” all which will go into
rapid release following “Duel,”

SHAFTEL-MILNER SET
PHILIPPINES FEATURE

Hollywood, Aug. 10
Josef Shaftel and Daniel Milner
have left for Manila Where they
will produce “The Hunted,” a pic-;
ture dealing with military in-
trigue in the Philippines. Filming
will be done on the islands, with
laboratory work in Hollywood.

, Philippine government has
agreed to co-operate and the film
will be partly financed by L.V.N.
Pictures, Inc., of Manila.

RULE ‘ANNA LUCASTA’
NO PIRATED ‘SISTER’

Los Angeles, Aug. 10.

Errol Aubrey Jones lost his
$1,400,000 plagiarism suit against
Columbia and seven other de-
fendants in Federal Court. Plain-
tiff claimed “Anna Lucasta” was
copied from his legit play, “Sin-
Sister.” . Judge James M- Carter
ruled there was no substantial
similarity.

Other defendants were Philip
Yordan, Marilyn Nash, Harry Wag-
staff Cribble, • John Wildberg,
George Zorn, Abraham Hill and
the American Negro Theatre of
N. Y.

Sue to Guard Taramount’

DeS Moines, Aug. 10.

Paramount Picture Corp. of New
York and Paramount Distributing
Corp. of Delaware have both filed
suit in district court here seeking
to restrain two Des Moines firms
from using the word "Paramount”
in their names. The two firms
named defendants are Paramount
Television & Car Radio Service
and Paramount Television & Ra-
dio Co.

The petition said “Paramount”
is part of the trade name used by
Paramount Pictures since 1915 and
that it is registered in the U.S.
patent office.

But Take Along a Medic— Aldrich

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Cheap is cheap on either Side
of the border, but Mexico offers
genuine economy to the producer
of high-budget films. And despite
the myths, about siesta time, lack
of facilities and personal difficul-
ties, director Robert Aldrich be-
lieves top features can be turned
out in Mexico as quickly and as
easily as they can in Hollywood.

Aldrich, who recently completed
"Vera Cruz” in Mexico for Hecht-
Lancaster Productions, emphasizes
that the "favorable dollar compari-
son varies in direct proportion” to
the overall budget outlay for a
film.

“It’s almost as easy,” Aldrich
explains, “and certainly almost as
cheap, to make a $75,000 picture in
Hollywood as it is in Mexico City.
But pn a $2,000,000 picture there
may be savings of up to $500,000
for the American producer."

These savings are a result of
“going rates" far below the aver-
age in Hollywood. Labor costs, ac-
cording to Aldrich, are about two-
fifths to one-half of whaLihey are
i in Hollywood; set costs are about

half; studio facility charges are
about 80% of what they are at
home; wardrobe runs about one-
third of the U. S. charge and other
costs are correspondingly low.

Technical, facilities are good al-
though limited and both Churu-
busco and Stahal Studios are “ex-
tremely well equipped." In either
| situation, Aldrich reports, the only
possible difficulty would be in the
portability of sound systems, but
this. is largely overcome by “the
willingness of the sound crews to
carry their, heavy equipment man-
ually into places you would not
believe it possible for them to
get."

This willingness to work, Aldrich
adds, belies the “great myth”
about siesta time in Mexico.

“The crews are extremely con-
scientious -and hard working,” Al-
drich declares. “They have their
own individual styles and methods
of work which perhaps aren't quite
as speedy or as labor saving as
comparable Hollywood methods,
but there is almost no appreciable
effect on shooting schedules. We
(Continued on page 22)

Selznick’s ‘Duel’ Terms
Called Fabulous, Causing
Chill at 2-D Hungry 20th

Twentieth Century-Fox came
close to handling the reissue of
David O. Selznick’s “Duel in the
Sun" but the deal fell through
when Selznick insisted on a “fabu-
lous" guarantee.

Latter is said to have run “into
the millions." Distrib felt that such
an arrangement was inequitable
and nixed it. Selznick then decided
to channel the pic via states Tight-
er*.

Meanwhile 20th continues on the
prowl for 2-D product to add to
its sked. Currently under consid-
eration are at least two British pix,
one of which is virtually decided
on. While 20th is completely com-
mitted to Cinemascope, there are
still some 11,000 odd houses that
have not made the switch to
C’Scope yet, Latest count of
equipped houses is 6,643 on Aug. 4.

LUPINO-COLUER FILM
SNARES PAR. N.Y. DATE

Filmmakers Releasing Organiza-
tion, the Ida Lupino-Collier Xoting
distrib firm, chalked up a major
booking in its recently-inaugurated
“exhibitor guarantee" plan by
snaring the Paramount, N. Y., for a
Sept. 3 date for “Private Hell 36,”
first picture offered under the
plan.

Deal was set last week via a
transcontinental phone conversa-
tion between Edward L. Hyman,
United Paramount Theatres v.p.,
and Harry L. Mandell, FRO domes-
tic sales chief.

Miss Lupino also appears in the
picture which also stars Steve
Cochran, Howard Duff, Dean dag-
ger and Dorothy Malone.

L. A. to N. Y.

Jay Barney
Francis A. Bateman
Irving Berlin
John Dighton
Mona Freeman
Sam Gilman
Eunice Healey
Harold Hecht
Celeste Holm
Amparo Iturbi
Jose Iturbi
Joni James
George Jessel
Phyllis Kirk
Louis L’Amour
Otto Lang
. Raymond Massey
Miroslava
Jean Moorhead
Jerry Paris
Arnold Picker
Alexander Scourby
Forrest Tucker
Joseph Wiseman
Joan Woodward

Europe to N. Y.

Morey Amsterdam
Harold Arlen
Fannie Ball

Guy Bolton 1

Joan Caulfield

Charles Einfeld

Joan Gilbert

John Gutman

Paul Hager

Betsy Holland

Lydia Karine

Maynard Morris

Louella O. Parsons

Ned L. Pines

Frank Ross

Milly Vitale

Mary Ward

Mitchell Wolfson

By JOE ROLLING

Cincinnati, Aug. 10.
Second day of International Al-
liance of Theatrical Stage Em-
ployes biennial convention brought
a “pleased" statement from the
group seeking to supplant the ad-
ministration headed by Richard F.
Walsh, Brooklyn, which stands on
its record for decision by 1.200
delegates representing 60,000 mem-
bers in more than 900 locals.

Tom O’Brien, British labor’s
peace envoy, is one of the speakers

Anti-Late Hours

Cincinnati, Aug. 10.

Family, and home are the
cited motivations behind a pro-
posed resolution of IATSE's
District 2 (California, Nevada,
Arizona) which would establish
a 6 p.m. curfew for work Jin
Hollywood film studios.

Workers are often kept on
job until 7 .m. and they would
rather be home with mother
and a can of beer.

to be heard today or Wednesday.
Advance feeling is that the conven-
tion will' comply with the proposal
he made last week in New York
for creation of a liaison committee
to iron out international differ-
ences on convertibility of -Holly-

No Weekend Work

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Collier Young, head of Film-
akers, has promulgated a five-
day week policy, something
new . in the film industry. All
production units will knock off
work on Friday night, giving
the workers a two-day week-
end.

“We believe this well in-
crease technical and cast effi-
ciency,” he explained, “and,
in general, make for happier
relations and a more relaxed
production unit. Both the un-
ions and the guilds endorse
the plan."

wood and British films for thea-
tres and television commercials.

Other talks will be by Lester
Isaac, New York, Cinerama manag-
ing director, and James L. Me*
Devitt, Washington, national direc-
tor, AFL Labors League for
(Continued on page 20)

N. Y. to L. A.

George Brandt
Frank I. Davis Jr.

Yvonne De Carlo
Anne Diamond
Victor Hoare
William Holden
Roger H. Lewis
June Lockhart
David Pardoll
Thelma Ritter
Hubbell Robinson Jr.

Dore Schary
Norman Siegel
Spyros P. Skouras
Pat Weaver

N. Y. to Europe

Anthony Buttitta
Max Feigal
Ed Fitzgerald
Judy Garland
Christine Jorgensen
Robert J. Landry
Sid Luft
Harold Mirisch
Walter Mirisch
Doreen Palmer
. Jay Palmer
Mildred Shagal
Michael Todd
“Hal B. Wallis
Jack L, Warner
Monty Woolley

Wednegdfcfr Angus! IV 1954

i

vSSgtiBF?

<;< MtfftnMES

20th Spreads Use of Video
Spots To N.Y.

Greatly encouraged by the re- 4
suits of tV use in the pic promo-
tional scheme, 2Qth-Fox is now
using video to hypo firstrun neigh-
borhood biz on its pix.

Company is sinking considerable
coin into tv plugs via its tieup with
WNBT in N.Y, and is relying less
on the newspaper listings which it
used to run and which it now has
cut out in favor of tv.

Under its deal with WNBT, 20th
bought time on the station for a
year for a down payment of ap*
proximately $150,000. This gives it
the right to, use the station apy
time it pleases. It also bought in
at the lower rates.

Experiment of supporting the
neighborhoods with tv started with
‘■'River of No Return” and has
since continued with “Three Goins
in the Fountain” and "Demetrius.”
20th will get behind "Broken
Lance” in the same manner.
WNBT recently plugged "Lance”
at the Rbxy and "Demetrius” at
the nabes at the same time.

Expands at UA

In keeping with its release of 48
features from now to Aug. » 1955,
including one "blockbuster”: a
month. United Artists plans to ex-
pand its pub-ad-exploitation staff
which reports to Francis Winikus.
The other departments of the com-
pany, it’s felt, are manned suffi-
ciently te handle the increased pro-
gram.

The bally staff bolstering has al-
ready taken place to a degree,
with the assignment of Leon Roth
to the Coast, and Dick Condon to
Europe with headquarters in Paris.
The field exploitation staff, which
now numbers six permanent men
(plus several on temporary assign-
ment for special pix) will be
doubled, according to v.p. Max
Youngstein. The expansion pro-
gram is expected to be completed
by Jan., 1955.

UA, meanwhile, continues to
gain attention on the financial
pages. The company hired a spe-
cial publicity outfit which special-
izes in financial page breaks. Ob-
jective was to put across effective-
(Continued on page 15)

Return of Gaston

They say it can’t happen,
but it did!

A foreign film importer got
a booking the. other day for
one of his pix and sent along
the prin^ asking the exhibitor
to bill him for censor fees.

The theaitreman penned a
reply, stating that he thought
the film was fine and that he
insisted on paying the censor-
ship bite himself.

For 'Egyptian

Sales policy patterned after
The Robe” has been mapped by
20th-Fox for its “The Egyptian”
which is skedded for a mass, preem
in about 200 situations around the
country about Labor Day.

"The Egyptian” will be sold
Wherever possible on a 70-30-10
basis which guarantees the exhib
10% . of the gross as profit. That’s
figured after the deduction of the
house nut which thus becomes an
important factor in such deals.

Same type of rental policy
worked out very well for "The
Robe” and is considered a fair and
square break for both exhibs and
20th.

"The Egyptian” bows at the
Roxy., N. Y., on Aug. 24 in a Red
Cross benefit. Other openings also
will be gala affairs. Film runs 229
minutes.

INDIES’ ROLE SEEN IN

HOWARD COSTIGAN SUES
IA FOR RED SMUDGE

Los Angeles, Aug, 10.

Charges of libel were made by
public relations counsel Howard
Costigan in a $250,000 suit against
11 officers and members IATSE
Grips Local 80. Libelous » state-
ments, the complaint says, were
contained in a letter issued by
"Delegates of Local 80 Grips.”
Plaintiff asked $50,000 for injury
to his reputation and $200,000 ex-
emplary damages.

Defendants in the suit are Wil-
liam Holbrook, president of the
local; Raymond Schultz, secretary;
Robert Fleming, . John Rierner,
Vernon A. White, Mason Morris,
Paul Way, C. W. Thompson, Wil-
ham Jones, Frank Clare and
Charles A. Good.

The letter referred to Costigan
as an "Ex? Communist” and said
fie had, as recently, as 1952, be-
longed- to communist-front organi-
zations.

Heilman, King to Produce

Hollywood, Aug. 10.
t e Heilman, formerly with
J. Arthur Rank in England, and
Charles L. King III have formed

i 5 ew .. tom Pany. Heilman-King
productions to make feature films.

New outfit will tee off with "The
Furnace Within” late this month.

ple°ted ng SCript haS bee ” Com ’

Warner Bros,’ financial report
showing a net profit of $2,536,000
for the nine months ending May
29, also reveals the company’s con-
tinued dependence on package
deals involving outside producers.
The consolidated balance sheet, is-
sued yesterday (Tues.) shows $11,-
717, 792 in advances to outside pro-
ducers. The advances to outside
producers have been climbing
steadily since 1952 when the com-
pany’s. annual report, released at
the conclusion of the fiscal year in
August, indicated $4,448,201 in ad-
vances. Increases are also noted in
reports issued this year. In Feb.,
1954, the advances amounted to
$9,768,390. In June, it jumped to
$10,655,842.

The $2,536,000 profit was arrived
at after provision of $2,250,000 for
federal taxes and $300,000 for con-
tingent liabilities. Included in the
profit is a gain of $772,000 from the
sale of capital assets, before pro-
vision for federal taxes thereon.

Film rentals, sales, etc. amounted
to $49,506,002. The net profit is
equivalent to $1.02 per share on
the 2,474,337 shares of common
stock outstanding or reserved for
exchange at May 29.

Comparative figures released by
the company for the corresponding
(Continued on page 15)

■ By FRED. HIFT

At a time when there appears
to be unprecedented interest in
foreign film imports, industry ob-
servers are voicing concern over
the apparent* lack of quality pro-
ductions abroad.

At the same time, importers are
worried over what . they call the
"fabulous” prices asked for even
mediocre foreign films by their
producers. This has begun to re-
sult in a much more direct contact
between the producers abroad and
U. S. . exhibs, the middlemen feel-
ing that the risk is too great for
them to carry.

Brandt circuit, for instance, is
currently dickering for a group of
nine British pix. Chain wants to
be sure these films get over here
quickly and aren’t tied up by . pro-
longed negotiations. The arrange-
ments Jilso secures the product for
its artie outlets. After the films’
first-run engagements, Brandt—
as he has done in the past— ar-
ranges for a sub-distributor. That’s
the same arrangement the circuit
made with "Pickwick Papers,” the
Renown film which is cleaning up.

Risk element in foreign films is
greater today than ever before, the
indies say. Example is cited of an
international festival winner which
brought its producers a $70,000 ad-
vance from the American distrib.
The picture has netted $2,000 so
far.

Question of quality is a matter
of considerable discussion among
the importers.- There is a general
agreement that, on the whole,
European production is in a slump
quality wise. However, there is con-
siderable disagreement on Where
the blame should be put. For that
matter, the indies aren’t even sure
any more that what they used to
call a "good” foreign film (for
them) still means the same thing
to the producer.

It’s acknowledged that, while
producers abroad appreciate the
importance of the arties, they now
have their eye on bigger game, i.e.,
distribution in the commercial
houses, and that this undoubtedly
has affected film content. Thus
the European industries are turn-
ing out a lesser percentage of pix
with artie potential and a larger
number of films which are Con-
sidered to have a chance for wider
circulation. It's charged that many
of these attractions turn out
neither fish nor fowl. At the same
time American spokesman, like
Leonard Goldenson of United
Paramount, continuously urge Eu-
ropean filmmakers to produce with
an eye to the broader market.

The percentage of foreign hits

(Continued on page 18)

Johnston on France But Wonder
At His Italian 'Don’t Knows

Attention London

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

South Africa is welcoming
more and more American pic-
tures, according to Philip
Weber, Capetown newspaper
editor, in Hollywood as a
guest of the motion picture in-
dustry.

"We had a lot of bad Brit-
ish films pushed at us for a
while,” he said, "but we now
have Successfully resisted any
such encroachment. Today we
have the best films from both
America and Britain.”

Allied Artists Plenty Busy

Hollywood,' Aug. 10.

Production by Allied Artists this
month is tops for the year, with
three features in work, five in the
editing rooms' and two more slated
to start before the end of the
month.

Before the cameras are "The
Black Prince,” in England; “Ketchi-
kan” in Alaska, and “Dynamite An-
chorage” at San Diego. Ready to
start are "The Annapolis Story”
and "The Big Combo,” In process
of editing are "The Adventures of
Hajji Baba,” "The Human Jungle,”
"The Bob Mathias Story,” "Target
Earth” and "Bowery to Bagdad.”

International Affiliates, Inc., has
been formed in N. Y. by John G.
McCarthy, former v.p. in charge
of the Motion Picture Assn, of
America’s international division.

New organization will function
in the international field. It plans
to finance films and particularly
coproductions aimed at the inter-
national market and also will serve
as . foreign producers’ rep in the
U. S. Apart from that, Interna-
tional Affiliates will be active in
public relations, promotion and
publicity, for foreign features and
will concern itself with interna-
tional currency tfansactions.

Outfit already reps N. Peter
Rathvon’s productions in western
Europe, starting with his "No Way
Back.” It also acts for Georges
Lourau, an important French pro-
ducer, and is currently dickering a
distribution deal for the latter’s
"Wages of Fear” and other pro-
ductions.

James Morton-Smith is associat-
ed with McCarthy as v.p. and treas-
urer of International Affiliates,
which headquarters in Rockefeller
Center. McCarthy leaves for Eu-
rope Aug. 17 for confabs with
Rathvon and Lourau. He will also
go to Italy, where he’ll attend the
Venice festival, and later to Brit-
ain.

McCarthy, who enjoys a wide
circle of friends and acquaintances
among government and industry
people abroad, feels International
Affiliates could be turned into a
focal point of foreign pix activity
in the U. S.

Foreign film distributors huddle
With Eric Johnston in N.Y. on
Monday (9) dispelled the indies’
concern over the Motion Picture
Export Assn.’s recent French film
deal but failed to satisfy them re
the Italian situation.

Johnston delivered his pitch be-
fore a luncheon meet of the Inde-
pendent Motion Picture Distrib*
utors Assn., flying in from Wash-
ington. Emerging from the lengthy
session, which was closed to the
press, the indies — some 26 attend-
ed-acknowledged that Johnston
was a spellbinder who knew how
to present his case.

However, there was distinct dis
appointment among some over th<
lack of detail he was able to pro-
vide in connection with the Italian
subsidy and its outgrowth, Italian
Film Export, which the indies con-
sider their prime threat.

Knew Jordan Valley Well
Comment was made that th«
MPEA topper, while intimately
familiar with the facts and figures
of the Jordan Valley project on
which he is working as President
Eisenhower’s personal representa-
tive, was noticeably less informed
on IFE which to the indies still
looms as the most potent threat
to their business. Those at the
luncheon said that Johnston again
and again pleaded ignorance of
various, phases and details of the
Italo . arrangement.

He did, however, effectively
state the MPEA’s position, declar-
ing that he had been saddled, dur-
ing his absence in .government
(Continued on page 20)

Robin International’s $580,080 Deposit

In Event of Dispute With Stanley Warner Arbitrator

Is— (Sic) Si Fabian

Robin International, the world
trade firm which will open Cine-
rama abroad, plunked down $500,*
000 in escrow as its guarantee to
open five Cinerama-equipped the-
atres in foreign cities. Coin is be-
ing held by Stanley Warner which
will return $100,000 at a time as
each theatre is fully equipped.

^Vfter Rubin recovers the equip-
ment and installation costs from
the exhibition of a Cinerama film,
50% wili be set aside for operation
costs, with royalty payments to
Cinerama, Inc., the equipment
company and patent holder, com-
ing out of this share. Stanley
Warner and Cinerama Productions,
the company -that turned over the
exhibition and production rights
to SW, will split 35%, with the
final 15% going to Robin.

An Unusual clause in the con-
tract between Robin and Stanley
Warner provides for S.H. (Si)

Fabian, SW prexy, to serve as ar-
bitrator in the case of disputes.

On the domestic front, SW execs
are weighing a Philadelphia versus
a New York opening for "Cine-
rama Holiday,” second feature in
the medium. In New York, busi-
ness for "This Is Cinerama,” first
film in the medium, is holding up
nicely due largely to the large in-
flux of tourists. In Philly, how-
ever, the picture is only doing so-
so, . leading to the view that the
new entry might serve as a hyp»r
However, the execs are taking into
consideration the impact of a
Gotham opening with its resultant
nationwide publicity.

Should New York win out, which
appears the case at the moment,
the opening will be shortly aft<yr
Labor Day when the tourists have
-abandoned the city and a decline
in biz is expected. If Philly gets
the nod, it might be an earlier
date.

Deal was closed last week by
Paramount with the N,Y. Music
Hall whereby Par’s VistaVision
process and its initial VistaVision
pic, "White Christmas,” will be
preemed at the Hall following
“Brigadoon.” Based on the length
Of run for "7 Brides For 7 Broth-
ers,” now in its third week at the
Music Hall, and how long "Briga-
doon” plays there following
"Brides,” preem of VistaVision
"Christmas” probably should be
sometime in October.

Present indications are that "7
Brides” will play seven to eight
weeks at the Hall. "Christmas” is
the first non-Metro production to
play the Hall this year. It will be
given full voltage bally being both
on the Irving Berlin musical (star-
ring Bing Crosby-Danny Kaye) and
the fact that it is the first Vista-
Vision feature released’ to the pub-
lic. Film was not set for release
earlier because "Knock on Wood,”
another Par pic starring Kaye, still
is playing in numerous key cities.

Par’s "Sabrina” was lifted from
the Hall’s schedule a couple of
weeks ago at Paramount’s request
in order to clear the way for spot-
(Coritinued-on page 16)

GOLDSTEIN-JACKS MEET
WITH UA IN MANHATTAN

Robert Goldstein and Robert L.
Jacks, veepees of Leonard Gold-
stein Productions, planed east over
the weekend for a series of hud-
dles that will determine the future
of the independent production
unit. Status of the operation has
been in doubt since the death of
Leonard Goldstein two weeks ago.

Conferences have been set up
with executives of United Artists,
with /whom LGP had a releasing
deal, in addition, it’s understood
that Goldstein and Jacks will hud-
dle with various financial interests
concerning ways and means of
continuing the outlined schedule
of production under the Goldstein
banner.

V

wtwwm ws

. \ ^ ft W T 'f •*'-.*,* ' «r\*: ?• « 7 • k V#

Wcl!iMf% 9 August! ii; 19S4

' .* Brfgadook

(C-SCOPE MUSICAL-COLOR)

Musical fantasy giving C-Scope
treatment to stage hit; mixed
appeal so needs strong selling.

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Metro release o£ Arthur Treed produc-
tion. Stars Gene KeUy, Van Johnson, Cyd
Chari sac; features Elaine -Stewart, with
Barry Jones, Hugh Laing, Albert Sharpe,
Virginia Hosier, Jimmy Thompson, Body
Heath. Directed by Vincente Minnelli.
Screenplay, Alan Jay Lerner; based on
the musical piay with book and lyrics by
Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe.
presented on the stage by Cheryl Craw-
ford; camera (Ansco Color). Joseph Rut-
fenberg; editor, Albert Akst; musical
direction. Johnny Green; choreography.
Gene .Kelly. Previewed Aug. 6, '54. Run-
ning time, 1t0 MINS.

Tommy Albright . ' Gen , e

Jeff Douglas Van Johnson

Fiona Campbell. - ■ • • • _, c . yd Ch^rissc

Jane Ashton Elaine Stewart

Mr. Llmtlic

Harry Beaton

Andrew C * in obeli Albert Sharpe

Jean Campbell Virginia Bosier

Charlie Chisholm Dalrymple

Jimmy Thompson
Archie Beaton ......... T hdor Owen

Angus . Owen McGiveney

Ann . Dee Turnell

Meg Brockle u° dy oHi e ifnn

Sandv • Eddie QUiUan

(Aspect ratio: 2.654)

Preston Ames did the smart art
direction and the e<jually ^ood

decorations were oy
Willis and Keogh Gleason

Bro$.

Hainan Desire

.In transferring “Brigadoon, a
click as a Broadway musical play,
to the screen, Metro has achieved
medium success. It’s a fairly en-
tertaining tunefilm of mixed
appeal. It should find a ready
audience in the keys where the
footlight version did well, but
needs herd selling elsewhere.

. Among the more noteworthy
points are the score t as directed
by Johnny Green, and the stage-
type settings that represent the
plot’s Highland locale. The latter
are striking examples of art direc-
tion, even though they are the
major contribution to the feeling
that this is a filmed stage show,
rather than a motion picture musi-
cal.

Less noteworthy is the cho-
reography by Gene Kelly, who also
plays the lead male role, and his
singing of the Alan Jay Lerner-
Frederick Loewe songs. The dance
staging is pot particularly arrest-
ing, although a few of the numbers
will have the desired effect on an
audience, and the vocals fail to
give the tunes the tonal impact
needed to put them over.

Most audiences will probably go
for the spirited staging of “I’ll Go
Home With Bonnie Jean” as a sort
of community song-and-dance ef-
fort. and “The Gathering of the
Clans,” with swirling bagpipes and
drums, that leads into “The Wed-
ding Dance.” Missing is the ex
citing “Sword Dance” that was an
important part of the wedding
number on stage. One or two songs
also are eliminated, as well as
several sequences that would have
better explained the plot’s fantasy
theme.

Kelly and Cyd Charisse, the
femme star, share “The Heather
On the Hill” and “From This Day
On” as song-and-dance production
numbers and they come, over fairly
well. Miss Charisse scores best on
“Waitin’ For My Etearie,” done
with a group of girls. As the High-
land miss of two centuries ago who
captures the heart of a 20th cen-
tury male, she is one of the film’s
better points. “It’s Almost Like
Being In Love" is disappointing
as sung and danced by Kelly.
Other numbers are “Brigadoon,”
“The Chase” and “Prologue.”

The Lerner musical play tells of
two New Yorkers who become lost
while hunting in Scotland and
happen on Brigadoon on the one
day that it is visible every 100
years. With nights that are 100
years long, the villagers are in a
mood for making merry. Besides,
a wedding is to take place and
Kelly and Van Johnson, the mod-
ern-day males, join in the fun.
Particularly Kelly, who falls for
Miss Charisse hard enough to be
willing to join his sweetheart in
the long ago and escape from the
wear and tear of modern living.

The latter is artfully exampled
In a Broadway scene when the
hunters return home and are
caught up in the hectic, make-
haste air of New York. It is in this
sequence that Elaine Stewart
makes her sole appearance as the
modern fiancee of Kelly and she
stands out most favorably. John-
son, other than a few good quips,
has a rather thankless role. Barry
Jones, as the Brigadoon scholar
who tells of the village’s strange
escape from reality, is good. So
is Jimmy Thompson, the bride
groom. Hugh Laihg, the disap-
pointed suitor, is not used to any
advantage. Others make appro-
priate appearances as Brigadoon
villagers.

Vincente Minnelli directed the
Arthur Freed production from a
screenplay written by Lerner. Both
the script and the direction bring

. Sordid romantics and murder
with Glenn Ford, Gloria Gra-
hame and Broderick Crawford.
Boxofflce values spotty,

Columbia release of Lewl« J. RaclimU
production. Stars Glenn Ford, Gloria
Grahame. Broderick Crawford; feature*
Edgar Buchanan, Kathleen Case,_ Peggy
Maley, Diane DeLaire, Grandon Rhodes.
Directed by Fritz Lang. ■ Screenplay, Al-
fred Hayes; based on novel by Emile
Zola; camera. Burnett Guffey; editor,
Robert Peterson; music, Daniel Amfltnea-
trof (conducted by Morris Stoloff). Pre-
viewed N.Y. July. 29, *54. Running time,
90 MINS.,

Jeff Warren ................ Glenn F ord

Vicki Buckley . Gloria Grahame

Carl Buckley ...... Broderick Crawford

Alec Simmons Edgar Buchanan

Ellen Simmons.. .......... Kathleen Case

Jean ‘ .Peggy Maley

Vera Slmmoh* Diane DeLaire

John Owens Grandon Rhodes

Bartender Dan Seymour

Matt Henlay John Pickard

Brakeman Paul Brinegar

Prosecutor Gruber . . Dan Riss

Davidson Victor Hugo Greene

Russell John Zaremba

John Thurston Carl Lee

Lewis . . . ... Olan Soule

(Aspect ratio: 1.854)

■ Duel in the Junglk

This Moulin production be-
ing released in the United
States by Warner Bros, wat re-
viewed from London in the
July 7, ’54 issue of Variety, it
stars Jeanne Crain, Dana An-
drews, and David Farrar and
was directed by George Mar-
shall from a script by Sam
Marx.

Reviewer Myro was pf the
opinion that “this melodramat-
ic story of a trek through the
jungle to unearth a sadistic
swindler has brought the redc-
tlQxl that the overseas show-
ing of such a situation would
do harm to Britain’s prestige
at the present time.” While
he notes that there is plenty
of scope for an entertaining
story in the basic: idea, “this
present treatment and trite
dialog prove a waste of much
.that is good , . .”

The audience meets same
wretched characters on the rail-
road in this adaptation of the
Emile Zola novel; “The Human
Beast.” Some years ago a French
picturization of the work was done
with heavy accent on psychological
study of an alcohol-crazed killer.
Although low in moral tone it still
presented an arresting portrait.

This time out the development is
contrived and the characters shal-
low. The lead names may help but
heavy selling is demanded if the
pic is to get by adequately.

Fritz Lang, director, goes over-
board in his effort to create mood.
Long focusing on locomotive
speeding and twisting on the rails
has obscure value for it is neither
entertaining nor essential to the
plot.

At the outset, Alfred Hayes’
screenplay provides much conver-
sation about the fact that Glenn
Ford, who’s back on the job as an
engineer, had .been fighting the
war in Korea. There’s not much
point to this, considering that
Ford’s background has little bear-
ing on the yarn.

Broderick Crawford, Gloria Gra-
hame and Ford make a brooding,
sordid triangle, hopelessly in
volved. Crawfqrd is utterly frus-
trated in his effort to please his
wife, Miss Grahame, and stay on
an eveir keel with his heartless
yardmaster boss. Miss Grahame is
a miserable character, alternately
denying and admitting she has
given herself to other men. Ford
dates Miss Grahame and toys with
the idea of murdering her hus-
band.

The story works itself clumsily
into an actual murder situation, a
recipient of Miss Grahame’s
charms being the victim and Craw-
ford the slayer. Ford eventually
sizes up Miss Grahame correctly
and walks out on her. Climax has
Crawford about to commit his
second .murder, this time his wife.

Lewis J. Rachmil’s production is
laid out well enough in the rail-
road settings. But the scenario, as
written by Hayes and direoted by
Lang, lacks any genuine suspense
or excitement and the players
down the line impart slight con-
viction to their parts. Technical
credits are adequate. Gene.

Gambler From Natchez

(COLOR)

Regulation, costumed action-
drama for the program mar-
ket.

stein, is the crinoline days along
the Mississippi, when all the gals
were as sweet as magnolia blos-
soms and the men dispensed jus-
tice and gallantry according to a
rigid code. It’s strictly regulation,
in plot and performance.

Debra Paget, who . mixes some
ginger with the magnolias, and
Dale Robertson, officer son of a
professional river gambler, star
under Henry Levin’s direction.
She comes off best as the river
spitfire who is instrumental in
helping Robertson obtain revenge
on some blooded dandies for the
slaying of his father. The direction
and plotting throw more color her
way than to Robertson, who tries
but still seems uncomfortable in
his tight-pants heroics.

The Gerald Drayson Adams
story, which Adams scripted With
Irving Wallace, has, Robertson re-
turning from four years service in
Texas under General Sam Houston
to find his father murdered. The
deed was done by Kevin McCarthy,
who couldn’t stand losing both his
interest in the new river boat and
his plantation to the gambler. The
heavy’s out to get Robertson, too,
and when a henchman plunges a
knife into the hero, he’s saved from
the river by Miss Paget.

From then on, it is a question of
Robertson running down those im-
plcated in his father’s death and
eventually succumbing to Miss
Paget’s advances, a turn of roman-
tic event not pleasing to Lisa
Daniels, who has been helping
brother McCarthy’s dirty work but
has also fallen for the hero.

Thomas Gomez, the rotund
father of Miss Paget; Douglas Dick,
Miss Daniels’ effete suitor; John
Wengraf, one of the conspirators,
and the others provide the princi-
pals with adequate support in the
formula doings. Miss Paget sings
Monsieur Banjo,” a public domain
number, in one of several se-
quences in which she is costumed
in fetching undergarments.

Lensing, art direction and edit-
ing are among the okay technical
credits. The Lionel Newman score
is overused most of the time.

Brog.

Le Mouton A Cinq Pattes

(The Five-Legged Sheep)
(FRENCH)

Paris, Aug. 10.

Codnor release of Raoul Ploquln-
Cocinex production. Stars Fernandel.
Directed by Henri Verneuil. "Screenplay,
Albert Valentin, adapted by Rene Bnr-
javel; camera, Armand Thirard; editor,
Christian Gaudin. Previewed in Paris,
Running time, 100 MINS.

Edouard*

Alain

Bernard Fernandel

Etienne

Charles

Desire

Marianne Francoise Arnoul

Bolene ' Delmont

Pilate Louis De Funes

Brissard Noel Roquevert

columnist* At each character is
found too goes ttorgugb « sketch,
with Fernandel, of course; doing
the different brothers. " ■

Director Henry Verneuil. has
vulgarized too many iispects of*thifl,
result being that much of the comic
impact is lost. Fernandel has a
field day, but his bag of tricks are
getting familiar and he does not
give each character the relief
needed to give this a more overall
Impact. Lensing is fine as is edit-
ing. Cast is good with Louis De
Funes and Francoise Arnoul ex-
cellent in support. Mosk.

Les Uommes Ne Pensent
Qu’ACa

(Men Think, Only of That)
(FRENCH)

Paris, Aug. 3. ..

Gaumont release of Chavanne-Gaumont-
Cinephonic production. Directed by Yves
Robert. Screenplay, Jean Bellanger; adap-
tation and dialog, Bellanger, jean Mar-
san; camera, Paul' Soullgnac; editor, Ray-
mond Lamy, Features Robert, Bellanger,
Jean-Marie Amato, Louis De Funes, Cath-
arine Erard. At Balzac, Paris. Running
time. 75 MINS.

• Berlin, Aug. 3.

Union roleas# of Oska production.
Stars Idselotto Pulvar and „ Paul Hub
sebmid. Directed by Toni Scbelkopf and
Rainer Gles. Screenplay, Franz Geiger and
Peter Bernels, based on a novel by Andre
Maurois; camera. Franc Koch; music,
Ulrich Sommerlatte. .. At Klld, Berlin.
Running time. 111 MIMS. ^

Justus Schneematm’. .Paul Hubechmid
Marianne Schneemtnn.. -Liselotte Pulver
Tobias .............. Wolf Albach-Retty

Refine Cornell Borchers

Billy Ingrid Lutz

Boris Salmon ..Alexander Goiiing

Kraemer .......... .i Hermann Pfeiffer

Sabine Suzanne Navrnth

Songstress Gisela Griffel

Timid Soul

. Jean Bellanger

Don Juan . . T i . . . I . . , . . Jean-Marie Amato

Salesgirl ......... .Catherine Erard

Boy .... ;..... -.Guy Pierrauld

Girl Rosy Varte

Husband .Louis De

Butcher ................ .Jacques Fabbri

Soldier Yves Robert

The Yves Robert group started
in the Left Bank existentialist
caves and created a new type of
satirical, vest pocket theatrics
which had them graduating to legit
and now it js trying its hand with
this formula in films. This emerges
as a sort of filmic essay on the
various forms of seduction built
around the story of a timid soul
who is initiated into the mysteries
of love. Though slight in film form,
this engenders enough laughs to
make it palatable in general situa-
tions here with word-of-mouth a
factor. For the U. S., this is too
sketchy for any important runs,
but might be cut to make medium-
length supporting pic in arty
houses. It is also a fine gambit
for tv.

A timid young man hasn’t the
nerve to approach his adored sales-
girl who gives him all the oppor-
tunities. Don Juan appears to
him and initiates him to the vari-
ous forms of romantic aplomb and
triumph. Here pic goes into a
series of clever vignettes and gags
on the various forms of seduction
with a series of comic situations.

This lacks the class of “Hulot's
Holiday,” but is Gallic enough
for special situations. Simple
special effects are well utilized.
Jean Bellanger is fine as the timid
male, Jean-Pierre Amato, okay as
the cantankerous, truculent Don
Juan, and -the others of the group
do well in severs’ vignettes. Louis
De Funes is a comic find as the
twitching, slow-boiling husband.
Technical aspects are good and
obvious low production nut should
make this pay off here. Mosk

Hollywood, Aug. 4.

20th-Fox release of Panoramic presen-
tation, produced by Leonard Goldstein.
Stars Debra Paget, Dale Robertson; fea-
tures Thomas Gomez, Lisa Daniels, Kevin
McCarthy, Douglas Dick, John Wengraf,
Donald Randolph, Henry Letondal, Jay
Novello. Directed by Henry Levin. Screen-
play, Gerald . Drayson Adams, Irving
Wallace; story, by Adams; camera (Tech-
nicolor), Lloyd Ahem; editor, WUliam
Murphy; music. Lionel Newman. Pre-
viewed Aug. 2, *54. Running time, 07
MINS.

Vance Colby ...Dale Robertson

Melanie Barbee Debra Paget

Captain Barbee. . Thomas Gomez

Yvette Rivage . Lisa Daniels

Andre Rivage Kevin McCarthy

Claude St. Germaine Douglas Dick

Cadiz.. John Wengraf

Pitrre Bonet...... Donald Randolph

Renard Henri Letondal

Garonne Jay NcrveUo

Josh Woodv. Strode

Etienne .Peter Matnako*

Raoul Ivan Trlesault

(Aspect ratio: 1.664)

This typically German comedy
has to do with- two young people’s
love, marriage* divorce and recon-
ciliation. Although the pic has nice
production and a ’good cast, it
probably is too familiar in treat-
ment and too iieaVy with dialog to
give it more than spotty chances
in the U. S. market. Domestic pros-
pects, however, are excellent.

The story, based on a novel by
French writer Andre’ Maurois, con-
cerns a young journalist who
dreams of becoming a great author.

eeling his wife doesn’t under-
stand him, he seeks consolation
and love with another ’ woman.

atter tries to help him climb to
success while his marriage, of
course, flounders. But he soon
inds he was better off with his
wife and, taking into consideration
his limited abilities, it is better to
be a good journalist than a fair
author. Ending sees him remarry-
ing his. former wife.

Very much on the plus side is
he acting. Liselotte Pulver and
Paul Hubschmid (Paul Christian),
both Swiss, convincingly play the
couple. Special praise goes to Miss
Pulver, whose outstanding perform-
ance again justifies the fact that
she currently is one of Germany’s
busiest stars.

A minor weakness in the produc-
ion is the occasionally draggy di-
rection by Toni Schelkopf and
Rainer Gies. A little less dialog
and some sophisticated touches
would have helpg& Technically,
the film is adequate with the fine
lensing. There is a catchy song
which also is utilized in the back-
ground music. Hans.

Itumeur Publique

(Public Rumor)
(FRANCO-ITALIAN)

• Paris, jAug. 3.

Sirius release of Sirius-Caretta Films
production. Stars Daniel Gelin, Maria
Mauban, Gian Tedeschl. Directed by
Maurizio Cosnatl; screenplay, A. Rossi,
F. VUlani, Cognatl; adaptation and dia-
log. Charles Spaak; camera, Goffredo
Alessandrini; editor, Rodolfo Palerml. At
Francais, Paris. Running time, f 0 MINS.

jaier Daniel Gelin

Star Marla Mauban

Eglsto ........Gian Tedeschl

Actor Maslmo Serato

Director C. Campanini

Orage

(Storm)

(FRANCO-ITALIAN)

Paris, Aug. 3.

Cocinor release of BeUotti Film produc
tion. Stars Raf Vallone, Francoise Ar-
noul. Directed by Pierre BUlon, Qiorglo
Capltlni. Screenplay by Billon, from a
novel by Henri Bernstein; camera, Gabor
Pogany; editor, Rezo Lucedi. At Marig
nan, Paris. Running time, 100 MINS.

Andre Raf Vallone

Francoise Francoise Arnoul

Elena Elena Varzl

Gilbert Giorgio Albertazzi

Fernandel is one of the top box-
office draws here, and his present
producers have decided to cash in
on this by casting him as a father
and his quintuplet sons. Result is
a gimmick pic which allows Fer-
nandel to romp in all the roles
but. only stringing together a group
of incidents and sketches only re-
lated by the family ties. Plot sees
the town mayor trying to reunite
the quints and the crotchety father
for publicity purposes. Film has
some good ideas and many laughs,
but is weighted down by a vulgar^
ized batch of sketches which lack
the levity and tone needed for top
spotting in the U. S. It has defi-^
nfte local appeal but its American
chances are much slimmer, main
appeal being the Fernandel mon-
iker and possible word-of-mouth.

Story shows a crusty father hold-
ing a grudge against his grown
quintuplet sons who had never
come home after thbir schooling.
The mayor decides to round them

The program market should find
“The Gambler From Natchez” ac-
ceptable filmfare for either top or .
bottom of the bill bookings. It is?

. , a fanciful action drama in costume i up to surprise the old man. So the

the show off fairly well, but it is j and Technicolor that achieves gen- ! town doctor sets off to get the

a tough thing to put fantasy on Ter ally satisfactory results for the, quints. He unearths an effeminate
the screen solidly. The Cinema- | non-discriminating trade. - if rich beautician, a poor but easy-

Scope lensing, in Ansco Color, is | Setting for the Panoramic pre- going window washer with a flock

bandied excellently by Joseph ] sentation, produced for 20th-Fo% , of kids, a tough sea captain, a
Ruttenberg. Cedric Gibbons and: release by the late Leonard Gold- ‘ pricc.t and an advice to lovelorn

This film is a sudsy affair which
concerns the extra-marital affair of
a devoted husband who is finally
sent back to his faithful wife by
his upright mistress. Slow pacing,
familiarity and -lack of character
depth put this in the distaff cate-
gory. It has chance for general
play dates here on the names of
Raf Vallone and Francoise Arnoul
But for the U. S., it is limited to
possibly a few dualers.

Andre is a sober, industrious
husband who, on a business trip to
Rome, is begged by his romantic
brother-in-law to beg a certain
young lady to return his love
Andre goes, and through a series
of circumstam ss finds himself
stranded with the girl and love
blossoms. Complications arise at
the return of an old suitor, bu
Andre cannot face life without her
and decides to leave his wife. The
wife calls in the girl and says she
is going to have a baby. So the
girl walks off into the night, leav-
ing Andre for his wife and coming
heir.

Director Pierre Billon has no.
been able to erase the novelettish
quality of the work. Result is tha.
the progression of the love and
final reprisal is never convincing.
Miss Arnoul is good in a familiar
rolq for her as the other woman,
but El eh a Varzi is colorless and
uneven as the wife. Vallone is
betrayed by dubbing and it is only
his massive, sombre presence which
keeps the role from being com-
pletely undefined, Remainder of
the cast is also inadequately
dubbed. Lensing . and editing are
good. , Mosk* ,

Franco-Italo pic is one of the ex-
amples of* the horrors that can re-
sult from coproduction. Off-synch
dubbing, uneven thesping, and
jumpy unfoldment evidence a
babel-like attempt at quickly-made
film, and this will suffer in both
countries. Buried in this study of
the effect ok a neo-realistic film on
the people involved is a good off-
beat idea that lacks cohesiveness
and completely national treatment
needed to make this palatable. This
has a few names here for both
France and Italy for general situa-
tions, but is not of much conse-
quence for U. S. chances.

A journalist covers a story in a
small town in which a wife has
fallen down a flight of stairs and
been killed. The husband is sus-
pected. He makes a great story of
this and his attempts acquit the
man. He writes a scenario in which
he convinces the man to play him-
self due to the notoriety involved.
As the picture unfolds the true
story comes out, and the husband
finds he had been cheated oh by
his best friend. He goes out \.o kill
him, but instead ends up .killing
the journalist who had dug into all
this and exposed his shame.

Daniel Gelin is miscast as the re-
porter and his bad dubbing doesn t
help the role any. Maria Mauban
is also a good French name lost
the shuffle. Gian Tedeschi, as the
husband, can’t do much with an
overly dramatic role and the rest
of the cast is adequate. Lensing
and editing cahnot help this
choppily - made, erratically - paced
film into falling into the mood ana
drama of its tale. Mosk.

C’Scope Lenses Cut

Chicago, Aug. 10.

Bell & Howell has dropped price
of its 35m CinemaScope PJ°>]f ii
tion lenses for theatres to $l>oya
per pair.

A. H. Bolt, director of sales, at-
tributed the price dut to increased
demand and sales.

TtVrincfld«y< Allgtjg* Uf

With the industry making fewer rf-
h 't biaeer pictures/ the demand for 1
Stsolfllterary properties and lor
performers with acknowledged
boxoffice appeal is ^addlng consid-
prably to the already-inflated pro-
duction costs. Studios . are onC£
again shelling out big sums for
nlavs and books that have caught
the public fancy as, for example,
the £i ,000.000 for “Guys and Dolls/'

SI 000,000 for “The Spirit of St.
Louis!'’ and $750,000 for- “Can-
Can.” Prices of $100,000 for best-
selling novels are no longer un-
common as they were just a few

short years ago.

“In today's market,” said a high-
ly-placed distrib exec, “the . basic
ingredients must b,e the best. If
you start with these, you think you
have a chance of success.”

His comments were in answer to
a query relating the growing num-
ber of exhibitor beefs relating to
the cost of film and to the charge
that distribs are siphoning off
the benefit of the recent admission
tax relief. He cited the story and
talent costs as factors resulting in
the larger budgets for each pic-
ture and as justifying the increased
rental costs. “If you start out pay

Chicago, Aug. 10.

Lou Kravitz, who joined Filmack
Trailers a' year ago as its advertis-
•ing manager, was elected viceprexy
in charge of- sales at annual stock-
holders meet of the company last
week. Krdvitz was also appointed
a member of the board of directors.

' Irving Mack was reelected presi-
dent of ‘Filmack; Donald Mack,
v.p.; Bernard Mack, secretary; Jo-
seph Mack, treasurer; and John
Wenner of Daniel F. Rice & Go.,
members of the New York Stock
Exchange, reelected as a member
of the board.

ing $1,000,000 for the property
and spend another million or two
for the actual production, there
must be some way for the produ-
cer to get his money back and to
make a profit,” he explained.

The exec, who is a top official
of one of the r largest film com-
panies. frankly asked “why should
the exhibitor get all the benefit
of the tax relief?” The producer-
distributor, he said, is taking a
tremendous risk. “He's out to make
the finest picture he can make,”
he said. “His production and dis-
( Continued on page 18)

Mexican Film Industry
Hopes to Get Acceptance

‘Wind' Blows V Blows;
State, N.Y., Pays Off
Prints; All Else Gravy

Bullish attitude towards Loew's
(Metro) stock in Wall Street stems
to a big extent currently from
realization of how much profit
“Gone With Wind” is going to
mean to the corporation’s coffers.
Some financial experts now are
figuring that virtually all revenue
taken from engagements outside
New York City represent found
money since there Is no produc-
tion cost ^ be liquidated. Reason
is Chat the 63-day run of
Wind” at Loew’s * State showed
nearly enough profit to cover the
cost of prints required on all play-
jtes in the U. S. plus most of the
advertising outlay.

nn£ iv ? 1 War classic grossed $420,-
«0Q at the State in bine weeks plus
h>ur days, or an all-time gross
mark at the house for such a
lengthy run. “Annie Get Your
Win ran just as long at the State
nut gross was about $100,000 less
than Wind.” While the $420,000
net distributing com-

JS l } 1S reported to be suffici-
nsn l- arge to cover the cost ' of
vari« Pnn ^ rated as requisite for
iri' S Playdates throughout the
bar? ft f° n ,W | nd - M Pl«s the major
over $100,000 for extra ad-

bettowiV p cint cost is figured at

De {ter than $170,000.

full g i- ? ost of each print ’for the
rune Sa ture , is because the film
conv t, ree s and * complete new
now^ £ as re< ? uire d since the film
and .^ailable for widescreen
and spcdai sound.

"Winn** a . rnount of extra coin
Loew'c /»? , going to mean for
fact thaf >* tro) is tipped hy the
fime th (thiii S gettlng extra Paying
numprm. , or more weeks in
that th^i lbca Mofts). Estimated
side larg est key cities out-

5s\7J; rk City will show a
least in £ u ett / r * han $350,000 at
P^J ing time f ”* t threC weeks o£

San Antonio, Aug. 10.

Mexico’s film makers are cur-
rently intent upon “international-
izing the appeal of their product,”
according to Jewell Truex, mana-
ger of the local Azteca Film ex-
change, one of two major distribu-
tors of Spanish language pics in
this country.

Remarking that “Mexico domi-
nates the world market for Span
ish-language films, far outstripping
its principal competitors in Spain
and Argentina.” Truex added,
“However, Mexican features, with
a few notable eceptions such as
‘The Young and the Damned/
have failed to click when' shown
to audiences in this country with
English subtitles. Only in the
Spanish language houses have they
consistently succeeded.”

Truex notes that French films
are more popular with English
speaking audiences because of “the
bright, witty touch they impart to
sex/’ On the other hand, he stated
that he could not find a ready ex-
planation for (the fact that Italian
films hold a big edge over Mexi-
can at the booffice. He says,
“There’s a strong affinity between
the two.”'

Truex pointed out that, the
Mexican industry is staking hope
in the- genius of Spanish-born- di-
rector, Luis Bunuel, whose “Robin-
son Crusoe” is becoming an inter-
national hit. Thus with pics such
as these they will be shown . more
frequently in the theatres in this
-country.

A new move to eliminate the
double feature market is emerging
among industryites, but the advo-
cates f rankly admit that they doubt

the effort will be successful. With
fewer pictures available and with
most of the major studios elimi-
nating the type of. feature that
falls into the second half slot, it’s
felt by many that the time is now
ripe to bury the bargain, bills.

“The double feature,” according
to a distribution executive, “is a
disgrace to the industry. Why
should the public have to sit I
through inferior pictures in order
to see the picture he came to see?
This is the only industry which
makes it tough for the public to
buy its product. Hoiy can a guy
who has to be at work at eight or
nine in the morning stay at a the-
atre until past midnight? Theatres
should eliminate the second bill
and substitute a good short and
shut down by 11 p.m.”

Blame for the dual bills has been
put in the lap of the indie oper-
ators. It’s pointed out that the ma-
jor chains hatfe tried to eliminate
them, but have been unsuccessful
because of the two-for-one offers
of their indie competitors.

It’s argued that a theatre show-
ing a dual bill attracts a certain
segment, of bargain hunters who
prefer the two-picture deal at the
single price. Loew’s Theatres, for
example, tried a solo bill recently
in its theatres in the dual feature
market. The experience showed
that it lost 25% of the dual-bill
fans, picked up *bout 10% single
feature patrons, resulting in an
overall loss of 15%. As a result, it
reverted to the two-for-one policy.

The only way an overall single
feature policy can be established,
it’s pointed out, is for all theatres
to go single, a move few pixites
feel can happen in the highly-
competitive picture market. How-
ever, it’s felt that' more and more
theatres will have to go single fea-
ture from time to time. Take, for
example, a nabe or smalltown ex-
hib with three changes a week.
If he’s on a double bill policy he
needs eight pictures a week.

“There just aren’t that many pic-
tures around/’ stated a distrib
exec. “If he must change his pro-
gram that many times, he’ll have
to play reissues. Even if he can
get new pictures, how many
money-makers are there among
them? Can he get eight 'Water-
fronts’ a week. These theatres will
just have to change their policy.
When a picture like ‘Waterfront’
comes around, they should play it
for at least five days.”

Adapt German Mag Yarns

Production of . three features all
,based on popular German maga-
zine yarns, has been skedded in
Germany by Eric Pommer’s Inter-
continental-Film.

According to United German
Film Enterprises in N. Y., Pom-
mer’s first film rolls in the fall
and is titled “Children, Mothers
and a General.” It’s due for re-
lease in early 1955. LaslO Benedek
has been inked to direct.

Two other films are “Shadows
Behind Every Strange Window”
and a German-American coproduc-
tion due to go before the cameras
in the early summer of 1955. All
three pix will be shot with the
Garutso widescreen lens.

Harriet Parsons Burns
At Chi ‘Adults Only’ Tag,
On Her ’Susan Slept Here’

Chicago, Aug. 10.

Harriet Parsons, sole femme pro-
ducer under contract to a major
studio (RKO) and daughter of col-
umnist Louella Parsons, planed in-
to Chicago long enough to blast the
local police censors for slapping an
“adults only” tag on her latest
film, “Susan Slept Here.” Peeved,
especially at hearing that the pic
might haye been banished entirely,
she said: “This is tremendously
unfair. I never made a dirty pic-
ture in all my life, and if there
had been anything indecent or of-
fensive in this one, I would have
taken it out myself! My picture
is taking the rap for the ‘French
Line’.”

She pointed out that the motion
picture .code was formed “to pre-
vent exactly what has happened
here: biased local censorship.”

Miss Parsons says she has al-
ways made family pix in the past,
with the admitted exception of
“Clash By Night,” listing among
her credits “Night Song,” “I Re-
member Mama,” “Enchanted Cot-
tage,” and “Never a Dull Moment.”
“Susan” itself is pitched at the
teenagers, she said, and that was
why Debbie Reynolds and Don Cor-
nell were selected for their roles.

It was this picture that was re-
sponsible for her receiving a cita-
tion from the General Federation
of Women’s Clubs in Denver last
June. The organization called the
(Continued on page 20)

By LES BROWN

Chicago, Aug. 10.

Although reasonably sympathetic
with the latest exhib crying jag
that pix are getting so good
and so holdovferable that they’re
squelching a steady theatregoing
audience (Variety. Aug. 4), RKO
producer Harriet Parsons neverthe-
less warns that it is crucial for the
industry to solve one problem at a
time.

“We are in a transition period,”
she said, “and it is first of all im-
portant for ms to win audiences
back with top quality pictures be-
fore we begin worrying about
keeping them on the ‘habit’.” Still,
taking the viewpoint of the small
town exhib who must have several
changes of bill per week ta keep
a recaptured audience happy/she's
aware^ of .a dilemma.

“Ideally, what the exhibitor ap-
parently wants is 52 top pictures a
year to maintain a peak gross, but
how do they expect producers to
get back their negative costs on
short runs when picture making is
so expensive today?” To the com-
plaint that the holdover trend is
clogging theatres on the main arte-
ries, cutting off steady product in-
flux, and turning would-be habitu-
al filmgoers back to their tv sets,
Miss Parsons conjectures, “Maybe
more first run houses would be the
answer.”

She deplores the fact that the
exhibitor can never seem to see
the studio point of view, nor con-
cern himself over the wad a studio
sinks into a film, though he al-
(Continued on page 15)

‘TAKE CASE VS. DISTRIBS TO PUBLIC’

By HY HOLLINGER

Allied. States Assn, is contem-
plating taking its film cost fight
against the major companies to
the public. This is the second time
that the exhib organization has con-
sidered taking an intra-industry
dispute to the general public. The
first time it involved the hassle
with 20th-Fox and Metro some
months back over their insistence
of stereophonic sound as a “must”
for Cinemascope pictures. The
idea was dropped as both com-
panies capitulated just prior to an
Allied board meeting.

The campaign directed at the
public, if it comes off, would con-
sist Of ads in local newspapers and
announcements on the screen via
trailers. The announcements in
both the newspapers and on the
screen would detail “how the Hol-
lywood producers keep us from ex-
hibiting their better pictures and
why we are forced to exhibit the
so-called junk and thus deprive

‘them (the patrons) of the better
pictures.”

While clamor for the drive is
building up in many Allied units,
it’s doubtful that National Allied
would tajee any action until after
the meeting with distribs, now
scheduled for Aug. 18-20. Purpose
of the Confab, of course, is to come
to an understanding on the film
rental terms and a discussion of
the exhibs’ charge that distribs are

Study Antitrust Laws

Washington, Aug. 10.

Senate action is awaited on
a resolution by Senator Pat
McCarran (D., Nev.) for a full
study of the antitrust laws.
Resolution has been okayed by
the Senate J udiciary Commit-
tee of which McCarran is rank-
ing Democratic member.

Study would be completed by
Jan. 31, and a report made to
the new Congress,

siphoning off the benefits of the
recent tax relief.

Jumping Gun

, Allied units . apparently are
jumping the gun in what distribs
describe as a “threat” and a “lack
of good faith” in entering the meet-
ing with an open mind. Several
units have already passed resolu-
tions declaring that if “the dis-
tributors do not agree to definite
and concrete plans for altering
their selling policies,” Allied will
have no recourse but to appeal to
Congress or a governmental agen-
cy. Some Allied units, influenced
by outspoken leaders, are calling
for a national boycott of pix or the
establishment of a buying combine
“that will determine the terms we
can afford to pay and keep our
doors open.” Some exhib leaders
are also urging the filing of more
damage suits. “Let us file suits
upon suits,” said one. “Let us find
out how much pressure they (the
distribs) can stand. How frequent-
ly can .they sustain a loss and
l survive?”

TOA Coordinator Still Due;
Allied, Restive, Continues
'Ask Uncle Sam’ Rationale

Theatre Owners of America will
name its industry coordinator be-
fore its annual convention in Chi-
cago Oct. 31 to 1 Nov. 4. Officials of
the exhib org have already held a
number of meetings in New York
to discuss various candidates.

Under the resolution passed at
the recent Los Angeles executive
committee and board meeting,
TOA decided to appoint the coor-
dinator before the convention and
to implement the cOordihator’s
duties at the annual confab.

Unlike Allied- States Assn, which
is set to meet with distrib chiefs
later this month on the subject of
film rentals terms, TOA plans no
similar get-together. TOA, accord-
ing to a spokesman, feels its best
approach is by stimulating indie
production. That will be the prime
job of the coordinator.

Meanwhile, a movement is gain-
ing among Allied units to seek gov-
ernment intervention if the exhib
org’s reps fail in their efforts to
obtain “a live and let live” policy
as it relates to film terms. The
Allied Theatre Owners of Western
Pennsylvania, for example, has
passed a formal resolution urging
the National Allied board to go to
the government if the meeting with
the distribs should end in failure.
Allied units are compiling data
from their members showing the
percentage of gross receipts paid
in film rentals ( including flat
rentals) for the period of Janu-
ary, February," March, 1954, and
the period of April, May. June,
1954. Purpose is to determine if
the distribs are siphoning off the
benefits of the recent federal ad-
mission tax relief by increasing
their rental terms.

Henry Ehrlich In N. Y.

Henry Ehrlich, producer of “Ad-
ventures of Robinson Crusoe” with
Oscar Dancigers, arrived in New
York from Mexico City last week
to confer with United Artists on
release plans for the picture.

Picture bowed at the Normandie
in New York and is in initial en-
gagements in other cities.

'living' Fancy $30,900, Brando Brisk
56G, 'Lance' 21G; 'Obsession' 12G,34

Los Angeles, Aug. 10.
First-run biz is upswinging in
current week despite only _ two
newcomers opened, both big. Hold-
overs continuing strong for most
part, keeping overall pace at fast
level. Fancy $30,000 shapes for
“Living It Up," two situations, plus
hearty $57,000 in fine ozoners.

A fine $50,000 and maybe more
Is expected for "On the Water-
front^ in three sites, with bfr out-
standing at the Wiltern and Holly-
wood, and good at L.A. Paramount.
Nifty $21,000 is seen in second
frame for "Broken Lance." Fourth
round of "Caine Mutiny” is still
Stout with $37,000. # ■

"Magnificent Obsession" is hold-
ing firm at $12,000 in third week.

. “Cinerama" grabbed a fine $34,-
800 in sixty-sixth frame at Warner
Hollywood.

Estimates for This Week
^Orpheum. Vogue' (Metropolitan-
FWC) (2,213: 885; 70-Sl.lO)— "Liv-
ing It Up” (Par) and "Desperado
(AA) (Orpheum only). Fancy $30,-
000; Last week, with Wiltern (9
days). "Dial M For Murder” <WB)
and "Captain Kidd. Slave Girl"
(UA) (2d wk>. $14,000.

Los Angeles Paramount. Wiltern,
Hollywood (ABPT-SW-FWC) (3,-
200; 2,344: 756; 75-$1.25)— "On

Waterfront” (Col). Fine $56,000.
Last week, excluding Wiltern,
"Pushover” (Col) and "Law vs.
Billv Kid” (Col) (2d wk). $11,000,
Chinese (FWC) (1.905; $1-$1.80)
—"Broken Lance” (20th) (2d wk).
Hearty $21,000, Last week, $26,100,
ov^r hopes.

Rite (FWC) (1.363; $1-$1:50)—
“Adventures Robinson Crusoe”
(UA) (2d wk). Nice $5,700. Last
week, $9,800.

Stage, Egyptian (UATC) (2,404;
1,538; 70-31.10) — “Valley of Kinds’’
(M-G) and "Red River Shore”
(Rep) (State only) (2d wk-5 days).
Slow $11,000. Last week, $21,000.

Warner Downtown. Hawaii (SW-
C&S) (1.757; 1.106; 70-$1.10)—

“Susan Slept Here” (RKO) and
“Spanish Main” (RKO) (reissue)
(Downtown only) (2d wk). Fair $11,
000. Last week, $17,600, with $67,-
600 in one nabe< seven ozoners
Warner Beverly (SW) (1,612; 90-
$1.50) — “Magnificent Obsession
lU) (3d wk). Firm $12,000. Last
week, $13,500.

Fox Wilshire (FWC) (2,296; 90-
$1.50) _ “Apache” (UA) <3d wk).
Okay $8,000. Last week, $10,000.

Los Angels, Iris, Loyola (FWC
(2.097; 814; 1,248; $1-$1.50) — “I
Coins” (20th) (3d wk). Steady

$18,000. Last Week, $18,200.

Hillstreet, Pantages (RKO) (2;-
752; 2,812; 95-$1.75) — “Caine

Mutiny” (Col) (4th wk). Stout
$37,000. Last week, $41,000.

Hollywood Paramount (F&M)
(1,430; $1-$1.50) — -“Student Prince”
(M-G) (4th wk). Neat $8,500. Last
Week, $10,400.

Four Star (UATC) (900; 90-$1.50)
— “About Mrs. Leslie” (Par) (6th
wk). Slow $2,800. Last week,
$3,000.

Fox (FWC) (965; $1-$1.50) —
“High and Mighty” (WB) (5th wk).
Oke $4,700. Last week, $5,400.

Fine Arts (631; 80-$l. 50)— “Hob-
son’s Choice” (UA) (8th wk). Steady
$1,800. Last week, $1,900.

Warner Hollywood (SW) (1,364;
$1.20-$2.65) — “Cinerama” (Indie)
(67th wk). Into current frame

Broadway Grosses

Estimated Total Gross
This Week .. .$654,200

(Based on 22 theatres.)

Last Year , . . . . . $747,400

. ( Based on 23 theatres.)

'Crusaders Hot

Providence, Aug. 10.

It was back to the seashore this
weekend, with a resulting drop in
downtown biz. Majestic’s “King
Richard and Crusaders” is tops
with sock take. State’s “Men of
Fighting Lady” is okay for second
biggest money. “Duel In Sun”
ooks fair in second round at Albee.

Estimates for This Week
Albee, (RKO) (2,200; 50-70)—
Duel In Sun” (SRO) (2nd wk);
Fair $6,500. First week $10,000.

Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 70-90)—
"King Richard and Crusaders”
(WB). Hot $11,000. Last week,
"Francis Joins Wacs” (U) and
"Tanganyika” (U), $8,000.

State (Loews <3,200; 50-70)—
Men of Fighting Lady” (M-G) and
Lone Gun” (UA). Oke $10,000.
Last week, "Flame and Flesh”
(M-G) and "Witness to Murder”
(UA), $11,000.

Strand (Silverman) (2,200; 65-
$1.25)— "Caine Mutiny” (Col) (4th
wk). Still big $8,500. Third season,
$ 10 , 000 .

Omaha, Aug* 10,
All hew bills here for the first-
run houses this week, and biz is
definitely on the upgrade. First ac-
tual cool spell of the summer and
hiked prices at two theatres are
also boosting takes. Strongest en-
tries are “Caine Mutiny” at the
State and “Broken Lance" at the
Orpheum. “Hans Christian Ander-
sen," back at popular prices, at the
Omaha, is good. “King Richard
Crusaders" at Brandeis looms sock.

Estimate for This Week
Brandeis (RKO) (1,100; 65-85)—
“King Richard and Crusaders
(WB) and "Paid to Kill" (Indie).
Socko $5,000. Last week,, "Law VS.
Billy Kid" (Col) and "Operation
Diplomat" (Col), $4,500 at 75c top.

Omaha (Tristates (2,000; 50-75).
— "Hans Christian Andersen"
(RKO) and "Make Haste to Live ’
(Rep). Good $7,000. Last week,
"About Mrs, Leslie" -(Par) and
"Trent’s Last Case" (Par), $7,500.

Orpheum (Tristates) (2,890; 75-
$D__“Broken Lance" (20th). Solid
$20,000. Last week, "Gone With
Wind” (M-G) (reissue) (2d wk),
$16,000.

State (Goldberg) (875; 75-$l)—
"Caine Mutiny” (Col). Smash $10,
000. Last week, "Black Horse Can-
yon” (U) and "Monster from Ocean
Floor” (U), $4,000 at 50c-80c scale

Balto; ‘Crusaders’ Loud
14G, ‘Caine’ 11G in 4th

i Baltimore, Aug. 10.

Arrival of new product is hypo-
ing grosses here this week. "Broken
Lance” is sock at the Town while
"King Richard and Crusaders”
shapes big at the Stanley. Re-
mainder of current list is heavy
with holdovers, with fourth week
of "Caine Mutiny” pacing the
others at the Hipp. "Living It Up
is rated fairish in its third week
at Keith’s.

Estimates for This 'Week

Century (Loew’s-UA) (3,000; 25-
65-95)— “Gone With Wind” (M-G
(reissue) (4th wk). Okay $6,000
after $7,200 for third. .

Cinema (Schwaber) (466; 50-$l)
— "Seven Deadly Sins” (Indie) (2d
wk). Pleasing $4,000 after $4,500
getaway.

Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,100
50-$1.25) — "Caine Mutiny” (Col)
(4th wk). Nice $11,600 or near
after $14,000 in third.

Keith’s (Schanberger) (2,400; 30
46-80) — "Living It Up” (Par) (3rd
(Continued on page 20)

Sunday

week.

(8) after fine $34,800 last

‘CRUSADERS’ HEP 13G,
D.C4 ‘APACHE’ 1HG, 3D

Washington, Aug. 10.
Despite an almost solid b.o. sit-
uation. main stem b.o. is showing
life. Some holdovers shape as
slightly better than the preceding
week. Cooler weather seems to be
chief factor in this upbeat. Most
sensational comeback being staged
by "Cinerama” which is booming
along between $18,000 and $20,000
"King Richard and Crusaders”
lone newcomer, shapes big at Met.
"About Mrs. Leslie.” weak at start,
picking up in third round. "Apache”
is trim in third week.

Estimates for This week
Capitol (Loew’s) <3,434; 70-95)—
“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue)
(4th wk). Fine $16,000 after $22,
000 last week. Holds one more
stanza.

Columbia (Loew’s) (1,174; 60-80)
— ■ “Prisoner of War” (M-G) <3d-
final wk). Okay $5,500 after $7,000

l&st

Dupont (Lopert> <372; 65-$l) —
“Beauties of Night” (UA) *2d wk),
(Continued on page 20)

Estimated Total Grosr .
This Week $3,045,000

(Baaed on 24 cities, -and 218
theatres, chiefly first funs, in*
eluding N. Y) .

Total Grosa Sam* Week .
Last Year . ,. $2,548,306
(Based on 21 cities and 204
theatres j

, St. Louis

Philadelphia,. Aug. 10.
New product is proving magnetic
as b.o. draws here currently, with
sturdy holdovers also holding
strongly. "Broken Lance" is mak-
ing the best showing with a smash
figure at the Fox. “On the Water-
front” is, just a step ahead but at
the larger Stanley, the Marlon
Brando starrer also racking up a
boffo week. "Adventures of Robin-
son Crusoe" is heading for a
mighty session at the small Trans-
Lux World. The Viking has finally
fixed its air-conditioning after five
weeks, with "Student prince” soar-
ing as a result in sixth round.
Apache” still is sturdy in third
round at Mastbauni.

Estimates for This Week -
Arcadia (S&SJ (625; 89-$1.30)—
"Valley of Kings” (M-G) (3d wk).
Good $6,000 or over. Last week,
$8,500.

Boyd (SW) (1,450; $1.25-$2.60)—
"Cinerama" (Indie) (44th wk).
Picked up to big $13,500. Last
week, $12,500.

Fox (20th) (2,250; 75-$1.49)—
"Broken Lance" (20th). Sockeroo
$36,000. Last week, "Demetrius
and Gladiators” (20th) (4th wk),
$10,000 in 5 days.

Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 65-
$1.49) — "Gone With Wind" (M-G)
(reissue) (5th week). Still roaring
at $17,000. Last week. $20,000.

Mastbaum (SW) (4.360; 75-$1.30)
—"Apache” (UA) (3d wk). Sturdy
$17,000. Last week, $27,000.

Midtown (Goldman) (1,000; 74
$1.30) — "Susan Slept Here” (RKO)
(2d wk). Down to okay $9,000. Last
week, $17,000.

Randolph (Goldman) (2,500; 99-
$1.80)— "Caine Mutiny" (Col) (6th
(Continued on page 20)

St. Louis, Aug. 10.

Biz is steady here currently al-
though holdovers predominate as
temperatures dropped to the 70s
over the weekend. “One Summer
of Happiness" did surprisingly big
biz on its second round at the West
End Pageant Theatre. But the real
noise is the terrific week racked up
by “Living It Up” at the huge Fox.
“Apache” shapes solid in second
Loew’s stanza while “Garden of
Evil” was equally strong on first
holdover round at the St. Louis.
"Cinerama” still is a sturdy draw
although in 27th session at the Am-
bassador.

Estimates for This . Week v
Ambassador (Igdie) (1,400; $1.20-
$2.40)— "Cinerama” (Indie) (27 th
wk). Fine $16,000 after $17,500 last
week.

Fox (F&M) (5,000; 51-69)— “Su-
san Slept Here” (RKO) and. “Out-
cast” (Rep). Opened today (Tues.).
Last week, "Living It Up" (Par)
and "Paris Playboys" (AA>, great
$25,000.

Loew’s (Loew’s) (3,172; 50-75) —
"Apache” (UA) and "Scarlet Spear”
(UA) (2d wk). Solid $12,000 after
$21,000 initial frame.

Orpheum (Loew’s) (1,400; 75-$l)
—"Gone With Wind” (M-G) (2d
wk). Fast $9,000. Last week, $10,-
000 .

Pageant (SL L. Amus.) (1,000; 82)
— "One Summer of Happiness” (In-
die) (2d wk). Robust $7,500 after
$4,500 opening session.

Richmond (St. L. Amus.) (400;
82) — "Hobson’s Choice”* * (UA).
Good $3,000. . Last week, “Personal
Affair” (UA) (2d wk), $2,500.

St. Louis (St. L. Amus.) (4,000;
69)— "Garden of Evil” (20th) (2d
wk). Fine $10,500 following $16,-
000 first week.

Shady Oak (St. L. Amus.) (800;
82) — "Hobson’s. Choice” (UA).
Fancy $3,500. Last week. "Personal
Affair” (UA) (2d wk), $3,000.

Hub Still Hotsy; 'Lance' Bright 21G,
'Obsession' Sock 18G, 'Wind' 27G

Boston, Aug. 10.

Biz along Hub's rnainstem con-
tinues above average for summer
months, majority of deluxers nab-
bing nifty; wicket activity. “Gone
With Wind” in third week at State
and Orpheum, is very big while
"Magnificent Obsession,” also in
third Week ' at the Memorial looks
sock. "Broken Lance” at the Para-
mount and Fenway shapes best of
newcomers with bright take.
"Caine Mutiny,” in sixth frame at
the Astor and "Man With Million”
also in sixth at the Beacon Hill are
doing nicely.

Estimates for This Week

Astor (B&Q) (1,500; 85-$L25>—
"Caine Mutiny" <Col) (6th wk).
Very good $16,000 following $18,-
000 for fifth.

Beacon Hill (Beacon Hill) (800;
50-$l) — "Man With Million" (UA)
(6th wk). Good $6,000 after $6,500
for fifth.

Boston (Cinerama Productions)
(1,354; $1.20-$2.85) — "Cinerama”
< Indie) (32d wk). Plugging along
nicely at $12,000. Last week* $12,-
500.

Exeter (Indie) (1,300; 60-$lJ—
“Holly and Ivy” (Indie). Opened
Sunday (8). Last week, “Scotch on
Rocks” (Indie) (3d wk), fair $5,000.

Fenway (NET) (1,373; 50-$l)—
“Broken Lance” (20th) and “Heat
Wave"* (Lip). Slick $6,000. Last
week, “Duel in Sun” (SRO), $9,-
000 for 9 days.

Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 50-$l)—
“Magnificent Obsession” (U) (3d
wk). Excellent $18,000. Will hold
again. Last week, $22,000.

Metropolitan (NET) (4,367; 50-90)
— ‘‘About Mrs. Leslie” (Par) and
“Paris Express” (Indie). Mild $13,-
500. Last week, “Living It Up”
<Par) (2d wk), $17,000.

Orpheum (Loew’s) (3,000; 65-$l)
—"Gone With Wind” (M-G) <3d
wk). Tasty $18,000 following $24,-
000 in second.

Paramount (NET) (1,700; 50-90)
— “Broken Lance” (20th) and
"Heatwave” (Lip). Bright $15,000,
Last week* “Duel in Sun" (SRO),
$19,000 in 9 days.

State (Loew’s) (3,500; 65-$l)—
“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (3d wk).
Oke $9,000 following $11,000 in
second.

Holdovers Clip Cincy;
‘Caine’ Smash 25G, 2d,
‘Wind’ 10G, living’ 76

Cincinnati, Aug. 10.

It’s a hangover fete for. down-
town deluxers this week. Every
house has a holdover and vet
exhibs fail to recall that ever
happening here before. “Caine
Mutiny" is still monumental at
flagship RKO Albee. “3 Coins -In
Fountain" is turning off at Keith^s
after sock fifth frame. “Gone With
Wind" has the ’Palace in fourth-
week clover. "Living It Up”
remains hefty at- the Grand and
“Cinerama” is holding to steady
tall level in eighth stanza.
Estimates for This Week

Albee (RKO) (3,100; 75-$1.25)—
"Caine Mutiny" (Col) (2d wk).
Smash $25,000 on heels of $33,500
preem, tallest here since “The
Robe" (20th). Holds.

Capitol (Ohio Cinema Corp.)
(1,376; $1.20-$2.65) — "Cinerama"
(Indie) (8th wk). Continuing at
sock $28,400, about same as seventh
session. Midweek sellouts of both
matinee and, night showing now
the rule.

Grand (RKO) (1,400; 50-84) —
“Living It Up" (Par) (m.o.) (2d
wk). Hefty $7,000 after last week’s
$9,000.

Keith’s (Shor) (1,500; 75-$1.25)—
“3 Coins. In Fountain” (20th) (5th
wk). Final session of longrun here
looks like big $8,000 in wake of
$8,500 in fourth frame. It’s fourth
picture this year to hold for five
weeks.

Palace (RKO) (2,600; 85-$l) —
“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue)
(4th wk). Solid $10,000 following
$15,500 third week.

Detroit, Aug. io.

Only two newcomers again this
weelt tout they giving a big
boost to downtown bfc. "On the
Waterfront” is terrific at the Palms
“Weak and Wicked” looks strong
at the Broadway-Capitol. "Gone
With the Wind” continues big i n
fourth week at the United Artists
“Caine Mutiny” still is stout in
sixth round at the Madison. The
addition of another matinee is
boasting’ "Cinerama” to an even
higher bracket in the 73d week at
the Music Hall. “Living Tt Up”
shapes nice in third Michigan
stanza.

Estimates for This Week

Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5.000; $1-
$1.25)— "Garden of Evil” (20th)
and "Man in Hiding" (UA) (4th
wk). Down to oke $18,000. Last
week, good $22,000.

Michigan (United Detroit.) (4.000;
$1-$1. 25)— “Living It Ud” (Par)
and "Haste To Live” (Rep) (3d wk).
Fine $14,000. Last week. $17,000.

Palms (UD) -(2,961: 80-$l)— “On
Waterfront" (Col) and “Big Chase”
(Up). Terrific $38 000. Last week,
“Ring of Fear” (WB) and “Bitter
Creek” (Lip). $12,000.

Madison (UD) 0,900; $1.25-$1.50)
—“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (6th wk).
Steady $15,000. Last week, $17,000.

BrOadway-Capitol (UD) (3.500;
80-$l)— “Wepk and Wicked” (AA)
arid “Desperado" (A A). Good $15,-
000. Last week, “Yellow Toma-
hawk” (UA) and “Return Treasure
Island” (UA). $12,000.

United Artists' (UA) (1.936: $1-
$1,25)— “Gone With Wind” (M-G)
(reissue) (4th wk). Solid $22,000.
Last week, $28,000.

Adams (Balaban) (1.700; . 80-$l)—
“Valley of Kings” (M-G) (2d wk).
Oke $10,000. Last week, $13,000.

Music Hall (Cinerama Produc-
tions) (1,194; $1.40-$2.65)— ‘Cine-
rama” (Indie) (73d wk). Big $21,-
000. Last week, same.

‘Demetrius’ Wham 18G,
Toronto; ‘12 Men’ Fast
13G, ‘Wind’ Hot 266, 3d

Toronto, Aug. 10.

Of newcomers here currently,
“Demetrius and Gladiators” and
“Her Twelve Meri” loom standout.
Former is especially sockp. “Gone
With the Wind”' is still topping the
city for third stanza in a row with
capacity biz. Also big are “Garden
of Evil” in third frame and “Living
It Up” in second. “Hobson’s
Choice” currently in its twenty-
third week, to set Canada’s longest-
run record.

Estimates for This Week
. Downtown, Glendale, Scarboro,
State (Taylor) (1,050; 955; 694; 698;
40-70) — “Conquest Cochise” (Col)
and “Bowery Boys Meet Monster”
(AA). Neat $14,000. Last week.
“Rails Into Laramie” (U) and
“Fireman, Save Child” (U), $11,000.

Hyland (Rank) (1,354; 60-80—
“The Maggie” (Rank) (2d wk).
Jump to near capacity $10,000. Last
week, $8,000.

international Cinema (Taylor)
(605; 50-75)— “Hobson’s Choice”

(UA) (23d wk). Steady $2,500 fof
Canada’s long-run record.

Imperial (FP) (3,373; 60-$l>—
“Demetrius and Gladiators” (20th).
Wham $18,000. Last week. “Knock
on Wood” (Par) (2d wk), $13,000.

Loew’s (Loew) (2,090; 60-80)—
“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue)
(3d wk). Still capacity on four-a-
day at $26,000.

Odeon (Rank) (2,318; 70-$l)—
“Garden of Evil” (20th) (3d wk).
Fine $9;000. Last week, $12,000.

Shea’s (FP) (2,386; 50-85)—

“Living It Up” (Par) (2d wk). Hefty
$9,000. Last week, $13,000.

Towne (Taylor) (695; 60-90)— "La
Ronde” (Hakim) (5th wk). Neat
$3,500. Last week, $4,500.

Uptown (Loew) (2,745; 65-80)—
“Her Twelve Men” (M-G). Big $13,-
000. Last week, “Francis Joins
Wacs” (U) (2d wk), oke $5,000 in 4
days.

‘Apache’ Lofty $20,000,
Buff.; ‘Crusaders’ 126

Buffalo, Aug. &

Big news here currently is smasn
biz being done by “Apache at. the
Buffalo. “King Richard and Cru-
saders” is rated sturdy at Center
“Magnificent Obsession” is amazing
with its splendid showing i fl T tyJJ:,*
round at Lafayette. “Living It up
also is trim in third 1 session a
Paramount, Biz is up at most spoi •
Estimates, for This Week
Buffalo (Loew’s) (3,000; 50-80)
“Apache” (UA) and “Scarlet Spear
I (UA). Sock $20,000. Last wees,
J (Continued on page 20)

ffednewfar. Awput lit 1954

PICTIJHE CROSSES

Chicago, Aug, -10. '4>
Strong holdover fare* which gave
the Loop a snappy pace in recent
weeks, is keeping stride .this ses-
sion Tourist and eonverttioneer in-
flux ’ is helping nOtlcwbly, Thiree
npw bills were unveiled. ‘Valley of
Kings’’ is standout at hefty $15,000
Monroe. “La Ronde” looks lusty
$6500 or less at the World white
“Earrings of Madame De” is fancy
500 at Surf. • ' _

' “Living It up” with Crew Guts
onstage, now. in second week at
Chicago, continues mighty. “Knock
Cn Wood” at Oriental eyes a lush
second frame as does “Seven
Brides for SevenJfrothers” at Mc-
Vickers. Also in second, “Francis
Joins Wacs” and “Gypsy Colt”
combo is faricy at Roosevelt.

“Magnificent Obsession” is in its
fourth successive boffo round at
United Artists. jFifth. week at
Woods for “Garden of Evil ’ is
brisk State-Lake continues fine
for sixth round of “Caine Mutiny.”
“Cinerama,” in 54th round at Pal-
ace, looms great $42,000.

Estimates for This Week
Chicago (B&K) (3,900; 98-$1.25>
—“Living It Up” (Par) with Crew
Cuts topping stageshow (2d wk).
Great $77,000 after $92,600 last
week, biggest in /years. Holds a

^ Grand (Nomikos) (1,200; 50-98)—
“Westerner” (Indie) and “Dead
End” (Indie) (reissues) (2d wk).
Strong $6,000 in 5 days after
$12,000 last week. House closes to
prep for C’Scope preem.

Loop (Telem’t) (600; 90-$l,25)—
“About Mrs. Leslie” (Par) (2d wk).
Only fair $10,000. Last week,
$13,000.

Me Vickers (JL&S) (2,200; 65-
$1.25) — ‘ “7 Brides for 7 Brothers”
(M-G) (2d wk). Big $39,000 after
breaking house record last week
with $41,000.

Monroe (Indie) (1,000; 65-87) —
“Valley of Kings” (M-G). Fine $15,-
000. Last' week, “Man With Mil-
lion” (UA) (6th wk), $5,000.

Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 98-$1.25>
-‘Knock On Wood” (Par) (2d wk).
Tall $33,000. Last week, $45,000.

Palace (Eitel) (1,484; $1.25-$3.40)
—“Cinerama” (Indie) (54th wk).
Huge $42,000. Last week, $38,000.

Roosevelt (B&K) (1,400; 50-98)—
“Francis Joins Wacs” (U) and
“Gypsy Colt” (M-G) (2d wk). Fast
$13,000. Last week, $21,500.

State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 98-
$1.80)— “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (6th
Wk). Nice $31,000. Last week,
$40,000. . ^

Surf (H&E Balaban) (685; 95)—
“Earrings Madame De” (Indie).
Brisk $5,500. Last week, “Scotch
on Rocks” (Indie) (3d wk), $3,000.

United Artists (B&K) (1,70.0; 98-
$1.25) — “Magnificent Obsession”
(U) (4th wk). Socko $27,000. Last
week. $39,000.

Woods (Essaness) (1,198; ' 98-
$1.25)— “Garden of Evil” (20th)
(5th wk). Trim $14,500. Last week,
$16,000.

World (Indie) (697; 98)— “La
Ronde” (Indie). Torrid- $6,500 de-
spite Tribune's blackout of ads.
Last week, “Moment Of Truth” (In-
die) (2d wk), $3,000.

‘Caine’ Sockeroo 30G,
L’ville; ‘Obsession’ Fat
9G, 2d, High’ 8G, Q5th

, . Louisville, Aug. 10.

Came Mutiny’" at Rialto is mak-
ng terrific impact at the wicket,
ydh wham $30,000 likely. ' Other
aownlown houses are holding* ui
surpnsiingiy well with holdovers
1 , is summer has been note'
hy fact that with almost f
?f over 90 temperatures
have been flocking back
th? S hs ‘ and Mighty”

Anderson still in
th« ek, tr Magnificent Obsession”

sILr enUc ! y shapes fancy
second round. •

Estimates for This Week

Uc £ y (s witow) (1,000; 50-75)

wk) M ^ n I f ^ nt Obsession” (U) (2d

’ Slid $12 000 ,00 ° aftGr USt Week ’ S

leCM.foo 1 hefty a ‘ *®' 040

Avenue) (3,000;
b Mutiny" (Col). One

wE 8est ,J 0 ™me along this —

cheu?n“ 3 °m?' Last week * “ £

Acre” ( FL* n 4 “Hell’s
(R ,? P) * $*5,000.

“Gnnl e t*ft? e 'y’ s) <3»000; 65-85)

Wk^ PrUv!^ the t Wind” (M-G)

iuociest $R a nnn 't 11 ^ vvind , thi 5 week *
1 $0*000. Xast week, . $10,000,

up

srs.

note-
a

-S,

to
at
5th
at
in

, 000 ;
(KB)
Last

75-
of

— year.
‘Saskat-
' Half

(4th

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 takd* when
playing percentage, hence the
estimated figures are net in-
come.

The parenthetic admission
prices, however, as indicated,
include the U. S. amusement
tax.

Indianapolis, Aug. 10.

Biz is way up at first-runners
here this stanza, powered by three
standouts, with wet weekend help-
ing. “Magnificent Obsession” at
Circle is piling up a smash gross
to lead the town. “7 Brides ibr 7
Brothers,” at Loew’s and “King
Richard and Crusaders” at Indiana
are other heavy winners. All three
look; good to hold.

Estimates for This Week

Circle (Cockrill-Dolle) (2,800; 65-
95) — “Magnificent Obsession” (U).
Smash $17,000 or over. Last week,
“Living It Up” (Par) (2d wk).
$9,000.

Indiana (C-D) (3,200; 65-95)—
“King Richard and Crusaders”
(WB). Stout $11,000. Last week,
“Knock on Wood” (Par), $15,000 in
10 days.

Loew’s (Loew’s) (2,427; 70-90) —
“7 Brides for 7 Brothers” (M-G).
Great $14,000. Last week, “Hell
Below Zero” (Col) and “Overland
Pacific” (UA), $7,000.

Lyric (C-D) (1,600; 35-70)—

“Gorilla at Large” (20th) and
“Forty-Niners” (AA). Oke $5,500.
Last week, “Southwest Passage”
(UA) and “Black Glove” (Lip),
$ 6 , 000 .

‘Caine’ Whopping $28,000,
K.C.; ‘Crusaders’ Big 12G,
‘Obsession’ Same in 3d

Kansas City, ,Aug. 10.
Summer trend of heavy biz con-
tinues in current session with
whopping total for “Caine Mutiny”
at Midland, “King Richard and
Crusaders” looms very big at Para-
mount. Holdover trend also* con-
tinues strong with “Magnificent
Obsession” especially great ih third
week. “Garden of Evil” looks hefty
in fourth week. “Francis Joins the
Wacs” in second week still is
strong- at 4-house Fox combo.
“Genevieve” rolls on for 17th Week.
Long summer heat wave broke last
midweek.

Estimates for This Week

‘Lance’- Lend $16,000 in

10G,2d

Kimo (Dickinson) (504; 85-$l) —
“Genevieve” (U) (17th wk). Okay
$1,800, and stays again. Last week,
$1 900

Midland (Loew’s) (3,500; 75-

$1.25) — “Caine Mutiny” (Col).
Looks for one of season’s biggest
take at around $28,000. Will hold.
Last week, “Apache” (UA) and
“Gypsy Colt” (M-G) (2d wk), $7,500
at 50-75c scale.

Missouri (RKO) (2,650; 50-80)—
“Ring of Fear” (WB) and “Texas
Bad Man” (AA>- Strong $11,000;
holds. Last week, “High and
Mighty” (WB) (5th wk), dandy $8,-
000, one of best runs here in many
months. .

Orpheum (Fox Midwest) (1,913;
75-$l) — “Magnificent Obsession”
(U) (3d wk). Fancy $12,000, and
stays. Last week, $15,000.

Paramount (United Par) (1,900;
70-90) — “King Richard and Cru-
saders” (WB). Rousing $12,000 and
holds over. Last week, “Knock On
Wood” (Par) (3d wk), $7,000.

Roxy (Durwood) (879; 65-85) —
“Garden of Evil” (20th) (4th wk).
Hefty $4,500, and stays on. Last
week, $5,500. •

Tower, Uptown, Fairway, Grana-
da (Fox Midwest) (2,100; 2,043; 700;
1,217; 65-85)— “Francis Joins Wacs”
(U) and “Fireman, Save My Child”
(U) (2d wk). Trim $13,000. Last
week, $21,000.

"Vogue (Golden) (550; 75-$l)—
“Tonight at 8:30” (Indie). Fancy
$2,500, and looks to stay several
weeks. Last week, “Fanfan Tulip”
filAl (2d iMik), *$1/100# « v * o’ e o

. Seattle, Aug, 10.

Few Important newcomers here
this session, with “Broken Lance”
looming as beat with bright tak-
ings at Fifth Avenue. - “Apache”
looks nice in second weejc in two
spots, “Living It Vp” shapes great
in third .Coliseum round.

Estimates forThte Week
Blue Mouse (Hamrick) 90-$1.25)

— “Robinson Crusoe” (UA)* Fair
$3,500. Last week, “We Want
Child” (Lip),- $4,300 in 9 days at
90c top.

Coliseutn (Evergreen) (1,829; 65-
90) -r “Living It Up” (Par) and
“Lone Gun” (UA) (3d wk). Great
$9,000. Last week, $11,200.

Fifth Avenue (Evergreen) (2,500;
$1-$1.25)— “Broken Lance” (20th),
Superb $16,000. Last week* “Gar-
den of Evil” (20th) (2d wk), $8,500
in 9 days.

Liberty (Hamrick) (1,650; 75-$l)

— “Apache” (UA) and “Return
Treasure Island” (UA). (2d wk).
Nice $5,500. Last week,. $7,800.

Music Box (Hamrick) (850; 75-$l)
“Apache” (UA), algo at Liberty (2d
Wk). Good $4,500. After $5,500
last week

Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,300; 90-
$1.25)— “High and Mighty” (WB)
(4th wk). Sock $8,000 after $7,800
last week.

Paramount (Evergreen) (3,039;
$1-$1.25) —.“Caine Mutiny” (Col).
(5th wk). Big $10,000. Last week,
$11,500, over hopes.

21G, Aces in Mpls.

Minneapolis, Aug. 10.

Holdovers continue to dominate
the local scene. However, the cur-
rent stanza at least brings three
newcomers. “Magnificent Obses-
sion” is easily topping the trio,
with smash takings at Radio City.
“Man With a Million” is rated good
at the World. “Gorilla,” first 3-D
offering in a number of months,
did not get . up much steam. Still
forte, too, are “High and Mighty,”
“Gone With Wind,” “Living It Up”
and “Caine Mutiny,” in their sixth,
fourth, third and second weeks, re-
spectively.

Estimates for This Week

Century (S-W) (1,140; $1.75-

$2.65)— “Cinerama” (Indie) (17th
wk). Brisk $20,000. Last Week,
$26,000.

Gopher (Berger) (1,000; 85)-^-
"Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue)
(4th wk). Hefty $7,500. Last week,
$ 8 , 000 .

Lyric (Par) (1,000; 65-85)— “Liv-
ing It Up” (Par) (m.o.V Tall $5,000
for third week downtown. Last
week, “Egg and I” (U) (reissue),
$3,000 at 50-75c.

Radio City (Par) (4,100; 85-$l)—
Magnificient Obsession” (U). Get-
ting the same upped tariff as its
C’Scope predecessor and no public
resistance. Distaff trade much in
evidence. Sockeroo $21,000 or
near. Last week, “Garden of Evil”
(20th) (2d wk), $8,000.

RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2,890; 85-
$1.25) — “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (2d
wk). Sturdy $18,Q00, Last week,
$29,000.

RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 75-$D—
“High and Mighty” (WB) (6th wk).
Okay $5,000. Last week, $6,500.

State (Par) (2,300; 70-$l)— “Go-
rilla at Large” (20th) (3-D). It has
been so long since 3-D has been on
view it’s almost a novelty again.
Fair $7,000. * Last week, “Living It
Up” (Pa*) (2d wk), $10,000.

World (Mann) (400; 85-$1.20)—
“Man With Million” (UA). Good
$4,000. Last£ ; week, “Genevieve”
(U) (2d wk)', $2,300 In 5 days.

'OBSESSION’ WOW 25G,
DENVER; ‘LIVING’ 14G

Denver, Aug. 10.

“Magnificent Q h se s s io n” is
standout here this session, captur-
ing top money at Paramount where
it is terrific. It holds, as do, five
other bills, all with solo pix policy,
indicating how bright the biz is
currently. This trend towards sin-
gle bills is Unusual in a City where
duals are usually in the majority.
“Valley of Kings” looms fast at
Orpheum. “Hobson’s C h o ic e”
shapes fine at Esquire. Rain over
the weekend helped all along line.
“Living It Up” is rated smash at
Denham.

.Estimates for This Week

Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 50-85)—
“Cowboy” (Lip). Fair $3,000. Last
week, “Adventures Robinson Cru-
soe” (UA), $4,000.

Broadway (Wolfberg) (1,200; 50-
85) — “Crossed Swords” (UA). Fair-
ish $6,000 or near. Last week, on

t*pjcciipc

Centre (Fox) (1,247; 60-$l)—
„ „ (Continued- on -page 20)

Terrif 54G, ‘Duel’
35G, ‘Crusoe’ 11G, ‘Waterfront’ 60G

Return of warmer weather,
which hurt Sunday (8) trade badly,
and all-day rain Monday (9) are
cutting into Broadway film busi-
ness this session. Cheerful note,
however, is the manner in which
two of the six new bills caught on
and the strength displayed by
many longrun pix, Majority of
houses were damaged at the box-
office by Monday’s steady down-
pour, but some actually did as well
as the preceding Monday.

Both “Magnificent Obsession” at
the State and “Rear Window” at
the reopened Rivoli shape smash.
Latter is. soaring to $70,000 or
close, to get this house, shuttered
most of the summer, off to a.- rous-
ing start. “Obsession” is great
$54,000 or thereabouts, best show-
ing by any Universal pic at the
State.

“Duel in Jungle” probably will
reach a good $35,000 in its first
stanza at the Paramount. “The
Cowboy” is rated fair $4,600 at the
Baronet.

“Adventure of Robinson Crusoe”
is heading for a nice $7,000 or
near in first week and the initial
session under Trans-Lux manage-
ment at, the Normandie. “Human
Desire” f and vaudeville looks to
give the Palace a nice $21,500 in
the round finishing tomorrow
(Thurs.).

“On the Waterfront” continues
great guns with $60,000 in sight
for second frame at the Astor.
“Living It Up” still is big with
$30,000 probable in third stanza
finishing tomorrow at tbe Criterion.

Standout holdover, of course, is
“7 Brides For 7 Brothers” with
stageshow, which is heading for a
terrific $180,000 in the third round
at the Music Hall. Hall actually
topped the second week on first
four days but rain trimmed the
gross Monday a bit. Management
had figured seven or. eight weeks,
but 'the biz in the first three ses-
sions now is leaving the concluding
week a very big question mark.

“Broken Lance” is off to fair
$44,000 or close in second Roxy
session.. “Susan Slept Here” looks
like good $13,000 at Victoria, like-
wise for second week.

“Caine Mutiny” also is slipping
but still solid with probable $29,000
for current (7th) week at the
Capitol. In contrast, “Apache”
continues showing real stamina
with a big $17,000 on tap for fifth
frame at Mayfair.

Estimates for This Week
* Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; $1.25-
$2)— ‘Waterfront” (Col) (3d wk).
Initial holdover session ended last
night (Tues.) was telrific $60,000 or
near after record $67,000 opening
week. Stays indef.

Baronet (Reade) (430; 90-$l.Z5)
—“The Cowboy” (Lip) (2d wk).
First round ended Sunday (8) was
fair $4,600. In ahead, “Daughters
of Destiny” (Indie) (4th wk), $2,600.

Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820; 85-$2.20)
—“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (7th wk).
Current stanza, finishing today
(Wed.) looks like solid $29,000
after $35,000 for sixth week. ' Con-
tinues.

Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 50-$1.85)
—“Living It Up” (Par) (3d wk).
Current session winding tomorrow
(Thurs.) shapes to get a big $30,-
000 after $37,400 for second. Stays
indef.

Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80)
—“Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD)
(9th-final wk). Eighth week ended
last Jiight (Tues.) was fancy $8,000
after $8,600 for seventh. Could
stay longer but house has prior
commitment to open a new Disney
pic. Hence it moves to tbe Guild,
with “Vanishing Prairie” (Disney)
opening Aug. 16.

Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 70-$1.50)
—“Pushover” (Col) (2d-final wk).
This frame ending tomorrow
(Thurs.) looks like mild $7,000
after $12,000 opening week. “Gam-
bler From Natchez” (20th) opens
Friday (13).

Guild (Guild) (450; $1-$1.80) —
“Malta Story” (UA) (4th wk).
Fourth stanza winding tomorrow
(Thurs.) is headed for okay $5,500
after $8,000 in third week. “Mr.
Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD) opens
Aug. 16.

Holiday (Rose) (950; OO^l.eS)^—
“Bullets or Ballots” (WB) and “St.
Louis Kid” (WB) (reissues). Opened
yesterday (Tues.). In ahead, “De-
sire” (Par) and “Shanghai Ex-
press” (Par) (reissues), mild $5,500
in eight days.

Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 79-

$1.80)— “Apache” (UA) (5th wk).
Present session concluding tomor-
row (Thurs.) is heading for big

$17,000 after $20,000 for fourth
week.

Normandie (Normandie Thea-
tres) (592; 95-^$ 1.80)— “Adventures
Robinson Crusoe” (UA). Initial
frame ending today (Wed.) looks to
hit nice $7,000. Holds, of course.
In ahead, “Le Plaisir” (Indie) (11th
wk-8 days), $4,200, to wind up a
great longrun here.

Ealace (RKO) (1,700; 50-$1.60)—
“Human Desire” (Col) and vaude-
ville. Current stanza winding to-
morrow (Thurs.) looks like fine
$21,500. Last week, “Francis Joins
Wacs” (U) and eight acts of vaude,
$25,000, over hopes.

Paramount (ABC-Par) (3,664; 70-
$1.75) — “Duel in Jungle” (WB). On
basis of first four days, this ap-
pears headed for good $35,000 in
opening week ending next Friday
(13). Last week, “Ring bi Fear”
(WB), was $45,000, and was taken
out after 10 days. “Duel” is set to
hold for a second week.

Paris (Pathe Cinema) (568; 90-
$1.80)-:-“Hobson’s Choice” (UA)
(9th wk). Held with good $6,400 in
eighth week ended last Sunday
(8). Seventh week, $7,500.

Radio City Music Hall (Rocke-
fellers) (6,200; 95-$2.75) — “7 Brides
For 7 Brothers” (M-G) and stage-
show (3d wk). This session conclud-
ing today (Wed.) looks to hold with
terrific $180,000, not far from last
week. Second week was $182,500,
biggest second week ever at the
Hall. Continues on indef, with
seven or eight weeks shaping as
likely, based on present gait.
“Brigadoon” (M-G) is set to follow .
“Brides.”

Rivoli (UAT) (2,092; 85-$2)—
“Rear Window” (Par). Initial stanza
ending today (Wed.) is soaring to
terrific $70,000, aided by excellent
reviews, and looks in for longrun.
Previous week, house was closed.
"Window” gross makes it one of
top four big grossers to play Riv.

Roxy (Nat’l. Th.) (5,717; 65-$2.40)
—“Broken Lance” (20th) (2d wk).
Current round finishing up today
(Wed.) likely will get fair $44,000
after $65,000, a hit below hopes,
opening week. Stays on, with “The
Egyptian” (20th) set to preem
Aug. 24.

State (Loew’s) (3,450; 78-$1.75> —
“Magnificent Obsession” (U) (2d
wk). Soared to great $54,000 open-
ing session ended last night (Tues.),
biggest ever for any Universal pic
at State. In ahead, “Gone With
Wind” (M-G) (reissue) (10th wk-
4 days), $9,000, but finishing re-
markable longrun for an oldie, and
total gross of $420,000.

Sutton (R&B) (561; 90-$1.50)—
“Man With Million” (UA) (7th wk).
Sixth week ended Sunday (8) was
$7,000 after virtually same for
fifth week. “High and Dry” (U) is
due in next but date not set.

Trans-Lux 60th St. (T-L) (453;
$1-$1.50)— “Her 12 Men” (M-G).
Opens today (Wed.). In ahead,
“Victory At Sea” (UA) (4th wk-9
days), mild $4,000 after $4,100 for
third full week.

Trans-Lux 52nd St. (T-L) (540;
$1-$1.50— “Lili” (M-G) (75th wk).
The 74th round ended Monday (9)
edged to hot $6,200 after $5,800 for
73rd week. Stays.

Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 50-
$1.75)— “Susan Slept Here” (RKO)
(2d wk). Current stanza ending to-
day (Wed.) looks to reach good
$13,000 after $18,000 opener, slight-
ly below hopes.

Warner (Cinerama Prod.) (1,600;
$1.20-$3.30) — “Cinerama” (Indie)
(62d wk). The 61st round ended
Sunday (8) was smash $39,500. The
60th week was $39,000. Matinee
continue astounding, with nights
still okay.

‘Lance’ Sharp $32,000, -
Frisco; ‘Dark’ Big 12?G

San Francisco, Aug. 10!

Despite unfavorable weather,
first-run biz continues at a fast clip
here this stanza. “Broken Lance”,
is getting the most coin total with
a big session at the Fox. “Johnny
Dark” is doing nicely at Golden
Gate. “Valley of Kings” is rated
okay at Warfield.

Estimates for This Week

Golden Gate (RKO) (2,850; 65-
90)— "Johnny Dark” (U) and “Mon-
ster from Ocean Floor” (Lip). Good
$12,500. Last week, “Ring of Fear”
(WB) and “Operation Diplomat”
(Indie), $14,500.

Fox (FWC) (4,651; $1-$1.80)—
“Broken Lance” (20th). Big $32,000

trnntinnpH nn naPP 20)

tsfiklEfr

ITedimday, August 11, -1954

"7:55 P.M. All'
days off were
cancelled.

All officers
placed on
standby.

This was the
hottest case to
ever hit the
department"

■ J:-'

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* . 'ifr* , * /

* -Vvv t ,.s/.,

RODUCTION

Varner Bros:
World Premieres

NEXT WEEK

AT THE

Victoria, new york
Chicago, Chicago
Warner, Atlantic city

AND

Nationally
Labor Day!

lufepi

JACK

SiAH&iNG IN ANO DIRECTING
HIS FULL ItNGlH MOTION
PICTURE ON OUR GIANT SCREEN
■ili SIAHOINli 8fN ALEXANDER HIS
FAMOUS DETECTIVE PARTNER'

y t? i

5C*-*i ss •"£*'

wraj

DIRECTED BY

LTD. production

PRODUCED BY

STANLEY MEYER

DISTRIBUTED BY

For a Lobby Advance that’s really In
advance-order this standee now I

Life-size, full-color with its own frame -and with
a personal LP recorded message by Jack Webb.
See pressbook immediately and order immediately
-supply is limited!

INTERNATIONAL

'VARIiTY'r tOHOOM OPftfCB ■

• ft, Martin's ftocfti TrafeJjur **!»# r*

Net $380,419 Last Year

London, Aug. 10. +

Statistics released by the Board 1
of Trade last week indicate a con-
tinued drop in attendance for pic-
ture houses in the North of Eng-
land. It also showed declining busi-
ness for the smaller ones, with

For V

London, Aug, 10.
Shipman 4c King Cinemas, cir-
cuit of 37 out-of-town picture
houses, announced a net profit be-
fore taxes, of $380,419 for the 53i
weeks ending last April 3. Last:
year’s total for 52’ weeks was $345,-
881 ' ’

The circuit’s liabilities were

iana. it aisu siiuwcu _ . . „ „ $282,360 or $38,836 less than last

ness for the smaller ones, with Tokyo, Aug. 3. yea r while assets of $103,934 were

upped attendance figures in the Recent VlstaVision demonstra- u « ]j y $ 7 ^ 726 . Reserves alsoAvere

southern and eastern areas (which tion here by Paramount has $2 5;20Q higher at $58,800. Ordinary:
are the first to be affected by new stirred up considerable interest dividend ot $25,410 is quoted at
films and new. techniques) plus im- among exhibs, With the three i e ss tax, same as fbr thepve-
proved take for the larger theatres, major chains dickering for rights vibus period.

The figures indicate the’ biz trend for their Tokyo flaghouses. Shq-
over the lpst two years has been chiku wants it for- the Togeki,
away from the smaller, and in favor Nikkatsii wants it in their new
of larger cinemas. Comparison be- Marurtouchi Nikkatsu and Toho
tween the. first quarters of 1054 wants to VV Its Hibiya.
and 1953 shows *be. exhibitors Meanwhile, it looks as if the

Share of b.o. takings fell for 2,000 flrst V y film will not he here Un-
seated and rose for those above til 0cto ber at the earliest Par is

that capacity. Small, houses also trying to get “strategic Air Com- Paris, Aug. 3.

had to pay a higher^ percentage of m and” fof release.in October, but interesting sidelight of the First
takings in wages while the ■ 2.00Q- has nttl e hopes. Most likely pros- international Dramatic Arts Fes-
seaters, or larger houses, paid les?. p ec t j s a Yuletide roadshow of tival recently here was a series of
Worst hit w$re the 250-seater- small- “White Christmas” simultaneous «rr« n ^ hv fest ftrexv

Easing of

Stressed by State Exec

Paris, Aug.: 3.

■ • ‘ Paris, Aug. 3 .

' Although most v. theatres are
dosed for theannualsummer vaca-
n 1 . iif a ft Hon, legithousb directors and

Branch to Woff UvenlOW authors are- busy" ■ placing and
IH4IUJI IM 1 y v polishing entries for the 1954-55

Honolulu, Aug, 10, legit season which begins late in
Peaches and . Tony Guerrero September* First lineup already
opened their new Tropics Ala shows 30, reprises -of this season’s
Mdana last Wednesday (4) in * hits, and : 23 new : plays. ; Many
;move designed to divert hometown holdovers look to make another
patronage from their overcrowded season of ; it, sortie being pegged
Tropics Waikiki. back in to' fill time until the new

Waikiki operation* a longtime productions are readyfor unveil-
favorite , of Honolulans, draws ing. ^

heavy tourist pliay and additionally Looksee at the theatre lineup
lacks convenient parking;. New for nekt season shows Ambassa-
spacious restaurant, somewhat oft deur-Henri Bernstein reinstating
the beaten path, a fact which in- its Andre Koussin hit, "Le Mari,
sures parking space, is managed La Femme Ft La Mort” (“Hus-
by.Ecl Kina, longtime figure in Isle band, ; Wife and 'Death”). . Mitty

£ +* dharf/l AavUn AlttAlAH , y . 1 ta V M . . A Tl O 1 aK«MAA Ua a!>

cafe arid cabaret circles.

Worsthit were tne 2 ou-seaiersmau- “White Christmas” simultaneous conferences arranged by fest prexy
«r cinemas, which ^hofced a so the with v _ S . release. A° M iul“n with reps of different

createst decrease in admissions. countries on ^he state of legit at

home. Juan Guerrero Zamora, head
of the dramatic section of Spanish
Radio, especially had some cogent
comments. Zamora's main conten-
tion Was that theatre is much freer
and censorship much less Severe
in ‘Spain than supposed by other

quarters of previous years. has ordered monies collected for “The Doomed Squad,., presented

Gross boxoffice takings of $77,- the production- in France of a film by a state-subsidized theatre.. There
716,800 were 0.1% lower than the. on the life of; Christ titled. “The is still strong censorship id tne
first quarter of 1953, but 6.7% Divine .Tragedy,” be returned to realm of hterature, press , turns
ahead of the last quarter of that, the subscribers. Film was to be and theatre, .but it is primarily on

er cinemas, which shofaed i also the
greatest decrease in admissions.

Overall figures given in the sur-
vey show total admissions during
the first quarter . of 1954 at 325,-
664,000, a decrease of 0.9% com-
pared with the same quarter in
1953, Although the slight increase
in admissions in the last quarter
of 1953 (compared with the cor-
responding period of . 1952) h^s not
been maintained fn the first quar-
ter of 1954, the decline of 0.9% is
less than that in corresponding
quarters of previous years.

Mexico City,. Aug. 10.

Goldin’s ABC comes back for a
third year with the Hour vil-Georges
Guetary musical hit, -“La Route
Flqqrie” (“The Flowered Way”).
Ambigu .holds its hit boulevard
comedy,' “J'y‘ Suis J’l Reste” (“I’m
Here And I’m Staying”), for a
fourth year of , Raymond Vincy,
while the Antoine brings back its
two-year hit, “L’HfeUrc Eblouis-
sarite” /“The Dazzling : Hburr”), : un-
til October when it makes way for

Cinex, the company which the "The Man Who Came To Dinner.”
government recently organized to Apollo remains a ‘popular priced
distribute Mexican pix in the U.S., re p house while the Athenee brings
Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa and u a dfc its Jacques JDeval hit, “La
Australia, has^xpanded by buying Maniere Forte” (“The Hard Way”),
out Azteca Films, which, with Bouftes Parisiens has an all-star

total there were 263 between 1,501 the $900,000 needed,

quently playwrights are asked to
make certain cuts and that they

and 1,750-seat capacity; 194 be- ireland’s.-quota was $90,000, of v ce ™ ai " th e W*in-

tween 1,751, 2,000 and 209 having which $25,000 had been raised usually do as asked l in these n

tween 1,751, 2,000 and 209 having which $25,000 had been raised
more than 2,000 seats. when U.S. contributors to the pro j-

Survey includes breakdown of ec t, who had raised their quota of
exhibit share in takings which to- $300,000, decided to withdraw. This

stances. He also made the- point
that other countries have the
wrong ideas on. the death of the

cAiuuiL aiiuic hi yvuiv-h ,uuu, aeciuea to wunaraw, inis ««««, nnot.nlav

taled $31,104,400 between Dec. 27 withdrawal caused abandonment 1 JKKSfSKL..

of 1953 and March 27 this year, of project.

wrigbt, Federica Garcia-L'orea, and
that the main reason . he is no

ties, but the subscribed capital
goes back to subscribers. Des-
mond Leslie, co-author of recent

Zaihora stated that censorship
exists on different levels in Spain,
and that little offbeat theatres

C ° r ’ - ? He ru i ed «* longer played in Spain is* because

responding period in 1051 51. coin raised m Ireland by way of of the objection of his family

„ « donations should be given to chari- ra ther than the state.

Good PlC Will Draw On ww* .“Sw. Ca f,“! 1 Zamora stated that censorship

Any Shape Screen, Scot

Film Guild Prexv Sez nn U VhI P T a H«h ei f t mrf subject matter than the bigger and

rilin IjUllU rrCXy cCZ expenses on the^Irish fundraising m 0re • commercial houses. These

Edinburgh, Aug. 10. h -v. ld ^ hat small theatres exist by love o^ the

A good film with a good story, money to. subscribers was to be 0 wijers for the' art, he opined^ and
imaginatively directed and well Percentage for actual_out-of- usually only give one of a few per-

acted. pulls in the crowds no mat- P° c k e t expenses for organizing the formances of a play. There are

r I I rr a n m nm/vn • f . _ .

Clasa Mohme, Pj^ced Mexican ^vivai 0 f Jean Cocteau’s “La Ma-
films 4 in some 450 cmemas of rfjjne infernale.” Capucines will
Ahienca. ^ •_■■■ reinstate its hit musical, “Les-Chan-

Deal was announced by Cinex SQns De Bilitis” (“Songs of Bili-
prexy, Eduardo Garduno, who also tis *y.; T h e Chatelet keeps ’’White
heads the film trade s own bank, Horse Inn” uqtil its new operetta
the Banco Nacional Cmematogra- tenant,. “Toison D’Or” (“Golden
fico. He and Alfonso Rosas Priegos Fleece"), by Pierre Benoit and
signed for Cinex, and Guillermo Francis Lop ex is ready in De-
and Roberto Calderon and Alberto C ember
Salas Porras for Azteca Purchase ‘Clerambard* Kept On

price is $1,600,000, payable in six Comedie-Caumartin brings back
years. The deal involves 1,200 pix its old hit> "La Cusirie Des Anges”
productions. ■ (“My Three Angels”), Comedie-

Anent the deal, the bank-dis- Des-Champs-Elysees keeps “Cler-
closed that Mexican producers am bard” -until two new Jean An-

an ??5 ual ° ouilh plays are; ready. Comedie-

000 from U.S. exhibition, with 1Q4 Wagram puts Marc-Gilbert Sauva-
pix playing 450 cinemas. Those j 0 n's “Treize A Table” (“Thirteen
cinemas gross $1,440 000. yearly, At.The Table”/ into its third year
but distribution costs $800,000 an- w hi|e the Daunoii gives another
nually and another $480,OQ0 is ab- roun( j the Robert Dhery revue,
sorbed in making prints, freight, <* Ah Le g Belles Bacchantes.”

publicity, etc.

collecting campaign.

Scot Hits British Rule

ter what the shape of the screen, campaign. about 20 state subsidized theatres

according to Norman Wilson, prexy — — — in Spain, with two in Madrid, the

of Edinburgh Film Guild. Giving „ If . n • • 1 n l Teatro Espagnol and the Testro

this recipe for boxoffice success Nrm Hlfc Knh<ih RltlP Maria Guerrero. There are annual

to the annual meeting of the Guild, ■ : prizes for the best in the various

he said the fact that the most sue- An liiyAC in rinAmHC categories of dramatic work, such

cessful films were not always the JUtCo 111 vlUCIIIdo as th e best play, best direction,

most expensive productions was Edinburgh, Aug. 10. * best acting, best, decor, etc. Zamora

an indication that there was a The British regulation of chil- also made the point that theatre is
growing public for intelligent drert having to go into cinemas kept very much alive in all univeiv
films. with an elder person is “a lot of sities.

Wilson said there were many eyewash,” according to Rev. D. Zamora also said that there are
things the film could do superla- Land, member of the city educa- many new, talented . playwrights

lively well, and there were some tion committee. emerging in Spain who are still not

things it could do better than any. “The effect a film has on a child known abroad, and that most coun-
other medium. One of the most j us t same whether he is tic- tries only know the Spanish classi-

telling means of making them ap- companied or not,” he said. cal theatre. Among the hew lights

parent was the Edinburgh Film Education Committee wac rnn- he mentioned Sastre, Gonzales

Festival. To do this more effec- si^ering recommendatirfns of the Ayer and Antonio Bueno Valiejo.
tively, this year the festival was J”® recommendations of the „ wound ud bv savins that his
hdino Pivpn npw pmnhad? Culema Consultative Committee, w ^« na oy. sayiI \S . inai nis

For the udvoSb (Si which a body, concerning admis^ ? is j! atches to Spain had been en-

ror tne upcoming tete, wincn q i on P i nen i a<! n # rhiHrpn of fiva tirely non-partisan, and his prefer-

tees off here Aug 23, films from ^ ^even yea^s ?t had a-reed that ence at tha drama fest had Wen

all sources and categories will be hUd y un a d |‘ r f iv e mu ft be ac- the East German presentation of

screened. . companied bv a relDo^ible nerson Berthold Brecht’s “Mutter Cour-

Films entered this vear are enm- t - om / ,dniea uy a responsiDie person.

Edouard YII will open Andre

. _ i n • Birabeau’s “Squvierts - Toi Mon ;

Trpnn TftWarn^ FnrPICfll Amour” (“Remember My Love”),
1ICIIU lUWdlll* ruicigu with Claude Dauphin and Suzet

Plrtvc Wnrriac Frnnrli* Mais - T1 * e Empire has a return en-

lldys VTOllieS rwil, gagqment of “Porgy And Bess.”

Revive Harsh 1921 Law operetta! 1 “Mem FtiT^Pote^rMy

Paris, Aug. 3.

The Societe Des Auteurs,

operetta, “Mon P’tit Pote” (“My
Little Buddy”). Fontaine reposts
Alexandre Rivemale's “Azouk.”

Films entered this year are’com- com J )aniea uy a responsible

lng from Argentina, Australia, ~~~Z

Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, xr . ^ 1 1Tr .,.

Ceylon, Czechoslovakia, Denmark,- 1/iCI VlC vPCFlS Wltil
France, French Morocco, Germany, in T

Greece, Great Britain, Hungary, 1U«»MJCU1 III 1^

lied by a responsible person. ? r l c ^r S i+ Mu ^f r Gour-

age,” which, he felt, could now be

^ , played in Spain without censorship

Dndno will, troubles. He said that he pre-

1C MpenS VVlin sented a play of Strindberg’s on

‘Macbeth' in London the radi0 which was very out -

T „ j . w _ spoken against marriage, and there

India, Israel, Malaya, Mexico, London, Aug. 3. had been no censorship difficulty

Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Ann Todd is to star in the flew in spite of the heavy Catholic as-
Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzer-; Old Vic season opening with “Mac- pect of Spain.

land, U. S., Russia and Yugo- ' beth” Sept. 9, Michael Benthall — ' ■ ~ :

slavia. Countries sending reps to | is producing the play which plays Mptur Qino-lo Qlfin Q
the festival include Argentina, two weeks at the Edihburgh Fes- cw tJiiigic oinp o-U
Canada, Czechoslovakia, Australia, tival starting Aug. 23. Paul Film Shown ill London
Yugoslovakia, Holland, France, Rogers is to play Macbeth with T nnrfnn Ana **

Sweden. India, Denmark; and ; John Neville and Eric Porter in A demonstration was' staged at
Amerlca - I major supporting roles. lhe 0deon To tt e „ham Court

! Virginia McKenna, femme lead Road, last week of the new single

in "Crnpl Spa" nit> in!n« fhd enm. e< pin Tt 4-;i m n.i. r

New ABC Cinema in Scotland In “Cruel Sea” pic, joins the com- strip 3-D film which Pola-Hte is

Aberdeen, Aug. lu. pany in October in “Love’s Labor's* to produce over here in conjunc-

The Regal is the latest addition Lost,” directed by Frith Banbury, tion with GB-Kalee. Introducing

to this, Scotland’s most cinema- i In “Taming of the. Shrew,” she the new system, Robert Dimpfi

conscious city. Luxury house is the plays opposite Paul Rogers. It will Pola-Lite’s London rep, stated the
first of Associated British Cinemas be directed by Denis Carey, Perm- company planned to make at least
halls to be opened since the war. anent members of the company in- five 3-D features next year. Also
Top executives of ABC attending * elude Laurence Hardy, Gwen Cher- that there would be sufficient
the preem as well as many politi-i rill, Meredith Edwards, Michael product to keep It going for years,
cal, civic and educational reps, | Bates, Eleanor Bryan, Mary Hig- With the Odeon’s 31.2-foot screen,
Construction on the Reghl was i nett, Robert Hardy and Paul Dane- this made the experiment impor-
started in 1939 and was suspended i man. Cecil Beaton has designed tant as being the largest 3 D pro-
in 1941. Work was resumed in 1953. 1 the costumes for “Lost.” jectfon viewed in Britain.

alarmed at the growing trend national operetta i house Gaite
towards foreign legit adaption, Eyriqu f f^ p ^ ses ; Andalousie. and
which they claim is encroaching on Fampinilla. * . , ,

the national product, have decided ,. Gymnase pegs Sauvajon s adap-
to enforce' a 1921 ruling. This wf'* Somerset Maugham s

states that no legit house can play 5 e ^ e , r ^!v, carrieS

foreign plays exclusively, and that on with _MaUnce»Br a y s Pour Le

every theatre must have a quota 5? 1 ^. e ,^ ru ^ T se ^ ^ or The. King of
of . two French plays out of three. Ell ^ ssia ^ L a Bruycre keeps the
This was an accord between SDA Eugene Labiche f arce,_ Si Jamais
and the Syndicat of Theatre Own- ^. e ^. e ^ >1 ?S e , ^ ^ Ever Catch

ers. Last season’s batch of foreign y°V ^*L , Marigny rehouses the
plays, and the mainy new adaptions Jean -Louis Barrault -Madeleine

planned for next year, made the S' 6 ? 3 ,' ^ ' ada P^® n ,°,;

SDA swing into action this week, s . , Cheery Orchard.^

with the bite being put on Marc Madeleine has Jean-Bernard Lucs
Gilbert-SaUVajon who has just Uu Jour De

completed the Gallic version of EAn „, ( Newlyweds, of the New
Somerset Maugham’s “Theatre” } T e . a l )>.with Jean-Pierre Aumont.
for presentation at the Gymnase Mmhodiere has Jules Roy’s ‘ Cy-
Theatre next season . clone, with Pierre Fresnay. Michel

Although this old" decree wag ^ ith R s comedy,

handled in a friendly manner be- -f je Goin Tranquille” (“The Quiet
tween the SDA and the STO, there £ >rne J r K by M » chel Andre. The
were many, infractions of the rule, M°S a dor has the hit operetta-spec,
and no countermeasures ever were Ees Amants ^ De Venise” i“Ihe
taken. However, this year, Roger Lovers of Venice”). -
Ferdinand, SDA prexy, feels it is Lark”— Suzanne Flon Continues

necessary to act. Madame Paule Monceau exhumes an old psy-
Rolle, directress of the .Gymnase, cnological piece, “J’Ai 17 Ans l I
states that her theatre has given Am Seventeen”) by Paul Vanden-
15 French plays against three baugh, and Montparnasse continues
foreign legiters in 15 years. She sodko Jean Anouilhs

feels this ban, because her last, LAlouette' (‘The Lark”) with
play .was an adaption of a U. S. Suzanne Flon. J^octambiiles
play, is unfair. She will bring it bac ^ ^8° Betti’s “P a . s

before the STO. _ U Amour” (“No Love”) with Mi-

Meanwhile, Sauvajon claims that ch61 Vitold. The Nouveautes goes
no nixes have been put on the lnto a Fourth year with Roussin s
Theatre Antoine which had a hit “Lorsque L’Enfant Parait” (“When
Italo play, “The Dazzling Hour,” The child Appears”). Oeuvre has
for two years and has Henri Jean- a new show irt Favre-Luce’s As-
son’s adaption of “The. Man* Who ta rte,” while Palais Royale con-
Came To Dinner” coming in next tm u «s with the Jean De Letraz
season. Also that the Theatre St. boulevard bedroom farce, La Re :
Georges which had a hit revival of tise De Cambrai” (“The Cambrai
the Italo play, “The Voluptuous- Eolly”).

ness of Honor,” all season, has Porte Saint Martin brings bain
not been touched". It has an adap- Its hit operetta, “A La Jamaique,
tion of Graham, Green's “Living by Raymond Vincy, and Quartier
Room” slated as . its next tenant. (Continued on page 13)

*VARlMTY'i LOllDOtl DPFICI
9 <f. HdwrlRF* Rfrt^iTrfilMT 1

INTERNATIONAL

13

Tokyo, Aug. 3.

Bichard Sorge, Xftraintan-bom
soviet spy who operated in Japan
ffing the last World War to the
guise o£ a German correspondent
with access to the German fro-
wsy and highest levels ofthe Jap-
:l se government, seems to he the
hottest subject in the race^ampng
tananese film companies to gain
the prestige of the first joint Japan-
Europe production- Tw plans for
I filmed version pi the. spy’s ex-
ploits are underway presently, one
with a German company and one
with an Italian. Meanwhile, a joint
Italo- Japanese? “Madame Butter-
fly," to be filmed in Italy, has been
definitely pactetf. . ,

Last week it was reported from
Hamburg that the German com-
nany NFD, planned to make a film
here called “Espionage,” based on
the Sorge case. Local film sources
are unable to confirm the story or
to indicate ■ what . Japanese studio*
will cooperate with the Germans.

This week Shintoho Studios an-
nounced it will make a Sorge pic
with Minerva Films of Italy, with
Dulio Coletti to meg. Although
film will be shot mostly in Italy,
an Italian staff of 16 technicians
is slated to visit Japan early this
fall for background lensing.

Cast will be international, with
the title role going to either an
Englishman or an American. Euro-
pean and Japanese actors and ac-
tresses will take other roles, in-
cluding those of Surge’s right-band
man, Hidemo Ozald, ex-newspaper-
man who provided tips on top level
state policy and Sorge’s Japanese
sweetheart.

Shintoho will distribute finished
pic here and Minerva will handle
releases in Europe. «,

A screenplay in Italy is now be-
ing w orked over by Shintoho. As
it reads now, film is unlikely to
become a piece of anti-Red propa-
ganda but will be a psychological
study of a man who gets his kicks
from writing history, so. to speaks
by transferring- top level secrets
from one state to another.

When his activities were uncov-
ered, Sorge, as well as his Japa-
nese colleague, Ozald, who was
special adviser to Prime Minister
Fumimaro Konoye, were arrested
and executed.

Sorge case was first made pub-
lic in Japan during the Occupation
by General MacArthur’s G-2 chief,
Lt. Gen, Charles Willoughby, who
later wrote a. book on the case en-
titled “Shangi Conspiracy.” Wil-
loughby has not been consulted on
the role of tech adviser.

British-lfalo Fix Pact

:.31

London, Aug. 10.

Bending possible alteration in
Italian law) which might affect the
importation of films into Italy, the
present Anglo-Italian film agree-
ment, which expired June 30, has
been extended until the end of the
year. Announcing this at the
monthly executive council meeting
of the British Film Producers
Assn, Sir Henry French, BFPA di-
rector-general, said it was hoped
that talks regard-'iig a new agree-
ment Would be held by * the end
of October.

Local obstacle to renewal of
the agreement is the attitude
adopted by the Assn. of^Cine Tech-
nicians, which intimated it would
instruct members working in lab-
oratories not to handle processing
unless all dubbing, on foreign films
were done in this country. ACT
argues that in certain countries the
dubbing of British films must be
carried out in those countries
where they are to be exhibited.
This ruling is not in fpree in Italy.

Mex Pi* Admfah Ceiling
Cute Govt. Taxesr $42,313

Mexico City, Aug.
Ceiltnged cinema admission
prices here of 35c-46c» set in De-
cember, lg52, figured big in the
$42,313 drop last year ip taxes on
film theatre gross coin garnered
by the* national and city govern-
ment, the local city treasury de-
partment discloses, -
The peso was worth 11.6c during
both years. It was slashed to 8c.
last April 19.

Old Vic-Habimah Swap

Tel- Aviv, Aug. 3.

The Hebrew theatre, Habimah,
which lias just concluded a series
ot guest performances at the Inter-
national Drama Festival in Paris,
plans an exchange with London’s
Old Vic some time next year, Old
Vic to play for a short while in
Israel and Habimah in England.

The Habimah will also 'probably
take part in next year’s Dramatic
Festival at Venice.

30 Revivals

Continued -from page 12

Latin its hit musical 1 satire, “La
Tour Eiffel Qui Tue” (“The Eiffel
Tower That Kills”). Sarah Bern-
hardt houses the Marquis De Cue-
vas Ballet. In December it opens
Marcel Ayme’s adaption of Arthur
Millers “Crucible,” with Yves
Montand and Simone Signoret. It
v ill be called “La Chasse Aux! Sor-
rieros ’ (“Witch Hunt”).

J 6 !?*’ at Theatre Des Arts
Gigi” stays on at the Theatre
ues Arts while a new Jacques De-

nT ri\ lay ’ “Namouna,” comes into
the Theatre De Paris with Fernand
uiave y m the lead. Theatre De
roche does a version of the 18th
^eniury John Gay operetta, “The
o*^? ai n S L °P era <” Varietes keeps
Robert Dhery contedy revue

Th ?° n , Vole ” (“Billowing Skirt”)
A his makes two for Dhery.

c Cblombier brings back T.

Don s “Cocktail Party” until

Play W A *? en V peils a new
(‘‘On., ? n Aimes Qui On Peut”

£ oves Wh0 He Can”), by
p:®'* p ^seur, with Jean-Claude

Ozerqy D . a | 10 Madeleine

London, Aug. 10.

Emile Liftler and Peter Dau-
beny’s production of “Sabrina
Fair” bowed in at the Palace last
Wednesday (4) to enthusiastic wel-
come from most firstnighters who
gave Marjorie Steele a warm per-
sonal reception. Ron Randell scored
as her beau, and oldtimers Zena
Dare and Cathleen Nesbitt regis-
tered as leading femme support.
Other roles were commendably
handled.

Play is well directed by John
Cromwell,- who also has a part in
the show. Press reaction mixed
and absence of topline names de-
terrent to chances of equaling' its
U. S. success.

“Relations Are Best Apart,** by
Edwin -Lewis, opened the week's
new shows at the Garrick Theatre,
Tuesday (3). Presented by H. J.
Barlow it stars Leslie Henson as
peacemaker-grandfather in over-
crowded household. Hazel Court
and Dermot Walsh score as couple
swamped by the inlaws with gener-
ally competent supporting cast.

Play was cordially received but
unlikely as a stayer. Directed by
Martin Landau.

Linnit & Dunfee, Ltd., and Jack
Hylton brought the Bristol Old Vic
production of “Salad Days” to the
Vaudeville last Thursday (5) which
bowed into a tumultuous reception.
Main interest centres on the music
by Julian Slade, also composer of
last week’s Sheridan comedy, “The
Duenna,” which confirms the be-
lief hd is coming man in light mu-
sic. Book and lyrics by Dorothy
Reynolds and Julian Slade ' pro-
vide lighthearted story of magic
piano with unknown cast receiving
ovation.

$23,000 to Johnnie Ray

Berlin, Aug. 3.

West German producers obvi-
ously are finding it more and more
essential to use foreign stars in
their pix. The number of foreign
players signed by local film , out-
fits has probably never been so big
as during this season. Latest for-
eign names, include Josephine
Baker and Charles Trenet. Both
will appear in “Der Mann- im
Mond,” a Berlin musical.

In addition, they have been
signed by CCC to star in “Ah
Jedem Finger Zehn,” in which also
U. S, singer Kenneth Spencer,
Woody Herman orch and some
other stars will, appear. The Kath-
erine Dunham Dancers have been
signed by Gloria for “Gloria Star
Parade 1954.”

France’s Etchika Coureau cur-
rently is working in Ariston’s
“Maedchen aus Paris.” Same out-
fit also has Ingrid Bergman on its.
list. She has the leading role in
“Angst,” which Roberto Rossellini
is directing. “Der Kommandant,”
based on John Knittel's novel, sees
German Carl Raddatz costarring
with Michele Morgan.

It is noteworthy that half of (his
country’s most popular film stars
are not German.

Sydney, Aug. 3.

Johnnie Ray, due for Down Un-
der trip next September, will get
about $23,000 for his eight-day
singing chore.

Weeper has a big following here.
Initial record “Cry” was an im-
mense seller in Australia. -

Christine Signed For

Test Date in Britain

London, Aug. 10.

Harry Harbour, vaude booker for
Stoll theatres, has signed Christine
Jorgensen, assisted by Miles Bell,
for a week’s tryout at the Hippo-
drornef -Manchester, starting
Aug. 16.

If the act clicks, it will be given
the entire Stoll Theatres’ dates as
well- as Moss Empires engagements.

102 Yank Pix Out Of
234 Bowed in W. Berlin
In 1st Half of 1954

Berlin, Aug. 3.

There were 234 pix being re-
leased in West Berlin (39 in East
Berlin) during the first six months
of 1954. Nearly half of the films
or 102 (43.8%) were of American
origin. Fifty- five pix were from
West Germany while 77 or 32/7%
came froip other nations, mainly
France, Italy, England and Austria.

Despite the high percentage of
Hollywood films, however, the
most playdates still are captured
by local product. This is ex-
plained. of course, by the big popu-
larity of German films in second-
run cinemas.

The biggest U. S. hit here in re-
cent months undoubtedly was
“From Here to Eternity” (Col).
This pic also was a winner in April
and still is high on the monthly
best-grosser lists.

An outstanding German money-
maker currently is “No Way Back”
(“Weg ohne Umkehr”) being in
such demand that requests for ex-
tended runs could not be met be-
cause there were not enough
prints. This Berlin fete prize-win-
ner was produced here, and an
English version now is completed.

In the Kurfuerstendamm (first-
run) area, however, Hollywood
films are still the big favorites.
Currently, six out of 11 preem
houses here are using U. S. films.
These American pix are “How to
Marry a Millionaire” (20th) at
Filmbuehne Wien which received
the best reviews ever given, here
here to a C’Scope film.

At the Kurbel, “Gone With
Wind” (M-G) is soon due to enter
its. ninth month. “Along the Great
Divide” (WB) is at Capitol, “99
River Street” (UA) at pelphi,
“Wings of Hawk” (U), J3-D), at
Filmtheatre Berlin.

Call for Ban on Public TV
In Italy as Pix Throat

Rome, Aug.'S.

The parliamentary group cur-
rently fighting the government’s
tax program for the film industry,
has asked for a disciplining of the
use or “abuse” of television in
■public places.

Statement, contained in an open
letter to the Ministry of the In-
terior and Post Office and Tele-
graph Depts., asks what measures
haye been taken to discipline use
of public tv. Letter points to the
dangers of holding tv shows ‘ in
public bars and especially-built tv
rooms in restaurants and night-
clubs not equipped with safety
facilities, and also to the fact that
apparently, government and tv-
radio company (state-subsidized)
gets no return from special prices
or extra tabs charged for such
“abusive” showings. Letter asks
what measures have been set to
combat or control such “abusive”
speculation ‘or, if it is to be al-
lowed, what regulations are to
govern it.

Washington, Aug. 10.

The Government of Israel has
passed legislation to encourage na-
tive production of films.

Principal provisions are that
every film showing, running for 90
minutes or more, must include a
newsnCel made in Israel; and all
exhibitors must show a minimum
of four hours of domestic product
of other types each week, U. S. De-
partment of Commerce reports.

Films of insufficient “artistic or
technical merit” may be declared
ineligible for the benefits of this
law, with a film council to make
the decisions. The newsreels must
run at least nine minutes and niost
of it must include “njatter of Israel
public interest.” The non-newsreel
pix must be at least 80% photo-
graphed and processed in Israel.

NO SIDEWALK BARS FOR
STRAIT-LACED WAIKIKI

Honolulu, Aug. 10.
Waikiki won’t look like Paris as
far as gay sidewalk cocktail-lounge
operations are concerned, pity
liquor commission has denied the
request of the Gourmet, Spence-
cliff chain nitery, to extend bar
service to tables under an awning
outside the building.

Board said there already is suffi-
cient area within the building and
expressed skepticism at making
liquor service so public in this city
that has never forgotten its mis-
sionary background. Board mem-
bers said proposed two-foot high
boundary of plants between tables
and main thoroughfare sidewalk
was inadequate.

Rank’s Irish Sub Tilts Div

Dublin, Aug. 10.

Irish Cinemas, Ltd., subsidiary
of J. Arthur Rank's Irish Odeon
setup, upped its divvy on common
stock to 17M>% for the year ended
last June 26.

It had paid 12*£% for the last
two years. ■ *

Brit. Film Technicians
In New Overtime Row

London, Aug. 10.

A dispute between the Assn, of
Cine Technicians and the Assn, of
Specialized Film Producers has led
to the ACT imposing an overtime
ban on workers and a request from
the ASFP that the Ministry of La-
bor intervene. Producers say
the ban, which operated from Aug.
2, will lead to a serious dislocation
of production. Already it is re-
ported that Pathe has had to call
off production of one pic..

Disagreement arose over a claim
by ACT for increased wages and
changed working conditions. It foV
lows a series of meeting between
the two parties since eariy this
year; An ASFP statement sum-
marizes details of the dispute. It
opines that by imposing the ban,
the ACT is in breach of the agree-
ment between them that provides
for employees reasonable overtime
and also agreed machinery for the
settlement of disputes.

Paris, Aug, 10.

French pix production was
slower than usual in the early park
of the -year, but fs now solid for a
big season. Majority of bigseale
productions and those needing ex-
teriors, with the weather essential,
are now going on.

Production is on even keel this
year and will reach its usual 100-
odd film$ with a goodly number of
coproductions. The trend towards
costume specs and color still con-
tinues With the added bracing of
the more serious, arty French pix.
However, at this .time, there is
still doubt as to the French entries
for the Venice Film Fest, and the
only runnerup so far is Marcel
Carne’s “L’Air De Paris.” There
is talk that only one pic will be
sent.

.Present production leans toward
the spec with Jacques Becker's big
fresco interp of “Ali Baba,” with
Fernandel; Sacha Guitry’s super-
budgeted “Napoleon,” Jean Devai-
vre’s third sequel to “Caroline
Cherie,” Abel Gance’s medieval
skullduggery pic, “La Tour De
Nesle”; Fernando Cerchio’s sequel
to the “Three Musketeers” with
"Le Vlcomte De Bragelonne,” J'ean
Dreville’s “La Reine Margot” of
Alexandre Dumas, Richard Pot-
tier’s turn-of-the-century opus, “La
Belle Ortero,” with Maria Felix,
and Andre Hunnebelle’s resurrec-
tion of a 17th century folk charac-
ter hero, "Cadet Rousselle.”

Some dramas are also on the
roster with Jean Delannoy’s story
of jealousy . and murder, “Obses-
sion,” with Michele Morgan and
Raf Vallone; Jacqueline Audry’s
pic version of Jean^-Paul Sartre’s
“Huis Clos" (“No Exit”), Jean.
Laviron’s “Votre Devoue Blake”
(“Yours Truly Blake”), with Eddie
Constantine as an international
ladies’ man; Maurice Chevalier in
a comedy, “J’ Avais Sept. Filles”
(“I Had Seven Daught#s"), about
an aging rogue; Victor Vicas*
Franco-German version of Jean
Giraudoux’s play, “Siefried,” and
Jean Sacha’s detective pic, “La
Peau Des Autres” ("The Skin of
Others”).

Heavier fare is scheduled to start
next season, with the better di-
rectors going into action again and
tackling more profound and dif-
fuse subjects for Drobable fare for
future programs in the artier U. S.
houses and for entrance in the top
film fests. H. G. Clouzot, the multi-
prizewinner, starts his new one
“Les Veuves” (“The Widows”),
Jean Renoir comes back to the
scene here with “French Cancan”
with Jean Gabin, Chrislian-Jaque
does a bigseale remake of Emile
Zola’s “Nana,” with Charles Boyer
and Martine Carol; Raymond Ber-
nard has Edwige Feuillere for “Les
Fruits De L’Etc” (“Summer
Fruit”), J ulien" Du vivier starts his
“Marianne De Ma Jeunesse”
(“Marianne of my Youth”) as a
Franco-German pic. and Andre
Cayatte again undertakes a heavily
socialiy-signil’icant pic in probing
the essence of marital difficulties
in “Pour Le Meilleur -Et^Pour Le
Pire” (“For The Better Or Worse”).

Two Monsarrat Yarns
Readied for Brit. Pix

London, Aug. 3.

Two Nicholas Monsarrat stories
are to be lensed in Great Britain
this year, one by Ealing Studios
which turned out “The Cruel Sea,”
and the other, "The Story of
[Esther Costello. Latter will be
done by John Woolf, managing di-
rector of Romulus Films.

The Ealing pic, “Ship That Died
of Shame,” will be Basil Dearden’s
21st directorial chore for the com-
pany. He will again team with
producer Michael Relph. John
Whiting is collaborating on the
screenplay and film is expected
to start rolling in September, Dear-
den is currently directing “Out of
Clouds” for Ealing, which stars
Anthony Steel, Robert Beatty,
James Robertson Justice. David
Knight, and Margo Lorenz.

While casting for the Ealing film
is not yet announced, the Romulus
topper is trying to finalize a deal
with Joan Crawford to star in
“Esther Costello.” He is also
hoping that Jean Simmons will be
free to play in it. Samuel Fuller’
will ‘direct.

Wednesday, August 11, 1954

MBtlEfr

PICTURES

IS

Holden Says a Click in 13 Top

Public fcefcy demands Vnjore
humanism" and realistic interpre-
tations” from, its actors, Says Wil-
liam Holden, Paramount star who
returned . last week (6) from a
'round the world Jaunt on behalf
qf VistaVislon.' ■ ' . ’ • ‘ . ‘

There’s no Question in Holders
mind that audiences .have changed
and now gojfor a different toe of
personality on the screen. ‘‘Actors
today don’t necessarily have fo be
clamorous,^ he commented. “The
public of today is a product of
wartime reporting; It is accustom-
ed to realism and the honesty of
an almost documentary approach.
When that is reflected in sdfe£n
personalities it makes for better
audience identification/’

Holden cited the fact that - his
fan mail had changed. “They no
longer bother to sit down just to
write a silly letter,*’ he^aid. “Most
writers now concerp themselves
primarily with coihmenting one
way or another on. pictures and
individual performances.”

Holden, accompanied by his
wife. Brenda Marshall, was gone,
for dose to 10 weeks, Among the
cities he covered on his Paramount-
sponsored trip were Tokyo. Hong-
Kong, Manila, Saigon, Singapore,
New Delhi, Bombay, Cairo, Rome,
Paris, Copenhagen, , Oslo and
Stockholm. In four cities— Tokyo,
Manila, Singapore and Bombay —
he attended actual VistaVision
demonstrations. Elsewhere, he told
the trade about VistaVision with-
out actual screenings.

Exhibs Hep -

“I found exhibitors everywhere
surprisingly well briefed on the
process and most sympathetic to
it," he reported. “They all like the
large screen, and since many oper-
ate on shoestring budgets, Vista-
Vision, with its compatible- 'quali-.
ties, seems to * most of them the
perfect answer.”

VistaVision is a photographic
process providing a widescreen
image of. improved clarity and
definition. It requires only a large
screen and a wideangle projection
lens. Par’s first VistaVision release
will be “White Christmas.” All of
the company’s VV releases will
carry Perspecta Sound for theatres
equipped to handle it.

Discussing the problem of mak-
ing pix for the internationalmar-
ket. Holden opined that there was
no real formula for worldwide b.o,
success but that the one safe cri-
terion was the intelligence of the
American audience. “If there is
such a thing a» a formula it’d be
taking a sample of the 13 leading
U.S. cities and the 30 cities that
come after them. When a film
meets the_ standards of the audi-
ences in those cities, chances are
that it’ll be a success everywhere.”

The actor conceded that foreign
pic tastes differed from those in
the U S. and at times created sur-
prising situations — such as “Roman
Holiday” outgrossing “Greatest
Show on Earth” In some Indian
theatres. In India he heard com-
plaints of the U.S. “refusing play-
dates to Indian films” and he re-
counted his arguments with Indian
producers on that point.

Holden had j6b offers in many
Places as foreign producers realize
that inclusion of v an American star
name in the cast of any of their
ffl enhances their chances for
u.b. bookings. In India, Holden
)y as offered the job of organizing
the Screen Actors Guild there. He
turned down the opportunity, In-
aian actors frequently will work

ti« ■ r ? e or four pix at the same
time, he related, due to unstable
ec on ° m i C conditions in the na-
e industry.

T , Own Production Due
0 * s ovvn Plans are indefi-
W , at moment. Under his coh-
act with Paramount he’s allowed

film a year. He has

cnnl ed n TolUca Productions and is
cunently studying two scripts that

ljn,. produce under his own
len^° l - T ° luca may eventually re-
L Pa r a .mount, Holden said.
'PerihB? 1 l efl ? ite assi 8nment is the
nfr L^ ei ; g - Seaton Pic. “The Mag-
,ml-i Dev H s ” which lsft,t due to
wl lJ M ?S xt May or June. Meanr
uni(*i^ H< li d l n is * n three as yet
brini^^L Par Productions— “Sa-
and Th f Brld S es of Toko-Ri”
d Country Girl.” In the two

latter pics he costars with the fast-
rising Grace Kelly. . •

‘ Even though his Par contract
doesn't call for any participation
in; profits, Holden said he was a
great believer in the creative, tal-
ent sharing in the risks. He had a
percentage deal for “The Moon Is
Blue,” the Preminger-Herbert pro-
duction, Holden was emphatic in
stating that the pic should have
;gotten a Code seal. He said he. was
.surprised at the lack of complaints
that had reached him in connection
With- his starring part in .-that film.
Holden recalled that he was one
of the people who had advised Otto
Preminger not to submit the
“Moon” script to the Code in ad-
vance.

Houses by ’55

Apparently on the assumption
that the trade heeds no further
convincing, 20th-Fox is now going
to plug the virtues of CinemaScope
and stereophonic sound directly
With the public.

A1 Lichtman, director of sales,
told a N. Y. powwow of 20th
branch and district heads last week
that the company would make
available to exhibs gratis two reels,
one de-filing with stereo sound and
the other with the improvements
resulting, from the new “taking”
lenses.

He also confirmed Variety re-
port last week that 20th would
make a special reel for projec-
tionists, showing them the best
ways of getting maximum effects
out of a CinemaScope presentation.
20th has been concerned over re-
ports of sloppy projection of its
C’Scope .films in some houses.

Apart from discussing sales
policy on upcoming 20th attrac-
tions, and particularly “The Egyp-
tian,” the 20th field sales staff
also viewed “The Egyptian” and
heard addresses by Lichtman, Spy-
ros P._ Skouras, 20th prexy, and
Gen. James A. Van Fleet, a 20th
director.

Lichtman said that, by the end
of July, a total of 6,643 theatres
were . equipped for CinemaScope Jn
the U. S. and Canada and that the
goal of 10,000 houses by the end
of the year would be reached. Of
the 6,643, about half — 3,293 — are
using fourtrack stereo sound and
2,854 use single optical sound. 128
are equipped with onetrack mag-
netic sound and 368 use socalled
mixers.

Lichtman said the two general
exhibition reels- on sound and
forthcoming pix were being made
available at the request of exhibs
who saw 20th’s “The Advanced
Techniques of CinemaScope” dur-
ing June and July, The stereo
sound reel will run nine minutes
and will be available at the end
of August.

The second reel runs 20 min-
utes and again will be narrated
by Darryl F. Zanuck, 20th produc-
tion topper. It will include a num-
ber of properties that weren’t part
of the “Advanced Techniques”
clip. The 20-minute subject will
become available in four to five
weeks.

Roundtable discussions on the
handling of 20tli upcoming pix as
well as a review of sales policy
during the past year were led by
Lichtman, William C.- Gehring,
exec assistant sales head; Glenn
Norris, eastern sales manager, and
Alex Harrison, western sales
manager.

TOA ANALYZES SI L
‘FEATHERBEDDING’

A coyrt case involving the 9 at-
tempt by a projectionists’ union to
force an extra man on an exhibitor
is analyzed by Herman M. Levy,
Theatre Owners of America gen-
eral . counsel, in an industry case
digest

Thp case concerned the LaCosa
Theatre, St. Louis?* which was
granted an injunction on' the
grounds that the union’s picketing
was for “an unlawful purpose and
was, theref o|re, en joinable,” -

Hugh Graham, operator -of the
theatre, asked the local booth-
men’s union to furnish him with,
a projectionist. Thfe union insisted
that he’d have to take two men. It
refused to send one man. Graham
then hired a non-union man and
paid him uniorf wages. The union
then picketed his theatre, leading
to Graham’s suit to enjoin the
picketing.

In its decision, the court de-
clared' that “the defendants are
using, picketing as a force to de-
prive plaintiff of the opportunity
of managing his own business; his
business is being destroyed by the
silent and insidious force of a sys-
tem of picketing or else defendants
would not attempt to use the sys-
tem.” The court termed the picket-
ing “a boycott established - against
the business of the plaintiff to
make him submit to arbitrary de-
mands of the defendants.” The
court said that Graham proved
that the extra man “will not be of
any service to him and is not neces-
sary, but is arbitrarily forced upon
him.”

Levy points out that the
Supreme Court of Connecticut
rendered a similar decision, -^hold-
ing on substantially the same facts,
that peaceful picketing “will be en-
joined where there is no^ labor dis-
pute, arid where it is being used
to attempt to force the theatre
owner to employ only union pro-
jectionists.” Levy notes that many
states follow the law as set down
in these cases, and advises exhibs
to ‘‘become familiar with the laws
of their particular states and de-
termine What their rights are.”

RUBE SHOR RAPS TERMS

Calls 'Obsession* and 'Mutiny* Over-
priced For Small Situations

Warner Finances

Continued from, page 5

Musicalize ‘Lost Horizon’

. Hollywood, Aug. 10.

In addition to pending musical
remake of “My Sister Eileen,”
Columbia will produce a version of
tunefilm, “Lost Horizon,” one of
studio’s top grosses of past.

Fred Kohlmar, who’ll produce
“Horizon,” and tunesmiths Jule
Styne and Leo Robin will do both
films.

stanza of a year ago shows a net
profit of $2,129,000, after provision
of $3,034,000 for taxes and $150,000
for contingent liabilities. Profit is
a combined total, covering °the
three months ending May 30, 1953
of the new Warner company and
the six months ending Feb. 28, 1953,
of the old corporation (prior -di-
vorcement). The net profit from
domestic theatre operation Was
eliminated from this calculation.

Listed as inventories in the cur-
rent report are $6,748,687 for pro-
ductions released, less amortiza-
tion, $4,404,896 for productions
completed and not released, and
$4,618,894 for productions in proc-
ess. Rights and scenarios, at cost
less amortization is placed at $541-
618.

An agreement relating to bank
notes provides for their payment in
semiannual installments of $682,-
000 each, beginning May 1, 1955,
with interest at 2^4% per annum.
The agreement also sets certain re-
strictions against the creation of
any lien or encumberance on cer-
tain assets.

Universal and Columbia were on
the receiving .-end of exhibitor
blasts this week for the rental
terms asked, for “Magnificent Ob-
session” and “The Caine Mutiny,”
respectively. .

Universal, it’s charged, is asking
50% with a minimum of 40% on
review. In the case of Columbia
it’s reported that the distrib is
asking a guarantee Of at least the
film rental of “From Here to
Eternity,” with a minimum of
50%, against a 70-30-10 deal.

In rapping ; these terms, Rube
Shor, Cincinnati theatre operator,
said: “There may be large grossing
situations that can gamble on these
terms, but*there doesn’t exist a
suburban or smalltown theatre that
can stand this risk. Some people
will tell you, ‘it's only one picture,
pass it up.’ But the film companies
should not put us in the position
of having to pass up any picture.
Our public is entitled to see the
better ones as well as the dogs, and
will insist on this right or else
abandon the movies altogether.”

Extended Runs

Continued from page 7

ways wants some kind of insurance
for his investment himself.

“A studio,”' she says, “has to
contend with such a high overhead
that it is impossible to make a
good picture inexpensively any
more. And only good pictures can
put the industry back on its feet.
It’s becoming more and more im-
portant for the exhibitor and the
producer to work and think to-
gether.”

Miss Parsons believes that, Hol-
lywood nearly dug its own grave,
before divorcement, with the dou-
ble-feature idea and now it is hav-
ing a tough time trying tp sell ex-
hibs and audiences alike On the
thinking that one good picture is
easily worth the price of two medi-
ocre films. She termed the double-
feature “an evil" and guessed ‘it
would eventually be abolished once
Hollywood gears fully for the big
picture push.

Miss Parsons is touring the hin-
terlands ahead of her latest film,

To 21c a Share

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

National Theatres’ net income
for the 39 weeks ended June 26
was $1,884,636, or 68c. per share
on the 2,769,486 shares outstand-
ing, Charles P. Skouras, prexy, re-
ported to the stockholders. Earn-
ings for the 39 weeks this fiscal
year were approximately the same
as the $1,874,521 for the same
period last year.

Third quarter earnings showed
an increase over last year, the 13-
week period hitting $577,586, or
21c a share, as compared to $414,-
992, or 15c. a share, for the same
period a year ago. Circuit had a
net profit from the disposition of
theatres and real estate of $57,000,
less applicable taxes, in the 39-
week period. Comparably, in the
39 weeks last year this total was
$169,000, with $104,000 in the third
quarter alone.

Circuit kept its net up during
the 39 weeks; although attendance
dropped 13.6%. Approximately
one-third of this decrease was due
to fewer operating theatres, total
having dropped by 24 to 359 at June
26, 1954. Remainder of the de-
crease was due principally to the
advent of television into new terri-
tories where National Theatres
operates and to a relative shortage
of pictures.

Skouras’s report calls attention
to the circuit’s long term invest-
ments totalling approximately
$9,000,000, of which $7,750,000
were made in cash. These invest-
ment have been made since NT be-
came a separate company in Sep-
tember of 1952 and do not include
ordinary theatre improvements
and , maintenance. In. round fig-
ures $5,000,000 has been invested
in CinemaScope and stereo sound
equipment; $1,000,000 in Magna
Theatre Corporation; $2,000,000 for
theatre properties, principally the
new Centre in Denver and the Fox
in Portland; and in the acquisi-
tion of minority interests in Pacific
Northwest subsids.

NT acquired the 45% minority
interest in Evergreen circuit in
Washington and Oregon for ap-
proximately $900,000, which repre-
sents $400,000 in cash and the
balance in notes payable semi-an-
nually over a three-year period.
Most of NT’s decrease in operat-
ing theatres occurred in the north-
west and in Wisconsin, both divi-
sions of which are now under
direct supervision of the circuit.

New York City’s legal tilt with
exhibs over the 5% admissions tax
reached a teriiporary Impasse last
week after the theatremen scored
what was considered a moral, as
well as practical victory in their
battle against the tax.

The exhibs’ break came when
Supreme Court Justice Nicholas
M. Pette granted a temporary in-
junction which enjoined the city
from collecting any fraction of a
cent beyond the stipulated 5%. Ac-
cording to theatre attorneys, this
breakage amounts to approximately
17% of the total tax. In other
words, if the levy amounted to
$100,000,. a total of $17,000 would
constitute the fractions over and
above -the 5% limit.

Judge Pette signed his order-
affecting only the five Queens the-
atres involved in the action against
the city and not covering the
broader question of the unconsti-
tutionality Qf the new tax law—
with the stipulation that it would
be stayed if the city filed an appeal
“with all reasonable expedition” on
or before Aug. 11. He also directed
that the case be Set down for trial
in Queens Supreme Court on Sept.
13, subject to approval from the
presiding judge.

Complying with this require-
ment, city attorneys filed a notice
of appeal on Friday (6), well be^-
fore the deadline. The appeal from
Judge Pette’s order has to be taken
to the Appellate Division, Second
Department, in Brooklyn. That
j court doesn’t reconvene until Sep-
tember.

This brings up the possibility of
the case going to trial before the
appeal is heard. Exhibs are plan-
ning a cross-appeal against the
limited scope of Judge Pette’s
order.

The five houses immediately af-
fected by the order were the RKO,
Flushing; Brandt’s Strand Theatre,
Astoria; Loew’s Willard and the
Century circuit’s Queens and Com-
munity theatres. . Loew’s attorney
Thomas Bress last week was dis-
cussing with the city ways and
means in which all other exhibs
could be covered by the order.

Bress explained that, by paying
the $259 bond required by Judge
Pette of the original plaintiffs, all
other exhibs could becoirie inter-
venors in the action and parties
to it.

In the full-dress Sept, trial, the
entire question of the tax legality,
contended by N. Y. exhibs, will be
fought out. Meanwhile, exhibs will
have to pay the disputed tax, sans
fractions over 5%, until a final
decision is made. City attorneys
are naturally concerned since any
broad tax ruling would undoubted-
ly raise the question of the legality
of New York’s 3% sales tax under
which the city collects the break-
age. Exhib attorneys expect both
sides to move for summary judge-
ment instead of a trial.

Winikus’ Staff

Continued from page 5

ly the tremendous progress made
during the past three years under
the Arthur Krim-Bob Benjamin-
Youngstein-Bill Heineman regime.

Company execs staunchly deny
that the financial buildup has as
its purpose the floating of a stock
issue. It’s objective it’s pointed
out, is to tell UA’s “modern” story
to the banks since the company is
financing fully or partly the indie
producers under its banner. Before
the new management team stepped
in, bank credit was one of UA’s
prime headaches, an ailment the
Krim & Co. execs have succeeded
in curing.

Perhaps the best indication of
UA’s comeback is in its announce-
ment that it’ll handle • Robert Bas-
sler’s ’ “Gentleman Marry Bru-
nettes.” This will be the first
full-scale and lavish musical under
UA auspices since the Samuel
Goldwyh-tuners of the ’30’s star-
ring Eddie Cantor.

Roger H. Lewis. UA’s manager
under Winikus, planed from New
York to the Coast Monday (9) for
confabs with indie producers and
their ad execs on campaign plans
for upcoming pix set for UA re-
lease. He’ll remain on the Coast
for 10 days.

PMlly Theatre*, Hit By City’* 10% Ta*, Rap Free
Entertainment in Public Place*

4 — — —

Philadelphia, Aug, 10,
Film men here are quietly burn-
ing over municipal competition in
the entertainment held and their

Publicists’ Hifork Boom

• Hollywood, Aug. 10.

____ Upsurge in major studio and in-

smouldering resentment was not [die pix production has resulted^ hi
dampened any over the weekend ‘

by the glowing report of the City-
sponsored Robin Hood Dell, which
played to a record-breaking attend-
ance of 410,000 cuffo customers

a rosy employment situation in the
Publicists Guild, few of the press-
agents beiifg jobless these days.

Guild, trying to put every one
of its members to work, is sending

during its six-week season in July them letters asking to* see which
and late dune. ‘ are available. They are also asked

Philadelphia theatres have long if they want to work in the majors
been saddled with a 10% municipal indie field (including tv), radio and
tax, and attempts to lift this im- tv or public relations
post early this year resulted in a Guild 'tells the publicists em-
hollow .Victory for the film men. ployers are increasingly active in
The City gave them a minor com using guild office as a hiring con-
cession on the breakage, which ter.
affected children's tickets mainly.

The Dell, private baby of Recre- niFA rilfDT AVC 1 OCft
ation Commissioner Fredric R. EmU JulvllLUlv lp£0U

UsT n tw h o a %oa e so n n S rUn Commfss1on^ AS 5 FEATURES' ROLL

Mann enlisted 750 “Friends of the v "

Dell” to chip in $100 each for their Hollywood, Aug. 10.

brace of season tickets, and the Total of 1,260 persons are at
City matched that with another work on the RKO lot, a new em-
$75,000 and the public was invited, ployment high for the year. Rea
Althbugh longhair music and s0 n is that five pictures are in pro-
concert attractions ordinarily duction,

wouldn't seem to be a threat, the Films are “The Conqueror,”
Dell’s lure .for “freebies” can be “Americano,” “Cattle Queen of
understood by such attendance Montana,” “Passion” and “Carmen
scores as: Victor Borge, 26,500; Jones.” Latter is

Jen? Hetman To Coast

Jerry Pickman, Paramount pub-
ad chief, planed from New .York
to the Coast over the weekend for
confabs with studio officials on- up-
coming product. He conferred with
execs Y. Frank Freeman and Don
Hartman and studio publicity chief
Teet Carle.

Discussions will center on pub-
ad plans for “White Christmas,”
Par's first -VisfaVisioh film, “The.
Bridge at Toko-Ri,” and “The
Country Girl,” all of which will, be
screened during Pickman's visit.
Pickman will remain on the Coast
for the preem of Alfred Hitch-
cock's “Rear Window” today
(Wed.), and then returns to Goth-
am, Stopping eh route at several
of Par’s branch offices.

Verdi program, 24,000; Lily Pons,
23,000; Dorothy Maynor, 22,500;
Roberta Peters, 21,700, and Yehudi |
Menuhin and Jan Peerce, 18,000
each.

The Dell, coupled with the fact
. that the City is operating the
Playhouse-in-the-Park on a tax-
free basis, lends additional rancor.
The Park Playhouse is the pet

production but
stage space.

not an RKO
is using rented

Continued from page 5

ting

after

“Christmas” into the house
'Brigadoon.” Otherwise, the

project of. Park Commissioner. fi rst vistaVision production might
'John B. Kelly, who recently set
up an enormous and beautiful new
swimming pool in Fairmount Park,
as part of the City’s athletic pro-
gram. Last winter, Comm. Mann
installed a freeskating rink on the
plaza opposite City Hall.

1954

High Low

20 % 14%

(N+Y, Stock Exchange)

For Weik Ending Tuetday (10)

Weekly V*]. Weekly Weekly Tu$*.

71
69%
28%
12 %’
63%
16%
8%
34%
37%
3434
7

41%

41%

I934

.9%

4634

13%

6 %

26%

28^

22 %

2%

in 100s
Am Br-Par Thl015
CBS, “A” ... 26

CBS, ... 7

Col. Pic. .... 196

Decca . ... ... 747

Eastman Kdk. 171

Loew’s . . .
Nat. Thea,
Paramount
Phllco
RCA .

RKO Piets.

♦ • • • • f

543

369

187

107

673

154

High

20 %

64%

63%

28%

12 %

61%

16%

8 %

34%

37%

33%

6 %

Lew

18%

62%

61%

26%

11 %

59%

16

7%

32

,35%
32
6%

Cloae

m

mt

28%

12%

60

8 %.

34%:

33%

0%

have been sidetracked until later
than October.

If "Christmas” preems around
Oct. 14, this would give the Crosby-
Kaye musical space to run nine or
10 weeks since the Hall will bring

Whi.e there is* plenty’gruinbling *» S»S

Broadway wags were wondering
this week if “Christmas” would
run so long that it would become
the Music Hall’s Christmas pic

and dissatisfaction, there is littlp
open criticism. Heads of the
chains are reluctant to go out on
a limb, pronouncements generally
being made by the homeoffices.

Allied has been singularly quiescent a ^ on ® with the annual Xmas stage-
Allied has been. singularly quiescent | show However, it was plainly in-
dicated at the Hall that such a

being con-

since the battle to remove the 10%

Jay Emanuel, indie chain oper- ££Jp' 1 !pj ency was no *
ator and tradepaper publisher, S1G rea *
has been, one Of the few voices
to protest the civic challenge.

Emanuel blasted in print what he
called “Unfair Quaker City Com
petition” and said cities where

Metro’s romance with the Radio
City Music Hall, N. Y., started in
Oct., 1938 with a one-week run of
“Young Dr. Kildare,” has turned
out to be a long and lucrative mar-

the solons only levy an admission riage. M-G pictures, which mo-

. _ 1 • .1 i «

tax were in luck compared to
Philadelphia “where the city seems
to be making a practice of becom
ing competition to the theatres.

Ill’s Italy Demand

Continued from page 3

Jn U’s view, its position in the in-
dustry has changed to the point
where it’s now more than ever en-
titled to the extra licenses.

U takes the attitude that neither
it nor the other companies can of-
ford to ignore the realities of the
market which has seen U pushing
rapidly to the top in both terms of
output and b.o. performance. In
fact, U toppers argue, the time has
come for a complete reevalhation
of - the picture which they see
clouded by a tenedency to go by
past performance.

As U execs view the situation,
the company now rates fourth in
terms of gross business done and^j
continues to turn out volume pro-
duction whereas some of the so-
called majors have dropped far be-
hind both in terms of releases and
performance. “Does it make sense
for us to be penalized when there
are other companies which are al-
located more permits than they
have product available?” a U exec
asked.

When . it comes to a place like
Japan, where the government has
allocated licenses to the individual
companies on the basis of past bill
ings in that country, U and others
feel that this procedure is unfair
in that billings are determine'' by
the number of permits granted. As
long as the basic lineup isn’t
changed, and permits are given
out with a view to past allocations,
the inequities will continue since
it’s impossible to do with 10 per
mits what someone else is doing
with 20, the argument runs.

nopolized 388 weeks (or seven and
a half years) , of playing- time out
of a total possibility of 817 weeks,
have chalked up a combined total
gross of $46,800,000 in that period.
By September of this year, a total
of 86 M-G pix will have played the
Hall.

During the past year, covering
the stanza from Sept., 1953 to
Sept., 1954, M-G pix will have
practically occupied the Hall for
the entire year. With “Seven
Brides for Seven Brothers” cur-
rently in its third week, Metro, to
date, has had 10 pix in the Rocke-
feller showcase during the Sep-
tember to September period. To
date, the pix have 'occupied 42
weeks of the Hall’s playing time
during the year. With “Seven
Brides” expected to run for three
or four more weeks- and with
“Brigadoon” aet to follow, the total
number of weeks will be two or
three less than a full year.

It is estimated that the average
length of each engagement was
four and * half weeks and the
average take per engagement
was $£33;267 over the 16-year
period. Seven Metro pix racked up
over $1,000,000 during the 16-year
span, with the highest take going
to the “The Great Caruso,” the
gross being $1,390,940 for a 10-
week run. The longest engagement
was achieved by “Random Har-
vest,” which ran for 11 weeks for
a $1,093,510 take.

The over-a-million circle also in-
cluded “Ivanhoe” ($1,255,069 for
eight weeks), “Show Boat” ($1,~
158,052 for eight weeks), “Valley
of Decision” ($1,093,510 for nine
weeks), “The Band Wagon” ($1,-
030,237 for seven weeks), and
“Mrs. Miniver” ($1,006,252 for 10
weeks).. Three pictures scored over
$900,600, 10 over $800,000, six
over $700,000, and nine over
$600,000.

In Last Wk. s Dip

By MIKE WEAR

Despite a big crackup in Wall
Street last Friday (6), which saw
some stocks falling two to five
points, motion picture and .film
theatre issues managed to hold sur-
prisingly firm. In fact, amusement
stocks managed to hang up'10 new
year highs earlier in the week,
with few shares showing any losses
on the Week and 13 displaying
gains. Even those with small frac-
tional losses for the most part held
near the best 1954 levels. Cutting
the Chrysler divvy in half was
blamed for most of Friday’s
selling. Market came back briskly
yesterday (Tues.),

Biggest gain in the past week
was registered by General Pre-
cision Equipment which soared 6%
points fpr the five-day session and
a new high. GPE common also
made a new high at 48%*for an ad-
vance of 2%. Columbia Pix made
the greatest advance of any film
issue, showing a net gain of 1% for
the week, after soaring to a new
peak of 28.

ABC-Paramount issues both went
into new high ground for this year,
former showing nearly a full
point’s gain at 18%. The pre-
ferred was unchanged oh the week
just an eighth away from the hew
peak of 18%c. The advances were
attributable to continued buying
by strong groups. The Columbia
Pix climb, of course, stemmed from
realization that the film company
h$d another winner in “On the
Waterfront.”

Improved earnings by National.
Theatres apparently had been dis-
counted upwards in advance be-
cause the stock merely equalled its
old high of 8%. Technicolor ac-
tion on the tape was rated good
although it just held around 13,
same price as in the past week or
so.

Universal issues also hit new
highs for ’54, the common going
to 24% while the preferred soared
a point to a 72%. This activity
seemingly stems from the fact that
the company earnings continue
very big and that the management
is gradually reducing the amount
of preferred, outstanding. Para-
mount Pix was unchanged near
the old high on news that “White
Christmas” was set to follow
“Brigadoon” into the N. Y. Music
Hall.

20th-Fox soared to a new peak
of 23%, and showed a gain of bet-
ter than a point on the week. This
bullishness apparently reflects the
trend towards more general ac-
ceptance of CinemhScope, and, the
fact that it how can be used in
more bigger theatres. WB also
went into new high ground for the
year at 18% to close the week
with half-a-point gain. .

Decca again registered a new
high, this time at 12% and a frac-
tional plus sign on the five-day ses-
sion. Stanley Warner, selling ex-
dividend, did remarkably well,
gaining three-quarters of a point
to wind near the year’s high. The
fact the second “Cinerama” pro-
duction, sneaked for magazine crix
was favorably received was re-
garded as bullish for the shares.
Few of the radio shares, with the
exception of Zenith, did much on
the upside. However, Zenith was
an outstanding performer on sev-
eral days, winding up the week
with a net advance of 4%. Radio
Corp. of America common actually
lost fractionally while CBS “A”
shares remained unchanged at
62% with the Class B stock off
half a point.

8%

4%

RKO Thea* .v 156

8

• 7% -

■■

5%

3

Republio .... 159

5% •

4%

m-

12%

10 %

Rep., pfd. .... 17

12%

11%

18%

11%

Stanley War. . 1036

18%

I534

18%

24%\

1834

20th-Fox .... 507

24%

32%

.24%

24%

18%

Univ* Pix. ... 44

25%

23%

25%

18%

13%

Warner Bros. 162

18% .

17%

18% V

7734

63%

Zenith 187

.7734

71

76%

American Stock Exchange

6

3%

Allied Artists 175

4%

4%

4%

14%

. 9%

DuMont. 217;

14%

12%'

13%

14%

11%

Technicolor. . 363

13%

12%

13%

334

2%

. Trans-Lux . . 3

3%

3%

3%

Net

Change
for week

+ 1 %
—1%
+ 1 %
+ 2 %
• 4 * %
— %
M- %
+ %
+ 2 %
—1%
—...%

... — %

’ %

+ %

+ 2 %
+ 2 %
+ 1%

+ %

+5%

+ %
— 1

+ %

Over-the-counter Securities

• • • *

Allied Artists, pfd;...

Capitol Records
Chesapeake Industries
Cinerama' Inc. .....

Cinerama Prod.

King Bros. ....

Polaroid .......

U. A. Theatres .

Walt Disney ...

( Quotations furnished by Dreyfus A Co.}

Bid

Ask '

9% '

10

-f %

9%

10%

— %

3

3%

— u

1%

2%

2'%

3

— %

1%

1%

43

45

+5%

1034

12

— -

11%

12%

+ %

Allied Protests— Also Hits Par’s ‘Sneak Previews’ In
Minneapolis and Print Shortage

Decca Buy of U Shares

Washington, Aug. 16.
Decca Records, which controls
Universal Pictures, added 45,589

shares of U common last June, via
an exchange for shares of Decca
common. This brought the plat-
ter company holdings in Universal
to 718,585 shares, according to the
atest monthly report on “insider”
stock transactions issued by the
Securities and Exchange Commis-
sion.

Report also has Albert A. Garth-
waite, director of Universal cor-
poration swapping his last 1,006
shares of U for Decca stock,
Samuel Yamin, ar Decca officer, ac-
quired 675 shares of . Decca in ex-
change for U stock. Yamin wound
up with a total of 915 shares of
Decca.

Report also shows that Jack
Warner added 2,800 shares of WB
common, and now has 277,699, plus
13,400 in a trust account. Barney
Balaban disposed of 1,000 shares
of Paramount Pix common; he still
has 23,500, Elmer C. Rhoden added
1,000 shares: of National Theatres
common. He owns 20,300 in his
own name and an addtional 10,225
in holding companies.

Red Rose on ‘Salt’

Continued from page 3

Rep. Donald L. Jackson (R., Cal.),
told the House of Representatives
last week.

“Salt” shared the Grand Prize
at the festival with the Soviet fea-
ture “Faithful Friends,” with an
announcement of the competition
carried in detail in the ’“Daily
People’s World,” Communist daily
published in California.

Jackson, one of those who previa
ously attacked “Salt” as Red propa-
ganda, told the House:

“Soviet and satellite film honors
are not being paid these days to
any production which does not
further enhance and glorify the
Soviet system . . . It is assumed
that Rosaura Revueltas, the Mexi-
can actress who created such a
furore when her deportation from
the United States was ordered, no
doubt had an enjoyable and pro-
ductive visit in the Kremlin. Her
protestations of innocence with re-:
spect to the Communist conspiracy
can now be evaluated for what
they were worth at the time they
were uttered*”

"Minneapolis, Aug. 10.

At meeting here of North Cen-
tral Allied, Twin Cities’ independ-
ent exhibitors went on warpath
against projectionists’ demands for
15 minutes additional time when
ordinary shorts and newsreels are
shown with C’Scope pictures.

They also took up cudgels against
United Paramount Theatres for its
Radio City Theatre’s Friday night
“sneak showing” of big pictures in
addition to regular feature.

Print shortage and percentage
demands came under fire, too.

S. D. Kane, executive counsel,
Was directed to send protests to
Projectionist’s Union, alleging pres-
ent contract is being violated by
operators’ refusal to service non-
C’Scope shorts without extra pay,
and (2) to Harry, B. French, of
United Paramount. . ’Latter will
point out that frequently two big
C’Scope pictures are shown on
same Friday night program at sin-
gle admission, and this amounts to
double feature.

• Kane also was directed to devise
ways and means to “compel” film
companies to supply sufficient
prints and to sell pictures on live-
and-let-live basis. Bennie Berger,
NCA president, denounced print
shortage as inexcusable and
charged it’s robbing exhibitors of
their clearance and protection and
“establishing unlawful clearance.”

Assailing current “outlandish”
percentage deals, Berger claimed
that to compel $506 to $900 per
week, grossing theatre to pay 40
to 50% -for pictures is tantamount
to putting it out of business.

MAKELIM REPORTS 'OFFER'

But He Sticks to His Exhib-Backed
Productions.’

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Hal R. Makelim, author of the

Makelim Plan to. provide product
for independent theatres, said he
had been made a huge offer to call
it off. Although he refused to
identify the offerer, he declared it
was a “group in combination with
a major studio.” The deal, he add-
ed, called for him to receive a
“fabulous figure” for working at
this studio, which would take over
all the properties on his program.

He turned it down, he declared,
because he was interested only . jJJ
carrying out contracts made with
exhibitors. Such pacts, he said,
number more than 2,100.

17

Wednesday. Atmggt 11.1954

pamefr

pa»

I was so proud of that article in Film Daily last week under the headline: “TOP
RESULTS FOR THREE NEW M-G-M ATTRACTIONS.” To quote the article:
“Leading the trio is ‘SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS’ which established
a new 21% year record in its first week at Radio City Music Hall. ‘VALLEY OF THE
KINGS’ in its first 23 engagements is outstanding and ‘HER TWELVE MEN’ in, its
world premiere week in Lincoln, Nebraska, finished with a gross greater than any
previous attraction except those at advanced prices.”

** * Brigadoon *

« -

“My favorite a ward l

t*

Wish you could have seen our Sales Execs doing hooplas in the projection room at
1540 Broadway last week when “BRIGADOON” was screened for the first time at the
Home Office. Better than the famed stage hit Was the exultant unanimous opinion.
Predictions are that this spectacular musical will be an Academy Award contender,
which means that the star, the producer and the director of “An American In Paris”
have done it again! +

Probably the most extensive and most original promotion campaign of years is under
way for M-G-M’s superb production of “BEAU BRUMMELL.” The little figure shown
to the left will be the Oscar of the well-dressed man, the award in national contests.
Just part of the ballyhoo that will tell the world about the magnificent drama whose
fame, based on enthusiastic Previews, East and West precedes it.

*

A little bird whispered it! The grapevine is carrying it across the nation. The biggest
Christmas gift the screen will offer this year is a brilliant musical extravaganza telling
the story and singing the songs of Sigmund Romberg. It’s “DEEP IN MY HEART”
and production has just finished. Those who have seen it forecast it’s the Biggest yet
in the tradition of the Ziegfeldjan-type- musicals.

★

\

In M. P. Exhibitor Magazine’s Laurel Award Poll, M-G-M again for the 6th straight
year has won the industry’s top honor. M-G-M has been voted again: “THE
COMPANY THAT GIVES EXHIBITORS THE FAIREST TREATMENT!”

ff.5.

Wednesday^ Aujgmt 11^ 1954

Chicago, Aug. 10. f
Commercial theatres are not the
top film purveyors- in the country.
Industry and schools place first
and second respectively above en-
tertainment pictures.

This morsel is the result of a
survey conducted by National Au-
dio Visual Assn, and unwrapped at
its ninth annual convention held at
the Conrad Hilton Hotel here last
week.

~ Survey points up that the aver-
age elementary school pupil sees
more films in school toda'y than
he does in a local theatre, and he
sees six times as many educational
films today as did the towhead who
entered school in 1340. The college
student sees 10 times as many. Of
course, most of these films are
shown on lGm projectors,

Don White, executive v. p. of
NAVA, called the growth 'of the
audio visual field “phenomenal”
and said that schools now account
for 103,000 of the 450,000 sound
projectors being used in this coun-
try. Chicago public schools alone
have 1,100 picture projectors and
a library of 18,000 educational
films. " In 1940 tile library stocked
3,000 pix. Cost for the film, per
student per semester was quoted
by White at less than $1 per tax-
payer.

SEAMS STRAIGHT, TENSHUN

Usherettes at Fox, Denver, Proc-
essed For Sparkle

FILM LOT WORKERS
WKLY. AVERAGE $130

' Sacramento, Aug. 10.

Workers on the film lots collect-
ed wages averaging $130.38 pfer
week during the month of June,
according to the California. Labor
Statistics Bulletin. This is far
more than May’s $124.33 and still
more than the average of $118.19
for June 1953.

Average weekly working hours
for June- were 43.2 at $3.02 an
hour, compared with 41.6 hours at
$2.99 in May.

Fight Terms Up

Denver, Aug. 10.

“Feminine” usherettes, that type
that floats down the aisle like a
model showing a dress, constitute
a new look at the Fbx Theatres
here. '.

On 'the theory that the customers
are tire^ of being marched to their
seats by a hip-swinging, gum-chew-
ing gal with a careless flashlight,
the circuit has entrusted all 60 of
its usherettes to a local charm
school.

Program, which has garnered
plenty of publicity in the local
sheets, is the branqhild of Paul
Lyday, the chain’s ad-pub director,
who says thq whole thing could
lead to a new approach to usherette
training nationally. At any rate, he
reports, his girls are only half-way
through the course and the im-
provement, is already Obvious.

Among other things they’re
taught posture, poise, hair-styling,
personal grooming, etc. And Lyday
says it's quite possible that this
free education may be extended to
speech and conversation tech-
niques. It’s all part of a plan for
imoroved customer relations.

* N

Exhibs so far have done a lot of
talking about the need for a new
type of theatre staff but few have
acted. Series of training reels was
proposed last year to the Theatre
Owners of America convention.
One subject on courtesy was. pro-
duced but its reception was so
lukewarm, plans .for additional
films were dropped.

Europe’s ‘Me Too’

New Dough Boys

Continued from pare 3

Continued from page 5

Continued from page 3 — j

against a $1.40. per seat so*d or
50c against a $1.30, were offered to
overcome possible exhibitor oppo-
sition to the competition of radio.
For this fight, radio was sold sepa-
rately for the first time. Previ-
ously it was part of the closedccir-
cuit package and served as pro-
tection for theatres since it was not
exercised.

The June meeting between
Marciano and Charles, however,
proved that radio did not dent the
theatre b.o., the event chalking up
the biggest gross (an estimated
$450,000) yet for a theatre tv event.
In addition, reports from the field
indicated that the admission prices
charged by the various theatres
were the highest ever charged for
a theatre tv fight. Taking these
factors into consideration, it’s an-
ticipated that TNT may seek an
upward revision in its terms for
this time out.

As per the previous telecast,
New York and New England will
be blacked out. The fight will
originate from Yankee Stadium,
N. Y. TNT, shelled out $125,000
for the closed-circuit rights.

Reissue Shorts

Continued from page 3

26 two-reelers, 12 are reissues. Fif-
teen of the cartoons and 14 other
one-reelers are reprints. UPA,
however, will deliver 12 new car-
toons, including a new “Gerald
McBoing Boing” in addition to the
C’Scope “McGoo.”

, In addition to two men serials —
“Riding With Buffalo Bill” and
“Outlaws of the Desert,” the com-
pany will reissue the “Black Ar-
row” and “The Sea Hound” cliff-
hangers. Also included in the
shorts program are Screen Snap-
shots, now in its 34th season, and
World of Sports, narrated by Bill
Stern, The two-reelers are all
comedies, featuring the Three
Stooges, Andy Clyde, Wally Ver-
non. Eddie Quillan- and Joe
Besser.

this year, has been comparatively
small even though films like
“Seven Deadly Sins,” "La Ronde,”
etc. have made money. On the
other hand, imports like “Forbid-
den Games,” for instance, which
got critical raves, flopped badly.

Impression is that the Europeans,
and particularly the French, may
be holding back some of their bet-
ter films in expectation of a pos-
sible American office to promote
their imports. In Britain, the cur-
rent British Lion situation has
temporarily tied up some good pic-
tures.

Whatever the reason, as Ameri-
can industryites see it, the num-
ber of potential b.o. imports has
sharply declined in recent months,
creating booking dififculties among
the N. Y. sureseaters. Several
good films, such as “Wages of
Fear,” for instance, are being held
up pending determination of the
highest bids.

Indies complain that prizes be-
ing asked for the top foreign at-
tractions have skyrocketed beyond
all reason and are way out of line
considering the actual potential of
the market. Not even the high
mortality rate among the import-
ing outfits can convince the for-
eign producers that a smash for-
eign hit in the U. S. is a freak
rather than a daily occurrence.

> Importers comment that adding
to this mistaken impression is the
notion that a foreign film which is
a big hit in Europe automatically
has the earmarks of a sock money-
maker in this country. Among the
examples cited to upset this no-
tion is “The - Little . World of Don
Camillo” which took the Continent
by storm but failed to make a dent
in the American market.

of the tieup, outright plugs for the
film will appear on a total of 80, -
000,000 Nabisco packages over a
four month period. The tieup is for
the Hansel and* Gretel imprint to
go on all packages of Snowflake,
Ritz and Nabisco Graham crackers
— the firm's "three largest sellers.

What Price?

Advertising circles have long
speculated as to the promotional
value of the space on these pack-
ages. Tt’s said that Nabisco once
turned down an offer of $2,500,000
from a non-competitive product,
for space on just one of .the types
of cookies- for a one year period. :

In addition, a deal will be for-
mally signed this week with the
Independent Grocers Assri. (IGA)
tying in the 5,500 member stores
in a wholesale promotional scheme
that will give the picture a satura-
tion advertising campaign, Gror
cers’ outfit uses .1,600 pages of
newspaper advertising weekly in
2,185 newspapers. The picture will
get either the top third or top
quarter of each ad for a stipulated
period and will, in addition, get
a hefty plug in the Christmas bul-
letin which has a circulation of
more thim^ 3,000,000.

“We believe in selling the pic-
ture long before it opens,” Myer-
berg points out. “Consequently we
want to make as many tieups as
we can*before the picture goes out
so that we achieve as much sat-
uration as is possible.”

Between the Nabisco and IGA
deals, “Hansel and Gretel” ..will
achieve great impact but 'Myer-
berg believes : that a pending ar-
rangement for “opening perform-
ance parties” will actually give the
film the greatest point of sale pro-
motion ever recorded. Plan is to.
have a soft-drink firm tie in with
the matinee performance which
will launch the picture in each city,
and serve the soft drink and the
cookies in a tieup with the local
IGA member. Additional tieups
will be worked out with toy stores
and dress stores who will be han-
dling the products of some of the
licensees of “Hansel and Gretel”
merchandise.

24 Licensees’ Set

Myerberg’s outfit already has 24
licensees turning out in excess of
60 products including dolls, pup-
pets, candy, clothing and, of course,
a gingerbread dollhouse. The mer-
chandising saturation has already
outstripped any of . the pic or tele-
vision merchandising setups in the
field except for Walt Disney and
is running, although less, than a
year old, a close second to the Dis-
ney enterprises.

Still in the works are deals for
premium items to bear the fairy-
tale character imprints on such di-
verse items as glass, tumblers,
straws, cutouts, balloons and rub-
ber goods.

Latest promotional tieup to be
received is the approval of Parents
Magazine which will designate the
picture as the “film of the month”
for October. That, as Myerberg
jubilantly explains, means a mini-
mum of 300,000 posters at PTA
headquarters and in schools around
the country.

It’s the Nabisco deal that delights
Myerberg most, partly because it
indicates the start of a new era in
film promotion and partly because
of the ease with which the pene-
tration will be achieved.

“They’ve got 3,500 field men,”
he exults, “and they’ll be selling
our picture every time they sell
their product. And all we have to
do is deliver the picture on time.”

Inside Stuff-rictures

An arbitration committee in Paris has. upheld ' Emmet Lavery’s claim
of prior rights to Baroness Gertrude von le Fort's novel, “Song at the
Scaffold.” Dispute over, title to the play stempied from the 1952-53
Paris run of “Dialogues des Carmelites/’ based on the Baroness’ novel.
The playwright-screenwriter charged that a contract signed' with the
novelist in 1949 gave him rights to the -work. Arbitration group also
ruled that the owners of “Dialogues” must pay Laverydarnages for
invasion of his rights, plus costs of tire arbitration. LaVeiyjwill plane
to Paris early In September to complete arrangements for European
productions of his and the Baroness’ dramatization. Rights to the
property were acquired by Lavery following the death of George
Bernanos, who had been working on an authorized screenplay. Sub-
sequently, friends of Bernanos prepared the legit version/which was
a hit in Paris. Play credited the book as source material* - *

■ With Allied Artists now accenting quality product, prejey Steve
Broidy ’told stockholders this week that when these higher budget
pictures move into the market the company’s operations should show an
improvement. He also stressed that proceeds from the recent sale of
150, 060 shares of preferred stock “strengthened our financial posi-
tion greatly, making it possible for us to proceed with our major
picture program.” In line with Broidy’s optimistic note? a Coast
financial service predicts rosy fiscal prospects for AA which was known
as_ Monogram Pictures prior to* December, 1953. W'alkei*^ Weekly
Newsletter, published in San Francisco by Walker’s Manual Ific., notes
that gross income for AA’s 53-week- fiscal year, ended Jufsdfe 1954 is
estimated in excess of $11,000,000, This would exceed the Company’s
previous alltime high of $10,178,000 reached in 1949.

The fhain projection room in the N.Y. Music Hall; seating 90, has
been enlarged and a much larger screen installed so that Cinemascope
pictures may be shown with perfect sound and projection. New and
much wider screen is 2Meet wide, extending from wall to wall in
the small room. Cost $12,000. *• .

Hall has just completed overall $32,000 refurbishing job, bulk of
expenditure being concentrated on the grand foyer with its 5-story
ceiling. Lengthy grapes which stretch nearly five stories high were
replaced and new gold leaf added to ceiling, costing over $10,000.
Other -details included redecorating, additional carpeting and a fresh
paint job for the huge theatre’s interior.'

Officials of both. RKO. Theatres and Warner Bros, bought additional
shares in their corporations last month, according to reports on owner-,
ship .filed with the SEC. Sol A. . Schwartz, president 4 and a director
of RKO Theatres, bought 5,000 shares of common on July.14', bringing
his total holdings to 10,000 shares. Albert Warner, , treasurer as well,
as veepee and a director of WB, purchased 500 shares of common
July 27, increasing his total holdings to 160,000 shares. ’He also was
credited with buying 4,000 shares -for a trust iri‘ which he is a bene-
ficiary, making 24,000 common in this trust.

Value of personal appearances by film players In advance of a pic-
ture was re-emphasized last week by Jack Belasco, manager of the
ESsaness Woods Theatre, Chicago, where “Susan Slept Here” is due
to open this week. Belasco was referring Specifically to the advance
job done by vet character actor Horace McMahon, who ma.de appear-
ances— and several repeats — on radio stations and tv networks locally.
Resulting anticipation for “Susan,” Belasco feels, is sure to ring im-
pressively at the tills. When he was not broadcasting/ McMahon
milled in the Woods Theatre lobby dispensing autographs.

Declaring that new and improved filming, projection and sound
techniques ai^d better pictures than ever, will avail theatres nothing
unless noisy juvenile patrons are curbed, St. Paul Pioneer Press-
Dispatch film editor Bill Diehl has called upon exhibitors to follow
the lead of the producers who have greatly increased .the; medium’s
boxoffice appeal. Gotta put kibosh on chattering, giggling groups that
spoil pictures’ enjoyment for adult customers and drive them away.

Distribs on Tax

Continued from pace 7

Philharmonic

Continued from page 3

polous, will feature among other
thing a concert version of Act 1
of Wagner's “Die Walkure/’ featur-
ing Astrid Vamay, Ramon Vinay,
and Lobomir Vichegonov.

Final signing up of the Philhar-
monic and the soloists involved
agreements with the American
Federation of Musicians and the
American Guild of Musical Artists.
The conductor and the soloists will
receive $1,000 extra each for the
performance and the musicians
$38.50 each.

tribulion costs are tremendous.
Just imagine if one of these $2,-
000,000 or $3,000,000 picture flops.
How does he get his money back?

He pointed out that it’s axiomatic
that business is better if the quali-
ty of the picture is better* “No-
body loses money on a good pic-
ture,” he said. “Would the exhibi-
tor prefer to pay 10% on a picture
that doesn’t draw business or 50%
on one that brings business into
his theatre,”

He stressed that the major stu-
dios no longer can afford to make
small pictures, “No studio is de-
liberately cutting down, on the
number of pictures it makes each
year. It’s "just a question of sound
business. We found that small pic-
tures were not profitable so we
eliminated them and are concen-

Fifteenth Anniversary Jubilee preem of “Gone With the Wind”
Tuesday (10) was attended by 15 men and women who helped make
the picture. Present at the Egyptian theatre in Hollywood were David
O. Selznick, Clark Gable, Ann Rutherford, Cammie King, Max Steiner,
William Cameron Menzies, Ray Rannahan, Lyle Wheeler, Walter
Plunkett, Hal C. Kern, James Newcom, Barbara Kean, Raymond Klune,
Eric C. Stacey and Lou Forbes. ’ .

W. R. Frank, now 61, revealed in a Minneapolis newspaper inter-
view recently that jn prder to complete his latest motion picture fea-
ture, “Sitting Bull” (shot in Mexico) he had-4o borrow money from
his 80-year-old mother. Frank has been an intermittent producer of
films “on the side.” His main stake in industry being a chain of 14
film houses. These stem back to an original investment of $800,
half of it borrowed.

Annabelle M. Sterling, angel for a picture called “The World
Dances,” filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Folk Dance
Festivals, Inc., and Festival Pictures. Inc., demanding foreclosure Of
a chattel mortgage on the film. Complaint says she advanced $10,000
to make the picture, originally titled “Folk Dance Festival,” and got
nothing back.

San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is building a file of ranches in
vicinity suitable for film . “locations.” Apparently quite a number of
inquiries come from Hollywood studio sources, a recent one wanting a
ranch that was also, handy to a large urban center and a . Mexican set-
tlement. That fit San Antonio.

About 1,000 feet of negative involving an interview with. Premier
Mendes-France was lost in the Air France crash in Connecticut last
week. The film was scheduled for the NBC-TV “Background” show
of Monday (16).

Kudos for the film “Gone With the Wind” rang on the Senate floor
when Senator Thomas H. Kuchel (R„ Cal.) marked the 15th anni-
versary of preem of the epic with a speech on the “remarkable history
of its continued popularity.”

trating on fewer but bigger pic-
tures. Nobody is squandering
money. The bigger the picture, the
bigger the costs.”

Another factor that must be
taken in consideration* he said, is
that ndt all costly pictures are hits.
“The good pictures must recoup
the losses of the bad ones. If they
don’t, the film company will end
up behind the eight ball.”

In summing up the producer-
, distributor viewpoint, he made
i these observations: costs are higher

than ever and all. possible econ-
omies are being studied, the com-
petition among the companies for
"big merchandii a” is' keener than
ever, the majority of exhibitors are
making profits even at terms of
50%. ‘‘There are some situations
that couldn’t make money even if
you gave them the film for noth-
ing.”), the- present market re-
quires big pictures, a factor that
will see the majors producing
fewer pictures and eliminating the
small budget entries.

Wednesday* August 11, 1954

PICTURES

11» W54

BALTIMORE

(Continued from page 8)
wk). Fairish $7,500 after $10,000
for second. • ^ t

Little (Rappaport) (310; 50-$l)—
“Decameron Nights” (UA). Opens
tomorrow (Wed.) after “Heidi
(UA) drew okay $3,000. m
Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 25-44-70)

‘Brides’ Buxom $13,500,
Port; ‘Garden’ Big 13(>

Portland, Ore., Aug. 10.

Best showing this session is be-
ing made by “7 Brides For 7 Broth-
ers,” which is socko at the .Broad-
way, “Garden of Evil likewise

-‘iKiVjoiifwacs” (U) StarS looks lusty at the Orpheum. “Knock
tS?o/(wldrrfter%ute«st"lo n Wood" still is. tag. in second

(Rep) hit mild $2,800.

New (Mechanic) (1,800; 35-80) ...

“Her Twelve "Men” (M-G). Starts | ert y*

. week at Paramount, while “Ring
\ of Fear” is rated good at the Lib-

Estimates for This Week

Broadway (Parker) (1,890; 90-
$1.25)— “7 Brides For 7 Brothers’
(M-G). Sock $13,500. Last y week,
‘Magnificent Obsession”^ (U) (2d
wk), $8,900. . \

Guild (Indie) (400; $1)— “Adven-
tures Robinson Crusoe” (UA). Sor
so $2,500. Last week, “Tanga-Tika’
(Indie), $2,100. .

Liberty (Hamrick) (1.875; 90-
$1.25)— “Ring of Fear” (WB) and
‘Riding Shotgun” (WB) (2d wk).

Tnppfd I Good $6,500. Last week, $10,000.
— Broken Lance (Zutn), . LorriQ i nriDnini (2 000* $l-

$18,000. Last' week, “Champagne 1 Oriental (Evergreen)

Safari” (UA) and “Silver Lode”

(RKO), $5,500.

tomorrow (Wed.) after “Demetrius
And Gladiators” (20th) got. slim
$5,500 in fifth round.

Playhouse (Schwaber) (420; 50-
$1) — “Man With Million” (UA)
(4th wk). Brisk $4,500 after $4,800
in third.

Stanley (WB) (3,200; 30-$l) —
“King Richard And Crusaders”
(WB). Big $14,000 or near. Last
week, “Dead End” (WB) and “West-
erner” (WB) (reissues), $8,000.
Town (Rappaport) (1,800; 35-$l)

$1.25)— “High and Mighty” (WB)
(4th wk). Okay $3,000. Last week,
“Demetrius and Gladiators” (20th)
(6th wk), $1,600. , . . -

Orpheum (Evergreen) (1,600; $1-
$1.25)— “Garden of Evil” (20th).

‘Carnival’. Boffo 23G,

n* am <tt n>inMA $1.20) — "Liaraen oi j^vii \£.vmu.

Mont i; Heidi $10,000 Lusty $13,000. Last week, “High

Montreal, Aug. 10. and Mighty” (WB) (3d wk), $6,300.
Best bet here currently is "Car- ..^r^LL on Wood- Va?;

right behind it with great takings w HV-u I . g a $ a®®rf.Vp»rk®rt(«9n'”9ft-
in third stanza at Palace. With new
C’Scope policy, “Night People*

NO SHOP TALK AT D. C.

TON O’BRIEN DINNERS

Washington, Aug. 10,
Eric Johnston was praised here
Sunday (8) by Tom O’Brien, gen-
eral secretary of the National
Assn., of Theatrical and Kinemato-
graphic Employees, and member
of the British Parliament. O'Brien,
guest of honor at a dinner given
by Johnston, described the MPAA
prexy as a man! who creates bet-
ter feeling for America when he
goes abroad. Motion /pictures were
not discussed at the -dinner.

O’Brien was a dinner guest at
the British Embassy last night. He
left Washington today (10) for the
IATSE convention in Cincinnati
Where he will be one of the speak-
ers. .

Among those at the MPAA din-
ner Sunday night were Sin Robert
Scott, British Minister to this
country and now acting ambassa-
dor; Charles Empson, commercial
attache of the Embassy; Macdon-
ald Gordon, labor counsel for the
Embassy; Democratic House lead-
er Sam Rayburn; Senators Henry
M. Jackson and James Murray;
Nathan D. Golden, director of the
motion picture division of the De
partment of Commerce; Walter
Williams, under secretary of Com
merce; and Colton Hand, motion
picture specialist for the State
Dept’s commercial policy division

Inporters Hear Johnston

Continued from pace 5

looms solid at Imperial. “Heidi” is
big at Orpheum.

Estimates for This Week
Palace (C.T.) (2,625; 6Q-$1)— “3
Coins in Fountain” (20th) (2d wk).
Fast $20,000 following $30,000
opener.

Capitol (C.T.) (2,412; 45-75)—
“Valley of Kings” (M-G). Good
$15,000. Last week,
of American Wife” (Col), $14,000.

Princess (C.T.) (2,131; 40-65) —
“Prisoner of War” (M-G). Fair $10.
000. Last week. “Silver Lode”
(RKO) so-so $9,000.

Loew’s (C.T.) (2,847; 50-85)—

“Carnival Story” (RKO). Sock
$23,000. Last week, “Knock on
Wood” (Par) (th wk), $15,000
Imperial (C.T.) (1,789; 34-60
“Night People” (20th) and “Prin-
cess of Nile” (20th). Solid With
new C’Scope policy at $10,000. Last
week, “Iron Glove” (Col) and “Paris
Model” (Col), $7,000.

Orpheum (C.T.) (1.048; 40-65)—
“Heidi” (UA) and “White Mane”
(UA). Big $10,000. Last week,
“Walking Dead” (Indie) and “Beast
With Five Fingers” (Indie). $6,000.

United Artists (Parker) (890; 90
$1.25) — “Caipe Mutiny” (Col) (6th
wk). Steady $7,000. Last week,
ditto.

Walsh-Brewer

Continued from page 4

SAN FRANCISCO

. (Continued from page 9)
or near. Last week “Garden of
| Evil” (20th), $13,500. Oke $15,000.
Warfield (Loew’s) (2.656—65-90)
‘Valley of Kings” (M-G).

Political Education. Walsh, I A chief
since 1941, is an administrative
committeeman of the AFL political
wing.

Roy M. Brewer, former I A
Hollywood rep and leader of insur-
gents, said his slate feels “Very
satisfied” with indications after
Last I three days of meetings by 14 dis-

week, “Student Prince” (M-G) (3d tricts and contacts with delegates
indiscretions | v i0 )“We won some spots and lost

wk), $12,000.

Paramount (Par) (2.646; 65-90)— others,” Brewer declared in claim-
“ About Mrs. Leslie" (Par) and ing a victory for the ninth district.
“Man of Conflict” (Indie). Fair it“akes in nine midwestern states,
$14,000 in 9 days. Not holding. Last including his own Nebraska,
week, “Living It. Up” (Par) and — -Monday’s opening session, -with

welcoming hurrah, had as the only
official business the naming by
Walsh of committees, one to which
his presidential report was re-
ferred, the others on resolutions,

BUFFALO

“Private Eyes” (AA), $8,000 in 4

days,

St. Francis (Par) (1,400; $1-$1.50)

— “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (6th wk).

Good $16,000 or near. Last week,

Orpheum (Cinerama Theater, grievances, auditing and finanbe
Calif.) (1,458; $1.75-$2.65)— “Cine- and special matters,
rama” (Indie) (32d wk). Sock $32,-
500. Last week, $30,000.

United Artists (No. Coast) (1,207;

70-$l) — “Southwest Passage** (UA)
and “Captain Kidd, Slave Girl”

(UA), Slim $7,500. Last week “Ad-
ventures Robinson Crusoe” (UA)
and “Gog” (UA), $10,000.

Stagedoor (A-R) (400, $1-$1.25)

“Hobson’s Choice” (UA). (2d wk).

(Continued fronvjiage 8) So j ld w ee k< $5»300.

™ j Larkin (Rosener) (400; $1)—

“Witness to Murder’ (M-G) and | “Captain’s Paradise” (U) and
“Prisoner of War” (M-G), $13,200. j “ Ki {J d Hearts, Coronets” (U) (re-
Parampunt (Par) (3.000; 50-80) — (issues). Good $3,000. Last week,

“Living It Up” (Par) and “Dragon-
fly Squadron” (AA) (3d wk>. Trim
$13,000 in 9 days. Last week, $15,-
500.

Center (Par) (2,000; 50-80)—

“King Richard and Crusaders”
(WB). Sturdy $12,000 or over. Last
Week, “Ring of Fear” (WB), $10,-
000 .

Lafayette (Basil) (3.000; 60-$1.00)
“Magnificient Obsession” (U) (3d
wk). Fancy $11,000. Last week,
$15,000.

/ Century (Buhawk) (3,000; 50-80)
— “Susan Slept Here” (RKO) and
“Silver Lode” (RKO) (2d wk).
Good $10,500. Last week, $15,000.

“Kon Tiki” (RKO) and “The In-
former (RKO), (reissue) $3,200.

Vogue (S.F. Theatres) (377; $1)
—“Mr. Denning Drives North”
(Indie) and “Lady Godiva Rides
Again” (Indie) <3d wk). Slim $2,000.
Last week, $2,400.

service three years ago, with an
agreement which he termed the.
worst ever made • by the film biz
and which had made no financial
sense whatever. Johnston pointed
out that he had done everything
possible to eliminate the Subsidy
provisions in the deal, /.and that he
had finally succeeded in doing' so
in the last Italian pact.

The M^EA prexy explained 'The
difficulties of doing business
abroad and he stated his unequivo-
cal opposition to subsidies in any
form. He said the org bad no sub-
sidy arrangements anywhere at this
moment, -and he emphasized that
there was no intention whatever
to enter into any such deals in the
future. However, he added, the
companies are under constant and
great pressure to trade subsidies
against privileges in many areas of
the world.

Asked on details concerning the
amounts of money received and
spent by IFE as the. result of three
years of subsidy, Johnstoh said he
didn’t have the figures available;
that MPEA had prodded the
Italians on numerous occasions to
provide an .accounting, but that it
was not obtainable. In his esti-
mate, the Italians received between
$4,000,000 and $4,500,000 during
the three year period, and he
Voiced his belief that most of that
money had been spent.

(MPEA indicated yesterday
(Tues.) that it had renewed its re-
quest to the Italians for an ac-
counting,)

The indies, who claim — -.and so
informed Johnston— that the IFE
setup 'deprives them of the right
and opportunity to bid on impor-
tant Italo product, maintain that
IFE has by no means spent that
money. Their impression is that
something like $1,000,000 is still
available to the Italo agency . in
N.Y. and additional funds in Italy.
From this they draw the inference
that IFE will continue as a com-
petitive threat for some consider-
ab e time to come
Question also came up of the
proper use of the subsidy funds.
Under the original agreement, IFE
got 12V6% of the American dis-
tribs’ Italian . earnings. Johnston
jjater got that reduced to 10% with
the stipulation that none of the
coin be used for distribution in the
U.S.* Indies claim that it’s impos-
sible to. check on this. Re their
complaints on their inability to bid
for choice Italian pix, Johnston
said he c'ould only go by Italian
assurances that all their producers’
pix are first offered to the Amer-
ican importers.

At that point, Jules- Levey
charged that IFE constituted
“monopoly.” Question was asked of
Johnston whether it would be pos-
sible to sue the Italians in order
to obtajn a detailed accounting
from IFE. He replied that such an
action would have to be brought
in the Italian courts and would be

the end result a necessary compro-
mise. MPEA emphatically doesn’t
consider the $350,000 a subsidy.
For that matter, IMPPA isn’t op-
posed to the subsidy principle as
is Ellis ArnaU, of Inde-

pendent Motion Picture Producers
prexy, .The Indies m& lberely con-
cerned lest such ddm: b$ used in
competition against thebt
-Asked by Ephwabjl:.': London,
IMPDA * counsel, whether he had
any solution to .oflervid' the IFE
situation, Johriston-fliSmltted that
he did not. He .also 4&i&fre was not
informed of the. status of the in-
dies' complaint about |FE to the
Federal TradeCommiswpn. MPEA
has been made a party* to> that com-
plaint,, oddly enough against the
wishes of the importers who were
careful to limit their charge to. the
Italo Setup only.

Continued from pare 7

DENVER

(Continued from page 9)

“High and Mighty” (WB) (3d Wk).
Fine $15,000. Stays on. Last week,
$19,000.

Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 50-85)
-^■“Living It' Up” (Par). Smash
$14,000. Holds. Last week, “About
Mrs. Leslie” (Par) (2d wk), $7,000.

Denver (Fox) (2,525; 50-85)—
“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (4th wk).
Fair $9,000. Last week, $15,000.

Esquire (Fox) (742; 50-85)—

“Hodson’s Choice” (UA). Nice $4,-
500. Holds over. Last week, on re-
issues

Orpheum (RKO) (2,525; 50-85)—
“Valley of Kings” (M-G) and
“Operation Diplomat” (Indie). Fast
$16,000. Stays. Last week, on re-
issues.

ParamouHtIWolfberg) (2,200; 50-
85) — “Magnificent Obsession” (U).
Terrific $25,000, and h. .rids. Last
.week, “Ring of Fear” (WB), $12,-
000 .

Tabor (Fox) (1,967; 30-50)—

“Weak and ' Wicked” (A A)’ and
“Desperado” (AA), Good $4,500.
Last week, “Hell Raiders of the
Deep” (IFE) and “Untamed Heir-
ess” (Rep), $3,500.

WASHINGTON

(Continued from page 8)

Fine $4,500 after $5,500 last week.
Stays on.

Keith’s (RKO) (1,939; 75-$1.25)—
“Caine Mutirty” (Col) (5th wk). Hot
$21,000, for* second consecutive
wgcIc Stciys
Metropolitan (SW) (1.200; 70-95)
— “King Richard and Crusaders’*
(WB). Big $13,000. Last week, “Ad
ventures Robinson Crusoe” (UA),
$9,000

(2.370; 65-95)—

Nominations take place Thurs-
day (12). It is assumed that Walsh
and all other incumbents will be
renominated. They are Harland
Holmden, general secretary-treas-
urer; nine vice presidents, James
J. Brennan, Carl G. ..Cooper, Harry
J. Abbott, Orin M. Jacobson, Hugh
J. Sedgwick, Albert S. Johnstone.

William Donnelly, John A. Shuff
and Louise Wright.

Business sessions are in Music
Hall, with headquarters in the
Netherland Plaza Hotel. Brewer
forces have headquarters irt Shera-
ton-Gibson Hotel.

Hailed as celebrities in their own

right, the men and women who lay j HifficulV to~pressT
the carpet and pull strings for 1
stars have become spotlight person-
alities of feature stories.jLn Cincy
dailies and on radio and tv shows
originating here. Scattered among
the different crafts, they include
stagehands, projectionists, studio
and newsreel cameramen, tele-
vision and radio engineers, makeup
artists, and film exchange and
theatre workers.

Most committeemen are from
eight locals. Entertainment lineup
takes in a midnight Cinerama show
at the Capitol, Reds-Cubs night
ballgames, style shows and brunch
for the women, courtesies at all
Greater Cinfcy theatres, sightseeing

Dick Powell-Debbie Reynolds
starrer, “RKO’s best picture for
the first half of 1954,”

Told that the adults only ticket
has a tradition here of being slight-
ly terrific at the b.o., Miss Parsons
retorted; “I don’t care to profit by
a picture's, notoriety. This one can
make out on its own. Besides, I'm
thinking also Of the neighborhood
theatres where the adults-only
label won’t make such a good im-
pression,” She called hej* picture
“moral beyond reproach, despite
some sophisticated lines/’ and she
said the picture was. having trouble
nowhere except in Chicago.

Hard upon the censor board’s
action here, the Catholic Legion of
Decency scored, the pic, with a “B”
rating designating acceptability in
part. Chi censors will not say pre-
cisely what they objected to in the
pic and didn’t recommend any cuts
to Miss Parsons. RKO ^bureau here
pointed ojit that it took the blue-
pencillers an entire week to decide
Whether or not to issue \the film
a permit.

Like “French Line,” “Indiscre-
tion of An American Wife,” and
other recent pix with a sex angle,
give or take morality, “Susan” also
had advertising problems with the_
daily newspapers. Two of the reg-
ular campaign ads were spurned
by. most of the papers* for being
• over-sexy and had to be revamped.

Woods Theatre, which had shown
“Moon Is Blue/’ “Carnival Story,”
“Indiscretion,” and several other
so-called naughty- ones in the past,
is touting “Susan” along “Moon Is
Blue” lines, exploiting' the adults-
only status.

RKO fears a kind of “French
Line” taboo, might rise out of the
censor board’s action and, if so,
it faces a loss of several hundred-
thousand dollars thereby.

While there was disappointment
over the number of questions to
which Johnston had no answer or
had to rely on his aides, the indies
were vocal in expressing their ap-
preciation of the MPEA prexy ’s
appearance before them. IMPDA
prez Arthur Mayer, cpmmenting
on criticism voiced by members,
stated that Johnston had kept faith

Palace (Loew’s)

“Apache” (UA) (3d wk). Trim $11,- 1 tours and visits to Coney Island

500 after $16,000 last week.

Playhouse (Lopert) (435; 55-$l)
— 1 “About Mrs. Leslie 4 ’ (Par) (3d
wk). Solid $7,500 after $7,000 last
week. Stays.

Warner (SW) (1,300; $1.20-$2.40)
—“Cinerama” (Indie) (39th wk).
Big $18,000 after $20,000 last week,
Trans-Lux (T-L) (600; 70-$I) —
“Man With Million” (UA) (4th wk).
Firm $7,000 after $6,500 last week.
Continues,

and the Zoo.

‘Desert’s’ 18 th H.O. Week

Dallas, Aug. 10.

Walt Disney's “The Living Des-
ert” will add an 18th week to its
run here at the nabe Esquire Thea-
tre and the ehd is not yet in sight.
This is the. longest run on record
of a pic either at a downtown or
outlying house.

Other current holdovers include
“The Caine Mutiny” in its fourth
week, and “Gone With the Wind”
in its third week.

PHILADELPHIA

(Continued from page 8)

wk). Stout $18,000. Last week,

$19,000.

Stanley (SW) (2,900; 74-$1.30)—

“On the Waterfront” (Col). Boffo
$37,000. Last week. “Living It Up”

(Par) (3d wk), $12,000.

Stanton (SW) (1,473; 50-99) —

‘‘Bait” (Col) and “Iron Glove”

(Col), So-so $6,000. • Last week,

“Arrow in Dust” (AA) and “Drag-
onfly Squadron” (AA), $9,000.

Trans-Lux (T-L) (500; 80-$1.50)—

“Man With Million” (UA) (6th wk).

Mild $3,500. Last week, $4,000,

Viking (Sley) (1,000; 75-S1.30)—

“Student Prince” (M-G) (6th wk). ; maA

Okay $11,000. Last week, $9,000. ! P‘ an . s are to use the $350,

Trans-Lux World (T-L) (604; 99-
$1.50) — “Adventures Robinson
Crusoe” (UA). Bright $9,000 or I
close. Last .week, “French Line” ; that confronted him in negotiating
(RKO) (8th wk)< $2,800. i a French agreement and he termed

‘Lance’ Smash $30,000,
Cleve.; ‘Living’ Fat 16G

Cleveland, Aug. 10.
Not for years have a majority of
downtown houses made such
strong, profitable showings during
August as they are this summer.
“Broken Lance” shapes terrific at
the Hipp, way in the van to pace,
city. “Knock on Wood” shapes

Jancy at State. “Ring of Fear”

at all times with the indies in sup-n.® 0 **? 8 good at Palace.
porting their anti-subsidy stand
inasmuch as the coin was to be
used for distribution. However, he
also expressed surprise over John-
ston apparent vagueness re the
Italo situation.

Mayer pointed out that Johnston
was, after all, MPEA head and he
added that some of the importers
are apt to overlook the fact that
their interests are comparatively
harrow in comparison to those of
the big companies Johnston repre
sents.

Indies got a clear and concise
analysis of the French deal, with
Johnston stressing that the $350,

000 being turned over by MPEA
to the French was hardly enough
for them to set tip any distribution
organization in the U.S. He said
he didn’t know what the French
intended, to do with the money, but
that they’d probably use it to pro-
mote their pix in this country.

According to reports, the French
are delaying such plans. Current

000 as a

fund available to French producers
who sell pix abroad.

Johnston outlined the* difficulties

Mutiny” on third week at Allen
continues, smash.

Estimates for This Week

Allen (S-W) (3,000; 70-$1.25) —
“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (3d wk). Bo(T
$19,000. Last week, $25,000.

Hipp (Telem’t) (3,700; 60-90) —
Broken Lance” (20th). Giant $30,-!
000, Last week, “Desperado” 'AA)
and “Gambler From Natchez’
(20th), $12,000.

Ohio (Loew’s) (1,200; '60-90 —
“Corpner’s Creek” (Col) and “C.un-
fighters” (Col) (reissues). Oke
$6,000. Last week, “High Noon
(UA) and “The Men” (UA) 're-
issues), $7,000.

Lower Mall (Community) <585;
60-90) — “Seven Deadly Sins
(Indie). Hearty $3,500, aided by
sexy promotion. Last week, “Moon
Is. Blue” (UA) (12th Wk), $2,200.

Palace (RKO) (3,300; 75-lM' r
“Ring of Fear” (WB). Good $10-
000, Last week, “Magnificent Ob-
session” (U) (3d wk), $14,000.

State (Loew’s) (3,500; 60-90)
“Knock on Wood” (Par). Spurting
to fancy $16,000; may hold.
week* “Living It Up” (Par) '2d
Wk), $17,000:

Stillman (Loew’s (2,700; 60-90)
“Living It Up” (Par) (m.o.V. Brisk
$9,000. Last week, “Gone jvun
Wind” (M-G) (6th wk), $5,500.

$S$/Eirf

to

REAR

WINDOW IS

HITCHCOCK’S

BEST!

Paromoon) prmnfi

JAMES

ALFRED HITCHCOCK'S

REAR

WINDOW

COLOR BY TECHNICOLOR

co-sfarring

GRACE KELLY
WENDELL COREY
THELMA RHEER

with Raymond burr • Directed by Alfred hitchcock

Screenplay by JOHN MICHAEL HAYES
BASED ON THE SHORT STORY BY CORNELL WOOLRICH

Kate Cameron, Daily News,
says so! Otis L. Guernsey, Herald
Tribune, says so! Frank Quinn, Daily
Mirror, says so ! Archer Winsten, Post, writes
a rave too! Also Alton Cook, World-Telegram!
Ditto, Leo Mishkin, Morning Telegraph! j

YOUR GROSS WILL PROVE IT’S
“HITCHCOCK’S BEST!" IN NEW YORK
IT’S SENS ATIONAL ! FIRST 4 DAYS
SET ONE OF 4 TOP GROSSES
IN RIVOLI’S 37- YEAR HISTORY!

22

MCTCHES

Jap Production Thrives Tho Lacking

By HERMAN LOWE .

Washington, Aug. 10.

Japan’s film biz i$ booming at
both the production and distribu-
tion ends. .

Last year’s gross on the domestic
market for Japanese produced pix
came to 60,000,000,000 yen (360
yen to one U. S. $1 ) , despite the
fact that foreign films corralled
38% of the business done.

Of the 497 features shown in
Japan last year, 302 were home
made and 195 were imports. Low
budgeted pictures run at about
$100,000 to produce in Japan. Na-
tion is now developing the star
system, with the result that a large
part of production costs go to
star’s salaries. Less is paid for
stories there than in the U. S.

The Nipponese industry faces
two major problems — shortage of
capital and of good writers. Banks
are loathe to lend money for pic-
ture production, despite the fact
Japanse films have won world
wide recognition. Financing is
largely through personal loans
calling for high interest rates.

No Jap studios are presently
planning to work in large screen
or 3-D. Since country has relative-
ly few television sets, tv is not yet
regarded as ah important competi
tor. However, the studios are now
cooperating with tv.

Other fQjrei gn developments
(Source: Nathan D. Golden, U. S.
Commerce Dept,) are as follows:

(1.) In Finland last y^ar 60%
of films were Hollywood product,
despite that little country living in
the shadow of the U.S.S.R., Fin-
land has 547 commercial theatres
—all 35m — with 153,000 seats.

(2.) Mexico had 2.459 theatres
equipped for 35m films in 1953,
with an aggregate of 1,591,000
seats. Mexic?n censors okayed 1,-
334 films last year, including
shorts. Of these 333 features and
474 shorts came from the U. S., rep-
resenting • about 60% of the total.
The Mexican product accounts for
32% of that Country’s home mar-
ket.

Drive-In Church

Washington, Aug. 10.

A large drive-in, just outside
of Washington, has been suc-
cessfully doubling in brass as
an open air church for early
morning Sunday services, It is
Sidney Lust’s Hillside Theatre
just southeast of the nation’s
capital, and it may hint of
things to come iii the drive-in
field.

Theatre has been used for
8 a.m. services by Rev. Dorsey
K. Sturgis, pastor of the First
. Methodist Church of Bradbury
Heights, Md. Attendance has
been fairly good, with in-
formally dressed families show-
ing up. In many cases, they
have come for services on the
way to a day at the Chesa-
peake Bay beaches.

Code Unrevised

s Continued from pace 4

Wednesday, Aftgiutll,
„ 9 m Iff

III

9

of rights to j u d« e Rules Buyer of Drive-In Relied Upon Razzle-
™ “ vm " Dazzle Profit Claims and Rates Damages

Mexican Crews

- Continued from pace 4 ;

New labor agreement has .been
reached in Chile between the U. S.
companies and exchange em-
ployees. It provides for special
monthly bonuses until Dec. 31,
1954 and a straight increase after
that date.

Chile was one of a number of
Latin American countries where
the Americans were— and still are
: — facing labor troubles. It’s felt
that the settlement there may set
a patter^ for other countries.

Under the agreement, salaries
up to 17,000 pesos a month call for
14% bonus. Salaries, between
17,000 and 3,0,000 pesos bring a 7%
bonus. Starting in 1955, a regular
10% increase goes Into effect.
Salaries over 17,000 pesos are
raised 10% up to that figure and
5% for any excess up to 30,0.00
pesos.

The Chilean peso is ^pegged at
110 to the dollar at the official
rate. However, the dollar brings
between 270 and 290 pesos in the
open market.

recent acquisition
Robert Anderson's “Tea and Sym-
pathy,” It’s now learned that
Nicholas M. Schenck r president of
Loew’s-M-G, called the turns on
buying this property which, previ-
ously. was regarded as beyond, the
confines of' the Code. SchenCk,
staunch supporter of the Code.]
through the years, was impressed
with the, play and doubtless saw in
it screen fare that would not be of-
fensive.

M-G arid Anderson are currently
at work on the screen treatment
which, they figure, will retain the
"stature and dignity” of the legiter
without removing its vital, parts
and without running - afoul of the
Code. It’s regarded as inconceiv-
able that M-G would distribute a
pic without a seal. ' ,

Want UA In Family

On another front, MPA A is try-
ing to lure United Artists into its
membership fold and discussions
looking to that end are underway.

"We're trying to work it out with
Johnston,” stated Robert S. Ben-
jamin, UA board ' chairman.

Point is made by observers in
the business that some mdependent
producers releasing through UA

haven’t seen eye to eye with ad- , Portland, Ore., Aug. 10.
ministration of the Code in past. Charles P. Skouras, President of
They're not out to scuttle it» bdt jj a ti ona i Theatres, and a planeload
insist that the da’s and don’t s .. _ ^

Not Priming Pickets ,

Minneapolis, Aug. 10<
Despite the fact that the
Royal, St. , Paul independent
neighborhood house, was pick-
eted by young people repre-
senting religious groups dur-
ing its first and only run ih
the city, five Minneapolis in-
dependent neighborhood thea-
tres also have booked “The
French Line” for day-and-
date engagements, according
to Fay Dressell, . RKO branch
manager here.

Dressell declines to name
the theatres because, he says,
they wish to avoid advance
publicity. > '

•:/.

House Since ’28

made ‘Vera Cruz’ in 73 days, in-
cluding re-takes and additional
scenes. It is difficult to think that
this could have been made any
more rapidly in the U. S.”

In front of the camera, produc-
ers may experience some difficul-
ties since there is a “rather
limited supply’’ of English-speak-
ing actors but those who are avail
able are very good. “It is almost
mandatory and it is certainly ad-
visable to take a large majority of
. English speaking actors from the
U. S. since just about all that can
be filled there are small bit parts.
Aldrich emphasizes, however, that
he is not including that- group o
“actors who would be stars the
world over” such as Pedro Armen-
dariz, Juan Garcia, Arturo deCor-
dova, Dolores Del Rio and others
who are universally known.

No Color Labs

Mexico has no color labs as yet
so processing of tinters to get the
rushes becomes difficult. However,
black and white processing is
quickly and expertly handled and
Aldrich has nothing but high
praise for Mexican black-and-
white. cameramen who are “among
the finest in the world.”

On the personal side, the direc-
tor has a simple answer to panicky
queries regarding the water and
food situation.

“Take a first-aid man (a regis-
tered male nurse) with the unit
to avoid trouble,” Aldrich advises.
“There are unavoidable reactions
from long contact with food and
water. k No matter how careful you
are, you eventually are stricken
with the local malady — but with
Instant and proper attention it
can be reduced to nothing more
than an unpleasant annoyance.

“We had a troupe of never less
than 200 for a total of 73 days,” he
adds, /'making a total of 14,600
man days. We only had a total loss
of seven man days due to dysen-
tery and illness — although our doc-
tor' was constantly busy adminis-
tering to those who had mild at-
tacks of the sickness.”

nf «tnrv m»- of film stars will open the Neft

MPAA standards. For one, Prem- ' ThiV^tihe

inger who released “Moon” vitational premiere. This is the

ihrnneh TTA That there now cam tot. new house to be built here
H A J ?the rnS stoce 1928 - The F °* ls located on

between these filmmakers and J** . site of toe Mayfair Thea-

MPAA is said to be indicated in *** m ' **** downtown biz district.

\ * Omaha, Aug. 10.

: Saul Frank of McPherson, Kins.,
owner of the Crest Drive-in Thea-
tre at : Beatrice, Neb., - lias been
awarded net damages of $45,000 in
a district court foreclose suit
brought in connection with his
purchase of the theatre*

C. M. Alspach and V. C, Ander-
son, also of McPherson, brought
the action to foreclose after Frank
refused to continue payments on
his purchase contract/; claiming
misrepresentation of the ‘amount
of profits possible from the oper-
ation.

.District Judge Cloyde B* Ellis of-
Beatrice held in his decision that
the plaintiffs had made; “material,
fraudulent and /false representa-
tions” on which Frank Celled and
on which he was induced to enter
into a contract to purchase the
heatre.

The court set the'" fair market
value of the theatre at $70,000.
Franks had agreed to pay $125,000
for it. The court held that Frank
had been damaged to the amount
of the difference between the fig-
ures— -$55,000. Judge Ellis held
that $10,000 should, be deducted-
for the two years’ use Frank had
made of the theatre.

The net damages of $45,000 are
to be applied on the balance of
$82,675, leaving $37,765 due Als-
pach and Anderson, which Frank
must pay by Dec. 1.

the membership bid to UA.

Chester Morris

Continued front page 4

With the largest screen in town
and the second largest in the coun-
try, it’s thought that this is first
house really built for Cinema-
scope. The Miracle Mirror Screen
is 32 ft. high and 63 ft. wide. It
has top visibility from all angles.
Four channels of Stereophonic
Sound with unlimited power will
assure acoustics via three sets of
directional hi-fi stage speakers and
16 auditorium speakers. House can
Cinemascope, VistaVision,

Chicago Censor Score For
July: 2 Rejects (French]

5 Tagged Adults Only

Chicago, Aug. 10.

Of 84 pictures examined by the
Chicago Police Censor Board last
month, two were rejected and. five
were tagged for adults. As usual
here, titles of the pik were not
disclosed.

Of the total number submitted
21 were foreign entries, compris-
ing 25% of the sheaf. Overseas
product has taken an upbeat here
in recent months, at least in be-
ing submitted to the board. Both
the nixed films were French issue.
Of the adults-only fare three were
Mexican, one French, and one
American.

who is superintendent and founder
of the 13-year-old Chino institu-
tion that prides itself on its “mini-
mum security.” Film, incidentally,
is Bartlett’s third indie picture. He .
previously turned out “Navajo” for s
Lippert release and “Crazy legs” «*nd Magnascope projection, Cush-
(Hep) ioned American Bodiform opera

Far from being inactive in recent chairs, (1,530 of 'em) have been in-
years, Morris has been headquar- stalled with plenty of leg room,
tering in his native New' York to . Ivory and gold decor * throughout,
handle roles in legit, tv and vidnix. Weather will be manufactured
Of the latter, he wryly recalled by 100 tons of refrigeration pour-
that last year “I did 29 films for ing from the ceiling vent units at
NBC’s ’Captured’ series in three- the rate of 30,000 cu. ft. per min-
and-one-half days. The part Was ute. Evergreen divisional manager
that of a host or emcee who in- William Thedford and Oregon dis-

’La Ronde’ Hits Chicago

Chicago, Aug. 10.

“La Ronde,” which surmounted
its long standing censorial troubles
in Illinois Supreme Court recently,
finally opened for its Chicago
first run at World Playhouse begin-
ning Saturday (7). House is expect-
ing the pic to be its top grosser in
five years.

The A. Teitel Film Co. has ac-
quired the pic for Illinois distribu-
tion. .

traduces the story. Somebody would
shout ’This Js Episode Four!’ . . .
Quick, it’s the brown coat now/
That more or less typifies my hec-
tic experience,”

. While Morris has no film plans
in his immediate future, he will
move into the Richard Whorf role
in “The Fifth Season” when the
Sylvia Regan comedy resumes its
Broadway run at the Cort Theatre
Sept. 5. Whorf, whose pact ended
when the show closed June 26 for
the summer, will produce “spectac-
ulars” for NBC-TV this fall,

Morris has also been looking over
the script of “The Desperate
Hours,” which Howard Erskine and
Joseph Hayes will bring to Broad-
way in late January, A melodrama,
it’s based upon Hayes’ novel and
will be directed by Robert Mont-
gomery.

Einfeld In From Europe

Charles Einfeld, 20th-Fox v.p, in
charge of advertising-publicity, re-
turned to N.Y. yesterday (10)
aboard the Queen 5*aty following
a six- week trip to Europe.

On the Continent, Einfeld set up
international preems for 20th’s
forthcoming “The Egyptian.” He
also attended demonstrations in
Europe of 20th’s “The Advanced
Techniques of Cinemascope.”

trict manager Russ - Brown have
named Oscar Nyberg and Don Has-
sod as manager and asst.' mgr.

Helene Hughes of San Francisco
is producing a stage revue for
showing in front of the Fox before
the parade of" stars arrive for the'
opening. “The Broken Lance” will
be the first pic at the Fox followed
■by “The Egyptian.”

Oregon’s New TOA Holds
First Meeting, Draws 100;
Blasts Current Rentals

Portland, Ore., Aug. 10.

Th newly formed Oregon unit
(No. 28) of Theatre Owners of
America held its first meeting at
the Benson Hotel Monday (19),
President A1 Foreman presided at
a noon board session with cock-
tail parties and dinner business
meeting at night. More than 100
exhibitors and wives attended.

Speakers cracked down on “high
and unfair” film rentals. Joe
Rosenfield of Spokane was guest
speaker. Hal Makelin presented
his “Makelin” plan to group but
pulled few questions. Local show-
man expressed little interest pro
or con.

Ottawa, Aug. 10.

In “I’ve Survived 10,000 Movies,” (MacLean’s magazine, Aug.
15) Clyde. Gilmour, film critic for Vancouver Sun, M.acLean’s, and
Canadian Broadcasting Corp/s Trans-Canada Network, lists his
“all-time ten best” choices: five British — Oliver’s “Henry V,” Carol
Reed’s “The Fallen Idol,” David Lean’s “Brief Encounter” and
“Great Expectations,” and the Alec Guinness starrer “Lavender
Hill Mob”; four U. S. — Chaplin’s “City Lights/’ Huston’s “The
Maltese Falcon,” Zinneman’s “From Here to Eternity” and “High
N6on”; and one Italian — de Sica’s "The Bicycle Thief.”

His “all-time ten worst’: “Babe Ruth Story,” “Blowing Wild,”
“Bwana Devil,” “Colt .45,” “Duel in the Sun,” “Fountainhead,” “My
Brother Jonathan” (British), “Three 'for Bedroom C,” “Uncon-
quered,” “Winter Meeting.”

Jipi and July in Frisco

San Francisco, Aug. 10.

Part of the success of “This Is
Cinerama,” which last week racked
up the biggest gross for any regu-
lar performance week since it
started its long run here at the
Orpheum Theatre 32 weeks ago, is
attributed by Jack Miller, manag-
ing director, to a tj|e-in with Grey-
hound Bus Lines. ‘

In recent months Greyhound and
Cinerama Theater Calif, have been
cooperating in* mutual promotion.
Tickets to Cinerama are on sale at
about 35 northern California com-
munities handled^ by the Grey-
hound agent who, at ( the time he
sells a ticket to the show, sells a
round-trip ticket to San Francisco.
The theatre and the bus company
also cooperate in group sales, al-
though there is no reduction in
theatre seat prices for groups.
Back in the spring. Greyhound and
Cinerama cooperated’' in bringing
in 1*400 kids from the Peninsula
town of- Burlingame on a special
school promotion.

“The mutual promotion has re-
sulted in an awful lot of extra busi-
ness,” .Miller declares. “In June
and July, T would # estimate, con-
servatively, - that we did an extra
$20,000. It’s been very, very good
for both of us. Thus far we’ve had
good success in such nearby cities
as San Jose, Modesto, Merced,
Santa Rosa, Sarita Cruz and Sacra-
mento and we are planning to ex-
tend it to all Of northern Califor-
nia. If we can get Only two extra
people it’s plus business and it
doesn’t cost anything.’,’

Greyhound displays in the lob-
bies of their terminals plug the
show and in some communities, the
theatre and the bus company work
out joint radio and newspaper ad-
vertisements. There has also been
considerable local publicity on the
service.

Palance With Wilde For
Allied’s ‘The Big Combo’

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Jack Paldnce will co-star with
Cornel Wilde and Jean Wallace as
the romantic menace in “The Big
Combo,” to be produced jointly by
Wilde's Theodora Productions and
Security Pictures, owned by Sidney
Harmdn, who will produce, and
Philip Yordan, who wrote the
script.

Picture was originally slated for
United Artists release but was
taken over by Allied Artists for
. distribution under its new expan-
I .sion program.

Chi Biz Mirrored in Tax

'Chicago, Aug. 10.

Film biz for the month of June
registered with City Tax Collector’s
office roughly 3% better this year
than last. However, despite the in-
crease, theatres dropped consider-
ably off the pace of May. when the
differential was 17% over the pre-
vious yeah Total amusements, the-
atres included, fell slightly under
last year’s.

Tax office picked up $86,760
from theatremen this past June,
against $84,130 collected for same
month last year. Amusements
brought $146,978 for the first sum-
mer month of 1953* and only $146,-
046 this year.

Wedne$dmy f August 11,. 1954

PlSSilBfr

ricrams

T«Jn«dqr, Aligns! 11 * ' 1954 * ‘

Clips From Film Row

-M4

Atirii/ VHP If with moppets as owner Martin

rlHW I vK*» Stein’s guests. Stem also hopes to

Continental Motion Pictures obtain .a 1934 newsreel and shorts
Corp., headed by George Margolin, f 0 r the night program and some of
picked up U. S. and Canada dis- nabe’s merchants have promised to
tribution rights to three Italian offer 1934 prices as a tiein with
fllmusicals from Minerva Film. Pix, the theatre’s celebration,
all of which are in Ferraniacolor, world preem of “Sitting Bull,’’
are “Canzoni Di Mezzosecolo, pro duced by W. R. Frank, local in-
“Canzoni, Canzoni, Canzoni and circuit owner, tentatively

“Gran Varieta,’’ scheduled for Aug. 19 in Rapid

Ben Babb, ad-publicity director City, S. D„ near actual locale of
for David O. Selznick, to Philadel- picture's action,
phia this week to set saturation A1 Av ed, buying-booking group
radio-tv bally for “Duel in Sun, h ea( j and ozoner owner, appointed
which opens at Mastbaum there Minneapolis film area drivein
Aug. 20, in day-date booking with chairman for International Va-
surrounding cities. ^ piety's Will Rogers — Saranac Lake

Herman Stern, veteran exhib, Memorial hospital fund campaign,
took longterm lease on Fair The- Twin Cities are two of five area
atre, Jackson Heights, L. I., from cities included in 20th-Fox’s 24-
Jackson Operating Co. Deal was sheet billboard campaign for “The
consummated through Berk & Egyptian”. Others are Omaha, Des
Krumgold. Stern plans complete Moines and Davenport,
refurbishing. Latest Twin Cities indie nabe

Milton L. Maier, general man- houses to fall into C’Scope line are
ager of RKO Theatres’ realty de- two of the Kaplan-Rubenstem the-
partment, resigned his post Fri- the Minneapolis Hollywood

day (6). Associated with RKO for and St. Paul Dale. Its the one-
more than 26 years, he plans a tr ^ k, ..? pt i l ca i sou ? d .

luture V p?ans° n Prl ° r *° annOUDCmg me^rsupply mfn anS ozone own:
Bernard Helfand. the assistant er in Mt. Sinai hospital for check-

manager of Harry Sears, Metro exploiteer

observed his birthday last Sunday here maoDinz out bis “Brisadoon”
(8) by working all day on Job; only ^Tgnrtara inctade' frfe plaSe
excitement was small fire in hotel trf * to 6 Sco tland as contest prizes,
across street from a ar* rpH#* Qtppn 70 -^n

Jimmy Boyle, weeks terms > including a 10% profit guar-

l Jl e ^/^llyfng fr Col’s “CaSl antee, hasn’t kept “Caine Mutiny”

eral fractures when she fell “from
roof of the theatre.

Airport Theatre at Greater Pitta-
burgh Airport expects to shut down
late this month. John Sullivan, who
acquired the lease last year, says
he can’t make money with house.

Robert Stoner, manager of the
Strand, Scottdale, Leonard Golden-
son’s hometown, fractured his left
arm when a runaway horse ran into
his auto on the highway,

LOS ANGELES

Allied Artists assigned Harry
Goldstein, Jack Leewood and Jim

4»4 4 M M ♦ ♦ M M f ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ M ♦ M ♦ i *

Hollywood, Aug. 10',
Republic set Rhonda Fleming,
Yvonne de Carlo and Rita Gam
for roles in “Magic Fire,” based on
the life of Richard Wagner . . .
William Talman and Marshall
Thompson signed to play convicts
in Hal E. Chester’s “Crashout,” to
Schiller "to plug “The HumanJ be directed by Lewis Foster for

Jungle” in three national exploita-
ion zones.

Irving Sochin, short subjects
sales chief for Universal, making
nationwide tour of company’s
exchanges.

OMAHA

Biz is strong at Bob Hoff’s new
drive-in; the Airport. Robert Hunt-
ling is managing the ozoner.

Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Jensen last
week sold their Silver Hill Theatre
in Oshkosh, Neb., to Charles
Greenlee after 28 years of opera-
tion. Greenlee is an ex-newspaper-
man.

Sky-View Theatre, new ozoner
being built by Ralph Blank and
Bill Miskell in northwest sector of
Omaha, will have a capacity of
1,122 autos and seats for 500
pedestrians.

on road
Mutiny.

ST. LOUIS

from being booked already in all
of territory’s key towns, according
to “Hy” Chapman, local Columbia
branch manager.

The ozoner owned by Leroy Bas- . Lo ^ e lJ Kaplan.BennieBerger
ton near Casey, 111., damaged about circuit buyer-booker and manager
$10,000 when struck by high winds Lyceum, back from a N.Y.

several weeks ago, relighted. Bastoh va £ at iP n i. wk
recently purchased the interests S. D. Kane, North Central Allied
of his former partner and now is executive counsel, a candidate for
snip Amnpf state legislature,

W. J. Rodell will relight his Al- W. -F. ^nni? ei * f °*
vin Athens 111 Aug 20 Bemidji Theatre, donating film

The Royal, Royalton, ill., dark tickets to motoriste, cited by tovms
for several weeks, relighted by police and civic clubs for courtesy
Harmon Russell who has succeed-

ed A. D. Lukehart as owner. Man' Seibel, daughteer of Ed.

David Litvag shuttered his Con- Seibe^ local Paramoiint circuit ad-
gress, 898-seater in mid-St. Louis vertised-publicity head, acting in
for indefinite period. commercial pix.

Vandals believed to have been

juvee stole merchandise and dam-
aged property on two visits to an
ozoner near Belleville, 111., owned
by the Bloomer Amus. Co.

DALLAS

B. R. McLendon, head of Tri-
state Theatres, appointed Lloyd
Rust as veepee and booker for cir-
cuit; succeeds J. R. Euler, who
joins Col. H. A. Cole in the opera-
tion of Bonham Theatre.

CHICAGO

Doug Helgeson, Chi Cinerama
manager, to Los Angeles for peek
at newly-built home.

Harriet Persons, producer of
“Susan Slept Here,” in town for
film's opening at Woods Theatre.

H&E Balaban’s Robin Drive-In
at Rockford went Cinemascope
last Sunday (8).

United Artists installing stereo-
phonic sound for “Gone With
Wind,” opening of- which was post-
Magnificent Obses-

R. L. Vaught and High Milling- , - . ..

ton started construction on a new

300-car ozoner between Cross Plain sl °A be x" «“? seidtag euffo ducats

to fellow theatremen for opening
of "La Ronde” at World Playhouse

and Rising Star.

Fields Branch named manager
of Ford Theatre, Rankin, according
to Ford Taylor, owner; he replaces
Marvin Bell..

T. H. Lewis, a druggist, pur-
chased Rocque Theatre at Dilley
from Mr. and Mrs. M. L. DuBose.
Glenn Coyne is manager.

George Newman named manager
of the Orpheum, Waco, to succeed
Jack Cantrell until fall when a per-
manent manager will be named.

MINNEAPOLIS

Big newspaper ads kicking off
United Paramount Circuit’s late
summer-fall drive in this territory
call August “the greatest movie
month in all history.”

When the indie nabe Edina cele-
brates its 20th anni Aug. 31, it will
show a 1934 picture, “It Happened
One Night,” having rounded up
that film’s only available print. ‘Ad-
mission will be free. There’ll also
be a special invitation matinee

New York Theatres

n — RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL — n

Rockefeller Center

“SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHEKS”

h CINEMASCOPE on*

JANE POWELL • HOWARD KEEL

Color by ANSC0 • An M-G-M Picture
Md SHCTACftAI mu mSOTADM

WARNER BROS. mm* AA.AA

JEANNE DANA MV1D

CRAIN* ANDREWS ♦FARRAR

DllEL&dUNGlE

CM ^TECHNICOLOR * < MOUUt

^ PAR AMOUNT

TRUCKER MUST PROVE
JUSTICE OF CHARGES

Columbus, Aug. 10.

The shoe finally got on the other
foot in the running fight over film
hauling ratejs between Ohio ex-
hibitors and the Huntington-Cin-
cinnati Trucking Lines. In every
case brought before the Public
Utilities Commission of Ohio, the
burden of proof has always rested
with the exhibs. However, op July
7 the trucking firm filed an appli-
cation that they be 'permitted to
charge 21 cents for the first pound
of each package in order to cir-
cumvent the Commission’s ruling
that the word “shipment” meant
all packages from one exchange to
a theatre (The trucking outfit had
been interpreting each package as
a shipment and slapping the high
first pound rate on each package).

Attorney for the Independent
Theatre Owners of Ohio has filed
an application for suspension of
this tariff and for once, Hunting-
ton-Cincinnati must justify the
charge in a hearing which has been
set for Sept. 10.. The ITO does not
need to present any proof.

at 20th-Fox for "There's No Busi-
ness Like Show Business,"

Metro handed Bronislau )£*p«r a
new long-term composer contract
. . .Arthur Freed developing ^foatin
Quarter/’ a musical witfe^rj'aris
background, as a st&rrer ffcd&sife
Caron. . ,8am Katzman signed Ar-
thur Frans to star In “Riot; on Pier
Six” at Columbia,”. . Dlrna Lynn
will co-star with John Derek in
“The Annapolis Story” for .Allied
Artists. . .Don Randolph draw .the
role of Selech in “The Silver Chal-
ice” at Warners.. .Phil Chambers
set for a comedy role in UlIrFox-
fire. . .Paramount cast KlngDono-
van in “Eddie Foy and the Seven
Little Foys.”. .-.Lois Smith signed
for a part in “Strange -Lady in
Town” at Warners . . .Larry Har-
mon drew a role in Fred W. Kane’s
indie, “I Accuse.”... n.

Paramount assigned Irving Ash-
er to produce “The Mavericks” in
1956, after he makes “The Covered
Wagon” in 1955. . .Metro will re-
lease four shorts next month: “The
Camera Caught It,” “Yosemite the
Magnificent,” “Mice Follies” and
“Farm of Tomorrow.” . . . Para-
mount will ship more than 200 tons
of props, wardrobe and equipment
for “The Ten Commandments.”. . .
Jon Kirby doubling between
“That’s Life” on the stage and
“The Annapolis Story” at Allied
Artists. . .Warners signed Jim Mol-
oney for a role in ^‘Mister Rob-
erts.” . . . Llndsley Parsons added
Sam Hearn, Richard Deacon and
Susan Ridgeway to his “Ketchi-
kan” cast. . .Shelley Winters will
co-star with Robert Mitchiim in
the Paul Gregory production.
“Night of the Hunter/’. v.Trudi
Wyler plays the French' Wife.- in
“Untamed” at 20th-Fox ; . . Crane
Wilbur scripting Sam BiscbofFs in-
die production, “Phenix . Citjjft*

release by Filihakers . . . Virginia
Leith’s player renewed for a year
by 20th-Fox ; . . Frank Faylen
joined Rory Calhoun and Julia
Adams in “The Looters,” a Howard
Christie production at ! UI . . .

Robert Wise acquired film rights
to the Irving Wallace story, “Man
of the Century,” based on the life
of Dr, Albert Schweitzer , . . Para-
mount bought “The Mavericks,”
western novel, co-authpred by
Leonard Praskins and Barney
Slater.

Richard Egan plays opposite Su-
san. Hayward in 20th-Fox’s “Un-
tamed,” replacing Victor Mature
who was suspended for nixing the
role . . . Sam Katzmaif signed
William Castle to direct “Riot on
Pier S^x” at Columbia . . . Ger-
trude Michael snagged a featured
spot in Bryan Foy’s “Women’s
Prison” for Columbia release , . .

Gloria Rhoades' second film role
will be- in “The Racers” at 20th-
Fox . . . Hecht-Lancaster handed
one of the top roles ’ in “The
Gabriel Horn” to Diana Lynn . . .

-Richard Collins will script “Night-
shade,” a mystery based on an idea
by George Glass ... Sally Forrest
obtained release from her player
contract with RKO.

Gene Raymond returned to
Metro after an absence of 13 years
in “Hit the Deck.” . . . Columbia as-
signed Aldo Ray to the role of
“The Wreck,” a punchy ex-foot-
ball star, in “My Sister Eileen.” . . .

Hal Wallis handed Warren Low a
new contract as editorial super-

£■$£ IN JUNE

’MOON’ GOES 16 WEEKS

Long Run Record for Columbus
— Backlogs Foreign Fix

*V

ANALYSIS OF DIVVY

as gesture of “professional cour-
tesy.”

Julian Theatre, once operated
by Essaness circuit, now a church.

Orpheum Theatre in Springfield
and the Madison in Peoria have
doubled the ordinary run on first-
run pix, slating “Gone With Wind”
for two weeks.

•R0A0mftV*49ttfSt

GREENSBORO, N. C.

Richmond Gage, former Lumber-
ton Theatre manager, named man-
ager of the Carolina at Burlington,
replacing T. D. (Jack) Robison. Lat-
ter is leaving the film field to enter
other business in his hometown of
Spartanburg, S. C.

When final count was made in a
public opinion election, there was
a difference of only one vote in the
number of Lumberton citizens
favoring Sunday pix. The vote was
679 for and 678 against .Sabbath
showings. City Council had called
the election to ascertain- public
opinion in deciding whether to re-
peal an ordinance prohibiting Sun-
day movies.

PITTSBURGH

Ike Sweeney, who managed Re-
public exchange until his illness
last year, fully recovered and re-
appointed head of local office. He
succeeds Tom Duane, who resigned
to become Par head, in Detroit.

Harry W. Meyers, long a theatre
owner in Wilmerding, observing
his 15th anni as pressgate ticket-
taker at Forbes Field.

Air. and Mrs. John A. Reilly are
great-grandparents with birth of a
daughter to their grandaughter,
Mrs. Patrieia Roach. . Reilly, a; vet
theatre manager, was last at the
State downtown until the building
was sold.

Mrs. Irene, Coussoule, mother of
John CoussUle, who manages the
Manos at Indiana, Pa., suffered sev-

Columbus, Aug. 10. ,
“The Moon Is Blue,” which to-
morrow (11) starts its 16th week
at the World Theatre, city’s only
art house, will at the same time
break the holdover record in Co-
lumbus, a record that was set by
the World when it exhibited
“Jolson Sings Again” for 15 weeks,
Manager Charles Sugarman esti-
mates that more than 65,000 per
sons have seen “Moon” in the
nearly four months of showings
(two each evening with a midnight
show on Saturdays). In recognition
of the record, the regular adver-
tising budget for the picture has
been upped for this week. It’s ex
pected the Preminger-produced
film will run through August,
which really will make the occa-
sion one of those things that hap-
pens once in, a blue moon.

Only drawback of the long stay
is that since the ^World is the city’s
only first-run foreign film house,
Sugarman now ^ has a tremendous
backlog of art pix, many of which
have bad- dates penciled .in for
them only to be erased time and
time again.

New Landlord in Syracuse

' Syracuse, Aug. 10.

Loew’s Strand Theatre has been
purchased by Joseph F. Owens,
local industrialist. Under terms of
the sale, arranged by Eagan Real
Estate, Owens extended the pres-
ent lease several years.

The property leased from the
Thomas F. Anderson Estate was
subleased to the Lance Theatre
Corp., New York City. The 1,500-
seat house was recently modern-
ized and redecorated. For several
years it had served as second string
house for Loew’s, ‘’♦featuring hold-
overs from Loew's State.

Herman, will make “Girls Reform-
atory,” starting next month ...
Harold Lamb signed to team with
Dudley Nichols on the script of
Warners’ Cinerama production,
“Lewis and Clark.” . . . Alfred
Hitchcock upped W. H, Colman to
the post of associate producer on
“The Trouble With Harry ”. . .Val-
iant Film Corp. of Texas signed
Touch Conners to star in “Galt,”
with Lita Spencer as femme lead . . .
Francesca De Scaffa drew the role
of Chata in “The Racers” at 20th-
Fox. . .

Sterling Hayden signed a multi-
ple-picture deal with Republic,
starting as co-star with Vera Ral-
ston in “Timber jack.” , . .Peter Us-
tinov will make one picture an-
nually for four years at 20th-Fox
: . Cliff Ferre plays a barkeep in
Warners* “Young at Heart.”,,.
Gene Evans drew role in Hal E.
Chester’s “Crashout.” . . . Fire at
the Rampart Productions studio
caused damage amounting to $50,-
000 . . . First role for Ernest Borg>-
nine under his Hecht-Lancaster
contract will be in "Marty.” . . .
Vivian Marshall joined the “Wom-
en’s Prison” cast at Columbia...
Linda Danson snagged a dancing
role in “The Prodigal” at Metro
. . . Frederick Brisson signed Jerry
Davis to collaborate with Robert
Pirosh on the script of “Girl Rush.”

. . . Superior Court approved
Myrna Hansen’s minor contract
with UI...

Frank Gruber scripting "Tarzan’s
African Legend” for Sol Lesser. . .
Donald MacDonald drew a role in
the Hecht-Lancastet film, “The
Gabriel Horn.” ... Bryan Foy
signed Phyllis Thaxier for one of
the leads in “Women’s Prison.” . , .
Zachary Scott joined Guy. Madison,
Ralph Meeker, and 'Alvy Moore in
Stirling Silliphant’s “Five Against
the House,” for United Artists re-
lease . . . Carlos Thompson, who ob-
tained his release from Metro,
signed to appear as Liszt in Wil-
liam Dieterle’s “Magic Fire,” start-
ing in Germany next month...
Chill Wills sings his Own song,
“Packin’ the Mail,” in “Hells’ Out
post” at Republic . . .

Copa Productions signed Ale'c
Coppel to script “The Stalk,” Ty-
rone Power starrer for Columbia
release . . . Rabbi Jacob Pressman
appointed technical ■ adviser on
Metro’s “The Prodigal.” . . . Greene-
Rouse signed Onslow Stevens for
a role in “New York Confidential.”
. . . Tom Ewell will co-star with
Marilyn Monroe in the film ver-
sion of “Seven Yfear Itch” at 20th-
Fox... Lucille Barkley joined the
“Women’s Prison” cast at Colum-
bia . . . United Artists ordered 50
more prints of “Apache,” making
a total of 450... Nick Casta gneta,
of the sheriff’s office, functioning
as technical adviser on “Mad at the
World.”. . .Lyle Talbot checked in

Washington, Aug. 10.
The unswing trend of film indus-
try dividends was broken by a June
dip, although figures for the first
half of 1954 were well ahead of
those for the same period last year.

Figures, issued past week by the
Dept, of Commerce, show the in-
dustry disbursing $11,71T,000 to
its stockholders for the first six
months of this year, as contrasted
with 11,108,000 for the January-
June period of 1953.

The June melon for stockholders
came to $3,482,000, a drop from
the $3,932,000 of last year.

Paramount Pictures parcelled
out $1,170,000 to its owners in both
Junes. ‘ Loew’s paid $1,029,000 in
both years, Roxy Theatres paid
$6,000 both years, and United
Artists Theatres paid $9,000 both
times. -

20th-Fox paid a regular June
dividend of $692,000, same as a
year ago, and also a special $277,-
000 .dividend this year. However,
Universal paid only $299,000 this
June, compared with $540,000 last
year. National Theatres paid noth-
ing this year and $415,000 last year.
Consolidated Amusement .paid
nothing this year, although they
paid $71,000 last year.

Town Wants 3% Back

Columbus, Aug. 10.

Warning flags went up et the
office of the Independent Theatre
Owners Of Ohio here as the first
threat of reimposition of a 3% ad-
mission tax came from a small
town in eastern Ohio. Robert A.
Wile, ITO executive secretary,
warned in his weekly bulletin that
Amsterdam (Jefferson County)
is planning to reimpose the levy
ancl that the ITO is assisting the
local exhibitor in fighting it.

( He promised aid to any other ex-
hibitor in a town .where a tax is
threatened.

Distribs Sue Sid Kurstin

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Columbia, Universal* and Para-
mount' have filed suit in Federal
Court here charging Sidney A.
Kurstin with filing “fraudulently
and intentionally false” statements
of receipts from Sept, 1949 to Feb.
1954 when he was opertaing
Boulevard Theatre, East Los An-
geles.

Complaint aste the court to de-
termine extent of damages, says
merely that “gross fraud
amounted' to more than $3,000.

t J- '

Wednesday, August 11, 1954

4 '

What’s a lily
to a lady?

.Xi4

"f.

w>v

rm

€

This particular lily may not
“toil” — but it certainly does
"spin" an important yarn for the
processor.

Are the colors in balance?

Are the flesh tints correct?

How about gray scale values?

These together with many
other questions, "the lily”
answers quickly, authoritatively.
For it is the test standard for tone
values in release prints, a step
wedge with color patches added.

In areas like this — how best to
use various devices and tests,
how to set up systems and
controls, the Eastman Technical
Service for Motion Picture Film
is working with the industry —
helping make today’s motion
picture production increasingly
efficient — adding thus to the
effectiveness of both blcck-
and-white and color.

■ llP

J!

■p;fc

'i

Address:

Motion Picture Film Department

EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY,
Rochester 4, N.Y.

East Coast Division

3^2 Madison Avenue
New York 1 7, N. Y.

Midwest Division

137 North Wabash Avenue
Chicago 2, Illinois

West Coast Division

6706 Santa Monica Blvd.
Hollywood 38, California

OUT ALL BUT THE BIG TV

*

Washington, Aug. 10. .
Concerned with * -grave implica-
tions” of FCC action last week in
waiving its monopoly rules . to
license ultra high satellite stations
to extend service of existing tv
outlets, officials of the UHF Co-
ordinating Committee are gather-
ing here for a showdown with the
Commission. Harold H. Thoms,
chairman of the committee, ar-
rived here yesterday (Mon.) and
other members are due today.

A spokesman for the committee
said its is highly possible that a
petition will be filed with the FCC
to hold its action in abeyance pend-
ing. hearings to determine what
effect satellites would have on
nationwide competitive television.
Ultra high operators are fearful
the commission's action will result
in killing local tv service, limit tv
to large markets and squeeze out
stations without network affilia-
tions.

The new policy, a spokesman
said, is “full ■of uncertainties” and
“it is impossible to ' anticipate
what it will lead to.”

Policy, adopted over a stinging
protest by Comr. Frieda Hennock,
allows tv stations to establish UHF
satellites to extend their coverage
in substantially the same service
area and in all directions. Here-
tofore, such dual operation would
be a violation of the agency’s so-
called “duopoly” rule prohibiting
ownership of two radio or two tv
stations in the same area.

Commission said its action was
taken in response to inquiries “as 3
to whether it would authorize con-
struction of new UHF stations or
operation of existing^ UHF sta-
tions where such stations do not
propose to originate local pro-
grams from local studios.”

Agency said it has been told
that high cost of equipment for
local programming has deterred
some broadcasters from going into
ultra high.

Miss Hemlock 'declared that the
actipn “delivers the final mortal
blow" to UHF and “encourages
and invites- monopolistic control
over television.”

She said it permits the favored
VHF stations to “gobble up” the
UHF channels by allowing a V
station to own as many as four
satellites, “relegates UHF to an
auxiliary role for VHF,” and
enables well-established V stations
to force struggling U’s out of busi-
ness by putting satellites in their
backyards.

Policy announced by the com-
mission, she added, “is the last
piece of the FM pattern that is
being put into, place to complete
the death of UHF. This pattern
has been followed assiduously to
a point where 340 applications on
file for UHF have only produced
120 remaining stations on the air.
The rest of UHF is rapidly to-
boganning out of sight.”

Goth See Justice Done

Having practically resolved ^its
programming lineup for the fall,
NBC-TV apparently is still eyeing
a stronger entry for the Thursday
night 8:30 to 9 period, currently
occupied by the Borden-sponsored
“Justice.” Not that Borden has
been handed an ultimatum, but
the network wouldn’t be averse to
the client switching shows. Since
the show is sandwiched between
two of the toprated programs in
television (Groucho Marx at 8 and
“Dragnet” at 9), NBC feels the 90-
minute- sequencing merits a
stronger continuity.

In addition, the web is not too
happy over the fact that “Justice” •
will ^probably have as competition
next season the program which
preceded it— “T-Men,” which Bor-
den lost when the packagers
shifted it over to ABC-TV.
“T-Men,” tentatively allotted the
Thursday night 8:30 time, is , con-
sidered by far the weightier entry.

All Ala- A' •) AJU1V UVT VI

*

The N.Y.-to- Jersey City commu-
tation job of many years standing
for Colgate personnel (long the
bane of the radio-tv setup within
the organization, is coming to an
end, with the Colgate people at
long last deciding to berth them-
selves in Gotham. It’s the second
major soap company to vacate the
hinterland for the metropolis,
Lever Bros, having previously put
up its own Park Ave. building
(Lever House) and closing down its
Cambridge, Mass., home base.

Colgate’s administrative hqs. will
locate in the new Park Ave. build-
ing going up on the site of the old
Marguery Hotel. The decision to
vacate Jersey City is part of prexy
Joe McConnell’s revamping de-
signed to pump new blood into the
Colgate operation.

JOHN DALY'S NEW CLIENT

ABC-TV last week pacted a sec-
ond bankrOller for John Daly’s
quarter-hour news strip. Tide
Water Associated Oil Co. signed
for the Wednesday and Friday seg-
ments of the show, leaving three
quarter-hours still open. Realemon
has half of the -Tuesday and
Thursday ^gment, with Monday
and the other half of . Tuesday and
Thursday still to be sold.

Buchanan & Co. agented.

SAMMY KAYE

And His

“SO. YOU WANT
TO .LEAD A BAND ?”

Is fun for all ages
ON ABC-TV, THURS., 9 P.M.
For BRILLO
ABC -RADIO

“SUNDAY SERENADE" and
“SERENADE ROOM"
Columbia Records Exclusively

i

T-Men,’ Snags TV

ABC-TV jumped Out of the fry-
ing pan and into the fire last week,
and it did so by the simple ex-
pedient of selling one of its more
expensive packages to which it
was committed for the fall. Sale
was that of the filmed “Treasury
Men in Action” to the Chevrolet
Dealers for a Thursday at 8:30
showcasing, And while this came
as a ' balm to some worried execs
at the network, it had the effect
of all but killing off a pending
sale of a full-hour dramatic show
to Shell Oil Co.

Shell and its agency, J. Walter
Thompson, had been looking, close-
ly at the Thursday 8 to 9 hour on
the net with an eye toward pur-
chasing a network-packaged dra-
matic show. Agency was particu-
larly intrigued with the idea be-
cause it would have given it the
entire network from 8 to 10:30

(Continued on page 38) -

Paychecks Every Week for 'Ranger
Performers Over Past 21 Years

DuM-WABDIn

WABD, N. Y., and its parent net-
work, DuMont, have lost, either
few days, at least 12 men. Cuts
by axings or anklings, in the last
were jmade in the network facilities
department, in sales, in the flack
department and on the directoring
staff.

The major gab was created by
Larry Wynn over a fortnight ago,
when he stepped out as WABD
sales chief. The N. Y. o&o is
closely involved with the network,
lacking as it does financial au-
tonomy, and Norman Knight, sta-
=&oa topper, has decided, for the
present at any rate, to see how
well things progress without a
Wynn replacement. Knight, who
lias a strong Sales background
himself, is currently doubling in
brass. Another man took a walk
from local sales before deciding on
one of the sales rep outfits for a
■alary increase.

As of yesterday, the directing
(Continued pn page 36)

i. • * A *

Detroit, Au{£ 10. j
Detroit radio actors who have
appeared on “Lone Ranger” in the
past 22 years will continue to get

weekly paychecks even though the
property has been sold and even
though, beginning Sept. 3, the pro-
gram will use mechanics which
have been made of every “Lone
Ranger” broadcast.

The checks will, average between
$75 and $125 a week for an aver-
age of nine actors each week, it
was disclosed by Raymond J.
Meurer, secretary and general
counsel of Trendle - Campbell -
Meurer, Inc., which produced the
Lone Ranger operation.

Meurer has been named v.p. in
Lone Ranger, Inc., which was pur-
chased last Week by Dallas oil op-
erator and San .Diego radio-tv
owner Jack Wrather, his mother,
Mazie, and John L. Loeb Asso-
ciates of New York.

Meurer said the pay would be
based on 80% of the national net-
work rates, including one re-
hearsal. Previous pay scales when
the show was live had the same
base but included two or three
rehearsals. The mechanics were
worked out with the local chapter
of AFTRA and approved by all
concerned/ Meurer saidl
“We think "this is the only fair

and decent thing to do,” Meurer
said. “There has been such a long
association of most of these actors
with the ’Lone Ranger’ that we
have come to regard them as mem-
bers of the family. Since we own
the manuscript rights of ‘Lone
Ranger,’ it would have been a sim-
ple matter to have used the tv cast
in Hollywood to do the shows. But,
as I have said, we didn’t think that
would be right."

Most of the actors who previ-
ously worked on the show, will be
used in other Trendle-Campbell-.
Meurer productions which were
unaffected by the sale. These are
“Sgt Preston of the Yukon,”
“Green Hornet” and “American
Agent.”

Meurer said a search of records
showed that all actors who had
performed in “Lone Ranger” re-
cordings to be used from Sept. 3
onward were alive.

Incidentally^’Lone Ranger” will
still be put on the ABC net by
WXYZ, Meurer said. He added
that there was nothing else behind
the sale than the fact Trendle-
Campbell-Meurer considered the
$3,000,000 cash offer a good busi-
ness proposition. He added it was
interesting that “Lone Ranger” had
brought almost as much money as
WXYZ did when they sold it to
ABC in 1946 for $3,650,000,

Indicative oflioW NBdand Pontiac feel about acquisition of*
ped Buttons to bold down the Friday flight at fl tv albt next season
Was the “parade of the echelon” ceremonial that attended the
final signaturing of the deal last week. Every key personality,
including network, sponsor, and agency, topped by the “Pat &
Bob” high command (prexy Weaver and administrative , veepee
Sarnoff) was on hand, along with Buttons, and, his lawyeriperMnal
manager Jonas Silverstone,- for the new "pledge jof jaHegiriftei}.»*
Buttons tees off on Get. -1 udder the Pontiac auspices in oppo-
sition to CBS-TV’s “Mama” show, which is Sponsored by General
Foods, Buttons’ ex-bankroller op the Columbia web. Julie Oshins
has been pacted to direct the show. Buttons leaves for the Coast
this week for vacation and for huddles with his writing staff.
Before returning east to get the ’54-’55 show rolling,' the comic
is scheduled for an early September stopover to Las Vegas, where
he opens Sept. 1 at the Sands. * • ; • <

Major Merchant’s TV

Stirs Up Chi Interest

Chicago, Aug. 10.

Despite the fact that it’s but a
three-shot, there is more than a
little interest stirred up by the fall
fashion previews the Charles A.
Stevens store is airing on WBBM-
TV the next three Saturday morn-
ings. What’s significant is not
the dough involved in the trio of
quarter-hour shows, but that here’s
one of the first new- sparks pf tv
interest to come out of the State
St. retailing phalanx in a couple
of seasons. ,

Inability to crack the State St.
alliance’ with the Chi newspapers,
with the. exception of a few
specialized situations like Evans
Furs’ longtime WGN-TV associa-
tion and Sears’ identity on WNBQ,
has been the causf of some con-
cern on the part to the tv’ers. .But
the boys keep hoping they’ll land
one of the major merchants whom
they can develop into a “success
story” that will merit some atten-
tion for tv from the other Main
Stemers.

WCBS-TV’s 500G

, In a powerhouse upbeat over the
same period lasr year, WCBS-TV
booked better than $500,000 worth
of business during the first five
working days of August. According
to Frank Shakespeare Jr., installed
only a few months ago as general
sales manager of the CBS tele flag-
ship in New York, the various spon-
sors involved in the contracts will
go into high gear on their prod-
ucts starting late in the summer.

Most of the coin comes under
the station’s “12 Plan” click, which
was developed by general manager
i Lawrence Craig to attract daytime
business. Under the gimmick, spon-
sors taking 12 daytime spots or
participations per week earn a
45% discount. The $500,000 in
bookings is a net figure, however.

Included in the “12 Plan” with
one-minute plugs, 20rsecond an-
nouncements and 10-second identifi-
cations are Peter Paul, Vick Chem-
ical Co., Bab-O, Super Coola, Air-
line Prune, Ehler’s Coffee and
Avon Cosmetics." In addition to
these, Colgate has added a partici-
pation in the Sunday night “Late
Show,” carrying its current sched-
ule with the station into a 52-week
exposure. Also brought into camp
was B. C. Remedy, which has
bought the Wednesday and Friday
Margaret Anen “Morning Memo,”
N. Y. insert of the networked
“Morning Show.” Rival Dog Food
has pacted to co-sponsor the
"Amos ’n’ Andy vidpix series, with
a second underwriter being sought.

Bill Stern’s MBS Deal

Bill Stern has been inked to do
quarter-hour gab fests before and
after each of the upcoming World
Series games via Mutual. Sponsor,
•making its first stab at network
radio, is Allstate Insurance, a sub-
sid of Sears & Robuck.

Deal with Stem and Mutual was
handled .through the Christianson
ad agency, Chicago.

>♦ Having registered a click with
Its current $1,000,000 or better
schedule of dramatic programs un-
der the. title of- “Radio Playhouse,”
WOR, the General Teleradio sound
center in N. Y., has bought another
ambitious lineup, .second only in
size and cost on a local radio level
to its predecessor, A package of
$510,000 worth of transcriptions,
comprising 1,040 half-hour . shows,
takes to the air after Sept. 12, for
a 15-month, ride.

Last year the radio buy / com-
prised Harry Goodman aficl Ziv
stanzas, and was made by WOR
topper Jim Gaines, since gone to
Texas. The most recent deal, sans
Zi\r~(since WOR used most or all
the firm’s packages), by new boss
Gordon Gray is what the latter
considers’ a reaffirmation of Gaines*
successful gamble.- Exactly what
the station has made in ad 'con-
tracts is not public knowledge but
it is known it was well above the
original investment. : ;

Station programmers, spearhead-
ed by Larry Menkin, hdye gone
beyond the material used until
now. It’s been clearly decided that
one-third of the dramatic fare from
3-5 p.m. and one-half of the night-
time hour, from 9:30-10 and from
10:30-11 p.m. (all “Radio ^Play-
house” time) will be classics; Such
a heavy degree of “deep drama”
has never before, according to ob-
servers, been used by a commercial
station. Most of these half hours
are based on the works of Shake-
speare, Dickens and Pumas, and
some have no set number of per-
formances. For example, a couple
of Dickens shows run into 26 half
hours.

Lineup includes “Macbeth,” “Ro-
meo and Juliet,” “Hamlet” and
“Great- Expectations” and “Nicho-
( Continued on page 38 )

First radio order for network
football coverage has been snagged
by ABC, with Crosley ordering the
net’s “Game of the Week” package
for a lineup east 'of Denver. It’s
a moot point, however, whether the
net will be able to deliver the line-
up for the appliance firm because
of local gridcasting in key cities.

Network football on radio has
become an increasingly difficult
nut to crack. It’s borne out by the
fact that thus far ABC /Radio is
doing a solo bn commercial cov-
erage (Mutual has a co-op setup
for its "Game of the Week,” but
ABC is alone. With a- national
client.) Fact is that since the ad-
vent of television and the accom-
panying relaxation of the webs*
hold on network time, it’s’ been in-
creasingly difficult to recapture
Saturday afternoons from affiliates,
who’ve been making their own
deals with local colleges and sell-
ing to local sponsors.

Network has received the Cros-
ley order, and of course has gone
about clearing the time. Mean-
while, its Western Division has
again signed Tide /Water Oil to
sponsor football on the Western
Regional network, so that Crosley
is restricted to that part of the
country .east of Denver/ There’s not
much of a clearance problem in-
volved in the Tide Water deal,
since most of the games involve
the Pacific Coast Conference, with
local teams in k,ey pities all repre-
sented In the gridcasts at one time
> or another.

*

►0'S*

Wednwfrr* Awgnrt lit 1954

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♦

CBS
Jack Benny
Burns A Allen
Jackie Gleason '
Robert Q. Lewis
Garry Moore
jack Paar
Red Skelton

ABC

Ray Bolger
Danny Thomas
Jan Murray

NBC

Milton Berle
Red Buttons v
Sid Caesar
Imogerie Coca
jimmy Durante
George Gobel
Bob Hope
Martin & Lewis
Groucho Marx
Donald O’Conrto’r
Martha Raye .

Phil Silvers and Jack Carter have CBS contracts but as yet
are unsold and unscheduled; "While George Jessel has an ABC
deal, he’s not on the upcoming fall schedule. Also Joel Gray
and Sammy Davis Jr. (Will Mastln Trio) are on the ABC “wait

list.” ' - "

The list, of course, could be expanded to encompass Lucille
Ball-Desi Arnaz, Wally Cox, Eve Arden (“pur* Miss Brooks”),
Ozzie A Harriet, et al., but these basically are situation comedies.

Louisville, Aug. 10. , -

Horse racing hot spot of the
bluegrass has spawned the forma-
tion of a new national radio net-
work to air horse races exclusive-
ly from major tracks in the U. 13.
Titled Thoroughbred Broadcasting
System, and headed by vet race
caller Clem McCarthy as prez, the
outfit is now inking affiliates!

On-the-spot airing is to be han-
dled by McCarthy and Phil Sutter-
field of WHAS, Louisville, who has
been associated With McCarthy'
numerous times on Gillette’s Ca-
valcade of Sports presentations.
Plan is for Sutterfield to handle
calling of the races while McCarthy
will take over all color and inter-
view assignments.

Purpose back of the formation,
of the net was summed up by
McCarthy who says he intends to
do something about the fact that
there have been networks, to air
every sport under the sun except
the best sport of all, horseracing.

McCarthy has. four associates in
the network venture, all natives of
Kentucky. Under the plan of op-
eration, first pickup for the net
will be from Belmont Park, Sept.
28. Thereafter, racing highlight
from a major track will be aired
three times weekly, on Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays.

Racing network system of opera-
tion, which has been months in the'
making, is for line charges to all
affiliates to be pegged at a defi-
nite figure. Following" a survey to
determine mileage involved in
various pickups from New York,
Miami, Louisville and Chicago,
line costs were averaged, thus giv-
ing each station manager an exact
figure on the Costs, and he’ll know
exactly what he will have to pay
each month. Talent charge^to each
station, according to the promoters,
is low. They hope^to break even
by getting a large number of af-
filiates, and since the project is a
co-op deal, each station stands to
benefit from the McCarthy-Sutter-
field coverage of the races. \

Hallmark ‘Moses’

, Hallmark’s “Hall of Fame” will
wck off Sept. 5, on NBC-TV wit!
an hour show (with the 30-min
Jjters going in three out of foui
in a bio treatment of A1
jred Nobel. Next 60-minute edi
turn will be on the 26th with “Th<
btory of Moses,” coinciding witl
iSn Je , wish holidays. In betweei
Si 1 u be half -hours devoted t(
Stephen Foster and John Wana
^3 an d on Oc(. 3 the subject
Bach er be Jc, hann Sebastiai

Al ^“. "Fame** producei
Ynrw McC £ ery arriv ed in New
a iJ r ° m Coast to conduct
tor ?i£S 8eml ” ar f or Army direc
!» the hew tele stu
Mcrw th . SIs{nal Cor P s Astoria

ffth 1 ■***»?* *

Already

Apparently the 15-inch, col-
or receiver is a dead pigeon
before mass sales get under
way. On Monday (9), RCA
announced a slice of 50% in
the retail price of its current
15-incher console, bringing the,
tab down to $495. Company
will make rebates to distribu-
tors on all 15-inch shipments
and the saving will be passed
^ on to consumers. RCA said
abopt 5,000 such receivers have
, been produced so far.

By bringing down the prioe,
it’s anticipated that distrib-
dealer inventories will be
cleared before introduction of
RCA’s 21-inch colorsets sched-
‘ uled for Sept. 15.

CBS-TV will have 8 p.m. Tues-
day wide open should Red Skelton
kick up a fuss on * being reduced
to a half-hour show. Comedian’s
scheduled 60-minuter has been
killed in the sale of ‘‘Halls of Ivy”
telefilm series to National ' Biscuit
Co. and International Harvester al-
ternating in the 8:30 slot. Skelton,
an 8:30 entry last season with Gene
Autry preceding him in the cou-
pling opposite Milton Berle,. had
been all set 'for 8 to 9 come the
fall (with Autry being swung over
to Saturday at 7). .

As a shakedown for the extended
length, Columbia spotted Skelton
as summer replacement for Arthur
Godfrey’s “Friends” show 8 to 9
Wednesdays. Whether CBS moguls
were dissatisfied with • Skelton’s
performance in the current hour
stanza or were more interested in
the SRO aspect of the telepix
series plus having the benefit and
prestige of Ronald . Colman and
BCnita Hume as stars of “Ivy,” is
a. matter of speculation. “Ivy” is
distributed by Television Programs
of America.

‘Ivy’ Jockeying

Chicago; Aug. 10.

In the middle on “Ivy” were
Television Programs, of America,
distribs of the Ivy Corp. series, and
the Leo Rurnett ad agency execs-
through whom last month Harvest

(Continued on page 38)

Stein & Glickman As
Steve Allen Scripters

Looks like Joe*** Stein and Will
Glickman will, be tapped for the
writing assignment for Steve Allen
.“Tonight” show when it bows on
NBC-TV in September.

Stein and Glickman are also col-
laborating on a Broadway musical.

I

* * • ‘ . . '

liy GEORGEROSEN

The major networks . aren’t con-
cealing ihe fact that they’re plenty
worried over Sen. John W. Brick-
er’s “private war” With radio-tv
and the ^impending investigation
which will determine whether the
webs shall henceforth be put un-
der direct FCC regulation. “This,”
said one network topper, “can y be
the biggest blow ever inflicted on
our* industry — and the tragedy is
that there’s nothing, hut nothing,
we can do about it”

So ominous are the overtones,
in fact, that’ there's little else the
high command at the networks can
concern themselves with these
days. For the major fear, is that
this is not just a case of exercising
regulatory powers over the net-
works as it relates to station af-
filiations (problems which the webs
have always managed to resolve)
but • in this , instance is aimed
directly at the programming con-
tent of the network^.

There are some who see Brick-
er’s determination to strip the net-
works of their own regulatory
powers as pretty much of a pri-
vate war. If, as reported, he’s
concerned over the possible in- !
fluence of the networks on the
UHF situation, they say it’s be-
cause some of Bricker’s own friends
took the rap on some U finan-
cial investments and this was his
way of retaliating. Too, they say
he’s still smarting over the beat-
ing he took on the treaty amend-
ment proposal. Further, it’s
maintained that he’s been hostile
toward Edward R. Murrow -ever
since the latter cut him off the
air, which aggravates the situation
insofar as the CBS command is
concerned.

McCarthy Affinity

The Bricker-McCarthy affinity
has not escaped the network brass.
It's no secret that McCarthy, like
Bricker, wouldn’t be averse to Set-
tling his own private score with
the webs, notably CBS , and Mur-
row. McCarthy believes that not
only Murrow but some of the other ,
Columbia Commentators are too far ■
left of center for comfort, just an-
other item that’s heightened the
anxieties Of the . CBS echelon
should the Government move in.
on programming or Bricker invite
any full scale investigations into
the networks.

Whatever, Bricker’s gripes as
they relate to NBC and ABC hasn’t
been tipped, but here, too, the web
toppers are no little concerned
over the consequences should the
Bricker war qn the networks re-
sult in any sweeping inquiries.

One thing is certain — if the
Bricker campaign succeeds and ex-
tends to program content it ‘will
not necessarily be restricted to net-
works alone, since as great a
stake in program control reaches

(Continued on page 41)

Twilight

•The network radio picture
has been turiied upside down
for sure. Nielsen radio rating
for the week of July 4-10 gave
each and every one of the top ,
10 daytime stanzas a bigger
audience than any of the
nighttime leaders. “Ma Per-
kins” was the lQth-rated day-
time show on network radio
and it got 1,912,000 homes as
compared to the after-diark
leader “FBI In Peace and
War,” with 1,679,000 homes.

What's more the average
daylight audio show reached
1,399,000 homes. The averifee .
evening pace was set h^. Niel-
sen at 840,000. domiciles. First
show among the top 10 during
the day was “Wendy Warren
and the News,” hitting 2,286,-
000 homes.

Seven out of the first 10 eve-
ning stanzas were what Nielsen
described as shows using’
weapons — “blood and thun-
der” accounts.

Private Party

Bloomington, Aug. 10.

When WTTV, Bloomington,
carried a half-hour NBC color
telecast Aug. 5, the first color
tv broadcast in Indiana history,
only three sets received it;

^ Sarkes Tarzian, owner of
WTTV, and RCA Officials
watched the color program at
the Bloomington plant of RCA.
Officials at the Arvin plant in
Columbus, Ind., 50 miles from
the station’s transmitter, re-
ported good reception,' as did
one TV dealer in Indianapolis.

The competition for Judy Gar-
land’s services as a tv personality
is being stepped up, in anticipa-
tion of her upcoming “Star Is
Born” film turning into a ^resound-
ing click. Young A Rubicam, on
behalf of its General Foods client,
has made overtures to the star to
take over at least one of the Tues-
day night 8 to 9 segments on NBC-
TV (which GF’s Bob Hope will
share next season with Milton
Berle and Martha Raye), and it’s
reported that YAR’s Nat Wolff has
dangled a $100,000 check for a
“come on in” one-shot. But thus

far Miss Garland and her husband-
manager, Sid Lufb, are holding
themselves aloof.

Meanwhile, it’s understood CBS-
TV is also in there pitching for
Miss Garland as. an added starter
on its expanding list of “specs” for
the upcoming season. Until now
both Miss Garland and Betty Hut-
tori were the two top femmes do-
ing a tv standoff, but Miss Hutton
has succumbed to NBC’s top coin
blandishments and ushers in the
Max Liebriian season of spectacu-
lars next month.

TV’S ‘STOP MUSIC’ TO
SOFT-PEDAL PHONES

While the radio version of “Stop
the Music” will adhere to its old
format, with the telephonic gim-
mick as CBS’ major come-on, the
tv version, which bows on ABC
next month in the Tuesday night
10:30 to 11 period, will undergo a
complete revamp. For one thing,
the telephone quizzing will be rele-
gated to a subsidiary, status, with
the major emphasis on in-the-stu-
dio contestants. There will be no
carryover of the mystery melody,
which henceforth will be changed
weekly. There will be no merchan-
dising— strictly cash. ’

Joseph Cates, of the Lou Cowan
office, will produce the tv series,
which will have Bert Parks as
emcee.

‘Farm’ To Half-Hour

Chicago, Aug. 10.

As It stands now, NBC-TV plans
to continue with its Chi-produced
“Out On the Farm” into the fall
cycle but will cut the present hour-
long format to a half hour. Semi-
documentary show originating
from an actual working farm on
the outskirts of Chicago is cur-
rently on an eight-week shakedown
Sunday afternoon run which winds
Aug. 29.

Present plans are to move the
half-hour version up from the cur-
rent 4 p.m. berth to the 1 p.m. Sun-
day slit in September.

V “After nine years of being able
to sell plenty of merchandise for
our sponsors on WNBC,” says Tex
(A Jinx) McCrary, “looks like we
can’t sell ourselves so we’ve gotten
Sonny. Werblln of. Music Cprp. of
America to handle our new nego-
tiations with NBC.”

-■ The Tex A Jinx team, which
reportedly garnered $250,000 last
year as its share on an unusual
sharing deal, said to range-up to
a 70-30 split, has been in a static
stage of renegotiation with the
New YoJc flagship station of the
NBC network. Technically on va-
cation for the past four weeks,
McCrary states that most of it was
spent in negotiations, which culmi-
nated in powwows with NBC’s
o.Ao, veepee Charles R. Denny,
and the station’s general manager,
Hamilton Shea.

NBC wants to cut th‘e Mr. A
Mrs. breakfast- team down to a
half hour which, says McCrary,
“is tantamount to cutting our in-
come in half/’ He says that the
midday tv half-hour, and their
nightly 11:20 p.m. semester (until
midnight) from the Waldorf-As-
toria, is virtually scale: that the
real income is from the 60 minutes
in the a.m.

The pyramiding renewals report-
( Continued on page 37)

Colgate has blown a big bundle
toward NBC-TV’s $5,900,000 in
daytime billings by wrapping up
two slots, but with the shows un-
specified as yet. As a result, the
web will have a cluster of eight
soapers in the fall, starting at 3
o’clock. Colgate will bring up the
rear at 4:45 with a serial and its
other time is 12:30 to 12:45, with
an audience participationer. In
both cases the sponsor will be
on an alternating schedule of Mon-
day-Wednesday-Friday for one
show and Tuesday and Thursday
for the other in the same week,
Colgate has expansion rights on
the post-noon stanza and would
like to share the coin for 12:45 to
1 o’clock. Colgate has also taken
15 minutes of “Howdy Doody” Fri-
day for an SRO on the Bob Smith-
hosted show. Agencies involved in
the deal are Esty, Bates and Bryan
Houston.

Starting at the 3 o’clock mark
will be “Dr. Eve,” packaged by
Adrian Samish, former daytime
program chief of the web, in his
third sale to NBC since resigning
a few months back. “Eve” will ride
sustaining in the current “One
Man’s Family” time, which will
shift to 3:30, with Serutan buying
half, same as PAG does on “Gold-
en Windows” (3:15) and “Concern- -
ing Miss Marlowe” (3:45), with
Miles Labs in for a quarter-hour
on latter and one segment open.
(Miles also has a quarter of “Three
Steps to Heaven,” the precede to

(Continued on page 38)

CBS RADIO’S COMO
STRIP FOR CH’FIELD

Chesterfield has bought Perry
Como for a three-a-week ride
(Monday - Wednesday - Friday ) on
CBS Radio starting Oct. 4 in the
9 to 9:15 p.m. slot. Ciggie outfit
adds the singer to its other show
On the web, “Gunsmoke.” but
since this is a Monday at 9 stanza,
it will be shifted to 8-8:30 p.m.
Saturday. Chesterfield has been
sponsoring Como’s tri-weekly quar-
ter-hour on CBS-TV for several
years and formerly backed him
in radio on Mutual.

Como’s CBS show will not be the
soundtrack version of his tv’er.
Supporting troupe includes the
Mitchell Ayres orch and the Ray
Charles Chorus, with Joel Aldred
the announcer. Como’s radio-tv pro-
ducer Is Lee Cooley.

4c

Wednesday, August 11,1951

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RADIO-TELEVISION

Wednesday, Aagnit-.il* 1954

Washington, Aug. 10. 4

Congressional hearings should
he open to tv coverage as well as
press and there should he no ban
on sponsorship. This was the posi-
tion taken by the four tv networks
and"" the .National Assn, of Radio
and TV Broadcasters last week be-
fore the Senate Rules subcommit-
tee considering procedure for the
conduct of Senate inquiries.

Television isn’t responsible for
creating a- spectacle of hearings,
for “ham”. actors or for “circus”
atmosphere. The medium only re-
cords what it sees and the public
should have the right to watch
their elected legislators in action,
spokesmen for the industry argued.

“It must be remembered,” CBS
veepee Richard S. Salant testified,
“that the midget sat on J. P. Mor-
gan’s lap (at a Senate inquiry of
the stock market crash during the
Hoover administration) long be-
fore there were any tv cameras
around. To say that microphones
and tv cameras should be barred
because one does not like what
they may show is to play the part
of the queen who destroyed the
mirrors which did not reflect the
queen as the fairest of them all.”

... Seek Sponsorship
Davidson Taylor, NBC director
of public affairs, told the subcom-'
mittee that unless sponsorship of
hearings is permitted the public
will be deprived of first-hand
knowledge of events which might
otherwise be brought to them. The
question of propriety of the adver-
tiser, he said, “can easily be solved
by good judgment and good taste.”
‘NBC, he said, did not receive a
single complaint because it had a
sponsor for the Inauguration.

Robert H. Hinckley* ABC veepee^
contended there is no more reason
to ban sponsorship of Congres-
sional hearings than to stop adver-
tising in newspapers carrying
stories of the proceedings.

As to assertions that tv “hippo
dromed” the McCarthy-Army hear-
ings had impaired the dignity of
the Senate, Hinckley said:

“Now a tv camera and sound
equipment do not have the physic-
car capability for producing any
such miracle. The seismograph
does not cause the earthquake; it
merely records it. No one would
say that live tv coverage made

{Continued on page 41)*

ABC’s 360G Rap

Washington, Aug. 10.

It cost ABC over $360,000
for tv coverage of the Mc-
Carthy - Army hearings, Rob-
ert H. Hinckley, company vee-
pee, told the Senate Rules
subcommittee studying hear-
ing procedures last week. This
amount, he said, was in addi- ;
tion to the loss in advertising
revenue to ABC , and affiliated
stations and to NBC affiliates
which requested coverage.,
ABC’s basic network through-
out the sessions was 56 sta-
tions and reached a maximum
of 79, including 13 NBC affili-.
ates. After sponsorship was
permitted, only 11 ABC affili-
ates obtained sponsors.

CBS veepee Richard Salant
told the subcommittee it
would have cost CBS about
$4,000,000, taking into ac-
count commercial programs it ;
would have had to preempt, to
have given full simultaneous
radio and tv coverage to the
hearings.

FCC ‘Previews’

cBs-m

CBS-TV brings In a new Sat-
urday show for moppets next
month in “Uncle Johnny Coons.
It will be slotted 1;30 to 2, replac-
ing “Golden Reels” on the web’s
N. Y. flagship, WCBS-TV.

“Keels” WiU move to 2:45 as a
quarter-hour stanza. Local segue
will be “An Eye On NeW York,”
half-hour show currently in the
3:30 berth.

Two Shows In particular will be watched this fall for M then*
fls-now picture as result of the switchover of the programs to
new time segments. That the time factor and program adjacencies
loom of great importance on the Nielsen, payoffs has been dem-
onstrated time and again, most conspicuously in recent seasons
when Bums & Allen, after some tough going Thursday nights,
hit the rating jackpot ..with the same, show when they shifted
into the Monday night pre-Godfrey 8 o’clock period. ^

Thus the' moving of “Life With Father” from tfcft predomi-
nantly kid-appeal Sunday at 7 slot which it occupied last season

V'r

In Peak ’54 Biz

Chicago, Aug. 10.
Importance of the o&o opera-
tions in the radio-tv corporate set-
up is underscored by the billings
curve logged the first six months
of the year at NBC’s WNBQ (tv)
and WMAQ (AM). Although per
company policy Chi NBC general
manager Jules Herbuyeaux and
sales director Charles Dresser are
sitting tight on their actual sales
figures, they’ve lifted the curtain
on the bookkeeping department to
reveal that both stations clipped
off new records in the 1954 Janu-
ary, through June period.

WNBQ sales manager Floyde
Beaston and his crew hoisted the
tele stations billings 33.7% above
the 1953 average to a new peak.
Local sales were, tip 47% and na-
tional spot up 24. Top , selling
month was February, with local
sales up 66% and national spot
up 48.

While the tv upsurge follows the
traditional pattern here with each
year better than the last, it’s sig-
nificant that the radio side as rep-
resented by WMAQ likewise has
hit new levels. Sales manager Rudi
Neubauer reports a 13.4% hypo
Washington, Aug. 10. in AM billings over the previous
Edward Lamb 'oroadcaster-pub- half-year. As was the typical post-
lisher, will have to answer charges war mid-tv radio picture, the Chi
by the FCC at hearings scheduled NBC station slumped drastically
to begin Sept. 15 that he “know- during 1950-51, but the upturn

since 1952 has projected the local
and national spot grosses to levels
exceeding even the lush prewar
days. Major factor* besides the
growing awareness of radio for
hometown and spot coverage, has
been the cutback in network pro-
gramming with the resultant in-
crease in t(t time available for local
programming and sales.

from ABC-TV’s “U.S. Steel Hour” in thfe Tuesday 9:30 to 10:30
period, which has been building" steadily. v - ^ *

Practically the reverse holds for the scheduled slotting of ' Bed
Buttons in the Friday night at 8 segment on NBC-TV.; Despite
his previous post-“Lucy” occupancy Monday nights on:CBS-TV,
Buttons has a strong kid draw, and the .earlier 8 o’clock period
is expected to enhance even further his Nielsen standing.’ y 5.

ingly” associated with the Commu-
nist Party, that he contributed

Philadelphia, Aug. 10.

WFIL and WFIL-TV, the Phila-
delphia Inquirer stations, became
the first charter stations in this
area to subscribe to A. C. Nielsen’s
local audience service. Contract for
the Nielsen station index was
signed today (Tues.) by Roger W.
Clipp, general manager of the
WFIL stations, and will be
launched in the Philadelphia area
by November.

Clipp, who has been critical of
wide divergence in present rating
figures, described NSI as the most
comprehensive local study yet at-
tempted on a continuing basis,
combining diary reports and pre-
cision recording equipment, for ap-
praisal of listening-viewing habits.

“This is a rare instance when
WFIL was ready to become a char-
ter customer long before a serv-
ice was available,” Clipp said. “As
long as three years ago we Were
seeking an electronic measurement
system that was economically feas-
ible and immediately practical for
our own market. Nielsen, in our
opinion, has devised such a method
and its details forecast a more
constructive use of audience meas-
urement as a sales tool. On this
basis alone, the NSI might be
termed an industry, milestone.”

One feature of the NSI is the
double-check on audience diary re-
ports (Audilog) through compari-
son with the electronic , recorder
(Audimeter). This proving of
audience ♦ response, it is felt, will
eliminate the discrepancies preva-
lent in non-electronic rating sys-
tems and causing confusion through
the broadcasting industry.

Backed by Kefauver

Washington, Aug. 10.

In an address today (Tues.)
before the National Press
Club, Sen. Estes Kefauver JD.-
Tenn.) expressed confidence
that Toledo, O., publisher-
broadcaster Edward Lamb Will
be cleared of the Commie
charges brought against him
by the FCC, hearings on which
are slated for Sept. 15.

. Kefauver was asked if he’d
comment on the attempt by his
opponent. Rep. Pat Sutton, to
brand him a Commie because
of friendship with Lamb.
Kefauver’s reply was "I have
the . utmost faith in the loyalty
and Americanism of Edward
Lamb.”

TV Hurting

Senate Committes Bares Findings Of Survey
Among 152 Editors

Set A.C. Pageant Staff

ABC-TV eastern program chief

Bob Lewine lias tapped Fred
Heider to produce and Marshall
(Sonny) Diskin to ’direct the web’s'
one-shot pickup of the Atlantic
City “Miss America” Pageant on
Sept. 11 for Philco. John Daly and
Bess Myerson will emcee the ABC
end of the pageant, which is being
staged by Vinton Freedley.

Heider produces the net’s “Voice
of Firestone” and “Martha Wright
Show” for the web; Diskin directs
the Daly and Walter Winchell
tiewscasts.

That Southern Accent
Out of Cairo None Other
Than Fritz Littlejohn

Francis N. (Fritz) Littlejohn jr.,
ABC-TV’s manager of news and
special events, is walking around
with a big smile these days. After
more years in the administrative
end of the newscasting business
than he cares to recall (first with
CBS, then with* ABC), he’s finally
money to it, that he “intellectu- made his first broadcast, and it
ally accepted Communism” and took a trip to Europe .to bring the
that he “consciously adhered to big feat about,
the Party line.” Littlejohn returned this week

In a preview of the hearings is- from a three-week business trip
sued by the Commission last Fri- throughout Europe, happened to
day (6) which were contained in be in Cairo when the news of the
a resume of basic allegations” British - Egyptian agreement on
against Lamb, the agency charged Suez broke. He was tipped to the
that during the years 1944-48 Lamb signing at the American embassy
was considered by the members of that evening (27), then rushed to
the, Lucas County (Toledo), O., the British embassy for confirma-
Communist Party as a soyrce of tion. When he got the details at
funds and that he contributed in the scene of the signing, he put a
response to its solicitations. cable through to John Daly, ABC-

The Commission also , charged TV news and special events veep
(Continued on page 34) in N. Y. and went scrambling about

for a circuit to the states.

Through “some old friends”
Littlejohn got a special circuit that
_ . . . , same evening and did a orie-

On Nnnnt mfi CnniUS minute report for Daly’s tv’-er and
VII nuuilllllic vUlIULd a two-minute job for the radio

Chicago, Aug. 10, net’s 10 p.m. news, Agreement had
Johnnie Coons, whose local been signed at 9:22 that evening
“Noontime Comics” via NBC’s (3:22 p.m. New York time). Little-
WNBQ the past couple of years John did his broadcast from a
trailblazed the middAy moppet Marconi studio in Cairo .at about
clientele, is getting a midwest re- midnight. Broadcast was transmit-
gional exposure, on CBS-TV Satur- ted via Marconi and RCA* and
day noons as of Sept. 4 under taped at ABC in N. Y. at 6 p.m.
Lever Bros, auspices. Saturday (N. Y. time) that same day, in time
half-hour, patterned after the for Daly’s 7:19 tv show,
cross-th e-board local show which Littlejohn’s carrying those tapes
features Coons' clowning and around as if they were gold nug-
vintage film comedy shorts, will be gets, and Daly (who after all is
fed to some dozen midwestern sta- Littlejohn’s immediate superior)
tions. won’t commit himself as to the

Show will bypass Chicago, how- audience reaction caused by the
ever, since Coon’s hometown strip sudden intrusion on his show of a
continues on WNBQ weekdays for broad Southern accent coming out
Jewel Food Stores. of Cairo.

Lever’s Midwest Spread

Washington,. Aug. 10.
Quick ratification of detailed
plans for an all-industry - tv sales
promotion bureau is being sought
by NARTB and T VAB. At a joint
meeting of the two groups held
here late last week specifics were
laid down and a tentative initial
budget of $400,000 for the first
fiscal year was prepared.

. The NARTB’s television board of
directors and the. exec committee
of TVAB are expected to offer the
stamp of approval on the decisions
to come out of the Washington
merger meetings for a sales promo
tion firm. It was 'decided at these
conclaves that okay should come
before Aug. 20 to avoid need for
further meetings in August of the
two ratifying groups. The name
given the proposed organization
Was Television Bureau of Adver-
tising, Inc., or TVB.

Purpose stated for TVB were:
(1) to promote “the broader more
effective use of television as an ad
medium” at local, regional national
spot and network levels: (2) to sell
sponsors on the “productive use of
tele advertising for particular
goods and/or services; (3) to in
form members up to date on sell-
ing techniques and to help with
promotional aides; (4) to serve as
a clearing house on audience info;
(5) “to foster continued progress
and development of television as a
medium of advertising, and (6) to
provide the services “necessary
(Continued on page 37)

Washintgon, Aug. 10.

If tv inflicts any harm on chil-
dren* it’s the parents’ fault, not
the kiddies.

Tliis, in effect, is what the Senate
Juvenile Delinquency Committee
learned from a survey of 152 radio-
tv editors throughout the country

to, find out “the degree of harm,
if any,, that tv crime, horror and
sadism .inflict upon the young-
sters.”

Analysis of partial returns from
he survey, the Committee, an-
nounced' last week, indicate .that
while tv must be programmed* as
a mass medium, “there is a divided
responsibility between; rthe^lndus-
try itself .and parents iht Shielding
impressionable youngsters from
crime and horror programs.”

Some of the editors said they
had no first-hand knowledge that
tv horror programs hurt children.
Others said they had “suspicions”
that such' shows have a “deletri-
otrs” effect on young minds. One
observed that if tv is bad • for im-
pressionable kids it’s also bad for
“weakminded adults. Another
suggested that parents set a ques-
tionable example by ' watching
“phony wrestling matches and mor-
bid, low-level soap operas.”

One editor said tv has “reduced
rather than enlarged” juvenile de-
linquency by keeping kids at home
who used to hang around pool
halls. Another said that if there
“really” is a* juvenile delinquency
problem, it’s his opinion that tv,
radio, theatres, automobiles, etc.,
all contribute to it.

Most of the editors were opposed
to any regulatory reforms of the
tv industry but were severely criti-
cal of the system of “block pro-
gramming.”

Committee Chairman Robert C.
Hendrickson (R-N. J.) said he is
interested in learning, whether edi-
tors believer the networks are mak-
ing every effort 1 to schedule horror
shows after children’s bedtime and
whether such shoWs .“have genuine
entertainment value and if they're
necessary to . the financial tran-
quility of the industry.”

- Tampa Tribune’s V Nod

Tampa, Aug. 10.

FCC has given the nod on VHF
Channel 8 here to the Tribune Co.
of Tampa, publishers of the Tampa
Tribune and owners of WFLA. De-
cision came after a 22-month com
petitive battle for the permit
among the Tribune, the Pinellas
Broadcasting Co., and the Tampa
Bay Area Telecasting Corp.

J. C. Council, president and pub-
lisher of the Tribune, and George
W. Harvey, manager of broadcast-
ing operations, said they expected
the station to be on the air in six
months. It will utilize a 1,000-foo
tower and a 50kw transmitter, they
said. WFLA is an NBC Kadio af-
filiate.

DuM in Big Play

DuMont purportedly is mulling
plans to capture the 7:30-8 p.m.
slot, Mon.-thru-Fri.* from the af-
filiates. Move, as it’s been ex-
plained, would give the web a
chance to skirt the stronger pro-
grams of the rival three networks.
Hence, It would probably mean
more/ station clearances than possi-
ble at present with competition
from, ABC, CBS and NBC.

Use of the 7:30 time would fit
neatly into the current . picture*
First, the web’s key o&o, WABD,
in N. Y., is carrying sustaining
shows in that half-hour. From
7-7:30, the web has “Captain
Video” first and theri “Marge and
Jeff.” While “Video” isn’t yet
fulfilling Ats past job, it has a
sponsor on one of the five nights,
and the succeeding ad-lib situation
comedy is happily situated in some
40 markets, many of them live, on
a co-op basis.

. •««'* J**'*'*

RAMMELEVISIOIV 31

•v

h>

Whether by accident or design, there's a tendency on the part
of the quiz, Shows to stay out of each other’s hair— at least that’s
the way - the 1954*55 schedules shape up. But while the question*
a nd answer sessions, 1 whether of panel completion or otherwise*
are . not slotted against each* oth^r, some of diem 'will be up
against -strong competition, including nearly half a dozen new
shows (Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, hourlong “Lux Video," etc ).

Of (be dozen or so top qiiizzers with sponsor labels attached for
the upCoihing season, ABC-TV is involved in half of ’em, although
Jimmy Nelson’s new “Take My Word” stanza has a “for sale”
sign posted ns it readies to Compete On Monday with no less than
“Burns & Allen” on CBS and Caesar on NBC. Web’s “Break the
Bank” will fight it out on Sundays with Robert Young's “Father
Knows Best" (CBS ) and the Loretta Young Show, ( NBC ) both
vidpixers. Same- night, Columbia’s “What’s My Line” will have
only “Man Against Crime'* to worry 1 ’ about on a network “basis.

On Tuesday, ABC’s,/ “20 Questions" will take the arena against
“Halls of Ivy” vidpix show on < CBS plus the alternating combo of
Milton Berle, Martha Raye and Bob Hope on NBC. Same night,
“Stop the Music” revival on ABC will have as the opposition Ed
Murrow’s “See It Now” (CBS) and. the new film series. “It’s a
Great Life” (NBC).

Wednesday stacks up with “Masquerade Party” (moving over
from CBS) going for ABp versus CBS' “Strike It Rich” and
NBC’s “Kraft TV Theatre.” Half an hour later, it Will be Colum-
bia’s “I’ve Got a Secret” opposed to the second half. of«Kraft.

Thursday’s components pit powerhouse Groucho Marx of NBC
against Ray Millapd’s telefilms on CBS and “Postal Inspector”
series on the ABC side, and later in the evening, the QBS “Name
That Tune” playing for listeners against the tail end of “Lux
Video Theatre” on NBC.

On Friday, ABC inherits (from DuMont) “Dollar a Second*” '
which will be opposed to “Playhouse of Stars” (CBS) and “Big.
Story” (NBC). It’ll be largely CBS versus NBC on Saturday
night, with “Beat the Clock” in a tussle With “Ethel & Albert"

( ABC skeds a Dottie Mack show, not yet sold ) and Herb Shriner’s
“Two For the Money” clinching with Imogene Coca, while ABC
viewers get boxing bouts.

Any questions?

y

By ROBERT J. LANDRY

Musical arrangers, a. breed which
enjoyed a bonanza from about 1932
to 1948 because of* radio’s volume
use of mood, bridge, narrative ana
other special music are suffering
an “Egyptian exile” at the present
time because of television. Tele-
vision drama uses very little spe-
cial arrangement music, “Mr. Peep-
ers” and U, v S. Steel being excep-
tions which stand out. Most other
tv dramatic programs Use canned
melody, stock arrangements, an or-,
gan, or just sound effects.

An American Society of Music
Arrangers was organized earlier in
1954 to seek ultimate labor status
so that arrangers may possibly be
able to enjoy the protection via
re-use fees which union bargaining
has secured for literary craftsmen
and performing talent. Whether in-
side the American Federation of
Musicians, or outside, arrangers
hope somehow to find a payoff pat-
tern. However, it’s not quite clear
what can be accomplished. Special
music for television may have to
wait on a number of technical
changes in studios themselves, the
possible creation of “hidden orch-
estra pits” protected from leakage
(Continued on page 38)

Public Defender" has won it-
f elt , a Philip Morris reprieve, at
east, until the_ end of the year.
tV . i'liour dramatic series Was
«f!u ec L over from its Thursday
j GBS-TV slot ; to do summer

tiili V for .’ 1 Love Lucy” Monday
S r 3t and when “Lucy” re-
£ ? r tke new fall season “De-
beilh 1 returns t0 lts Thursday

Bi2 C o ff dggie company, .via the
"Tpih 3 ? 6 ^’ has been testing its
series in the Thurs-
tho at P^iod this summer, with
ciLn gency . makin £ the final de-
J* s „ to whether “Clue" or

session de f\u^ kes Permanent pos-
fenS.° £ the Thursday time. “De-

Dee re ™? al tafces - W up to

venino 1 ' Clue” in the inter-
mav'fL Weeks shows .progress it
ageh C y ke dVe * nekt year * says the

Rolf Vice H.V.

Rolf Kaltenborn will pinchhit for
his father, H. V. Kaltenborn, on
“It Seems Like Yesterday,” for
a today (Wed.) on WNBT, N. "Y.
anchor of NBC-TV. His guests will
be Herald Tribune radio-tv pundit
John 'Crosby and Judge Samuel
Liebowitz.

Tbis will be Rolf’s first tv chore
as stand-in for his who’s currently
on a global jaunt. The son has been
subbing for HVK On NBC Radio,
also -a first.

In Chi Overhaul

Chicago, Aug. 10.

In a fnajor overhaul of its day-
time ‘ programming lineup, ABC’s
WBKB is. going all-out thjs fall
for the housewife and moppet au-
dience. It’s a stemrto-stern re-
alignment tailored strictly to the
homemaker service and baby sitter
formats with a generous leavening
of straight entertainment . shows
scattered throughout the day.

Although his thinking appears
to be in some variance with his
network superiors who are plan-
ning ‘ a couple of morning soap
operas, WBKB veep Sterling (Red)
Quinlan is making no bones about
the fact that he’s shooting for
what he calls “the thinking women
of Chicago” whom he feels don’t
buy the daytimer detergent
dramas, misery shows, and
quizzers. It’s his thinking that
(the network daytimers of this cate-
gory, designed as they are for mass
Cross-country appeal, bypass a siz-
eable clientele in a given market
that can be won over by hep local
programming.

After much trial and error the
past year, Quinlan has built up
the biggest stable of tele perform-
ers in town on the theory a format
is only as strong as its host and
that it takes a well-known per-
sonality t 9 give that personalized
(Continued on page 38)

I ML LLflU l Lu I

By LEONARD TRAUBE

There’s no guessing game about
the quiz shows. Qualitative consid-
erations aside and strictly from a
jack-in-the-boxoffice view, the qiies-
tion-and-answer sessions are about
as strong as they ever were in tele-
vision and, sponsorwise, on the
rise. In a way, the quizzers and
panel packages represent a neat
tv switch on radio history. Back
jn the ’30s and early ’40s, one al-
most sure way to get a fast rating
with a low budgeter was slotting
a mysterioso or high actioner. To-
day, video’s answer is the quizzer-
diller since the best of them don’t
run much higher on the produc-
tion-talent tab than about $12,000,
to a low. in the 5G class. Measur-
ing their Nielsens against their
budgets, the cost-per-thousand is
about as big a lure for sponsors as
there exists in all of video.

GOodson & Todman’s “What’s
My Line,” for instance, is running
around $5.35 average cost .per
thousand homes reached and a
number of other quiz kiatches are
in similarly cushy positions. Of
parallel . importance is sponsor
identification, achieved largely by
the fact that the product is always
before viewers as part of the trap-
pings. The SI on “Line” has run
as high as 83.6% in- Trendex figur-
inging, with “I’ve Got a Secret”
and “Name’s the Same” (both in
the Goodson-Todman stable) run-
ning respective (and respectable)
scores of 74,2% and 68%.. Consid-
ering that most o'f the dramatic
entries, for instance, list sponsor
names in their titles, the sharp
contrast on bankroller pinpointing
between these two divisions of pro-
gramming is something of a head-
ache for ad agencies vis-a-vis their
hell-bent-for-identification clients.

Daddy of ’Em All Back

That the quiz is not merely a
whim or stopgap is reflected in at
least two instances for the upcom-
ing season. “Name’s the Same” gets
its walking papers from ABC-TV
(and is still unplaced for ’54-’55),
but replacing.it on the web will be
that guessing gargantua of yore,
“Stop the Music.” Likewise, “Place
the Face” will be ousted from the
CBS Thursday spot with “Name
That Tune” going in for Carter,
the same sponsor, “Tune,” inci-
dentally, is one of three or four
moveovers from web to web since
NBC pushed it out of Monday
(along with “Voice of Firestone”)
to make way for the new Sid
Caesar show. And going along with
the time is Bill Cullen as the
emcee.

Among other switchovers are the
Jan Murray-starred “Dollar a Sec-
ond,” which started on DuMont, is
now doing summer duty on NBC
and breaks out on ABC next sea-
son as a Friday at 9 entry;, and
“Masquerade Party,’* - regular sum-
mer pinchhitter for the departed

( Continued on page 38 )

‘MATCH YOUR MATE’
PREPPED BY DUMONT

Latest in the recent string of
DuMont network exposures con-
taining comic Ernie Kovacs will be
another panel show, “Match Your
Mate.” It’s to be kinescoped to-
day (Wed.) for a pitch to the agen-
cies. There will be two other
regulars probably chosen from
among Neva Patterson, Lilo or Uta
Hagen.

When Kovacs signed for an hour-
long late nighttime stanza strictly
via WABD, DuMont N. Y. flagship,
he had a verbal understanding
with the network that he'd be
called in for network .casings.
Prior to “Mate,” and all within
the last month, h» was signed On
first for a panel seat on “One
Minute Please” opposite Hermione
Gingold and others, ^ Last week
he took oyer as emcee on “Gam-
ble on. Love,” which actress Denise
Darcel fled after critical panning.

Radio’s ‘When & If Biz

Chicago, Aug. 10.

Even the weatherman is
getting into the act in radio's
flexible regearing to meet the
needs of specialized adver-
tisers. NBC’s WMAQ sold a
“floating schedule” of 20-sec-
ond spots to the Lemon Prod-
ucts Advisory Board wilh the
proviso the “cool drink”
blurbs are to be used only
when the temperature tops 85
degrees.

Station also has been ap-
proached by a rain apparel
distrib interested in a spot
package for rainy day use.

ABC Radio, falling in line with
the recent reduction in nighttime
rates by CBS and NBC, will insti-
tute a new rate card on Oct 1
utilizing a single gross rate for
morning, afternoon and evening.
Three periods will employ differ-
ent maximum discounts, however.

with the overall effect being a re-
duction in nighttime rates by some
20%, equalling the cuts at tlic*
other nets. ~

Web expects some affiliate
squawks, of course, and some have
already been registered, but it’s
sure the affiliates will face up to
the economic facts of life — namely
that the slash is necessary to keep
ABC in the market. It can’t very
well afford to maintain higher
rates than CBS or NBC, and the
affiliates are very well aware of
the fact.

Basically, the new rate structure
brings a single gross rate— $16,400
per hour, day and night— ea bear,
instead of the present gross night-
time rate of $30,000. However, the
maximum nighttime discount of
6214% is being lowered to 45%.
So instead of a client paying $11,-
400 for a nighttime hour (if he’s
got the maximum, discount of
62V2%), he’ll pay $9,020 (with
45% being applied against the
$11,400 gross). Maximum discount
applies to gross business of $1,-
500,000 or more and to 52-week
contractees.

At the same time, howe'ver, the
web is maintaining its horizontal
contiguity feature for nighttime
segments. This means that a client
buying a five-a-week quarter-hour
strip pays at the rate of 25% of
the hour rate fo reach quarterhour
instead of 40%. Horizontal con-
tiguity. in the morning and after-
noon won’t be retained, which in
effect makes the daytime a more
expensive buy. Maximum discount
for morning time will be 42%;
maximum discount in the after-
noons will be 53%. Vertical con-
tiguity feature of the present rate
cai^d, of course, will, be retained.

Crenesse to France

For Liberation Ann!

Pierre Crenesse, U. S'. Corre-
spondent for the Parisien Libere in
Paris, who’s appeared on WNBT’s
(N. Y.) “Through Other Eyes,” has
returned to France to cover the
Aug. 26 celebration of the libera-
tion of the French capital in
World War II.

It was Crenesse who first aired
news of the liberation in 1944 by
the Allies. He’s recording an on-
the-spot radio program to be used
by sister station WNBC in Gotham
on the 26th.

It's pretty much of a moot point
whether the Broadway-bound mu-
sical version of "Peter Pan," now
current in San Francisco, with
Mary Martin as the star, will wind
up on Leland Hayward’s NBC-TV
spectacular roster during the ’54-
'55 season. It’s down on the NBC
books as one of the early Hayward
entries as. Miss Martin’s initial
“spec” for the network.

Apparently there’s a difference
of opinion between producer Hay-
ward and Miss Martin as to the
advisability of exposing the mu-
sical to tv audiences — at least dur-
ing its initial weeks on Broadway.
Hayward, it’s reported, feels that
early video exposure would dis-
sipate “Peter Pan’s” boxoffice val- '
uCs as a legiter. On the other hand,
Miss Martin takes the opposite
view — that a 90-minute tv adapta-
tion could only enhance its b.o.
chances -on Broadway. And that’s
where the matter now stands.

Meanwhile, Hayward’s illness on
the Coast continues to raise specu-
lation' as to just how active he’ll
be in the tv "spec” sweepstakes
this fall. The network is going
ahead with its plans as scheduled,
since Hayward has already blue-
printed the first two “specs,” with
Richard Whorf all set to assume
reins as producer.

It looks like a tossup between
Ed Wynn and Jack Carson for the
every-fourth-week slotting in the
Friday night at 8 slot on NBC-TV
this fall, with Carson in the lead
alid likely candidate. Decision
will probably be forthcoming this
week.

Friday at 8 is the Pontile time,
with Red Buttons sighed as the
half-hour regular comic. How-
ever, Buttons negotiated for a
three-weeks-out-of-four . exposure,
with another personality to go in
once a month for Pontiac. It’ll
be accomplished via a continuity
that will retain the Buttons iden-
tity every week.

NBC-TV ‘COMMENT’

GETS SUN. AFT. SLOT

Although the Monday night 8:30
“Comment” show on NBC-TV has
gone off, after terminating an
eight-week summer run, the pro-
gram is due for a permanent slot-
ting on the web. - It moves into the
Sunday afternoon 3 to 3:30 period
(occupied last season by the Ford
Foundation-produced “Excursion”)
starting Aug. 29.

“Comment" bowed out of the
Monday slot to make way for a
test run of the web’s news-in-depth
“Background” show. After five
weeks it must vacate the period
for the preem of the new Sid Cae-
sar 8 to 9 show.

Geritol-Serutan Again
Sponsors ‘80’ on DuMont

“Life Begins at 80” returns to
DuMont Friday night, beginning
Sept. 24. Return of the pander
for Geritol-Serutan preempts the
summer replacement for the same
sponsor, “The Stranger.”

Return of “80” at 9 p.m. Fridays
■makes it the fourth year via Du-
Mont for the Barry-Enright-Friend-
ly package. An increase from its
past 25 video market to some-
where around 40 is expected, Ed
Kletter agency, handling the
Geritol-Serutan sponsorship, fig-
ures that the half-hour stanza has
been offering an attractive cost-
per-thousand impact and “it’s sell-
ing the older audience,” Show
will emanate from DuMont’s Ami
, bassador Theatre, N. Y.

v.v.v

\ .

Par be it from NBC to tempt the citizenry* to desert its dinner. But the
truth is . . . the great new NBC-TV Monday night lineup is about
to becoine America's favorite dish. It's so alluring ... folks, are apt to

scurry from table to television half-fed !

MONDAY... GREAT DAY IN THE EVENING I

Starting with the popular Tony Martin Show at 7: 30 (The Gillette Co.;
The Toni Co. Division) . . . the high-rated Cdmel News Caravan with_ John
Cameron Swayze at 7:45 (R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.) . . . and then , . .

favorite Monday night dish

PREMIERE I THE SID CAESAR SHOW

8 : 00 - 9 : 00 . The Colossus of the history-making “Show of Shows," now on his
own in a mad and marvelous program complete with Carl Reiner, Howard
Morris and guests. Sponsors: American Chicle Co., Radio Corporation
of America, Speidel Corp. Three Mondays a month, Begins September 27.

9 : 00 - 9 : 30 . The American Medical Association calls it “dramatic,
informative, authentic." A taut, moving series of medical stories,
authorized by the Los Angeles County Medical Association.
Sponsor: The Dow Chemical Co. Begins September 13.

ROBERT MONTGOMERY PRESENTS

‘xj*

9 : 30 - 10 : 30 . Now in its fifth great year.
The first July Nielsen Report shows it

as the sixth highest-rated show in all

*■

television. Averaged a 31.7 Nielsen between
September *53 and May ’54. Sponsors: American
Tobacco Co. and S. C. Johnson & Son.

PREMIERE I ISLAND HAYWARD

PRESENTS 8 : 00 - 9:30 . . . every fourth Monday, beginning
October IS. The ne plus ultra in Entertainment. Live super-shows in
Color, with the great Greats of show business! Sponsors: Ford Motor Co.;

Radio Corporation of America.

And so it goes, on into the night . . . into "TONIGHT," the new NBC variety show

starring Steve Allen. Five nights a week (11 :30 PM-1 AM*). Begins September 27.

$

Small wonder that Monday Night on NBC-TV will be America's favorite

dish this Fall! And the same thing goes for every night

ADVERTISERS: Obviously the best place to sell your product, is where

the viewers come and stay. NBC-TV.

*11 PM-12 Midnight C.S.T.
All times are New York Time.

TELEVISIO

a service of the Radio Corporation of America '

34

TELEVISION REVIEWS

Wednesday, Avgvsi XI, 1954

SO YOU WANT TO LEAD A

BAND? v #

With Sammy Kaye Orch, quests
Producer-director: Jim Llchtman
Writer; Jack Raymond
30 Mins.* Thiirg., 9 p.m.

BRILLO

ABC-TV, from New York

(J. Walter Thompson)

Sammy Kaye has developed his
"So You Want To Lead A Band?"
gimmick into a peripatetic tv-ev.
In 1951, CBS-TV had it for Lister-
ine and last year NBC-TV show-
cased it as a summer series for
Philip Morris. Now it’s on ABC-
TV for Brillo. Although the spon-
sors and the nets have changed
through the years, Kaye has
stuck to the original format. It
works for him in ballrooms and
theatres and since it's given him
tv work during the summer
months, he. hasn't bothered to
alter the hokey concept of tyro
batoneers directing his orch.

On the opening show Thursday
(5), Kaye's four guest conductors
were kids whose age average was 12
years. The youngsters led the orch
through a series of standard melo-
dies competing for the big prize
on applause meter results.. There
may be something cute’ about
watching a novice maestro on the
podium but the music that ema-
nates is not easy on the ears.
Before each guest maestro took
the stand, Kaye worked 'em
through a question & answer bit.
about “how old are you?’’ "where
do you come from?” “are your
parents with you?’’ “do you have
a boy or girl friend? etc. It was
all pretty dull stuff.

To change the rhythm of the
batOneering contest, Kaye brought
on guest thrush Betty Clooney..
She , was only so-so oh her treat-
ment of “A Good Man Is Hard To
Find.” Kayels orch only had time
to fit in workovers of “Friends and'
Neighbors” and “Heart of My
Heart.’’ It unlade for okay listening.

Gros.

The “Miracle Mile" that Roger
Bannister, and John .Landy both
ran in under four minutes jSatur?
day (7) at the British Empire
Games in Vancouver made for
some highly dramatic televiewing,
even if the trappings with which
NBC-TV surrounded it in New
York didn’t, Web’s full-hour com-
bination of a remote pickup from
the CBC-TV coverage and a studio
commentary by Ben Grauer and a
panel of track experts had its mo-
ments of dullness and certainly of
confusion, but the fact that the net-
work had an exclusive oh the race,
that it gave the country a chance to
see it happening, more than com-
pensated for the production trou-
bles it encountered.

Web’s sports department rates a

THEY’RE OFF AT SARATOGA
With Fred Caposella, others
15 Mins.; Mon., Tues., Wed. & Ff-i.,

7pun.

FITZGERALD BREWING CO.
WRGB-TV, Schenectady

(George R. Nelson, Inc)

They’re Off at Saratoga’’ was
running smoothly at the end . of the
first week’s telecasting, under the
authoritative guidance of Fred
Caposella, official announcer at
the Spa and other New York State
tracks. Most of the minor flaws
had been corrected, in a program
consisting of official films on four
races, recapping, interviewing (on
Tuesday bloek, of 30 -minute
length) and advertising, Caposella
adds a brief studio rundown to his
recorded narration as heard on the
course p.a. system. The pictures,
unusually clear, in the exciting
finishes, included a dead heat the
first day; Arthur Godfrey’s Lord
Willin’ coming in seventh, after a
strong start, in aneight-thorough-
bred event, and his Fraulein’s
fadeout. after a fine start, in anil-
horse dash.

Caposella, with Dr. James Cat
lett, chief veterinarian, and Jerry

deep bow on having the foresight I Landy looked; over the wrong

and the initiative to„ program the
race in the first place: Track isn’t
exactly one of America’^ great
spectator sports, and despite the
big billing 61 the event as the so-
called “race of the century,” there
was a widespread belief • that it
might be a dud. Of course it wasn’t,
and the sports department and the
network brass that ordered pre-
emption of an hour of commercial
time can rest on their laurels.

For the New York production
staff, headed by Warren Jacober,
however, it was a thankless task.
Web was using the CBS remote,
with Grauer and miler Wes Santee,
NY. Herald Tribune reporter
Jesse Abramson and U.S. Olympic
secretary Asa BUshnell in the stu-
dio for background; and commen-
tary. This switching setup is what
caused all the confusion. and a good
deal of bad judgment*. Program
was scheduled for an hour because
there was no definite time assigned
by the Games’ officials for the race
itself, the ceremony involving the
Duke of Edinburgh and the award-
ing of the prizes.

Also web preferred to take its
Chances with the studio setup as
opposed to using the remote en-
tirely, since there are a lot of slow
spots in a track meet. Web might
have been better off taking thfe re-
mote for the full hour. However,
it made its choice and was stuck
with it — stuck because the Duke
didn’t make his ceremony as sched-

uled, because the presentation of
the awards didn’t come off until
after the hour had elapsed, and be-
cause not only did the -web have,,
to supply a string of chain breaks
that occurred at the .most inappro-
priate .moments but it also had to
fill in the commercial segments, on-
the Canadian web, Result was a
mish-mash in what' some of the
dramatic post-race coverage was
lost and some high confusion on
when CBC should come in and.
when N.Y. Should stay on.

Nonetheless, the show’s the
thing and the race in this case Was
Worth all the trouble. CBC-TV’s
coverage of the meet was superb-
lots of cameras at strategic: points
caught every second of the 3:58.8,
including that split second when

shoulder and found Bannister, in
front of him with less than 120
yards to go. Announcing of the
event was also firstrate, with Steve
Douglas (an ex-NBC Washington
newsman and sportscaster) han-
dling both the race and the color
with authority and accuracy. Inci-
dentally, NBC, which was plugging
the technical setup and the fact
that it’s the first sports event to
come out of Canada, missed some-
thing in not even mentioning
Douglas’ name, let -alone the. fact
that he’s an ex-NBC’er. Chan.

'■On the Carousel” continues to
spin itself into the better strata
of educational-entertainnient video
fare in its Saturday morning hour
slotting on WCBS-TV, N. Y., with
Paul Tripp both as producer and
general factotum of the series~still
the major sparkplug. The show re-
mains a qualitative, refreshing en-
try for a variety of reasons; while
basically . the . format structure is
characterized by simplicity, “Car-
ousel" is enhanced by some neat
production values. There is always
an -element of unpredictability as
Tripp skippers “Carousel" through
unexpected excursions Of kid (and
adult) slanted enlightenment and
fun.

Last Saturday’s (7) program high-
lighted a group of girls from the
N. Y. Board of Education-sponsored
Vacation Playground in gome in-
teresting samples of their own

Television Chatter

choreography plus art and craft
exhibits, chitchat with the auto
museum “curator" Henry Austin
Clark and Joe Tracy, who back in
1906 retired as an auto racer after
winning the Vanderbilt Cup Race
at a 50-mile an hour clip; marble
champs from Brooklyn and Queens;
a magico who themed his tricks to
health-safety slogans, and some in-
teresting moments with talking-
whistling birds ranging from 10-
inch tailed finches to South Ameri-
can toucuns with their amazing
schnozzes. Rose.

WCBS-TV, the New York arm of
CBS, offered “The Ballad of John
Brown" on Saturday (7) to give the
summer session of “Camera Three’’
one of its more powerful programs
in the State Education Dept, series
produced by Robert Herridge and
directed by Frank Moriarty, to the
moderation of James Macandrew.
Royal Dano in the name role led a
quintet that rendered a moving,
impassioned reading to the 45-min-
ute tract built around the great
pre-Civil War struggle , to abolish
slavery with the abortive raid on
Harper’s Ferry as the key incident
in the text. It was a scholarly, im-
aginative approach to drama-by-
reading, with a tremendous lift
furnished by the cameras as they
moved from the protagonist to his
family, friends, et al. The other
actors, all with skilled portrayals,
Were Jean Stapleton, Michael Kane,
Gerald Sarracini and Thomas
Scott, the latter as balladeering
guitarist punctuating the “action.’

With this and its previous clicks,
there’s hardly . any question that
“Camera Three" ranks with the
topmost in public service program-
ming, network or local, to the
credit of public affairs chief Clancy
Worden and WCBS-TV cohorts.

Trau.

New York

Whatever happened to the Good-
son & Todman “profile" long over-
due in the New Yorker mag? Bill
Davidson ' doing the “tv rating
story" for Collier’s. . Bobby Sher-
wood into “Masquerade Party"
this week with likelihood of be-
coming permanent panelist suc-
ceeding, Jack Paar. Latter stepped
out to do CBS-TV- “Morning Show/

Burke, a patrol judge, conducted [ Hubbell Robinson, CBS-TV pro-
an interesting, if sometimes un- . °hv e f« P u ll* n S his vacation
even, exchange about the steps’ 0 ® 1° October to get the new fall

taken to assure safe, honest racing.
He teamed on two shots with Bob
Cragin for a. midway commercial;
worked solo the last night caught
and did quite well, even ‘ with a
sudser. Jaco.

WOR Staff Shifts

WOR and WOR-TV, the N. Y.
stations belonging to General Tele-
radio, " have had a realignment
among the research, advertising
and public relations execs. Chief
promotion came when. Bob Hoff-
man was upped from boss of re-
search to director of planning and
development. Actually, everyone
in the departments concerned re-
ports to him now.

Bob Sullivan stays as manager
of advertising and promotion. Dick
Jackson, with the station under a
year, jumps from trade editor to
topper. Of publicity for the two sta-
tions, and along with him Mary
Jane MacDougall, also relatively
ne\,y at the operation, becomes press
editor after general flacker duties.
Appointments were made by Gor-
don Gray, topper at the combined
operations,

H. K. CARPENTER RESIGNS

Cleveland, Aug. id.

H. K. Carpenter has announced
his resignation as V.P. of the Uni-
ted Broadcasting Co., a position he
has held since 1934. Health is rea-
son given by the radio veteran who
has directed activities at WHK for
20 years.

He first broke into broadcasting
29 years ago and had managed
WEAR.

season off the ground

Legit-tv actor Jay Barney wound
up featured role in “Battles Taxi"
pic on the Coast and planed into
town Monday (9) to go on two
weeks of active duty as a lieutenant
colonel in the Signal Corps. . . .
Singers Betsy Holland and Joan
Gilbert of Katydids group returned
from four months in Europe visit-
ing telecenters in London, Paris,.
Rome and Madrid. They guested in
Rome on “Arrivals and Departures"
teleshow. . . John Pavelko cast for
NBC-TV “Playhouse” Sunday (15)

. . . Edythe Meserand, ex-asst. news
and special features director of
WOR and WOR-TV, subbing for
commentator Martha Brooks on
WGY, Schenectady, starting next
Monday (16). . . . Alan O’Neal, of
CBS production dept, on “Strike It
Rich," becomes a first-time father
in October.

ABC prexy Robert Kintner off
for a month’s hiatus in Europe. . . .
Lise Malkin added to the tv media
and research staff of Charles
Schlaifer & Co. , . . Jimmy Yohan
on two-day location in Philadelphia
for a telepix documentary. . / .
Moppet Adele Newton had a fea-
tured role in last night’s (Tues.)
“Suspense,” while another juve,
Ginger Brooks, is set for next
Tuesday’s (17) “World pf Mr.
Sweeney’’* ,. . \ ABC-TV eastern
program chief Bob Lewine vaca-
tioning, then takes off for the Coast
next week to view the first “Dis-
neyland" rushes and o.o. other of
the web’s telefilm output. . . / Joyce
Ash, young British actress, makes
her American teledebut tomorrow
iThurs/) on Kraft Theatre. Felix
Deebank also set for same show,
“The Bishop Misbehaves/’

Bob Blake, NBC o&o publicity
chief, off on a two-week vacation

to his upstate N.Y. farm. . .Singers
Eydie Gorme and -Steve Lawrence
aqua-skiing at the Steve Allens’
(Jayne Meadows) summer place In
Bayshore . . . Alfred Hopson cast
for the Charles ‘Buggies “World of
Mr. Sweeney" tonight (Wed) on
NBC-TV . . . WNBT producer Selig
Aibon entered pipe smoking con-
test at Weymouth (Mass.) Fair Aug.
15. . . Frank Shakespeare Jr., gen-
eral sales mgr, of WCBS-TV, has
set Oct. 9 as his wedding date . . .
George Skinner will double over
from his WCBS-TV morning pro-
gram to bat for Bill Leonard on
feature section of “6 O’clock Re-
port” during Leonard’s two-week
sojourn starting Aug. 16.

Perry Bascom to WOR-TV as ac-
count exec . . . Al Kelly, doubletalk-
er; made his first video panel ap-
pearance last night (Tues.) via Du-
Mont and “One Minute, Please” . . .
Joel Cohen, ex-flacker and news
scribbler, back after a job for mili-
tary intelligence. . .Fairmont Froz-
en Foods as participator in WPIX
Bob Kennedy stanza. . .Dave Lowe,
news and special events chief for
DuMont, responsible for a news
beat last Thursday (5). Was on
hand when a cop downed a thief
in. Manhattan, and exactly 12 min-
utes later tele station was on with
a full report . .Keith Culverhouse
upped to director of advertising
arid promotion from WPIX boss of
sales presentations.

Chris Schenkel, already handling
fights for DuMont, into a goodly
share of the web’s pro footballers
as play-by-play.

Henry Kaplan, who directed
“The Desdemona Murder Case" on
the “U. S. Steel Hour" on ABC-TV
last night (Tues.), has been staging
General Motors’ 90-minute dra*:
matic series for the Canadian
B’casting Corp.. during the last 18
months, in addition to other CBS
programs plus “Carousel" for the
St. Louis Light Opera Co. this
summer . . . What with her best-
selling autobiog and ballyhoo on
her comeback trail, Lillian Roth
figures to lure lotsa lookers this
Saturday (14) on the Dorsey Bros.
CBS-TV “Stage Show" . . /WCBS-
TV’S Stan Sawyer will appear in
his role of Capt. Jet (“Space Fun-
nies") at Palisades Amus. Park
(Continued on page 38)

Ed Sullivan, who was originally
slated to give, way to Victor Borge
as the first of a series of guest
emcees while on a summer layoff,
delayed his vacation for a week,
and consequently carried on for
Sunday’s (8) show on CBS-TV. Pro-
gram had its moments, a lot of
them, and might have conceivably
had mofe with a bit more judicious
editing and distribution of time.
Cutting on the first two acts would
have given more time to the per-
formers who e$irie on later and
might have given the effect of bet-
ter pacing.'

The Chari ivels, one of the more
accomplished and versatile trios
around, took up an undue amount
of time. They performed a major
portion of their regular nitery turn
and still . managed to maintain
interest. Their dance, aero and in
strumental work showed up well,
but for video’s purposes- they could
have gotten thq same effect in less
time.

Mary Small, backed by her hus-
band. Xic Mizzy, at the piano, sang
a batch of her hubby’s composi-
tions. In the context of the present'
time, the numbers . seemed out
dated, especially her finale, a war-
time number, “I Had a Little Talk
with the Lord." Again, for the
best interests of the show, less
time would have been in order.

Jack Whiting and Audrey Mead
ows combined for a graceful and
pleasant “I Still Get Jealous" with
softshoe accomps in the musical
comedy tradition. It was a simple
and charming bit that went over
well.

Jimmy Edmundson (Prof. Back
wards) had a . corny but effective
bit with his backward writing. Paul
Sydfcll & Smoothy were another
entertaining turn. His work with
the pooches was cute and applause
winning. Another brief turn was
Nicky Reed Davis, a paddle-ball
expert, who can do amazing things
with': the toy. Stan Fishery turn
was split up in two parts. He har-
monica’d “Jungle Fantasy" and
came back for “Roumanian Rhap-
sody" for good results. Jose.

“Man in the Middle of the
Ocean," adopted by Tad Mosel
from a New Yorker story by Dan-
iel Fuchs, was the intriguing title
of the excellent play presented
Sunday (8) on “Philco TV Play-
house” over NBC-TV. It was an
hour enjoyable both for the quality
ol the script, the intelligence of
its dialog and the roster of top-
notch performances that brought
this simple story to life in vivid
and completely believable fashion,

Produced by David Susskind, the
yarn had rare simplicity and emo-
tional appeal. It was geared to
everyman’s taste, without any sac-
rifice in quality, and carried with
it a rare degree of audience identi
fication.

Story was about a middle-aged
f 0U Ple who have grown apart in
the drab and humdrum ways of

AXEL AND HIS DOG ■

With Clellam Card, Don Stolz
Producer-director; Harry Jones
Writer; Card
30 Mins.: Thurs., 5 p.m.
Participating,

WCCO, Minneapolis.

Moppets should get a. £ick out
of this show which departs from
the usual* .pattern somewhat by
having dialectician Clelian Card,
the station's top risibility stirrer,
helping to work op youngsters’
funnybones.

Card engages in his comicalities
in the amusing role Qf Axel, a
Scandinavian treetop dweller, who
speaks in troken English and holds
conversations with his" make-be-
lieve Towser, portrayed by a veter-
an actor, Don Stolz. He ! also
comments humorously on the car-
toon comedy films as they unspool
and lets loose jokes and riddles
likely to please the kiddies.

The “dog" gesticulates with his
paw, the only part of him that’s
visible, whimpers and barks and
otherwise, lends laugh support to
Axel. The latter’s shenanigans and
running fire of small talk pave the
way for conventional children's
show tv cartoon film fare. From his
treetop home Axel looks through
his magic telescope to see the
animals- disporting in the movies
and adds his observations.

It’s okay small fry stuff and rates
bow for an original idea well

carried out.

Rees.

Lamb

Continued from page 30

that reports were made at meet-
ings of the State Committee of the
Party that Lamb had made visits
to the State Chairman arid made
contributions to him. In 1948,
agency further charged. Lamb con-
tributed to the Party’s o-called
“Defense Fund."

Despite Lamb's sworn testi-
mony, the Commission further
charged that during the years
1944-48 Lamb, was “subject to
Communist Party discipline and,
for a time during the period 1947-
48, the acting chairman of the
Lucas County ‘Communist Party
organizations was under official in-
struction to contact Edward Lamb,
among others, in the event the
Party required his assistance."

The Commission further
charged that, ‘ despite Lamb’s
sworn testimony, he was one of
the speakers at a Communist dedi-
cation of a new political headquar-
ters and that he pledged and con-
tributed money to its support.

Agency will also introduce into
evidence at the hearings writings
of Lamb, including his book, “The
Planned Economy in Soviet Rus-
sia.” It will also hold Lamb to ac-
count for testimony he made before
Federal Courts and the U. S. Sen-
ate and for statements in newspa--
per advertisements that he was
never a Communist.

The resume was issued in re-
sponse to Lamb’s request for a bill
of particulars, of the charges
against him. The Commission re-
fused to disclose the names of wit-
nesses who will testify, despite
continued demands 'by Lamb and
pressure by the Senate Interstate
Commerce Committee.

Whether the hearings "will go
ahead on Sept. 15 is still not cer-
tain. Lamb’s counsel, McGrath &
Brown, feel that the resume of-
fered by the Commission is a far
cry from the bill of particulars
they contend they are entitled to.

"Unless we have more informa-
tion than is contained in the basic
allegatioris,” a member of the firm
told VarietV, “we don’t know
what to refute. We feel it is ab-
solutely necessary to know the
names of the witnesses who will
testify."

daily living. Each in their own way
have given up hope for a belter
life — the man accepting it, Hie
woman rebelling — when he is
tempted by graft. By this time
they’ve forgotten how to talk to
one another and each must work
out their own problem.

Larry Gates was outstanding in
his part as the husband grasping
for support. Perry Wilson drew a
vivid and intelligent portrayal as
the wife and mother. Hers was the
meatiest part and she exploited
every ounce of its potential wUJJ
a moving performance that was full
, of frustration and irritation. James
r Gregory shaped his role into the
I strongest possible support and reg-
istered solidly as usual. David
j-Oj^atoshu- is -a sensitive actor who
never lets the play do'WP-' Kevin
Coughlin was good as the boy. Di-
rection by Delbert Mann did fun
justice to Mosel’s fine play.

»

Wednesdayi Angnat 11, 1954

Ptisansfr

Your Lucky Strike Hit Parade says:

*

PH

//

while

A nd p re s e n ts a s p ec i a I su m mer se rvi c e

During its 12 -week
hiatus Your Hit Parade
will list in this space
the seven top tunes from
Your Hit Parade Survey

Here are your Lucky 7 tunes that
you would have heard last Saturday
night, as determined by Your Hit
Parade Survey, which checks the
best sellers in sheet music and
phonograph records, the songs most
heard on the air and most played
on the automatic coin machines.

few*

v ' W- * S 'S. S "■ , ... '

1.^

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V

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v^. . .o. : •• • SF.

$ X >♦ *

;J- *N

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bow

I

'ft

1. Three Coins in the Fountain

*

2. Hernando’s Hideaway

m

3. little Things Mean a Lot

4. The Little Shoemaker

5. Hey, There

6. Sh-Boom

7. 1 Understand Just
How You Feel

SS

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BE
HAPPy
GO
LOCK/

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“PRIVATE SECRETARY”$.a».no ANN SOTHERN NBC Television Network

36

RAMO-TELEVISIOX

V^neiday^ Aagust ll,- 1954.

From the

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IN NEW YORK

Hilda Simms into daily format for WOV. To femcee “Ladies Day,”
8:30 ayemer . . . Fred Grunfeld, Mutual “Musical Almanac” and NBC’s
“Collector’s Item” gabber, struck down by a horse last week. Recover-
ing nicely . . . United Cerebral Palsy’s fifih anni on Aug. 12 . . .
Evelyn Robinson, sister of Ray and jock for WOV, to Europe on six-
week hiatus . . . Sholom Rubenstein, producer of WMGM’s “AmeriCan-
Jewish Caravan of Stars.” motoring cross-country , . . Bertram Lebhar-|
Jr., WMGM boss, in the American Contract Bridge League National
Tournaments last week ... The Associated Blind underwriting a series
of Wednesday night stanzas on WEVD, three of them, to be done by
coloratura Rosina Diaz . . . Larry Schwab Jr. as exec producer for
Bernard L. Schubert. His first show to be Mutual’s “The Falcon” . . .
Art Fleming subbing for Jack Gregson this month on the 'latter’s
morning deejay segment on WABC . . . Richard M. Stone left his
account exec post at Audio-Video Recording to join the station rep
firm of Avery-Knodel in a similar capacity . , . Lots of vacation-subbing
on the ABC news staff, with John MacVane taking over for John W.
Vandercaok for three weeks and George Hamilton Combs and John
Edwards pinchhitting for Martin AgronskVi also for three weeks ...
Gladys Tumber of ABC Radio Research and Jay Leon Schiller of the
web’s television research department crossed wires and got engaged.

Arthur Austin leaving for Evanston, 111;, to handle radio-tv and news-
reel coverage of World Council of Churches Assembly, Aug. 15-31,
with President Eisenhower speaking on the 19th. Jane Orth will be
in charge of N. Y. office ... John M. Clifford, v.p. over personnel at
NEC. named administrative veep, reporting to exec v.p. Robert Sarnoff.

Sid Garfield, CBS exploitation director, to Hyannls, Mass., for three
weeks’ vacation . , . WNBC vacationeers: Staff director Lee Jones in
Florida; production aide Helen Fitzpatrick in Spring Lake, N.J.; pro-
motion writer Claude Callison in Florida; deejay Jim Coy in Kansas
City ... WCBS general manager Carl Ward fishing at his Westport
home; Bob Haymes baick after two weeks of spearfishirtg in the Virgin
Islands; Jack Sterling’s daughter, Janie, back in St. Loo after spending
several weeks here with her father; Martin Weldon back after three-
weeker . . .WNBC’s Sandy Stewart switching from the Allyn Edwards
show to Jack LaDelle*s “Musical Scrapbook” . . . Busy Lanny Ross:
In addition to his WOBS cross-the-board “Showtimer” deejaying which
was launched Monday (9), the singer is appearing at Philly’S Poor
Richard Club today (Wed.), returns for his Thursday-Friday stanzas
and then skies to Cleveland for a Cleveland Symphony booking (13)

. Bill Hickey will do the play-by-play and Howard Eaton the color
for the Ivy League football games aired on WCBS for Ford Dealers
this. fall. ' ’

WQXR gets its first jazz stanza on Aug. 16. Station, recognized as
a major classical outlet, is picking up, via Coca-Cola sponsorship, a
half-hour Mondays, with John S. Wilson, N.Y, Times jazz critic, and
Metronome's George Simon gabbing ... Edith Dick, WWRL topper,
vacationing on Long Island . . Harry Jack has joined the sales staff
of that same station.

Walter Preston feting 30th year in radio with a special stanza Sat.
(14) via WOR . . . Harrison ‘Products renewed for another four weeks
on the “Shadow,” one of Mutual’s Sunday “multi-message” shots . . .
! 1 " — ' ' — + : 1 : —

Frank McCarthy last night (Tues.1 announced the “State of the Nation”
stanza on Mutual during which Roy Cohn guested. ‘ V; ..

Pet Milk has bought first qiiarter-hour of Arthur Godfrey CBS show
on alternating basis starting Aug. 31 . . , 26-year old Freeman F. Gosden
Jr., son of the Amos of “Amos ’n’ Andy,” stricken with polio in Mid-
land, Tex., but reported recovering . . . Howard Weissman now handling
Goodson-Todman . . . WNBC’s Allyn Edwards making on-the-air appeals
for funds in behalf oMfr-month-old daughter of jet pilot Capt. William
Welland, killed in plane crash at Wantagh, L.I., last week.

IN CHICAGO . . .

WMAQ’s femme commentator Mery Merryfield off on a month tour
of Europe with her tape recorder gathering material for her “Radio

T «.• m .. i ivr _ ... J

Journal” senes

that’s the

GROUP

WLW

Radio

WLW-A

Atlanta

WLW-C

Columbus

WLW-D

Dayton

WZ>WT

Cincinnati

Gales Offices: New York, Cincinnati ,
Dayton, Columbus, Atlanta, Chicago

TV LURE CUES 2D
WIP EXIT IN PHILLY

Philadedlphia, Aug. 10;

Lure of television is the reason
behind one of local radio’s biggest
deals in recent years, which will
switch Mac McGuire, WIP’s top-
rated wakeup disk jockey, to KYW,
of the Westinghouse radio chain.

KYW* General Manager Frank
Tooke announced McGuire would
take over. KYW’s “Musical Clock”
show (6:30 to 9 am. weekdays)
“sometime this fall.” Acquisition
of McGuire will release Jack Pyle,
KYW’s wakeup man, for an ex-
panded afternoon record - show.

McGuire is the second top per-
sonality to ankle WIP, because of
the call of the cameras. WPTZ is 1

Tony and Dorothy Weitzel auditioned for the
WBBM brass a late-night remote from the Conrad Hilton hotel . . .
Gordon White and William Williams new Chi BBD&O veepees
Johnny Desmond to guest on WMAQ-WNBQ’s “New Dimensions” sim-
ulcast tomorrow night (Thurs.) . . . Doug McKay, ex-U.S. Army, added,
to the WBBM production staff . . . WGN has set its third annual
mechanical corn-picking contest for Oct. 1-2 . . . Chicago Unlimited
is sponsoring a softball game between radio and tv artisans Sunday
(15) with Danny O’Neil and Vince Garrity recrUting the teams
Wheatena and Rad Soap bought, into WGN’s “Cliff Johnson Family.”
morning show ... WBBM news chief Julian Bentley and family vaca-
tioning in Upper Michigan . . ; Chi Mutual sales manager Virgil Reiter
addressed the Hammond, Ind., Kfwanis club last week . . . NBC farm
commentator Everett Mitchell and freelance announcer Ken Nordine
to narrate a special dramatic production at the World Council of
Churches’ conclave in Evanston Aug. 22 . . . Shell Oil ordered. 15
one-minute blurbs weekly on WGN . . . WBBM announcer Dick Bing-
ham vacationing in West Virginia . . . Keystone Broadcasting added
another 10 affiliates to its string . . . Lowell Jackson* has rejoined ABC
radio, web, working out of the Chi office.

IN SAN FRANCISCO . . .

Pede Worth, KSBC program director injured setting up a swing for
his kids,, but luckily not seriously and is now back at his desk . . .
George Hemmerle, ex-KSFO and KCBS salesman, joined KJBS. This
makes three ex-KSFOers on the KJBS six-man sales staff . . . Mario
Aliotto dropped his “Music by Mario” KGO-TV Sunday half-hour show
. .. Dave Bogard, who recently joined KCBS’ sales promotion depart-
ment, has ankled the office, to join BBD&O as an account exec. He
has been replaced by Edward Hayden who became a KCBS apprentice
last year . ... Connie Halter, KCBS promotion writer-, has been named
sales promotion assistant . , . Bill Cullenward, KCBS press chief, vaca-
tioning in Santa Cruz . . . KSFO was knocked off the air briefly by
a Pacific Gas & Electric Co. trench digger which, accidentally dug up
an 11,000-volt cable supplying power to the station’s transmitter , . .
Harold P. See, manager of KRON-TV in Los Angeles, to address the
B.M.I. clinic.

IN WASHINGTON ...

Peter R. Clapper, son of the late Raymond Clapper, has left radio
station KFEL in Denver to join news staff of CBS radio . . . Stuart
Finley, in cooperation with U.S. Public Health Service and local con-
servation groups, currently producing a six-week public service tv
series, “Our Beautiful Potomac,” documenting river health and recre-
ation problems, over WNBW-NBC . . . WGMS, town’s “good music”
radio station, broadcasting weekly outdoor concerts of U.S. Air Force
Symphony O'rch in their entirety ... WTOP-CBS radio-tv personality
Mark Evans currently on a month taping and lensing tour of Africa
and Israel, with tapes being flown back for use on his daily shows . . .
“Pirate Bill,” new moppet show emceed by Bill Wells over WMAL-ABC,
has skyrocketed to top of the rating list for its time segment in its
three weeks of telecasting . . . American Oil Co. sponsoring the away-
from-home Washington Redskins football telecasts over WMAL-TV for
eighth consecutive year; Bill Gibbons, station’s sports director, will do
play-by-play announcing, with Bill Malone handling color commentary.

IN DALLAS . . .

Gordon McLendon’s indie, KLIF, boasting via spot plugs of its top
rank among indie. AMers nationally in Hooper’s June 8 a.m. to noon
survey. Only 24-hour AM outlet here is also third in the U.S. in the
noon to 6 p.m. slot and fourth ranking indie in the nighttime ratings,
Monday through Friday . . . John Allen, veteran WFAA announcer,
bowed his own cross-the-bdard deejay show, 1-2 p.m. . . . KIXL general
manager Charles Payne reported over 4,600 entries received during
station’s recent “Think It Over” contest . . . KIXL now airing weather
reports in musical format, with a vocal foursome relaying weather
bulletins . . . Local Junior Bar Assn, airing a weekly 15-minute series,
“The Law apd You,” on KRLD, explaining legal problems at the lay-
man’s level . . , KWBC, 1, 000-watt Negro-Mexican AMer, operated
by Associated Broadcasters, Inc., celebrates its first anni this fall . . .
WFAA-TV, with an FCC okay, will increase its radiated power to
274,000 watts . ... Indie agent Chiu Scoggins inked a deal to book WFAA

On Frisco KPFA FM’er
(Loyalty Oath Station)

San Francisco, Aug. 10.

Five top officials of the listener-
sponsored non-commercial FM sta-
tion, KPFA, in. Berkeley resigned
over the weekend because the ex-
ecutive Committee of Pacifica
Foundation, which owns the sta-
tion, invited its former chief to
return.

KPFA made headlines recently
by filing an objection with the FCO
against the proposed “loyalty oath”
regulations on radio operators’ li-
censes. They were the only radio
station to do so. The station also
made news last spring when it
broadcast s program of ;a group of
marijuana smokers discussing the
weed which resulted in the resigna-
tion of a group of the station’s ad
visory committee.

Involved in he current hassle,
which is the latest public sign of
smoldering intercine feud, are pub-
lic affairs director Wallace Hamil-
ton; Wiliiam Trieste, program co-
ordinator; Roy Kepler, promotion
manager; Watson Alberts, engineer
and Bruce Harris, chief engineer.
All of them resigned effective Aug.
15. ..

The former chief invited to, re-
turn is LOwis Hill, guiding spirit
in the formation of the station who
had resigned almost a year ago.
Whether or not Hill will accept
the station offer .is not known and
a decision is expected this week.

The station’s grant from the
Ford Foundation, it’s only income
other than subscriptions, has been
held up pending a settlement of its
internal friction.

Stock Exchange Coin

Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis
is following the ad pattern set by
other N. Y. stock exchange outfits
by starting a radio campaign in
four major markets on Sept. 13.

Bought were a six-day news
show y.ia WQXR, N.- Y., three five
minute shows weekly via WBZ-
WBZA, Boston, and WWJ, Detroit,
and spots via WMAQ, Chicago.

the Westinghouse local" television i and wp AA-TV artists for one-nighters.
outlet and shares the same build- | ■«, wtYwtw a nrir «*,> .

IN PHILADELPHIA . . .

ing with KYW, McGuire, who was
on a WPTZ night show in the early

Wendy Phillips, WIP’s women’s director, lias entered Germantown

dav<! of tplpvicinn had it ,, , ° V¥V,JMCI * 3 **<«» entered ixermaniown

because of a clause in hfs'wiP con- i Hosp '£ SSffv ^ _ h _er daily s h ows_ at the hospital

NALLE-e.

Piano • Organ 9 Celesta

tract.

Two years ago, newscaster John
Facenda left WIP for a spot at
WCAU-TV. McGuire, said his con-
tract with KYW guarantees him the
right to do video work, and a
WPTZ official said they have sev-
eral ideas in mind for the deejay.

McGuire has been a top ranking
record-man here for 10 years.

DuM-WABD

Continued from page 26

staff was decimated by three. Re-
ported gone or going are Dick
Eckler, Bill Marceau and A1 John-
ston. Marceau handled “Plain-
clothesman” and Johnston was a
news and special events director.
Also one of the web staff indicated
that the majority of current direc-
tors now are “doubling as super-
vising producers on other shows”
instead of the web looking for out-
hide replacements.

Three others were chopped from
program facilities and one more
quit.

Second to Wynn's post, the de-
partures of Jim Q’Bryon and Art
Wilo from publicity leave ! the big-
gest holes. Other to g q in a shake-
up of the pub. .department was
F»alph Feller.

. Ed Harvey, WCAU staffer, is lining up team of radio-tv person-
alities to play local sportswriters and columnists in a strictly non^
regulation baseball game at Connie Mack Stadium, Aug. 25 ... In
response to appeal on his KYW evening newscast, John Franklin
(received enough calls to furnish two weeks Supply of blood to a
young victim of hemophelia in Jefferson Hospital . . . George Marsh-
man, promoter of stock car races at Municipal Stadium, has cancelled
his weekly Friday night telecasts of races over WPTZ. Show was
unsponsored and Marshman picked up tab . . . Cal Jones, director
has been named an executive producer at WPTZ . . . Joe Grady and
Ed Hurst, co-emcees of WPEN’s “950 Club,” received certificate of
award for public service work from the National Convention Of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars. Framed certificate, contained wood chip
from the Original beams used in construction of Independence Hall.

IN CLEVELAND . . .

WXEI/s Maggi Wulff pacted Nu-Soft tv commercials ... Nancy
Dixon off WNBK and Phoebe Wecht, who emceed show, now on Euro-
pean junket . . . WGAR's top flack Robert Smith moved into new sub-
urban home : . . Plain Dealer radio-tv editor George Condon soon
New York City boun<L . . . Tom Manning will do Ohio State football
games again on WTAM .... Sid Andorii started fifth year over WXEL
... Rumors continue WHK will sell to Storer interests \ . . WNBK
reports addmg 0,000 new viewers through master antenna in Mead-
vdle, Pa. . . . WERE’sBill Randle called into Sheppard murder mystery
to tell of his association with defendant Sam Sheppard . . . Cleveland
Symphony, minus radio-tv stint in 1953, reported $36,437 deficit com-
pared to previous year when radio artd record royalties were ud
J oe Mayer left WDOK for WSRS pending Bob Forster’a hiatu? * * *
WJW’s Barbara Relkert nominated for Press Club board of directors!

IN OMAHA ...

Steve Shepherd filling in for vacationing Ed Morgan on KBON’s
play-by-play of Omaha Cardinal baseball games. Morgan will return
this week to finish season although he will move over to KQWH as

1 (Continued on page 38)

I

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BoOut. 8 -room apt., 1-2 girh^-f 133.00
por month, TV sot and pianh iiC’PPh
Roforoncos roquirod. Call .WAtkin*
4-1855. * ,

The Gerry Gross-Norman Baer packaging outfit, one of the more
nrniific in N.Y., is now working out two sports segments following
ffe success of their WNBT “Junior Champions' 1 show. One is* a
‘‘Tuvenile Hall, of Fame*’ tv’er, which would spotlight praiseworthy
vnunesters throughout the country, Juves, selected by viewers’ mail,
would be flown to.N.Y.f with background shots being Aimed at their
homes Other show is “Lucky .Scores,” a vldversion of the newspaper
footbail score-guessing contests. Contest cards, to be mailed in, would
be made available at neighborhood stores, With winners announced

on the air on a post-football segment.

The March 28 stanza of WNBC's (N. Y.) “Anthology, 0 which fea-
tured the appearance of -William' Carlos Williams, is to be included
in a special Reference collection of his works for the. public library

of Rutherford, N, J., the poet’s hometown.

Item in the last dssue about a New York secretary who can get
only channel 2 on Her receiver was correct in every respect but the
call letters, which should have been credited to WCBS-TV. .

Tex & Jinx

Continued from page 27

edly gave the, McCrarys the lion’s
share of the commercial take, and
since NBC admittedly “made a bad
deal’’ spokesmen for the station
observe that “it’s a two-way street;
we’re entitled to make some, money
too, and if the only way io do so
is to cut down the time and spread
it around more, that’s good busi-
ness After all, that’s what we are
in business for.”

NBC also has other views on
McCrary’s political tangents; and
they point to the pro-and-contro-
versial mail it gets when the ex-
chief editorial writer for the N. Y.
Daily Mirror takes sides, etc.

Back As a Byliner in Fall

McCrary is admittedly a news-
paperman at heart. |Je will see his
byline back in a metropolitan New
York daily this fall, he admits, but
denies any editorial, or manage-
ment linking with the N. Y. Herald
Tribune. “When I did a Korea
story it was syndicated by the
Mirror and the Hearst papers, but
nary a word from NBC, for whom I
did it in the first place.” NBC
spokesmen aver that politics and
lofty issues, especially during their
early afternoon video show, are not
for the housewives; that the chit-
chat Mrs. McCrary (Jinx Falken-
burg) is more to the matrons’ re-
quirements.

The McCrarys this week are sort
of playing “a week’s guest engage-
ment in bur own house,” says Mc-
Crary, “and maybe it should be
spelled .‘guessed,’ because it’s any-
body’s guess what will happen by
next week when we are supposed
to resume on tv and our late-hour
show.”

For the past five years the Mc-
Crarys have had no agent. Miss
Falkenburg started with the Wil-
liam Morris office and for a brief
time, when Ted Ashley left Morris
to go on his own, he represented
the McCrarys, so the MCA hookup
is the first major representation
they have had, says he. Technical-
ly, their contract expired ' last
April, and they have been talking
renegotiation ever Since. It is here
that McCrary observes, “We can
sell beer, and groceries, nostrums
and gadgets, but apparently we
can’t sell ourselves right to NBC,
so Sonny Werblin rightly told us
now to ‘take all calls but make no

move/ and while we have scru
lously refrained from talking e
where, now we may have to.”

BARTON

LATEST COftAL RELEASE

SWAY

D/r.j William Morrli Agency

ivirnr day
ON (VERY CHANNU

BROOKS

COSTUMES

i W«M «lit l»„ N.Y.C. *T»(, PL. MHO

4 — . - — — *

LOOK WHO’S HERE
With Jerry Bundsen-
30 Mins.; Sat., 5-5:30 p.m,
ARTHUR MURRAY STUDIOS .
KVSM, San Mateo

Jerry ° Bundsen, assistant to
Frisco columnist Herb Caen, has
been conducting a sharp interview
program op KGO-TV and when the
latter station curtailed its summer
schedule, Bundsen switched the
show to radio. It now emanates
from the Sir Francis Drake Star-
light Ro.om where .it is taped dur-
ing the week and ; broadcast on
Saturdays.

Bundsen is a razor sharp inter-
viewer, with a sound knowledge of
show biz and general hews and a
sense of timeliness like a Pulitzer
Prize reporter. When dialed he had
Don Smith, radioman on the raft
Lehi, whose s.o.s. kicked off the
recent search for the Honolulu-
bound expedition and was a front
page local story. In addition, there
were a pair of skaters from the
Ice Follies, Joaquin Garay, cur-
rently headlining the show at
Bimbo’s, and Herb Richards, Coast
manager for sponsor Arthur Mur-
ray.

Bundsen is an unusually good
interviewer, asking leading ques-
tions and allowing the interviewers
to talk, which in itself is some-
thing of a novelty. He obviously
had prepared his line of question-
ing and brought out unexpected
points about each guest. In the
c&se of Radioman Smith the sub-
ject was delicate as it might, have
developed into a personality blast
against Smith’s raftmates, but
Bundsen handled it neatly, con-
trolling the conversation with skill.

The commercial for Arthur Mur-
ray was given in the form of an
interview with Richards and this
device, which could be deadly,
turned Out to be bright as a penny
in this instance. Bundsen brought
out facts and anecdotes on the
Arthur Murray setup overseas and
on the West Coast which were not
only a good plug for the tab payer
but made interesting listening.
This looks like one of the best of
the local interview shows and a
good bet for a major station.

TV Promotion Setup

== Continued from page 30

and proper to effectuate” the
group's forestated purposes.

Information from TVAB and
NARTB execs at the meetings of
last week was carefully stated -to
make clear that TVB’s undertak-
ings would be “performed in be-
half of television in its entirety 1 .”
The meeting was a result Of a pro-
posed merger some weeks ago, af-
ter TVAB and NARTB announced
separate plans for a tele promotion
outfit. TVAB, supported by the
Station Representatives Assn., was
looking for a group comprised of
stations, with networks omitted.
NARTB, naturally, sought a more
inclusive group, such as the one it
helped organize for radio a few
years ago, Broadcast Advertising
Bureau.

Two general areas of work for
TVB will be those services “per-
formed in behalf of members” and
“those supplied directly to mem-
bers.” In the first realm, TVB
will “forcefully promote the use of
television” generally. Therefore,
an overall presentation will be dis-
tributed to agencies, and sponsors;
facts and figures on tv (histones
of all kinds of tv advertising) will
be disseminated; regional clinics
will be held; “personal” confer-
ences with agencies; contact with
trade associations in other fields
to implement sales and direct mail
campaigns. .

TVB offices will be situated in
New York, per a suggestion at the
meeting. A fulltime prexy and
a group of sales directors, modelled
to some degree after BAB’s will
be hired.

IRON ORE IN ’54
Producer:NormanMcBaln
30 Mins.,* Sun., 9:30 p.m.

Sustaining
CBC, from Toronto

Aftet four years’ wrestling with
turbulent rivers, muskeg, moun-
tain, ice and snow, a Canadian-
started but largely U.S.-financed
project (Iron Ore Co. of Canada)
came to fruition July 31; and next
night on its weekly “Canadian
Scene” over the Trans-Canada Net-
work, Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
presented a bangup story— mostly,
recorded, on-the-spot, excellent
actuality— on it. (They did the
same two years, ago, halfway along
the project.)

Iron ore had been rolling for a
day down the 360 miles from Knob
Lakh (now regrettably bowdlerized
to Shefferville, in honor of the
Bishop of Newfoundland) to Seven
Islands on the St. Lawrence, and
CBC’s crew accompanied a diesel-
drawn load, recording sounds
changing from plateau to winding
mo.untain^face rock out to gorge-
spanning bridge to dynamite-
blasted tunnel to lowland straight-
away to docks and the ore carriers
shipping most of it direct to the
steel mills of Cleveland.

Brief historical rundown covered
the last T century finding of the
fabulous lode (417,000,000 tons of
ore near, the surface and ready to
ship right out, besides * millions
more lower-grade), its rediscovery
by an Indian, and the hectic fi-
nancing— its cost nearly a quarter
of a billion so far. Actuality then
picked up sounds of machines of
all kinds, with some vivid descrip-
tions like “takes a room-size bite,”
and a wide assortment of men,
plus a foreman’s wife in the heart
of Ungava, who said - she liked it
fine — they get movies flown in for
showing almost every night in the
big dining hall. A rich assortment
of voices ranged from the deep
base of Bob Ross, a Seven Islands
fur trader whose business, unlike
everyone else’s there, hasn't
boomed a bit, to the nasal drawl of
Charlie Hoyt, boss of the airlift
which had to fly everything except
some of the lumber in to Knob
Lake; and a couple of songs from
work ga;ngs of Newfoundlanders
and French-Canadians up the line.

They gave the rattling, whir of
the helicopter that gets men in
where no other aircraft can, but
not the voice of its pilot, salty
Hank Gates.

They also missed Imperial Oil
Co.’s head man in Seven Islands
(which had 104 inches of snow that
winter), ruddy Bill Moroney, for-
mer Alberta cowboy, Montreal
jeweller ad operator of a sawmill
backed by the late notorious “Legs”
Diamond, And Norman Deimage,
Knob Lake boss who almost
.drowned trying to rescue Defense
Minister Brooke Claxton’s 19-year-
old son last summer when the
savage river current swept him to
his death * while trout-fishing—
Deimage who, asked “What’s the
big attraction here — money?” re-
plied, “That’s the only bloody at-
traction I can think of!” Gard.

ARTHUR FIEDLER PRESENTS
With Arthur Fiedler
30 Mins.; Sun. 12; 12:30 p.m.
KEAR, San Mateo

Currently in San Francisco con-
ducting a series of Pops perform-
ances of the San Francisco sym-
phony, Arthur Fiedler turned up
as a longhair diskjockey on this
classical music station with a
bright and entertaining Sunday
half-hour that should pick up a lot
of extra listeners.

Fiedler has a. polished, urbane
voice, an easy, Knowing delivery
and sounds like he had been spin-
ning platters instead of waving a
baton all his life. -When dialed (1)
he was running down some selec-
tions of his Boston Pops orch on
RCA Victor disks with special em-
phasis on the lighter numbers such
as “Look Sharp,” his most recent
release. He interspersed the intro-
ductions to the records with baek-
ofrthe-scene comments on the in-
strumentalists and arrangers and
gave the audience the sort of off-
the-record patter about the plat-
ters that should be right up the
longhair collector’s alley. This sort
of extra-curricular task could
prove a most effective promotional
gimmick in any city where Fiedler
is appearing. He's a pretty crewcut
longhair and has a fine radio per-
sonality. Rafe.

Jameson for CBS Specs

Marshall Jsimeson has been
pacted by CBS-TV program veepee
Hubbell Robinson Jr. to work on
spectaculars and specials for , the
web during the upcoming season.

Jameson has had a number of
Broadway credits as aide to Joshua
Logan and Leland Hayward, the
latter in NBC’s spec stable.

LANNY ROSS’ SHOWTIME
With Ross, Milton Kaye
Director: Jim Brown ‘

30 Mins.; Mon.-thru-Fri.; 4:30 p,m.

Participating

WCBS, New York

Coincidental with the ankling of
Emily Kimbrough from WCBS, the
CBS N.Y. flagship has realigned its
afternoon schedule to make it vir-
tually an all-music lineup. Lanny
Ross, the vet singer-emcee, who
joined the station at about the time
Miss Kimbrough announced her
departure, has been slotted into the
4:30-5 strip, between Galen Drake
and John Henry Faulk.

Ross fits nicely into the pattern.
Although somewhat new to the
deejay trade, his taste in pop disks
ranks with the best, and the result
is a soothing half-hour of good
music. He’s easy in his between-
disks patter, and his voice, which
he uses on occasion, is vibrant as
ever, He’s backed in easy fashion
by Milton Kaye on piano.

Entire show could prove a pleas-
ing entry to the housefrau audi-
ence, and there’s only one depart-
ment where some improvement is
needed. Ross had a little trouble
on the preem with his live com-
mercials, faltering in the reading
a couple of times. This, however,
should prove no problem to a vet
radioite like Ross, and in a little
time he should be blurbing with
the best of v ’em. Chan.

HAUNTED STUDIO

With Don Gillies, others

Producer: Peter Macfarlane

Designer: Rudi Dorn

30 Mins.; Thurs., 10:30 p.m.

Sustaining

CBC, from Toronto

This second of a series of six
stems from a dry run that got its
feet wet, eight months ago, going
on as a last-minute sub and draw-
ing some mail. It’s a nice offbeat
show, still not completely jelled
but showing a lot of imagination.
Enough pop stuff to fight Off the
“longhair” label— and too much
for taste at a couple of points.

No credits of any kind on this
stanza, which opens with femme
voice singing a ghostly, wordless
air. While camera dollies in to stu-
dio, apparently deserted. Picks up
a floor shadow, then a guy with a
hat and a cigaret who says softly,
“Looking for someone?” plus a few
eerie words. In through the belly
of a squatting Chinese god, camera
finds a girl in evening gown and
long black gloves, mournfully
chanting “Happiness Is a Thing
Called Joe.” Leaves her, wanders
around the piles of props till it
turns up a trombonist sitting sadly
playing “ ‘Tis Autumn.”

Again the guy with the hat, talk-
ing at a table to an unseen listener.
Mood is then shattered by a stand-
ard male vocal quartet frenetically
crooning ‘‘I Get a Kick Out of You”
— not so bad in silhouette but
mostly lights full up. Then a fellow
sweeping the floor, , whistling.
Knocks jack-in-the-box off piano it
reminds him of his kid; he sings
“Husliabye,” a minor melody, with
unseen femme counterpoint.

Gard.

IF WAR "SHOULD CQME „

With Stew MacPherson,
others '

Producer: V. A, T. Linder

Director-writer: Jim Bormann

15 Mins,: Tues, Sc Thurs., '6:30 p.m.

Sustaining

WCCO, Minneapolis

Increasingly refusing to play sec-
ond fiddle to interloper tv, at least
as far as local public service and
promotion are concerned, WCCO
again Comes through with a tiilly.
This time it’s johnny-on-the-spot
in presenting a transcribed eight-
part series designed to arouse the
citizenry to the danger of eventual
air attack,' to provide it with the
civil defense facts of life and to
enlist cooperation and participa-
tion in such defense.

The enterprising station, ever
alert to timely and vital problems
which should be of deep concern
and interest to the populace, sent
Stew MacPherson, one of its top
news and special events staffers,
on a 6,000-mile trip through Alaska
to gather the material for this fac-
tual report on particular phases of
the continental defense program.
Carrying the indorsement of Min-
nesota Gov. C.E. Anderson and the
state’s civil defense director Col.
E. B, Miller, the presentation, judg-
ing by the initial show, is well
calculated to help achieve better
defense preparedness by shaking
many people out of their present
apathy and indifference.

MacPherson, a most capable and
effective reporter as well as nar-
rator, tape recorded some of his
material during the long trek
through Alaska. The first of the
series included the recording of a
briefing given by Col. Miller to re-
porters on the dangers inherent in
the present world situation and
what must be done here to cepe
with them. The civil defense direc-
tor declared an eventual Russian
air attack upon the U. S. is inevi-
table and he detailed the manner
in which it’s planned to meet the
aggression. He described the Soviet
air strength and emphasized that
more money and defense volun-
teers must be forthcoming.

A tape recording of a recent lo-
cal practice alert, with the sounds
of screening sirens, blasting bombs
and whistling jets supplying dra-
matic realism, helpeed to bring
home what the future may hold in
store. MacPherson also vividly de-
scribed some of his harrowing ex-
periences in World War II during
bombings of London where he was
engaged in BBC radio. He made
it clear how much more destructive
the atomic and hydrogen bombs
will be than the blockbusters that
terrorized Britain.

During his 6,000-mile journey,
MacPherson traveled as close as
possible to the Russian bases near
Alaska from which the enemy will
launch their planes against us and
his description of the situation and
his outline of the likely Soviet air
invasion provided plenty of food
for thought. Rees.

Milwaukee — Announcer Paul
Skinner has departed WTMJ after
a 12-year hitch to become general
manager of WHBL. Sheboygan.
Larry Clark is returning to the
Milwaukee Journal stations’ an-
nouncery after two years in sales
promotion.

SUPER POWER

WGALTV

NBC

Cbi

D'JmOn:

LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA

316,000 WATTS

Covers a vast, prosperous

territory— a rich target for
your advertising dollar

Steinman Station

Clair McCollough, President

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11 , 1954

TV & Music Imagers

from other open microphones.
Technicians point out that most
premises currently used for tele-
casting were not built for that pur-
pose but were, radio studios, thea-
tres or halls to start with. Even the
Televis' %' City built in Los An-
geles by CBS has cement floors
and the studios are regarded as
f ar-f rom-ideal for musical balance.
Technicians again point out that
such “balance”-. -means much more
in video than in radio terms since
the arrival of an audience at show,
time can markedly alter the bal-
ance. ...

Acoustically the radio studio was j
an ideal setup for music but sel-
dom or ever docs the tv studio pro-
vide the conductor or arranger with
anything but a headache. As many
as 20 mikes may be open during a
program and the music acquires a
“rain bavreli” sound. The audio
engineer typically is too busy with
the booms centered on the stars,
the action and the picture to give
any but the most suoerftcial atten-
tion to the music which once got
such tender handling in radio. In
consequence, television producers,
under existing realities, prefer to
use recorded musical bridges which
are on a turntable in the control
room and thus “sealed off" from
leakage.

Part of the paradox-of skyrocket-
ing production costs in bigtime
television is that one of the “econ-
omies” is practiced with regard to
the music. Hence the plight of the
special arrangers, since television
has taken the play away from radio
without supplanting radio as an
arrangers’ market.

Licbman Comes Closest

T*ie situation is pretty downbeat
at present but in time to come it
is hoped that some showman or
showmen will add values of mu-
sical “brilliance" to a popular pro-
gram and. open the door again for
special arrangements. Max Lieb-
man’s “Show of Shows” in the re-
cent past came closest to the rad : o
type of opulent arranging but it’s
poined out that Liebman has en-
joyed something I»ke carte blanche
as to budget and rehearsal time.
Too often in tv the musical conduc-
tor is granted a paltry 29 minutes
or half-hour to “balance” or “re-
balance” and then under awkw.ard
conditions. Often, too, the conduc-
tor, working a lighted baton, is
half a block from the actors and
not always in direct visual range
of the control room.

. Best special music arranging to-
day is in (1) phonograph recording
and ( 2 ) what’s left of radio bigtime.
Both operate under conditions per-
mitting mastery of the tonal total-
ity. Television music tends to suffer

Continued from pat a 31 sssssssssss^sssssssss t

music now originating in New
York. That is as it may be. So,
too, with regard to what’s needed
in the fu-'ure to restore arranging
to its lost prosperity. Studios built
for tv. with adequate control of
mike leaks may be one answer.
Pre-recording in the Hollywood
manner may be another. But for
the time being a quip of conductor
Harry Sosnik is perhaps the most
pat summation of the problem:
“Television put music back 20
years into the vaudeville pit”
Much that was learned and per-
fected in radio has so far not been
transferred to television, where the
overworked and cost-groggy* pro-
ducers felt that other things had
priority. Meanwhile, the breed of
arrangers broods on former for-
tune and dreams ahead to a distant
day when genii with the light
green lettuce will return again.

Tele Chatter

Continued from page 34 .

Saturday (14) . . . Malt-O-Meal has
bought 39 plugs on NBC-TV’s
“Today” for three-week promotion
starting Sept. 27 . . . Paul Tripp-
hosted “Carousel” (WCBS-TV) will
preview next Saturday (21) the
N. Y. Vacation Playgrounds sum-
mer circus events, finals of which
will be held at Newtown High-
school on Aug. 24. He’ll highlight
the most interesting segments of
the sawdust stanza.

Helen O’Donnell, asst, casting
director of “Studio One,” leaving
the CBS’er Aug. 20 for hometown
Louisville to marry George Barnes,
announcer at WDSU-TV, New
Orleans. Incidentally, “Studio
One” is solidly represented in
Europe. Eugene Cines is in London
arranging for more recordings of
his pops by Melodise, while produc-
er Felix Jackson’s musieomedy,
“The Journalists,” first produced
in Berlin in 1932, is a click revival
at the Schiller Theatre there.
Jackson wrote book and lyrics,
Theo Mackebc-n the music.

Chicago

Charles Powers checks off as
producer - director of CBS-TV’s
“Welcome Travelers” at month’s
end . Over 300 agency and client
reps attended WGN-TV’s “Film
Festival” showcasing of currently
available telefilm product last
week Cliff Soubier, head clown
on ABC-TV’s “Super Circus.” on a
Canadian fishing junket ..Quaker
Oats for the fourth season is stay-
ing, aboard “Zoo Parade” on NBC-
TV on a two-weeks-out-of-three
basis .Chunky Chocolate Corp.
bought the Abbott & Costello vid-
pix series for a run on WNBQ
starling in October. . .Ulmer Turn-

bisco, a McCann-Erlckson account,
that came tn the. last minute to
make the network venture possible.
The Harvester billings are split
four wayk between Burnett, Mc-
Cann! Young & Rubicam. and Au-
brey, Finlay, Marley & Hodgson,
with the usual inter-agency jockey-
ing for the .client's favor. It’s still
being worked out just how the
“Ivy” billings will be booked but
it’s likely thpt Burnett will handle
the show itself with the other agen-
cies cut in for the various products.
(Y&R has long been associated
with “Ivy,” having launched it on
radio for the Schlitz brewery).

TV Quizzers

Continued from page 31

Red Buttons on CBS. “Party” is
going over to ABC. Wednesday for
Remington and Knomark.

High in the Goodson & Todman
sweepistakes is Herb Shriner’s “Two
For the Money,” which with an
Old Gold $12,000 production and
talent tag is perhaps the costliest
ih the quiz biz. Slotted between
Jackie Gleason and “My Favorite
Husband” on Columbia, it’s in one
of the most enviable spots and was
credited with an assist in knocking
“Show of Shows” out of the box.
(Shriner will have Imogene Coca
against him next season.) Pack-
ager’s other gamecocks are “Beat
the Clock,” backed by Sylvania,
and “It’s News to Me,” summer
sub for Ed Murrow’s “Person to
Person” along with the identical
sponsors. But there’s no news yet
on a fall time slot for “News.”
(Curiously, of G&T’s six shows the
only one clearly out of the run-
ning at the moment as far as the
immediate future is concerned is
the ABC-slotted “Name’s the
Same.” The other five G-T quizzers
are under the Columbia banner.)

There’ll be at least a dozen
guesstanzas on the tv webs next
season, with ABC’s seven leading
the pack (“Break the Bank” for
Dodge, with sustaining “Dr. I. Q.”
ahead of it, and “20 Questions” for
Florida Citrus in addition to those
previously mentioned). There’s a
“for sale” tag on Jimmy Nelson’s
new show, “Take My Word,” a
Monday at 8 starter. CBS has five
quizzolas in camp and NBC appar-
ently will go it .with a single,
Groucho Marx’s “Bet Your Life,”
not counting the co-op “Who Said
That.” The Marx show, sole big-
time quiz on film, placed third in
ARB’s Top 10 for July. As a matter
of fact, two others in the ask-me-
another class were in the “dream
circle” — “I’ve Got a Secret” (sixth)
and “What’s My Line” (eighth).

Industryites may not like the
trend, but quizzers seem to get
there fastest with the leastest.

| npr’s midafternoon news squibs on
from diffusion of sound, leakages j WBKB sold to Carnation ..Ed
from the great number of mikes' Pazdur new editor of the Chi edi-
needed fas against radio’s relative- ; tion of TV Guide . .WBKB direc-

_ . . , > « i » __

lv small number) and a certain
muddiness. Studiowise conductors

have pointed out that the visual MT ,. _ t> , .... ^ „

preoccupation of the viewers as | e f..? n NBC-TV s Out on the Farm”

virnll qc Uio riii’pplnr sinr!- flnnr rrpw i ^ ^ pIOQUCGl l$£n Park taking

tor Dirk Locke and scripter Harry
Hunter vacationing in Florida . .
Mary David has signed off as writ-

well as the director and floor crew j “f"

t-nn/ic |n “distract” attention Tn 1 ®y®^-the added duly Color-Stone
tends to distract attention. . Corp participating Mondays and

Fridays on Tom Duggan’s late-

Continued from page 31

evening gab sessions Chalmers
Marquis to produce Charles A.
Stevens’ special fashion previews
via WBBM-TV the next three Sat-
urday mornings ..Coca-Cola Bot-
tlers renewed Norm Barry’s Thurs-

Skelton

Continued from page 27

short dull music is less noticed on
video than was dull music in radio.

Leith Stevens from the west
coast has been a leader in organ-
izing the music arrangers, Arthur
Schwa 'tz and Deems Taylor have
been acting partly as “fronts.”

Group is expected to seek a more ' day night WNBQ sports show,
active support this fall from the
AFM. Joe Glover has recently spo-
ken of arrangers talent and train-
ing going into “the building of a
literature which is continuously
used for the financial gain of
others” with ho return save the
original employment fee for the
arranger. Majority of arrangers
have no social security status since
(with the exception of those em-
ployed at networks) they are not
treated as employees but as con-
tractors. Shut out from unemploy-
ment insurance the plight of many
arrangers today is pathetic.

However, many studio craftsmen
think that the arrangers dan bene-
fit only as and when the Hollywood
film studio technique of “pre-
recording” is more generally
adopted in television. Donald
O’Connor’s' song and dance rou-
tines on tv are given this treat-
ment. His music, voice and taps

ter bought Into the show via a
complicated “open end” deal. It's
understood TPA originally pitched
the series to Harvester for spot
bookings but the Burnett reps sold
the client on network exposure
provided an alternate bankroller
could be found. That was okay with
TPA but. with a deadline proviso
on the network deal, that fell due
last weekend, Distrib had the Bank
of America practically in "the bag
for a Coast regional buy pending
Harvester and its agencies’ ability
to work but a' web setup.

This touched off a red hot battle
between CBS-T.V and ABC-TV for
the biz which hinged upon finding
a suitable alternate. (NBC-TV
go out over the air from a tape ! counted itself out early with its

played in the control room, the
cameras picking him up on the
stage in simulated lip sync, pre-
cisely as in. a screen musical.

Professional opinion classifies
television music from Hollywood as
somewhat superior to television

last network time half-hour Satur-
day nights going to Toni). ABC-TV
remained in the running until the
Nabisco buy-in started jewing last
week.

Some significance is being at-
tached to the fact that it was Na-

scll for the advertisers. And ex-
cept for the midafternoon “Home
Theatre” which will be built
around two back-to-back half-hour
vidpix with Claude Kirchner as
host, the full WBKB daytime
schedule from its 7 a.m. “Chicago
Parade” eyeopened will be live
shows, all aimed at the hausfraus
and/or their young 'uns.

Especially signed for Mom will
be the servicers like . “Creative
Cookery” which goes Into the
10 a.m. strip. Daily 55-minute culi-
nary showpiece which returns to
WBKB Aug. 30 after a hitch on
WNBQ will also be fed to ,WABC-
TV, New York. 'The current “All
About Baby” and “Ask the Doc-
! tor” continue in the 1-1:30 slot,
with the medico show being aug-
mented Tuesdays and Thursdays
by a dental hygene program. The
doctor show, dealing with general
health problems, is conducted with
the help of the American Medical
Assn, and the dental package has
the blessings of the Chi Dental
Society.

Quinlan has no less than seven
daytime kiddie-slanted strips
planned for the fall. The mid-
morning and midafternoon offer-
ings are designed as baby sitters
1 for the preschoolers and the late
afternoon projects are aimed at
the gradeschoolers. Holding down
the 9T30 a.m. half-hour daily will
be Angel Casey’s “Playhouse” and
Win Stracke has the 3:30 p.m.
period for his “Time for Uncle
Win” show.

Dick (Two Ton) Baker continues
with his “Happy Pirates” lunch
show for the kidicts and Art
Hern’s “Pled Pipers” moves into
the 4 p.m. berth. Frazier Thomas’
“Garfield Goose” follows and

Continued from pace 3f

a salesman after baseball season , . , World Distributing Co. of Cleve-
land took over sponsorship of KFAB’s “Later Show*' . ..KRVN, Lex-
ington, Neb., will furnish the free acts for Hall County Fair Aue
25-27 at Grand Island . . . Frontier Broadcasting Co. of Cheyenne
last week applied to FCC for a tv- station on channel 10 at Scottsbluff
Neb. Frontier, op of KFBC-TV in Cheyenne, plans to rebroadcast its
channel 5 shows on the Scottsbluff outlet , . . Emest Sanders, manager
of WOC and WOC-TV at Davenport, has been named new prexy of
the Iowa Broadcasters Assn. Group joined the National Assn, of Radio
and Television Broadcasters’ stand against the ^Bryson Bill which pro-
poses abolition of alcoholic beverage advertising.

IN MINNE APOLIS . , .

Here for the international Anglican Conference, the Archbishop
of Canterbury appeared on WTCN radio’s Sunday “Episcopal Hour”
show . . . Mel Jensen, Minneapolis Star-Tribune newspapers* adver-
tising Sales department member for 14 years, an addition to the WMIN-
TV sales staff . , . Bob DeHaven, WCCO personality, now doing 22
programs weekly on tv and radio . . Allen Jackson originated two
of his CBS radio network newscasts this week from WCCO here and
had Minnesota Governor C. A. Anderson as his guest on one of them
. * . WMIN-TV having its annual kids’ day this week at Excelsior
Amusement Park, a tieup with a local chain food store outfit which
distributes free tickets to all rides. The video station “puts on a stage
show . . . When KSTP-TV starts carrying the NBC network “Tonight”
Sept. 27 late week evening movies will be eliminated to make room
for it, and, say station officials, “without regret” . . . Macalester College
here to offer new “Writing for Radio and TV” course this fall.

IN PITTSBURGH . . .

A1 Nobel and the E.Z.C. Ranch Gals booked for personals at Kenny-
wood Park on Labor Day ... Everett Neill has checked out as pianist
and leader of the trio which backs Sun Drug Co.’s half-hour musical,
“Rhythm Rendezvous,” on WDTV Thursday nights and Bobby Cardillo
has taken over ... Peter Thornton, publicity director for WENS, has
bought his first home, in Ruthfred Acres . . . Ricky Wertz, Playhouse
actress, and. Tom Borden, program director of Channel 16, will tie
the knot Saturday (14) . . . Ginger Brock retiring to await the stork
and Florence* Sando takes over the commercials on “Heart of the City”
series on WDTV. Miss Brock, however, continues for remainder of
summer to do the sales pitch on Ethel Barrymore stories for Di-Dee
Service, a natural for her under the circumstances . . Jimmy Murray,
manager of KQV, has taken his wife and three of their children to
the Poconos for a couple of weeks . . . Bill Dowling, program manager
for WEDO, called back by the army for another hitch . . . Homer Lin-
nert just started his 13th year as studio control engineer at WJAS.

Santa’s North Pole Revue” takes
over the. 5 p.m. slot in September.
The “Jungle Adventure” vidpix
series winds up the kids’, time
at 5:15.

On the entertainment side, Quin-
lan plans In September to unveil
sports gabber’ Tom Duggan in A a
midafternoon audience participa-
tion show four days a week from
the Civic Theatre. Continuing i
mornings will be the Danny O’Neil
musical-variety cross-the-boarder.

Slated to be axed to make room
from the new projects are Claude
Kirschner’s aud - participationer;
Tommy Bartlett’s interview show;
the “Swingalong” musical stanza;
Stuart Brent’s gabfest, and “Cook-
ery Magic.” .

W0R Format

Continued from page 26

las Nickelby,” among others. Bob
Hoffman, WOR researcher (upped
to a new post this week), supplied
Menkin and Gray with a trend in
radio listening that brought about
the emphasis on classics. Hoffman
found that the few classics.— com-
pared to the upcoming number —
attracted an audience, better in
most instances than shows starring
Hollywood faves. Many of the clas-
sics, done in Australia and which
Goodman distributes here, have no
names — “it’s the author who
counts.”

The promotion staff of the N. Y.
GT station intends capitalizing on
the listening public’s present bent
for classics. Pitches are to be made
through the Board of Education,
parent-teacher groups and other
civic groups. As a matter of fact,
the latest plan along this line is
an essay contest for high schoolers
for which the winner will get an
all-expense trip to the anni Shake-
speare festival at Stratford-on-
Avon, as well as junkets to London
and Paris.

Gray is going Gaines one better,
it is Understood, in that he intends
extending the twO-hour afternoon
“Playhouse” block, by tacking on
a 2:30 start. If it goes through
WOR will use a name network
dramatic property in the time. De-
cision here should be in by the
Week’s end.

If a participating advertiser buys
Radio Playhouse” he gets a bonus
deal, wherein for each one-minute
spot purchased daytime he gets
another one nights, plus a guaran-
teed rating of 4.5 per participation.
On such a guarantee, a sponsor
of 10 one-minute announcements
reaches 1,000 homes at a cost of
39c.

There are In all 780 total hours
i of programming.

Colgate

Continued from page 27

“Home.”) “Hawkins Fails” goes at
4 p.m, for Wesson Oil on Wednes-
day and Friday, with Samish’s
“First Love” at 4:15 backed by
Jergens . thrice Weekly. The 4:30
slot will be a sustaining soaper,
ousting the Betty White show,
whose fate is undetermined.

Jergens currently underwrites
three-a-week of “Bride and Groom”
at 4:15, so the bridal show will be
hung up at the altar by the “First
Love” slotting unless the Web can
find a spot for the show in the
fall. Incidentally, Samish’s third
weeper, “A Time to Live,” has
drawn the interest of Borden’s as
far as the 10:30 time is concerned,
but whether this will extend to
the show as well remains to be
seen. .

Tootsie Rolls has bought 13
participations In Pinky Lee’s 5
o’clock show.

Chevrolet

Continued from page 26

(Sammy Kaye for Brillo at 9 and
Kraft Theatre from 9:30 to 10:30).
Show presumably would have been
produced by Herb Brodkin, who
turns out “Center Stage,” the al-
ternate to the U. S. Steel segment.

Web was particularly anxiou^s to
sell “T-Men,” however, since in
puring the Bernard Prockter pack-
age over from NBC, it had com-
mitted itself heavily on. the show.
Chevvie (via Campbell-Ewald)
came along on the “T-Men” deal,
and the web guaranteed the auto
dealers the Thursday at 8:30
period (same as it occupied last
season on NBC), with another
Prockter package to which it’s
committed, “Postal Inspector,”
slated for 8 p.m.

Effect was to chill J. Walter’s in-
terest in the dramatic segment.
There’s still some chance of a
deal, however; web has the
Wednesday 9:30 to 10:30 period
open, .with Saturday 8 to 9 (oppo-
site Jackie Gleason) and Sunday
8 to 9 (vs. Colgate and Ed Sulli-
van) still available. Everyone dis-
counts the .Sunday slot as a. possi-
bility, but there’s 'still some in-
terest. ini Wednesday and Satur-
day. Meanwhile, the network is
reportedly close tn a sale on ’‘Pos-
tal inspector,” which if forthcom-
ing would make Thursday the
web’s first SRO night. • On tap
Is the possibility of a split spon-
sorship, with two bankrollers snar-
ing the costs, along with an inter-
ested client who would assume tne
whole nut.

- 9 i ( III

. S I q it" • - 3 'I i

J ) J

1 i

.1 ’."J ( 1 J ( I"

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,l .1 I i h i » t l

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Don Fedderson admits he likes to gamble in tv and is sending

• in $60,000 ot his own money on what the trade would call the

• longest shot in film production. Unprecedented is his newest
■ r venture, a full hour dramatic show on film, not f Or syndication

hut network sale. ' .

Teleplay is called The Millionaire” and is both factual and
fictiori. Fedderson describes it as “a study of the morals of man”
and adds, “it may yet set a standard for tv dramas, of which
there is none.” After exhau$tive research; Fedderson found that
of the world’s 2^00,000,000 there are only 20 persons whose wealth
exceeds $300,000,000. These will be his subjects although not by
name and “certain liberties” will be taken in dramatizing the
immense wealth. ** .

It is Fedderson’s own idea and he wrote the first draft which
Charles Hoffman is adapting for the camera. Shooting starts
next month at Republic studio, with MCA participating. Format
of the telepic will be so devised that it can be sold to four sharing
sponsors without affecting the play’s continuity.

The Film Division of General 4
Teleradio has just about recaptured
all of its roughly $1,350,000 invest-
ment in the 30 feature films of the
Bank of America. The • pix were
sold in 25-26 markets at last re-
port. The top-titled features have
been in GT hands since last spring,
and were sold in the first five or
six markets over two months ago.

The GT o&o station, WOR-TV,
N. Y., one of the two having option

on the feautre films, is close to
partial sale it would appear. Gor-
don Gray, station topper; has been
dickering with two -blueehippers
over sale of an eighth of the pack-
age each at $125,000 (for 14 week-
ly showings of each pic), and one
of the other station execs assures
that at least one of them should be
inked by Friday (13). . .

GT’s “Gangbuster” series has 13
in the can, and novir has Max Brad-
bard spreading his -sales activities
for the outfit from a pitch on the
GT juve stop-motion films alone.

Monsanto’s Vidpix Buy

Guild Films this week followed
up its first regional sale of the
upcoming Frankie Laine telepix
series with a second, pacting Mon-
santo Chemical (All Detergent) "to
a four-market deal on the series.
All will sponsor the musicals in
Detroit, Phoenix, Tucson and
Portland, Me. First regional on the
series, wrapped up a month back,
was a 10 -market regional through
KTTV, Los Angeles.

Hollywood, Aug. 10.
American Federation of Musi-

Washington, * Aug. 10.

Brian Donlevy is readying a new
vidpix series under aegis of his
own producing company, Donlevy
Development Corp., he disclosed
last week. He said series, current-
ly being scripted by Oitt R6Itt,
who wrote the “Dangerous Assign-
ment,” will be a departure from
the latter.

New teleseries will be built
around the South Sea adventures
of three seamen on a schooner —
an ex-Mari ne, ex-Coast Guardsman,
and a former soldier. Donlevy will
Play the lead, and is looking for
two solid supporting players.

Hollywoodite, who wound up a
Kraw hat stint in “Country Girl”
at Olney Theatre past Sunday (8)
night, also stated he plans a the=
atrical film version of “Dangerous
Assignment,” along the lines of
such adaptations as “Dragnet.”
timetable on latter, which will be
iiimed in Europe, is still uncer-
Spending on progress of the
»idpix series. However, if there are
mi commitments for latter by

he may tackle the pic-
ture first.

st * nt was second in a
straw hat tour for Don-
'y* his first in 12 years.

loke

Coca-Cola,
Kit Carson
Virtual nati
? nc . e again
: f. erie s on W]
me second g
®n the NBC
plfl yed on tl
.Series of
5 Productio
jne Revue l
bet for 26 \

cians prexy James Cafesar Petrillo
has rejected telepix producers’
pleas to lift union’s 5% format for
music used in vidfilms, but the
prez agreed to a slight modification
of the plan.

Where producers previously paid
5% of station time charges, they
now have a choice of either con-
tinuing such payment or of pay-
ing 5% of their gross revenue,
AFM figuring some producers may
find the latter course more eco-
nomical. Coin gathered from the
5% format goes into the union’s
Music Performance Trust Fund,
where it’s eventually disbursed to
tunester members via cuffo con-
certs staged by AFM in various
other ways.

When vidfilm producers met in
Chicago with Petrillo recently they
asked him to revoke the 5% format
on ground it was too stiff a tab,
contending removal of it would
provide more work for musicians.
Petrillo, however, in notifying*
producers of his decision, told
Them the two methods he out-
lined will be in forfie for at least
five years “because there is such
a difference of opinion by pro-
ducers as to what should be done.”

GUY LOMBARDO IN
' SYNDICATED YIDPIX

A half-hour musical show star-
ring Guy Lombardo and his band is

before the cameras. MCA, handling
the distribution 'on the series, has
fixed it to a firm 39 films.-

A strictly syndication property,
the Guy Lombardo series will be
similar in presentation to the ba-
ton man’s current WNBT, N. Y.,
Friday night casing from a hotel.
Herb Sussan, also directing Ed-
die Fisher’s live 15-minute stanza
via NBC for MCA, will handle the
film. He’s lined up a different
guest vocalist for each session.

The orch film will be made avail-
able in New York to a non-compet-
ing product to Lincoln-Mercury,
underwriting the WNBT series.

One of the major stumbling
blocks faced by the syndication
business may soon be a thing of
the past. It's the indifference
shown so far to spot buying via
syndicated films by the major ad
agencies and with them their blue-
chip national clients. And the rea-
son for the industry optimism is
the fact that Young & Rubicam,
the kingpin agency and thus far a
strict adherent to network buying,

has finally taken the syndication
plunge for Lipton Tea.

Deal, which superficially would
appear a routine one, is an eight-
market buy on the Coast of CBS
Television . Film Sales’ “The Whis-
tler.” Lipton is going in with Sig-
nal Oil (which previously bought
the series for those eight western
markets) on an alternate week
basis, with markets ranging from
LoS Angeles north to Seattle.

But it’s of more than routine
significance in .that Young & Rubi-
cam has been a holdout against
spot buying of syndicated telepix
all along. And Y&R, more than
any other agency, is the bellwether
of the agency business insofar as
radio and tv are concerned. And
with Y&R and a client like Lipton
in the fold, vidpixers are hopeful
that it won’t be long before others
follow suit.

Of course, syndication has at-
tracted bluechip sponsors and top
agencies in the . past, but for the
most part only in those cases
where the sponsor has only region-
al distribution. Oil companies and
breweries, in particular, fit this
category; they’re top spenders and
employ top agencies, but can’t buy
network simply because they have
no need of national coverage with
a limited distribution setup/ They,
of course, are among the top re-
gional and local vidpix buyers.

Others Taking Cue?

But Lipton’s represents another
type of bankrolled entirely. It’s a
national outfit with national dis-
tribution, a natural for network
timebuying (witness its sponsorship
of Arthur Godfrey’s “Talent
Scouts,”) Yet, it’s moved into syn-
dicated telepix on a regional basis,
not so much because of the lack
of network availabilities but be-
cause of the flexibility that syndi-
cation affords.

It’s anticipated that the Lipton
buy will pull many more national
bankrollers into the syndication
fold. A top bankroller who’s rolling
up sales, in the northeast but is
having trouble in the southwest,
for example, would buy a film se-
ries for his trouble spot. Another,
who has a network show but can’t
get time for a second, might buy
one show for national spot show-
ings or might enter into a series
of deals for different shows in dif-
ferent regions, but the whole 'blan-
keting the country.

More forceful and direct, how-
ever, is the fact that it Was Y&R
that made the purchase. Up to
now it’s been virtually impossible
for a syndicator to get- his foot
into Y&R’s door insofar as nation-
al clients are concerned. Agency
has done plenty of syndicated buy-
ing on a local level (Piel’s Beer,
for. example* in N. Y, and Philly),
but it’s the first time a national
client has entered into the picture.

Dennis O’Keefe Peddles
Europe-Made Telepix

Dennis O’Keefe, who took over
emcee chores on “I’ve Got a
Secret” last week upon his return
from a year in Europe, is peddling
a pilot of a series he made over-
seas, “Adventure Is My Game.”
O’Keefe starred and directed in
the pic, which was produced by
Steven Pallos.

Besides his subbing chores (vice
Garry Moore) on “Secret,” he’s
been set for the lead 'opposite
Ethel Barrymore in “The 13th
Chair” on Chrysler’s CBS-TV
“Best of Broadway” series Oct. 14.

Optional Yocks

That those canned laugh-
tracks are no laughing matter
is demonstrated by the latest
method of skirting the prob-
lem.

United Television Programs
execs showing the initial
prints of the new Rawlins-
Grant Thomas Mitchell starrer,
“Mayor of the Town,” are car-
rying around two audition
prints on their agency calls.
One has>. a laughtrack, the
other doesn’t. Agency can
take it’s choice. —

With a solid core of syndicated
film shows already under its belt
for fall start, WABC-TV looks to
be on its way to . becoming New
York’s “film station.” The ABC-TV
flagship last week followed its ac-
quisition of “I Led Three Lives"

by nabbing “Mr. District Attor-
ney,” sponsors and all, . from
WCBS-TV, the CBS flag, and is
planning to spot both Ziv entries
back-to-back and Friday at 10 p.m.,
with “Three Lives” going m first.

In addition, it’s sold “Three
Lives,” which it bought directly
from Ziv under a 52-week firm
deal. Ronzoni is back as alternate-
week bankroller, with Marcal Pa-
per Products replacing U. S. To-
bacco as the other sponsor. “Mr.
D.A.” sponsors are Carter Products
and Schwayder Bros., who’ve got
Phe series in over 30 markets. Also
being considered is a rerun of the
13 films already shown on WCBS-
TV this spring, as a Tuesday at
11 entry (the Friday night pix will
be firstrun).

Station’s definitely out to build
its rating via syndicated pix. Veep
John Mitchell makes no bones
about the fact that he’s attempting
to emulate the job done by KTTV
in Hollywood, which though with-
out a network affiliation, has built
solid ratings via the vidpix route.
While WABC-TV of course is a net-
work outlet, it’s ratings in N. Y.
haven’t reflected the fact, and
Mitchell is convinced that local as
well as network programming must
be upgraded.

Coincidental with the upgrading
process is the fact that the station
is gradually reaching the point
where national spot business is be-
ing placed on the outlet when the
national spot buyers are looking
for N. Y. exposure, “Mr. D.A.” is
an example, and . there’s a gooo
chance that “Foreign Intrigue” And
“The Star and the Story” may end
up on the outlet. Station virtually
had the Heinz “Studio 57” wrapped
up, but the deal fell through be-
cause ABC-TV refused to supply
the spot network which DuMont
finally cleared for Heinz.

Anent the business end, station
has firmed another deal with Whel-
an Drug Stores for run-of-station
exposure for six vidpix series to
carry through the next year. In-
volved are 13 episodes each of “Biff
Baker,” “Colonel March,” “Jeffrey
Jones,” “Crown Theatre,” “Boston
Blackie” and “The Unexpected.”
Films in each case won’t be those
currently being shown regularly in
the 6-7 cross-the-board hour, but
will be held out of the group for
exclusive exposure for Whelan.
They’ll be spotted in open time on
a run-of-station basis. Outlet is
also close to sales on “Victory at
Sea,” which it plans to air Sundays
at 10:30, and “The Falcon,” which'
will be spotted Wednesday night
either at 10 or 10:30, depending on
network plans.

)0 for ’54 Semester

Television Programs of America,
currently concentrating on its “El-
lery Queen” series in the syndi-
cated field and “Halls of Ivy” in
the national bailiwick, has already
hit a sales mark of $6,000,000 this
year, according to exec v.p. Mi-
chael M. (Mickey) Sillerman. Total
includes some $750,000 in sales al-
ready racked up by the “Queen”
series.

Sillerman predicted that on the
basis of current sales the firm will
do a total business of $9,000,000
in 1954. He took issue with recent
estimates that the firm would gross
some $5,000,000 this year, pointing
out that that figure has already
been exceeded by sales on the Ed-
ward Small features, “Queen;” “Ra-
mar of the Jungle,” “Ypur Star
Showcase” and “Lassie” and “Hails
of Ivy” (the latter two sold on a
national basis).

Figure of $9,000,000 would put
TPA on top of the heap for the
year, with , gross billings outrank-
ing those of Ziv and NBC Film
Division, long acknowledged the
top syndicators. Sillerman’s pro-
jected gross of $9,000,000 includes
anticipated sales on two upcoming
series, the firm’s “Captain Gallant
of the Foreign Legion” and the
five-a-week soaper being turned
out by Bernard Procktet, “Family
Next Door.” It marks the fastest
growth of any outfit in the telepix
business, since TPA was founded
only last September.

Prockter’s ‘Badge’
In Live-to-Film

Bernard Prockter’s “Man Behind
the Badge” is going film with a
complete series of 39 half-hours.
Show, leaving the ranks of live
tele exposures when it ends bn
CBS-TV’s Sundays at 9:30 p.m.
spot at the summer’s close, will be
handled by MCA. MCA is not con*
sidering anything but syndication
or regional sponsorship.

“Badge,” recently cancelled by
Bristol-Myers, will have Charles
Bickford as narrator of the vidpix
series, it’s reported. Prockter is al-
ready leasing the first of the films.
This is the producer’s second ven-
ture into vidpix, the other being a
network deal via ABC wherein “T-
Man in Action” is on celluloid.

From Chunky Chocolates
To Olds, A&C Vidpix
All Over the Spectrum

While the Abbott and CostelJo
vidfilms are making their heaviest
coin from what was once an un-
expected source, they are still
making neat returns via the origi-
nal scheme of things. As a matter
of fact, the show might readily
appear in the same market dur-
ing the day for kids and at night
for adults. The sponsors might be
Chunky Chocolates or.Oldsmobile.

The MCA package is appearing
currently on over 30 network sta-
tions for Campbell Soups on Sat-
urday mornings. As a matter of
fact, the soupery contract with
MCA specifies before 5 p.m. on
weekdays and before 6 on Satur-
days. The current big news with
A & C is that Chunky Chocolates,
which left the show after a run
in 8-10 .markets, is now renewing
for 16 markets.

The package, in MCA syndica-
tion * for about three years, lost
most or all of its original sponsors,
including several breweries ("Ap-
parently,” said one MCA exec, Ab-
bott and Costello don’t drive you
to drink.”) Instead today the vid-
pixers are Carried after 7:30 p.m.
in several markets by the likes of
Westinghouse, a dry cleaning es-
tablishment, Olds dealers and like
sponsors seeking an adult buying
market

Wc&iettUr, Angnrt ft. 1954

•k.

VARIETY’S weekly chart of cily-by-city ratings of syndicated and na-
tional spot film covers 40 to 60 cities reported by American Research Bureau
on a monthly basis. Cities will be rotated each week, with the 10 top-rated
film shows listed in each case, and their competition shown opposite . All

ratings are furnished by ARB, based on the latest reports.

This VARIETY chart represents a gathering of all pertinent informa-
tion about film in each market, which can be used by distributors , agencies ,
stations and clients as an aid in determining the effectiveness of a filmed
show in the specific market. Attention should be paid to time — day and

time factors, since sets-in-use and audience composition vary according to
time slot , i.e., 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 market. Abbre-
viations and symbols are as follows: (Adv.), adventure; (Ch), children’s;
(Co), comedy; (Dr), drama; (Doc), documentary; (Mus), musical;
(Myst), mystery; (Q), quit; (Sp), sports; (W), western; (Wom),
women’s. Numbered symbols next to station call letters represent the sto-
tion’s channel; all channels above 13 are VHF. Those ad agencies Usted as
distributors rep the national spot sponsor for whom the film is aired.

■/

r

7

o

TOP 10 PROGRAMS

AND TYPE

STATION

DISTRIB.

DAY AND

TIME

JUNE

RATING

SHARE

t%)

USE

SETS IN i

TOP COMPETING PROGRAM
PROGRAM STA.

RATING

WASHINGTON

Approx, Set Count -

—575,000

Stations—

-WNBW (4), WTTG (5), WMAL (7), WTOP (9)

. x •

1. Foreign Intrigue (Dr)

. WNBW. . . .

17.2.. . ..

. ... 42

. . . . 41.0

Baseball; Tenth Inning , , . .

WTTG ...

.... 16.7

,T

. Tenth Inning, Film Shorts

WTTG ...

.... 9.0

2. Superman (Adv) . . .

. WNBW

. Thurs. 7 : 00-7 : 30

16.1

. . .. 72

... 22.3

Range Rider . ..... ...

.WTOP ...

.... 3.8

3. Badge 714 (Myst).

. WNBW

NBC

. Wed. 7: 00-7: 30 ...

14.0. . . . .

. ... 74.....

... 18.8

News, Don Richards

WTOP ...

.... 3.6

V

s

Mark Evans............

.WTOP . . .

. . . 1.8

4. Mr. District Attorney (Adv).

. WMAL

.....Ziv

.Tues. 10:30-11:00

... . .. .12.8. . . . .

. ... 30

... 42,5

See It Now.

.WTOP ...

...:i3.4

5. Racket Squad (Adv)

. WMAL . . . . .

ABC

. .Thurs. 10:30-11:00

.....12.7

... 43...,.

... 29.6

Favorite Story .

.WTOP ...

8,7

6. .Annie Oakley (W) .

.WTTG

.....CBS

Sat. 7:00-7:30 ,. . .

.12:2 . ...

. ... 37

... 32.1

Red Skelton".

.WTOP ...

.. . .11.2

7. Abbott & Costello (Com) ....

. WTOP

MCA

.Sat. 11:30-12:00 ..

...... .11.3. . . .

.. . . 98;....

. . . 11.6

Other —

.... 0.3

8. I Led Three Lives (Dr)

. WTOP. ....

Fri. 10:30-11:00 ..

10.7

. ... 24

... 44.9

Cavalcade of Sports. ......

.WNBW ..

....18.8

•

Sports; Greatest Fights . .

.WNBW ..

....14.0

9. Wild Bill Hickok (W)

. WNBW. . . .

.... Flamingo

.Thurs. 7:00-7:30 .

...... 10.4

. . . . 68 .... .

. 15.2

Waterfront

.WTOP ...

.... 2.4

10. Liberace (Mus)

. WTOP . . ...

Guild

. Sun. 7:00-7:30 ...

......10.1.....

. . . . 34 .... .

... 29.4

You Asked For It. .

WMAL- ..

. . .10.4

PROVIDENCE

Approx. Set Count -

—530,000

Stations -

— WBZ (4)

Boston;

WNAC (7), Boston; WJAR (10)

, Prov.

1. Favorite Story (Dr).

. WJAR .....

.... Ziv. , . . .

.Thurs. 8: 30-9:00 .

. . ., . .45.4

. ..‘ 87

... 52.4

Four Star Playhouse

. WNAC ..

. . . 6.2

2. Mr. District Attorney (Adv)

. .WJAR

.... Ziv.

. Mpn. 9 : 00-9 : 30 . . .

...... 39.2 .....

... 59

. . , 66.1

1 Love Lucy . .

. WNAC .*.

. . . .24.6

3. City Detective (Myst)

WJAR

....MCA.......

. Mom 10:30-11:00 .

28.9: . . . .

... 82

. , . - 35.5

Studio One

. WNAC . .

.... 5.7

4. Range Rider (W) .

. WJAR ...

.... CBS

.Sun. 6:30-7:00 ...

. . . . . .27.7

... 91 .... .

... 30.4

Pleasure Playhouse

.WBZ ....

.... 2.3

5. Liberace (Mus)

.:wjar

.... Guild

. Sun. 5:30-6:00 ...

25.4

... 92

... 27.8

Kukla, Fran & Ollie V.

.WBZ ....

. . . . 0.8

Baseball

.WNAC ...

. ... 0,8

6. Superman (Adv)

. WJAR

.... Flamingo

’i Mon. 6:00-6:80 . . .

.21.2. ...

... 90

... 30.4

Kit Carson . *

WNAC . . .

. ... 2.3

7. Your All Star Theatre (Dr) . ,

. WJAR. . .

.... Screen Gems. . .

. Sun. 7 : 00-7 : 30 . . .

,20.8

. . . ’ 77

... 27.0

Stories of the Century ; . . . .

WNAC . . .

. ... 3.1

8. Foreign Intrigue (Dr)

. WJAR

J. Walter Thompson Tues. 10:30-11:00

20.4

... 71

... 28.9

Mr. District Attorney

WNAC ...

. ... 6.2

9. Kent Theatre (Dr)

. WJAR

Sat. 7:00-7:30 ....

16.9

... 79

... 21.5

Two for the Money .

tVNAC . . .

.... 3.8

10. Death Valley Days (W) ....

. WJAR

Sat. 7:30-8:00

.15.4

... 72

. . . 21.6

Ethel & Albert

WBZ ....

. ... 5.4

SYRACUSE

Approx. Set Count-

—300,Q00

Stations — rWSYR (3)

, WHEN (8)

1. Liberace (Mus)

WSYR

. . ; . Guild. ....... . .

.Wed. 7:00-7:30 ..

26.4

... 77.....

. . . 34.3

Make Room for Daddy ......

WHEN . .

. ... 7.9

2. Badge 714 (Myst)

WSYR. . . . ;

.... NBC.

. Sun. 6: 00-6: 30 ...

......21.4

... 81.....

. . . 26.4

My Favorite Husband .

.WHEN ; . .

. . . 5.0

3. Tales of Jeffrey Jones (Myst)

WSYR

....CBS

.Tues. 10:30-11:00

20.7

.. 64.....

... 32.5

See It Now

WHEN . ...

. . .11.8

4. Wild Bill Hickok (W) ......

WHEN

Flamingo

. Wed. 6:00-6:30 . .

14.3 ....

83 ....

... 17.2

Canyon Jack f .

WSYR .

... 2.9

Favorite Story (Dr)

. WSYR

Ziv

.Thurs. 10:30-11:00

14.3

. , 43

... 33.6

Place the Facet, ....

WHEN . . .

. . . 19.3

6. Cisco Kid (W)

. WHEN

Ziv

Sun. 5:00-5:30 ...

14.0

... 67

. . . 21.1

Hall of Fame

.WSYR ...

... 7.1

7. Ramar of the Jungle (W) . .

WSYR

TPA

Sat. 7:00-7:30 ....

10.0

49.....

... 20.4

Red Skelton

WHEN . . .

. . .10.4

8. I Led Three Lives (Dr) ....

. WHEN

Ziv ...

Fri. 7:00-7:30

.......7.9 ....

... 53.....

,. . . 15:0

Life With Elizabeth >

WSYR ...

... 7.1

9. Life With Elizabeth (Com).

. WSYR

Guild

-Fri. 7:00-7:30

7.1. .. .

. . 47 . ...

... 15.0

T T.prl Thron T.ivac

WHEN . . .

... 7.9

10. Abbott & Costello (Com) . . .

. WHEN

MCA

.Sat. 11:30-12:00 ..

6.8

... 100

... 6.8

None

*

SAN ANTONIO

Approx. Set Count-

—180,000

Stations — WOAI (4), KGBS (5)

1. Mr. District Attorney (Adv) . .KGBS . . Ziv

7. Duffy's Tavern (Com) . , . WOAI .

8. Superman (Adv) KGBS.

9. Wild Bill Hickok <W) . . . WOAI.

10. Big Playback (Sports) WOAI.

MPTV ; . Thurs. 9:00-9:30

Flamingo Tues. 6:00-6:30

Flamingo . ... . . Mon. 5:00-5:30 ,

Screen Gems Tues. 9 : 30-9 : 45 .

,M5.2 .
. . 14.8 . .

.. 11 . 2 . .

...7.2. .

49 .

77. .

82..
18. .

Ziv

... .Fri. 8:30-9:00

. .29.6

.. 62

.... 48.0

Cavalcade of Sports

Greatest Fights

Ziv

. . . .Tues. 8r30-9:00 . , . .'. .

. .26.4

. . 57 . . .

46 4

A/Tiltnn Httrlo

TPA

Sun. 4:00-4:30

.,24.8.. ..

.79

. . . . 31.2

American Week

Ziv

... .Mon. 9:00-9:30

. .24.4

62 ....

.... 39.2

9tu Erwin . . . .

Screen Gems . . .

.Thurs. 9:30-10:00 ....

. . 18.4 .....

.. 53 ....

. . . . 34.8

Baseball

ABC

Sun. 10:00-10:30 .....

. .18.0. . , .

62

. . . . ' 29.2

News

31.2

19.2

13.6

39.2

Man Against Crime. . .

Baseball

6 O’clock Report

News Desk

Sagebrush Shorty; News
Army-McCarthy Hearings ; ,

WOAI 25.6

WOAI H2

WOAI 20.0

KGBS 6.4

WOAI 14 8

KGBS ...... 15.2

WOAI 13.6

.WOAI 8.8

.KGBS 15 2

.WOAI 6.4

• WOAI 2.4

KGBS. 2.4

KGBS -32.0

PORTLAND

Approx. Set Count — 140,000

Stations — KOIN (6), KPTV (27)

2. 1 Led Three Lives (br)

3. Badge 714 (Myst)

4 . Death Valley Days (W) .

8. ..Amos V Andy (Com)

7. Liberace (Mas)

. KOIN. . .

. . .Ziv

. .Tues. 9:00-9:30

.37.1

It)

59

. KPTV

. . -NBC

... Mon. 7:00-7:30 .

. .36.6

•66

.KPTV...

. . McCann-Erickson .

. .Wed. 9:30-10:00

. . 28.8

62

. KOIN

. ..CBS

. .Tues. 7:00-7:30

. .27.1

67

. KOIN

., CBS

. .Wed. 7:30-8:00

.26.3

47‘.

. KPTV. .

. . Guild

.Tues. 9:00-9:30

:.25.9...

41 ;

. KPTV .......

. . NBC.

. Mon. 7:30-8:00

.24.9..

fiq

. KPTV

. . Official

. Tues. 9:30-10:00 .....

. 24.4

44

KPTV

. . UTP

. Thurs. 7:30-8:00 ......

.23.9

tY . «

53

58.3

63.0
55.9
46.8

40.3

56.1

63.0

47.3

55.1

45.4

Name That Tune KPTV 15- 4

Liberace .KPTV 25.9

Studio One............ *... KOIN I 93

Strike It Rich KOIN ...... 18 0

Midwestern Hayride KPTV 13-2

My Little Margie. . ......... KPTV 29 8

I Led Three Lives ; KOIN 37.1

Studio One.... ..KOIN 22.4

Suspense . . .' KOIN 30.7

Place the Face . . KPT

AuffWl 11^ 1954

tenth of a nation

With John Cannon, narrator f
'Producer: American Newsreel
%6 quarter-hours
Distrib: Essex Films ..

First documentary telepix series
on the American Negro is “Tenth
of a Nation," a sort of newsreel on
the accomplishments of leading Ne-
groes. As both programming mate-
?ial and as a tribute to accomplish-
ments of the Negro, it fails to im-

^Trouble is its approach, which is
an attempt to encompass too much
in the short space of -a quarter-
hour Films consist of edited news-
reel 'clips, and the first segment
has a parade of 15-20 personalities
spotlighted in the 15 minutes. Sec-
ond segment is somewhat better,
with a little more attention paid to
each person, but the treatments are
still superficial.

As it stands, the series is little
more than a lot of name-dropping
with pictures. Far more effective
(although probably expensive too)
would be to do a biog or even an
interview of one or two of the per-
sonalities in each segment.

On the credit side, the films are
done in good taste, and shouldn’t
have very much trouble finding
southern markets. Quality of the
clips are good, and John Cannon's
narration is on the plus side. While
films are angled for a Negro audi-
ence, they’re general enough in
scope and approach to reach white
viewers. Chan.

HOLLYWOOD TO BROAD WAT
With John Conte, guests
Producer: Emanuel Demby
Director: Myron L, Broun
26 quarter-hours
Distrib: Atlas. Television Corp.

"Hollywood to Broadway” is a
low-budgeted quarter-hour series

it has some serious drawbacks,
namely in a lack of production
knowhow by Demby Productions,
which lensed the films. The shoe-
string budget was apparent in the
live segment, which consists of in-
terviews of legit personalities by
John Conte. Sets, props and even
opticals show lack of imagination
that gives an impressionkof overall
poor quality.

Strangely enough, the inter-
views themselves are excellent.
Conte scores as a pleasant and
glib questioner, and the three le-
giters caught on three separate
shows were equally voluble. Re-
sult was interesting conversations
with Ona Munson (who spoke on
wigs and their importance to the
actress), Paul Stewart (how to
avoid type casting as a heavy) and
Una Merkel (who talked about the
backstage activities at the Broad-
way production of “The Remark-
able Mr. Pennypacker”),

Clips themselves Were also good,
with “Knock on Wood,” “Apache”
and “Tanganyika” excerpts shown
in the three pix caught. Excerpts
had plenty of action and were bet-
ter than the filmhouse trailers.
Series would prove a good buy for
the local theatre operator, who’s
been looking for a way to adver-
tise institutionally on tv. Chan.

Goodson-Todman ‘Web’
Vidpix May Wind Up
Network & Syndication

While Goodson & Todman defi-
nitely plan to put “The Web” on
film, there’s a good 'chance that it
may end up back on a network
basis, according to Mark Goodson.

which seems best suited for an
early evening slot. If nothing >
else, it should cement relations be-
tween the local motion picture ex-
hibitor and the local station, for
fully half of each film consists of
a clip from an upcoming release
of one of Hollywood's major
studios. By far, the clips are the
longest to hit tv thus far, and
comprise a solid plug for the up-
coming pix. As a trailer for the
industry and the local exhibitor,
the series can’t be beat.

But as a source of programming.

Sen. Brieker

Continued from pane 27

out to the agencies, the sponsors,
the packagers, the talent agencies
(MCA, William Morris), etc.

Such a possibility, far from be-
ing a figment of the imagination, is
"too close to reality for comfort,”
the networks fear, and they shud-
der to think of the consequences
should a Senate Interstate Com-
merce Committee fullscale in-
vestigation encompass program-
ming, personalities and a parade
of subpoenas.

The fact that ex-FCC commis-
sioner Robert F. Jones, practicing
law in Washington, has been nomi-
nated as general counsel in charge
of the investigation, has only
served to heighten the anxieties.
Jones demonstrated while with the
FCC that he’s no friend of the
networks. He’s taken more than
one potshot at CBS and NBC. The
probability that he’ll be eager to
expose to the public ears a lot of
the dirty linen that rubbed off on
him during his FCC regime has
more than frightening implica-
tions.

. his testimony before tli
ter Committee probing the
nasco some weeks back, CBS
Frank Stanton foresow the
hihty of the Brieker bill hit
a* ?f network prograr
, that, time Stanton testifi
tyould like to comment on £
'T Brieker 'Bill). On it
tmsjDill is a simple one, pre
. r the regulation of networ]
since the Commission alread;
eises rather considerable i
xf-ry powers over the. ne
•iirough its licensing of the s
ownedby the networks, as ^
‘J»> Its licensing of s
at ®d with networks, the
cations of S. 3456 are
nw, --Perhaps - this bill ca
r? ar i y he viewed as though
Posed t° regulate and lie*
network as a supplier of pr

K!? 8 m f terif fi — just as do fil
independent progran
gers or advertising agencies
Produce programs.”

The packager hasn’t made up his
mind as to whether to assign the
series to a distributor or not, but
meanwhile the possibility of a
limited network showcasing with
syndication in remaining markets
has popped up, and that’s getting
immediate consideration.

In any case, however, the series
won’t bp ready until late winter or
spring. It stays 'livo on CBS-TV
through early fall, when Screen
Gems* “Father Knows Best” moves
into its spot on CBS-TV. No pro-
duction plans have been set yet,
with Goodson scheduled to plane
to the Coast in a couple of weeks
to make arrangements for its con-
version to film. If the limited net-
wojrk-plus-syndication deal does go
through, it won’t start until late
winter.

Meanwhile, Goodson is mulling
his own distribution setup for the
series in the event it does go syn-
dicated. He said initial station and
agency reaction to announcement
of lensing the series has been ex-
cellent, so much, so that G & T may
be able to handle sales for major
markets on its own. If this deci-
sion is made, the firm would prob-
ably work out some deal for a dis-
tributor to handle the smaller
markets, with G & T handling re-
gional and major markets them-
i selves.

New York

Television Programs of America
prexy Milton Gordon slated as one
of the principal speakers at the
Commercial Finance Industry an-
nual convention and dinner Oct. 11
and 12 in N.Y. He’Jl speak on “Mo-
tion. Picture and Television Pro-
gram Financing” as part of a panel
on “Secured Commercial Finan-
cing”... Nola Studios prexy .Vin-
cent Noia has worked out a group
plan on filming audition prints, un-
der which musical artists can get
audition prints of themselves at a
fraction of the regular cost under
an ; expense-sharing arrangement
of three or more artists . . . Scripter
Newton E. Meltzer has authored tv
and theatrical versions of “This Is
Your State,” p.r. pic shot by In-
formation Productions for the N.Y.
State Dept, of Commerce. Thomas
H. Wolf produced and Rene Bras
directed -the films . . . TPA added
Gerard H. Slattery, formerly with
Nona Kirby station rep firm, to its
sales staff, with headquirters in
Boston. . .U.S. Information Agency
is using prints of Transfilm’s doc-
umentary for the Greater N, Y.
Fund, “What Makes A City Great,”
to its information centers through-
out thw world for local showings.

| CBS-TV Dogs It !

Bummer used to bo known as the
“dog days” on television. Now
Sundays on CBS-TV can take that
billing. Natitonal Biscuit Co. has
signed to sponsor Screen Gems'
“Bin Tin Tin” on the net Sundays
at 4:30, starting in the fall, and
that gives the web two canine vid-
pix series. ‘The other is “Lassie,”
which goes in on the Sabbath at 7.

Deal Was set this week, although
the contracts haven’t been signed.
Screen Gems' has a number of the
pix already in the can and has
been pitching the series since the
spring. Sale gives the firm its
second new network showcase for
the fall (“Father Knows Best” is
the other, also set for a Sunday
night CBS ride) and its third
(other being the vet “Ford Thea-
tre” on NBC).

Dicker Lowell Thomas
To Narrate ‘Navy Log’;
CBS Film Sales Tie-Ins

“Navy Log” producer Sam Gallu
and CBS Television Film Sales
are dickering with Lowell Thomas
to take the narrator role in “Navy
Log,”, the telepix series which
Gallu is producing and which the
John Gibbs agency has been
peddling on a national basis. If
Thomas can take ' the part, the
series would go into production for
syndication by CBS Television
Film Sales, with the latter also in
on the financing and as coproducer.
Series would be pitched: at banks
and other institutional sponsors.

Gallu has secured Navy coopera-
tion in shooting the' series, nd has
already turned out a pilot (which
got an unusual press and agency
screening by Gibbs a couple of
month ago via a party-screening
on an aircraft carrier harbored in
N. Y.’s North River). CBS would
enter the deal .. only if Thoftias
stars (as the Navy commander
who narrates the film). It had pre-
viously been planned to get Ar-
thur Godfrey to narrate, but other
commitments forced him out.

Don’t Blame TV

Continued from pffge 30

President Eisenhower’s inaugura-
tion less solemn and dignified than
it was. Services have been tele-
vised in churches of various faiths,
and without any complaints that
they changed, worship into a sacri-
legious carnival and made the
clergy appear as clowns. The
United Nations operates unruffled
under tv’s eye. The Metropolitan
Opera and symphony orchestras
have been brought into homes
without leaving ‘circus* sawdust on
the floor.”

James L. Caddigan, DuMont di-
rector of programming, testified
that televising of hearings does not
interfere with conduct, of proceed-
ings. Through pooling of equip-
ment by networks, he pointed but,
only one set of cameras is neces-
sary to provide the whole nation
with service. And tv cameras, he
added, are “utterly silent.”

Ralph W. Hardy, NARTB veepee,
told the subcommittee that prob-
lem posed by televising of hearings
is “not how to withdraw this great
service from the people, but rather
how to make more adequate use
of it . . . Whatever will aid the
process -of bringing closer together
those who govern and those, who
are governed cannot help but make
the flame of democratic freedom
burn brighter.”

UTP Gets Coast Client
For Ken Murray Vidpix

United Television Programs last
week wrapped up the first regional
deal on the upcoming Ken Murray
telepixer,' “Where Were You?” by
pacting a moving company for 12
western markets. UTP signed
Bekins Van & Storage through the
Brooks agency to sponsor the show
for 31 weeks in'L.A., Sain Fran-
cisco, Seattle, Portland, Spokane,
Omaha, Dallas, Phoenix, Tucson,
Boise, San Diego and Denver.

Show is being produced by Bing
Crosby Enterpriser, - with Murray
acting as star, producer and direc*
I tor. UTP distributes.

TV-FILMS

- S'

’ 41 1

Production Outfits, Sez GottHeb

Washington, Aug. 10.

A local tv religious program,
whicb^ has run live successfully
for the past two years on the Du-
Mont station WTTG here, is to be
filmed and offered to stations
throughout the country.

It is the weekly “Hand to
Heaven” ... program, featuring the
evangelistic sermons of Rev. Jo-
seph Uhrig, and sponsored by
the non-denominational Hand to
Heaven Evangelistic Assn. Its
soloist is Bob Daniels who recent-
ly recorded a series of sacred mu-
sic releases with the MGM Orch.

Filming will be done here by
National Video Productions at
Capital Film Studios. NVP pro-
duces many of the tv shows eman-
ating from Washington.

‘Harlem-Variety Revue’

On Syndication Agenda
As 1st Negro Series

First Negro variety series for
syndication goes into production
Aug. 23 at the Biltmore Studios
in N- Y., which were acquired this
week by Louis L. Klotz, who heads
both his own producing firm and
the newly organized Biltmore Pro-
ductions. Klotz claims the studios,
in downtown Gotham (E. 4th St.),
are the largest in the east, with
four stages (50x140 feet, 50x100
and two 50x65), recording, screen-
ing' and editing facilities.

Syndicated series is titled “Har-
lem Variety Revue.” Cast will be
all-Negro, and 39 films are slated
for the series. Klotz is dickering
a distribution deal for the series.
He’ll follow that with another 39
musical half-hours, the latter fea-
turing white artists. While Klotz
will be turning out his own prod-
uct, studio is also available to out-
side producers and agencies.

»

Industrial Vidpix Get

Festival Spotlighting

Industrial films produced for
television appear to be getting in
their licks, at overseas film festi-
vals. Latest to get top recognition
is Marathon TV Newsreels’ “Air-
head,” the quarter-hour documen-
tary produced in cooperation with
the U. S. Marine Corps for Sikor-
sky Aircraft. Film, which depicted
i the work of helicopters in evacuat-
ing wounded in the Korean war,
was one of nine U. S. pix selected
for showing out of a total of 90
entered at the Venice Film Festi-
val.

Pic, which has had 400 showings
on 250 stations in the U. S., has
been entered for the Edinburgh
Festival later this sumpier, and is
one of the Golden Reel winners at
the recent American fete in Chi-
cago. Another Marathon tv indus-
trial, “The Mailed Fist,” (pro-
duced for American Car & Foun-
dry and the Army Ordnance
Corps) is now making the theatri-
cal rounds, with a N. Y. showing
current at the 49th St. Trans-Lux.

‘Invitation Playhouse’

Set For German Theatres

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Telefilm producers would do
well to take a lesson from the
nation's mass production indus-
tries, who sponsor 90% of the tee-
vee shows, by adopting such pro-
duction methods to cut costs and
at the same time turn out quality
.product.

So asserts Alex Gottlieb, pro-
ducer of a new vidfiim series,
“Dear Phoebe,” starring Peter
Lawford, with Marcia Henderson,
and sponsored by Campbell’s Soup.
“Campbell's Soup or Chrysler
Motors wouldn’t begin their pro-
duction line rolling without exten-
sive meetings of every department.
They do this to insure the best
product with the most efficient use
of money. That’s why we have
been holding pre-production meet-
ings, and will continue to have
others,” remarked Gottlieb, a film
producer making his tv bow.

He said, as a result of the ses-
sions, his company has ojeayed 11
scripts before filming began; that
on the whole the thought and sug-
gestions made during such hud-
dles have already saved the com-
pany lots of money.

Participating in the sessions
were Gottlieb, American National
Studios manager William Stephens
and his staff; director Don Weis
and his assistants, and A1 Ward
and Peter Frank, repping BBD&O.
Also in on the talks were camera-
man Joseph Biroc; supervising
film editor Jason Bernie, and art
director Daniel Fapp,

Company which began lensing
last Thursday plans to shoot three
telepix every. two weeks, rehears-
ing when it isn’t actually shooting.

SG’s Ma jor Regional
‘All-Star Theatre’ Deal

Screen Gems this week set its
biggest regional deal to date on
“Your All-Star Theatre,” the “Ford
Theatre” rerun series.' Gallo Wine

picked up for 17 markets scattered
throughout the country on a 26-
week deal. Series starts for Gallo
in September.

Meanwhile, the firm’s commer-
cial department in New York has
stepped up production, largely due
to the recent addition of an ani-
mation department. Firm has 19
blurbs on the drawing boards and
before the camera, 10 of them ani-
mated. Among clients now being
serviced are RCA, Sunshine Biscuit
and Minute Rice.

Ex-'Ornnibus’ Vidpix

Set for S judication

Transfilm, the N.Y.-based com-
mercial and industrial telepix pro-
duction outfit, is going into syndi-
cated sales for the first time with
a package of four quarter-hour
documentaries it originally pro-
duced for “Omnibus.” All four
played on the Ford Foundation
Radio-TV Workshop production
last year.

Three of the pix are filmbiogs —
one is of Nobel Prize winner Wil-
liam Faulkner, reportedly the only
film of the author ever produced.
It was shot at his home in Oxford,
Miss. Others are of designer Ray-
mond Loewy and photographer
Phillipe Halsman. Fourth pic is
“Tugboat,” depicting the daily
activities of a tug and its crew.

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

“Invitation Playhouse,” vidpix
series produced by the Tee Vee
Co., will be shown in German thea-
tres, following inking of a deal
between Eugene A. Borkum of
Munich and 1 Marc Frederic, general
manager of Tee Vee.

Borkum has been here from Ger-
many scouting for short subjects
to pair along with a single feature
for theatrical bills. “Invitation,”
a 15-min. tv series, will be dubbed
into the German language. Walter
Kohner agented the deal.

134 For ‘Range Rider’

Langendorf United Bakeries has
added four more Coast markets to
its “Range Rider” exposure, bring-
ing up its total regional coverage
on the CBS Television Film Sales
property to 10 markets. New out-
lets are KEYT in Santa Barbara,
KERO-TV in Bakersfield, KTVU
in Stockton and KIMA in Yakima.

Biow agency’s San Francisco of-
fice agented the deal, which brings
the “Range Rider” total markets
to 134.

Salt Lake Office

/Salt Lake City, Aug. 10.
The 16th field office of MCA-TV
las been opened here. Head of
he film distrib outfit is Tom Me- ;
lahon. j

Area for sales out of the office
iere will be Montana, Idaho, Wy-
oming, Colorado and Utah,

SALESMAN

Highly successful background and
position in diversified field. Presently
•••king- change to TV film Organiza-
tion. Sincerely interested in tbit spe-
cialized fitld. Writ# Box V-1954,
Variety, 154 W. 46 St., Now York 36.

MUSIC

Wednesday, Aiiyint H. Ha

Jocks, Jukes

By MIKE; GROSS

Georgia. Gibbs: “More Than
Ever”-“The Man That Got Away”
(Mercury). “More Than Ever” is
Georgia Gibbs’ . initial try at the
mutipie-tracking gimmick and her
first attempt at an Italian lyric in-
terpolation. She’s tops in both de-
partments, making it a surefire
side. Tune is a standout ballad en-
try with a rhythmic beat and an ef-
fective lyric. All spinning ' outlets
will pick it up. Her workover of
“The Man That Got Away” is ex-
cellent but it’s a bit too heavy for
pop appeal,

Jane Morgan: “Fair Weather
Friends”-“Baseball” (Kapp). Nitery
thrush Jane Morgan gets off
to a solid start witti this coupling.
Both sides are attractive items and
should put the Kapp label into the
pop hit lists for the first time.
“Fair Weather Friends” looms as
the big side in the long run. It’s a
meaty ballad with a hillbilly flavor
and Miss Morgan gets the message
across with impact. “Baseball” is a
lively novelty which helps show-
case her piping versatility.

Dean Martin: “That's What I
Like”-“The Peddler Man” (Cap-
itol). Cuvrenfly riding high with
“Sway,” Dean Martin has a neat
follovuD entry in “That’s What I
Like.” Tune’s melodic line and ro-
mantic lyric are right up Martin’s

mood for “These Things God Fash-
ioned For Me.” On this side the
production as weU as the tune get
in his way.

Felicia Sanders: “Don’t Stay
Away Too Long”-“My Love Be-
longs To YOu” (Columbia). “Don’t
Stay Away Too Long” gives Felicia
Sanders her best chances for a
breakthrough slice in some time/
It’s a simple ballad with a neat
blending of words and music. She
gives it a warm reading via the
multipie-track technique. “My Love
Belongs To You” is a cumbersome
ballad with slim spinning chances.

Karen Chandler; “Heartbeat”-
“ Where Is The One For Me”
(Coral). Karen Chandler knows
how to make the most out of a
mood ballad arid “Heartbeat” fits
the bill. Tune is an above average
Tin Pan Alley concoction and she
builds it into a good commercial
entry via her effective piping at-
tack. “Where Is The One For Me”
is a neat change of pace. : It’s a
light-hearted rhythmic piece that’ll
| get its share of spins.

Album Review

Frank Sinatra: “Swing Easy”
(Capitol). Sinatra’s second album
for Capitol should repeat the suc-
cess of his initial package try,
“Songs For Young Lovers.” This
set is switch in mood from the pre-

Best Bets

GEORGIA GIBBS MORE THAN EVER

(Mercury) .The Man That Got Away

JANE MORGAN ....... FAIR WEATHER FRIENDS

(Kapp ) . . . — .......... Baseball

DEAN MARTIN THAT’S WHAT I LIKE

(Capitol) .The Peddler Man .

BULAW \YO SWEET RHYTHMS BAND ......... SKOKIAAN

( London ) ......... ..... . In the Mood

alley and he belts it out with the j vious in that the prison Riddle
kind of captivating lilt that nabs \ orch beat swings in a bright and
spins; Tune is from the Martin- 1 exciting style. Sinatra’s pipes ex-
Lewis starrer, “Living It Up,” j cellently complement the zingy

LAWRENCE WELK

and his

CHAMPAGNE MUSIC
153d Consecutive Week, Aragon
Ballroom, Santa Monica, Calif*

Will Appear
CORN PALACE
. Mitchell, So. Dakota
Sept. 19th through Sept. 25th

Falla: El Ajnor Brujo & El Re*
tablo (Angela $4,85). Lusty, au-
thentic version of “Bruja” by Coni
servatoire Orch under Argenta,
with a fine, rich colored mezzo in
Ana Marla Triarte for soloist. Pup-
pet show score on reverse, though
less important, is also interesting,

Beethoven: Sonatas No. 30 Sc 31
(RCA Victor; $5.95). Expressive,
poetic performances by Darne
Myra Hess of the dramatic Op.709
(in E) and the simpler, but just as
beautiful and melodic Op.llO (A-
flat). Fine coupling.

Vaughn Williams (Westminster;
$5.95). Philharmonic Promenade,
under Sir Adrian Boult, in vivid
recreations of mostly unfamiliar
but appealing works — the flavor-
some, strongly nationalistic “Eng-
lish Folk Song Suite”; charming,
pas tor a 1 “Fantasia on Green-
sleeves”; lyric, gentle “Norfolk
Rhapsody,” and w.k., affecting
“Fantasia on Theme of Tallis.”

Tchaikovsky (Vox; $5.95). Three

warhorsesr "1812. Overture’*
♦.‘Marche Slave” and “Capricci'o
I talien,t’ rpusingly played by Vien°
na State Philh&tmpnic under Per-
lea. “Romeo and Juliet” starts
slowly, but picks ftp pace and vigor

Taylor: Through The Looking
Glass (Mercury; $5.95). Fine
sharply-etched reading by the East-
man-Rochester Symph under Han-
son of the evocative, impressionis-
tic score, which is occasionally
rich and lush as it is sometimes
wayward and thin.

Byrd: Great Service (Vanguard*
$5.95). Little-known ; early 17th-
century religioso choral work, with
its somewhat involved rhythms but
even repetition Of themes, has a
sturdy, impressive recording here
by the Chamber Chorus of Wash-
ington, under Paul' Callaway.

Spanish Gypsy Airs (Remington:
$2.99). Guitarist Carlos Montoya
and ensemble of singers, dancers
and musicians in skillful, authentic
renditions of a highly varied, ap-
pealing repertory. Bron.

which should help platter’s com
mercial potential. Flip side is less
successful. There’s no melody or
lyric to latch on to but Martin does
the best he can.

Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band:
“Skokiaan”-“In The Mood” (Lon-
don). This is the platter that start-
ed the “Skokiaan” avalanche: It

rhythm. Set includes eight stand-
ard-items and Sinatra gives them
all a fresh, vibrant quality with his
breezy interpretations. Best of the
lot are “All Of Me" and “Just One
Of Those Things.” The album
hover, too, is a knockout.

Bernle Wayne: “The Broadway
Story” (Coral). “The Broadway

got to market first and it looks like J Story” is a top example of the wax
it’ll hold its lead. The Zulu tune j showmanship that’s going into the

has a fetching beat and the Bula-
wayo boys, a South African group,
give it the right touch. It’s a nat-
ural for the coinboxes and the
jocks should stick to it despite the
flood of other waxings. On the bot-
tom deck, the band works over “In
The Mood.” It’ll lose out to the
“Skokiaan” kick and it’s just as
well.

The Four Lads: “Skokiaan”-
“Why Should I Love You” (Co-
lumbia*. The Four Lads are getting

production of pop album sets to-
day. It’s a musical fable especially
created for a shellac production.
Piece was composed and conducted
by . Bernie Wayne with Danny
Scholl, Jim Hawthorne, Audrey
Marsh, Chipper Nathan and Jan
Magnes handling the vocal chores.
In melody and words, Wayne at-
tempts to capture the heartbeat of
the city. It’s all seen through the
eyes of the cop on the beat at
Broadway at 50th St, sung by
Scholl. There are some bright.

tion. Flip side of the 10-inch plat-
ter includes four Wayne . originals.
They’re all lush and easy on the

Josh White: “Josh White Comes
A Visitin’ ” (Livingston). This is a
good bet for the folk fans. Josh
White is in fine form as he plows
through eight folk ballads, six of
which are originals. On this pack-
age he strays a bit from his usual
form by using a combo backing
(Jimmy Crawford, drums; A1 Hall,
bass; Sammy Benskin, organ and
piano). The group doesn’t get in
his way and he delivers w r ith his
usual charm. The set also is avail-
able on tape.

Liane-Boheme Bar Trio: “Boheme
Bar” (Vanguard). Potpourri of
vocal and instrumental offerings
from a small bistro in Vienna
brings up a solid German-language
chariteuse in Liane, cool-voiced,
smooth and superior, who knows
her way around a song. Sentimen-
tal ballads are affecting; opening
number, imitative of U.S. jazz, is
least effective. Vocal trio backing
is uniiripressive. Instrumental ac-
comp is deft, unobtrusive and
stands up well on its own in a
Kalman medley, waltz melange,
etc. An appealing album.

Martha Schlamme: “Songs of
Many Lands” (Vanguard). Another
Viennese singer, Miss Schlamme’s
forte is folksongs of all nationali-
ties. Good soprano voice, musical
background and sympathetic feel-
ing bring fine results on Yiddish,
Israeli, Russ and Irish tunes, done
lustily or tenderly, as mood com-
mands. Western songs are less
effective, and the spiritual offer-
ing is out of character. Good all-
round album, though.

■ . "* •

LEWIS' AMERICAN O.O.

E. R. (Ted) Lewis, head of Eng-
lish Decca, arrived in New York
last week for a month’s 0.0. of the
disk biz scene.

He’s headquartering at London

RETAIL SHEET BEST SELLERS

PffitlETr

Survey of retail sheet music
best sellers based on reports
obtained from leading stores in
13. cities and showing com *
parative sales rating for this
and last week.

* ASCAP t BMI

in on the “Skokiaan” surge with a I .

lively lvric version. The boys cap- j lyrical passages and though Wayne

ture the mood and the beat and 1 Sets a bit trite and corny at times, I Records’ Gotham office. London
the addition of words may help ’em j it all adds ud to neat wax produce- is English Decca’s U.S. subsid.

stealsome of the play away from 1 — ' —

the strictly instrumental versions, j
The flip side is a routine item with j
i standard interpretation. j

Henri Rene Orch: “Manhattan ;

Mambo”-“Please, Please” (Victor). I
“Manhattan Mambo” is a tamale- :
style tune out of Tin Pah Alley ;
that could cash in on the current
mambo sway. Henri Rene, however, :
fails to get much qf the chile flavor ,
into his interpretation and it
emerges as a so-so slice. Columbia 1
Records' cut with the Pete Rugolo
orch is more in the spirit of the !
frenetic mood and it could make !
some noise. Rene switches to a '
rhythm & blues beat on “Please, I
Please” with better results. !

Roy Hamilton: “Ebb Tide”-"Be- I
ware” (Epic). Roy Hamilton has
taken last year’s hit, “Ebb Tide,” ■
and given it such a vivid vocal ;
play that it should take off again in :
the rhythm & blues market where j
he’s most popular. His powerful 1
pipes take the tune for a potent j
emotional spin. “Beware” is a •
pleasant item which Hamilton gives i
an easygoing ride. Okay for oc- '
casional spins.

Danny Machin: “A Dollar, A
Nickel arid a Dime”-“These Things
God Fashioned For Me” (Derby).

Danny Machin won’t reach the hit
lists with this disk, his debut in
wax competition, but he impresses
as a crooner who could hit paydirt
with the right material. “A Dollar,

A Nickel and A Dime” is a cute
piece of material and Machin gives
It an enjoyable interpretation. It’ll
get spins but it’s not strong enough
tQ. buck the powerhouse , competi-
tion, He switches to a religioso

MORE FEYER DISKS
WITH ‘ECHOES’ SURGE

With the George Feyer 10-inch
piano potpourris proving to be one
of its most successful pop items,
Vox Productions has skedded
several more disks of the Hun-
garian- American artist. Three
weeks ago, Vox issued “Echoes of

Latin-America” to .follow on the
other four “Echoes” alburns
(“Paris,” “Italy,” “Vienna,” “Broad-
way”). In September, company \vill
issue Feyer’s “Echoes of Child-
hood,” comprising, tunes one re-
members as a kid. There will be
42 tunes in all, with rhythm ac-
companiment to the keyboard
work, as usual.

In the fall, Vox is planning an
entirely new line for Feyer, away
from the “Echoes” series.

Decca Shares Up to 75c
On Six-Month Earnings

Decca Records* earnings went up
to 75c. per share for the six-month
period ending June 30, 1954. In
the same period last year diskery
reported earnings equal to 32c. per.
share.

The boost in earnings Is attrib-
uted to Decca’s move-in on Uni-
versal Pictures. Diskery now owns
718.585 share of U, representing
73% of the pic company’s outstand-
ing common stock. The 1953 earn-
ings did not include Decca’s then
proportional share of U’s undis-
tributed earnings.

The undistributed earnings for
the six-month period this year
amounted to $1,204,288 on 1,602,-
501 outstanding shares of capital
stock. The ’53 earnings for the
corresponding period were $430,-
063 on 1,354,158 shares.

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Rival Mgt’s Maestro OK
Needed to Set American
Tour of Berlin Symph

Curious and probably unique
situation has arisen in connection
with the highly-touted visit next
winter of the Berlin Philharmonic
Orchestra to the^ U. S. under the
baton of Europe’s top conductor,
Wilhelm Furtwangler. Orch’s tour
will be iirider the 'Columbia Artists
Mgt. banner. But Furtwangler is
under contract (for the U. S.) to
Columbia’s arch-rival, National
Concert & Artists Corp., and Co-
lumbia had to dicker \vith NC AC
to get the okay for the German
maestro to lead his Own band
here.

Tangle came about due to the
fact that NCAC, along with its
closely-allied Sol Hurok office,
started negotiations . several sea-
sons ago to bring the Vierina Phil-
harmoriic to this country, also with
b.o. magnet Furtwangler as con-
ductor. Hurok pulled out of the
deal because of the conductor
anglei feeling that Furtwangler was
too controversial., Marks Levine,
NCAC prez, strung along with the
maestro and got his verbal okay
to a personal pact. This was signed
about a year ago.

The Vienna Philharmonic is now
due here in the winter or fall of
1956, under NCAC aegis instead
of Hurok-NCAC. Levine, who re-
turned from Europe last week after
a seven-week holiday, finalized th*
visit during his stay.

The Berlin Philharmonic
will be. here next winter, opening
in Washington, Feb. 27, ’55. It will
play 26 concerts in 21 cities and
the veteran Furtwangler expect!
to conduct them all.

BOB MERRILL’S NEW PUB
CO.; KAUFMAN PARD

Tunesmith Bob Merrill, who re-
cently ankled a longtime tieup
with Joy Music, has launched his
own publishing firm, Goldenbell
Music. Merrill teamed up with
deejay Murray Kaufman in the op-
eration. Pubbery will be affiliated
with ASCAP.

Goldenbell’s first big push will
be on Merrill’s own tune, “Tell
Me, Tell Me,” which June Valli has
waxed for RCA Victor.

MGM Adds More Masters
In Weems, Vino Buyout

MGM Records continues to add
to its release output via the buy-
out of masters. Lastest indepen?
dently-made disks to be purchased
by the diskery were cut by crooner
A1 Vino and orch leader Ted
Weems.

The Vino release’ will be a coup-*'
ling of “I Heard You Cried Last
Night” and “Ondine.” Weems
platter mates “Polka Dot Ram
with “I Never Knew.” Both wax-
ings will reach the market ■ dunflg
the last week in August.

Haber Joins Reis

Bert Haber joins Herb Reis'
publishing firms this week. Haber,
formerly contactman for Sheldos
Music, will assist Reis in tn®
operation of latter’s ASCAP a n(l
BMI firms. ■

Reis launched his publishing ac-
tivity about six months ago
he ankled Frank Music, Frantc

4 -

payola HI— Worse Than Ever

“Gee how I long for the olden .days of good clean payola. It's
always been with us ever sinde publishers came to Jolson or Val-
lee with cut-ins on songs, but that was a ‘clean’ payola because
a great singer did do much for a song. But today, with the a&r
setups being what they are, it looks like the job is a license to
steal.” That is one publisher’s observation.

“And why not?”, adds a songwriter, “considering that the a&r
men figure they may as well get theirs while they can”’ (One
a&r man observes, “You know the mortality rate of these Jobs;
while we have the hits we’re heroes but if the tide turns you
can’t blame me for setting up a little side-business just in case.”)

“It’s a garbage business and you’re bound to get filthy when
you play with dirt,” adds BMI’s Bob Burton. “On the other hand,
it’s the only one of the. show biz arts where a guy with a short
bankroll can shoot the works and maybe come up with a fortune.
There’s no exclusive patent on any guy who can. make a hit
nowadays, so a few bucks here and there they figure pan achieve
the proper plugs or recordings. But it is ridiculous for anybody
to fingerpoint at Broadcast Music Inc. and say that because we
pay off on performances this has stimulated the payola to rec-
ords, record-makers, and record jockeys. As a matter of fact
most of our publishers are country & western firms, where the
artist is the publisher so, obviously, the payola figures with the
major disk labels. And who goes after the top artists?— not us
but the top ASCAP publishers. The hillbilly and country artists
mostly do their own songs.

“Incidentally, if the ASCAP songwriters’ suit has substance,
that RCA and CBS can influence their Victor and Columbia disk-
. ery affiliations into giving them preferential treatment with art-
ists, then how do you figure they Should also be the targets of
payola from publishers who want to achieve a greater amount
of recordings?” '

A common complaint to Variety has been the insistence to
“name names” and “don't make it -such a broad swipe at the
entire industry.” MGM Records’ Harry Meyerson points up that
“the evil is born of the fact that there's no such thing as ‘second
money’ for anybody. It’s sudden death. With me they want Joni
James; the pressure isn’t so great on our other artists. You’ll
hear all over that publishers used to balk at Vaughn Monroe
but now that his ‘Mambo’ is No. 1 at Victor they’re pressing
him all over again. Tommy ^Edwards did ‘Secret Love’ fiTst for
us but Doris Day on Columbia soon stole the entire market.
There’s no such thing as ‘second money.’ Archie Bleyer walks
away with ‘Hernando’s Hideaway’ on his indie Cadence even
though Columbia has the album. And when Eddie Fisher goaled
them with ‘Wish You Were Here’ for Victor, who else wanted to
make the tune? Occasionally ‘Three Coins in the Fountain’ or
‘Moulin Rouge’ or ‘The High and Mighty’ get the cross-the-board
treatment, but even that’s hazardous. You’d think that Sinatra,
who did the original soundtrack in the film, would Wham ’em
with his recording, so the Four Aces step out and take it away.
That’s why the dealers and coin-machines don’t want anything
but the one smash seller; and when we get a piece of material
it’s a cloak & dagger whodunit, everybody’s sworn to secrecy,
just to be first on the market.”

“This too shall pass,” is the nice-Nellie wishful thinking of a
name songsmith who at the same time deplores that “they
butcher our copyrights; they want in on the very basis of our
creative work. At least in the old days if wp put a bandleader’s
name on the sheet music he did or didn’t get a third or the me-
chanicals or the sheet music, but his name-power might have
had a potent value in selling those records and sheets. Today
they don’t want the billing; they’d rather have the payoff sub
rosa.”

The big question is “how do the executives at the top stand
for this, unless of course they’re satisfied so long as the a&r men
produce the hits. Maybe they’d rather have a hep guy with a
little larceny than an honest character who doesn't know what
it’s all' about.”

The this-too-Shall-pass wishful-thinkers look to television as
the panacea, pointing to Jane Froman’s “I Believe” as a sample
of making a hit via video. The harker-backers, of course, can
recall the “royalty” deals Max Dreyfus gave George White and
Earl Carroll as -inducement for using his (Chappell’s) stable of
writers. This was considered a legitimate business arrangement
in the heyday of Broadway revues.

Jhe earthier songwriters complain, “We used to squawk when
they called us barflies, or hopheads, or dese&dose guys, but this
romancing’ of the a&r guys, just to get a record, is even more
degrading. How low must you get to land'a record nowadays;
you gotta romance the executive, the artist, the disk jockey and

everybody right down the line.”

This is democracy at work,” says another music man, “when
» guy with a manuscript and the enterprise to get it to the right

rtist and the right recording company can get a hit and achieve
Performances as anybody else, and not be afraid of
iMax) Dreyfus or (Louis) Bernstein or ‘the Big 3’.” •

Victor’s Manie Sacks says, “I purposely pay our people
th° re w ^ eep ^em above temptation,” and Meyerson scoffs at
Mr*? »i s her who complained about “a plug song.” Says the

um a&r chief, “Outside of an office in Hollywood a publisher
nri n 0nger »^ a ‘' an °® ic . e in Chicago, or Pittsburgh, Frisco or New
myhe Ws a’ case of the tail wanting to wdg the dog.
rial problem is to keep our artists alive. Without mate-

vpnr i f re no 8°°d» And if a Joni James, who makes 12 sides a
to J e us sa V v records four standards, and that leaves her eight
that ’ We mu 5t make sure the material is right. She wants it
anoth Wa u 1 Sure » Jhaybe she is friendlier with one firm than
for her” ^ * riendsll *P biust be supported by the right material

1? even greater problem 'to all concerned,” says an-

» . i/

(Continued on page 49)

&

By MIKE GROSS

The major record companies are
beginning to buck each other on
hit tune potentials. Heretofore, the
top disk companies were interested
primarily in exclusive songs and
if a rival company broke through
with a Click platter, they were will-
ing to let it have the field to itself.
In recent months, however, the
majority of top artists & repertoire
then have taken to lining up their
top artists, to battle a. similar
slotted disker on a rival' label with
the same tune.

Most of a&r men still believe
that only one disk version of a
tune picks up all the marbles and
that second money seldom is worth
the effort. Switch in thinking is
based on the fact that now the
a&r men believe that if they can
get to market before the rival
company’s disk has made any im-
pact, their chances for a break-
through are just about even.

RCA Victor and Columbia are
pointing up the new intensity of
the battle for top shellac version
of a tune. Both labels became
aware of the excitement stirred up
by Connee Boswell’s etching of “If
I Give My Heart To You” on Deeca.
Although the Decca disk didn’t
step out, the tune created plenty
of interest and Victor jumped in
immediately with a . cutting by
Dinah Shore. Columbia then rushed
in with a slice by Doris Day.

Another disk company battle is
brewing on cuttings of “Smile,”
Charlie Chaplin’s 20-year-old
theme for the pic, “Modern
Times.” London Records has cut
it three ways, Frank Chacksfield,
Lita Roza and David Whitfield.
Victor has pitched in Sunny Gale
for a vocal workover and The
Melachrino Strings for the instru-
mental version. In its desire to get
in on the “Smile” bandwagon, Cap-
itol Records scrapped one side of
an already released Nat (King)
Cole platter so it could, get out
fast with his version of the song.
Tune shelved, “Je Vous Aime Beau-
coup,” has been scheduled for the
next Cole release.

There’s also a record company
battle developing over the Zulu
entry, “Skokiaan.” Tune broke put
via the London Records’ waxing by*
the Bulawayo Sweet Rhythms Band
about two weeks ago and Capitol
came in fast with a Ray Anthony
.cut, Mercury joined in with Ralph
Marterie and Victor is in for its
crack at the “Skokiaan” coin with
Perez Prado. Columbia got into the
act with its top vocal combo, The
Four Lads.

CARLTON MAPS O’SEAS
TREK ON VICTOR SALES

Indicative of the growing realiza-
tion of the importance of the in-
ternational market, RCA Victor’s
pop artists & repertoire chief Joe
Carlton will trek to Europe next
month for a hurried round of con-
ferences with execs of His Master’s
Voice and other overseas affiliates
of the plattery. He expects to be
gone about two weeks.

Carlton will visit London, Paris,
Rome and Berlin, discussing pro-
motional plans, helping map sales
drives and dickering for the ex-
change of artists and materials-
with the European platteries.

Cap Sets Global Plug
For Kidisk Artist Bozo

Capitol Records has line up a
global plug for Bozo, its kidisk
artist, via a tieup with the U. S.
Air Force. Bozo, the Capitol
clown, will tour bases in England,
France, Germany, Austria and pos-
sibly Italy. The clown will ap-
pear at post exchanges for the,
children of armed forces per-
sonnel.'

Tour, which will run a month,
will be kicked Off Aug. 16 when
Bozo takes off from Westover
Field, Conn.

4 *

RCA Victor’s pitch for the fall

Have Disk, Will Travel

Something of a record for
hedge-hopping was set by
George R. Marek, manager of
RCA Victor’s artists and reper-
toire, in the interests of new
overseas recording and domes-
tic field contacting in behalf
of the new Listener’s Digest.

In three weeks this has been
his chronological itinerary: a
one-week quickie to London
and Brussels, and upon his re-
turn to Philadelphia, Newark, .
the Chicago National Assn, of .
Music Merchants convention,
Los Angeles, Frisco, Portland
(Ore.), Pittsburgh and .Mont-
real.

rn rrn

lo Izena lune

Mills Music won its battle against
Cromwell Music over the rights to
the tune, “Tzena, Tzena, Tzena.”
In a decision handed down in
N. Y. Federal Sourth last week,
Judge Vincent Leibell upheld Mills’
claim that Isachar Miron, formerly
known as Michrovsky, was the orig-
inal composer of the melody.
Cromwell, a Howie Richmond sub-
sid, alleged that the melody was
in public domain.

As a result of the decision, Crom-
well is discontinuing publication
of its version of the tune contain-
ing an English lyric by Gordon
Jenkins. Tune was turned into a
disclick a few years back by Jen-
kins and The Weavers on the
Decca label. The case had been
pending in Federal Court since
1950. The trial took place in Feb-
ruary, this year. Cromwell attor-
neys currently are studying the de-
cision and an appeal is contem-
plated.

Palitz To Head Up New
BMI Pubbery For Gale

Moe Gale is expanding his pub-
lishing activity next month with
the formation of another BMI firm.
The new pubbery will be tagged
Stratton Music, and Gale is bring-
ing ex-Decca artists & repertoire
chief Morty Palitz as general man-
ager. Gale’S other pubbery, Shel-
don Music, will continue to be
managed by Goldie Goldmark.

' The Palitz move into the pubbery
field follows the line already taken
by two other a&r men. Ex-RCA
Victor a&r chiefs Joe Csida and
Charlie Green are now in the pub-
lishing biz together under the
Trinity Music banner. Palitz, who
takes over Stratton Sept. 1, re-
cently was a musical director at
Bell Records.

Rynd Renamed Prexy
Of Audio & Video Firm

Charles E: Rynd was reelected
chairman-of-the-board and prexy
of Audio & Video Products. Corp.
at firm’s annual stockholders’ meet
recently.

Conclave also reelected the
board of directors; Irving Buckley,
Max Graff, Edward V. Otis; Ber-
nard Smith, Sidney K. Wolf and
Erwin Wolfson. The reelected offi-
cers of A&V are Thomas Merson,
v,p., . Richard Rynd, v.p.-treasurer,
and Joseph G. Connolly, secretary.

Miller’s N.Y.-LA.

Mitch Miller, Columbia Records
pop artists & repertoire chief,
heads to the Coast this week for a
series of recording sessions. He’ll
be gone about 10 days.

Joe Carlton, pop artists & rep-
ertoire chief at RCA Victor, ar-
rived back at his New York desk
Monday (9) after a quickie trek to
i the Coast.

album trade hinges on more than
wax alone. In its upcoming pack-
age push, diskery is going, all-out
on new disk showmanship tech-
niques, which includes specially
designed laminated album covers,
emphasizing art work, and liner
texts by top writers.

Victor is tagging -its fall drive
“1954’s Best Buy Program” in a
program based on. “Four Keys To
Greater Profits.” The new line will
feature five new Toscanini albums,
a series of four top songs of the
years between 1926 and 1945,
three longplay mood 4 music plat-
ters and -a flock of new high fideli-
ty albums waxed in label's “hew
orthophonic” sound technique.

To get the new sets off to a fast
start on the dealer level; Victor is
offering a special bonus platter
plan. For every $30 of “Best Buy”
merchandise bought, diskery will
cuffo a $6.95 album. Victor is not
limiting the number of bonus
albums to the dealers but the
offer applies to. the initial “Best
Buy” order only. Five “Best Buy”
platters have been set aside for
the bonus offer. The cuffo sets are
Melachrino’s “Music For Two -
People Alone,” “Music For Day-
dreaming,” and “Music To Work
or Study By,” Toscanini’s work-
over of Schubert’s Ninth Symphony
and a special “Adventure in High
Fidelity” set.

Hi-Fi

The “Adventure in High Fideli-
ty” album will come boxed with
a booklet explaining the new re-
corded sound vogue as well as a
(Continued on page 48)

Big Play Set On
'Star* Pic Album

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Columbia is planning 'the most
diversified packaging in its history
for the original soundtrack album
of “A Star Is Born,” the Judy Gar-
land starrer. Set will be com-
pleted this week with the inclusion
of the final “Born in a Trunk”
production number, which runs ap-
proximately 14 minutes.

“Star” album will occupy both
sides of a 12-inch LP and is the
biggest soundtrack album ever of-
fered.

Co.umbia is scheduling a deluxe
package which will include a story
of tne film and a biography of Miss
Garland as the leader. It will re-
tail for around $10, In addition,
there will ne a 45 EP album, a
standard 12-inch LP and a con-
densed 10-inch LP as well as a 78
rpm album

Score, by Harold Arlen and Ira
Gershwin, has seven new tunes in-
cluding “The Man Who Got Away,”
which is already breaking for a
hit. It also includes bits and
snatches of almost two dozen
standards. ’

London’s Fall Push To
Stress Packaged Goods

London Records is following the
line already set by the major U. S.
diskeries by gearing its fall push
on packaged goods. On London’s
fall agenda are 12 hew 12-inch
longplay sets. Among the diskery’s
pactees highlighting the fall pro-
gram are Frank Chacksfield, Ted
Heath, Stanley Black, Bob Farnon
and Edmundo Ros.

The fall drive, which will kick
off in October, also will include
counter rack merchandise as well
as dealer sales and promotion aids.
Label’s annual summer sales pro-
gram winds up Sept. 17. The sum-
mer plan includes a special 10%
discount and payment in October,
November and December on orders
taken during the July 26-Sept. 17
drive.

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Wednesday? Augmt 1^»1954

Caedmon Records, indie label "Faystus/' . . iom^ed^r £ £"%£"££

specializing in recitution platters, ^^gar I /idlaili Poe^poe^ Wve ’'

js eyeing the educational market rea( j by Basil Rathbone, with an , T( ??f (ri!aru\ managed by
in its fall merchandising push, album cover by Charles Addams; (Jo r 9 sida ' (Gha f lie) Grea ?’ has an

bo composed 'of “Everymari” in Its 1*1. .1 v

entirety starring Burgess Meredith. UD6l A 1DKS IfuMSOIl

SjL ‘MLS, Harmonica player-composer Ed-

r!iiiJN. he t£f5i S M n*w?u dy Mapson has been inked to a
Qsnuiii Gurtin 8 .Nggu1c> Rftlpli lonfitGFin nflct bv Lahpl y

M « rr ^ son’s last shellac entry was for COr
Play and Gorboduc. The final lumbia Records last year when he
present the earliest worked over the theme music he

Major Diskers in All-Out Bid To
Overtake Indies in Jazz

Field

composed for the pic, "Little Ftfgi-

(Joe) Csida-(Charlie) Grean, has an

HI UO ^ ^ vw?v* VUWA AVO ^UUaillO. _ . ... m ,

Diskery is prepping a series of long- William Carlos Williams reading ftv C M?Ic « writers pact with Trm-

ulay platters to be tagged, “Monu- 5J* own poetry; Marianne Moore, liy MUS 1C \

p .. ditto: Padraic Column-. rparifmr ^ - .

' P Earlv EngHsh Drama" ditto; Padraic Column reading

ments of Early Engnsn urama. James Joyce; Louis Jourdan and

The series \riir serve as a showcase Eva LeGallienne reading “Les

nf the earliest examples of English Fleurs de Mai,” and Alfred Drake

theatre. Khavvam ”

Caedmon’s , 24 : year-old femme . Hollywood, Aug. 10. Jane Russell for Coral and Eddy triecf to* rec^ t^ ^

execs, Marianne Roney •and Bar- . Skyrocketing Los Angeles rec- Howard for Mercury. English lyrics ^ W ith small success Though

bai n< disked ?ecfntly U a P t St® Bar- DeCCa Set$ Up 50 Dealer . were Written hr Fam^gel Es- both Col and Victor have had IS

sions oiskecl lecentiy at tot. uar T penments on the part of RCA Vic- telle Moss and Herbert Nelson. occasional disclick in the r&h

tholome\ys Church, N. Y. Among Mfipfc in Rm $a|pc HlTIVP J or ’ i s now using the area Meantime, Siegel is oh a mid- field the bulk of the biz has staved

the 20 legit actors used, on the lWJClb IH Dig OaiCS DllVe to test pop tunes. Final figures west deejay trip plugging the disks, with the S labels like Atlantic

dates were Burgess Meredith, DeC ca Records has scheduled aren’t in, but sales locally in July . — Snecialtv Cat etc ’

Frederic Worlock Terence Kil- close t o 50 dealer meets around boosted LOs Angeles to second . . - 1

burn, Darren McGavin, Richard tho country this week as part of. Place nationally, or within a frac- Enfrfiffpr ||1 k 3 fnip Fftf u *!?' * azZ - field * °P the other

Purdy, Frank Silver*, Frederick its 20th anni sales push. Confabs tion of that mark. : LIIU dllCI lllhb UUIC TUI hand, the majors are meeting with

Rolf and Sybil Baker. will be ponducted by diskery’s As a result, Victor is pre-releas- 3 YcAVS of Solids DstfiS ? ts passed at^the iazz^o^ectoiMn

TVio con pc wilt Tip ItQiiPrl ac branch and caipe mono tfnrp IIiUaMI I iMr4 i4m «1«p1rn mm- 4L a illnni I • . IrflllUv • I- P J ^

reciting the “Rubiyat of Omar

VICTOR USING L. A. AREA
AS TEST FOR POP TUNES

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

■ ■ 1 ■ - The upcoming fall release sched-

Millfl Huira Ckova nf ule > accenting packaged goods,

MlIIS uuys bliare UI marks the major record companies*

Siegel’s German Tune 'fjSL- fjKSj; \ ove f nJ e n th0

. v .l. • K .. indie labels in the jazz field. Dur-
.Milli s Music hai s bought a share ing the war years and for some
of the U. S. Publishing rights to the t i me thereafter, the majors fluffed
German click, Leg Doine Hand In 0 ff j a2z and rhythm & blues, with
Meine Hand,” from Paul Siegel’s the result that a host of small
Symphony House Music firm. The companies sprang up in both
■fuj 1 ® bas been published here as fields. In the past few years, how-
Forevermore” and has been re- ever, Columbia with the Okeh line
corded by Johnny Desmond and a nd RCA Victor with Groove have

I\ O ft r a ■ .onyruciMJung . ijos Angeies req-

Ilprra Npfc I In Sfl llp^lpr wd market has prompted some ex-
DVLLd 1 JCI 9 up JU DUdier periments on the part of RCA Vic-

Mppfc in Rig Caine nrivP tor> whlch ls now using the area
iUCCIMU Dig JdlCS DllVe to test pop tunes. Final figures

uui.i, ~ . , uic tuuiiwy (.nib wcci as pari ox.

Purdy, Frank Silvera, Frederick its 20th anni sales push. Confabs

. ^ V. n 1 — 1 ■ .

Rolf and Sybil Baker. will be conducted by diskery’s As a result, Victor is pre-releas-

The series will ne issued as branch and sales managers, who’ll ing its top disks on the Coast first
separate LPs and in a volume of brief dealers on upcoming pack- to get an idea of potential nation-

— — ' . • [Specialty, Cat, etc.

ntrnHnr Inlrc fnln Fnr In the * azz field * ori the other

IllldllCI Iftino UUIC TUI hand, the majors are meeting with

3 V £ C J FI 1 better success. Col is increasing

Tears or aands liates ; ts passes at the jazz collector in

Hollvwood Au« 10 Projects sponsored by George

Jack Entratter has 'signea Nat p h °J> a J* ',T

rino) fnp ihrpo v«»arc Uivoo Recently Victor has gotten back

four platters. The first volume will aged goods product wide reaction. Eddie Fisher’s “I Jack Entratter has signed Nat RGrentl ’ S trotter. h fl pt

include “Quern Quaertis,” consid- The packaged goods program, Need You Now” was released here (King) Cole for three years, three jito th^ art a rlnirn 1

ered by Caedmon to be the earli- which is being sparkplugged by almost two weeks before it was weeks annually, and will open him M ^rc u rv^ ^ nnin^’ Tfaii

est church play; “Banns,” redd the five 12-inch longplay platter available elsewhere, and Dinah at the Sands, Las Vegas, shortly “ y ar * p f?iL d
by J. Bessinger, English prof at set by Bing Crosby, is up for a Shore’s “If I Give My Heart To in ^“revolutionary” stage idea. * ei „g th S“rtainr‘ < initfai

Brown U.; “The Deluge,” “Robin hefty cOast-to-coast plug Sunday You” also had several days’ run Ddtes are not definite. m oveint o the^ara mLrkPt WaXS

Hood” and “The Shetland Sword (14) when CBS salutes Crosby’s al- here before it was shipped else- Cole’s Sands bow may be in a {he bi 2 comDan^rpr 'eh'P fh!

Dance.” The second volume will • bum with a special half-hour show, where.

“Ziegfeld Follies” format.

HETAH DISK BEST SELLEBS

IWRlETTr

Survey of retail disk best
sellers based on reports ob-
tained from leading stores in
22 cities and showing com-
parative sales rating for this
and last week .

National
Rating
This Last
nk. Wk.

6B 12

15A 22

17A 22
17B 12

?2A 12

24 A 22
24B 15

Artist, Label, Title I a I £ 1 ffl < I £ 1 £ . 5 g I 3 | g Q & U »S

CREW CUTS (Mercury)

“Sh-Boom.” 5 1 2 1 1 1 3 1 2 1 5

KITTY KALLEN (Decca) “ “ “ '

“Little Things Mean a Lot” ,..2 2 2 3 1 . . . . 4 8 4 1 . 1

ARCHIE BLEYER (Cadence) " ~ ~

“Hernando’s Hideaway”.;.... 1 3 .. 8 4 .. .. 2 ., 2 2 4 9 2

GAYLORDS (Mercury)

“Little Shoemaker” ... 4 . . 4 .. 5 2 5 10 10 5 3

ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Col.) T

“Hey There” 6 5 1 4.. 3 6 .. 4 ... 3 6 2 ..

FOUR ACES (Decca)

“Three Coins in the Fountain”. 3 8 .. 5 2 7 .. .. .. 7 7 3 .. 3

VICTOR YOUNG (Decca)

“High and the Mighty” 8 .. . . 1 7 1 . . 1 . . 7 . .

McGUIRE SISTERS (Coral)

“Goodnight, Sweetheart” 4 . . . . . . 8 7 3 .. 8.7 8 8

FRANK WEIR (London)

“Happy Wanderer” . 9 10 3 , . 6 8 6

KITTY KALLEN (Decca)

“Chapel in the Moonlight” . . 5 9 .. 6 5 6

LeROY HOLMES (M-G-M)

“High and the Mighty” 6 6 7 .. ..

HUGO WINTERHALTER (Vic.)

“Little Shoemaker” . . . . 6 . . . . 3 . . . . 4

CREW CUTS (Mercury)

“Crazy ’Bout You, Baby” 7 .. .. .. .. 5 10 ,10 5 10

FOUR TUNES (Jubilee)

“I Understand How You Feel” ... 10 4 , . 9

VAUGHN MONROE (Victor)

“They Were Doing the Mambo” 7 . . 6 . . . . 5 . . . .

JUNE VALLI (Victor)

“I Understand How You Feel” . . . . .... . . 8 . . 5 .. .. 7

EDDIE FISHER (Victor)

“My Friend” >• .. 4 .. .. 6 9

ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Col.)

“This Ole House” . . . . . , , . . . ♦ ■ . . 6 ....

PAUL-FORD (Capitol)

“I’m a Fool to Care” 9 .. .. 8 .. 10 9 .. .. .. ..

FRANKIE LAINE (Columbia)

“Some Day” . . . . .... 8 ; ■ , ...... . , . . ^ •

DAVID WHITFIELD (London)

“Cara Mia’’ . . ■ • . . . .7 « « » « •• ■ ■ » » ■ < • « «» «* » « ••

KAY STARR (Capitol)

*|If You Really Love Me*’..,. .... «. •• .. ». «« » « »» ■ « »* * • • • ^

“DRIFTERS (Atlantic) ‘ " : i ~ " :

. “Honey Love” . . . .............. . . 7 . . . . > ♦ » 8 . . 3 . .

FONTANE SISTERS (Dot) ' : ~ : "

“Happy Days — Lonely Nights” 7 . -

DEAN MARTIN (Capitol)

“Sway” .... , .. .. 4 10 9

1 170

4 125

5 115

2 115

4 .. .. .. 8 10 10 54

9 18

SIX TOP
ALBUMS

STUDENT PRINCE
Mario Lanza

Victor
LM 1837

PAJAMA GAME
Broadway Cait
Columbia
ML 4840

GLENN MILLER
MEMORIAL
Glenn Miller
Victor
LPT 3057

MUSIC. FOR
LOVERS ONLY
Jackie Gleason
Capitol
H 352

GLENN MILLER
STORY

Film Soundtrack
Decca
DL 5519

SONGS FOR
YOUNG LOVERS
Frank Sinatra

Capitol
H 488

! move into the jazz market, because
; the 'big companies can give the
indies a lot of trouble with their
superior distribution plants and
the possibility that, they can mar-
ket a 12-inch platter for the same
price as an indie 10-inch;

[ Delayed Take

j However, the big hitch in the
: majors’ resurgence of interest iti
•jazz is the fact that the indies
j have tied up the majority of top
, jazz names to exclusive pacts. Nor-
man Granz, who operates the indie
; Clef and Norgran labels, has the
{ largest stable of artists, with over
130 jazz names recording for the
j two companies. With the other
top jazz tooters pacted to such
indies as Prestige, Fantasy, >
Pacific Jazz, Blue Note, Good Time '
Jazz, Contemporary, Roost and
Discovery, the majors are being- 1
forced to dig up new faces. This
reverses the situation wherein the
indies were the experimental out-
lets for jazz artists. To beat the
indie competition, the majors now
have to become experimental and
develop new jazzmen.

Mercury already is prowling for
its EmArcy line and has come up* «
with Paul Bley, Helen Merrill and
Med Floury. Victor has just signed
Dick Collins, trumpeter with the
Woody Herman orch, and there
are deals being dickered at all the
majors. Even Capitol’s new “Stan
Kenton Presents” line is pegged
at developing new talent.

First Entirely Jazz
Background on Pic Set
On Coast by Stevens

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

The first entirely jazz back-
ground ‘for a film has been com-
; p 1 et e d by composer-conductor
j Leith Stevens, who batoned some
j of the top jazz sidemen on the
, Coast in recording the score for 0
; “Private Hell 36,” the new Film-
| makers release. Stevens also com-
I posed the score for “The Wild
, One,” which included some jazz
: passages.

j “Hell,” however, marks the first
; time a Hollywood feature film has
: made use of jazz for the entire
I background score. Music was re-
1 corded by Shorty Rogers, whose
“new school of jazz” technique was
| figured by Stevens and producer
Collier Young as being especially
appropriate for- the story of two
cops who find a hidden cache of
$200,000 in stolen money.

Score includes one song num-
ber, “Did You Know,” which was
i. written by the film's dialog direc-
tor, John Franco.

Sidemen on the date with Rogers
included Pete Candoli, Carlton
McBeth and Charlie Griffith, trum-.
pets; Milt Bernhart, Harry Betts,
Bob Enevoldson and George Rob-
erts, trombone; John Graas. French
horn; Paul Sarmento, tuba; Jim

1 1 Giuffre, Bob Cooper, Bud Shank,
i Lennie Nichaus and Sal Franzella,

1 saxes; Claude Williamson, piano;
i Monte Budwig, bass, and Shelly
. Manne, drums.

I Ralph Stein, newly-appointed
I artists & repertoh’c chief of Orig-
inal Records, has pacted the Uni-
; versity Four, vocal combo, and
« pianist Joe Pica,

Wednesday, Aqgnsl 11, 1954

Lenox, Mass., Aug. 10. ♦

The Berkshire Festival, at near-:
by Tanglewood, is winding up its
17th season next Sunday (15), with
new attendance and boxoffice
marks in prospect. Fest, now rec-
ognized as the most important and
distinguished summer longhair
event in America, had its best
weekend of ttfe season with a
10,600 attendance last Saturday (7)
and 12,700 on Sunday (8). It’s big-
gest . weekend— the finale — is still
to come, with about 30,000 ex-
pected.

Last year’s fest set a record with
118,000 patrons and a $311,600
take. Attendance this year should
be near 150,000, while the take
may exceed $350,000. Threats of
rain kept crowds down in early
weeks, but this seems to have been
overcome later.

Success of the fest proves the
wisdom of the decision by music
director Charles Munch and man-
ager George E. Judd to enlarge
the setup this season, bringirg the
full Boston Symphony Orchestra
here for six weekends of concerts
instead of three. Other new devel-
opment, which followed as a corol-
lary, was the incorporation of
chamber music concerts into the
regular festival as a major feature.
The new six-week setup has. paid
off boxofficewise, while music- —
and artistic wise the fest has main-
tained its rep and standing, and
added new patrons.

This week’s final events com-
prise a sonata program by violinist
Zino Francescatti tomorrow night
(Wed.), a Saturday Concert by the
full BSO, and the Sunday windup,
when Berlioz’s Requiem will be
done, with orch,. soloists arid
chorus. In . addition, Friday will
witness the annual Tanglewood on
Parade feature, with the BSO and
various departments of the Berk-
shire Music Center participating.
Thomas Schippers will conduct the
BSO, Arthur Fiedler will be guest
as batoneer of the Boston Pops,
and Brenda Lewis will sing the
title role in the final scene from
“Salome.” t

Judd, who have been an official
of the Boston symph for 40 years
and its manager since 1935, as well
as the fest’s manager, is retiring
from both posts Sept. 1. Thomas
D. Perry Jr., assistant manager of
the orch, is replacing Judd.

Best British Sheet Sellers

(Week ending July 31)
London, Aug. 3.
Things Mean a Lot. . Robbins

Cara Mia Robbins

Happy Wanderer . .Boswortii
Wanted Hairms-Connelly

Coins in Fountain ..... Feist
Secret Love.. Harrns-Connelly
Little Shoemaker .... Bourne
Friends, Neighbors * . . . , Reine

Idle Gossip • ? -Bron

Heart of My Heart. . . F.D.&H.
I Get So Lonely .... Maddox
- Never Land . . Keith Prowse

Second 12

Victoria
Dale

On ‘Show Business’

Decca Records and RCA Vic-
tor are gearing for another battle
via album releases of the same
Irving Berlin score. Both labels
are prepping sets of Berlin’s forth-
coming 20th-Fox pic, ‘‘There’s No
Business Like Shovii Business.”
Decca’s set will include three of
the stars from the pic, Ethel Mer-
man, Donald O’Connor and Dan
Dailey. Victor, on the other hand,
will battle it out with only one of
the pic’s stars, Marilyn Monroe.

Both labels tangled on a Berlin
score a few years ago when each
waxed a “Call Me Madam” album.
Decca was in the catbird seat,
since it had the show’s star, Ethel
Merman, under contract. Victor got
the original cast rights, sans Miss
Merman, since it had a hefty in-
vestment in the legituner.

Young at Heart .

Story of Tina . . Macmelbdies
Don’t Laugh At Me Toff

My Friend . . .Chappell

Someone El se’s Roses Fields
Cross Over Bridge New World
The Book Kassner

Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer . Spier
Changing Partners Melhn

Make Love to Me Morris

West of Zanzibar Bluebird

Such a Night Sterling

Newest Amateur Bait
Is Proiect for Home
For Aged Songwriters

If a songwriter can’t make a
bankroll when he’s young, he’s
now assured of a luxurious home
when he grows old. All for a $2
membership fee. That’s the new-
est angle being worked among
amateur cleffers.

The latest pitch covers plenty of
ground. It’s called “The National
Home for Aged Musicians, Song-
writers, Composers, Lyricists,
Poets & Music Teachers” and is
operated by one Leo Leonard out
of a postoffice box in Los Angeles.
Leonard is raising coin for his pro-
jected'home for the aged by solicit-
ing contributions from possible fu-
ture inmates with a grandiose
prospectus.

A sample of Leonard’s prose fol-
lows: “We can picture a large,
beautiful administration building
with homey interiors, with a large
library housing statues of the mas-
ters, and a vast index of books
and musical compositions. This
structure also to house on one ^ide
its offices, a large concert hall with
all of the modern scientific devel-
opments including soft opera
chairs, a sunken and movable or-
chestra pit, a revolving stage with
the best acoustical developments
. . This central structure to be
surrounded by beautiful paths,
lawns, a golf course with an invit-
ing green ...”

NEW CALLOWAY COMBO
TO DEBUT IN LAS VEGAS

Los Angeles, Aug. 10.

Cab Calloway finishes his legit
stint in “Porgy and Bess” this week
and begins rehearsing a new small
combo to return to the nitery and
vaude circuit. Outfit will debut
Sept. 7 at the lounge of the Sahara
Hotel, Las Vegas.

Calloway has several radio and
television guestints scheduled for
the next month and may unveil his
new combo on one of these.

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 a statistical system comprising each of the three major sales outlets enu-
merated above. These findings are correlated with data from under 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 (disks, coin machines),
and three ways in the case of tunes (disks, coin machines, sheet music ) .

POSITIONS
This Last
Week Week

1

2

2

1

4

5

7

8
9

10

5

3

8

POSITIONS
This Last
Week Week

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8
9

10

3
2
1

7

5

6

4

8
9

TALENT

ARTIST AND LABEL TUNE

(Sh-Boom

CREW CUTS (Mercury) ) Crazy ’Bout You, Baby

KITtY KALLEN (Decca) ....... ..... jch a p e i j n The Moonlight

ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Columbia) ...... . oi^HoUse

ARCHIE BLEYER (Cadence) . • Hernando’s Hideaway

GAYLORDS (Mercury) • •••»•••' Little Shoemaker

(Three Coins In The Fountain
FOUR ACES (Decca) ) Dream

McGUIRE SISTERS (Coral) • Goodnight, Sweetheart

VICTOR YOUNG (Decca) High and the Mighty

FRANK WEIR (London) ... Happy Wanderer

HUGO WINTERHALTER (Victor) Little Shoemaker

t

TUNES

(•ASCAP. tBMI)

TUNE PUBLISHER

fSH-BOOM • Hill & Range

♦LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT ......... Feist

♦LITTLE SHOEMAKER Bourne

♦HIGH AND THE MIGHTY . v Witmark

♦HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY Frank

♦HEY THERE . Frank

♦THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN. . . . Robbins

+GOODNIGHT, SWEETHEART, GOODNIGHT Arc

♦HAPPY WANDERER Fox

♦CHAPEL IN THE MOONLIGHT Shapiro-B

Four Tunes booked for the Chi-
cago Theatre, Chicago, Sept. 3.

Cornell-Fielding Combo
Draws Good Frisco Gate

San. Francisco, Aug. 10.

• The only local appearances of
the package show headed by Don
Cornell, and featuring the Gay-
lords and Jerry Fielding’s band,
drew good houses despite the fact
that they were not presented in
the usual package concert halls.
The San Francisco appearance
was at a Market St. dancehall,
the El Patio ballroom, where a

little over 1,000 customers sat on
the dance floor during the show
time and otherwise terped to Field-
ing’s rhythms. The following
night, Aug. 4, they played a North-
ern California summer resort, Rio
Nido at Russian River, and drew
1,500. ’

San Ahtonio — The Jacoby broth-
ers, Boy and Gene, appearing here
on WOAI-TV, have signed a new
recording Contract with Columbia,-
They have just waxed four sides,
including “One Mari’s Opinion”
and “Laredo,” both original songs.

* Gayle Inks New Thrush

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Tim Gayle, one of the first to
use indie masters as a means of in-
troducing and building new singers,
has signed Pat Casey to a manage-
ment-publicity contract and will
cut several sides with her shortly
using his usual formula. His most
recent acquisition in the field is
Johnny Holiday, signed by Pacifie
Jazz on the basis of two indie mas-
ters.

Gayle has been associated with
such singers as Marion Morgan,

THE ORIGINAL .

SKOKIAAN

backed by

IN THE MOOD

1491 and 45-1491

THE BEST

the only native
South African interpretation

BULAWAYO SWEET RHYTHMS BAND

RECORDS

Wednesday, * August 11,1954

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48

MUSIC

Wednesday, ’ August H, 1954

New York

Patti Page tees off the entertain-
ment policy at the Laurel Hills
Supper Club, Columbia, S.C., Aug.
23 . . . Vocal coach Bobbie Kroll
collabing on a flock of tunes with
Milton Berle. Initial effort, “Stars
Never Cry/’ is being published by
Bregman, Vocco Conn •. . . Joni
James into the Bolero Supper
Club, Wildwood; N.J., Aug. 23 .
Fran Warren opens at Fazio’s, Mil-
waukee, Friday (13) ... Betty
Madigan nabbed a two-week date
at the Chicago Theatre, Chicago,
beginning Aug, 20 . . . Bob Devere
in from Chicago to set up his own
publishing and management office
. . . Leonard Feather pacted by

*■ Horizon Press to pen a “Jazz En-
cyclopedia’’ , . . Charlie Fuqua’s
Ink Spots booked into the Waikiki
Lau-Yee-Chai, Honolulu, for three
weeks beginning Dec. 11 , . , JVIerle
Miller profiles Artie Shaw in
September issue of Esquire mag.

* . . Laurie Sisters, Mercury Re-
cording artists, hosted the New
York deejays at a cocktailery last
Wednesday (4) . . . Georgia Gibbs
off on a European tour next Mon-
day (16).

Chicago

Don Glaisser' orch set for Dutch
Mill in Delavan, Wis., Aug. 20 to
Sept. 6, following with indefinite
stand at St. Anthony Hotel, San
Antonio, beginning Sept. 9 . . .
Count Basie pegged for Blue Note
two-weeker on Aug. 25 . . . Tex
Beneke to Surf Club, Virginia
Beach, Aug. 20-25, then to Coney
Island Park, Cincinnati, Aug. 27
for week . . . Buddy Morrow broke
this year’s record at Pla-Mor Ball-
room, Kansas City, on July 31,
playing to 2,113 paid admissions
... Ted Weems to Roosevelt Hotel,
New Orleans, Aug. 12 for fortnight
. . . Dick La Salle to Shamrock,
Houston, Aug. 16-27.

Dallas

11** Johnny Cola Trio returned to the
Penthouse Club, Fort Worth . . .
Teddy Phillips orch one-nighting
at Dallas Country . Club . . . Hugh
Fowler crew into Louann’s al fres-
co terrace . . . At Hotel Adolphus
Esco LaRue & Trixie topline Dot
Franey’s newest icer, “Say It With
Skating,” in the Century Room,
while singing 88’er Mai Fitch
bowed in the Burgundy Room . . *
Deacon Andy Griffith inked for a
fortnight, Aug. 27-Sept. 9, in Baker
Hotel’s Mural Room, following
Sunny Gale’s Aug. 13-26 date.

Joe Reichman and his new crew
one-niting in Arkansas prior to a
Thursday (12) opening at the Rice
Hotel, Houston . . . Don Cornell,
Gaylords, Peggy Barrett and Jerry
Fielding’s orch set for Aug. 20 solo
stand at the Plantation . . . Lillian
Roth inked for two-week stand at
Dallas Athletic Club in September,
opening a name-act policy for
spot’s Mayan Room . . . Hal Mc-

Intyre orch set for Oklahoma U/s
annual Texas U, -Oklahoma U. foot-'
ball game Oct. 9 in the Cotton
Bowl.

Hollywood

Russ Morgan returning to the
west with an opening Aug. 19 at
the Flamingo, Las Vegas, for three
weeks, followed by a month of one-
niters before returning to New. Or-
leans to open a location date at the
Roosevelt Hotel Oct. 7 . . . Elliott
Bros. Orch, with Tony Paris Vocal-
ing, playing a series of six Satur-
day night dates at the Rendezvous
Ballroom, Balboa . Chico O’Far-
rill mambo band treks east to open
Sept. 16 at the Birdland, N. Y. . . .
Chet Baker opens Friday (13) at
he Tiffany for a seven-week stand.

Sauter-Finegan Orch, after a fine
five-week stand at the Crescendo,
back on the Coast concert kick with
dates set for the Ventura College
Auditorium Aug. 17 and the Shrine
Auditorium, L. A., Aug. 27 . . .
Duke Ellington will play the 54
Ballroom locally Sept. . 11-12 then
head east for a Sept. 29 opening at
the Blue Note, Chicago ... Ted
Lewis opened at the Statler here
Monday (9) -for a fourrweek stand.

Pittsburgh

Tommy Carlyn band booked for
29th Division dance at . Roosevelt
Hotel Sept. 4 ■, . . Al Marsico and
Richard (Babe) Stutz, both musi-
cians, have formed a new record-
ing outfit, the Bigelow label, and
have signed Joe Negri Trio and
Tommy Turk combo for their staff,
with Chauncey Lively as arranger.
Marisco will be musical director
for BigelOw and Stutz general man-
ager. Sid Dickler, local deejay and
record promotion man, has been
taken on as promotion man for the
outfit . . . New Deuces Wild group
is made up of Flo Cassbelli, sax;
Ray Crummie, piano; Dan Mastri,
bass, and Carl Pettica, drums.
They're at Gene’s Musical Lounge
on Route 30 for a run . . . Billy
Merle’s Tunetoppers held over
again at Sleepy Hollow ... Brad
Hunt’s orch playing without him
for couple of weeks while he and
his wife are vacationing at Stone
Harbor, N.J. . . . Mel Martin, pian-
ist, to Colonial Inn in Province-
town, Mass., following two-week
stand at Horseshoe Bar.

M. WITMARK VRECORDS

& SONS

Memphis Cops Get Time
Yanked From Jiikes As
’Suggestive’; Stores O.K.

. Memphis, Aug. 10.
The Memphis police took the
play away from censor czar
Lloyd T. Binford and stepped in
ast week to put the kibosh on
‘Honey Love,” top rhythm and
blues platter hereabouts. Acting
Chief J. C; McDonald, who will
move into the chief's chair Sept, 1,
told Variety: “we (Memphis po-
lice) did not ban this record, but
we just told the jukebox officials
to take it off their jukeboxes, as
sort of suggestive.” McDonald fur-
ther pointed out that operators
usually go along with suggestions,
Disk was removed,

Joe Coughi, w,k. dealer at Pop-
lar Tunes store here, told Variety
“the sales of ‘Honey Love’ were
the hottest I’ve ever had here in
Memphis. They were terrific and
what’s more I sold more records to
white teenagers than I did - to
Negro customers.” “Honey Love”
is, on the Atlantic Label and fea-
tures the Drifters.

Memphis police have not con-
tacted reqord shops or distribs oh
“Honey Love.” It is still in store
racks. No radio or tv stations
hereabouts have spun the platter.
The pancake is distributed locally
by Glenn Allen.

Omaha

Bands booked for V. C. Sloan’s
Pla-Mor in Lincoln remainder of
this month are Bobby Mills (11),
Skippy Anderson (14), Lambert
Bartak. (18), Eddy Haddad (21).
Skeets Mahoney (25) and Hank
Winder (28) ... Joan Murray is
vocalist for Sammy Stevens Quin-
tet, which opened the new Hide-A-
Way Club at Lincoln . . . Bobby
Mills orch slated for Oscar’s Pal-
ladium -at Sargent, Neb., Aug. 20
. . . Record sales up at Brandeis
Dept. Store . . . Peony Park here
plugging vocalists Marie Mitchell,
Ann Vincent and Jean Kelly of the
Blue Barron, ChUck Foster and
Ray Pearl orgs in this month.

San Francisco

Charlie Whitfield’s band with
Rabon Tarrant on vocals now at
the Casbah- by -the -Beach, Santa
Cruz . . . Ralph Sutton has added
trumpeter Clyde Hurley from Los
Angeles to his group at the Hang-
over. Kid Ory returns to the spot
Aug. 16 . . . Red Norvo Trio booked
for three weeks at the. Black Hawk
opening Aug. 27 . . . Georgie Auld
opens at Fack’s Friday (15) . . .
Jack Sheedy’s Dixieland Band into
the Top Hat in Oakland Aug. 6 for
a month.

Th# Character Who STOMPED hit way to ANCHORAGE, Alaska

STOMP GORDON

"America's Most Unique Quintet "

Now Playing ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

C Booked Indefinitely)

— — O —

MERCURY RECORDS EXCLUSIVELY
Recent Roloost: "DRAGNET * 1

¥ k ¥ *

ASSOCIATED BOOKING CORPORATION

Victor’s Pitch

Continued from page 43

The .top 30 songs of week (more tn case of tie*), based on
copyrighted Audience Coverage Index & Audience trend Index,
Published by Office of Research, Inc., Of. John Gray Peatman,
Director, alphabetically listed- 1

Survey Week of July 30-Aug* $, 1954

Answer Me, My Love ...Bourne

Bugler’s Holiday k .... Mills

Dream . . ... . — ........ . Goldsen

Gilly, Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen .... .. . .Beaver

Green Years . . , .Harms

Happy Wanderer Fox

Heaven Was Never Like This ........ . .'. . . . .... .... Famous

Hernando’s Hideaway— +“pa jama Game” . . .... , . .Frank

Hey There — *“Pajama Game” ... .......... .Frank

High And The Mighty— t “High And The Mighty” ..Witmark
Hit And Run Affair , ... Duchess

I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me ♦ . Mills

I Could Have Told You , United

I Understand Just How You Feel ........... .... .Jubilee

If I Give My Heart To You . . ... ......... , . . . . .Miller

If You. Love Me (Really Love Me) ..... ... . . . . . Duchess

I’m A Fool To Care ....... . . .... . . , . ... ./. . ... /Peer

In A Garden Of Roses ............. . .... . . .....“ Goday

In The Chapel In The Moonlight .... Shapiro-B

Little Shoemaker ... ..... .. . . , ......... . . ... . .Bourne

Little Things Mean A Lot ..... . . . . .......... . . Feist

Magic Tango Chappell

Make Her Mine .BVC >

Man That Got Away Harwin

Man Upstairs . Vesta

Sh-Boom H&R

Some: Day .......... J Famous

Steam Heat— *“Pa jama Game” . . ..Frank

Sway .......... . . . . .......... , . . .... , . .... . . . . .Peer

That’s What I Like . . . . . i ....... . . . .Chappell

There Never Was A Night So Beautiful ........ . . .Broadcast

Three Coins In Fountain-t “Three Coins In Fouotain”.Robbins

New Y ork

7 -J 5 5fil Au 1 PL.

JOE GLASER, Pres.
I Chicago

203 No Wabash

Hoi I y wood
8 I 9 Sunset ft i v d

> *

special foam rubber mat to cushion
platters on the turntable. The
single 12-inch platter includes a
special composition demonstrating
hi-fi sounds by Robert Russell Ben-
nett as well as sound demonstra-
tions by such Victor pactees as
Henry Rene, Sauter-Finegan, the
Three Suns, Leonard Warren,
Hugo Winterhalter, Roberta Peters,
Jussi Bjoerling and Victoria de Los
Angeles.

The new Toscanini sets in the
fall line are Schubert’s Ninth,
Pictures at an Exhibition,” “Fal-
staff,” “Toscanini Plays Favorites”
and “Toscanini Plays Wagner.”
The Schubert package includes a
special essay penned by Andre
Maurois while the Wagner set
features an offbeat move in album
design with a metal plate figure
of the composer embossed on the
cover.

20 Years of Top Hits
The 1926-45 song series have
been culled from sides cut dur-
ing the . 1926-45 period by Vic-
tor artists. The series will be
issued on both extended play plat-
ters and longplay disks. Each EP
will cover four songs of one-year
and will peddle at $1.47 while each
LP will cover two years and be
priced at $3.15.

The mood music albums Include
three 12-inch LPs Waxed by
George Melachrino and a full
orchestra, Album titles are men
tioned above in Victor’s bonus
disk plan.

Among the titles in the hi-fi
series are the Boston Symphony’s
“Damnation of Faust,” Stokowski’s
“A Night At Bald Mountain,” Hugo
Winterhalter’s “Theme Music ,On
Television” and a disk panorama
of the ballet featuring such symph
orch leaders as Toscanini, Stokow-
ski, Charles Munch, Arthur Fied-
ler and Pierre Monteaux. Also in
the hi-fi series is a two-12-inch
platter package of the Boston Sym-
phony’s (Arthur Fiedler conduct-
ing) Jurte, 1954, concert at Sym-
phony Hall, Boston, saluting Johann
Strauss, Album, which is tagged
“Mr. Strauss Comes to Boston,”
has a liner by author Lloyd Morris,
Who died ill New York Monday (9).

Victor’s sales brass hit the Toad
this week to brief label’s distribu-
tor’s on the new line, Larry
Kanaga,. diskery’s sales; manager,
kicked off the confabs Monday (9)
for the New York area. H& trekked
to Philadelphia yesterday (Tues.)
for a similar sales stint. Other
homeoffice men who fanned out
around the country are Bob Yorke,
covering* the midwest; Jack Burges
covering the south, and Bill* Bul-
lock, covering tha Coast. RCA Vic-
tor diskery topper Manie Sachs Is
also doing the Coast pitch. Man-'
ager of a&r George R. Marek is
dittoing all over the map. The
cross-country "sales confabs Will
wind up Friday (13).

Do-RC-Me Publishing Co. has
been chartered to conduct a music
publishing, radio and television
business in N.Y., with. Harry Revel
as one of the director*. > •

Top 30 Songs on TV

(More In Case of Ties)

And This Is My Beloved Frank

Answer Me; My Love . Bourne

Cinnamon Sinner • Raleigh

Down By The Riverside Spier

Four Horsemen Zephyr

Gilly, Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen ........ Beaver

Girl With The Figure Like An Hour Glass ...... . Morris

Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight . Arc

Happy Wanderer Fox

Hernando’s Hideaway Frank

Hey There Frank

Hit And Run Affair Duchess

I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me .....Mills

In The Chapel In The Moonlight Shapiro-B

Joey Lpwell

Knock On Wood ; . Famous

Little Shoemaker Bourne

Little Things. Mean A Lot ...Feist

Man That Got Away Harwin

.Man With The Banjo Mellin

. Marie . Berlin

My Friend ;...... Paxton

Oh My Papa , . — Shapiro-B

Say Hey Tulla

Secret Love Remick

Skokiaan Shapiro-B

Sway Peer

Three Coins In The Fountain .Robbins

Wanted .Witmark

Who’s Afraid * Advanced

t Filmusical. . • Legit musical.

MITCHELL, MARTINO TO
EXTEND SOCK BRIT. STAY

London, Aug. 10.

Both Guy Mitchell and Al Mar-
tino have had such successful Brit-
ish tours that they will extend
their stay.

Mitchell, due to remain until end

of September, is now to stay for a
further two months, owing to a
rearrangement of the starting date
of his film, “Covered Wagon,’’ in
which he is featured with Alan
Ladd.

Martino is staying until early
December. Both cases represent a
record number of weeks that a
leading American star has ap-
peared continuously in Britain.
They both started their British
tours in May.

Dallas— Alfred Breuning, con*
certmaster of the New York City
Center Opera Co, for the past four
years, will be the new concertmas-
ter of the Dallas Symphony Or-
chestra.

New Hill

JO

STAFFORD*

THANK YOU
FOR CAUING

wordi and mode by Cindy Walkor

Columbia Retord 40250

HOLLIS

Another BMI "Pin Up* Hit

RECORDS

Teresa brewer

Red FOLEr Coral

Dacca

ftibllthed by

Wemar MUSIC CORPORATION

Wednesday, Anffitl 11» 1954

MUSIC

49

* * *CA) . *•<•••* *'♦ • • * • 4 *^ • ••••«« *««•••. • • « « ■ 4 » Cr^t 0 duitis <*•*«*«**« •,• Mercury % »

! : 2 . LIWXE THINGS MEAN A LOT (15) . : Kitty Kallen . .*. . Decca « >

:; 3, THREE COINS Uf THE FOUNTAIN (12) ................ . Four Aces ............. .Decca ^

I' 4. HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY (10) . Archie Bleyer ........ Cadence « ►

■ ’ 5. LITTLE SHOJBMAHER (16) ,. . Gaylords Mercury ■’

.! I 6. .HRY THERE (3) * Roseyytry Clooney . . . Columbia < j

“ 7. I’M A FOOL TO CARE (4) . A ........... . lies Paul-Maty Ford ....Capital *►

8. THEY WERE DOING THE MAMBO (1) ................... Vaughn Monroe Victor

X 9. IN THE CHAPEL IN THE ^OONLIGHT (4) Kitty Kallen . ......... .Decca t

; 10. CRAZY 'BOUT YOU, BABY (6) . . . ... Crew Cuts Mercury j

Second Croup

* - GOODNIGHT* SWEETHEART, GOODNIGHT . McGuire Sisters .Coral I

0 HAPPY WANDERER . . . ....... . .... . . . . ; , ... ; ... . . Frank Weir ...... . .". . .London J

’ ► I UNDERSTAND JUST HOW YOU FEEL Four Tunes Jubilee

‘ ; MAGIC TANGO ............... v. ; Hugo Winterhatler Victor

" “ THIS OLE HOUSE ' ,■ Rosemary Clooney .... Columbia J

< ► SH-BOOM Chords .' Cat

!! HIGH AND THE MIGHTY ; ............. .* Les Baxter ..Capitol

| ’ IF. I GIVE MY HEART TO YOU .... Connee Boswell ...... . .Decca J

HIGH AND THE MIGHTY v Johnny Desmond ....... .Coral J

1 l HIGH AND THE MIGHTY V, . LeRoy Holmes M-G-M

* ’ SOME DAY Frankie Laine Columbia +

CINNAMON SINNER ? Tony Bennett Columbia

-v THE GREATEST FEELING IN THE WORLD Four Tunes .Jubilee.

A I CRIED . . * Patti Page .......... .Mercury ^

“ LITTLE SHOEMAKER ...*.. **...... Hugo Winterhalter .Victor

^ tFiaures in parentheses indicate number of Weeks song has been in the Top 103

PINCUS’ NEW BMI FIRM
TO KICK OFF ON OCT. 1

George Pincus will kick off his
new BMI firm, Gil Music, Oct. 1.
Deal is reported to run forofive
years with a $30,000 guarantee.
Pincus, who was, longtime, general
professional manager of Shapiro-
Bernsteinj launched his own pub-
lishing operation less than a year
ago under the ASCAP banner.

He’ll start the Gil operation with
“A Blessing In Disguise” by Bob
Marcus and Joe Lubin. The Gil tag,
incidentally, was culled from the
initials pf his children’s first
names, Gloria, Irwin and Lee. With
the opening of the BMI firm, Pih-
cus also is expanding his office
quarters.

Audivox to Add Talent
Break Into Kid Disks

Audivox Records is embarking
on a program of expansion. Disk-
ery will break into the kid field
next month and is also in the
process of augmenting its talent
roster which, to date, has been
confined solely to Dorothy Collins
and her husband, Raymond Scott.

A Solid Hit!

If I Give
: My Heart

To You «

MILLER MUSIC CORPORATION

Juve platters will be issued for
both moppet and pop consumption.
The smallfry product will be re-
leased in special folders and will
sell for $1, while the pops will be
peddled in regular sleeves at the
standard 89c tab. Disks will be re-
leased' bn both 78 and 45 rpm,
with Miss Collins doing the vocals.

Waxery’s Lenny Wolfe has been
scouting acts fnd expects to have
some new talent signed shortly.

Inside Stuff-Musk

George Frazier has a hep piece on songs and songwriters in the
current Vogue, a slick mag which seems rather removed from Tin
Pan Alley, particularly some of the internecine references to RCA
Victor’s Manie Sacks. Frazier, for a time, did a stint for Victor, re-
searching the Glenn Miller $25 album, which has resulted in a legal
claim by the writer, or so he states he will* make. Frazier’s reference
to Sacks is looked upon with askance by the trade, particularly the
puff for the now departed David Kapp, who preceded Joe Carlton,
the incumbent a&r man,

Dave Dexter is next in line on Capitol’s shuttling artists A repertoire
system for its New York office. Dexter is due in Gotham from Cap’s
Coast headquarters in about three weeks to replace Voyle Gilmore.
Cap launchd its shuttling aAr plan early in the year when Sid Feller
ankled to freelance. Since then Alan Livingston, diskeyy veepee-a&r
chief, has been scouting a permanent man for th .N, Y. office. None
of the Coast staffers wants the post on a permanent basis. Lee Gil-
lette kicked off the shuttling plan and was relieved by Gilmore, who’ll
return to the Coast base when Dexter comes in for his eastern hitch.

More than just throwaway copyrights fall into ‘the catalogs of pub-
lishing firms owned by the record companies. Decca’s publishing en-
terprise, Northern Music, for example, has come up with such hits over
the years as ‘‘Into Each. Life Some Rain Must Fall,” ‘‘You Always
Hurt the One You Love” and “Till Then.” In the rhythm blues field,
Northern has clicked with ‘‘Fine Brown Frame” and “Honeydripper”
while in the big score field, it publishes Gordon Jenkins’ ‘‘Manhattan
Tower.”

Coral’s New Quartet

Coral is hunting a name for a
new vocal quartet signed last week
after a&r topper Bob Thiele heard
them audition several original
tunes. Lads were brought to the
plattery by WMGM deejay Bill
Silbert.

Coral plans to. build the outfit
with the original material. Group
signed a management contract with
Fred Amsel, Karen Chandler’s
manager. Tim Gayle has been set
to handle Coast promotion.

British Bar Kletzki From
Edinburgh Fest Podium

Edinburgh, Aug. 10.

Paul Kletzki, who was to have
conducted the Danish State^ Radio
Symphony Orch during the' upcom-
ing Edinburgh ^International Fes-
tival, has been refused the neces-
sary labor permit by the British
Ministry of Labor. Festival Society
was informed that, as conductor Of
the Liverpool Philharmonic Orch,
Kletzki has already been granted
his full quota for appearances in
the United Kingdom.

Despite the short notice, Eugene
Ormandy, conductor of the Phila-
delphia Orchestra, has accepted an
invitation from the Danish orch $o
conduct a concert at the Festival
Aug. 24.

Do you want the old Paul Whiteman with the old arrangements or
the ‘‘new” Paul Whiteman with the old arrangements? That’s the
question music dealers will be asking customers within the next few
weeks because “Pops” will he in competition with himself. Coral
plattering of “Whispering” and “You’re Driving Me Crazy,” recorded
recently from the old arrangements, is beginning to show some activity.
So RCA Victor, for whom Whiteman originally recorded, is reissuing
the original platter. In this case, it’s “Whispering” backed by “Japa-
nese Sandman.’*

Stress publishers put on promoting their tunes Is pointed up by
the hew publication put out by Joe Csida and Charlie Grean for their
Trinity, Towne and Edgar Music firms. Publication, tagged DJ News,
will feature music biz news as well as plugs for firms’ copyrights and
current waxings. It’ll come out monthly and be shipped to about
3,500 deejays around the country. . Cost of the printing run will be
close to $500. First edition was put into the mails Monday (9).

Johnny White, who took over as general professional manager of
the Warner Bros; music firms around the first of the year, has spark-
plugged the pubbery into five rack order requests. Since White’s
takeover, the firms have clicked with “Secret Love,” “Wanted,” “Speak
To The Stars,” “Green Years” and “The High and The Mighty.” The
rack order guarantees the pubbery about 75,000 sheet sales.

Professional Music Men, contact-
man org, will hold its annual golf
tourney at the Aldecress Country
Club, Alpine, N. J., Aug. 17.

Rudy Vallee is writing fan autobiographical “Your Time Is My
Time,” covering, . principally, highlights in his show business career,
and targeted for publication in Women’s Home Companion. So he
revealed recently in Saratoga Springs, N’Y., where he starred in
“Jenny Kissed Me” at the Spa Summer Theatre. Reporting that he
had 400 pages written and planned to do 200 more, Vallee told Variety
he might induce Frank Scully to act as collaborator.

Payola 111

Continued from page 43

I Can’t Believe
That You’re In Love With Nle

by JIMMY McHUGH »nd CLARENCE GASKILL

MILLS MUSIC. INC.

"RtMicUd Ok .-4 it 7Xa-;c 1 Jaocu

other music man, “is the disk Jockey. So we get a good record,
and right away they play it to death. If they don’t play it, we
squawk. If you say, try and educate them to ‘program’ their
stuff so as not to overdo the Top 10 or Top 20, how can you con-
trol it? There are 1,400 key deejays to whom we send records. The
artist tries to insure it by sending him a record. The publisher,
sends him two. He’s up to his ears in records. On top of that
they’re all on the phone with the deejay. When they tour tliey
drop in and tape interviews and in the case of the record com-
pany or publisher they take ’em to dinner and the like. The disk
jockey thinks he’s doing you a favor when in actuality this con-
stant plugging quickly kills off What you may have built up.”

On the “spray-gun technique” objection, Victor’s Joe Carlton
is another who urges to “name names,” adding that “otherwise
somebody may get the wrong impression about who is guilty and
who isn’t.” Sacks agrees,* but also understands the timidity of
certain publishers who don’t want to risk “blowing the whistle”
for fear of “retaliation.” To this Sacks observes, “You can quote
me that nobody need fear retaliation from RCA Victor, After
all, I represent the company, and it’s not the individual, so if
anybody has any complaints they always know where to find
me.”

In this feverish economic determinism one common conclusion
looms: it is unsound and economic waste to cut-in, subsidize,
bribe, “entertain,” overstimulate via “drives,” or whatever else
may be the form of payola.

But it is not as pat as that. Most of it is unrealistic in light
of the competition. And some of it is highly suspect as cal-
culated and deliberate talk to coverup. Because In the same
breath thet they pan everything, the same gripers will point to
the “charts,” or the choice disk jockey plugs. It’s like the dis-
gruntled radio and tv sponsors and artists who pan the Nielsens
but are quick to brag about their “ratings” if they’re flattering.

To be continued Abel

America's ^Fastest

Decca Inks Anderson To
Another Three-Year Pact

Decca Records has repacted Le
roy Anderson to another three-year
deal. Anderson, who joined the
label three years ago, has turned
out such disclicks fas “Blue Tango”
and “Syncopated Clock.”

Anderson’s first 12-inch longplay
album is part of Decca’s 20th anni
packaged goods push*

BOB

•mgs

SAID

I

DANCE

OF THE HOURS

MGM 11795
K 11795

78 RPM
45 RPM

M'G'M RECORDS

THE GREATEST NAME'^O] IN ENTERTAINMENT

7Q1 SEVENTH AVE NEW rOPK 26 N v

•» .

VAUDEVILLE

Wcdnegd»y, Angutl 11, 1954

Although the borscht belt in the
N. Y. State Catskill Mountain area
is still one of the more important
, areas of talent employment, the
amount of work in the mountains
is gradually dwindling. There has
' been sortie diminution of the spots
that have been using a-its, but the
more important Iocs is the decreas-
ing budgets of individual hotels.

Not only is it comparatively rare
to have an act triple on Saturday
• nights, but there are weeks that
certain brackets of acts cannot get
any work at all. : .

In the first place, the spots using
names have dwindled to only one,
the Concord at Kiamesha Lake.

' It’s the only spot that has virtu-
ally no limit when it comes to
buying talent. It’s ch’e? competi-
tor, Grossinger’s, at nearby Fern-
dale, uses a good grade of talent
and the shows a:'e in excellent
taste, but it’s not going out of its
way to get a higher strata of acts.
Other inns will frequently get
standard turns, but the major traf-
fic now has gone into the lower-
priced acts.

There are still many hill-country
operators that mourn for the good
old days when the social staff suf-
- ficed. They point to the fact that
many names on the talent rosters
of today started that way, and they
decry the fact that they had to be
replaced by imported shows.
There’s little chance that the so-
cial staff will come back to its pre-
eminence of previous years, but
with the longing for the low-priced
staffers goes the even stronger
yearning to employ acts that get
very little money. This turn of
events is being realized by these
owners and there are indications
that tariffs will be beaten down
even more by next year.

Eye Other Areas
At this point there’s little that
the present batch of acts relying
on the borscht belt can do about
it. They feel that as long as work
is scarce they will be at the mercy
of the handful of mountain book-

However, there’s hope that other j
areas using talent will develop
more importance. For example, the
White Mountain circuit in New
England, which presently has
about a dozen or so hotels, booked
by the Baum-Newborn Agency,
may be enlarged to include other
spots.

The Pocono Mountains in Penn-
sylvania also present another pos-j
sibility. !

For example. Unity House, a
resort operated by the Internation-
aL Ladies Garment Workers Union,
has been buying a good grade of
talent. Herman Fialkoff, booking
the spot, has had h£> budget upped
this year so that this spot presents
show's at least twice a week. An-
other in that area is the Log Tav-
ern. Milford.

The spots around Mt. Freedom,
'N. J., have also become important
talent buyers. All are within easy
travel of New York.

The acts reason that talent
helped build the Catskill area, and
if they decide to minimize use of
acts other areas may go in for ex-
pansion, which might end the Cats-
kill supremacy as a talent centre.

Some officials in the American

Guild of Variety Artists feel that (
the Catskill hotel operator associa- ;
tions have deliberately gone in for ,
a collective policy of brushing acts, j
That attitude, they say, if true,
may give competitive . vacation
areas an advertising _ point . to . go
after trade now in the "Catskills. |

s i

•. _ J

Leon & Eddie’s Reunion
‘Strictly Social’; Hint
Davis’ Buy of Gay 90s, N.Y.

Miami Beach, Aug. 10.

Eddie Davis, now in semi-retire-
ment in Fort Lauderdale, near
here, has been a social caller on
Leon Enken Sr., his longtime part-
ner in the famed Leon & Eddie’s
West 52d St. IN.Y.) bistro, which
was as much a tourist stopoff spot
in its era as the Empire State
Bldg. “But it has been strictly so-
cial,’’ says Enken, in answer to
columnar reports of a possible re-
union and reviving of the famed
L&E billing, which was a bistro
adornment for a quarter-of-a-cen-
tury, dating back to their mutual
start during the Prohibition era.

Davis, who had been operating
the West 52d St. spot solo, after
buying out Enken— the team was
always Eddie on the stage and
Leon at the door— has also been
reported interested in Bill’s Gay
90s, N.Y. This is Bill Hardy’s East
54th St. nostalgia parlor, in asso-
ciation with Harry Tannen (of the
21 Club clan), but since Hardy’s
recent illness he has made no
bones about possible retirement.
Hardy’s siege, involving consider-
able surgery, was at a critical stage
at one time.

Leon Enken Jr. meantime is
managing the Robins’ chain of
theatres in Warrenton, O. 1

SPITALNY’S FAIR DATES
! AFTER CHI CHEZ PAREE

CLARK IS CLEARED ON
TAX EVASION CHARGES

' Los Angeles, Aug. 10.
Wilbur Clark, operator of the
Desert Inn, Las Vegas, was ac-
quitted here last week of tax eva-
sion on four counts. The Govern-
ment had charged that Clark and
his wife had failed to pay $50*000
taxes for 1946 and 19^7.

Federal Judge Leon R. Yank-
wloh, who ruled on the acquittal,
noted in his comments that despite
the fact that Clark was a gambler,
his activities constitute no wrong-
doing since gambling is legal in
Nevada and therefore he is a le-
gitimate business man. Judge
Yankwich also rapped the use of
the “net worth” .method by the
Government in prosecuting Clark,
declaring that such tactics were
not warranted in this case.

Phil Spitalny has been booked
t for the Chez Paree, Chicago, Sept.

\ 6 and a couple of fair dates.

Maestro and femme orch will go
into the Bloomsburg (Pa.) Fair for
six days immediately after his two-
week stand at the Chi nitery, and
follow with the Trenton Fair.

| Deals were set by Joe Glaser’s
j Associated Booking Corp.

i --

5 1

| $20,000 Fire Destroys
i East St. Louis Nitery

St. Louis, Aug. 10.

1 The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s
. Office has been asked to investi-
! gate an explosion and fire that
destroyed The Flame, a nitery be-
tween East St. Louis and Collins-
ville, last week at a loss estimated
at $20,000. Only the charred walls
1 of the one-story structure remains.

Marvin Dixon, 35, lessee of the
: building, owned by a Collinsville,
i III., man. is being sought for ques-
: tioning. He is under bond as result

■ of a gambling charge preferred

■ against him last March when a
punchboard was seized in the

i place.

Use of L.Q. Title

Latin Quarter, . N.Y., operator
Lou Walters got into a very bellig-
erent mood shortly after his arrival
from Europe last week. Walters
learned that Metro is planning a
film to be called “Latin Quarter,”
with’ Leslie Caron, which will be
a musical set in Paris during the
gaslight era.

Walters declared that he’ll sue
anyone who uses that title. He says
that he now operates niteries with
that name in New York and Miami
Beach, and in the past he had Latin
Quarters in Detroit and Boston.
He also produces traveling unit$
with that tag, and therefore has a
proprietary interest in that title.
He says he won’t stand for “pilfer-
age” by anybody.

M. R AYE INKED AT 10G
FOR 500 CLUB WINDUP

Atlantic City, Aug. 10.
Martha Raye has been signed as
final attraction at the 500 Club,
Atlantic City. Miss Raye s goes in
for eight days, starting Aug. 28, at
$10,000. On the bill with her will
be the Kirby Stone Four.

The 500 Club has had an ex-
tremely successful season, despite
the fact that it had to close after
the Martin & Lewis date because
a suitable headliner wasn’t avail-
able. Cafe also had been prepared
to close after Betty Hutton’s stand,
which ended Sunday (8), but Jackie
Miles was rushed into the breach
Monday (9). The Will Mastin Trio,
featuring Sammy Davis Jr., opens
Saturday (14); with Miss Raye set
to follow.

ODETTE i

Songs

10 Mins. r

.Viennese Lantern, N. Y.

Deeprthroated, pleasantly-nasal
contralto makes a good impression
at this Wlenerwald bistro, with a
•variety . of songs in different
.languages and moods. Voice has
musical quality and style as well

as power, with an appealing,
.throbbing approach. Wcll-foriried, '
darkly-attractive femme, dressed
simply in a tasteful, off-shoulder
white gown, also handles herself
(and her hand mike) gracefully in
the small floor area.

“My Lost Melody,” in English
and French*- is a good opener.
“You Go To My Head,” which
follows, has plenty of personality
as well as rhythm, and a catchy
‘midway change of pace in delivery;

A flamenco number, sung unac-
companied in Spanish, is the best
offering f of tho, lot, with plenty of
mood, spirit and authenticity.

Odette (Athos) is daughter of
Mary and Percy Athos, latter a
veteran English actor-manager who
has since retired and taken to
•painting in Australia. Miss Ath° s
(Odette), although American-born,
was reared abroad and her recent
MGM record album spotlighted
her for a Culver City test, with an
eye to Francd-American filmusi-
cals.

As is, on personality and per-
formance, Odette does handily at
this atmospheric bistro, and is
certain to expand her orbit, with
or without the plus values of the
platter album and the Metro film
opportunity. . Bron.

LOS CHICANOS
Music . >

25 Min.

Chaudiere Club, Ottawa

Expertly costumed, two femmes
and three males have a fast, bright
stanza of Latin rhythms in instru-
, ments, chanting and terps. With
better staging and slowing-up of
too-fast gab introductions, .this
group will fit any spot. Music is

• mostly instrumental, using drums,

, bass fiddle* accordion, baby guitar,

castanets, gourds, maracas, piano,
saxophone, mambo drums, trap
drums. Zingy session keeps the
room bouncing.

Standout chore is Impressive

• maraca-beating by one of the
i* sisters Who plays nine maracas as
. she. dances, wearing them on her
1 ankles and hips. Customers get the

impression she can play one at a
time with deft hip-twitching. Drum
j solo in Latin beat by a maler mem-
' ber of the group is a little long
1 but solid. Gorm. _

2,000 Members Buy Club
In San Antone for 500G

San Antonio, Aug. 10.

The 2,000 members of Sevenoaks
Country Club have purchased it
from Col. B. F. Chadwick for $501,-
950. The new outfit, known as the
Sevenoaks Country Club Inc., will
be run by a board of governors
until bylaws can be drawn up, ac-
cording to Spike Brenan, board
member.

The club, serving some 2,000
members, costs each member only
$60 a year. Chadwick will be paid
off in annual payments.

MURIEL REID
Violin
8 Mins.

Palace, N. Y.

Muriel Reid, a comely violinist,
has -an act that is insufficient for
the needs of Town Hall, but can
meet the requirements of vauders
and cocktail lounges. What she
showed indicates that she can sell
the instrument with some effec-
tiveness. Her “Gypsy Airs’” and
“Roumanian Rhapsody” are for the
middlebrow crowd, but her mag-
num opus for the demands of this
house is “Hot Canary.” Latter
number shows her off technically.
There’s a lot of trills and trick
fingering that makes for a good
mitring.

Miss Reid looks well and makes

ROSE MARIE FARRELL
Song*

7 Mini.

No. 1 Fifth Ave., NT. Y*

Rose Marie Farrell has a well-
scrubbed look and a pleasant voice
Her delivery, though, is patterned
pretty much along routine lines
Singer is an okay bet for filler
spotting but will' need sharper
styling to elevate from that status.
"Chirp offers "ir tuneful songalog
that includes such numbers as
“Almost Like Being In Love” and
“This Moment On.”.

Stint at No. 1 marks chirp’s pro
bow as payoff for being one of the
winners of the Monday night
amateur contests held at the nitery

last winter. Jess.

*

ED STEINMETZ &"CO. (1)
Trampoline
9 Mins.

Palate N. Y.

The ’“company” in Ed Steinmetz
& Co., consists of a girl who works
alongside of and in relief of the
guy for whom the act is named.
Actually, it seems that the femme's
major duty is to provide -periodic
rests for the male half of the turn,
since her tricks on the trampoline
are fairly elementary and provide
little excitement.

Steinmetz, once he gets started,
shows some excellent twists, gain-
ers, flips, etc. He generates a lot.
of excitement for brief periods and
makes the act eligible, for a lot of
outdoor dates. Jose.

FERNAND NANTEL

Songs

25 Mins.

Lt Maisonnette Carol, Montreal

As a switch from the Usual femme
chirper in this top eatery, boniface
Carol introduces baritone Fernand
Nantei to La Maisonette’s select
clientele with okay results. Nantei,
originally from Quebec City, has
plenty of legit vocal .training via
operettas, radio and stage, but this
is his first straight nitery stint.

Previous experience stands
young singer in good stead and his
mike technique and general de-
portment in the confined space of
this room pays off in solid recep-
tions on every performance.

Opening with a breezy “Bon
Soir” number that serves as a good
intro item, Nantei switches to an
English arrangement but stays for
the most part with the French
1 lyrics. Patter before each song in
English is brief but explicit and
midway through session he tours
i room doing his own guitar accomp
■ which is effective. A session at the
’ piano with a novelty tune breaks
! pacing nicely and a group of cur-
rent faves serves as a solid clinch-
er. Programming is varied and evi-
dences a better than average song-
alog. Appearance is good, guy is
of medium height with an expres-
sive Gallic face but without going
overboard on the drama. Newt.

CUGAT GROUP MULLED
FOR BRITISH TOUR

London, Aug. 10.

Norman Payne, new MCA repre-
sentative, is negotiating for a
Latin- American package tour of
Britain in October. It will star
Xavier Cugat, his vocalist wife,
Abbe Lane, plus certain key mem-
bers of the Cugat orch.

Cugat Is at present on the Conti-

i

I

FIRST BROADWAY APPEARANCE!

THE PEOP-ETTES

t . . « • .

(PENNY and PAUL)

Opening AUGUST 13th x

PALACE, NEW YORK

■■■ Exclusive and Personal Manager ~

. c/o EDWARD RILEY

BILL MAYO 1540 B 7 L «ni«3 w York

52

VAlTIMBVItXB

Wednesday, Aitgml 11, 1954

New Yorker to

The New Yorker Hotel, N. Y., is
slated to end the ice policy which
has been in effect for more than
a decade and go in for a temporary
name band policy, starting Sept.
16 with the Ralph Flanagan Orch
which will be part of a one-hour
vidshow on Saturdays. Other part
of teleshow will emanate from the
Aragon Ballroom, Chi.

Actually, room is shopping
around for a policy which can be
used with a television tiein. The
Roosevelt, also part of the Hilton
chain, has a similar policy, with
Gay Lombardo as the focal point,
but having the tele show with a
name band centerpiece would place
the New Yorker in very close com-
petition with its sister inn.

There’s also the likelihood that
the New Yorker will open two or
three personality rooms in various
parts of the hotel, and there’s also
some talk that the present Terrace
Room will ultimately be displaced
by these smaller operations. How-
ever, full plans haven’t yet been
formed.

One of the New Yorker rooms
under construction will be a fairly
close replica of the old corner
saloon, in which beer will be
served in large mugs, and there
will be an old-fashioned atmos-
phere. A Gay '90s show' is likely
to be installed in that spot.

HINES BRINGS NEW ORCH
EAST FOR APOLLO DATE

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

Earl “Fatha” Hines takes his
new orchestra east next week to
open at the Apollo, New York. Aug.
20, for a one-week stand. Date, first
for Hines’ “new sound” Combo in
the east, will be followed by a
week at the Skyline Cafe in Wash-
ington.

After the nitery date, Hines
. takes off on a tour of 26 one-
nighters with The Chords, r&b
combo.

Overflow

Omaha, Aug. 10.

Don Rofneo of the local Paul
Moorhead agency figures the
first major outdoor booking of
his 10% career was quite a
success. He set the free acts
and Eddy Haddad’s orch for
the Piggah, la., Play Day celeb.

The attendance was 4,000.
Pisgah’s population is 700. ,

TORME REPLACESGASTEL
WITH 3 'MAN TEAM

San Francisco, Aug. 10.

Mel Torme, who last week
parted with his longtime agent Car-
los Gastel, celebrated his opening
at the Italian Village Wednesday
(4) by signing with Bill Loeb, Ben
Pierson and Sam Weller, His new
management takes oyer immedi-
ately. •

Torme emphasized thaUhis break
with Gastel was “most amicable.
We are the- best of friends and I
want to scotch any rumors that it’s
any other way. It isn’t.”

The deal is unusual because all
three of Tome's new managers are
in business as individuals and they
have only joined together to
handle Torme. Emphasii will be
placed on tv and motion picture
work.

1* i

Contiauoi from pact 1

Laine’s British Tonr

London, Aug. 10.

A series of one-night concert
engagements has been fixed for
Frankie Laine in Britain in Octo-
ber under auspices of Harold
Fielding.

British orch directed by- Vic
Lewis will accompany the singer.

San Francisco, Aug. 10.

San Francisco is currently en-
joying its biggest entertainment
boom in. several years with night-
clubs, legit theatres and film-
houses all doing good business.

Part of the extra-good business
is attributed to the influx of con-
ventioneers this summer, but a
good deal of it stems from a
heightened interest in live enter-
tainment by the local population
caused, according to some circles,
by the summer replacements in
television shows.

“The King and I,” which com-
pleted a four-week run here Sun-
day (8), broke all records at the
War Memorial .Opera House, sell-
ing out for almost every perform-
ance the last three weeks and rack-
ing up a total for the four stanzas
of $379,082, with $100,146 for
final week. Mary Martin and
“Peter Pan” have similarly been
playing to capacity houses at the
Curran, where they have set new
house records in the past three
weeks with grosses of $53,200, $54,-
000 and $55,400.

In the nitery field Nat (King)
(Continued on page 54)

Paul Small

Continued from page 51

/

(RALPH AND MARY)
CnrrMtty .

ALPINE VILLAGE

CLEVELAND

Week Amq. 22
STEEL PIER, Atlantic City

Dir,: Jimmie Husson Agency

119 W. 57th St.. New York

LIBBY TO DO LEGIT STINT
IN SOLO WEEK ON B’WAY

Libby Holman will go. into a legit
house as a solo performer, for six
nights only, at the Bijou Theatre,
N. Y., starting Oct. 4, in a series
to be called “Blues, Ballads and
Sin Songs.” Miss Holman recent-
ly did this show under aegis of
Richard Aldrich at the Cape Play-
house, Dennis, Mass.

Miss Holman will be accomped
by Gerald Cook. Repertoire will
comprise many of the tunes she
introduced in various musicals as
well as native American ballads.
In previous years, she concertized
in France and England.

i Name-Filled Season Set
I For Pitt’s Vope Terrace

; The Vogue Terrace, Pittsburgh,

• plans on having a name-filled sea-
son. George Clair, booking the
‘ spot, has already lined up the bulk
of names needed to take him into
December. Starting the parade is
Julius LaRosa, going in Sept. 6;
followed by Harry Belafonte, Sept.
20; Kitty Kallen, Oct. 4; and A1
Morgan, Oct. 11. Possibility is
that Billy Daniels will be signed
for Oct. 18, and Tommy & Jimmy
Dorsey for the following week.

The Vagabonds will go in for
two weeks starting Nov. 1, Ames
Bros, are set for Nov. 18, and the
Goofers go in Nov. 23.

■ Management
HESS MAYER

M 420 MADISON AVE.I
m New York PL 5-4564 j

COMEDY MATERIAL

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206 W. 54th St.# Now York 19— Dapt. V
Clrcla 7-1130 -

Vaude, Cafe Dates

Hollywood

French singer Patachou comes
back to the Cocoanut Grove of the
Ambassador Hotel Oct. 6 for three
. weeks. She'Ji be preceded by the
j Bernard Bros., who open Sept. 15!

. . Ray Gilbert penning a new act
for singer Joe Gaudio . . . Kings IV
opened an indefinite stand at the
Saddle & Sirloin in Studio City . , .
Connee Boswell and the Delta
Rhythm Boys open at the Flamingo,
Las Vegas, Sept. 30 with Keefe
Bt^sselle.

The Four Tunes open a two-week
stand at the Chicago Theatre, Chi-
cago, Sept. 3 . . . Sarah Paess, for-
, mer accompanist for LaurUz Mel-
; chior, . will accompany . Glorya
! Curran, who opens a new act at the
Thunderbird, Las yegas, Sept. X.

the Morris Agency, he opened his
office and shortly afterward set up
a series of super-vaudeville units
which ran in Broadway legit houses
under a two-a-day format. He
opened with “Big Time,” headed
by George Jessel, to prove there
was still life in vaudeville. Then
came other units such as this,
labeled “Star Time,” “Laugh
Time," “Curtawn Time,” “Fun
Time” and others. Fred Finkle-
hoffe was his associate Jn these en-
terprises. Some of them were rout-
ed into vaude when their day as
hard-ticket shows was over.

Small, a big 300-pounder, started
in vaudeville as an acrobat, and
soon became a vaude and cafe nov-
elty when he would hurl his con-
siderable avoirdupois into cart-
wheels, flips, etc. In a pioneer Uni-
versal filmusical, “The King oft
Jazz.” Small was Whiteman’s dou-
ble. He did quite well as the mae-
stro’s personator until the musi-
cian crossed him by doffing a few
stone.

He became an agent with offices
in the Palace Theatre bldg, and
soon afterward joined the Morris
Agency when it still had offices in
the Mayfair bldg.

Upon leaving the Morris office,
he stayed in New York for a while
and managed to come up with top
clients, including George Jessel,
Jack Haley, and others. When he
opened in Hollywood, he attracted
a lot of the top turns and plied his
trade between New York and the
Coast.

It was after leaving the Morris
office that he opened offices in a
deserted loft on top of the old
Cafe Tokay. But this was in war-
time when any kind of space was
at a premium. He opened a beauti-
ful suite, which was decorated by
Lillian Schary, one of the better
known practitioners, who is also
a sister of Metro production top-
per, Dore Schary. They were mar-
ried some time later. It was his
second marriage, He had a brother
Arthur Grossman, also an agent
who died a few years ago.

Dore Schary’s Eulogy

Schary delivered the eulogy for
his brother-in-law at Riverside
Chapel, N. Y., on Monday (9). He
spoke of his love of. life and laugh-
ter, described him as a big man
with uhbelievable grace, impatient
with those that had loyalties or
abilities that were less than his.
The Metro producer dwelt long
on the gayer side of Small’s life.
He even told some of the sayings
which Small was said to have orig-
inated. Included were “Don’t
make a Federal case out of it,”
“that guy ought to be shipped off
to Toledo,” and others that had
currency on both Coasts.

The funeral reflected Small’s
abhorrence of the macabre and
sadness. Years ago he told his wife
that if anthing happened to him,
he wanted no dirges but the songs
that he sang and whistled. The
organ played “Tea For Two,”
“Million Dollar Baby,” “Falling in
Love with Love” and others.

The pallbearers included a rep-
resentative list of Broadwayites.
They were Sol A. Schwartz, Bob
Weitman, Benny Fields, Jack Dav-
ies, Nicky Blair, Cecil Brown,
Johnny Broderick, Mike Nidorf,
Jesse Block, Charles Schlaifer, C.
C. (Chuck) Green, and Aaron Ros-
enstein, The religious service was
conducted by Rabbi Moshe Davis
of the Jewish Theological Semi-
nary. Interment was in Mt. Hebron
Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, a
son# Edgar# andad^ughtpj’, Jane.

same policies will be continued at
the Statler chain despite the
changeover at the top. However,
Hilton has a great respect for Miss
Abbott’s talents in the buying field.

On the other hand, Miss Abbott,
vigorous for her more than 50
years, has been spending less time
in her office and in travel. She
and Aer medico husband are oc-
cupying a beautiful home in High-
land Park, Chi. It’s also an open
secret that Miss Abbott’s husband
has been urging her to retire and
spend more time with the family.
The two are reputedly independ-
ently wealthy. On the other hand,
the temptation to wield so much
power in the entertainment indus-
try is also considerable. Which way
she’ll go will depend on the policy
to be enunciated by Hilton and
whether Miss Abbott would want
to assume the added chores.

. "Top - Buyers

The top talent buyers in the Hil-
ton group are the Waldorf-Astoria
and Plaza, both N. Y.; Palmer
House, and Conrad Hilton, Chi-
cago, and the Shamrock, Houston.
Latter was acquired last week by
Hilton. On a band policy are the
Roosevelt, N. Y., with the New
Yorker starting Sept. 16 with
Ralph Flanagan prch replacing ice
shows.

Other entertainment buyers on
the chain include The Mayflower,
Washington; Caribe Hilton, Puerto
Rico; Castellana Hilton, Madrid
(booked from Europe), with vari-
ous units having the privilege of
buying bands arid acts locally. In
all, the Hilton has .17 units pres-
ently operating (aside from last
week’s haul), with the Istanbul Hil-
ton slated to open soon, and the
Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles most
likely preeming sometime next
year.

The Statler chain’s largest act
users are the Los Angeles, Wash-
ington and Detroit links, The
Statler, N. Y., is on a name band
policy, and name acts are used in
Cleveland and Buffalo. Boston uses
a dance band. The policy at the
Hartford link, to be completed
Sept, 17, will be decided this week.
The Statler inn there will comprise
the only major hotel entertainment
in the entire state. No policy has
been discussed for the Dallas out-
let, which is also in process of
construction.

The acquisition of the Statler
chain by the Hilton group came as
a complete surprise to the hotel
and financial world. William Zeck-
-endorf, topper of N. Y. realtors
Webb & Knapp, had been set to
take over the control of the $63,-
000,000 Statler chain for $37,650,-
000 and a meeting of Statler stock-
holders had been called for Friday
(6) to approve the takeover.

Meanwhile, Hilton induced the
family of the inn’s founder, the
late Ellsworth M. Statler, to part
with the controlling interest, which
calls for purchase of 753,000
shares of the common stock at $50
per share. Over the counter trad-
ing in Statler common at the time
of the merger was $45 bid and $48
asked. Under terms of the arrange-
ment Hilton will make a cash de-
posit of $8,000,000 and a corre-
sponding offer of $50 to all com-
mon stockholders after the control-
ling interest of 753,000 shares have
been purchased. There are 1,551, -
683 shares of Statler stock out-
standing, which would bring total
acquisition to about $77,584,000 if
all shareholders parted with their
stock at $50. Loans and debentures
will finance the acquisition for Hil-
ton.

Sale Mystery

Just why the Statler heirs parted
with control is still a mystery. The
chain is in sound financial position
and its stability was attested by
the fact that the American Man
agement Assn, recently put the
Statler chain among the 10-best-
marfaged corporations in the coun
try.

The Hilton' chain, of course, is
now the largest of the class hotels
There is still a state of flux in the
Hilton management. For example.
New York's Plaza is no longer
owned by Hilton, he having sold
it last year to the Sonnabend in-
terests of Boston, Hilton retains
the lease for another year. Many
of Hilton’s hotels are under lease
to him, whereas the Statler built
all its own hotels. (Exception Is
the Statler, N. Y., which was
bought as the Pennsylvania Hotel.)

Reason ascribed to the sale of

the Waza was Hiltoo’i Waldorf ac-
quisition soon after the Plaza pur-
chase. Having acquired what he
considered the top hotel, he sur-
veyed the Plaza and found that
its comparatively ancient age made
it an expensive operation • for the
amount of rooms it contained.
High ceilings, extensive use of
marble, and large halls were some
of the factors that made it diffi-
cult to heat and otherwise operate'
with top efficiency.

One curious factor in the Hilton
acquisition of the Statler group
lies in the increase of competition
among hotels in the chain. For ex-
ample, in New York the Waldorf
and Plaza are competing in that
sector of town. In another neigh-
borhood, the New Yorker and
Statler will vie for virtually the
same patronage, And the Roosevelt
is in some degree of competition
with these inns^ The first two have
somewhat similar talent policies
and the latter three by next month
will be on a name band click. In
Los. Angeles, the Statler Town
House and Beverly Hilton will be
rivals; in Washington the Mayflow-
er and Statler. In St. Louis Hilton’s
Jefferson and Statler, although
competing as hotels will be out of
the talent sweepstakes because of
the recent trend there of having
the hotel entertainment go to the
nabes, such as the’ Chase, Park
Plaza and Congress.

Conrad Hilton, by now, has done
the impossible in the hotel field.
His acquisitions are. the largest in
the history of the hotel : industry
and his holdings are now in most
cases the tops in their particular
areas.

‘Holiday on Ice 9 Readies

Omaha? Aug. 10.

“Holiday on Ice” currently is in
rehearsal for its 1954-55 trek at
its opening stand, the Sioux City,
la., Aud. Opening-'date is Sept. 3.

Chester Hale is directing chore-
ography. Show will feature “The
Merry Widow,” and is, scaled from
$1.50 to $3.

Dennis Day has been set by the
State Fair of Texas to head its
annual cuffo Cotton Bowl show on
East Texas night, Oct. 19, during
the expo’s 16-day run in Dallas,
Oct. 9-24.

CORBETT

MONICA

"Mr. Dynamite
Currently

CLUB

ELEGANTE

N«w York

Per. Mgr.: HARRIS GIGER
34 W. 73 Sr. . N. Y., TR 3-7330

WHEN IN BOSTON

ItYffto

HOTEL AVERY

The Home of Show Folk

. Avery it Waihlngton Sti.

When In Buffalo Stop at Hi#

ROANOKE

APARTMENT HOTEL

An Apartment for tho. prico of a Room
Complaio Cooking Facilhlaa
M, lenchner, Mgn, 206 So. ElmWodd Av'.

Wcflpegfor* Awgwl lh 1954

vsssnm

' £« VegwUA^JL

Militon BerUf ioUhj^eU^p^orm
Sid Gary , Leonard. . Swet, Nert
Yorkers (4), Mountaineer* (5),
Copa GlrU- <•»), Ran ; Simrtra
OrcH Ul); «a cover or minimwmj.

The core of the Milton Beyle
show is substantially the same as
last year: format, caft, material,
music. But the sporad^n tery *p-
pearances of "Mr. television"
make this fact unimportant, while
he’s as welcome as a epol zephyr.
This Is a revue with bounce, wit
and warmth. Romping through
most of the 85-minute show, Berle
rocks and socks with pldtlme. zest
and sharpness, joking, kidding,,
dancing d singing, and^ the
laughter -.e packed, Copa Room

is strong.

From the moment Berle walks
on with a Mickey Jelke quip, it's
a wrapup, and trip-hammer gags
fall swiftly and surely on the
receptive audience. Berle intros
his acts; they get a brief stint, and
he joins them for added howls.

Buxom, sultry Betty .George is
on deck to supply the cheesecake,
of Which she has ample. She makes
a good foil for the star and is
capable In her single Vocal chore
— “The Anything Can Happen
Mambo.”

Sid Gary, the little man with the
big voice, baritone^ “Without A
Song,” and rocks the house with
“Old Man River.” As expected, his
Jessel and Jolson carbons score,
while the oldtime vaude routine
with sidekick Berle is the clindher.
Here Berle does bis familiar take-
off on Eddie Cantor. .

Leonard Sues, young- man with
a horn, after clowning, with Berle,
trumpets. “Blue Skie'S” and Henry
Busse and Clyde McCoy solos for
big returns. Berle conducts the Ray
Sinatra orch while. Sues renders
“St. Lqui$ Blues,” and the, pseudo-
maestro wrecks the baton, procures
an axe handle to lead with and
strews lead sheets all over the
stage.

The New Yorkers are a fast-mov-
ing, tap-dancing quartet, good iu
their own spot, and they, provide
solid window dressing for Berle
in the Charleston and other terps.

The Mountaineers are four in-
strumentalists and a gal yodeler in
a zany bucolic routine , in which
they're joined by “COuSin Elmer”
Berle. Corn-country instruments
are used to make music, everything
from the musical saw to the cider
jug. The hoedown led by the
versatile Berle is cause for mass
hysterics.

As he did last year, producer
Jack Entratter presents his* Copa
line in the show-opening -slot only.
The number sparkles with beauti-
ful costumes and charm. Chuck
Nelson and Genie Stone handle
the production lyrics with a neat
flair. Bob.

Italian Village, Frisco

San Francisco, Aug. 4.

Frances Langford, >Mel Torme,
Haskells, Alan Cole, Bill Carroll
Dancers (8). Garry Nottingham’s
Orch (8); $1 coper weeknights;
$2 Saturday.

Spotting two singers on the same
bill doesn’t sound like the sharpest
programming possible,: yet jn this
instance it is a happy atthhgement.
The Frances Langford 5 and . Mel
lorme styles do not clash in any
way. The two acts are so com-
pletely different and both are of
such sock calibre that the’ audience,
in essence, gets two shows for one,
providing they have the stamina
to sit through a 95-miniite show.

of the current lineup
tllls m North Beach nitery is
Torme. The former bobbysox idol
is sporting a new look, new act and
new nightclub personality that
ever V indication of making

irf 1 a . bot Property On the
after-dark beat. .

H!s most recent date jiere^ four
ag0 , a ,t, the Fairmont’, did not
bells, as he failed to reach
K.~ udle ^9 e consistently. The new
old <* and more suave, is
handling himself like a showwlse
veteran. „

* rblb b * s opening number,
I °y*y composnion from “Califor-
Be<?f S n te ’ f »» T m e West Coast is the
scnrAc Coa ?u , Torme has them. He
Fmmf - W1 ,5 h Three Coins in the
act^uuiT’ . & ets t he aud i e nce in the
Mamhn" 1 Ao-vtiiing Can Happen
takeoff* and , 4 dcies a couple of cpte
l a K s on “Dragnet” and Julius
With S «v? s tunes are interspersed
plenty g i b Patter which draw's'
son?/ ?L yo S ks ‘ Astute mixture of
crowd humor is a powerful
*ock v?i e i«£ r * finishes with a
SiSg- wrth tl0n of "Singv ■ 'SWg r
grini ^^.accompanist A1 Pella-
Torm e Sf hinfi to clarinet, and

a verv Iffinfi QV !r °, n drums ‘ lVs
a heawmiff^y® $ n S le and draws

in die locJl pn st ■ P 0f wa ^ e

odSA 8 " 8 ' 0 "'' 5 ,c t w*6 marred
f£ls Hn nigi ?f bya series of -three
on * slippery ilqpr, hut she

itlll managed to |>ut . across pn
effective performance and her accl-
dente eveh helped. Still : a singer
with top class, she: has very effec

the* Chi

, ; ■ ■ • : Ciiidago^Au^g; ;

Ann Sothern.k Her Escort*; 15),
Shecky Green,’ Pryde St Day, Brian

minium.

tively . staged her numbers with thej^™ 071 ^ rch; * L1 ° cover, $ 2,50
help of her four male accompanists.

Beautifully dressed and looking
wonderful, she plays On the audi-
ence's heart&ringi with an oyer-
long bit' of reminiscing of her war-
time experiences,' iwhich is unnec-
essary, because she is too' good a
performer to have ‘ to reach back
for a crutch. Her most powerful
number is “I'm/ in the Mood for
Love,” though to . everything she
does' the audience responds with
heavy applause., ;

. The Haskells, an okay magic
team, are unriece$sary on this over-
long bill. The Bill Carroll dancers
might profit by . a bit of Elmer
Wheeler’s diet and the Garry Not-
tihgham orch provides okay accom-
paniment. - Rafe.

No* 1 Fifth Avenue, N. Y.

Clara Cedrorie .& Damian Mitch-
ell, Rose Marie Farrell, Bob Down-
ey, Hazel Webster; no minimum.

Current show at this Greenwich
Village intimery . ,is Satisfactory
summer fare; Besides booking
established talent, spot is ‘utilizing
the warm- weather period to show-
case winners pf the Monday night
amateur contests held' at the nitery
last winter. Breaking ipto the pro
ranks g't the club last week was
songstress Rose Marie Farrell,
who’s reviewed under New Acts.

; Remainder of the bill was made
up of the comedy team of Clara
Cedrone 8? Damian Mitch ellwand
keyboard regulars Bob' . Downey
and Hazel Webster. ; Harold Fon-
ville, ' usually' spotlighted in . dual
piano maneuvering with - Bob
Downey, was on vacation, Cedrone
& Mitchell, (latter is femme’s hew
male partner)^ get off some funny
bRs. Act works mostly in the
tune idiom and registers with okay
yock material in a • : couple . of
routines.' There are occasional
weak spots, but overall risible
effectiveness is good. Standout
items are a routine revolving
around word definitions and a
windup flapper skit.

Steinway contributions by Dow-
ney and Miss Webster are easy on
the ear. Russell Rhodes, another
regular at the room, tours the
tables offering slick sleight-of-
hand demonstrations. . Magico,
however, should refrain from push-
ing himself ori customers: Jess.

Hlapes Skyroom, Vteno

Reno, Aug. 5.

Rosemarie & Lenny Kent, Lili
St.' Cyr, Dorm Arden Dancers, Ed-
die Fitzpatrick Orch ; ho Cover,
$1.50 minimum.

The only people who appear
shocked at the current: Lili St. Cyr
performance in the Skyroom are
the locals. This is the sort of show
which tourists figure Reno is load-
ed* with. But this is the 1 first such
display Reno has seen since the
stripper was here quite a number
of years ago. But the locals are
shocked into making this probably
one of the biggest turnouts of the
season. They're gaspipg— but in
person and front row centre.

This costarr)hg show, which also
has Rosemarie and Lenny Kent,
hasn’t had eh empty chair since
first night and reservations are
Stacked.

Miss St. Cyr is down to brass
tacks almost as the curtain rises.
She follows the Donn Arden danc-
ers with her “Carmen” routine.

The whole disrobing, bathing,
powdering and perfuming act is for
ostensible benefit of a toreador
stooge. The disrobing gets down to
a postage stamp and it almost ap-
pears to be cancelled.

Rosemarie St Lenny Kent show
an amazing amount of reserve* in
their references to Miss St. Cyr,
although Kent- stakes • out a few
laughs. Duo, who debuted as a
team in this room in January, have
combined their best single rou-
tines, propped on either end With
combo patter and song. Rosemarie
intersperses her songs with some
well-pitched stories, but clicks best
as a comedienne when she pulls a
Helen Morgan. Perched awkwardly
atop the grand 88, she has bell-
ringing success with her material
and antics.

Kent follows with his best, which
is sometimes far beyond being
risque. He must feel that the other
act and the size of the house which
turps out to see it give him bur-
lesque freedom. And he may be
right. He gets away with it in his
second show.

Donn Arden dancers clpse with
a strenuous routine, and .stand by
while Miss St. Cyr comes swinging
out ori ap overhead track, and from
her birdcage, tosses garters, roses,
and panties to waving males.

Mark.

* brisk, stagefllling revue. un-
furled by Anri Sotherp and her
dapper entourage boffed the over-
flowing Chez Petee oh opening
night (3) and forecasts lush crowds
throughout her three-week stand.
Smartly written and brilliantly
staged, the display lightheartedly
interlards song, dance, . and com*
edy, buildirig ‘ to musical comedy
stature with sock routining of “Too
Darn Hot.” Resounding , reception
overall cinches a welcome T return
anytime,

Albeit she’s touring her first
nitery act, the tv and film star is
a pro on the boards and a perfect
charmer, magnetic of personality,
fine of frame and glib of tongue.
The five Escorts attend her in zest-
ful fashion and divert with nifty
terping on their own while she’s
changing .gowns. After breezy
“Hello” and “Happy” overtures,
Miss Sothern embarks on pleasing
medley of Irving Berlin oldies, and
then changes pace in solo skit of
“Private Secretary,” a weakish talk-
piece based on her current tv iden-
tity as an office cutie. Fillip is
when, in gaudy garb, she reverts
to her onetime screen namepiece,
Maisie Revere,, and. thwarts . the
covetous five-man Navy.

Young comedian Shecky Green,
playing his first date in this pres-
tige club, accounted for much of
the opening night draw, as he’s a
local lad whose many friends here-
abouts wish him only ’the best.
Slight case of nerves evidenced at
the outset, was dispelled by the
first wave .of laughter once the
tepid warmup gags were overcome.
Before long, he had the room in
throes and by quitting time had to
beg for a getaway.

Guy has a pugilist’s build, a pli-
able face that can wrench itself
into appropriate shapes and a real
flair for dialects, all of which help
him to find the funnybone. A
brace of fine impressions wisely
isn’t overly dwelled upon, and
climax of Dean Martin singing
“That's Amore” with Yiddish inter-
polations is a ludicrous tidbit.

JuggUng team of Pryde & Day
is okay for a starter with a fairly
standard routine. Highlight is the
male member’s fancy clubwork
atop a unicycle, and act climaxes to
a good hand with, two-decker jugr
gling session, the gal standing atop
her partner’s head.

Brian Farnon orch cuts its un-
usual fine show and is solid on
dansapation. Les.

Shamrock. Houston

Houston, Aug. 1.
“Ice Ahoy" with Wilma Sc Ed
Leary , Mae Ross, Lou Folds,
Johnny Melendez, Tony Martin
Orch, LeNelle Peterson ; $1.50

over.

•£; good performer, an‘ 0 outstandihg
practitioner of imitations, • alsb
•/points to a .successful engagement

Jordan's funnybone relies .more
on customers’ astonishment over
his uncanny likenesses than on
clever or. especially mirthful* ma-
terial, He does, however ^ intro-
duce a different slant with his ver-
sion of how a German might do
such takeoffs in dialect and
scrambled English and these take-
offs achieve some fyilarity on their
own. s

While his repertory is high-
lighted, of course, by the. Sullivan
routine, much other of his mirror-
ing also scores. That his tv success
has made him. a draw was indi-
cated by the well-filled room . for
the opening night’s supper show,
although this is his first time here
and he’s otherwise an unknown
locally. After he has his act better
organized, with more cohesive
routining arid smoothness and
eliminating of a few week spots,
he should go to town as strongly
in the tonier supper clubs as he
has done on tv and in the more
plebeian niteries.

Don McGrane and his orchestra
do their usual boff job, playing
for Jordan and customer stepping.

Rees.

Gatineau* Ottawa

Ottawa, Aug. 6.

Norman Brooks, Joanne Sc Stan-
[ley Kayne, Lindsay Sapphire Danc-
ers (6) with Gene Griffin, Harry
^Pozy Orch (9); $1 admission.

Wilma and Ed Leary switched
their iceskating act, although the
first four weeks of their eight-
week stint enjoyed good business,
and picked up their “Ice Ahoy”
routine which established them as
Shamrock favorites during last
summer’s extended engagement.

The revamped version is readily
a more solid feature than the
opener and provides ice acrobatics
that keep the ringsiders applauding
with gusto.

Besides the numbers done by
the personable Learys, who are
fine blade artists, and aided and
abetted by a chorus line that
maneuvers well either on skates or
off, featured skater Mae Ross does
spins and skating dance numbers
that' are breathtaking.

Comedy numbers are handled by
Johnny Melendez, who scored sol-
idly during the 1953 engagement
and repeats this year. Lou Folds
replaced Ben Dova and proves
himself a juggler of note.

Tony Martin’s orchestra, with
Martin emceeing the show and Lcs
Crumbaker waving the baton, does
a commeifdable job for the skating
routines. All in all, it’s a cool show
that should sell well for the bal-
ance of the torrid Texas weather.

* Jedo.

Norman Brooks’ booking in the
Gatineau Club’s Carnival Room
this week has a nostalgic tinge.
Brooks, who checks into 20th Aug,
31 for . film work, made his nitery
debut on the Gatineau’s boards and
this six-day appearance is a sort of
“thanks for the start” gesture to
manager Joe Saxe and customers.
Brooks played the Carnival Room
the week before his preem at New
York’s Copacabana last year. Since
then he’s developed a stronger act
and • considerably more assurance
and savvy. He may have climbed
on his vocal resemblance to Jolson
but he’s more Brooks than Joly
now. Though he’ll never shake off
the Jolson tag, Brooks could build
himself on his own abilities from
here on in.

Current session features “Dark-
town Strutter’s Ball” to a standout
dixieland arrangement by the
Harry Pozy band, “Hello Sunshine'’
(disclickl, “Birth of the Blues” and
other standards, plus the custom-
ary Jolson medley. Backing Brooks,
and held over, are Joanne St Stan-
ley Kayne, clicko comedy stanza,
and the okay Lindsay Sapphire
Dancers with chanter Gene Grif-
fin, who also emcees. Pozy hand
gives its usual solid • showbacking.
A1 Cost! replaces Bunny Dixon on
lounge piano a*d chirping.

Gorm.

•b Frtec*

•4 ,• * ■ Sab Frahftis(jo/'Aug» 5. "

. Cal Tjader AfrchCubans (5); nd
cover; no minimum.

Frisco’s first Latin club aiming
to capitalize on the current boom
in mixing mambo* and jazz is off
to a good start with the Cal Tjader
Afro-Cubans, a slick, Well-rehearsed
group that\ belts out Very dance-
able Latin rhythms and laces them
with enough modern jazz to keep
the interest of the hipsters. .

Tjader, a personable youngster
from this area who has just come
off a year on the road as vibist
with the George Shearing Quintet
arid has albums under his own
name working for him on both
Savoy and Fantasy, has Organized
a solid group, He’s an interesting,
swinging vibe player with a good
feel for. Latin rhythms. Backing
him up are Edgar Rosales, who
shakes the maracas and sings Latin
and American ballads in an effec-
tive voice; Bay at do Velardi, a solid
conga drum player; Manuel Du-
rand, a good Afro-Cuban pianist,
and Carlos Dutand, bass.

Tjader doubles from viboig to
timbales in a rundown of standard
Latin, tunes and Afro-Cuban sper
cialties. The group is particularly
effective with neat arrangements of
i^zz standards such j>s “Bcrnie’s
Tune” and of odd numbers such as
“Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen.” Overall
effect is extremely commercial,
with the group costumed in color-
ful Cuban ensembles. This should
be a successful operation a” * ’^ng
the line. „ Rafe. .

Viennese lantern, X. Y.

Odette, Tolba Stephens. Lantern
Ensemble (4) ; no cover, $3.50 Sat-
urday minimum. *

Cal-Vada* lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe, Nev., Aug, 4.
Nat (King) Cole , Roiocn &
Martin, Ike Carpenter Orch; no
cover, $2 minimum.

Hotel Bailisson, M|»ls.

Minneapolis, Aug. 7.
Will Jordan, Don McGrane
Orch (8); $2.50 minimum.

' Mimic-comedian Will Jordan,
who’s hit prominence with his
authentic and now familiar imper-
sonation of Ed Sullivan on the lat-
ter’s tv “Toast of the Tovrii,”
serves up entertainment complete-
ly different from recent fare in
this. swank room, where funsters
have been conspicuous by their
absence. *

It’s a welcome interruption in
what has been, a long-drawn-out
but by no means displeasing vocal-
izing siege. The fact that Jordan is

With only 10 weeks to call a
season in this resort area, casino
ops like to change their shows fre-
quently to keep the Lake populace
moving. That’s why a three-week
show, one-third of the season,
seems ill-advised. However, when
the marquee reads Nat Cole, Cal-
Vada operator Jbbv Lewis feels
that the only bad thing about the
situation is that the engagement
is all too short.

Cole is controlling the length of
the shows these days. Just last
year he was so much in the hands
of this same crowd, that he often
found himself with only a few
minutes between shows.

Cole steps back to the piano
occasionally to pound out a bridge
or chorus with his trio. A whole
number or two instrumentally
would be extremely welcome. He
drifts farther and farther away
from this great keyboard talent.
But his singing brings whistling
response from a most sedate crowd.

Charlie Harris on bass, Lee
Young on drums and John Col-
lins on guitar set up nice rhythm
for things like “Lover Come Back
to Me” and “This Can’t Be Love,”
The Ike Carpenter band fills out
the big arrangements- okay.

Comics Rowen & Martin are the
only other act billed for this show.
They do better by their material
than it sometimes warrants— indi-
cating a great potential with top-
notch stuff. A “drunk” who heckles .
“Laurence Olivier” goes fine. The
situation is ripe for better lines.

Their surgeon routine — he’s in-
terviewed by a Gillette sports-
caster as he steps into the operat-
ing arena— is better. It catches as
best work of the duo.

They don't overstay and check
out in good shape. Mark.

Pleasant summer fare whiles
awav a gemutlich evening at this
Yorkville stube. Owner-emcce Max
Loew is away on an extended vaca-
tion, but Walter and Larry Kirsch,
\ amiable maitre d’s, make most
agreeable substitutes as hosts. The
Lantern ensemble, fronted by
personable Bela Bizony, first fid-
dler, who also- emcees, has some
new musical tricks added to their
catalog, and the two solo acts
satisfy.

Odette (see New Acts) is a slim
but shaoely, darkly-attractive dish
with a deep-throated contralto and
an authoritative as well as beguil-
ing wav with song. Chirp makes a
strong impression In a variety of
tunes and lingos, for dramatic ef-
fect.

Other act is also a sineer. in
holdover Toba Stephens. Colora-
tura sonrano has a good voice,
| especially some sterling top notes,

' and a varied repertory. Smoldering
style of sjnging is okay, but femme
has a fault of smothering some of
bier lyrics in an annoying pianis-
simo in between the belted-out
Dortions of a song. Natural power
in her voice m;»kcs her wisely
eschew the • mike. “Granada.”
“Lover. When I’m Near You” and
the “Flederniaus” Czardas makes
a pleasant songroffering. •

Lantern’s ensemble — Bizony,
lead violin: David Lerow, fiddle
and accordion; Paul Mann, piano,
and Charles Albert, niano-ac-
cordion— do yeoman work through-
out. whether assisting soloists, or
on their own. “Roumanian Rhap-
sody” opener finds the violins en-
gaged in birdcalls and other tricks,
to good effect. Albert shines later
in a “Rhapsody in Blue” solo, and
Bizonv’s solo bits on the fiddle are
standout. Finale finds chirps and
| ensemble in a medley or Viennese
j and American tunes, for fateful
i nostalgic windup. Bron,

Edilvn 9 . R. f.

Kansas City, /teg. 6.
Jan August, Tommy I.eonctt } ,
Tony DiPardo Orch (8); $1 cover.

Eddys’ has a double-barrelled
entry for the current fortnight,
with keyboard record name, Jan
August, and new youngs singer.
Tommy Leonetti. Although the
show ran a. bit long opening nicht,
with a 65-minute layout, when
j boiled down after first trial or two,
it should prove a nifty attraction
for the club. It leans hekvily on
music, but it's very adeotly pre-
sented stuff and much in the popu-
lar appeal vein.

This is August’s first after-
darker in this area. He’s trying
something a bit different, inter-
mixing a bit of the more familiar
classics with pop tunes and his own
Latin rhythms. The Tchaikovsky
Concerto as an opener, a rather
fullblown version of “Rhapsody in
Blue” and a Chopin Polonaise give
the more adult appeal to the
August fingerings, and are* well
enough received by the house.
More expressive response comes
on his own “Jamboree” (rumba)
and a pop medley. Draws heavy
response throughout. • .

Leonetti also Is making his local
(Continued on page 54) •

$4

Wednesday, Angnst 11, 1954

WEEK OF AUGUST 11

Numeral* In connection with bills below Indicate openlnt day of ahow
whether full or spilt week

Letter in parentheses Indicates circuit. (I) Independent; <L) Loaw; (M) Moss;
<P) Paramount; (R) RKO; (0) Stoll; <T> Tivoli; (W) Warner

Golden Girls
Riverside
Dennis Day
Mu-cauls ■ .

Riverside Starlets
Bill Clifford Ore .
Lake Tdioii Nevada
Cal-Nava
Eartha Kltt

Donn Arden Dcrs
Matty Malneck ore
. Cal-Vada
Nat" Cole
Rowen 4 Martin
Ike Carpenter Ore
stateline
Ames Bros
Dick Foy Ore

HAVANA

NSW YORK CITY
Music Hall (I) 12
Marilyn Murphy
Corps de Ballet
Larry Griswold
Glee Club
Rockettes
Sym Ore
Milan Tiniotlch
Palace <R> (13)
Wlnl A Spehcer
. Barlow A Craft
Peopl-ettes
Lee Allen
3 Arnauts

Paul Valentine
Slate Bros
Nlo Yu

CHICAGO
Chicago (P) 13
Dlosa Costello Co
Crew Cuts
3 to fill

MIAMI

Olympia <P> 11
Henny Youngman
Jack Russell
Mad Caps . • ^
Bobby Dae A Babs
Helene Vernon 3

AUSTRALIA

MELBOURNE
Tivoli (T) ♦
Buck Warren Co
Warren Latona
Sparks

Dagenham Girl
Pipers
Maxwells
O’Hagnn A Stead
Rudi Crasl
Johnny ."Rubber-
face" Craig
Edith Crocker Co
Ron Parry
Gloria Dawn
Frank Cleary
David Slerle
David Hamilton
Judd Lane
Adorablcs

PERTH

His Mai's (T) 9

3 Darcsco
Charly Wood Co
Frank Cook A J
Guus . IJrox A 41
Chevalier Bros
G Nelson A C

Norman Vaughan
Bernice Vaughan
Renita Kramer
Sonya Corbeau
Bert Duke
Joy Horsburgh
Dorothy Hall
Show Girls
Nudes

Dancing Boys
Ballet

SYDNEY
Tivoli (T) 9
Roy Barbour
Harry Jacobs
Myrons

Margaret Brown
Mike Joe A CoCo
Bouna

Tony Fontane
Julian Somers
Kerry Vaughn
David Edie
John Bluthal
Max Blake
Choral Group
Dancing Boys
Dancing -Girls

BRITAIN

)

ASTON

Hippodrome (I) 9
Joe Po.vnton
Dave Wintoh
BIRMINGHAM
Hippodrome (M) 9
Dickie Valentine
Clayton. A Ward
Curzon 3
Scott Sanders
Angelos
Harry Worth
Skating Orlandos
Dassie Co

BOSCOMBE
Hippodrome (I) 9

Jack Haig
Musical Elliotts
Harkncss A W
Earl Damay
Patricia Sale'll
Leslie Dowsey
Eddie Hart
S Fisher Girls
BRADtFORO
Alhambra (M? 9
Teddy Johnson
Pearl Carr
Bonar Colleano
Billy Mfiv'w
Sally A Charles
F Harris A C
Lee Youngsters
BRIGHTON
Hippodrome (M)
Max Bygraves
Nitwits

Joyce Golding
Katherine Feather
Nelson Bros
Tux

Virginia Vernon
Shirley Hepburn
Donald Clive
BRISTOL
Empire (I) 9

Charlie Eilis
Wilton Family
Angelina
Amar A Alana
Paris Loviies
Hippodrome fSl 9
Billy Cotton Bd
Eddie Arnold
Jo Jac A Joni
Bill Waddington
N Mongador A A
R Rex A Bessie
CARDIFF
New (SI '9

Archie Lewis
4 Ramblers
Leslie Welch
Joan Rhodes
Billy Baxter
HAW Mack
4 Reigcls

CHELSEA
Palace (II 9

Roy Rolland
Jimmy Grant
A Boga &. Joy
Andree Dancers
Behra p

DERBY

Hippodrome (S) 9

Aljn Alan
Tom Jacobson Co •
Cycling Mikcwskis
Kelro.vs

Joan A Ernest
Denvers
Ladd West
Sam Rovers
Reggie Dennis
EAST HAM
Granada (I) 9
J A A Grant
Ford A Lenner
Victor Lcbatc
Aerila Kcnwa.vs
Metropolitan (I) 9
Eddie Lee Co
Gt Mario

Jimmy Edmundson
H A V Lennon
Riki Lingana
Doris Co

EDINBURGH
Empire (M) 9
A1 Martino
Mayfair*

BAB Adams
Ruddy Bally
G Doonan A Ann
. Rey Overbury A S
Yolandos

FINSBURY PARK
Empira (M) 9
LIU R6za
Bacon

Dickie Henderson
Dargle 5
Owen McGtveney
J Bow A Darnel
Arthur Haynes
•Uril Sis

GLASGOW
Empire (M) 9

Carroll Levis Co
Violet Pretty
Teen Afiers
Kelroys

HACkNEY
Empire (S) 9
Benny Lee
Robin Richmond
Graham Bros
Alec Pleon
Brizillanos
Darlys Dogs
Ken Wilson

LEICESTER
Palace (S) 9

Karen Greer
Johnny Lockwood
Harry Dawson
Red Fred
Cleef A Bell
les Traversos
Mareies

Charles Canereri
LIVERPOOL
Empire <M> 9
Bet»y Driver
MAH Nesbitt
Stan. Stennett
Ken Frith
Bill Finch

Montmartre
Benny Moore
G A Guedea .

Rita Montaner
Leopoldo Fernandez
Miml Cal
Chino Wong
Matamoros Trio
Nancy A , Renny
Sonia Caleepo
Alonso Ballot •'

NEW YORK CITY

Basin St

Louis. Armstrong
Blue Angai
Mickey Deems
Martha Davis
Calvin Ponder
Orson Bean
Trude Adams
Bart Howard
Jimmy Lyons Trio

Boh Sotr
Jimmie Daniels
Mae Barnes
Charlotte Rae '
Jiihmy Komack
Norene Tate.

Three Flames
£op<ciuina
A1 Bernie
Dolores Hawkins
Delta Rhythm Boys
Ramona Lang
\1 .Durso Ore
Frank Marti Ore
No I Fifth Ov»
Cedrohe A Mitchell
Bob Downey
Harold Fob V ill*
Hazel Webster
Hotel Astor
Les Elgart Ore
Hotel Roosevelt
Lenny Herman Ore
Hotel Taft
Vincent Lopez. Or*

«.atln Ouertar
Bernard Bros
Szonys

Jane Morgan
7 Ashtons
Ralph Young
Piroska •

Art Waner Ore
B Hurlowe Ore
Versailles
Nice To See You*
Fay DcWItt
Don Llberto
Lou Nelson
Dorothy Keller
Patti Ross .

Linda Lombard
Margy Duncan
Paula Stewart
Cnrol Ohmart
Salvatore doe Ore
Panchllo Ore

Village Barn

Vickie Barry
Joel Shaw Ore
Dale A Mullen
Joe Furst •

Piute Pete.

Rachel Ellen
Waldorf-Astoria
Perez Prado Ore
Nici'hn Borr.Ore .
Village Vanguard
Robert Clary
C Williams Trio

CHICAGO

Black Orchid

Felicia Sanders
Dr Arthur Ellen
Mort Sahl
R Kerpays Duo
Blue. Angel
Rim Mannine
Whalebone Willie
Lady Jamaica
Princess Orella
Lord Carlton
Lady Trinidad
D'Lacy Quartet
Blue Note
Les Brown Ore
Chez Pare*

Ann Sothern A
Escorts (5)

Shecky Green
Pryde A Day
B Farnon Ore
Rodriquez Rhumba
Conrad Hilton
‘Skating Stars*

Margie Lee
Cathy A Blair
Shirley Linde
WeidemannS
Polo

Perky Twins
Jimmy Caesar
Eileen Carroll
Ray McIntosh
B Dears A Dons
Frankie Masters Ore
Edgewater Beach
Freddy Martin Ore
Dave Leonard
Bill Curtis
Johnny Cochran
Martin Men
Sid Krofft
D Hild Dcrs

Palmer House
George Gobel
Maureen Cannon
Double Daters
Three Houcks
Charlie Fisk Ore

tos ANGELES

Troplcaha
S da Espane Orq
Celia Cruz
Rene A ,C Delaine
Mano Lopez
Marta A Alexander
Paulina Alvarez
Bertlca A Rolando
Orlando de la Rosa
Kigo Gonsalves
A Romeu Orq
Senen Suarez Orq

Continued from page S3

E«ldys% K. €.

debut. A former band vocalist, the

tallish lad has been holdfngforth
as a single for several months,* with
mounting audience approval. He
mixes them up considerably, rang-
ing from a peppy opener, to the
sweeter types of “With a Song~iir
My Heart”. and' “I Cried” and the
dramatic like “I Believe.” Lad
shows a good deal of personality,
with special appeal for the femmes.

Quin.

Seven Seas, Omaha

Omaha, Aug. 2.

. Frisari & Reynolds, Sam Frazier
frio; no minimum or cover.

Frankie Frisari and Gary Reyn-
olds, a song-comic team that has
good prospects, are jamming ’em
at the .Seven Seas here and

Palace* NVY*

’Howard & Wanda Bell, Muriel'
Retd, Cook & Brown; Eddie Hanley ,
with Geene Courtney; Ernesto Bo-
nino, DeMattiazzis (2), , Marty
Maye , Ed Steinmetz & Co. (2);
“Human Desire” (Col).

C Warrep A Jean
Morris A Cowley
TAD Kendall
McAndrews A Mills - Dwight Flske
MANCHESTER ; OdetteJMyrtil

Ambassador Hotel

Los Chavales de
Espana *

N Brandwynne Ore

Band Box

Billy Gray
Leo Diamond
I Dorothy Claire
| Nicco A Barba
j Larry Green Trio
I Bar of Music

Hippodrome (S) 9
AI Koran
Sandra Derne
Authors A Swinson
Johnny Paul 3
Connor A Drake
l Cynthia & Gladys
L Gordon Girls
Frateli MallLni 2
Len Marten
Iris Sadler

NEWCASTLE
Empire CM) 9

{Harry Secombe
Renee Dymott
Jenny Hayes

2 Peters
Peter Sellers
Julie Dawn
Les Spanglers
Michael Bentine
Tommy Dale

NORWICH
Hippodromo (I) 9

Harry Shiels
Harry Dawson

3 Astaires
Erik Lcifson
Carol Gatley
Rema Ferri
3 Toledos
Paris Loviies

NOTTINGHAM
Empire (M) 9
Candy Sis A Eddie
Tessie O’Shea
Winters A Fielding
Gary Miller
Les Raynor A B
Billy Russell
Rusmar 2

PORTSMOUTH
Royal (M) 9

Vic Oliver
J A J Bentley
Kilty Bluett'

2 Mazurs
Robert Moreton
Pierre Bel-
Sylvia CampbeU

SOUTHAMPTON
Grand (I) 9
Jill Manners
Gaye A Van
Mcltoncs
Danny O’Dare
Our Girls

WOLVERHAMPTON
Hippodrome (I) 9
Denise Vane
Dick Montague
Fanny Lee
D A R Ray
Baron Gaye A E

3 Georgina*

Stop Press Loviies
YORK

Empire (1) 9
Sandy Daw
Marie Joy
Vic Sanderson
Margaret Hayes
Gordon Webster
Milo Models
Marda

Jimmy Stacey
Luscious Loviies

! Dick Hazard Ore
! ■■ Biltmore Hotel
Weire Bros (3)
Allan A Ashton
Boh Douglas
: Hal Derwin Ore
i CIro's

Pearl Bailey

Dick Stabile Ore
Bobby Ramos Ore
Charley Foy's
Dave Barry
Ann McCormack
J Black Ore

Mocambo
Eartha Kitt
Paul Hebert Ore
Moulin Rougo
Chi quit a A Johnson
Rudy Cardenas
DeCastro Sis (3)

B Minpvitch H R
Tony Gentry Circus
Barbettes <5V
Gina Genardl
Fluff Charlton
Bob Snyder Ore .

Statler Hotel
Ted Lewis Ore

M1AMI-MIAMI BEACH

Bar of Music

Bill Jordan
Hal Fisher
Harvey BeU
Beth Challis
Gina Valenta
Ethel Davis
Fred Thompson

Beachcomber

Martha Raye
Novelites (3)

George . DeWitt
Condos A Brandow
Len Dawson Ore .

Clover Chib
Marshall A Farrell
Phyllis Arnold
Ted Lawrie
Marilyn Hightower
Tony Lopez Ore
Selma Marlowe Line
Woody Woodbury
Five O'clock
Belle Barth ,

Dick HaU
Don Ostro Ore
La Vie En Rose
Pat Morrissey
Tommy Miles Ore

Leon ft Eddie's

Lois De Fee
Lynn Star
Rose Ann
Rita Marlow
Charlotte Water*

Di Lido Hotel
Sammy Walsh

Martin and Maio
Freddy Calo Ore
Nautilus Hoiel
Karen Chandler
Eddie Snyder
Antone A Jna
Sid Stanley Ore

Place Pigalle

Wanani

E, Litico A Mario
Sandra

Cuban Sugar Girls
Hilda

Fansto CurbeUo Ore
Sans Souci Hof*>
Eileen Wilson
Sacasas Ore
Ann Herman Dcrs
Anne Barnett
Saxony Hotel
Kirby Slone 4
Tano A Dee
Nirva

Mandy Campo Ore
Johnny Silvers Ore
Ronoy Plaza
Johnny Pineapple
Hawaian Rev
Vaaabonds
"Stars On Ice"
Mary Jane Lawson
Johnny Flanagan
Forrest A Reed
Two Adams A Eve
Jimmy Shaw
Bea Lumlen
Calypso Eddie
Frank Linale Ore

IAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Flamingo

Dick Contino
The Sportsmen

Silver Slipper

Sally Rand
Hank Henry
The Apple tons .
Eve ■ Marley
Sparky Kaye
Bill Willard
Jimmie Cavanaugh

Desert inn
Palladium Revue
Sahara
Mae West

Last Prontfar
Herb Shrlner
Connie Russell

El Cortoz
Luxor Gall Gall
Golden Nuggat
Bonnie Baker

Sands

Milton Bcrle
Sid Gary
Leonard Sues*
Mountaineers
New Yorker*

El Rancho Vsgas
Joe E Lewis
Gloria De Haven
Thunderbird
Frances Faye
Phil Foster
Ralph Curtis
Patio

Dinah Washington

RENO

Map** Skyroom

Billy Eckstine
Jack Carter
Donn Arden Dcrs

E Fitzpatrick Ore
Now Gold* n
Woody Herman Ote
Lenny Colyer

in

threaten to smash the house record
held by Shecky Green. Inasmuch
as the Seven Seas operates on a
smallish ad budget, word-of-mouth
brings in most of the trade. Which
is quite a tribute to the boys.

Reynolds offers expert straight-
ing and passable vocals. His forte
is the sax, which he plays a la Stan
Getz straightaway, behind his back
and while standing on his head.

Frisari is a solid comic and milks
every line for all its worth. He,
too, is a topnotch musician with
trumpet, trombone and drums.
When lads open up . on a jam ses-
sion, the payees really get their
money’s worth.

The boys, a team the past 14
months, boast plenty of special ma-
terial and keep the blue stuff to a
minimum. Highlights include Fri-
sari’s takeoff of Durante, with
Reynolds coming on for an Eddie
Jackson bit that is socko. Im-
preshes. of Ink Spots, Dorsey Bros.,
Harry Janies, Charlie Barnett,
Gene Krupa and Artie Shaw are
topnotch.

For a hilarious windup, boys
move through aud with their in-
struments, Frisari goes behind bar
for a slapstick session of mixing
drinks and Reynolds even parades
out-of-doors to serenade prospec-
tive pedestrian customers.

• Boniface Don Hammond has h!r,
waitresses attractively gowned in
black, off-the-shoulder formals and
has enlarged the stage for a duo.

Trump.

Black Orchid, Chi

(FOLLOWUP)

Chicago, Aug. 3.

Mort Sahl. fresh from the Hun-
gry i in San Francisco, injects an
offbeat brand of nitery humor into
what continues to be a sock sum-
mer show at this intimery. Sahl
is in for remaining three weeks of
the bill, replacing folk-balladeer
Stan Wilson, who is answering a
Milwaukee commitment. Biz con-
tinues solid even for the late
shows.

Deadpan and garbed in casual
sweater, Sahl assumes the satirical
pose of an earnestly philosophical
collegian whose random running-
at-the-mouth calls itself ”bral neu-
rosis.” Sophomoric commentary on
a. host of topical subjects is spiked
with some keen spoofing, a handful
of psych terms, and recurrences of
hip. expressions like “real great”
and “pretty wild.” Seemingly
pitched at the intelligentsia with
low-pressure asides on literature,
politics and various social foibles,
this fresh comedy slant gets plenty
mileage with a less sophisticated
clientage as well, if only because
the lad’s characterization is laugh-
able in itself. In the main, Sahl
taps nothing louder than a digni-
fied chortle, but he’s remarkably
consistent and proves a fine choice
for this room.

Chirper Felicia Sanders, who
toplines the bill, still rates terrific
with the customers, and Dr. Arthur
Ellen’s hypnotism demonstrations
are drawing repeaters. Les.

The Palace lacks that bigtime
aura this week. True, there are
some, acts that give it that ap-
proach, but generally, it plays
like a provincial vauder.

Top moments on the bill are by
Marty Maye and Ernesto Bonino.
Maye for years has been better
known under his old- moniker,
Marty May; The final “e” does
nothing for him. The change of
name hasn’t accompanied a change
of act. It’s the same old comedy
turn) but it’s still effective and he
gets a good return.

Bonino* a recent import from
Italy, has been doing the rounds
in various niteries around town.
He’s been making a favorable im-
pression and this .engagement indi-
cates that his act is equally effec-
tive in theatres. Bonino sings
some Continental chansons, pro-
viding a touch of comedy, in sev-
eral numbers. He’s a multi-lingual
singer, knocking them - off in
Italian, French and English. His
“O Marie,” as it would be done
in various languages, puts him on
a firm footing and he continues a
good pace throughout his turn.

Another, standard is the De Mat-
tiazzjs, also an Italian import, with
a mechanical doll turn. It’s been
on video and has made several
rounds in this, house, so the sur-
prise is gone. However, the move-
ments are pleasing and it gets by.

Eddie -Hanley , teamed with
Geene Courtney, shows . an act
comprising bits from the bur-
lesque days. Vet comic’s version of
a turn with a dancehall hostess is
from way back, but his impression
of a femme undressing is effec-
tive here.

Cook & Brown have abbreviated
their act considerably. It looks bet-
ter that way, since they do two of
their best and punchiest numbers,
and off they go. Applause under
these conditions is hearty.

Openers are Howard & Wanda
Bell, with a variety, of .acrobatics
from teeterboard to head-to-head
balancing. They are expert prac-
titioners. Muriel Reid and Ed
Steinmetz & Co. are reviewed un-
der New Acts, Per usual, Jo Lom-
bardi backstops expertly and the
layout has been expertly staged
and lighted by house manager
Herb Bonis; Jose.

dresses, fort Hatin-American rum*
ba routine* complete with tambor*
ines and stepout solos, this 60-min-
ute stage stint has plenty of pace
and diversity, with all acts over to
ovations, This is swift entertain-
ment in the vaude tradition.

Los Galanes, three men with
maraccas and in Cuban costume,
are hefty* on South American swing
and stomps, plus precision calis-
thenics, for a rousing medley of
Latino songs. Their Spanish ver-
sion of the Charleston, with South
American interpretation of campus
calisthenics, was a riot when
caught, and earned a begoff.

Bruno Tarraya and Felo Bergasa,
duo pianists, rate with terrific
switches from classics to boogie-
woogie, Also over big are Leonardo
& Anita, man and woman ventrilo-
quist team, working in five dum-
mies for argument voice changes,
with a wham singing quintet of
“You Belong to My Heart” for a
socko finale.

In and out as the amiable emcee
is Prince Moss, With his bass-bari-
tone over big on individual song
stint for “Blue Velvet,” a bounce
switch to “Lover, Come Back,” and
a burlesqued version of~“I Wanna
Be Loved.” Finale has the girl line
back for a Cuban cancan, including
a strobolite effecet with ribbons for
a rousing finish, with a torso-toss-
ing stepout by a comely lass tagged
The Comet, and whole stage pack-
age socking over With the cus-
tomers. McStay.

Refurbished Chi Hilton
Room to Unshutter With

Olyinpf a* Miami

Miami, Aug. 7.

Mary McCarty, Bob Manning,
Wally Dean, Christine & Moll',
Skating Re gals, Les Rhode House
Orch ; “ Security Risk ” (AA).

Layout this week comes up with
winning returns in most cases,
overall impact being definitely
satisfying.

Topline spot is held down by
Mary McCarty. Musicomedy-tv-
screen comedienne rates the slot,
purveying a smartly-blended series
of characters that gathers in solid
portion of giggles and laughs.
Showmanly quality is evident
throughout her specially-written
material, all of it on the original
side.

Capitol Records’ Bob Manning is
a good-looking lad, well over the
average height of the croonercrop
and possessed of a fair set of pipes
which could be utilized to better
advantage than in the act he is
displaying. It’s a dull affair, with
little variation in tempo and pro-
jection. Aud reaction is mild.

Wally Dean, vet vauder, emcees
the^ proceedings expertly, and on
own scores handily with the im-
preshes and waggery. Tops stint
with hoWl-raising drunk takeoff.

Almost walking off with palm-
honors, Christine & Moll come up
with one of the brightest tap-
rhythmics staging seen here in
months, There’s little waste mo-
tion as they build series of heel-
and-toe, finger-snapping ideas tp
mounting mitts.

Teeoffers are. the Regals, who
spin out Whirlwind skating acro-
antics for a fast pace-setter. Les
Rhode and house orch, per usual,
are adept on the showbackings.

Lary.

Casino, Toronto

Toronto, Aug. 6.

Felo Bergosa & Bruno Terraya,
Los Galanes ( 3 ) , Leonardo &
Anita, Prince Moss, Latln-Ameri-
can Lovelies (8) with The Comet,
Archie Stone Orch; “Woman Is a
Devil” (Alliance),

Chicago, Aug. 10.

Boulevard Room in the Conrad
Hilton Hotel here is reopening Sat-
urday (14), after complete refurb-
ishing, with an iceshpw topped by
Margie Lee. Room has been closed
since May 27 and has been redone
in blue and white with draperies
designed by Salvador, Dali. High
ceiling was lowered to make new
space above the Boulevard Room
for a trade show exhibition parlor.

Upcoming show is produced by
Merriel Abbott, with choreography
by Bob Frellson and original music
written and directed by Hessie
Smith. Arrangements are Norm
Krone’s.

Along with Miss Lee, who head-
lined the previous show last spring,
are adagio skating team of Cathy
& Blair, Shirley Linde, Lola &
Luther Weldemann, Polo, Perky
Twins, Jimmy Caesar and Boule-
var-Dears and Dons. Show is to
be called “Skating Stars.” Frankie
Masters orch will be cutting its
10th ice display at the Hilton, with
Eileen Carroll and Ray McIntosh
handling vocal chores.

Frisco Boom

Continued from page 52

Cole set a new house record at the
Fairmont Hotel in July with a
cover gross of $23,780 for three
weeks. Count Basie set a new
Saturday night record at the Down-
beat with 1,100 admissions, which
was broken July 31 by Duke El-
lington. The Tin Angel with Bob
Scobey had the biggest weekend
in its history that same weekend.
The Italian Village is currently
selling out nightly , for both the
supper and the late shpw with
Mel Torme and Frances Langford,
and Erroll Garner is packing the
Black Hawk.

The filmhouses are holding their
own,, too, with “This is Cinerama”
racking up its biggest take in any
week of regular performances
since it opened 32 weeks ago — a
cool $32,500— and “The Caine
Mutiny” steadily doing good busi-
ness at the St. Francis. '

With easing on qf the eight-girl
line, in white sequins and head-

Dagmar’s Coast Debut

San Francisco, Aug. 10.

Dagmar makes her Coast debut
at the Italian Village here Sept, 8,
opening a two-week stand.

Deal now is being dickered for
a Hollywood nitery date and a pos-
sible vaude package for a down-
town Los Angeles theatre.

Connee Boswell contracted for
the Bolero, Wildwood, N. J., Aug.
21, and the ' Flamingo, Lias Vegas,
Sept, 30,

.rfsifi ift a i ; v‘)r./' ■ ./ It .’Voi ill*

Vcsi H 1 1 i

i * i ■> ' » i •

; f i

Angort l'l, 1954

• • < % * »

VfiSl Sff

LEGITIMATE

55

By HAROLD M. BONE

New Haven, Aug, 10,

A 700-mile swing around the
cmithern New England strawhat
loon suggests two conclusions,
with a single exception, all but one
of the 12 spots visited were even
with or better, from a boxoffice
ancle, than a corresponding period
fast year. Secondly, the summer

theatre is bringing into the legit

Playgoing fold many newcomers
who are tasting and enjoying stage
fare for the first time.

Accounting for some of this new-
found interest is the intimacy of
arena productions, plus sidelines
such as meet-the-cast nights, crit-
ics' discussions, Square dancing and
concerts before and after the show,
lobby exhibits, backstage tours, and
similar outlets. All these give the
customers a sense of participation
beyond the mere viewing of a stage
production, -

Intensive activity, particularly in
the smaller, low-budget or semi-
pro operations, indicates that the
fabulous invalid is now. making
progress toward full recovery.

Data gathered on the tour in-
cludes:

Westchester Playhouse, Mt. Kis-
co, N Y. (Producer, Barton Emmet;
capacity, 463; scale, $1.20-$3.60;
season, 10 weeks; weekly perform-
ances, 7; possible gross, $8,500)..
Halfway mark in .the 25th season
of this setup finds b,o. figures to-
talling about 5% above. 1053. Spot
does little transient biz. relying on
regulars built up over the years.

(Continued Oil page 59) .

Touring 'Caine' Stars
Plug Subscription Sale .
In Long-Distance Call

“Caine Mutiny Court Martial,”
already a critical and boxoffice hit
on Broadway and tour, scored an
exploitation bullseye last week in
Marshfield, Wis. About 200 local
residents wore in on on amplified
long distance conversation be-
tween theatre circuit operator Jay
Lurye and • personnel connected
with the play all to plug a sub-
scription drive for the coming sea-
son.

Lurye put the call through to
the Central City (Col,) Opera
House, where the touring “Caine”
troupe is playing, from Marshfield
to stimulate local interest in sub-
scriptions to the winter theatre
series being conducted in the
town, which has a 12,000 popula-
tion. Phone conversation was
held during a campaign meet, with
Lurye speaking to costars Steve
Brodie and Paul Douglas! Wendell
Corey, the other star of-the show,
was unable to get to the phone be-
cause of an injured leg.

“Caine” company manager Les
Thomas and stage manager Bob
Hulter also chatted with Lurye.
Steve Miller, president of the
Marshfield Winter Theatre Assn.,
and Mrs. Roy Jennejohn, vice-
chairman of the campaign gabbed
with Douglas and Corey. Talk re-
volved around the winter theatre
series, with the “Caine” group en-
couraging small town efforts to
sustain a live theatre,

‘‘ Ca ine” is booked to play the
Marshfield high school auditorium
°ct. 2 as its windup date on Lur-
ye s Winter Theatre Circuit. Show
begins its trek of the Lurye chain
jept 18. The Marshfield Winter
ineatre Assn., formed last year,
*jas^set its sights on selling approxi-
mately 2,000 season tickets. As of
ine day following the long distance
w , niQre ^an 900 subscriptions
aa been tabulated. Season tickets
jun fro m a top of $12 to a low of

7nft and , cover five shows at the 1,-
‘UO-seat auditorium.

Painted Days’ on B'way

Jamison, stager of “By
litk * a , utifuI Sea ,” will partner
w k Adna Karns in the Broad-
<VpL , Production this fall of
hv ? u Days*" romantic comedy
j Br yne. Jamison will di-

\ duccr* Won * billed as cb-pro-

cha™L is a one-setter with eight
at ssn rS* Production is budgeted
Is M without an overcall, and

opening ^ff 3t a ? ea rly-November
p mng after a tryout tour.

WWs the Agent?

Laguna, Aug. 10.

There’s practically nothing a
strawhat producer won't do to
get the right star. .

Laguna Summer Theatre
Wanted Tom Brown for a key
part in “Ten O'clock Call,”
Finley- McDermid play being'
tried out here . neict week.
Brown was ■* agreeable — with
two stipulations.

So, the contract includes not
only the usual salary and other
stipulations, but also a guaran-
tee that the silo will provide
a crib and a babysitter during
Brown’s appearance in the
play.

Constance Bennett is making a
career of giving a hotfoot to straw-
hat managements ‘this summer.
Film-legit star is doing the un-
precedented by insisting on strict
compliance with the terms of her
contracts for guest appearances in
“Sabrina Fair.”

After a spat with Charlotte and
Lewis Harmon, operators of the
Clinton (Conn.) Playhouse, where
she played last week in the Samuel
Taylor comedy, the actress re-
quested Actors Equity to impound
the silo’s bond at the end of the
season, pending an audit of the
spot’s books by a CPA and verifi-
cation by her accountant. She had
previously taken similar action
against Jill Miller’s Triple Cities
Playhouse, Binghamton, N.Y.

Miss Benntett’s contracts as star
of the “Sabrina” package call for
a guarantee, plus a percentage of
the gross over a stated breakeven
figure “to be verified.” As oc-
curred during the Binghamton
stand, the actress requested the
Clinton management to substanti-
ate the breakeven figure, in this
instance reportedly $7,500. The
star also served notice that she
intended complaining to Equity to
force compliance. She followed
through with the beef to the union
Monday (9)

Although there has been mut-
tered complaint by stars for years
against the setup of guarantee-
plus-percentage deals in strawhats,
with the arbitrary breakeven figure
angle, Miss Bennett is believed to
be the first individual to challenge
the arrangement by demanding
proof. Many star contracts contain
the verification "clause, but most
players and/or their agents -have
been either unaware of their rights
(Continued on page 60)

ENSEMBLE NIXES BARN
‘MISBEGOTTEN’ TRYOUT

The Ensemble is stymying other
productions of “A Moon for the
Misbegotten” until its own presen-
tation of. Eugene O’Neill drama on
Broadway this fall. As a result a
scheduled production of the play
this week at the Provincetown
(Mass.) Playhouse was cancelled.

Barn acquired the script through
a mixup at the Samuel French play
agency. Exclusive production
rights to the work were given to
the ensemble by the Richard J.
Madden Play Co.

Show was withdrawn from the
ProvinctoWn sked at the request
of Henry Hewes, exec director of
the New York chapter of the
American National Theatre &
Academy, which is sponsoring the
Ensemble. Nix was on the ground
that the silo presentation might
detract interest in the repertory
group’s scheduled production.

Play originally was produced by
the Theatre Guild in 1947, but
folded on the road after a brief
tryout tour. Ensemble presenta-
tion is to open at the Bijou The-
atre, N. Y.

Instead of “Misbegotten,” Prov-
incetown is preemihg a new play,
Reginald Lawrence’s “A Dream of
Fair Women.” Virginia Thoms
directed the production, which
bowed Monday (9) and runs
through Aug. 21.

‘BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA* ‘

(As b f July 31, ’54)

Gross, last five weeks, $133,478.
• Profit, last five weeks, $4,658.

Total operating profit to date,
$91,017.

Unrecouped cost, $243,405. -

Capital available, $56,595.

As Bucks Co. Tells LambertviDe

Management of “Time Out for
Ginger” is squabbling over alleged
financial irregularities in connec-
tion with the Ronald Alexander
comedy.

Shepard Traube has been charged
with violating his contract as di-
rector, ip an arbitration proceed-
ing filed with the American Arbi-
tration Assn. Claim against the
producer-director was made by Don
Hershey, partnered with Traube
and Gordon Pollock in the pro-
duction of the Melvyn Douglas
starrer, currently on tour.

According to Hershey, the lim-
ited partnership agreement, dated
Qct. 10, 1952, called for Traube to
receive 2% of the gross as director
until the investment was r.epaid.
Royalty was then to be hiked to
3%.

Charges 1 stipulate that during the
weeks ending May 23, 1953, to
April 10, 1954, Traube paid him-
self $4,062 in excess of the 2%,
since an entire return of the initial
investment has not yet been made.
Hershey wants the coin returned
to the partnership. A copy of the
claim against Traube was- sent to
all the backers.

Traube sent a letter to the back-
ers, cautioning them not to be mis-
led by “such distorted and inac-
curate communications either as to
the facts of the situation or as to
the obligation of the partnership.”
He asserted “I do not propose at
this time to comment upon the pro-
priety of such adventurous solici-
tation” and added, “I have made
every effort to constitute our ven-
ture a success, even to the extent
of voluntarily deferring and from
time to time waiving my directorial
(Continued on page 68)

‘Pacific’ Poser in Wash.;
Musical’s 20G Summer
Loss Actually a Gain

“South Pacific,** which has been
absorbing operating losses during
its summer run in Washington,, has
actually saved money on the en-
gagement. Explanation is that, with
waived author royalties and other
to-the-bone economies, the actual
loss has been considerably less
than it would cost to shutter for
the summer and reopen for the fall
tour.

The Rodgers-Hammerstein musi-
cal is currently in its 13th and final
week at the National, indie-booked
house in the Capital. After making
a modest profit on the first three
weeks, it slipped steadily and has
had a deficit every week since
then. Thus far, the loss on the run
is figured to be about $20,000.

Since R & H are the copro-
ducers as well as the authors, they
have presumably been able to cut
the show’s operating nut drastical-
ly, particularly since there are no
names or even moderate-salary
players in the cast. Figuring that
it would cost around $30,000 to shut
down the production and. reopen
and re-rehearse it, the $20,000 defi-
cit on the Washington stand repre-
sents a clear saving.

That reasoning is, of course^
based on the assumption that
there’s still plenty of profitable
playing time available for “South
Pacific” on tour. The musicaliza-
tion of James Michener’s* Pulitzer
Prize stories has never playea
Philly or various other key cities,
and there are numerous smaller
stands presumably ripe for first or
repeat visits.

Final loss of $20,000 or even
$25,000 on the Washington run
could thus be recouped on the
Philly engagement alone, with
profits from the rest of the up-
coming season’s tour just that
much gravy for the marathon divi-
dend dispenser.

The Hard Way

Montreal, Aug 10.

An artificial island, 15Q by
80 feet, is being built in the
artificial lake in Lafontaine
Park here, to accommodate a
30 by 72-foot stage with ad-
joining pavilion, for plays and
concerts beginning next sum-
mer. There’s already one arti-
ficial island there, with illumi-
' nated fountains.

Audience will occupy 2,000
seats on the bank, with an 18-
foot . intervening moat provid-
ing a sounding board. There’ll
be standing room on the grass
higher up.

The whole thing, budgeted
at $250,000, will come under
the Montreal Parks Dept. Head
of the department is Claude
Robillard, former revue sketch
writer for Gratien Gelinas,
French-Canadian star known
as Fridolin. He ‘ also oversees
“La Roulotte,” travelling thea-
tre directed by Paul Buisson-
neau, ex-Les Compagrions de
la Chanson.

St. John Terrell will have to
shell out coin for unplayed per-
formances for two weeks begin-
ning Tuesday (17). Music tent
operator contracted the Blackburn
Twins and Evelyn Ward, nitery
aqt, for a three-week engagement
in “Boys From Syracuse” at his
Lambertville (N.J.) Music Circus
and Neptune Music Circus, Asbury
Park, N. J. Rodgers & Hart tuner
was to have played the former
location for a fortnight beginning
yesterday (Tues.), to be followed
by a week at the latter spot.

Terrell decided to cut the “Syra-
cuse” run to only one week at Lam-
bertville, with “Kiss Me, Kate” as
follower. Blackburn brothers,
who’ve been appearing in “Syra-
cuse.” this summer, felt that roles
offered . them in “Kate” weren’t
suitable and are sticking to the
terms of their contract, which also
takes in Miss Ward,

“Wish You Were Here,” which
opens at Asbury Park Monday
(16), was originally skedded for
one week but has been extended
to a fortnight because, of the
“Syracuse” cancellation. A full-
sized swimming pool will be used
in the production.

By BUD HENRY

New Hope, Pa., Aug. 10.

Peace (it’s wonderful) has de-
scended on the banks of the Dela-
ware — and b.o. biz is bopming.

By a shrewd adaptation of the
Alphonse and Gaston routine (plus
a rescaled house and the salubri-
ous admission tax cut), producer
Mike Ellis has been tilling record
grosses nearly every week in his
tyro year at the Bucks County
Playhouse.

Following historical if not thea-
trical precedent, Elis has crossed
the Delaware to smoke the peace
pipe with St. John (“Sinj in”) Ter-
rell in his teepee atop Lambertvi’l-
lc’s Music Mountain. Such bliss was
not always so, as oldtimers here-
about will attest. The result of this
non-aggression pact with the Musics
Circus is packed houses most every
showing in both the tent and barn.

The gimmick works like this: Be-
fore each performance, Ellis
mounts the stage to tell his 432
customers, among other things, .
that a great show is playing at the
Music Circus and they shouldn’t
miss it. “Sin jin” does ditto to his
1,400-odd patrons.

Such Macy-telling-Gimbel drum-
beating has been reflected in the
barn cage to the tune of five $7 ,000-
plus grosses thus far this season.
Top for the season at Buck’s was
$7,323 for the second week
“Aboard the Bandwagon.” Al-
though Terrell has, as always, been
coy about his grosses, few cold
seats are visible these warm
nights.

The top Bucks figure compares
well with the $6,941 record gross
pulled by “A Night with Beatrice
Lillie” in 1952 under the late
Theron Bamberger’s management.
However, considering Bamberger’s
scale ($3.50 top), it’s assumed that
he may have been overly modest in
(Continued on page .60)

SWEETING TO HANDLE
EQUITY CANADA BIZ

Dennis Sweeting, business ad-
ministrator in Toronto for the
Assn, of Canadian Television and
Radio Artists, will function as ad-
ministrator for Actors Equity in
the Dominion. Sweeting’s new
position is in line with the recent
agreement reached by Equity and
ACTRA to establish a joint office
in Canada for legit jurisdiction.

Sweeting arrived in New York
early this week and will remain
here, for two weeks to work out
details with Equity. Neil LeRoy,
president of the Canadian Council
of Authors and Artists, national
body governing all Dominion per-
formers except musicians, came
into town with Sweeting and re-
turns to Canada today (Wed.).

‘Cat’s Away,’ Stude Revue,
Playing Strawhat Tour

>. A brief tour of New England
strawhats has been lined up for a
new revue, “While the Cat’s
Away,” which was originally pro-
duced last May at Bowdin College,
Brunswick, Me. Musical, with tunes
by Frederick Wilkins and lyrics
and sketches by William Beeson,
is being sent , out under the
auspices of The Mad Hatters, Bow-
doin undergrad group.

Show will begin A two-week en-
gagement at the Dog Team Play-
house, Middlebiiry, Vt., tonight
(Tues.). Entire production was
directed by Beeson, with Jo- Ann
Prince supplying choreography.

Stevens and Lockwood .
Seen Joining Ensemble
Following Kerz Exit

Roger L. Stevens and Lester
Lockwood may join Joseph Kramm
in the operation of The Ensemble,
at least unofficially. Duo are under-
stood to have shown interest in
the projected New York repertory
venture following the recent bow-
out of Leo Kerz and Harry Horner.

Stevens and Lockwood are also
connected with the American Na-
tional Theatre and Academy, which
is sponsoring the project via its
Greater New York Chapter.
Stfevens is on the ANTA national
executive committee, while latter
is a board member of the local
chapter.

Besides his reported interest in
The Ensemble, Stevens already has
a busy production season lined up
for the fall via his membership in
the Playwrights Co. and Producers
Theatre and individual co-partner-
ships deals. Lockwood, who’s the
founder of the Friendship Clubs
in N. Y., Brooklyn and the Bronx,
recently acquired the production
rights to Edvyin Justus Mayer’s
“Sunrise in My Pocket,” which was
produced by Margo Jones in Hou-
ston in 1941. Film rights to the
play were acquired several years
ago by Paramount, but pic hasn’t
been made as yet.

Withdrawal of Kerz and Horner,
incidentally, is believed to have re-
sulted from policy differences with
Kramm, sparked by an interview
given by Kramm to Ward More-
house, drama columnist of the N.Y.
World-Telegram. Ensemble plans
still call for an opening this fall at
the Bijou Theatre, leased recently
by ANTA’s N. Y. chapter and sub-
leased to the repertory outfit.

Financing for the venture hasn’t
been completed yet.

‘Faster’ Budget $40,000;
Break Even at $15,000

Jay I. Julien production of Wil-
liam Marchant’s “Faster, Faster”
will be capitalized at $65,000. Ac-
tual cost of the production is ex-
pected to be around $40,000. It’s
estimated that play, with one set
and eight characters, can break
even at $15,000 gross.

Cast will be headed by Shelley
Winters and Ben Gazzara.

Wednewfey, A^t 11, 195*

f *

D P •

Old MeDen Never Ke-^7om’ Sets

Fayetteville, Fa., Aug, 10.

Abolition is apparently still ^
hot issue in this history-minded
town midway between Gettysburg
and Chambersburg. At least, on
the basis of last week’s sock en-
casement of the century-old “Uncle
Tom’s Cabin” at the Totem Pole
playhouse here. Gross of $2,800
w as the highest in the barn’s four-
year history.

Using the theatre’s 30-foot re
volving stage, Eliza “revolved”
across the Ohio River nightly on
a cake of ice to $ show-stopping
ovation. Emily Barnes played
Topsy and Lou Frizzell portrayed
Uncle Toro in the Harriet Beecher
Stowe metier. William Putch pro
tluced the show.

“Barbara Fritchie ” the Clyde
Fitch oldie located in Chambers-
burg, is slated as the silo’s an-
nual Americana production next
season.

Bennett $8,900, Clinton
Clinton, Conn., Aug. 10.

Constance Bennett in “Sabrina
Fair" grossed a slick $6,900 last
week at the Clinton Playhouse, top-
ping the season thus far for the
Charlotte and Lewis Harmon straw-
hat. Business was particularly good,
as the Samuel Taylor comedy, with
June Lockhart in the title part, was
also available at Milton Stiefel’s
Ivoryton Playhouse, about 10 miles
away.

The previous week, John Barry-
more Jr. reportedly pulled a losing
$2,700 in Mel Dinelli’s melodrama,
“The Man.” Earlier in the season,
“Stalag 17” registered around $4,-
500 and Barbara Bel Geddes and
Hiram Sherman chalked up about
$4;200 in “Little Hut.”

‘Boy’ $12,000, Philly
Philadelphia, Aug. 10.

Playhouse in the Park is break-
ing its established policy of weekly
changes of bill by holding over
Margaret Truman in Dodie Smith’s
“Autumn Crocus,” opening Aug.
23 for an extra week. This necessi-
tates moving “Tonight at 8:30”
from Aug. 30 to the week of Sept.

6 as the final show of the season.
“Autumn Crocus” has already
reached virtual sellout for the Aug.
23 week, with only a few matinee
seats unsold.

“Golden Boy” drew critical
praise last week, but grossed $12,-
000, good but not outstanding.

‘Wish’ $8,600, Spa
Saratoga, N.Y., Aug. 10.

“Wish You Were Here” title was
taken literally by localites last
week grossing a smash $8,600 at
John Huntington’s 587-seat Spa
Summer Theatre, at $3 top. Minus
stars and despite harsh reviews in
the Schenectady papers, the musi-
cal attracted the biggest week’s
business since Eve Arden played
the spot three years ago in “Here
Today.”

“Southwest Corner,” John Cecil
Holm’s adaptation of Mildred
Walker’s novel, is trying out this
week, with Eva Le Gallienne
starred and Parker Fennelly and
Enid Markey featured.

Donlevy $5,900, Olney

Olney, Md., Aug. 10.

Second and last week of Brian
Donlevy in “Country Girl” at the
Olney Theatre, climbed to $5,900,
one of the best figures of the sea-
son for the strawhatter.

Margaret Phillips opens tomor-
row night (Wed.) in a fortnight
stand of Shaw’s “Heartbreak
House. Players, Inc., alumni com-
pany of the Catholic U. school of
speech and drama, under Father
Gilbert V. Hartke, is extending its
lease of the Olney bam to the 1955
season.

Gigi,” opening next Monday (16)*
should also do well.

“Hut” is another hit for Jaok
Creley, star of the spot for the last
three years. Lynne Gorman is fea-
tured in the show.

'Joy» $6,100, Stockbrldge

Stockbridge, Mass., Aug. 10.
Berkshire Playhouse continued
•o'iySP- ^P ee d last week with a
$b,iqo gross for Anna Russell* in
her first U.S. legit appearance, as
the innoccuous “Traveller’s
J °y. by Arthur Macrae. •
Producer-director William Miles
}L try ^ n ? ou t a new drama, “The
non Gate,” by John T. Chapman,
:„!? week, with Sidney Blackmer
ana Carol Stone as costars. .

‘Hut* Clicks, Montreal
wuu Montreal, Aug. 10.

e Mountain Playhouse’s
jnAS ottering of the season. “Little
fin.r . m °vmg into it’s third and
tho n Week atop Mount Royal in
:^J;® nt re of Montreal, all house
hppn rdS u* n , past fi ve years have
JfJ" u br oken. The 200-seater,
bas had over 80%
12 Pa p!i y v sI nce opening June
• Final offering, for the 1 season,

Antioch Doubling ’53
Yellow Springs, O., Aug. 10.

For the first five weeks of the
Antioch- Area Theatre’s Shake-
speare Festival, attendance totaled
14,116, as compared with 6,754 for
the same period of 1953. Barring
bad weather, it’s expected that at
least 40,000 and perhaps 50,000
will attend for the full season. Last
year’s total was 23,000,

Practically every opening night
since the festival opened six weeks
ago has - had a capacity crowd.

Marie Wilson $8,500, Boston
Boston, Aug. 10.

Marie Wilson, starring in “The
Little Hut,” drew a nice $8,500 at
the 917-seat Boston Summer Thea-
tre last week. At the Marblehead
Summer Theatre, Wally Cox, in
preem of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The
Vegetable,” nabbed a slick $10,000.

Current at the Boston Summer
Theatre is Margaret Truman in
“Autumn Crocus,” with Marie Wil-
son’s “Little Hut” moving to the
Marblehead spot.

Ilona Massey in Tryout
Birmingham, Aug. 10.
Ilona Massey is starring in a
tryout this week of “Angel in
Paris,” adapted by Guy Bolton
from an original by Melchior
Lengyel, at the Pickwick Players
arena theatre here. Star hopes to
take the comedy to Broadway in
the fall.

Philip Huston is featured in the
show, which Stanley Tackney
staged.

‘Man’ $7,300, New Hope
New Hope, Pa., Aug. 10.
Calder Willingham’s new com-
edy, “The Automobile Man,”
grossed almost $7,300 last week at
the Bucks County Playhouse here,
with Elliott Nugent, Mildred

(Continued on page 58)

N. Y. C. Opera to Bow.New
Season Sept 29; Sets
.Biggest Tour to Date

New York City Opera Co., open-
ing its regular fall season at City
Center, N. Y., Sept., 9, has mapped
its most extensive' road, tour to
date. Following a New York run
of five weeks, the company will
give seven performances in Bos-
ton, at the Opera House, starting
Nov. 2,’ in its first Hub visit. Nine
shows will also be given in
Masonic Temple, Detroit. Then
the troupe will head off to other
eastern and mid-western cities.

Gotham run of five weeks will
see 16 operas done, in 36 perform-
ances. Due to; a new economy
setup brought oh by last season’s
top City Center deficit ($227,135),
no new works will be presented.
Several operas in the repertory
will be restaged, however.

Joseph Rosenstock, the com-
pany’s general director, will con-
duct, as will also Julius Riidel,
the music administrator; Thomas
Martin and Thomas Schippers.
John S. White is the troupe’s as-
sistant general director, and Lin-
coln Kidsteiil overall general direc-
tor of Center activties (opera,
ballet, drama and musicals).

ARDREY DRAMA SEEN AS
2D PHOENIX OFFERING

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

New drama by Robert Ardrey,
author of “Thunder Rock” and
Other plays, will probably be pro-
duced this fall as the second offer-
ing in the Phoenix Theatre season.
Play, titled “Sing Me No Lullaby,”
is said to be^about an individual's
moral dilemma in relation to per-
sonal and national loyalty. Deal
reportedly hinges on the avail-
ability of a suitable director.

Besides “Thunder Rock,” which
was a New York failure in 1939-
40 but* a subsequent hit in London
and a successful film, Ardrey has
authored several plays produced oh
Broadway, numerous pictures and
two novels.

- T. Edward Hambleton, copro-
ducer of Phoenix with Norris
Houghton, returned to New York
recently after several confabs with
Ardrey.

Hayward Exits Hospital,
Plans Rest In Honolulu

Leland Hayward exits the G^nd
Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles,
this week. He’ll probably go a
Coast resort for a rest, then return
to the hospital for tests. After that,
he hopes to go to Honolulu for at
least a month,

Legit-ftim-tv producer had been
seriously ill for over two weeks of
an undiagnosed intestinal disorder.
Last week a notice requesting
blood donations for him was posted
backstage at the Curran Theatre,
San Francisco, where the Mary
Martin starrer, “Peter Pan,” is
playing.

Hayward may' partner with Ed-
win Lester in the Broadway pres-
entation of the show, which the lat-
ter produced.

Chi W55 List

** m *

Chicago, Aug. 10.

The local 1954-55 legit prospects
are starting to round into shape,
with prospects somewhat more
favorable than during the meagre
list season. Some indication of
the volume upbeat is seen in the
fact that the Theatre Guild already
has five of its eight-show subscrip-
tion package here pretty well set,
whereas it had to make a refund
for lack of a final offering in
1953-54.

First of the new entries will be
Picnic,” due Sept. 13 at the Er-
langer for an indefinite stay. Also
on the Guild subscription list is
Leonard Sillman’s “Mrs. Patter-
son” production, starring Eartha
Kitt, slated for Oct. 11 at the
Harris. “Time Out for Ginger,”
current Harris tenant, hits the ioad
next month.

Tentatively booked for the Shu-
bertjn December is “King and I.”
costarring Yul Brynner and Patri-
cia Morison. Should “Wonderful
Town,” now at the Shubert, build
momentum when the fall season
starts it may have to move, pre
Sumably to the Great Northern,
or. “King and I” might be booked
to another house.

Also upcoming but with no the-
atre picked as yet are “Tea and
Sympathy,” starring Deborah Kerr,
and the revival of “Saint Joan,”
with Jean Arthur starred. The
Shirley Booth-starrer, “By the
Beautiful Sea,” is listed as a pos-
sible.

In the non-Guild category; there
are such prospects as Jules Pfeif-
fer’s re-treads of “Tobacco Road”
and “Scnool for Brides.”

J. Charles Gilbert, manager of
the Civic Opera House, has lined
up most of the ballet and opera
entries for the 1954-55 season.
First big Splash will be the arrival
of Anton Dolin’s London Festival
Ballet troupe the last week in Oc-
tober. Following will be the debut
of the newly formed Lyric Theatre
opera group opening its three-week
season Nov. 1. In for two weeks
starting Nov. 24 will be the Old
Vic’s production of “Midsummer
Night’s Dream.”

Scheduled B’way Openings

( Theatre indicated if set )
Almanac, Imperial (8-23) (re-
opening).

Fifth Season, (Cort) (9-5) (re-
opening).

Midsummer Night’s Dream, Met
Opera House (9-21),

Home Is the Hero, Booth (9-22).
Summer Long, Coronet (9-23).
Boy Friend, Royale (9-30).

Dear Charles, Morosco (9-15).
Peter Pan, W. Garden (9-30).
Reclining Nude/ Lyceum (10-7).
Tender Trap, Longacre (10-10).
On Your Toes, 46th St. (10-11).
Fragile Fox, Belasco (10-12).
Ensemble (rep.), Rijou (10-15).
Champagne Complex (10-27),
Flowering Peach (10-27).
Rainmaker, Cort (10-28).

Living Room, Miller (11-11 ).
Quadrille, Coronet (11-3).

Fanny, Majestic (11-4),

Festival (11-10).

Tonight Samarcand, National
(early Nov.).

Untitled Sidney Kingsley Play,
Broadhurst (mid-Nov.).

Hot Rock (11-22).

Sandhog, Phoenix (11-23).
Black-eyed Susan (Late Nov.).
Mrs. Patterson. (12-1).

House of Flowers* Alvin (12-23).
Silk Stockings, Imperial (12-29).
Desperate Hour* (1-26).

Especially on Road: Vhceiil Price

‘Jumping Bean’ Musical

Negotiations are in the works
for Bonny Graham to do the book
and lyrics for a musical based on
the book, “Mexican Jumping
Bean,” written by Mexican col-
umnist Pepe Romero. Author-
comedian will star in the show.

Tuner will be produced by
Theodore R. Kupferman, general
counsel and veepee of Cinerama
Productions and also attorney for
Graham and Romero! Kupferman
is handling negotiations for the
rights. Music will be by a Mexican
composer to be selected.

Graham was one of the authors
and a leading player in Leonard
Sillman’s last “New Faces.”

Stage & Arena Guild
Adds 2 More Outlets;
Now Full Summer Tour

Stage & Arena Guild of Amer-
ica has expanded to the point
where it can now give a star a
solid summer’s booking in mem-
ber theatres alone. With the re-
cent additions of‘ the Town and
Country Playhouse, Indianapolis,
and the Grove Theatre, Nuangola,
Pa., the circuit now totals six star
strawhat outlets.

Indicative of the Guild’s sum-
mer booking potential is the active
season lined up for Vicki Cum-
mings. Actress is committed to
five weeks' playing time in SAGA
theatre this summer, plus four
weeks’ rehearsal.

At the end of the nine weeks,
Miss Cummings will have appeared
in three different shows in four
SAGA theatres, putting in one
week’s rehearsal time at each.
Package shows not requiring re-
hearsal can play 10 or more
weeks of strawhat bookings.

Miss Cummings currently is
playing at the Biltmore Theatre,
Miami, in “Late Love.” Prior to
her Biltmore engagement, she had
appeared July 2Q-25 at the Myrtle
Beach ( S. C. ) Playhouse in “Af-
fairs of State.” Future .dates in-
clude an appearance Aug. 24-29 in
the Town and Country Playhouse in
“Time of the Cuckoo,” to be fol-
lowed by a “Late. Love” repeat
Sept. 6-11 at Nuangola.

In addition to. the theatres men-
tioned, the circuit also includes the
Great Lakes Drama Festival, Sagi-
naw, Mich., and the. Gateway Mu-
sical Playhouse, Somers Point,
N. J. Of the six houses, the Bilt-
more is a year-round operation.
Irving Strousee, who heads SAGA,
expects to have three additional
star outlets next summer.

Besides Miss Cummings, stars
who are appearing on the SAGA
circuit this summer include Signe
Hasso, Ilona Massey, Sherry Brit-
ton and Kay Francis. Miss Hassd’s
vehicle is “Candlelight,” while
Miss Massey is appearing in “To-
night or Never.”

Miss Britton in doing both “Re-
mains to Be Seen” and “The Little
Hut” and Miss Francis is appear-
ing in “Black Chiffon” and “The-
atre.” Claire Luce and Edward
Everett Horton are also booked
into SAGA showcases this sum-
mer.

None of the theatres on the cir-
cuit can gross over $7,000, with
the average break-even point on a
star booking about $4,000. Inci-
dentally. the booking of a star into
one SAGA theatre does not neces-
sitate the booking of the performer
by other Guild theatres, since
each operation is autonomous.

Hollywood, Aug. 10.

The theatre is the real mass
medium because everybody can get
into it— and everybody does. That,
according^ to Vincent Price, is why
legit is enjoying its greatest re-
surgence in years, with, prospects
of even better times ahead.

“The little thfeatre movement is
spreading everywhere,” the legit-
film star explains. “Everyone in it
is genuinely interested in theatre.
As a result, they become a better
potential audience for professional
theatre, when it is made available
to them.”

Part of the mushrooming inter-,
est in the stage may be attributed
to television, the actor feels, since
people want to go out for entertain-
ment and the stage offers some-
thing completely different from
what they get at home on their
television screens. But, he believes,
the hulk of the renewed interest
in "round” actors can be traced to
the fact that civic groups every-
where are delving into drama.

Price recently completed appear-
ances in “The Winslow Boy” in
silos in California, New Hampshire
and Illinois. In each case, he noted
audience interest more intense
than in previous years.

“But the best example of thea-
tre interest,” he observes’ “was in
Hinsdale, 111. The town has its own
theatrical group which functions
during the winter. And they’ve dis-
covered that a summertime produc-
tion of a play at the Salt Creek
Theatre actually creates interest
in their own winter-time produc-
tion of the same vehicle. The two
operations create more interest in
going into Chicago: — only half an
hour away — to see the best of the
road companies offered there.”

Price returns to Broadway next
season in A. B, Shiffrin’s “Black-
Eyed Susan,” his first regular New
York production in almost a dec-
ade. But he feels that Broadway
is becoming less important in a
developing “decentralization” of
theatre interest on the road. “If
this interest is properly exploited
in the next few years,” he contends,
“the road can once again become
a vital factor in legit.”

The coast, Price thinks, can play
an important part in the proper
exploitation of this renewed inter-
est. Production is cheaper here
and there’s a large pool of “name”
talent available. On that basis, he
believes, production mounted here
and toured eastward, concentrat-
ing on- some of the smaller cities,
can be profitable. The success of
the Paul Gregory productions like
“Don .Juab in Hell” and “John.
Brown’s Body” are indicative of
the market that can be tapped in
cities long neglected by touring
companies.

Meanwhile, he adds, the tyro
groups around the country should
be encouraged. They not only serve
as a possible source of talent, but
they constantly help to unearth
new audiences educated to foot-
light offerings.

“That,” says Price, “is where the
future lies.”

L. L Triple Bill

Estate at Lawrence, L. I., will
be turned into an outdoor theatre
next Friday and Saturday (13-14)
for the production of a trih of one-
acters. The South’ Shore Drama
Group, an amateur group, will pre-
sent the program, tagged “A Sum-
mer Evening,” on the grounds of
the Graboi Estate. Offering will
include Ferenc Molnar’s “The
Idol,” Susan Glaspell’s “Trifles”
and Shaw’s “Dark Lady.”

Broadway actress Helen Warreh
will stage the show.

(UPSTATE TENT FOLDS;
TO REOPEN NEXT YEAR

Closing recently of the Musi-
carnival, Lake George, N. Y., after
a three-week run hasn’t dis-
couraged producers James Mac-
Kenzie and Willard Merrill. Duo
plan to . give the tent operation
another try next year, with an ex-
pected $50,000 refinancing from
local residents, Excessive rain,
which hurt biz; and difficulties re-
sulting from hurried pre-opening
operations, caused the early fold.

Under-canvas venture, which
was in its inaugural season, opened
July 4 and closed July 25. Project
was scheduled to run through
Labor Day. Producers had original-
ly planned opening the last week
in July but were unable to do so.

Shows presented during the
three weeks were “Brigadoon” and
“Annie Get Your Gun,” latter for
a fortnight. Tent staff included
Buster Davis as conductor, Tommy
Cannon as choreographer and Ed
Greenberg as director. Resident
chorus of 16 was used.

MacKenzie and Merrill also oper-
ate th« year-round Dobbs Ferry
(N. Y., Playhouse, which they’ve
leasetV out this summer.

58

LEGITIMATE

Wednesday^ 1954

Sabrina Fair

London, Aug. 5.

Emile Littlcr and Peter- Daubeny present
tatlon of romantic comedy in two acts by
Samuel TavJor, Stars Marjorie Stee’e*
Ron Randcll: features Zena Pare. Cath-
leen Nesbitt. Directed by John Cromwejl.
At Palace. London, AUg. .4. *54: $2.50 top.

Sabrina Fairchild Marjorie. Steele

Linus Lirrabee Jr. Ron Randoll

Maude Larrabee ...... Cathleen Ne~blfct

Julia Word McKlnlock. ...... . Zena Dare

David Larrabee Phil TV’nwn

Linus Larrabee ......... John Cromwell

Fairchild ........... Cyril Luddism

Margaret Glady-v Tudor

Gretchen Dorothy Whitney

Paul D'Artfenson ........ Paul Hardwick

Young Woman Simon* L«veU

Young Man .......... Brian Hankins

• Had this comedv oreemed on
this side, it is doubtful if anyone
here would have' been perceotiv*'
enough to predict a success for it
In the U. S. Program n^es t**e
term “submit” in place of the cus-
tomary “present” on behalf of the

f iroduc^rs, and th ; s mode c t annex-
ation f^sarms criticism of what, is
a milcMv. entertaining interpola-
tion of a hn<*icn«ved theme. It is
obviouslv more suitable for screen
treatment and with the ‘imminent
release of the pic “Sabrina” here,
comparisons are hot likely to re-
act in fivor of the s^^ge version.
Although Marjorie Steele had a
warm personal reception, it was
more a sympathetic response to
her eF>n charms than for any
histrionic ability. On Us merits as
a play, prospects for this are dubi-
ous.

The storv unfolds at pedestrian
pace. Ins. littv action and too much
irrelevant dialog to had out the
dull hatches. The problem the
wealtlr ,, Long Island family faced
with the proposed marriage of
their son to their chauffeur’s
daughter causes a *lutft?r in man-
sion and collage. The girl return-
ing from a five-year stay in Paris
has no intention of wedding the
boy, and the snobbish reaction
comes mor* from her father than
from his. g’he only surprise of the
evening is the chauffeur's d : s-
closure that through years of
lucky speculation on the stock mar-
ket he is as rich as his master.
This leaves the door open for his
daughter to get her man by the
simple process of asking him.

The advance publicity around
Miss Steele, ci«arette-girl turned
millionaire’s wife, aroused public
interest to-a certain degree. How-
ever. it is unlikely to bring pro-
longed b.o. patronage unless word-
of-mouth praise is generously
forthcoming. Her naivete carries
her through with ingenuous sim-
plicity that goes a long way toward
winning her audience.

Ron Randell, familiar here as a
tv quizmaster, plays the femme-shy
Prince Charming with an endear-
ing gaucherie while Phil Brown
makes a likeable personage of his
susceptible brother. Zena Dare
and Cathleen Nesbitt, consummate
artists at delivering lines, give
them more significance than they
are worth. John Cromwell, who di-
rects the play adroitly, also ao-

f iears as the boys’ father, placidly
ndulging his macabre hobby of at-
tending funerals.

The chauffeur is enacted with
apologetic deference by Cyril
Luckman. and the scene Where he
reluctantly reveals the details o£
his investments is one of the play’s
brightest moments. Paul Hardwick
flits briefly across the stage as the
French wooer thwarted of his orey.
Gladys Tudor and Dorothy Whit-
ney do well in minor parts. Clem.

with her, but their fiery clinches
ate witnessed by the- daughter. She
shocks her mother back to her re-
sponsibilities by announcing she
has an amorous session with the
boy, whom she claims would prefer
to run off with her. The- old man,
realizing there is. no other way to
relieve the strain of. a divided
household, finally makes a digni-
fied exit, after the young girl has
shamed her elders by offering to
make a home for him elsewhere.

Much of the credit for the play’s
enthusiastic welcome, goes to Law-
sort for his sensitive depiction of
the old man, bewildered at the cal-
lousness of those he has loved and
cared for. Joan Miller conveys
more the frustrated feelings of a
neglected wife than a proud woman
resenting a slovenly, burdensome
father-in-law. Dorothy Bromiley is
sympathetic and touching as the
young girl and Gordon Tanner
builds up his rather colorless role
to a fine climax as her father. The
supporting characters are all in
competent hands, and direction by
Joseph Losey is fine. Clem. .

Tlae Dnenna

London, Aug. 2.

Ralph Birch presentation of comic oper-
etta In three acts by Richard Brinsley
Sheridan, with music by Julian- Slade.
Directed by Lionel Harris. At Westmin-
ster Theatre, London, July 28, *54; $2.25
top.

Donna Louisa ..Jane Wenham

Duenna Joyce Carey

Don Jerome David Bird

Donna Clara Joan Plowright

Isaac Mendoza Gerald Cross

Don Curios Robert Sewell

Carlotta .Patricia Routledge

Don Antonio ........... Dennis Martin

Don Ferdinand ...... .Desmond Ainsworth

Harlequin . Peter Darrell

Columbine Elizabeth . West

Dancers James Campbell, Corita Martell

Resuscitation of an 18th-century
comic opera, with new music by a
modern composer, has proved a
happy combination: No big names
are involved, but this production
is staged with such artistry and is
so charmingly sung and acted that
it makes a satisfying evening’s en-
tertainment in refreshing vein. It
will certainly establish the com-
poser. a 24-year-old actor from the
Bristol Old Vic Co., as a success.
It should appeal to devotees of
.light opera both here and in the
U. S.

The story of a daughter flouting
her father’s matrimonial plans for
her brings no novelty in plot or
treatment. But the tuneful songs
are delightfully sung by Jane Wen-
ham and Joan Plowright, and Denis
Martin and Desmond Ainsworth as
their beaux. David Bird blusters
and threatens in true period
fashion as the irascible father, and
Gerald Cross gives a subtly studied
performance as the fortune hunter
whose cupidity only nets hima pen-
niless middleaged wife. Joyce
Carey gets every jot of humor out
of her role of the chaperone whose
craftiness gets her a man of her
own.

Each scene is blithely introduced
by Peter Darrell and Elizabeth
West garbed as Harlequin and
j Columbine, and James Campbell
and Corita Martell lead the Span-
ish dancers who execute the- fan-
dango and similar swirling steps
with grace and vigor. Direction by
Lionel Harris. Clem.

Strawhat Tryouts

(Aug. 9-22)

Brother Cain, by Jerome Chodo-
rov — Ivy Tower Playhouse, Spring
Lake, N, J. (16-21).

By Hex, musical — Legion Park
Stadium, Ephrata, J*a. (9*14) (Re-
viewed in Variety, Aug. 26, ’53).

Darling, Darling, - adapted by
Anita Loos from the French .—
Westport (Conn.) Country Play-
house (16-21).

Dear Charles, by Allan Melville
— Falmouth Playhouse, Coonames-
sett, Mass. (9-14) (Reviewed in
Variety, July 14, ’54).

Dream of Fair Women,, by Regi-
nald Lawrence — * Provincetown
(Mass.) Playhouse (6-21).

Feathered Fauna, by Charles
Robinson ar.d Jean Dairy mple .—
Somerset (Mass.) Playhouse (9-14).

Imperfect Stranger — Camden
Hills Theatre, Camden, Me* (17-21).

Inside Lester, by Fred Carmi-
chael— Dorset (Vt.) Plahouse (13-
15).

Iron Gate, by John T. Chapman

— Berkshire Playhouse, Stock-
bridge, Mass. (9-14).

Jimmy Potts Gets a Haircut, by
George Panetta — John Drew Thea-
tre, East Hampton, L. I. (9-14),

Lady Chooses, by William Me?
Leery — Newport (R.I.) Casino The-
atre (16-21) Reviewed in Variety,
June 16, '*54).

diverts Little Twist, by Herman
A. Miller — Gretna ■ Playhouse, Mt.
Gretna, Pa. (12-18).

Sin' of Pat Muldoon, by John
McLiam — Pocono Playhouse,
Mountainhome, Pa. (9-14).

Southwest Comer, by John Cecil
Holm — Spa Theatre, Saratoga,
N. Y. (9-14).

Stronger Sex, by Laslo Vadney

— Hyde Park (N.Y.) Playhouse
(17-21).

Walk Tall, revue — Theatre-by-
the-Sea, Matunuck, R. I, (9-14>;
John Drew Theatre, East Hampton,
L. I. (16-21) (Reviewed in Variety,
July 28, ’54).

White Sheep of the Family, by
L. du Garde Peach and Ian Hay— -
Kennebunkport (Me.) Playhouse (9-
14) (Reviewed in Variety, July 7,
’54).

Witch of Dogtqwn — Cape Ann
Playhouse, Gloucester, Mass. (16-
21 ).

Continued from page $•

Old Metiers

Continued from page 57

Tlie li T ooden Dish

London, July 28.

. . P. Clift fby arrangement with

Aldrich & Myers and Julius Fleischmann)
presentation of drama In two acts by
■ Edmund Morris. Stars Wilfrid Lawson,
Joan Miller. Directed bjj Joseph Losev.
HkAt Phoenix Theatre, London, July 27,
^B*54; $2.23 top.

^■Pop Dennison Wilfrid Lawson

■T Clara Dennison Joan Miller

W Bessie Bockser Bessie Love

Ed Mason Alan TJlvern

Susan Dennison Dorothy Bromiley

Glenn Dennison Gordon Tanner

Floyd Dennison. . . . , . George Woodbridgc

Forsythe Harry Fine

Janey Stewart Maureen Beck

The theme of the plight of the
aged, often sick and unwanted,
makes an emotional frairiework for
a well-constructed and moving play
in this American import. It marks
Wilfrid Lawson’s comeback to the
London stage, arid his popularity
and the intrinsic merit of the of-
fering by author and players should
net a healthy b.o. return. It should
stand an equal chance in the U.S.

A kindly old riian has lived in
his son’s Texan home over 20
years. His granddaughter lavishes
affection on him and a neighbor
provides companionship. But his
daughter-in-law, sick of his clumsy
shambling around the house, in-
sists the oldster be sent to a home,
The husband refuses to. turn his
father out and the wife says she’ll
quit unless he does.

A further complication is the
young boarder Whom the wife tries
to seduce. He refuses to run away

Traube

Continued from page 55

fees in order to enable the pro-
duction to continue.”

When queried on the financial
status of the production, Traube
declared that the investment had
been recouped and a profit earned,
with $17,500 still due the investors.
Coin, he said, is being held in re-
serve.

Hershey claims that Traube en-
tered into contracts prior to the
limited partnership agreement that
were not in keeping with it. He
is also pressing for the return to
the partnership of $5,000, which he
claims Traube paid himself out of
the partnership funds besides his
royalty.

Bernard A. Green, of the Was-
herman, Behr & Shagan law office,
is representing Hershey. According
to Traube, the lawyer fs also an
investor in the show. Case is sched-
uled to be arbitrated sometime late
in September*

Dunnock and Jerome Cowan
costarred. Tryout was staged by
John Gerstad.

Production rights to the play
are held by Robert Whitehead,
who is considering taking it to
Broadway in the fall as a Producers
Theatre presentation. Show drew
unenthusiastic notices here.

Current bill at the Mike Ellis
strawhat is “Stalag 17,” for which
the ads carry the whimsical note.
“No member of the cast or staff
was in the Broadway production.
No other summer theatre can make
that statement.”

Stranger From Hill* N

causing the priest to feel that .he
has failed his office. Eventual
remorse strikes the villagers fol-
lowiiig'the tragedy and they disown
the hag in favor of the priest.

A number of good characteriza-
tions stud the production, notably
John. Cox, as the priest, and Joan
Kepple, the witch. Supporting
talent is capable.

Play is staged imaginatively, in
arena style, and directed with an
appreciation of its folklore values.
Writing conveys the spirit of the
play’s locale and is effective in
both tender and ter.se passages.
Production is creditable from tech-
nical standpoints of lighting, props
and costumes.

While many plays of this nature
are in the strictly experimental
category, this one suggests possible
development along commercial
lines. Bone.

Desire Is a Season

Augusta, Micl)., Aug. 4.

Jack P. Ragotzy production of drama
by Joseph G. Stockdale Jr. Directed by
producer. At Barn Theatre, Augusta,
Mich., Aiig. 2. *54; $2 top. •

Agnes Saunook ......... Ginger Russell

"Chief" Saunook ....... William Bromley

Jim Tagua , John Newton

Virgil Downs Leon B. Stevens

Lee Saunook v. . * Norman Kean

Woman Tourist Mary Patton

2d Woman Tourist. . . . . . Jo Anna March

Ann. Saunook Betty Ebers

Male Tourist .... Edwin Phelps Jr.

Bus Driver Gordon Russell

Miss Whiting Mary Van Fleet

Mike Eaton James T. Pritchett

Mr: Jennet .......... A1 Hinckley

Walt . . Dirk Wales

Slim Harry Dorman

2d Male Tourist Philip Lussler

Indian Woman Brian Mqore

2d Indian Woman Anne Linden

'Open House' at Houston

Houston, Aug. 10,
“Open House,” by Vincent Cle-
ment and Francis Swann, will be
the Alley Theatre's next produc-
tion, following the current “Affairs
of State.” No opening date has
been set for the show, rights to
which are held by film-legit actor
Reginald Owen.

'The star is playing his original
part in the current “Affairs.”

’Tempest* $2,400, Chi

Chicago, Aug. 10.

Playwrights Theatre Club, Chi’s
sole year-around Equity repertory
group, had its most profitable gross
last week, getting $2,400 with its
production of “The Tempest.” Club
is conducting a Shakespearan fes-
tival this summer with “Romeo
and Juliet” the current offering.

Joe E. 181/2 G, Salt Creek
Hinsdale, III., Aug. 10.

Joe E. Brown starring in “The
Show Off” grossed just under $18,-
500 during two-week run at Salt
Creek Theatre here.

Current is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s
“The Vegetable,” starring Wally
Cox, which producer Marshall
Migatz reports opened to the
biggest advance in the barn’s
history. '

There is a promise. of commer-
cial possibilities in this new play
by Joseph G. Stockdale Jr., a Mich-
igan native and currently speech-
drama instructor at Purdue U. The
author has previously written full-
length and one-act plays which had
college production. An unusual
theme and background, with which
the author is obviously familiar,
heighten audience interest in “De-
sire Is a Season,” although there is
tightening and sharpening of some

of the characterizations to be done.

\ •

Setting is a Cherokee Indian res-
ervation in North Carolina, and the
story involves an educated Indian
girl’s love for a white man whom
she met in New York, and her dis-
couragement at her race’s tyt in
this period between a great past
and a progressively dimmer fu-
ture. She calls it “the time be-
tween the end and the beginning”
(the play started under the title of
The Time Between.” the switch
being made for boxoffice draw).

The script is good when it brings
out the Indians’ miserable lot. hut
not so good in the romance inter-
ludes. Some of the love-making
sequences, are overdone to the
point .of bad taste.

Ragotzy’s setting is one of his
best, showing the exterior and cut-
away interior of an old Cherokee
chief’s tourist-lure trading post.
Most of the Barn’s Equity and ap-
prentice company is used, with
Betty Ebers doing a stand-out job
as the Indian girl who wants to es-
cape her destiny but fears she is
trapped. James T. Pritchett is im-
pressive as the white lover.

Norman Kean, an apprentice. Is
outstanding as a rebellious student
at the reservation school. Leon B.
Stevens works hard, but with
mixed results in a poorly-defined
though vital role of a pathetic
white teacher despised by the In-
dians. Ginger Russell puts snap
into her characterization of a weak-
moraled Indian girl.

“Desire Is a Season” warrants
more work by the author. Bell.

(he customary youth and age for-
mula.

Locale is a remote hilltop Re-
treat, and the action involves three,
couples and a late arrival,, with an
elderly psychologist and -a young
.geologist, who inadvertently wan-
der into the colony. The psycholo-
gist discovers that one of the col-
ony’s members is the woman who
was twice his age. when, 40 years
previously, they had an unresolved
love affair. Having hit upon the :
secret of reversing* age processes,
she has achieved youth and beauty. -
The young geologist becomes smit-
ten with another young woman
member, who also has shaken off
old age.

“Only Young Twice” is. the first
new play to be offered by the Old
Log company in its 15 years of
summer existence. Staging and per-
formances are creditable. As the
elderly psychologist, Rupert La-
Belle plays a long and difficult role,
well-. Other cast members! Walter
Boughton, Ro Sussman, Dolly
Wheaton, Kenn Senn and Jeanne
and Don Stolz also acquit them-
selves comrnendably. .Don Stolz
directed competently, Rees .

A Summer’s Day

Lake Hopatcong, N.J., Aug. 4.

Lakeside Theatre production of drama
In three acts, by Reginald Lawrence.
Directed by Herbert Machiz; setting, Al-
fred Leslie. At Lakeside Theatre. Aug. 3,
*54; $2.20 top, ^

Leon ; David Leland

Mme, Roux Ruth Volner

Michele Frank Dana

Lady Grace Nancy R. Pollock

Viola June Hunt

Nicole Shlela Fiedler

Nlnnette Roberta Bennett

Terry . . .' Milton Wilson

Marie Hesper ^Anderson

Alex Alfred Sander

Meg Anne Meacham

Jack O’Mara Scott Merrill

’Animal’ $1,900, Reading, Pa.

Reading, Pa., Aug. 10.

Berks Players at Green Hills
Theatre near here grossed $1,900
last week with “The Male Animal.”
The 350-seat barn, with a $1.90
scale: through Thursdays and $2.10
on Fridays and Saturdays, played
to capacity weekend audiences
after a slow .start. A total of 1,150
persons traveled to the off-beat
theatre five miles south of here.

“My 3 Angels’” with William
Schou, Joseph Gistirak and John
Zacherie in the leads, opens
tonight (Tues,). Mike Kesdekian
directs.

’Fox’ to Light Hartford

Harford, Aug. 10, t
“The Fragile Fox,” by Norman
Brooks, will open the fall season
Sept, 16-18 at the New Parsons
here.

Allen Stewart, heading a local
syndicate now operating the house,
promises 20 bookings during the
1954-55 semester.

Only Young Twice

Minneapolis, Aug, 7.

Old Log Theatre Co. production of
comedy in three acts, by Robert Murphy.
Directed .by Don Stolz; setting, Jan Noyes.
At Old Log Theatre, Lake Minnetonka,
Minn., Aug. 4-9, *54; $1,85 top.

Bill Tallant Ken Senn

Minerva-' Smith. ....... . ... Jeanne Stolz

Elliott Post Walter Boughton

Dr. Alexander Dabney Rupert LaBelle

Dr. Jane Baker Ro Sussman

Dr. Ada Sehnell Dolly Wheaton

Hans Zobel Don Stolz

First play by Boh Murphy, Min-
neapolis Star -Tribune film editor-
critic, preeming at the Old Log
summer theatre here, “Only Young
Twice” impresses as an amusing
comedy based on a fanciful and
novel idea. With tightening, re-
writing and polishing, it might con
ceivably have Broadway and Holly
wood possibilities because of its
off-beat slant.

In its present form, this comedy
is talky arid slow, but holds inter-
est with its wit, deft' characteriza-
tions and romance. It is a fantasy
with whimsical overtones revolving
around an experiment reversing

In “A, Summer’s Day,” Reginald
Lawrence probes for new answers
to the ancient problem of body vs.
soul. His play merits thoughtful
attention and is disappointing only,
ijj, its evasive conclusion. A
thoroughly efficient company at
the Lakeside Theatre gets well
beneath the . surface, helping pro-,
ject the somewhat mystic romance.

Vacationing at a second-class
Brittany sea coast hotel, an Ameri-
can professor and his poet- wife are
about to c’atch the lie de France
for home when a vagrant Irish
sailor barges in, full of grog and
sex. Presumably with gaelic intui-
tion, he discerns at once that the
poetess has depths, her husband
hasn’t touched. While the peasants
celebrate a feast day, he achieves a
brief hour of passion with the
woman, hut learns he cannot have
her soul.

As the tormented wife, Anne
Meacham gives a sharp perform-
ance. She is believable as she
succumbs to a temptation she
abhors, and agonized as out of
remorse she . seeks salvation, find-
ing it in a tortured final scene in
which she resists further illicit
promptings of the flesh. Scott Mer-
rill plays the predatory male with
all the cockiness and lack of
subtlety of the torn T-shirt school.

Alfred Sander is good as the
anguished pedant. His faith in his
wife, and his acceptance of bitter
fact, are done with compassion,
although he has difficulty making
convincing the verbal slapped
wrist with which he admonishes
the sailor. “You possessed her but
I love her” seems a pallid resolu-
tion. - .

A couple of better-than-average
jobs are done by Nancy R. Pollock
and June Hunt as an English-
woman of nobility and her snippy
daughter. Miss Pollock’s perform-
ance is a shrewd blending of
worldly, (visdom and tartness, \yhile
Miss Hunt's bored brat is true to
form. Carrying sub-plots, the
balance of the company is more x
than okay, the French peasantry
being drawn with sympathy and
amusement. Maxwell ' Anderson’s
daughter, Hesper, makes her acting
debut, as a Breton girl, playing
with good assurance.

Alfred Leslie’s whitewashed set
is atmospheric and simple. The
compactness of the production,
and much of its truth, is due, how-
ever, to . Herbert Machiz, who ha*
directed painstakingly, .a sameness
of pace being his only drawback.

Unfortunately, the author / has
settled for verbal . conclusions.
Lady Grace’s motherly advice to
the young wife, and the husband s
Scornful dismissal of the Irishman,
are not vital payoffs. Having
brought beguiling people face to
face with harsh reality, it is frus-
trating to have Lawrence duck
dramatic resolution of his Issues,
for tliere are times when Ms play
almost becomes- a moneymaker.

Qpor.

• »»<'*• IF ' ; '}

W*Aa*iil»T* A^glMt Iji I9S4

Continued from pace |$ f

nraws from 30-mile radius, Best

grosser to date, W

Sharon Playhouse, Sharon, Conn.
(Producer, ■ Judson Philips; cap.,
190- scale, .$2 all seats; season, 10
weeks; weekly perfs., 5; possible
gross, $1,450). After four mission-
ary seasons bathed in slightly red
ink this setup is beginning to pay
off It’s an Equity outfit which, at
close of six weeks, finds intake
about 20% above last year. Draw-
ing from northwestern Connecticut,
as well as over the state lines of
N Y. and Mass., best pull of sea-
son, "Madwoman of Chaillot.” ,

Lake Whalom Playhouse; Fitch-
burg, Mass. (Prod., Guy Palmerton;
cap., 875; scale, $1.25-$2.40; season,
12 weeks; weekly perfs., 7; possible
gross $8,000). It’s the 61st season
here 21st under Palmerton.
Grosses are off so far this year due
to a shift to only occasional names
rather than a steady diet. But net
outcome, from reduced nut, tops
1953 by a slight margin. As of
seventh week, Ruth Amos in “Eliz-
abeth Sleeps Out” pulled the top

Tufts Arena Theatre, Medford,
Mass. (Prod., Tufts Arena Theatre;
cap , 200; scale, $1.20 all seats; sea-
son, 7 weeks; weekly perfs., 5; pos-
sible gross, $1,200). Billing itself
as the only permanent arena thea- 1
tre hereabouts, this setup is a com-
bo of Tufts faculty members and
summer drama studies. Indication
of cultural aspect comes from fact
that “Ring Round the Moon” has
been the best grosser to date in
current season. Spot makes a play
for defunct Brattle Theatre type of
intellectuals. Biz is 10% above ’53.

Boston Summer Theatre, Boston,
Mass. (Prod., Lee Falk, in associa 1
tion with Al Capp; cap., 913; scale,
$1.20-$3; season, TO weeks; weekly
perfs., 8; possible gross, $13,500).
A boost of 15% in grosses over
1953 is the story here ait end of
fifth week. “Hasty Heart” is the
b.o. leader to date, but the outlook
is for Margaret Truman to rack up
a substantial take also. Spot draws y
not only from Boston, but also its
suburbs and as far away as Wor-
cester. It's the ninth season under
Falk guidance and points to a fa-
vorable outcome.

Theatre on the Green, Wellesley,
Mass. (Prod/, Group 20 Players,
Inc., of Mass.; cap., 986; scale, 90c-
$2.75; season, 10 weeks; weekly
perfs., 7; possible gross, $9,000). An
ample amphitheatre on the Welles-
ley campus is the setting for this
al fresco operation, now in its sec-
ond season. Organized eight sea-
sons ago in Unionville, Conn., it's
a private non-profit setup, with
Wellesley in only oh the use of its
indoor and outdoor theatre facili-
ties. Shows have varying runs.
Among other promotional stunts,
Sundays are “Family Nights” when
stubholders bring picnic suppers
for pre-performance activity. Biz is
up 20% over 1953. “Crucible” is
b.o. champ to date.^ *

South Shore Music Circus, Co-
hasset, Mass. (Prod., South Shore
Music Circus, Inc.; cap., 1,350;
scale. $1.10-$3.30; season, 10 weeks;
weekly perfs., 7; possible gross,
$23,000). Fourth season here finds
this musical setup about 15%
ahead of last year. Starting in '51
with a total audience of 50,000,
the tent will have. 100,000 onlook-
ers for 1954. “Carousel” heads b.o.
take to date. Spot draws from 50
miles. Scale has been reduced this
year ($4.20 to $3;30) and a new
?°c kid matinee price has been
introduced.*

Plymouth Rock Center Theatre,
Duxbury, Mass. (Prod., Plymouth
Rock Center Theatre of Music and

t/K’o Inc * cap “ ,353; sca1 ®*
?u.^o-$2; season, 9 weeks; weekly

Perfs., 4; possible gross, $2,300).
Founded in 1946 by David Blair
jvicciosky, the Center serves as a
™* n g ground for both musical
dramatic students. Festival of
i? 5 * deludes opera (“Cosi Fan
,,,„ e al), concerts ahd legit
L»P. y As Larry" et al). Center
P era tes on a basis of 50% income
fees, other half from
* ‘°* . Gondoliers” is best grosser
»h d ate ’ and overall biz ' is just
«oout on a par with '53.

Beach Theatre, Ply-
Tr a cl h ' Mass - (Prod., Franklin
sSi 3 5°! scale, $1.20-$1.80;

5bi« 10 .™“* s v* ee * ly perts -’ 6;

setun t gr ?? s ’ $?00>. A cutrate
dowS w e hold s gross potential
40 S’ ma j° r income is from
ar;»ti Ude w ^° P u f ob two sep-

dav ® pr °ductlons a week for three-
year n*?5 s , each * Housed in a 125-
“° d barn, project is now in

21st season and grosses are almost
identical year in ahd year out.
Sked features pop type scripts, “I
Love Lucy” being best coin-getter
This season.

Somerset Playhouse, Somerset,
Mass. (Prod., Fred and Martha
Miller; cap., 627; scale, $2-$3.60;
season, Ti weeks; weekly perfs., 8;
possible gross, $12,000). Fifth sea-
son of Operation, and the first for
the Millers, who took over after
appearing as cast members last
year, finds the house up against a
local (Fall River) economic slump,
necessitating a drive for biz else-
where. Take has been spotty, with
overall intake to now just, about
holding even with 1953. Farley
Granger in “Hasty Heart” hit the
only SRQ so far.

Norwich Summer Theatre, Nor-
wich, Conn. (Prod., Herbert L.
Kneeter; cap., 900; scale, $l-$3.50;
season, IQ weeks; weekly perfs.,
9; possible gross, $15,500). A drop
of 15% in gross biz to date is the
story here and producer Kneeter
thinks it lies in the fact that he
has attempted a stock resident set-
up and medium value names this
year instead of booking top name
packages. Best bet of the season,
from b.o. angle, has been “Pal
Joey.” ~

Oval In the Grove, Farmington,
Conn. (Prod., Connecticut Theatre,
Inc.; cap., 210; scale, $2 (straight
plays) $2.40 (musicals); season, 14
weeks; weekly perfs., 6; possible
gross, $2,500). Fourth season for
this co-op group is shaping up as its
best. As of end of the eighth week,
the setup is 10% above last year.
Project embodies talent from all
walks of life and operates on a
basis of split-up (if any) at end of
season. Best grosser this year is
“Mister Roberts.”

SHOWBOATER BRYANT
IN TERRA FIRMA DATE

Huntington, W. Va., Aug. 10;

Capt. Billy Bryant, yet showboat
operator, will appear here Aug. 19-
21 in the Community Players’ pro-
duction of his farce, “Hamlet and
Yeggs.” Bryant's adaptation of
Sl.-kespeare’s “Hamlet,” which has
a prison locale, will be directed by
Sterrett Neale. Play, which has
been produced in such cities as
New York, Chicago and Philadel-
phia, has been revamped by the
author for its local showing, which
will be at the Players’ own Abbott
Theatre.

Cast for the production includes
nine men and three women.

‘Pacific’ $23,200, Wash.;
Ends Run This Week

Washington, Aug. 10.

“South Pacific” picked up last
week for a $23,200 gross at the
National Theatre here. Current
week, 13th and final of the engage-
ment which has broken local legit
records, looks still better on the
basis of advance sales. .

Iva Withers took over as Nellie
Forbush, femhie lead, as of last
night (Mon.), replacing Jeanne Bal,
and will play through the forth-
coming Canadian run of the musi-
cal and its return to the U. S.

Greco 56G in 9 Shows
Tops Carter Barron, D.C.

Washington, Aug. 10.

Government-owned Carter Bar-
ron Amphitheatre, a financial
white elephant since its Opening in
the spring of 1950, has turned a
new leaf this summer under the
operation of the Feld Bros, qpd is
comfortably in the black at present.

Biggest boxoffice draw so . far
was the Jose Greco dance troupe,
which brought $56,000 through the
wickets in nine days, at a $2.50 top.
The 4,000-seat stadium went clean,
with standees, for five of the nine
performances, including the wind-
up last Saturday (7). Business
Would have been larger, but a 10th
scheduled performance was rained
out last week, only the second time
this summer that rain has can-
celled a show.

“Golden Apple,” prize-winning
New York musical, opened last
night (Mon.) at the amphitheatre
for a 10-day stand, with a hefty
advance at. a $3.50 top. This will
be followed by the season's finale,
Harris’ “Icecycles,” for a run Aug.
26-Sept. 12. Stage will be built out
into the audience for this one, to
make enough room to hold an ice
! skating rink.

O:

Ameche $21,700, L'ville;
Finale Is Rained Out

Louisville, Aug. 10,

Don Ameche -in “Three Musket-
eers,” fifth in the current six week
series at Iroquois Amphitheatre,
wound iip the seven-performance
week Sunday (8) with a disappoint-
ing $21,700 gross. Final show was
lost by a rainstorm during the sec-
ond act and Wednesday’s (5) per-
formance had to be stopped for
about 30 nfinutes, while the cast,
orchestra and audiences scampered
for cover from a shower. Ameche
drew favorable reviews in the role
of D'Artagnan.

“Oklahoma,” final production of
the season, opened last night
(Mon.) with Wilton Clary, Gloria
Hamilton, Dorothea MacFarland,
Walter Donahue, Harold, Gary, Al-
fred Cibelli Jr., Florence Dunlap,
Maggie Nelson, and George Law-
rence in the principal roles.

<T. 1 VAO /1 A

Ban Francisco, Aug. 10.

Spearheading the biggest legit
summer in years, “King and I,”
starring Yul Brynner and Patricia
Morison racked up a sensational
$100,200 gross for the biggest
week’s take for a single show in
local theatrical records. Only “The
Miracle,” 35 years ago at the Audi-
torium, approached it.

Gross set a new house record for
the Opera House for the third
straight week, overshadowed the
sensational performance of “Peter
Pan,” which : racked up a house
record for the Curran, also for the
third straight week. This week’s
take went a little over $54,000.

“Seven Year Itch,” starring
Eddie Bracken, opened to strong
reviews and did a handsome $23,-
000 putting the total legit b.o. take
for the week at an unprecedented
$177,200.

Estimates, for Last Week

King and I, Opera House (4th
wk) ($4.75; 3,252) (Yul Brynner,
Patricia Morison). New house rec-
ord with a sock $100,200 (Previous
week $97,000). Closed Sunday (8).

Peter Pan, Curran (3d wk) ($5.50;
1,758) (Mary Martin). New house
record, just over $54,000 (previous
week $58,000).

Seven Year Itch; Geary (1st wk)
($3.85; 1,550) (Eddie Bracken).

Good $23,000.

‘P0RGY’ BIG $62,700, L.A.;
‘THAT’S LIFE’ HEFTY 6G

Los Angeles, Aug. 10.

Legit biz’ continued to perk here
last week, with most operations
showing better takes with the
return of more normal weather.
One offering, “The Lady’s Not For
Burning,” closed over the weekend
to leave the town with three legi-
sts and a ballet.

Estimates for Last Week

Lady’s Not for Burning, Ivar,
(4th wk) (400; $3.30). Up to $3,700
for the eight-day final week and
exited with a profitable $14,000 for
the run.

N. Y. City Ballet, Greek Theatre
(5th wk) (4,407; $3.60). “Nut-

cracker” bounced the take up to
$39,600 for four performances and
holds through this frame.

Porgy and Bess, Philharmonic
Aud (4th wk) (2,670; $4.80). Off
slightly to almost $62,700, includ-
ing tax.

That’s Life, Las Palmas (6th wk)
(400; $3,30). Up to $$000.

Yiddisher Dragnet, Civic Play-
house, (3d wk) (400; $3). Up to
$4,000: Holds two more frames
and then moves to the Marine
Theatre in San Francisco.

In Week of Splits

Portland, Aug. 10.

“Picnic,” starring Ralph Meeker
pulled in over $8,500 for three
evening performances and one
matinee last Tuesday-Thursday (3-
5) at the Civic Auditorium. Com-
pany ran into a heat wave and
plenty of other transient competi-
tion here, so the take wasn’t bad.

William Inze drama was one of
the first legits to play the 4,000-
seat Auditorium. Promoter William
Duggan did a smash promotion job
and also had the spot set up with
mikes for improved listening. Top
was $4.80.

Play moved- to the Temple Audi-
torium, Tacoma, Friday-Saturday
(6*7), pulling in $1,900 for two per-
i fermances.

.LEGITIMATE

59

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Holloway $50,000 in K.C.,
Under New Star Policy

Kansas City, Aug. 10.
With the management continuing
its new policy of playing up stars
instead of the spot and the show,
Sterling Holloway pulled a nifty
$50,000 gross last week in “Hit the
Deck” at the Starlight Theatre
Assn., al fresco playhouse in Swope
Park, in spite of bad weather /
Name-emphasis policy was start-
ed the previous week for Penny
Singleton in “Gentlemen Prefer
Blondes,” after hot weather had
.crimped business the early part of
the season. Whether the setup will
be retained regularly is uncertain,
however.

Current bill, opening last night
(Mon.) is “Song of Norway,” with
localite native Lillian Murphy re-
turning as Nina in support .of Law-
dence Brooks, Frances Greer, Don-
ald Clarke, Muriel O’Malley and
Rudy Tone. Advance sale indicates
a probable gross of about $55,000,
weather permitting.

VIIUUUUI^ l|/UU)UVVy

'Ginger 10G, Chi

Chicago, Aug. 10:

Resort-type weather helped the
Loop’s two legiters maintain their
pace last week, although the
hoped-for August pickup so far has
failed to materialize.

Estimates for Last Week

Time Out for Ginger, Harris
(30th wk) ($4.15; 1,000) (Melvyn
Douglas). Nearly $10,000 (previous
week, $9,800).

Wonderful Town, *Shubert (5th
wk) ($4.60; 2,100) (Carol Channing).
Almost $35,800 (previous week,
$36,000).

‘CHARLEY’ MILD $41,000
IN DAMP ST. L00 WEEK

St. Louis, Aug. 10.

Clipped by threat of rain several
nights, plus high temperatures,
“Where’s Charley?” grossed a
modest $41,000 last week at the
Municipal Theatre’s alfresco Forest
Park playhouse in Forest Park.
Cast was headed by Gil Lamb,
Danny Scholl,' Jen Nelson, Dorothy
Coulter, Martha Stewart and Oliver
CUff.

“Red Mill” opened last night
(Mon.) to an estimated attendance
of 10,000 and a $7,500 gross. Lamb,
Robert Shafer, Dorothy Coulter
and William Olvis, with ballerina
Patricia Bowman, are the leads.

‘Marietta’ Good $42,500
In 2d Week at Dallas

Dallas, Aug. 10.

“Naughty Marietta,” fourth sum-
mer production of State Fair Musi-
cals’ 13th season, pulled a pleasing
$42,500 gross for its final week
through Sunday (8) matinee. First
week drew -an okay $38,500. Patrice
Munsel, Jim Hawthorne and How-
ard Morris headed the cast in this
season’s sole operetta.

“Panama Hattie” opened last
night (Mon.) for a two-week stand.
Vivian Blaine, Buddy Ebsen and
Arthur Treacher are starred, with
Beverly Bozeman, Karin Wolfe and
Billy Van featured.

‘Desert Song’ O.K. $16,200,
Arena Gardens, Toronto

' Toronto, Aug. 10.

“Desert Song,” starring Clifford
Harvuot and Arlyne Frank, with
Jon Crain, grossed a satisfactory
$16,200 last week, but was dented
by opening on a holiday weekends
Arena Gardens, with masked-off
5,300 seats, was scaled at $2.50 top.
Notices were enthusiastic for the
Leighton K. Brill production and
biz picked up toward the end of
the week with the return of holi-
day-goers.

Advance is $6,000 for this week’s
‘Anything Goes,” starring Iggie
Wolfington.

The Serge Jaroff Original Don
Cossack Chorus & Dancers will
have a six-week concert tour next
February-March, set up by Ken-
neth Allen Associates.

Biz on Broadway showed a flicker
of life last week with all but two
shows registering hikes over the
previous session. Although the
summer doldrums aren't complete-
ly reversed, conditions brightened
with jumps of from $300 in the
case of one straight play to a clos-
ing-week . zoom of $13,200 for a
musical. Grosses at some of the
weaker entries were still negligible,
however, despite increased re-
ceipts.

There were two closings last
week, "Golden Apple” and Carou-
seL” Former exited Saturday (7)
and is currently in the. first week
of a fortnight’s windup run at the
Carter BarOji Amphitheatre, Wash-
ington. Latter musical bowed out
Sunday (8) after an eight-week ex-
tended run at the City Center.

Estimates for Last Week

Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama),
CD ( Comedy-Drama) , R (Revue),
MC (Musical-Comedy), MD (Musi-
cal-Drama), O (Opera), OP (Op-
eretta). .<

Other parenthetic designations
refer, respectively, to weeks played,
number of performances through
last Saturday, top prices, number
of seats, capacity gross and stars.
Price includes 10% amusement tax,
but grosses are net: i.e., exclusive
of tax.

Anniversary Waltz, Broadhurst
(C) (18th wk; 139; $4.60; 1,160;
$28,000) (Macdonald Carey, Kitty
Carlisle). Over $10,700 (previous
week, $9,500).

By the Beautiful Sea, Majestic
(MC) (18th wk; 140; $6.90; 1,510;
$58,000) (Shirley Booth). Nearly
$22,500 (previous week, $23,000).

Caine Mutiny Court Martial,
Plymouth (D) (29th wk; 228; $5.75-
$4.60; 1,062; $33,500) (Lloyd Nolan,
John Hodiak, Barry Sullivan). Just
$33,500 (previous week, $33,400).

Can-Can, Bhubert (MC) (66th wk;
524; $6.90; 1,361; $50,160), Just
$45,200 (previous week, $42,200).

Carousel, City Center (MD) (10th
wk;, 80; $3.60; 3,099; $46,000). Al-
most $29,400 (previous week, $16.-
200); closed last Sunday (8). after
boosting the regular six-week oper-
etta season to a break-even, the
final production earned a $15,000-
$20,000 profit on the eight-week
extension.

Golden Apple, Alvin (MC) (16th
wk; 127; $4.60-$3.45; 1,150; $40,-
807). Over $17,400 (previous week,
$12,800); closed last Saturday (7)
at an estimated loss of more than
the $117,300 investment, including
about 21% overcall. Musical is
currently in its initial week of a
fortnight’s engagement at the Car-
ter Barron Theatre, Washington.

King of Hearts, Lyceurii (C)
(19th wk; 146; $5.75-$4.60; 995;
$23,389) (Donald Cook, Jackie
Cooper). Nearly $8,700 (previous
week, $7,700).

Kismet, Ziegfeld (O) (36th wk;
284; $6.90; 1,528; $57,900) (Alfred
Drake). Almost $51,100 (previous
week, $50,300).

Oh Men, Ob Women, Miller (C)
(34th wk; 278; $5.75-$4.60; 920;
$23,248) (Lloyd Bridges). Over $7,-
300 (previous week, $7,000).

Pajama Game, St. James (MC)
(13th wk; 100; $6.90; 1,571; $51,717)
(John Raitt, Janis Page, Eddie Foy
Jr.). Capacity again over $51,700.

Sabrina Fair, Royale (C) (38th
wk; 301; $4.60; 1,172; $24,000). Over
$8,500 on twofers (previous week,
$9,000).

Seven Year Itch, Fulton (C)
(90th- wk; 717; $5.75-$4.60; 1,063;
$24,000) (Tom Ewell* Just over
$14,700 (previous week,. $13,000).

Solid Gold Cadillac, Music BOx

(C) (40th wk; 317; $5.75-$4.60; 1,-
077; $27,811). Nearly $13,700 (pre-
vious week, $13,500)

• Tea and Sympathy, Barrymore

(D) (45th wk; 357; $5.75-$4.60;
1,060; $28,300) (Joan Fontaine).
Almost $18,500 (previous week,
$17,800).

Teahouse of the August Moon,

Beck (C) (43d wk; 348: $6.22-$4.60;
1.214; $33,608) (David Wayne, John
Forsythe). Over $34,000 (previous
.week, $32,200); capacity at new
scale is $34,008, but take was held
down because soirie seats had been
■pre-sold at the old $5.75-$4.60 top.

Strawhat Incorporates

Forestburgh Summer Theatre,
Inc., has been chartered at Albany
to conduct a theatre and dramatic
school at Failsburgh, N. Y. Ad-
dress of corporation is Monticello,
N. Y. Capital stock is 200 shares,
no par value. Directors are Peter
[G. Sosa. Arthur Bover and Murray

* B. Nesbitt, all of New York.

LEGITIMATE

Wclnetday, Aufiuat 11 , 19 S 4

I *i n*i Dublin Players, Hedda

L6SII DltS Set for Dallas Dates

9 D&llds •AiU8* 10*

John Koenip, designer of sets comedy using songs from various Alfred Sack, operator of the v JJpafreS could ^ destroy wSre^v 1

for both stage and screen versions Rodpers-Hart shows, with a Jiook Coronet, local art theatre, an- (CARTER BARRON, WASH.) ^ent of the sho^ranShf

of “This Is The Army” and of a by George Axelrod . . . Cy Feuer nounces two stage Tbookmgs for the ■ • w , v . * aa : Wl Be k.

dozen Broadway legiters previous- and Ernest H. Martin, producers of coming season. The Dublin Play- Washington, Aug. 9. n£fJP^ va ** n ,® A as

ly, has been named designer for "Guys and Dolls,” have been ap- ers w m appear at the Playhouse “The Golden Apple” swelled to ^*«J r »52J^ r e - ll IiS82* an ™} er-

the new HuStlngton Hartford The- preached by several managements Theatre Jan . 3.5, tour oth er ...iokih .!« tontabt (Mon) com- fne or le»^nXn tKi n ?„m™ rplay ;

atre in Hollywood. Koenig has about touring a cutdown edition of town y n t u e ai . ea including Fort pumpk n slze tonlgn J UVion -'» C0I “ leaning on the whimsy of

been in commercial biz in Frisco the Frank Loesser- Jo Swerling- Abe Worth Denton Ban Antonio, Cor- fortably filling the large stage 61 ^® pa ^', less

the last six years. Burrows musical, but no one has Christi Kingsville, Houston, the Carter Barron Amphitheatre 1 w

John Montague back at his Bos- earn u, - with an Pg_ |“ s au S% K r X»rt and H New’ and, at the same time, managing ^Sds^e^StSy^

shire h0 vacaUon, following windup jama Game’Miave received another Orleans and then to Florida. to hold its quality of soBhisticated solidly vdluable performance. And

of his pressagent stint with the 10% payment, bringing the total Hedda Hopper makes matinee intimacy. . featured holdovers Larry Gates as

N. Y. City Ballet tour ... Richard return to 50% so far on the $250,- and evening lecture appearances There was some question how *!}? fi?ef i ly T\/T««n; ICa TVTiV L ^ my

Seff has moved from the MCA tv 000 investment. Nov. 4 at the Coronet, coming here this jazzed-up opera, sensational an ° t inivnS if* 1 ? 1 as the

department to the legit musicom: William Jakob, head treasurer of i from San Antonio. * off-Broadway and good in a larger are . 5U : i exc e u eiu.

The Golden Apple

(CARTER BARRON, WASH.)

Washington, . Aug. 9.

edy staff . the N.Y. City Center, resigned

St. Paul newspapers continuing Sunday (8) alter 10 years in the
to refuse ads for legit touring at- boxoffice. Expects to be in another
tractions playing their Twin Cities’ n.Y, house next winter .. David
engagement exclusively at the Ly- p a rdoll, exec production manager
ceum, Minneapolis, with ‘‘Picnic,” 0 f the Metropolitan Opera, left
which opens at the Lyceum this Sunday (8) for the Coast, where he

"• . — Broadway house, would fare in the In the .sole important recasting,

■ ■ — — : — “ vaster reaches of an open air, as the colonel, Peter Hobbs is skill-

4,000-seater. The answer is that fully persuasive, although perhaps
DQIHICiI the audience liked it, and business ? u i te the fine pomposity

should be good through its entire that Paul Ford had originally. Of

Continued from page 55 — 10-day run, providing Jupe Pluvius the supporting players, Harry Jack-

unwilling to make an issue of shows the proper respect for the son, William Hansen, Mara Kim

unwilling lo Greco-Roman gods of the ‘‘Iliad” and various Orientals are standout.

For Miss Bennett’s appearance and ‘Oddessy. -■ eloquent scenery

month, latest show to get the go-by will direct a new English version if . • Greco-Roman gods of the “Iliad” and various Orientals are standout.

, . . Woody Parker, an actor, plans of “Carmen” opening Aug. 23 at F Mi ss Bennett’s appearance and “Oddessy.” Peter Larkin’s eloquent scenery

to bow as a producer this fall with the Greek Theatre, Griffith Park, af riint™ thp S had heen set This last is important for rain and Noel Taylor’s costumes have
a hew musical revue, “Nice To Hollywood. S most of todav toreateifed to-’iirash' heen kept In. -shporb condition

Visit,” by Jean Hope Abelson will be associated . signed and the “to be veri- out tonight’s opening. However, “Teahouse” is. still a cinch for

^anT t A‘a e ^d t ?vfwA S tfr C,ated H&JtSSS ‘Sjfe fied" ^ c?catid a Showdown; the skies^learedWm i^tminute months more of smash busmeg.

f.f tirnifor miu U»nvi Kart” MailCA prM tPfl A <;hftWftnwn/ me UCdlCU dl( UH? Aoqt imuuiv r

Press and mag and tv wnter production of N. Richard Nash’s ““ and no less than 2,900 paying cus-

, L»> Austin and Thomas- Noyes .. The Rainmaker" ... Chester on the tomers showed up. With a better — :

plan productions of an untitled Morris will costar with Joseph inclusion of the proviso ' °n_ Jj ay ^ would probably have been «■. . m j *>

drama by Loms Peterson, author Buloff in “Fifth Season,” which ground that it would establish a c i 0 y s ’ e to a sellout. Cloudburst Floods 3

of “Take A Giant Step,” William re oDens SeDt 5 at the Cort. N.Y. precedent, but the star refused to . . t j t t

Arnhihalri’c Hpa'matwaMnri nf Hetirv i ...... clr.ilniir an nn fnr tVip nnpninff nprfftrmanpe . Sensation Of the D. C. produc- LiOnflOn Tjfiglt T

Archibald’s dramatization of Henry Original “stars” Menasha Skulnik go on for the opening performance tin ^ epsa “ l {" oi: construction 1 crane" London Legit. Houses

James’ “Portrait of a Lady Chris- an d Richard Whorf withdraw when Monday night (2) and the curtain L 1 : 0 ”/ 5 .? nj? 5 2t to ^hoist ' London, Aug. 10.

After” ^^^n^ArcWbrid-Baldwin th \ Wa5 flayed until they capitulated. -Three. London theatres were

Bereerson musical titled “The ?? K, virnIsV The reaction of strawhat man- Paris carries off Helen. The flooded by a tropical storm which

Cryftal Heart” . Eva Marie Saint Heiln MeX& theirs 9 ' 'wff'the' ”ele?frh>imh“d

Spiegel' to^tUnd^heVeSice’ FHm of hat tL haV Ameri?an le lhike^ U p S Mre bitter ' They claim that most break- balloon prop suddenlyappeajed were under water; a small dam"?

Festival and the London premiere Festival Theatre & Academy, to be even estimates tend to be con- from a gully sand and sawdust kept the flood

of “On the Waterfront,” in which loca ted at Stratford, Conn. servative rather than inflated, and from the stage of the New Theatre;

she makes her screen debut, but Montv Wool W^iPri last Friday argue that lts im P ractlcal ^ « ot ° w h iJ e the curtain went up at the

may not be able to go if she-ac- (6) M 0 n thrunited^ States 1 ' forParis im P° sslble to supply substantiating ta^the stage in the first act. LyriCt five minutes late, with a few

cepts an offer of the femme lead r! .v n Roif« n Trr! L?d at <lt,.rdav (71 figures. As always, the common Generally, the lyrics are heard buddies still on the boards

in Sidney Kingsley’s untitled new (7) plaint of the silo impresarios is clearly because of the good acous- Puaaies sun on me noaras.

play ^ r0I h London . . 4.u a + there’s no longer anv profit in tics and sound system of the fresh Earlier that week a 40-minute

Jule Styne is planning a musical ™ the field and that they’re lucky to air theatre. Weakest in this_.respect tv show. “Dreamers Highway^’

■ ■■ — v 1 . 51 . ^ rTil; hr pair pupn are the words sung by Virginia beamed from Lime Grove studios

» » Living Theatre, stopped off in Chi- . ‘ ' Copeland, gs Penelope. All too without fiflal rehearsals because ar-

g~W n i~W n — cago * * * Pi' 'essag^t Frank^ ^ Good- It s being freely predicted among frequently her high soprano sacri- tists, scenery and studio were

C M/mv man back to New York after doin 0 barn managers that Miss Bennett fices the words to put across the flooded out

special radio-tv r • exploitation in will neV er he able to get guest mu sic, n ■■ — ■

Chicago for Wonderful Town. bookings in future seasons. The However, the others do better M »" 11 "

1 “ 1 1 Li i 1 - 1 1,1 "r?— actress has indicated that she isn’t and the ly i.i cs S ung by Kaye Bal- ADVANCE AGENTS!

! impressed by that possibility. la rd as Helen, Stephen Douglass

i rG3CG Her immediate intention. Miss as Ulysses, and Bibi Osterwald as COMPANY MANAGERS !

! _ . Bennett says, is to see that she and Lovey Mars, come through clear. ,

; ' Continued from page 55 ^e other members of her “Sa- Principal, soft spot of the musical, We have been serving theatrical

be an angel-

HERE’S YOUR
CHANCE TO BACK
ABROADWAY
SHOW !

ADVANCE AGENTS !
COMPANY MANAGERS !

I reporting his take. Such humility brina” package are not victimized.
[isn’t unknown among barn opera- What kind of a- contract, she asks,

At last, the Broadway theatre is an in- j - ““* v “y >Y “ “ Ul ”“ 6 Ma ‘“ would reauire one nartv to aroent virtually complete lack of solid,

vestment within your reach. For only tors allergic to unions and acquisi- would require one party to accept sinEable m elodv When vou’ve said
50c a share, you can buy stock in % cor- tive talent the other’s Compliance Without ««T ff,? 1 J

poration that invests regularly in I uve Ldieni - vprifipatinnl LaZy Afternoon and Its the

Broadway shows, motion pictures, tele-} In its first nine weeks Under El- Going Home Together,” you’ve said

By i?< DoonnE r ” capital of many invest- ' bs. Bucks has grossed a total of (General practice in star con- it all. However, the sparkling lines
ors. BROADWAY angels, me., creates $62,414 on a graduated scale from tracts for Broadway and the road do an excellent camouflage job.
Snrttn ^ r a g nire n broad^ntfre S ts n lnVheTm $1 to $7 for Saturday nights. Ten- calls for a guarantee, plus a per- Lowe.

tertainment field by diversifying not ticket coupon books are available c-entage of the- gross rather than the

of° re e>; l perience*d, 0f professiona'i fiwsert a 5% discount, and there arc "ft- TcallOUSe »l (lie AugUSl

many of them famous, all of them re- : also group rates. also gets a snare oj trie pro jits, Nlooii

spected names in the theatre, make the I M -,i' the management customarily SUp- ... . .. v

selection of shows worthy of investment. ; Not only have Ellis and Terrell v u es reaular either monthly or (MARTIN BECK, N.Y.)

Few people realize the margin of profit, broken bread and almond cookies P regular eiiner mommy or

returned on original investments in sue- t M . p„ riCQ _' c - r>iovrv.rv.,<- A weekly — financial statements from — . .a

cessfui shows. ' For example, “Voice of Monte Proser s new Playhouse accountant Ed ) Ten months on Broadway have

?" n ^eent to the Playhouse, but 1_ not weakened the quality of “Tea-

the initial investment; “Mister Roberts" thpv „i_ n pap u ftt u pr . c _ r _

paid off 5 to 1; “Harvey" paid off $40 to iney a, : S0 , Slun eacn otner S pro-
$50 for every $1 invested. j grams with season schedules and

These are extremes, of course; the re- i cnppjnl pnnnnnppmpnfQ "RiipItq in-
turns on the average successful shows j special announcements DUCKS in-

are not that high and many shows are a: serted more than 19,000 season

investments «*!*“*«*“ CirCu . s for the

by applying profit against loss, we be- [ first two Weeks of the summer,
lieve that we are offering the safest, , while Terrell has been publicizing

yet devised — and the investment with the J hlS forthcoming Boys From Syra-
turns assurance ° f bringing sub 5tantiai re- j cuse” with some 10,000 fliers at
BROADWAY ANGELS, INC. is offering \ Bucks.

at this time 570^)00 shares at 50c a share. Both havlofts; also havp rnnnpr-
If an established securities firm is em- “ ol - n na y io “j a»SO nave COOper-

pioyed to distribute these securities, | ated on chartering buses from

there is an allowance of $71,250 broker- ; PhiladplDhia hv cnlittint* r^ntalc
age commissions and $12,000 for ex- ™iiaaeipnia Dy spilUing reniaiS,

penses leaving $201,750 working capital, and neither house rips ~the other s
If the entire issue is sold direct, the nnctorc dnu/n Manv timoe than

Current London Shows

London, Aug. 10.

(Figures denote premiere dates)
After the Ball, Globe (6-10-54).

Airs Shoestring, Royal Ct. (4-22-53).
Angels In Love, Savoy (2-11-54).

Both Ends Meet, Apollo (G-9-54).

Boy Friend, Wyndham’s <12-1-53'.
Cockles & Champagne, Pic’dilly (5-28-54).
Dark Light Enough, Aldwych (4-30-54).

Ten mouths on Broadway have
not weakened the quality of “Tea-
house of the -August Moon.” John
Patrick’s dramatization of the Vern
Sneider novel, as staged by Robert
Lewis with David Wayne and John
Forsythe as costars, is still a de-
lightful show. The overworked
word “charm” is inescapably de-
scriptive.

As accurately demonstrated by
the standee-limit attendance at

If the entire issue is sold direct, the nosters down Manv timp«; thpv
Working capital is estimated at S26Q;000. ma “y ll ™ es in ®y

A Letter of Notification under Regulation notify each Other Of good spots to
a has been filed with the Securities it snipe. In emergencies, the convert-

Exchange Commission. This does not _j _;n ° „ *

mean that the Commission ha$ either ap- mill borrows equipment from
proved or disapproved these securities or the tent and vice-versa. Also, pass

passed upon the completeness or accur- _ , i

acy of the statements in the offering Cir courtesies are extended recipr.ocal-

cular issued in connection therewith. ly to members Of both companies.

All of which is possible because

i BROADWAY ANGELS, INC., dept. V2 » the two operations appeal to dis-

! 29 West 65th St. N. Y. 23, N. Y. ! tinctly different crowds. Bucks

I c «I R ^. 4 fV 18 ^ 5 r-- . draws the bulk of its patrons from

fTJuSSuSJ.* C ‘ rcu,ar wlth " ut cosl i the New York-Philadelphta metro-

} i politan areas, while Lambertville

! N ‘ ME I goes big with small towners from

| address J here to Ilershey.

! CITY 1 Those who may have had doubts

I ! about the future of Bucks can rest

1 state » easy. Ellis has things well in hand.

I Phone Number ! “Sinjln” always has had .ditto

L-o. across the river.

Day By The sea, Haymarkct di-26-53). every performance since the open-
Duenna, Westminster (7-28-54). ic th Manrir***

Folies Bergere, Pr. Wales (9-24-53). last UCt. ID, tne Mauiice

Guys and Dolls, Coiiiseum <5-28-53). Evans-George Schaefer production

Hippo Dancing, Lyric (4-7-M). i$ a boxoffice natural that has

intimacy^ ^ aT^Vo, CriteS ?4-29-54). be |n kept remarkably fresh and

joyco Grenfell, Fortune (6-2-54). refreshing. The playing retains the

l!,", 9 . SSm!.' virtVif,"' ai 8 io 53 53>. ■' 1 “ si » n }l y ,.^l, the v ef ;

Manor of Northstead, Duchess (4-28-54). feet IS irresistibly infectious. Not

Meet a Body, Duke York (7-21-54). even a mechanical failure in one

Mousetrap, Ambas. (11-25-52). 0 f the snotliffht fixtures whirh

Murder Slorv. Cnmhrlde* (7-22-S4V. JlXlUreS, WniCn

Duenna, Westminster (7-28-54).

Folies Bergere, Pr. Wales (9-24-53).

Guys and Dolls, Coiiiseum (5-28-53).
Hippo Dancing, Lyric (4-7-54).

I Am a Camera, New (3-12-54).

Intimacy At 0:30, Criterion (4-29-54).
Joyce Grenfell, Fortune (6-2-54).

King and I, Drury Lane (10-8-53).

Love Match, Viet Palace (11-10-53).
Manor of Northstead, Duchess (4-28-54).
Meet a Body, Duke York (7-21-54).
Mousetrap, Ambas. (11-25-52).

Murder Story, Cambridge (7-22-54).
Never Too Late, Strand (6-3-54).

Pal Joey, Princes (3-31-54).

Relations Apart, Garrick (8-3-54).
Sabrina Fair, Palace (8-4-54).

Salad Days, Vaudeville (8-5-54).

Salome & Prostitute, St. Mart. (7-20-54).
Six Characters, St. Jas. (7-20-54).
Teahouse Aug. Moon, Her Maj. (4-22-54).
Wedding In Paris, Hlpp. (4-3-54).
Witness Prosecution, VV. Gard. (10-28-53).
Wooden Dish, Phoenix (7-27-54).

You'll Bo. Lucky, Adclphi (2-25-54).

Your Entertainment, Lindsey (7-27-54).

SCHEDULED OPENINGS
Vienna Operetta, Stoll (8-16-54).
Keeping Cool Place, Saville (8-17-54).
Dry Rot, Whitehall (8-31-54).

CLOSED LAST WEEK
Moon Is Blue, Vaudeville: (3-3:54).

We have been serving theatrical
shows for over 42 years. Ours is
the oldest, most reliable end ex-
perienced transfer company on the
West 'Coast! r

• Railroad privileges for handling
shows and theatrical luggage.

• Complete warehouse faerfifresf

• Authorized in California. Equipped
to transfer and haul cmgwhere in

U.S.I

• RATES ON REQUEST I

Atlantic Transfer Company

GEORGE CONANT
1100 East 5th Street
Los Angeles 13, Calif.

MUiaal 8121 or OXford 9-4764

Complete Mailing Service . . .

“TWOFER”

PRODUCTIONS

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THE PLAYGOER

1238 Cherry St., Phila.7, LOcust 7-5334

CAB CALLOWAY

177th Week as Sportin 1 Life

“PORGY AND BESS*’

Held Over fe Aug. 14
PHILHARMONIC AUDITORIUM
Las Angeles

Mgt.: BILL MITTLER, 1619 Broadway, New York

AUXANPER i H- a ®«

“ r ^ESUE STEVES

aBERTSON • S& ' *W

.HEN DCWWIS

« o • ° • v m 0 o

^ o

r Leave New York Via Luxury Bus at 4:3Q p.m. Sharp
P' Dinner at Monte Proser’s Fabulous New Playhouse Inn
f * Ticket to the Premiere of “The ChOmpogne Complex” al Michael Ellis’s
Famous Bucks County Playhouse, America’s Most Beautiful Summer Theatr*
If All the Champagne You Con Drink
t* Return to New York Arriving at )2«30 a.m.

If All inclusive price $8,95 per person . , ,
for Reservations . * . ELdorado 5*3515

wwhmtor. An«u»t ' 11, 1954

vmnm

LITERATI

61

New Curt!* TV Mij

strong competition for Walter
Annenberg’s TV Guide is looming
with Plans by the Curtis empire to
Jet out a magazine on tv and 'tele
programming. Odd feature is that
the mag won’t be put out by
Curtis Publishing , (Satevepost,
Ladies Home Journal, Holiday,
ptc) but by a 'Curtis subsid, the
Curtis Circulation Co, of N. Y.
Latter n8t dnly distributes and
promotes the Curtis mags, but also
handles Esquire, Coronet, Harper’s,
Atlantic Monthly and Field &
Stream. In roads of TV Guide
sales on Curtis publications around
the country is believed a factor in
creation of the new mag.

Format and title of the new
venture, a weekly to Sell at 15c,
haven’t been decided yet. But pub-
lication is planned for October,
for distrib at first in five eastern
markets, Boston, N. Y., Philly,
Baltimore and Washington. Other
markets will be added later. Mag
will carry both local and national
advertising.

Editor-publisher will be Robert
Wheeler, district Sales manager for
Curtis Circulation. Managing ed
will be Jonathan Kilbourne, one-
time Yank mag staffer who’s
worked for Curtis Publishing
before.

No Squawks From Pop Lib,

Popular Library has secured re-
print rights on Lillian Roth’s best-
selling autobiog, “I’ll Cry Tomor-
row.” No publication date for the
paperback edition has been set yet,
but it has set a January release for
two other, bestsellers. They are
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen’s story of
the life of Christ, “The Eternal
Galilean,” and Saul Bellow’s Na-
tional Book. Award winner, “The
Adventures of Aujgie March.”

The Pines Publications’ subsid
takes issue with current industry
statements about “crises” and
“serious problems” facing the
paperback industry. Firm sold 35,-
000,000 reprints last year, a record
for PL. Topping the list were
Ernest K. Gann’s “Island in the
Sky” with 400,000 sold; Jay
Richard Kennedy’s “Prince Bart,”
400,000 and “The Loving and the
Daring,” by Francoise Mallet, with
600.000. Luke Short’s “Ramrod”
sold 1,000,000 copies, while Ernest
Haycox’s “Rawhide Range” ac-
counted for 800,000 copies.
“There’s nothing unhealthy” about
that, says promotion chief Norman
Hill,

ket like Fortune (250,000) in mind
rather than mass markets like Life
and Time (new circulation figures:
5,400,000 and 1,900,000, respective-
ly).

New publication is* out to tap the
American leisure market, Outfit
toyed with idea — and finally
turned down— of buying out Sport,
a Macfadden monthly. Latter mag,
incidentally, expects to gain from
emergence of 'Sports Illustrated.

Time group could be wrong m
guess on public demand, with the
envisioned class matlcet becoming
the actual mass market. It hap-
pened. before, with Life in 1936.
Circulation outstripped ; ad rates,
with result that mag lost money in
spite of putting lid on runaway
circulation (Look, debuting a little
later, avoided situation by running
adless for a year until circulation
settled).

Besides outside contributors,
there’s a staff of 50, most vets of
Time, Inc., headed by two ex-Life
men— Sid James, managing editor,
and Dick Johnstone, assistant m.e.
The publisher is H. H. S. Phillips
Jr., former Time ad director.

Subjects will include sports cars,
clothes and art, hunting and fish-
ing and howrto hobbies, as well as
the major and minor fan sports.
There will be selective fiction.
Each issue also will have a com-
plete weekly guide of sports activi-
ties for whole Country, with inside
tips on what to do, wear, see, eat
as well as where. One. feature
developed in dummy stage (there
were two dummy issues, last
Winter and last spring) is the
scouting report on each football
team in the big bowl games.

As a publication, Sports Illus-
trated has $1,500,000 worth of ad-
vertising booked. Rates run from
$3,200 for a black and white page
to the $6,000 back cover in four
colors (single b & w column is
$1,200, two-color page $4,000, four-
color page $4,800).

Idea of mag came from Howard
Black, executive veepee Of Time,
Inc., who explored a list of proj-
ects for Henry Luce about 18
months ago, when tv and the cost
escalator were clubbing the mag
business in head and pocketbook.
No. 1 on the list was the sport mag.

Title, out of more than 100 sug-
gested, was bought from Stuart
Scheftel who had it on- Joan to
Dell Publications (which did pub-
lish a Sports Illustrated briefly
after the war).

curacy and fairness In reporting
the news.”

" Bates also has moderated a
weekly meet-the-press type of pro-
gram from the Capitol over WOKO
during the legislative season. His
wife, Marie Tommaney Bates, is
also a legislative correspondent.

Ironton- (O.) Receivership
• Attorney Wayne L. Elkins named
receiver for the Ironton (O.) Pub-
lishing Co., publishers of the Iron-
ton Courier, which suspended as
a daily July 26, after 13 months of
existence.

Mrs. Fronia Sexton, president of
the. company, and operator of sev-
eral theatres in Ironton and Ash-
land, Ky., as well as owner of
much downtown real estate, is
awaiting trial on charges of em-
bezzling more than $114,000 from
the Citizens National Bank of Iron-
ton. She resigned as president of
the bank after the charges were
made.

TV Guide Editorial Shifts
Lee Gottlieb, editor of the N.Y.
edition of TV Guide, will take over
as eastern regional editor with
headquarters in Philadelphia, ef-
fective Aug. 16. New regional of-
fice will incorporate editing and
production of the Chicago, Lake
Ontario, Philadelphia and New
York State editions.

Sho Kaneko, formerly * produc-
tion manager of the Chicago .edi-
tion of TV Guide, becomes produc-
tion and art director of the east-
ern regional office. Succeeding
Gottlieb as editor of the N.Y. edi-
tion is Charles Shapiro, of the na-
tional editorial staff.

„ „ ‘17 And Black*

17 And Black,” first novel by
Jack Waer, former manager of the
Clover Club, Hollywood, and cur-
rently assistant to owner Beldon
Katelman of El Rancho Vegas, Las
vegas, will be published by Viking
Press Sept. 10.

Book by Waer (who describes
himself as “a professional gambler
turned author”) is £ mystery about
® Saitibling casino manager in-
volved in murders aiid assorted
Mayhem in Mexico City.

Time’s New Sports Weekly
s Illustrated, Time, Inc.’s
{lew 25c national sports weekly,
«‘ ck s off with its first issue Fri-
(13), with Aug. 16 dateline
oize of first issue is being held
cown. contrary to usual publishing
144 pages plus four
^ an ts to even out cus-
tJS ary contrast in new mag be-
Jf ®® n ad-fat first issue and skim-
P^r. second.

will be accompanied over
by a promotional
.binding a radio-tv spot
RuE, gn ’- bandied by N Young &
y ni r a T ni ' m five key cities of New
lnpf^ Los J A J?Seles, Chicago, Wash-
n pJ. n an d St. .Louis,

Snorf^rn fi £ st * ssu ^ was d ue out,

^stcated had 350,000 sub-

reefm°^i S t ? e obtained by di-
hou«»? 5.' t0 -: the Time ’ Inc > list and
ZTj ds . lr ? J Time and Life, as
Yo w °J* tside ads in The New
Tho«o l ’ i Vogue and Newsweek,
a vonr l lar ,t er subscribers paid $6
scri ni! A Wltl ? Post-publication sub-
rat ® s a t $7.50 per. •
fie n « .at circulation

g le °f 550,000, with a class mar-

‘Partisan’ JTA?

Politics reared its head in an odd .
direction last Week,_ . when the
Jewish Telegraphic Agency was
accused of presenting one-sided
reports and of taking a partisan
attitude towards the Administra-
tion.

Charge, which the news service
strongly denied, was made by
Bernard Ka'tzen, New York lawyer
and consultant of the Republican
National Committee. The JTA
denied any biased reporting, and
called Katzen’s attack “a shocking
assault of freedom of the press.”

'Troy Pub Sells Out

Troy Pub, Co. which, on May 2,
discontinued publication of the
Troy (N. Y.) Observer-Budget,

leaving a city of 70,000 with only
the Record Papers (morning and
evening), has sold all its printing
equipment to the Rumford (Me.)
Times, a daily physically wrecked
by a fire several weeks ago.

Operations of Troy Pub. will
cease Aug. 20, when it prints for
the Rensselaer County Review (a
weekly) the final contracted edi-
tion. The Cohoes Shopper, another
weekly for which the company did
the printing, has suspended.
Founded in 1876, the company has
been in the Collins family’s hands
for many years. The late State
Senator Michael F. Collins, a mem-
ber of the Legislature from 1888 to
1891 and 1894-5, was long its
president.

Anti-Comics Campaign
“Operation Book Swap” will be
held at the Stark County Fair,
Canton, O., Sept. 6-7. To help rid
that city of objectionable comic
books, the city will swap a $1 book
for any 10 crime and horror comic
books. After that, copies of the $1
books will be featured in down-
town newsstands, in an effort to
diminish the deihand for the wrong
kind of comics.

Ed Bates Retiring
Edward W. Bates, member of the
N. Y. Herald Tribune’s Capitol
Hill staff at Albany since 1931 and
a newspaperman in that city for
52 years, is retiring Sept. 1.
Governor Thomas E. Dewey, in a
letter on his retirement, wrote,
“During all of our years here to-
gether in Albany, you have repre-
sented a solid rock of integrity, ac-

• Alma Mammy Honors
The new journalism building at
Indiana U., Bloomington, Ind., to
be dedicated in October, will be
known as Ernie Pyle Hall. One of
the main rooms of the building will
be named for Don.. Mellett, the
Canton ; (O.) editor who was as-
sassinated in 1926 for an editorial
campaign against underworld and
police collusion there.

Both Pyle and Mellett were for-
mer students at Indiana U., where
both served as editor of the Daily
Student, campus newspaper.

Granik’s Column
Theodore Granik, moderator of
the radio-tv “Youth Wants To
Know” NBC program; which he
produces in cooperation with the
national public relations division
of the American Legion, is syndi
eating a similarly titled column. It
bears the same title.

Granik is moderating the nation-
ally syndicated column which at-
tempts to answer a wide variety
of questions by experts.

A ’Phrase Finder* That Works
A modern Thesaurus is “The
Phrase Finder” by J. I. Rodale,
author of “The Word Finder” etc.,
in. collaboration with Dr. Edward
J, Fluck, former Muhlenberg Col
lege instructor, and published by
the author’s Rodale Press, Emmaus,
Pa. It is a giant $6.95 book, over
1,300 pages, and truly “three books
In one,” as it is heralded, combin
ing the functions of a “Name Word
Finder,” a “Metaphor Finder” and
a book-within-a-book of “Sophisti-
cated Synonyms.”

It is keyed for utilitarian use in
newspaper offices, for writers, et
al., and combines the icky with the
modern definitions, so that its
functional purpose is keyed to em-
brace all facets and periods of
usages for authoring, public speak-
ing, and the like. Abel .

the new Germany, the Scandina-
vian .countries, Switzerland, Hol-
land; Belgium, France and Eng-
land.

The Nation’s Choice, Inc. char-
tered to conduct a lending library
and book store business at 11 East
36th St. f N, JY, C. Directors are
W. Montgomery Jackson.- and
Thomas Yoseloff, 11 East 36th St,;
Murray MacElhinny, 49 Wall St,
Satterlee, Warfield & Stephens, 49
Wall St., filing'attomeys.

George H. Maines, member of
the National Press Club Post, ap-
pointed chairman of the American
Legion’s 1954 convention press
committee. James Harte, former
D. C. newspaperman, named chair-
man of the public relations com-
mittee for the confab which will
be held in Washington starting
Aug. 29. *

ArWood J. Ruttenber, publicity
director of the Washington office
of the N.Y. State Commerce Dept,
and former D.C. correspondent for
the Buffalo Evening News, is re-
signing the former post Aug. 15 to
become city hall reporter for the
Sarasota (Fla.) News. He joined
the State Commerce Dept, as a
$9,000-a-year p.r. consultant id
1951, after serving as publicist for
the Republican State Committee in
Albany from 1949.

Continued from pap %

Ike-Cabinet Film

Continued from, pace 1

- CHATTER

Martin Abramson is doing an
article on Audrey Hepburn for
Cosmopolitan.

Len Leon, former art director
of True mag, joined Argosy in a
similar capacity.

Dell Pub’s comic book based on
“King Richard and the Crusaders”
has hit the 1,000,000 mark.

Gene Fowler’s new book, “Whirl-
wind,” deals with oldtime greats
among newspaper reporters.

Hy Gardner, N.Y. Herald Trib-
une columnist, will, pen monthly
entertainment columns for Bold
and Tempo mags.

Helen Gould is rewriting the
Fr.ed Shevin comedy, “His High-
ness, the Bachelor,” into a four-
part magazine serial.

Hedda Hopper skedded for a
Texas gab tour; San Antonio Nov.
3; matinee and night dates Nov. 4
at the Coronet, Dallas.

Gold Medal Books on Sept. 2
will publish a novel, “Smash-Up;”
by Theodore Pratt, dealing with
the auto accident problem.

Legit pressagent Anthony But-
titta planed to Italy last week to
spend the fall and winter com-
pleting a new novel, “Love's a
Five-Letter Word.”

Ben Simcoe completed a novel,
“Once Upon the Tiber,”, dealing
with shoestring film producers in
Rome before major companies in-
vaded that territory.

“My Philadelphia Father” by
Cordelia Drexel Biddle (Mrs. T.
Markoe Robertson in private life),
as told to Kyle Crichton, is the
story of Anthony J. Drexel Biddle,
which Doubleday will publish this
fall.

August issue of Harper's Bazaar
has devoted 10 pages of special
fashions in color on Metro’s “Brig-
adoon" in a tieup in which the film
|- company is conducting a contest
for department stores. Five trips
to Scotland will be the winning
prize award.

Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. back to
his Reno ranch to edit the Europe
’54 footage he shot in preparation
for his next fall and winter's lec-
ture tour. Films mostly covered

filmed in a two-minute report
from the White House, and Vice
President Nixon, each of the 10
members of the Cabinet will give
90-second talks on the record of
his own executive department,
House GOP leaders SDeaker Mar-
tin and Charles Halleck (R., Ind.),
participate jointly in a 2-minute
report, and the two top Senatorial
leaders, William F. Knowiard of
California, and Styles Bridges of
New Hampshire will talk about the
legislation on their side of Capi-
tol Hill. Individual candidates will
adapt the short to their own use
with two minute endings contain-
ing their film statements.

Although adaptable to tv, feel-
ing is that much of impact of film
would be lost in transference to
black and white. Each Cabinet
member, for example, will be pre-
ceded by shots of the department
seal plus such added color shots
as that of the American flag. Since
most people are not even aware
that there is such a thing as spe-
cial seals for each major agency
of government, let alone having
seen them, the effect of the full
color should be sock: The Presi-
dential seal and flag, too, would
lose much of its drama sans color,
as would some of the background
shots. In addition, the cost of the
half-hour tv time may be a stum-
bling block in many areas.

Film will not be offered to the
networks, and use is expected to
be confined to the local level.
Since it is the first time that the
President, the Vice President, the
entire Cabinet and party leader-
ship have ever appeared in one
film in individual statements, dis-
tribution is expected to be nation-
wide and intense. Cost of prints is
paid by individual members.

Anonymous Unanimous

Continued from page 2

of either slitting her throat or join-
ing the French Foreign Legion.

To forestall either of these fail-
ures, at the approach of any famil-
iar unknown, I usually take two
giant steps in front of the little
lady, and while we are talking I
ignore her as though she were
Senator Symington at a McCarthy
Rally.

Once I really hit the jackpot.
The little woman I was with re-
fused to get. lost. While I was mak-
ing desperate conversation, with
Mr. Unknown, he suddenly opened
up a leather clgaret case and of-
fered me a Lucky. On the case I
caught a fast glimpse of a gold-
stamped name “Charles Martin.”
I felt like Balboa when he first
came upon the Pacific Ocean. No
reason now immediately to men-
tion his name. I toyed with him,
and then at a certain moment casu-
ally said, “That’s just the way I
feel — Chuck.” After that I leisure-
ly said, “Oh, Charley, incidentally,
I would like you to meet the girl
I’m with . . Yep . . . you guessed
it.. . . I forgot her name.

P.S. It looks like my troubles on
this score are over. I just, tnade my
first recording “The Senator Mc-
Carthy, Chairman Mundt, McClel-
lan, Potter, Senator Dirksen
Blues.” After listening to this rec-
ord I’m certain ftom now oh no-
body will remember me l

reorganization within the Authors
League of America,” he said. “TWA
has helped to do it over,” but 'that
the change wasn’t complete.

There’s obvious industry-wide
concern for the outcome of the
scribbler consolidation. Every
event that has taken place, from
the recent abortive strike by TWA
against the three tele networks, to
plans for the realignment of the
writers’ unions, has brought quer-
ies to the office of RWG on “what
does this mean to us?”

Meetings will be held on both
coasts Aug. 25 by the componehts

Writer’* Cramp

Executives in New York ad-
vertising agencies and net-
works are already expressing
mild pique at the confusion of
titles between the new Writers
Guild of America (screen,
v radio, tv scribes) and the 40-
year old Authors League of
America (book, magazine and
stage scribes).

Both titles are regarded as
too “generic” and too sweep-
ing. Newcomers and foreigners
just aren’t going to be able
to . distinguish the League of
Authors from the Guild of
Writers. It’s argued that the
areas in which the new Guild
will operate should be re-
flected in its title.

American Radio, Television
and Screen Writers (ARTS)
had been proposed earlier this
year and executives (who have
no vote, natch) tended to ap-
preciate that name as keeping
things clear.

of WGA to put the stamp on the
constitution. An RWG exec con-
sidered the East Coast approval of
the new organization (to be divided
into Eastern and Western corpora-
tions) would come simply since,
there were few causes for dissen-
sion.

On the West Coast, however,
there are many problems, chief
among them the undercurrent of
personal animosity between some
TWA members and those of the
SWG. Another very important is-
sue that might arise, according to
observers in the East, is that SWG
might “veer away since it figures
it doesn’t need the other union
groups.”

May Bolhower. executive secre-
tary of Radio Writers Guild, has
been axed in accordance with the
Authors League decision to dis-
solve the former group on Sept 1.

The femme staffer was defi-
nitely given notice in a letter
this week from RWG veep Nelson
Sykes, who expressed hope she’d
join WGA.

Continued from page 2

designed four themes: each for a
different type of woman— the Paris
girl, the Vamp, the Cat, and the
Dazzling Creature. It is calculated
to please women of all shapes.

Hubert de Givenchy shortens suit
jackets to the limit and dresses
women like Marie Antoinette
shepherdesses in the evening. The
Versailles film of Sacha Guitry in-
spired many designers. Givenchy’s
mad little hats, hoods, bonnets
amused everybody.

Pierre Balmain’s “Jolie Madame
de France” line is typical of the
sophisticated elegance of France.
It is simple: no gadgets and good
balance. Much tweed. “The tweed
woman” has an important place in
all collections.

Jean Desses picked ail the reds
of summer flowers for his cheerful
opening, and new designer Marc
Bohan injected fresh vigor into the
staid house of Patou.

Despite the interest aroused by
the other showings, the Dior re-
bellion remained the burning issue
and created- a state of panic on both
sides of the Atlantic. Dress manu-
facturers who had no intention of
coming to Paris, dropped every-
thing and rushed over by the first
plane. But the ones who are really
crying are the bra and falsie boys.

Who will win? The aggressive or
the retiring bosom? Marilyn or
Dior? Latter is giving no inter-
views; he has fled to his hideout in
Cannes leaving his commandment
unchanged: “Eight inches from the
shoulder seams!” Meanwhile, all
the women of Paris are checking
“the ideal distance” With their
tape-measures.

I

62 CHATTER

— . » ■' ■ ■ ' 1 "

o • »

Broadway

Jack %. Warner In and out o£
Gotham on his way to Europe.

Mona Freeman in from the
Coast for round of bally activity
for Warner Bros/ “Battle Cry/’

Mildred Shagal, concert exec
with Kenneth Allen Associates,
flying , to Europe next week for a
holiday.

Esther Williams a brief Gotham
visitor en . route to Florida for
underwater sequences for “Jupi-
ter's Darling/'

The Si Seadlers’ (Metro ad man-
ager) son, Stephen, married a
. Swedish girl Ingrid Adolf sson over
the weekend.

Major Albert Warner occupying
a box at the Saratoga (N.Y.) race-
track and staying at the Gideon-
Putnam Hotel.

Miami theatre and tv station
owner Mitchell Wolfson in for a
five-day stay after hi# return from
a European trek.

Bob Weitman, ABC-Par veepee,
and his wife, Sylvia, left last week
on a brief vacation to visit their
children in several different sum-
mer camps.

Ben Piermont, former vaude
booker and brother of NBC-TV’s
Sid Piermont, resting comfortably
at Beth Israel Hosp following an
appendectomy.

One of the two .Bronx 16-year
olds who eloped on a $5,000 spree
is Deborah Anne Fine, whose father
David is manager of the Stanley
Theatre, Bronx, N. Y.

UA foreign chief Arnold Picker
back from a three-week Mexican
trek. Leonard Pearlman, South
African manager, in for homeof-
fice confabs.

Miroslava, Latin-American star,
in from the Coast after completing
co-starring role with Joel McCrea
in UA's “Stranger on Horseback.”
She’s on her way to Europe to
attend the Venice Film Festival.

Judy Garland in from the Coast
on a one-day quickie en route to
Paris and a vacation abroad, ac-
companied by husband, Sid Luft,
producer of “A Star Is Born,”
which Miss Garland just completed
for Warners.

Correspondance courses for juve
performers and children of per-
formers, living out of a trunk, are
being offered again by Calvert
.School,; Baltimore; now in its 50th
year. It numbers among its stu-
dents acrobats, tooters, terpers and
an elephant trainer— all of grade
school age.

Harry E. Gould back from Holly-
wood and Chi quickie, picking up
hi# son Peter in a Colorado camp
en route, where the 12-year-old
had been vacationing. Harry Jr„
16, due back next week from a
European student-tourist-conduct-
ed tour.

CBS execs Seymour Mihtz, presi-
dent of CBS-Columbia Inc., bought
a 10-room dwelling in Stamford,
and CBS veepee Edward L. Saxe
bpught a seven-room house, on a
nine-acre tract, in Westport. Sid
Caesar’s tv scripter Mel Tolkin
purchased a nine-room house in
Eastchester, N; Y.

Fire Island

By Mike Gross

Tom Rogers, Metro’s radio-
contactman, recuperating at Poii
O’Woods.

Helen Baron at Ocean Beach
between chores for Robert Dane
DuMont show.

Gabe Rubin, manager of tl
Nixon Theatre, Pittsburgh, in f
a two-day stay.

Theatre owner Wilbur Snap
and wife Eleanor Kilgallen stayii
at Ocean Bay Park.

Columbia Pictures’ publici
chief A1 Rylander weekending wi
the Lester Gottliebs. *

Choreographer Bob Fosse ai
wife Joan McCracken became hori
owners at Fire Island Pines.

Scrabbling foursome on tl
heach: . Dave Garroway, Li
Melamed, Henry White and Llo
Leipsig.

Gerald Price, who’s going in

Fanny, and his wife, comedieni
Sylvia Miles, at Dave Alexander
, Among the weekenders: Sta
designer Leo Kerz, arranger Jimr
Mundy, conductor Samuel Matlo
sky, thesp Gilbert Green and tnui
publisher Morty Palitz.

Paris

By Gene Moskowitz
(28 Rue Huchette; Odeon 49-44)
Charlie Beal switching from Cal-
vados to Mars Club.

Sue Stanley, American singer,
clicking at Dinarzade,

Pre-war U. S. pic, “Boots Ma-
lone” (Col), into Cinema D’Essai.

■ Olympia starts monthly bills in
September instead of the usual
two-week runs.

Harold Clurman and Robert Jo-
seph here after legit producing
chores in London.

Marlene Dietrich, here for re-

hearsal of new French songs, will
sing at polio benefit gala in Monte
Carlo Aug. 12.

H. G. Clouzot shooting around
Charles Vanel in his new pic, “Les
Veuves” (The Widow), until Vanel
comes back from his Hollywood
stint in “Catch A Thief” (Par), ,

Jacques Chabassbl, young film
find, who registered in Julien Duvi-
vier flicker, “Maurizlus Affair,”
inked for big role in Christian.
JaqUe pic of Emile Zola’s “Nana.”

Morey Amsterdams, vacationing
through Europe, met up at Cannes
with the Gordon Irvings (Variety
mugg in Scotland), also on a pleas-
ure trek through France and Italy.

Society of Authors here giving
Paule Rolle, directress of Gymnase
Theatre, the go-ahead for rehears-
als on Marc -Gilbert' Sauvajon’s
adaptation of Somerset Maugham’s
“Theatre” to play this house next
season,

Elvire Poppsco off on a tour of
the French resort center# with an
old legit fave of hers, “Ma Cousine
De Varsovie” (My Warsaw Cousin)
until the opening next season in
Paris of Jean Cocteau’s “La
Machine Infemale.”

By Emil W. Maass

Metro Kino, still showing “Quo
Vadis” (M-G), registered the 100,-
000th visitor.

State Opera basso Karl Doench 1
going to Buenos Aires after Salz-
burg festivals.

Record run of ‘.‘Teahouse” in
Josefstadt continues. Now past
60th performance.

Austrian-German film exchange
treaty for 1955 favors Germany
with 95 against 15.

O. W. Fischer will direct the
film, “Smiling' God,” in Munich,
his first megging job.

Marcel Prawy produced “South
Pacific” on American sponsored
Red-White-Red network. - -

Tenor Kurt Wehofschitz inked
by Rio. de Janeiro Opera House
for 12 appearances this fall.

State and city agreed to set up
a monument in Burg Garten for
the late writer, Hugo von Hof-
mannsthal.

Austrian Guenther Philipp in
Munich to star in Gloria produc-
tion of Franz Lehar’s operetta,
“Zarewitsch.”

Cleveland

By Glenn C. Pullen
Jeno Mate, former actor in “Sta-
lag 17,” turned gypsy troubador at
Encore Room.

Manger chain, which took over
Hotel Allerton, spending $70,000
in remodeling its supper club.

Kay, George and Jon Paderew-
ski, musical family team that sold
its Florida restaurant, clicking big
at Alcazar Hotel’s club,

Frankie Laine as guest vocalist
with Cleveland Summer Symphony
pulled boffo biz for last week’s
pop concert in Public Hall.

Hollenden’s Vogue Room
dropped floor show, giving George
Duffy’s band a seven-week vaca-
tion until mid-September. Slump
in biz, caused . by paucity of con-
ventioners, and need to redecorate
club given as reasons for sharp
curtailment.

Washington

By Florence S. Lowe

Alice Freer, local radio femme-
caster, named to high post in dis-
trict’s Juvenile Court.

Mutual news commentator Gun-
nar Back off on tour of Europe as
soon as Congress adjourns.

Washington native son and so-
cialite Woody Morgan, a recent
click at New York’s Warwick Hotel,
current singer at Hotel Shoreham
Terrace with the “12 Enchanted
Violins” and Barnee orch.

Connee Boswell a click in Casino
Royal nitery stint in past week.

Natonal Theatre boss Edmund
Plohn recuperating in a Jocal hos-
pital after becoming ill en route
from Europe.

Maxim Lowe, vet talent booker
of Shoreham Hotel, planning to re-
turn to work on limited schedule
after serious illness.

Honolulu

By Walt Christie

Jane Froman back to California
after 12-day vacation.

King Sisters due in for run at
South Seas, Waikiki nitery.

Joe Maize and his Cordsmen
continuing to draw crowds to Lau
Yee Chai.

Royal Hawaiian Hotel, fanned by
brisk breeze of competition, heav-
ily plugging its Surf Room Sunset
Hour. Music is by Honey Kalima
and his Boys.

Artie Shaw, Norman Granz, Ella
Fitzgerald, Buddy Rich, Jerry
Colonna, Georgia Henry, Johh
Lewis, Benny Reyes . and publicist
Arthur Shurgin in for a brief stop-
over on San Francisco-bound flight
from Australia.

London.

Eugenp Ormandy to conduct the
Danish State Radio Symphony
Orchestra at the Edinburgh Fes-
tival. *

Ralph Richardson out of “A Day
By the Sea” for One night because
of sudden -illness, of his wife,
Meriel Forbes.

Abbey Simon, American pianist,
featured player in Jubilee season
of Royal Albert Hajl Promenade
Concerts Aug. 2,

Thornton Wilder’s “The Match-
maker’’ is to be produced at the
Edinburgh Festival with Ruth Gor-
don in the lead.

Tommy Trinder to make his
debut in ice shows when he stars
in Claude Langdon’s “Cinderella
on Ice” atAhe Empress Hall Dec. 2.

Harry Foster due back from
two-week- vacation Aug. 13. He is
rushing back from France a week
earlier because of sudden deals
which have cropped up.

Michael Bentine, currently play-
ing the Moss. Empire theatres,
signed by David N. Martin to play
12 to 18 months on vaudeville tour
of Australia opening Oct. 25.

Noel Coward to begin a series
of five half-hour broadcasts Aug.
20. Titled “Words and Music,” it
features Joyce Grenfell, Graham
Payn and Victoria Campbell.

Roger Livesey stars in “Keep in
a Cool Place,” a Scottish comedy-
by William Templeton, due at the
Saville Aug. 17. Play is being di-
rected by Jevan Brandon-Thomas
for William Sherwood.*

Benjamin Britten’s new opera,
“The Turn of the Screw,” is to
preem in Venice next month before
its debut at Sadler’s Wells, early
in October. It will be presented by
the English Opera Group.

Despite warm reception by audi-
ence and press, “The Wooden Dish”
is in the red for $17,000 since its
opening July 27 at the Phoenix.
To keep from folding, the cast has
offered to cut its salaries to a mini-
mum.

Val Parnell booked Tommy
Trinder, who has just returned
from Australia after two years, for
entire Moss Empires tour. Trinder
is lining up a vaudeville unit and
may be ready to open late this
month.

Orch leader Percy Faith arrived
in London last week for a 10-day
vacation as part of a seven-week
tour of Europe. He broadcast an
interview, and also conducted the
orchestra, with the BBC Show
Band Mon. (9).

Morton Fraser and His Har-
monica Gang make their first ap-
pearance at the Palm Beach
Casino, Cannes, Aug. 14. After two
weeks, combo returns to England
to resume Moss Empires dates.
Gang also booked to play return
dates in Paris this fall.

William Dieterle reached town
with his production staff to estab-
lish permanent headquarters of
Republic Pictures in Munich.
Yvonne de Carlo, Rhonda Fleming
and Rita Gam signed by Herbert
J, Yates for leads in “The Magic
Fire,” the story of Wagner, which
rolls in Germany Sept. 1L

Havana

By Jay Mallln

Miguelito Valdez at Tropicana.

Work begun on the Habana Hil-
ton.

New daily, Diario Nacional, to
begin publication soon.

Huge - economic development
plan okayed by cabinet includes
funds for building three new film
studios.

“Night People” (20th) at the
Trianon and Payret while “Execu-
tive Suite” (M-G) is at the Mira-
mar and Rodi.

The government reports that the
National Theatre, including two
large auditoriums, will be com-
pleted next May.

■* Cuban press reports that John
Ford may direct a CinemaScoper
here as a co-production with Cuban
group and 20th-Fox.

Pittsburgh

By Hal V. Cohen

Dolly- Artnak left iceshow at An-
kara to rejoin the rehearsing “Ice
Cycles.”

Tommy Riggs back and would
like to settle down in the old home
town again.

Harry Belafonte booked fpr re-
turn date at Vogue Terrace week
of Sept. 20.

Wolfe Kaufmafl finished p.a, job
with summer opera company and
went back to N. Y.

Variety Club’s annual banquet
will be held this year Nov. '21 at
William Penn Hotel.

Nat Nazzaro and his wife, Marge,
bought a new ranch type house in
the Oakhurst district.

Jake Soltz, owner of Rumba The-
atre, around again after serious ill-
ness of several months.

, Ralph Pielow, Metro manager.

Wednesday,, Aagngf U, ^54

underwent third operation at St.
Clair MemoriarHospital.

Al Nobel back at Copa this week
topping at room he originally
opened with Frankie Laine in 1948.
- Don McGovern, who has the
band at Playhouse Grill, and his
wife, celebrated 15th wedding anni.

JoeW. Walker

Mr. and Mrs. John B. Kelly in
audience at Warner Theatre Thurs-
day/night as “Rear Window” was
given first resort showing, with
their daughter, Grace Kelly, in one
of leads.

Harlem Globetrotters attracted _

5(000 at $3.50 top meeting U. S. i in town after an eastern plugeinff

4m 1\AM nfli- r AM fPtMMAMM I 4 a11M DO Q

Stars in benefit for Olde Tymer#
Club’s Youth Assistance Fund at
outdoor Bader Field stadium Fri-
day (6) night.

Frank Keenan back into Paddock
International.

Paradise, Sugar Hill, and Cotton
Club, three sepia night spots, all
going strong.

Wayne & Fontaine extra attrac-
tion in Mayflower’s Holiday Room.

Vaughn Monroe into Steel Pier
vaude Sunday (8), with Artie Dann,
Wazzon troupe, Four Kovacs; Frank
Ross and Anita La Pierre.

Ralph Marterie orch in Marine
ballroom.

South Africa

By Arnold Hanson

Danny Kaye’s “Knock on Wood”
(Par) is breaking records in South
Africa. .

Maurice Schwartz has started a
tour of South Africa with I. J.
Slingers’ “The Brothers Ash-
kerazi.”

Dame Sybil Thorndyke here en
route to Australia. On her return,
she will play a short season in
Capetown.

The Sadler Wells Ballet Co., just
completed touring South Africa.
It played to packed houses in
nearly every spot.

Brian Brooke Theatrical Co., do-
ing nice biz with a number of
plays, including “What Anne-
Brought Home,” “Fallen Angels”
and “For Better or For Worse.”

EngUn" d BUr * 0n Planed froi »
Hernando Courtright left for Eu-
rope on business, - - ■

Mary Livingston recovering
from minor r surgery. *

Phil Carey and Kim Novak east
on tour to plug “Pushover.”

Lou Greenspan hospitalized for
a checkup and observation.

Arthur Lubin checked in at Ui
after three weeks ip England,
i. Aim Blyth named queen of the
Sheriff’s Championship Rodeo.

Tony Curtis to Chicago for
‘Black Shield of Falwdrth” preeni
Joe -Kirkwood and Cathy Downs

tour.

Thelma Ritter in from N.Y. for
Hollywood preem of “Rear Win-
dow.”

Yul Brynner in from San Fran-
cisco for huddles with Cecil B
DeMille. ’

Barbara Ayres joined the Bob
Brandies Agency as an associate
and treasurer.

Harold Wirthwein returned from
tour of Allied Artists exchanges in
the Northwest.

Sam Israel returned to his Uni-
versal desk after nearly two
months of illness.

Douglas Kennedy left for Alaska
to start his role in Lindsley Par-
sons’ “Ketchikan.”

Elroy Hirsch completed “Un-
chained” and rejoined the Rams
for his ninth grid season.

Milly Vitale arrived from Rome
for her role in “Eddie Foy and the
Seven Little; Foy s.”

Jerry Pickmari checked in at
Paramount for studio huddles with
Y. Frank Freeman and Don Hart-
man.

Berlin

By Hans Hoehn

John Brahm will direct the Occi-
dent film, “Die Goldene Pest.”

Josephine Baker and Charles
Trenet signed for two Berlin pix
this summer.

“Caine Mutiny” (Col) declared
valuable by the West German Cen-
sorship Board.

William Dieterle is reported like-
ly to make a biopic on Richard
Wagner in Germany,

Katharine Dunham’s Ballet
signed by CCC and Gloria to ap-
pear in “Gloria Star Parade 1954.”

Karl Stepanek returned to Ber-
lin after an absence of 15 yeairs.
A British national, he has a role in
“Prize of Gold.”

Chicago

Ben Hecht here to tub-thump
new tome, “Child of a Century.”

Mimi Benzell current in “Show
Boat” at Highland Park Music
Theatre.

Singer Jacquelyn Burtell to
Greenland and Iceland to enter-
tain troops.

Al Slavin, formerly with Leo
Salkin agency, opened own office
here last week.

Horace McMahon here last week
to bally “Susan Slept Here,” cur-
rent at the Woods.

Playwrights ’Theatre Club drew
rave notices from daily critics for
“Tempest,” in Shakespearean fes-
tival, which winds up with “Romeo
and Juliet” next week.

Mrs. Elliott Fishman, who owns
Virgin Isle Hotel in St. Thomas,
Virgin Islands, in Chicago for two
weeks visiting family of Lou
Mindling, William ' Morris topper
here.

George Simon rejoined Variety’s
Chi staff, replacing Vic Wilmot
who goes to Recordland Magazine.

Dave O’Malley, George Gobel’s
personal manager, in town for
comic’s Palmer House opening
Aug. 12. -

The Templehof Air Base used
for location shots in the Warwick
film, “A Prize of Gold,” starring
Richard Widmark.

American Forces 0 Network in
Berlin last Wednesday (4) cele-
brated its ninth anniversary of
bringing programs to the American
community in Berlin.

The life story of Harry Liedtke
may be filmed by a U. S. company.
Harry Liedtke, German screen
star, was killed in 1945 when the
Russians invaded Berlin,

Memphis

By Matty Brescia

Denny Beckner to Claridge Ho-
tel’s Magnolia Roof for two weeks.

Gene Plumsted supervising pro-
gram operations at WMPS, Mem-
phis ABC outlet.

Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey
circus pencilled in at the Fair-
grounds. for second week in Octo-
ber.

Bucks County, Pa.

Aaron Frankel to direct John D.
Hess’ new comedy, .“The Facts of
Life,” which preems Sept. 13 at
Bucks Playhouse. Albert Selden
and.Mort Gottlieb may ship it to
B’way.

Down to Proser’s palatial place
recently were Charlie Ruggles,
George MacCready, columnist
Louis Sobol and his boss. George
Hearst, William Inge and Harold
Clurman.

Down to the Playhouse this week
were Ralph Alswang, scene de-
signer; Elaine Perry, producer of
“King of Hearts”; Bella and Sam
Spewack, Jack Pearl, Joey Faye.
Carl Byran, story editor, and Carl
Reiner.

John Gerstad, who directed “The
Automobile Man” last week at
Bucks, to work “The Champagne
Party,” new Leslie . Stevens
comedy, which bows at Bucks Aug.
23. Patricia Smith and Elliott Reid
have two of three roles in show.

Ray Pearl orch along with Mem-
phis warbler Betty Kelly at Pea-
body Hotel Plantation Roof for two
weeks,

Mike Korber, radio-tv flacker
and nOw heading up his own Kor-.
ber Associates out of Miami, in
town visiting outlets.

Theona Bryant, New York model,
in town with a mobile museum
hypoing “The Egyptian,” skedded
for a September showing at the
downtown Malco.

Marguerite Piazza shuttled back
here from a tv appearance with the
Dorsey Bros, to the weekly concert
at the Overton Park Shell. Sing-
er is Mrs, Bill Condon, wife of the
American Snuff exec here.

Charles McElravy just returned
from Auditorium manager’s con-
clave on West Coast and again
elected national sec-treasurer. The
Memphis showman has booked
Sonja Henie’s ice show here for
week of Nov. 17.

San Diego

By Donald Freeman

Nelson Eddy signed for return
date at Top’s in September.
"Irving Granz’s “Jazz a la Carte,
featuring units of Dave Brubeck,
Shorty Rogers and Chet Baker,
drew well at Russ Auditorium con-
cert.

Maxie Rosenbloom and team of
Cross, and Dunn, prepping come-
back, entertained at annual press
party before Del Mar race track-
opening.

Brian Aherne appeared at preem
of “About Mrs. Leslie” at riew
Capri Theatre, benefit being held
for San Diego Girls Club # spon-
sored by The San Diego Union.

National Shakespeare Festival
opened at Old Globe Theatre un-
der Craig Noel’s direction. In rep
style, . six-week festival includes
“Othello/ “Twelfth Night*” “Mer-
chant of Venice.”

PAUL SMAI.L , , j
Paul .Small, 45v New York and
Hollywood agent, died of a heart
attack Aug.' 6. In New Vork.

Details in the vaude section.

• COLETTE

cidonie Gabrielle- Colette, 81,
nne of the foremost French novel-
ietc who wrote under her last
name, died Aug. 3 in Paris, She
was probably best known in the
u s lor her novel, “Glgi," which
, v i,s done as a French film in 1950
and the following year adapted for
Broadway by Anita Loos.* Colette
personally chose Audrey .Hepburn
to appear in the legiter, which was
the actress' first major assignment.

Colette, whose output included
over 50 novels and numerous short,
stories was elected the first
woman president of the Goncourt
Academy. Her literary career be-
can when she married music critic
Henri Gauthier-Villars; who also
turned out books under thfc name
of Willy. While With him she Wrote
the "Claudine” novels, which he
edited and sent out under his own
name. . \

• Colette later became a mUsic
hall dancer, a drama critic, politi-
cal writer, fashion critic and
author of a column on cooking. In
1920 she wrote "Cheri which she
dramatized and in Which she
played the major role. Her novels
included “La/Vag'abonde,”
“Renee," the "Caroline” series and
“L’ingenue Libertine.”

Colette divorced her first hus-
band, Gauthier-Villars,” and mar-
ried Henri de Jouvenel, a news
editor, with that union also ending
in divorce. In 1935 she married
Maurice Goudeket. She had a
daughter by her second marriage.

LUCIEN MURATORE
Lucien Murat.ore, 76, French
operatic tenor, died July 16 in
Paris. A former * member of the
Chicago , Opera Co., he was born
in Marseilles and made his initial
stage appearances as an actor at
the Varietes in Paris and the
Monte Carlo Casino. He acted for
a time with Sarah Bernhardt and
in 1902 made his operatic debut at
the Opera Comique and sang, at
that theatre for the next ten years.*
In 1913, Muratore made hi$
debut with the Chicago Opera and
left the company the following
year to serve with the French
Army, He returned to the com-
pany during ; the 1915-16 season
and remained until 1923. He sang
at the Metropolitan Opera House
with the Chicago troupe, but was
not a member of the Met. He also
appeared in Boston and at the
Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires.

His wife survives.

ZACK TERRELL
Zack Terrell, 75, retired circus
showman, died Aug. 5 in the Mayo
Clinic, Rochester, Minn., after an
illness of several years. The last
show owned by Terrell, jwho began
his career in 1904 as a peanut and
popcorn hawker for John Robin-
son’s Circus, was the Cole Bros.
Circus, which he sold in 1948 for
a reported $350,000. He gave up
his Louisville home and retired to
his birthplace in Owensboro, Ky»
In 1908, Terrell joined the Hag-
enbeck-Wallace^ Shows and in 1912
switched to the Howes-London Cir-
cus. The following year he man-
aged a Howes-London subsid, San-
Greater European Circus. In
1919 he bought an interest in the
Sclls-Floto Circus. The Ringling
Bros, bought him out in 1919 and
niade him manager of Sells-Floto
combined with Tom Mix.

_ CHARLES DE LIMA'
Charles Abinon de Lima, 82,
Playwright and forme* 1 ' legit actor,
died Aug.^8 in Nice, France. Born
in Brooklyn, he acted' in character
roles and penned such plays as
« ft.pudi 8 ," "Rouge et Noir”
and “Vmgt et Un.”

. De Lima was also known as a
'.doctor, and was one of the
oldest members of The Lambs,
having joined that org in 1908. He
|'ved in France for the last 25
M?ars and frequently visited the

Pli H [ s wife, the former Florence
ffi Qh ?£ d * P ar > s fashion editor for
, Woman’s Home Companion,

;!® dt . wo y ears ago. A. son and a
daughter survive.

. FLOYD HOLM

Holm * 43, veepee and
associate director of radio and tv
nf ^ 0I hPt°n .Advertising Inc., died
of peritonitis Aug. 7 in New York.
i<f, 30ined Compton a little over
ah / e 2 rs a 8o as a radio producer
formerly was manager of
agency s Hollywood office.

At one time Holm was a singer,
™ e . m . ber of the "‘Breakfast Club"
quartet and of "Escorts and Betty"

in Chicago. At Compton, he had
been particularly associated with
the radio production of /‘Truth Qr
Consequences” and later the tv
show, "Fireside Theatre.”

.Wife, three daughters, his mother
and a sister survive.

ANftE FOLLMANN *

Anne Follmann, 41, leglVtv ac-
tress, died Aug. 9 in New York.
Mrs. Follmann played in repertory
for five years at the Hedgerow
Theatre, Moylan, Pa. She appeared
in "The Little Foxes," "Thr.ee.Men
on a Horse" . and "Girls in ^Uni-
form.”

In, 1950, poor 'health forced her
to retire from the stage. She at-
tempted to resume her* acting
career in 1951 in "Rain” with Law-
rence Tibbett, but was unable to
go on.

Husband, her mother and a sister
survive. .

PHIL OHMAN

Phil Ohrnan, 57, vet - bandleader
and songwriter, died of a kidney
infection Aug. 8 in .Santa' Monica,
Cal., after a long illness. He started
his band career on the Coast in
193£ via a stint at the Trocadero.

Ohman later batoned at the Mo-
camb'o, Ciro’s, Beverly Hills Hotel
and more recently at the Players
Restaurant. Among his tunes were
"Dream Awhile" and "Lost," both
of which he collabed with Johnny
Mercer.

Surviving are his wife, a brother,
Ernest, former ' Hollywood agent,
and another brother.

ARTHUR RISCOE
Arthur Riscoe, 57, top. line come-
dian for years died Aug 6. in Lon-
don after years of ill health. He
got his first stage chance in Aus^
tralia, joined the army there and
fought during the first World War.

Apart from many successes in
musical comedy in later years, Ris-
coe also wrote pop songs. His last
appearances were in "Will Any
Gentleman?” in 1951,' which he
had to leave due to illness, and in
the touring company of "And So
To Bed” which terminated last
May.

Survived by wife and daughter.

MRS. E. R. SCHLOSSHAUER
Mrs. E. R. . Schlosshauer, 73,
operatic and concert singer, died
Aug. 3 in Heidelberg, Germany,
after a brief illness. Born in Plym-
outh, Pa., she made her debut in
1921 with the Chicago Opera Co.
She later appeared in New York
with that company.

Mrs. Schlosshauer also appeared
with the Staatsopera of both Ber-
lin and Vienna and in 1931 was
cast in tne May Festival at Ann
Arbor, Mich. In Europe she sang
as Eleanor Schlpsshauer-Reynolds.

A son, two sisters and a brother
survive,

L. G. BISSINGER
Louis G. Bissinger, 76, retired
veteran Texas exhibitor, died Aug. i
4 in Pasadena, Cal. He started in
show business in Houston in 1906.
From 1913. to 1947 he operated the
Queen, midtown Dallas Ulmer.
During that time he was also
associated with Dallas’ early vaude
houses, the Washington and Gaiety.
He retired in 1947 and moved to
the Coast.

Survived by his, wife, daughter
and sister.

GINO TAGLIAPIETRA
Gino Tagliapietra, 64, Italian
composer, died Aug. 8 in Venice,
Italy. His best known works were
a concerto for piano and orchestra,
His compositions also included a
requiem composed in 1924 and a
ballet, "La Bella Dromante nel
Bosco,” written in 1926.

Tagliapietra also wrote etudes ;
and shorter piano pieces and a
cadenza for BeetRbven’s Piano i
Concerto No. 3.

JOSEPH S. BROWNELL
Joseph S. Brownell, 80, onetime
•treasurer of the old Harmanus
Bleecker Hall and the Empire The-
atres, in Albany, died Aug. 5 in
Schenectady, N. Y., after a long
illness. He also toured the U. S.
as manager of ’’Uncle Toni's!
Cabin.”

Surviving are two daughters.

GEORGE WILSON
Alfred Ensom, 100, Britain’s old-
est actor, professionally known as
George Wilson, died July 30 in
London. He began his acting ,
career at the age of 86 after retir-1
ing from the tailoring business.

He had appeared in several
films Including "Colonel Blimp,”
"Caesar and Cleopatra” and
"Henry V.”

JACK SIMPSON
Jack Simpson (Louis John Simp-
son), north of England vaude

agent, diet! at Manchester, Eng,,
recently. He had been a principal
of the Sley Agency for years, and
handled thousands of vaude per-
formers. . ,

Simpso.n refused to change name
of his agency after his partner,
Will Sley, died in Feb., 1941, and
carried on the business under its
longtime title.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT

Claude Alexander Conlin Sr„ 74,
magician known professionally as
Alexander the Great and for years
a headliner on top vaude circuits,
died Aug. 5 in Seattle. More re-
cently a resident of North Holly-
wood, Cal., he became ill July 23
while on his annual visit to the
northwest. .

Surviving are a daughter, two
sons and a sister.

« _ ^ 7~T — r

Wife, 42, of Eddie Anderson,
professionally known as Rochester
of Jack Benny’s shows, died Aug.

5 in Los Angeles after a two-year
illness, A son, Billie Anderson, a
member of the Chicago Bears pro
football team, survives besides her
husband.

Lester F. Winters, 48, payroll
accountant ferr Panoramic Produc-
tions, died Aug. 1 in a motor crash
near Pico, Cal. He was formerly
with Columbia and RKO.

. • i —

Harold Hendel, brother of James
Hendel, U A manager in Pittsburgh,
died in Pitt July 22 after a long
illness. An uncle is Harry Hendel,
Vfet Pitt theatre owner.

Hanson (Pete) Fritch, 66, Holly-
wood film, editor for years, died
of a heart attack in Hollywood
Aug. 6. Wife and three sons* all
film editors, survive.

Peggy McCarthy, 39, former
cashier at the Roxy Theatre, N. Y.,
died Aug. 6 at the Variety Clijbs-
Will Rogers Hospital, Saranac
Lake, N. Y.

Sister, 45, of William, Harry,
Louis and Bernard Brandt, theatre
operators, died Aug. 5 in New
York. A daughter and a sister also
survive.

Father of Dawn Mitchell, dancer
with Civic Light Opera Assn, ifi
Pittsburgh, died July 28 in New
York.

Harry Russell Gurney/ theatre
manager, died July 30 at Llandud-
no, Wales. He had been with the
Gaumont circuit for 35 years.

Jose L Medina, concert pianist,
died July 30 in Los Angeles. His
Wife, two daughters and three
grandchildren survive.

John Windle, 58, manager for
more than 20 years of Sunbeam
Theatre, Sheffield, Eng., died re-
cently in that city,

Ernest Whitman, 61, who ap-
peared as Bill Jackson on the radio
and tv "Beulah” shows, died Aug.

6 in Los Angeles.

Father, 82, of .actress Miriam
Hopkins, died Aug. 4 in Kankakee,
111. Also surviving are two other
daughters.

Mother, 73. of screen writer
DeVallon Scott died of cancer Aug.
4 in North Hollywood.

Mother, 65.' of actress Janet Wal-
do, died July 27 in Hollywood.

Politicos

Continued from page 1

over, both on tv and on the 16m
club and political meeting circuit.
The budget-conscious candidate
has discovered the . economy of
film, as well as the advantage of
the more polished production.

Flock of Spots

Another innovation of this year’s
tele-politicking will be the wide
use of spot endorsements for local
candidates by national leaders of
both parties. Speaker Joseph W.
Martin (R.-Mass.), Minority Leader
Sam Rayburn D.-Tex. ) , Majority
Leader Charles Halleck (R.-Ind.)
and Minority Whip W. McCormack
(D.-Mass,) are among those who
have made one-minute film spots
endorsing members of their respec-
tive parties. Candidates tail these
to their own local shows, or buy
tv spots' to plug their causes. Rep.
Franklin D. Jffooseyelt, Jr., D.-
N. Y.) and Rep. Charles Howell
(D.-N. J.), for example, have sev-
eral dozen members of Congress
endorsing them on individual one-
minute spots with which they plan
to saturate' their districts’ channels.

Probably most precedent -break-
ing use of political tv is in Ohio,
where GOP Rep. George H.
Bender/ a pioneer in the use of

radio campaigning, and Democratic
incumbent 'Thomas A, Burke are
wrestling for the seat left vacant
by the death of the late Robert
A. Taft. A lumber company has
bought time on eight stations
spotted throughout the state, and
presents each candidate in his own
tv campaign short on alternate
weeks. Robert Coar, director of
the Congressional Radio-TV Stu-
dios, and his staff, prepare four
prints weekly. These are used
simultaneously on half the partici-
pating station, complete with com-
mercials. This is probably the first
time a public service contributor
has entered straight political tele-
casting.

In some cases, as in South Da-
kota, entire delegations of one
party are preparing film for tv.
In others, several candidates team
together to win votes via tv. Big-
gest users of this particular brand
of campaign tv probably have been
Democratic Senators Lyndon John-
son, of Texas, and Robert Kerr,
of Oklahoma, both of whom virtu-
ally blanketed their states with,
weekly shows, in advance of their
successful primaries.

Such shorts as “The Red Web,"
a GOP National Committee com-
pilation of the Communist expose
in government; the H-Bomb pic,
"Operation Ivy"; and a short based
on the Harry Dexter White case,
narrated by Rep. Charles Brown-
son (R.-Ind.), will be widely used,
with foreword or endings by the
local candidates.

Most shows are scaled for the
15-minute segment, but some run
as long as half-hour. Many are bio-
graphical sketches of the member’s
Congressional lives, uring stock
footage, as well as live shots, to
trace their records of legislation.

The ample film files kept by Coar
are being given a daily workout,
with frequent forays into those of
such government agencies as De-
partment of Defense and Civil De-
fense Administration for back-
ground material.

Though all Congressional - made
vidpix are usable for radio-tv
simulcasts, the use of radio is
likely to follow the pattern set in
previous ' campaigns, largely be-
cause there are few new worlds
to chnqUer in that field. In video,
however, the present quorum of
75 representatives and 25 senators
who use tv regularly is likely to
go much higher in the next Con-
gress as a result of the new record
in the grassroots use of tv.

Macao

Continued from page 2 —

attendants, plus scatterings from
other countries of Asia.

U.S. personnel down from Japan,
usually stay overnight. An all-
expense stopover at $20 includes
hotelroom, three meals, sightseeing
trip, including a visit to an opium
den under the rein of a profes-
sional guide, and return ferry fare
to Hong Kong.

There are no Western style
nightclubs, their closest replica
being the dancehalls. Filmhouses
show only Chinese product from
Hong Kong, Formosa and Red
China, with an occasional Soviet
film with Chinese subtitles.

Locally-made films will soon be
available in Macao with the recent
opening of a studio here. Silveria
Machado will produce "The Long
Road," starring popular Chinese
actress Chung- Ching and directed
by Euricco Ferreira. Story is based
on refugees from the mainland in
Macao. It will be made in three
versions — Chinese, Portuguese and
English. Initial production nut is
set at $50,000. *

Dailies’ Higher .Rates

* J

. Continued from page 1

was not undertaken to plan an
"attack” on newspapers, but that
it’s aim is to"’ obtain facts and
figures that might benefit local ex-
hibitors. It’s stressed that the
problem is strictly a local one.

A breakdown of th rate structure
shows that 75% of the newspapers
with a circulation of up to 10,000
charge theatres the same rates as
local' merchants, 15% charge
higher rates, and 10% charge
lower rates. For circulations of

10.000 to 25,000, it’s 50% same,
35% higher, 15% lower; from

25.000 to 50,000, it’s 55% higher,
24% same, 21% lower, from 50,-
000 to 100,000, it’s 67% higher,
25% same, 8% lower; from 100,000
to 250,000, it’s 71% higher, 22%
same, 7% lower; on over 250,000,
it’s 89% higher, 11% same, none
lower.

-La Ronde’ Ads

SS5S Continued from page 1< —
to maintain good relations with its
readership, the Trib is fearful that
the juicy publicity given "La Ron-
de". might have prejudiced the
Catholic body against it just as
loudl-y as they were against "French
Line."

World Playhouse, where the film
opened last Saturday (7). was noti-
fied only a day ahead by several
of the newspapers that Its ads were
non grata. After running some ad-
vance space in its first Friday edi-
tion, the Sun-Times rejected "La
Ronde” ads the rest of the day,
and later reinstated them after film
critic Eleanor Kean spoke out ap-
provingly for the pic* Afternoon
papers, the American and the Daily
News, hedged for a time and then
yielded space.

"La Ronde," after three years of
■hassling, finally won its right to
play here last spring via an Illi-
nois Supreme Court decision.

MARRIAGES

Mary Catherine Hunt to Stanley
Green, New York, Aug. 8. Groom
is Walden Records’ exec.

Mildred Segal to Vernon Lodge..
Pittsburgh, July 31. Bride’s a
dancer; he’s a musician.

Gladys Ripley to Eric Dick. Chi-
cester, Eng., recently. Bride’s a
concert singer. *

Joyce Wood to William Cowan,
Cove, Scotland, July 26. Bride is
daughter of Chalmers Wood, band
and theatrical impresario. '

Ilortensia Rivas to Dick Kleiner,
New ; York, Aug. 7. Bride is col-
umnist Louis Sobol's secretary;
he’s an NEA columnist.

Ingrid L. Adolfsson to Stephen
*E. Seadler. New York, Aug. 7.
Groom is son of Si Seadler, Metro
advertising manager.

Donna Gioia Marconi to George
A. Braga, Cortachy. Castle, Scot-
land, Aug. 5. Bride is former NBC-
TV and radio producer, and daugh-
ter of Marconi, inventor of radio.

Patricia Locke to Virgil Miers,
Dallas, Aug. 7. Bride is daughter
of founder of Tracy-Lockfe ad
agency, he’s amusements editor of
Dallas Times Herald.

Sarah Frank to Bob Howe, Chi-
cago, Aug. 6, Bride is research di-
rector for Camphell-Mithun ad
agency; he’s publicist for the Blue
Angel nitery there.

BIRTHS

Mr. and Mrs. William Connelly,
son, Pittsburgh. Aug. 1, Mother’s
on WDTV staff; father is a sales-
man for WENS.

.Mr. and Mrs. Jack Harris, son,
Fort Worth, Tex., July 31. Father
is with WBAP in that city.

Mr. and Mrs. Ruby Raksin,
daughter, Santa Monica, July 31.
Father is a songwriter.

Mr. and Mrs. William J. Con-
nelly, son, Pittsburgh, Aug. 1,
Mother is director of women's pro-
grams at WDTV; father is sales
staffer with same station.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry- Hicks, daugh-
ter, New York, July 29. Father is
ah associate director with DuMont
net.

Mr. ad Mrs. Robert Beebe,
daughter. Amityville, L.I., recently.
Father is an account exec with
WHLI, Hempstead, N.Y.

Mr. and Mrs. Alex Maitles,
daughter, Glasgow, July 30. Father
is an exhibitor.

Mr. and Mrs. James Duffy, son,
Chicago. Aug. 6. Father is a sales-
man with ABC in Chi.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard (Dick)
Tucker, daughter, Cambridge,
Mass., Aug. 5. Father is an an-
nouncer with WBZ, WBZ-TV,
Boston.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fouce Jr.,
daughter, Los Angeles, Aug. 1.
Father is director of "the Spanish
language theatres owned by Frank
Fouce Sr.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert .Sterling,
son, Burbank, Cal., Aug. 2. Mother,
the former Anne Jeffreys, stars
with her husband on CBS-TV’s
"Topper" series.

Mr. apd Mrs. William Orr, son,
Santa Monica, Cal., Aug; 6. Mother ,
is the former Joy Page, daughter
of Mrs. Jack L. Warner; father is
an executive at Warners.

Mr. and Mrs. John Drake, daugh-
ter, Los Angeles, Aug. 5. Father is
a member of The Modernaires.

Mr, and Mrs. Alan Rhone, son,
New York, Aug. 7. Mother, the for-
mer Morina Scibo, at one time was
assistant director on “Kraft Tele-
vision Theatre”; father is a tv
director.

Mr. and Mrs. Milton Blackstone,
daughter, New York, Aug. 4.
Mother, Elvira (Elliel Blackstone,
was "Miss Color TV" for 1950;
father is a personal manager, not
to be confused with the head of the
Blackstone agency.

Mr. & Mrs. Spyros S. Skouras
Jr., son, Aug. 7, Bronxville, N. Y.
He is president of Skouras Thea-
tres Carp.

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Published Weekly at 1M West 46tb Street, New York 30, N. Y.» by Variety, Inc. Annual subscription $10. Single, copies, 25 cents.
Entered as second class matter December 22, 1005. at the Post Office at New York, . N. Y., under the act of March 3. 1879.

COPYRIGHT.- 1954; BY VARIETY. INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

VOL. 195 No. 11

NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1954

PRICE 25 CENTS

STORM OVER KIDPIX VIOLENCE

Records on the (Martin) Block;

By JOE COHEN

Newark, Aug, 17,

Harold Minsky, who bears one
of the most renowned names in
burlesque, has found that femmes,
on either side ■ of the* footlights,
make the payoff in this industry.
The current show at the Adams
Theatre, here with Mrs. Tommy
Manville, marking her burley bow,
is the final display of his fiscal
year. Next week Minsky starts his
Eecond season with a first anni-
versary show headed by Lili St.
Cyr. It’s the coin brought in by
shows to Which femmes need not
be afraid of going without being
labeled the village trollop thac has
enabled Minsky to keep this large-
seater in solvency. The males, of
course, could have done it, but a
lot of them prefer the deeper
shade of indigo as practiced in the
nearby outlets of the Empire and
Hudson, Union City.

Minsky took over this house
when its operation was a precarious
proposition. It hadn't made the
grade either as a vauder or as a
straight filmer, and its chances as
a burlesquerie didn’t seem too
bright. Size, location, cost of op-
eration and the stiff competition of
the Hirst circuit made it a hazard-
ous venture.

As in any other field, Minsky has
(Continued on page 71) -

House Is More Than Home

For Scott Audivox Setup;

Diskery’s Unique Angles

In the record business it’s a case
of a house being more than a home.
At least that’s the situation as per-
tains to Audivox Records and Ray-
mond Scott, outfit’s founder-musi-
cal director.

Diskery has several unique
angles connected with its opera-
tion. Waxery’s output is recorded
at Scott’s Babylon, L.I., home. Resi-
dence is fully equipped to handle
recording sessions and in addition
has a well-stocked' electronics lab
jorthe development of new disking
techniques. Scott, whose musical
activities are multiple, is also a
longtime electronics dabbler and
has come up with seVerad new in-
( Continued on page 50)

. Washington, Aug. 17.

■ ] Wes t gimmick to push bottle
u/inf ^ uop is a colored stamp
nism’* he slogan * Commu-

4. i. nter h a i Revenue
J st ruled that retai
s may use such a
•iso includes a pi
2*ft e ? £ Liberty.
?L the American flat

Proposed 1 stamp!* 1 Wi

Margaret Truman Concert
Tour Set for Next April

Margaret Truman, currently
touring the strawhats in summer
stock (“Autumn Crocus”), will be
busy in the fall and winter on
radio, tv and recordings.

Her concert sked has been
pushed back as result, and Ken-
neth Allen Associates has ar-
ranged a series of concerts for Miss
Truman, for next April.

'Rule or Ruin’ Of
Commies in Jap

Story of the Toho studios’ long
and eventually successful fight
against Communist domination is
told in a folder brought to the U.S.
by Takeo Mabuchi, a director of
the Japanese company and its head
of labor relations.

Pamphlet, entitled “Toho Sur-
vives Communist Onslaught,” de-
tails the prolonged effort on the
part of the Reds to take over the
production - distribution - exhibi-
tion outfit which, along with Scho-
shiku ' and Daiei, ranks tops in
japan.

In 1948, when there developed a
dispute in Toho, the Japanese Com-
munist party lost no time stepping
in, according to this account.
Groups like the “Society for Safe-
guarding Japanese Culture” were
formed and enlisted much support.
The Toho Employees union joined
the Japan Motion Picture and The-
atrical Workers Union (Nichi-Ei-
En), which in turn joined the ex-
treme leftist National Congress of
(Continued on page 71)

‘KUKLA’-ALLISON MAP
B’WAY THEATRE RUN

Chicago, Aug. 17.

Burr Tlllstrom, masterminder of
tv’s “Kukla, Fran & Ollie,” is
negotiating for a New York thea-
tre for a limited run this fall with
his puppet family and Fran Alli-
son. Idea was sparked by his
onetime “concert” at Town Hall
last Thanksgiving and its Subse-
quent reprise at the Civic Opera
House here with the Boston Pops
orchestra, Both drew critical ac-
claim and attested to the “in-the-
flesh” draw of the Kuklapolitans.

Project is hinged to Tillstrom’s
new tv deal with ABC which will
permit a N. Y. origination of the
video show. Tillstrom is currently
sounding out the possibility of
securing the Bijou or a similarly-
sized house.

Key telepixers have begun a
self-censorship program to cut
down on excess brutality and vio-
lence in their syndicated series.
The self-imposed blue-pencilling
comes on the heels of a mounting
wave of protest, on the local and
national levei, against violence in
kidpix, with some of the protests
going so far as to link the increase
in juvenile delinquency directly to
the shows seen on the home screen.

With all indications pointing to
an acceleration, rather than an
abatement, of the storm over vio-
lence, two syndicators went on rec-
ord this week as having ordered all
excess violence cut out of all their
future production. They were
CBS Television Film Sales, which
has started the policy on the up-
coming “The Whistler” mysteri-
osos, and Television Programs of
America, which has set a pattern
to be followed for all its kidpix in
the future.

Key to the vidpixers’ concern
lies in the fact that they’re in the
syndication, or local, television
business: Thinking is that stations,
faced by protests by local parent
groups and newspapers, can get
(Continued on page 44)

'Scotland Yard’

One of those unexpected once-
in-a-lifetime breaks last week set
the wheels in motion for a series
of deals on a new British-made
telefilm series based on the cases
of Robert Fabian, former superin-
tendent of Scotland Yard. The
newsbreak was the acceptance of a
bid by Fabian himself to come out
of retirement to work on an eight-
month-old Toronto kidnapping
case.

Fabian last week accepted the
request of the Toronto Telegram to
fiy to Canada to work on the
Marion McDowell kidnapping case,
and the newspaper played up the
story with an eight-column, three-
line banner on the front page, along
with a picture and biography of
Fabian that took up most of the
front page. It couldn’t have been
better timed for Telefilm Enter-
’ (Continued on page 44)

Source Spot

WNBC has gone up in the
air to attack New York’s Madi-
son Ave. crowd where it hurts
the most— their off-days. Last
Saturday/. (14) the NBC o&o
had a plane towing a station
message over Long Island
Sound along the shores of
Westchester County and lower
Connecticut with the legend:

“Ad men'! Time is going fast
on WNBC— buy howl’*

9 i

Lane Bryant’s Vidpic
Glorifies Mothers-to-Be

Television is maturing. A 13Vi-
minute documentary vidfilm is be-
ing lensed in N. Y, by Cornell Pro-
ductions, called “A Woman’s
Story.” Lane Bryant, the specialty
chain of maternity shops, is bank-
rolling. Vidpic commemorates the
firm’s 50th anniversary.

The documentary concerns the
“gradual emancipation” of the ex-
pectant mother, with wardrobe by
high - fashion designer Charles
James.

Move to Stave

Off ‘Joes Show’

Washington, Aug. 17.

Is the Senate Select Committee
to hear censure charges against
Joseph McCarthy afraid that Joe
will steal the show if the hearings,
scheduled to start Aug. 30, are
televised?

This is the interpretation which
observers here are placing on the
Committee’s decision to ban video
coverage of the proceedings, a de-
cision which was strongly pro-
tested last week by broadcasters
and others and which may be
changed in time to let the viewing
public in on what may well be-
come the most dramatic Congres-
sional hearings in many a moon.
For it is becoming increasingly
apparent that the Committee,
headed by Sen. Arthur V. Watkins
(R-Utah), is admitting, in effect,
that it can’t control McCarthy if,
even with strict adherence to court
decorum, it feels it must still ban
radio and tv although allowing
press coverage.

While networks and stations have
been putting continued pressure on
the Committee to open the pro-
ceedings to the mike and the
(Continued on page 44)

MARILYN MONROE PLAYS
EVELYN NESBITT THAW

Hollywood, Aug. 17.
Twentieth-Fox has exercised its
option on “Girl In The Red Velvet
Swing,” Evelyn Nesbitt Thaw bi-
opic and assigned Syd Boehm to
screenplay property planned as
Marilyn Monroe starrer.

Studio bought rights to biopic
from Mrs. Thaw and her son.
Charles Brackett produces Cinema-
Scoper dealing with plush era of
early 1900’s and slaying of archi-
tect Stanford White.

A harkback to' the pioneer disk
jockey days when the platter-
chatterers, for publicity or other
reasons, would smash disks over
the microphone for all to hear,
was experienced last Thursday
(12) over the American Broadcast-
ing Co. network, via Martin Block.
He did it for non-sens: tional
reasons. The veteran deejay
peremptorily stopped playing two .
mediocre disks and captiously
criticized the recording industry
for “foisting such mediocrity on
the public.”

Block later explained that “I
have a vital interest in the phono-
graph business, not directly finan-
cial, but in the category of being a
godfather to an industry which I
remember 19 years ago when they
couldn’t give away a record. The
mediocre material they’re pushing
at the public nowadays is appal-
ling.”

Block stressed that he was hard
put to pick his “five best of the
week,” finally deciding on the The
King IV “Danglin’.” The McGuire
Sisters’ “Uno, Due, Tre,” both
Coral; Les Elgart’s “Little White
Duck,” Jo Stafford’s “Nearer My
Love To Thee,” both Columbia;
and Perez Prado’s “Skokiaan”
mambo version (RCA Victor), and

(Continued on page 54)

‘Why Chaplin and Not
Bishop Sheen?’ on Can.
TV Stirs Catholic Beefs

Ottawa, Aug. 17.

Canadian Broadcasting Corp. is
learning you can’t even please
some of the people some of the
time.

Current television series of
early Chaplin films has brought
CBC various browpains. Chaplin
films are aired on CBC video web,
but not in Ottawa where CBOT
schedules a sponsored French-
language show at the time. . So the
more than half of the Capital’s
televiewers who are not French-
speaking have set up a howl. CBC
is planning a special Ottawa air-
ing of Chaplin films in the fall.

In Montreal there’s a different
blast. Roman Catholics in Cana-
da’s tv areas have long expressed
resentment at CBC’s refusal to
schedule Admiral’s show with
Bishop Fulton Sheen. Now, they're
shouting, CBC is running a series
starring Communist-tinged Chap-
lin. This squawk about the ab-
sence from Canada tv of the
Bishop Sheen stanza had been
quiet for months but the Chaplin
incident has brought it to life
again. It will come up for mulling
at the next meeting of the CBC
board of governors.

CBC’s announced reason for
banning the Sheen show was its
policy against using sponsored re-
ligious shows as advocated by Its
religious advisory board.

MISCEJXANY

Aug. 22, See No Yanks Named to Jury

Venice, Aug, 17. <

The 15th Annual Venice Film
Fete gets started here Sunday (22),
with 15 countries and 27 feature
pix so far in the running for the
Grand Prix, the Golden Lion of
St. Mark. This year's edition —
Venice’s first filmic gettogether
was back in 1932 — also finds a new
man in the top spot, Dr; Ottavio
Croze taking over from Antonio
Petrucci as director of the festival.
Dr. Petrucci had filled the position
for the last several years while the
present director headed the fete
for some years previous to Dr. Pe-
trucci’s advent.

While some countries announced,
their entries some time ago, others
are keeping them secret or re-
shuffling their pix at the last min-
ute. Yank entries, among the first
to be announced, are made up of
three MPAA company pix, one in-
die participant, and one festival
invitee. “Caine Mutiny” (Col),
“Three Coins in Fountain” (20th)
and “Executive Suite” (M-G), --plus’
the extra-quota invitee, Para-
mount’s “Rear Window,” are run-
ning under the MPAA banner
while Sam Spiegel’s indie-produced
“Waterfront” (Col) is the other XJ.S.
contestant.

Italy has two films entered and
two others invited fall count to-
wards prizes, however), with “La
Strada,” the Anthony Quinn star-
rer, and "La Romana,” with Gina
Lollobrigida, running alongside in-
vitees "Senso,” with Farley Gran-
ger and Alida Valli, and “Sesto
Continente.” Japan has entered
three. “The Seven Samurai,” “San-
sho Daju” and “Tree of Osaka.”

French Entries Up in Air

French contestants are as yet
undecided, but may be “Ne Tou-
chez Pas Au Grisbi," with Jean Ga-
bin, and “Air de Paris,” Marcel
Carne’s new pic. Germany is show-
ing one item, “Koenigliche Hohe-
it.” Argentina, Austria, Finland,
Great Britain, India, Mexico and
Sweden are joined by the curtain
countries of Poland, Bulgaria and
Hungary on the feature pic roster.
It’s Bulgaria’s first time at a fete
while Finland hasn’t participated
since 1942.

Mexico has announced two pix,
“El Rio y La Muerte” and “La re-
belion de los Colgados.” Argentina
is sending “El Gaucho” and “La
Quintals. ” Sweden’s lone entry is
Carl Gyllenberg’s “Som i Drom-.
mar” while Hungary is participat-
ing with “Birth of Simon Meny-
hert.”

Great Britain announced that
“Father Brown," with Alec Gui-
ness and Joan Greenwood and di-

FILMBIOG SET ON BRIT.
‘OH, MEIN PAPA' DISKER

London, Aug, 17.

Eddie Calvert, 32 -year -old
trumpet-player ..whose /record, of
“Oh, Mein Papa” sold over
1,000,000 in the States on the Essex
label, is to- have his life-story made
into a feature film. He will, be
doing a Jolson by not appearing
in the pic himself. But he is com-
posing the incidental music, and is
assisting in the production, as well
as dubbing the trumpet-playing
sequences.

Born in Preston, Lancashire, Cal-
vert started as £ brass-band player,
and graduated through concert
party to dance bands and ulti-
mately to leading his own bands
in London niteries. He launched
out on a solo career, and has made
a reputation for himself as a va-
riety topliner, billed as “The Man
With the Golden Trumpet.” His
“Oh. Mein - Papa” record success
on both sides of the Atlantic has
set the seal on his success story..

Festival; Round Up Talent
For Central Park Aug. 24

Nr w York City’s “Summer Fes-
tive 1” which was launched this
year at the behest of newspaper-
department store-hotel interests
will stage a peak event Tuesday
Aug. 24 at the Central Park Mall
in connection with the band con-
cert that evening.

Under the impetus of former
NBC exec Abe Schechter who has
x been brought in to hypo the festi-
val (with the idea that it may
be repeated in 1955) the greatest-
city-in-the-world-patter act (long-
est train ride for 15c— subway; sea
voyage for 5c — Staten Island ferry)
next Tuesday’s whoopdedo is prem-
ised on idea that native New York-
ers are prominent in the show and
sport worlds, contrary to the myth-
ology that everybody that is any-
body came to New York from Ohio
or Iowa.

A pool of New York-born talent
is being pressed to make an ap-
pearance (not to entertain) for
dear old civic pride. Seems that
the native New Yorkers are quite
an extensive breed including the
Marx Bros., Gene Tunney, Eddie

Wednesday, August 18 , 1954

By JIM CARHARTT & NICKY WINTER

HORACE HEIDT

Currently On Tour
Under Personal Management

WALTER PLANT

r

Show Biz Laws

By HERMAN LOWE

Wahington, Aug. 17.

Second session of the expiring
83d Congress was an in-and-outer
for entertainment biz. Not too much
legislation affecting entertainment
passed, but there was one legis-
lative success when the ad-
missions tax was halved. As for
the rest, there was generally
more smoke than fire, with sev-
eral exciting hearings.

Here’s the windup situation:

Admission Tax Cut

I

Legislation to slash the 20%
admissions tax to 10% and simi-
larly to reduce the bite on nitery
tabs, passed in March and was
signed by the President. A narrow-
er bill, passed in 1953, was -vetoed
by the President; it was limited to
motion pictures and excluded such
items as legit, sports, fairs, cir-
cuses, etc. COMPO, which had
done the lobbying job last year, did
it again this year. Outstanding fea-
ture of the new law completely
eliminated the admissions tax oh
motion picture theatre tickets
costing 50 cents, or lqss. This was
congressional recognition of the
rough financial road being trav-
eled by the nabe and small town
flicker theatres. The 2Q% nitery
tax was left intact.

Cantor, George Jessel, Shirley

UC33 CUiU UU0U UICCUYVUUU OUU Ul a n . . A , «

rected bv Robert Hamer will be ® 00 ^’ Arthur Godfrey, Douglas

ono ' Fairbanks, Jr., Yehudi Menuhin,

one of its entries. Austria has en- , ,, . T ’ „ r> , Ufim

tered “Puenktchen und Anton” j M K ar j° bVllll

while India has “Surang.” j phrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall^ etc.

Although fete director Croze has

Just who may show up next Tues-
day is not promised.

tried tq keep quantity down and
quality high, some entries will
probably be added to the present
27 total before the festival winds
up. At present, a formula is being
sought to enable a British-Italian
co-production, Renato Castellani’s : Lew Ayres has returned, to New
Technicolor, “Romeo and Juliet,” ; York following a 40,000-mile trip
to participate. | during which he filmed 35m color

Int’l Jury Kept Under Wraps ' film aimed at telling the story of
The international jury has been ^ various religions throughout the

LEW AYRES’ GLOBAL
SPOTLIGHT ON FAITH

kept under wraps so far, but is said
to be made up of two or more Ital-
ians, one Spaniard, a Swede and a
Britisher.

world.

He filmed some 350,000 feet of
film which he will edit when he
returns to the Coast at the end of

Int’l Copyright

The International Copyright
Convention was okayed by the Sen-
ate. Enabling legislation passed
the House and was expected to get
last minute Senate approval be-
fore Congress adjourned sine die.
The agreement' covers American
films, music, plays, etc.

HAYWARD’S TV ‘8:30’

A deal is reported near to clos-
ing to star Ginger Rogers In Le-
land Hayward’s initial NBC-TV
Monday 8 to 9:30 spectacular on
Oct 18. She would take over the
role in Noel Coward’s one-acters,.
“Tonight at 8:30,” originally ear-
marked for Mary Martin, who’s
nixed the deal. Miss Rogers has
apparently won out over Shirley
Booth, who had also been dickered.
Carol Haney, click on Broadway
in “Pajama Game,” was the third
performer under scrutiny.

Some nicenellie tradesters, in-
cidentally, consider the 8 o’clock
teeoff an unfortunate coincidence
since it Would “confuse” the pub-
lic when “Tonight at 8:30” is
billed and advertised as the opener
in the series being prepped by
aide Richard Whorf in the illness
of the head producer Hayward.

Hayward Back In Hosp

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Leland Hayward has been or-
dered back to Good Samaritan
Hospital for further tests. Medicos
are said to be puzzled over his in-
testinal malady but claim it’s not
serious. He’ll take a month’s rest
in Hawaii before resuming his ex-
executive-prdducer post with NBC-
TV.

Hayward has 13 color spectacles
on his schedule.

Atkinson’s Vox Pop To
Editor of the N.Y. Times
Recalls E. B. White Hast

New York show business is buzz-
ing this week, over a political com-
mentary to the Editor, written by
Brooks Atkinson, drama critic of
the N.Y. Times, published on the
editorial page of that paper Mon-
day (16).

It is expected that the letter
will draw a number of replies and
may precipitate a correspondence
controversy similar to that of sev-
eral years ago, when E. B. White,
a member of the . New Yorker mag
staff, wrote a critical letter to the
N.Y, Herald Tribune in answer to
an editorial.

Overseas Tax Credits

One of the highlight-sidelines of . this week. The undertaking was
the festival looks to be the celeb- financed by himself. Ayres will
rily party Earl Blackwell is staging ; add his own narration and use the
(Continued on page 71) film on lecture tours.

Subscription Order Form

Enclosed find check for $

Please send VARIETY for Years

8/18

'I o

Street

(Pleas* Print Name)

City

Zone. ... State. . .

Regular Subscription Rates
One Year— $10.00 Two Years— *$1 8.00

Canada and Foreign— $1 Additional per Year
P&RIE/TY Inc.

154 West 44th Street New York 36. N. Y.

“The motion picture industry
played an important behind-the-
scenes role in preventing approval
of controversial Sec. 923 in the
new tax revision law. It was de-
signed to grant tax credits to
American firms manufacturing
abroad. The motion picture indus-
try, which does a considerable
amount of dubbing and print
making overseas, was not in-
cluded as a beneficiary. On the
ground that this was unfair dis-
crimination, the pix industry
helped to block the section. If
this provision comes up again in
the next Congress, Hollywood will
be able to try once more to be
included.

The same tax revision bill in-
cludes a new. Sec, 6316, which
would permit U. S. firms to pay
(Continued on page 44)

EVERY LIL FEATURE HAS
A THEME OF ITS OWN

Minneapolis, Aug. 17.

North Central Allied is urging
that producers have theme songs
for their pictures whenever feasi-
ble.

Pointing out that if such songs
catch on with the public thyy can
be of “inestimable” boxoffice value,
the organization attributes part of
the draw potency of “Three Coins
in the Fountain" and “The High
and Mighty,” “just to mention a
few recent instances,” to their best-
selling theme music.

BUT WHAT DOES HE DO
IN HIS SPARE TIME?

Jose Ferrer is adding the tune-
smithing chore to his multiple pro-
ducing, directing and thesping ac-
tivities for the upcoming Univer-
sal-Internation filmization of “The J
Shrike.” The star has composed
the background theme music
which he’s publishing via his own
music firm.

Actor also is songsmithing for
the pop field. He collabbed with
Ketti Frings on “Love Is a Beau-
tiful Stranger,” which Lita Roza
etched for London Records. Mrs.
Frings, incidentally, is a Holly-
wood scenario writer and wife of
Kurt Frings, Ferrer’s pic agent.

Music Clubs ‘Sponsor’
Closed-Circuit Symph

The National Federation of Mu-
sic Clubs will sponsor the Oct. 7
closed-circuit theatre telecast of
the N. Y. Philharmonic Orchestra.
The performance, first for theatre'
tv, Will be the opening night from
Carnegie Hall, N. Y. Event is be-
ing presented by Dor Theatre
Television.

Dor reps are hitting the road
during the next two weeks to com-
plete arrangements between local
club heads and theatre managers
and to outline promotional plans.
About 30 theatres are expected to
carry the telecast.

Vaughan’s Brit. Concerts

London. Aug. 17,
Sarah Vaughan is to play a series
of concerts in October under aus-
pices of the Harold Davison office.

A major London date is sched-
uled plus concerts at Glasgow,
Manchester, Birmingham, Shef-
field, etc.

- „ .Rojne, Aug. 10.

Gu y Qn Rppae’s Via .yeneto was
arrested the ,oth^ day /for a verv
serious crime: speaking Italian
Motto of this, town in the summer
is, “When id; Rome, do as ^he
Americans do.” Yanks are bulging
the place to its antique seams-
from what we have seen here’
Ohio, Indiana and New York must
be completely depopulated. Be-
sides the usual Quo Vadis tourist
lures, this year’s Marian Year cele-
brations have made this more
than ever the place' all roads lead
to.

Till the Pope went to his sum-
mer home, mecca of pilgrims and
sightseers daily around noon was
the Piazza of St: Peter’s, where His
Holiness appeared on his balcony
to bless the packed throngs. Caus-
ing one Broadway character to re-
mark, with complete sincerity, “I
can’t Stay up late tonight. Tomor-
row I’m catching the early show at
the Vatican.”

At the big hotels, there’s a wait-
ing list to get on the waiting list
for rooms, arid any connoisseur of
curled lips can add to his collec-
tion by simply asking a room clerk
if there’s a vacancy. New York
theatre boxoffice personnel should
come to Rome room clerks for
sneer training. They’d find a sneer
is 10 times more effective when
flavored with garlic.

Prices here are a little lower
than Paris. That’s like saying the
Chrysler Bldg., is a little lower
than the Empire State* You can
live well for very little in Rome
if your idea of luxury is fresh
fruit and chid water. But if you
want to live on. the Hotel Excelsior
scale, a $50 Travellers’ Check has
a life-expectancy of about 10 min-
utes. If Paris in tWo words is,
“Bring Cash,” Rome in one word
is “Ditto.” Along with other night-
life attractions that leave the wal-
let in need of plasma, there’s a
night racetrack at Villa Glori hip-
podrome, 10 miriutes from Via
Veneto. Here there’s plenty proof
that II (late) Duce might have
saved his black shirt if he’d made
Italian horses run on time instead
of concentrating on the trains.

And if a night or so with the
ponies makes you feel like the
wrong end of one of the horses
you bet on, five minutes from
them, you can go to the dogs. At
Cinodromo Rondinella, a bevy of
seedy greyhounds still chase after
the mechanical rabbit, and look no
sillier doing so than do those who
bet on ’em. Drop a few fistsful of
lire on some canine who got his
start chasing Eliza across the ice
in a Victorian Tom show, and the
prices you pay for a night club
drink to recover seem like a per-
sonal favor from the management.

Everybody’s-On — Toujours

Local focal point for Hollywood,
Broadway and the muziks is Cafe
Doney, next to the Excelsior, a
combo Central Casting and the
Lindy’s of the Spaghetti Circuit,
where the floorshow is the cus-
tomers, either stars or walk-ons. A
typical day’s cast might include
Xavier Cugat and Abbe Lane. Bill
Holden and Brenda Marshall,
Scott Brady, Tennessee Williams,
Bruce Cabot, Franklyn Pangborn,
plus “a cast of thousands.” It’s
about the only show of its kind in
the world. Certainly it’s the only
one where the stars attract less
attention than the walk-ons. Be-
cause at the Doney, if you can t be
a Somebody, you gotta be a noisy
Nobody. Everybody on that ter-
race is a character. ■

Even the beggars who stream by
to mooch 10 lire look like the cast,
of a stranded road co. of “The
Dybbuk.” And nobody, repeat NO-
body, ever just walks casually on-
to that terrace. It’s easy to make
an Cntrarice onto 400 yavds of open-
air sidewalk; but these characters
manage. They come on with a
‘Tennis, anyone?” leap. TneY
spring on, yelling, “Goodbye, Dar-
ryl!” at the nearest expensive ear.
They run on, -as if they were late
for. a date with Dore Schary. N®
one has yet made an entrance by
being shot out of a cannon, bui
the time can’t be far away.

WB’s ‘Helen of Troy’

Main topic of Doney chatter 1
still Warners’ Cinemascope-Tecn-
nicolor production, “Helen
Troy”, with a fine goulash oi 1 '
ternational stars.. Pic '^ as
(Continued oh page 62)

Wednesday, August 18, 1954

One Result of Distrib Confidence

coin.

Music Hall, which always has in-
sisted on a “first;” few other Main
Stem houses could boast that they
were exhibiting a film for the first
time.

Based on recent product and the
industry’s shift to big pictures,
Broadway is again becoming the
place its name has long repre-
sented. It's paying off both in coin
and in prestige due largely to the
hot attractions that are chalking
up longrun engagements.

Columbia, which for many years
eschewed Broadway bows, is now
(Continued on page 22)

AN ANTITRUST ACTION
BRIEF THAT IS (3 PAGES)

In an action marked by its brev-
ity, an indie Times Sq. exhibitor
filed a treble-damage antitrust suit
in N. Y. Federal Court last week
against the eight majors. Michael
Rose, owner of the Holiday Thea-
tre, charged the defendants con-
spired to deprive his house of high-
er quality first-run product to ben-
efit competing theatres in the same
Broadway areas.

Three-page complaint, which vet-
eran court observers rated as the
shortest film antitrust suit in mem-
ory,. asks the court to fix .treble
damages as the exact amount “can-
not be estimated.” Rose claims
that the distributor defendants car-
ried on the alleged conspiracy ever
since he assumed operation of the
Holiday in January, 1953.

Named in the action are Loew’s,
Inc., Paramount Film Distributing
Corp., T. C. F. Film Corp. (20th-
Fox), Universal Film Exchange,
Inc., RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.,
Warner Bros. Pictures Distributing
Corp., Columbia Pictures and Unit-
Artists. Repping the plaintiff in
the suit were attorneys Aaron E.
Koota and Irving Perlin as well as
Gray, Anderson & Schaffer of Phil-
adelphia.

HARRY COHN FORESEES
$75,000, 000 COL. TAKE

Columbia expects to top its rec-
J™ , r Sh gross income of $60,274,-
^ a Iked up for 1953 fiscal year,
oy 25 / 0 for the fiscal year ending
une, 1954. Prexy Harry Cohn is
gross income in excess of
v 5, 000,000 for the most recent
financial stanza.

onystal-bail statement is-
sued Uus week, Cohn said: “ . . we
ni .Columbia- realize that through-
£ istory °* the company’s
t i, ' Ul1 ’ the occasional great pic-
tin-oc °i !T a S rou Ping of good pic-
hiitio nas^ made invaluable contri-
fivm? n not 0I ?ty to the gross income
\va<! tA year . ta year, but frequently
tornfif 0 the difference between
Up nM a j d A I oss * n Particular years.”
whpn that each y ear since 1934,
17 R non u groSs income was $llr
in ^ as ^. ieen $ Profitable one
e operation of the company.

Reflection of renewed confidence +
of distributors in their product is'
indicated in the increasing tend-
ency to open pictures on Broadway
first. Recently many of the com-
panies favored hinterland bows
and playing time before bringing
the film to the Main Stem.

A Broadway opening has always
been expensive and few distribs
were able to take much, if any,
coin out of Broadway after deduct
ing the advertising costs. The only
way a Broadway opening paid off
is when the distrib had a picture
that could chalk up a long i;un, In
the opening weeks, the company
could amortize the advertising
costs, with the holdover weeks
serving as the gravy train. By this
time it could depend on directory
ads, and leave the main selling to
public word-of-mouth.

In the recent past, there weren’t
many of these solid attractions
around, and the Broadway engage-
ment represented a more or less
prestige effort. The distribs looked
to the hinterlands for their real
Except for the Radio City

Add 50 ‘Apache’ Prints

United Artists has ordered 50
additional Technicolor prints of
“Apache,” Burt Lancaster-Jean
Peters starrer, to meet the de-
mands of exhibs.

The new print order brings to
450 the number of Techni prints
on the picture, first Hecht-Lan-
caster production, to be released
by UA. .

100% Solo

By RALPH J. GLEASON

* ' . ;t

San Francisco, Aug, 17.

For the first time in a number
of years single features are the
rUle on Market street.

Of the seven first run houses on
the street, six are currently show-
ing single, features while one, the
United Artists, has a double bill.

Reaction along the street indi-
cates that the public is receptive
to this state of affairs. “Our cash-
iers report no comment from the
public at all,” says Earl Long, man-
ager of the Paramount, where Mar-
lon Brando in “On the Waterfront”
opened to strong crowds last
Thursday (12th). “In fact, the pub-
lic apparently doesn't care as long
as the feature is strong enough.”

The St. Francis has been show-
ing “The Caine Mutiny” as a single
feature for seven weeks and both
it and “On the Waterfront” are
lengthy films. At the Golden Gate
a similar - situation prevails. “The
Magnificent Obsession,” which
opened a week 'ago to paydirt re-
views, runs two hours and is being
shown without a supporting fea-
ture.

“Cinerama,” at the Orpheum, of
course, has been a single all along
and the Fox, where “Broken
Lance” is currently showing, has
run singles ever since “The Robe.”
The Warfield has “Valley of the
Kings” as a single and is only do-
ing so-so business while the United
Artists with the only doube bill
ort the street— a reissue of “Hans
Christian Andersen” coupled with
“Geraldine” — is only doing mild
despite the twin bill.

EXHIBS BURN AT CLAIM
OF CHECKING RENTAL

Distribs, particularly Paramount,
are being accused by ' exhibs . of
checking flat rental pictures which,
it’s claimed they have no right to
do.

The Independent Theatre Owners
of Ohio, an Allied States Assn,
unit, reports that three instances
of checking on flat rental pictures
have been forwarded in recent
weeks, all on Martin & Lewis pic-
tures. In one case, ITOA says, Par
openly admitted that the reason
for asking an increased price on
“Living It Up” was because
“Money From Home” was checked.
At one drive-in, the exhib org re-
ports, the checker acted so suspici-
ously that the manager of the the-
atre had him followed by a deputy
sheriff.

“You are advised,” says an ITOA
bulletin to its members, that you
do not need to cooperate with
checkers on flat rental pictures in
any way. If they act suspiciously,
by all means put the police on their
trail. If you are asked for increased
rentals because flat rental pictures
have been checked, show you books
not only on the Martin & Lewis
pictures but on all those on which
you lost money as well.”

By ;FRED JBIFT

Prospects for . substantial Im-
provements in American living
standards cohpled with significant
population shifts and changes in
the income pattern ‘offer a bright
future to the enter \ ament
media, according to Arno K. John-
son, v.p. and director of research
for the J. Walter Thompson agency
in N. Y.

Current and future trends in the
U. S. economy and their application
to and effects on the population
were set for discussion by Johnson
in a thoroughly documented statis-
tics-packed speech before the
School of Consumer Banking at the
University of Virginia at Char-
lottesville, Va. yesterday (Tues.).

While Johnson made no specific
reference to rr f.ion pictures, the
economic facts he presented obvi-
ously have a direct and important
bearing on the film biz which,
apart from natural competitive ele-
ments, rides the mountains and
valleys of the national economy.
Main points made by Johnson are
these:

(1.) Total discretionary spend-
ing power (surplus spending power
over and above what is required to
supply the heed for basic necessi-
ties) was over five times greater
by Jan., 1954, than in 1940 and
(Continued on page 22)

Italo License Issue Back in MPEA
Lap as 0 Nixes Picker Compromise

40th Year for Si Fabian

Paterson, N. J., Aug. 17.

A dual celebration, marking the
40th anni of the Stanley Warner
Regent Theatre and SW prexy
S. H. (Si) Fabian’s 40th year in
show biz, will take place here Tues-
day (24).

A special civic tribute and cere-
mony will be held at the theatre,
with a reception for the press and
guests following at the Alexander
Hamilton Hotel in Paterson. Fabian
and other SW execs will attend.

Talks Sept. 27

Talks for a new Anglo-American
film agreement are now due to
get under way in Washington Sept.
27, according to the Motion Picture
Export Assn.

Powwow is expected to last ap-
proximately a week. However, un-
less the negotiations hit an unex-
pected snag, agreement may well
be reached a good deal faster.
Aspects of possible convertibility
of U. S- film earnings in Britain
are expected to be one of the fea-
tures of the talks.

Part of an effort to push wider
adoption of its system, Perspecta
Sound has dropped its requirement
for royalty payments by studios
wanting to adopt the sound method
for their pix.

In N. Y. yesterday (Tues ), Ar-
thur M. Loew, Loew’s Interna-
tional prexy, and C. Robert Fine,
Perspecta Sound topper, said the
three comoanies that originally
sponsored Perspecta — Metro, War-
ner Bros, and Paramount — had
urged the move after having in-
vested something like $200,000
jointly in the development of the
system.

Loew explained that one of the
reasons for the apparent hesitancy
on the 1 part of other Hollywood
studios to adopt the process had
been their fear of infringing RCA
or Westrex recording patents.
These problems have now been re-
moved, with both RCA and West
rex agreeing two weeks ago to ex-
tend indemnity under their basic
patents to cover Perspecta Sound
recording.

Hope was expressed by Loew
(Continued on page 62).

♦ Attempt by Arnold Picker,
United Artists’ foreign topper, to
solve the knotty problem of Uni-
versal’s demand for more permits
in Italy, has failed and the issue
has been dumped back into the
[ lap of the Motion Picture Export
Assn, board. Latter took it up in
N. Y. yesterday (Tues.).

Instead of concerning, himself
with such factors as Hollywood
production level and grosses,
Picker is understood to have
tackled the question primarily
from the point of view of the in-
dividual companies’ needs in Italy.
However, U rejected his recom-
mendations and so did the rest.

There must be unanimous agree-
ment among the distribs prior to
any permit divvying up. If all at-
temnts should end in failure — and
MPEA thinks this unlikely— the
issue may be put up to the Italian
Government which would then do
the allocating.

Picker, whose company is a rea-
sonably disinterested party in the
Italian disagreement, had agreed
to act as a nuasi-arbitrator at the
request of MPF A and with the ap-
(Continued on page 22)

UNIVERSAL AGAIN
SHRINKS ITS SHARES

For the second time in its cur-
rent financial year, Universal has
reduced the number of its war-
rants and outstanding common
shares, investing $1,404,575 in the
purchases.

Outfit last week (12) reported
to the Securities & Exchange Com-
mission in Washington that it had
purchased 59,075 shares of com-
mon for $1,343,375 between Jan. 1,
1954, and July '31, ’54. In addition,
it bought in 4,600 warrants at a
cost of $61,200.

Last Jan. 13, U reported buying
and retiring 59,000 shares for $1,-
059,095. This left it 1,006,260 shares
outstanding, exclusive of 59,000 in
the treasury. On July 31, 1954,
(Continued on page 18)

National Boxoffice Survey

Heat Hits Keys; ‘Obsession’ Champ, ‘Lance’ 2d,
‘Caine’ 3d, ‘Cinerama,’ ‘Living,’ ‘Wind’ Next

Resumption of torrid heat in
many sections of the middle-west
and east does not appear to be
hurting first-run biz much current-
ly, with further release of strong
product bolstering weaker key
cities. Atlantic seaboard keys bene-
fited from a cool, rain-threaten-
ing Sunday,

“Magnificent Obsession” (U),
which was second a week ago, is
pushing up to No. 1 spot. Playing
in some 12 keys covered by
Variety, this pic is pacesetter in
two or three cities where just
launched in current stanza.^ First
place was hotly contested 6y both
“Broken Lance” (20th) and “Caine
Mutiny” (Col), Former wound up
with second money;

“Caine,” which had been champ
for six successive weeks, was a
close third. “Cinerama” (Indie) is
winding up fourth as against fifth
last week.

“Living It Up” (Par), high on the
list for several sessions, is taking
fifth position, largely because on
so many extended-runs. “Gone
With Wind” (M-G) again is sixth.
“Knock On Wood” (Par) is captur-
ing seventh money.

“Susan Slept Here” (RKO), first
time in listings, is taking over
eighth spot. “Apache” (UA), for
weeks a top-ranking film, is wind-
ing ninth this frame. “Ring of
Fear” (WB) again is landing 10th
place. “Valley of Kings” (M-G)
and “Man With Million” (UA) wind
up the Top 12 in that sequence. |

“About Mrs. Leslie” (Par), doing
better than previously, and “High
and Mighty” (WB), for many ses-
sions a high-ranker, are the two
runner-up pix.

Additional preems for “7 Brides
For 7 Brothers” (M-G) this round
plainly tips this as a potentially
Smash grosser. It is holding at
$180,000 in fourth week at the N.Y.
Music Hall, a rare novelty for a
non-holiday stanza. Film also is
big in Indianapolis, sock in Chi and
Minneapolis, great in Buffalo and
Cleveland and trim in Portland.

“On Waterfront” (Col), is cur-
rently reflecting its initial profn^
ise, with smash totals in Detroit,
N. Y., Seattle plus terrific sessions
in Frisco and Philly; It continues
stout in L.A. “Rear Window” (Par),
still mighty in N. Y., is rated great
in L.A,

“Black Shield of Falworth” (U),
also shaping as a potentially big
grossing pic, is fancy in K.C.,
smash in Denver and giant in Chi,
“King Richard and Crusaders”
(WB), due next at N. Y. Paramount,
is a bit uneven this round after sev-
eral big preems last week. “Her
12 Men” (M-G), fair in Montreal,
is sock in N.> Y. and good in Toron-
to. It shapes mild in L.A. and
Balto.

“Outcast” (Rep) looks okay in In-
dianapolis. “Garden of Evil” (20th)
looms nice in K.C. and Portland.
(Complete Boxojfice Reports on
Pages .8-9).

Trade Mark Registered.
FOUNDED BY SIME SILVERMAN
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ABEL CREEN. Editor

No. 11

INDEX

Bills

... 62

Chatter ............

... 70

Film Reviews .

... 6‘

House Reviews

... 63

Inside Legit

... 64

.Inside Pictures .....

.'. . 16

Inside Radio TV ....

... 34

International

. . . 10

Legitimate

... 64

Literati

... 20

Music

... 46

New Acts

... 63

Night Club Reviews .

... 55

Obituaries

... 71

Pictures

. . 3

Radio-Television

.. 23

Radio Reviews

.. 34

Record Reviews

.. 46

Television Reviews . . .

.. 26

Frank Scully

.. 20

TV-Films

.. 38

Unit Review

.. 63

Vaudeville

. . 55

DAILY VARIETY

(Published In Hollywood by
Daily Variety, Ltd.)

$15 a Year $20 Foreign

PICTURES

Wednesday, Angust 18,- ^954

“This is the calm before the f
itorm.”

That’s how an Allied States Assn,
leader described the atmosphere of
exhibitor-distributor relations as
reps of the exhibitor organizations
today (Wed.) began a series of I
meetings with the film company
6ales managers to discuss the cur-
rent problems facing the theatre-
men.

The confabs will cover a wide
range of subjects. The stress, how-
ever, will be on the present cost of
pictures, the print shortage, and
the product shortage. The exhibs
will air their beef that the high
percentage terms of the distribs
are siphoning off the benefit of
the recent relief gained from the
Federal admission tax cut.

The exhibs will confer with each
company sales manager separately
and will wind up the give-and-take
sessions tomorrow (Thurs.). No re-
port of what takes place at these
meetings will be issued until after
Allied’s board meeting Aug. 23-24
at White Sulpher Springs, Va. At
this palaver the Allied leaders will
weigh the answers received from
the sales toppers before mapping
further strategy in the running
battle between exhibs and distribs.

The Allied committee consists
of board chairman Abram F. My-
ers, Allied prexy Ben Marcus, and
board members Wilbur Snaper, Na-
than Yammins, and Jack Kirsch.

CARRY ON GOLDSTEIN 10

Robert G. and Robert Jacks Fulfill-
ing UA Contract

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Robert Goldstein, and .Robert
Jacks will continue to operate
Leonard Goldstein Productions un-
der that name and will carry out
the company’s original program Of
10 films for United Artists release.

Contract signed by the late
Leonard Goldstein called for de-
livery of the pictures within 18
months, Two of them, "Black Tues-
day” and "Stranger on Horseback,”
have been completed. Ready for
production are “Robbers’ Roost,”
“Calico Pony’’ and “Shadow at My
Shoulder.” Two will start filming
in about six weeks.

Cinerama, Inc.

Rm Upton's Stipend

Three years extension of the
contract of David A. Lipton, Uni-
versal v.p., coupled with Annual
$100 per week salary increases, was
reported by U last week to the
Securities & Exchange Commission
in Washington.

Lipton’s contract, which would
have expired in 1955, is extended
to Dec. 31, 1958. His salary in 1954
is $1,100 a week.

For 1955, his take is increased
to $1,200 weekly. For the period
between Jan. 1, 1956 and Dec; 31,
1958, Lipton’s contract calls for
$1,300 a week. His original con-
tract with U was drawn in late
1952.

on

‘Brides May Set

With “7 Brides and 7 Brothers’’
expected to wind up its fourth
week today (Wed.) at the Music
Hall with $730,000 or better for the
four weeks, the latest Metro opus
at the Hall bids fair to break the
all-time money mark at this huge
theatre. “Brides” now seems cer- !

Cinerama, Inc., execs, expecting
a tough inquisition from stockhold-
ers, emerged from a shareholders
meeting last week, the first in 17
months, in lighter spirits than they
had entered. The meeting, held at
the company’s Oyster Bay, N.Y.,
laboratory, brought forth no sharp
questioning or bitter rejoinders de-
spite the fact that no up-to-date
financial report was presented, and
stock, which many bought at 3 to
9, was selling at 104 with a book
value of 67c per share.

These are some of the things the
stockholders learned about their
company which provides the equip-
ment and supervises the installa-
tion of Cinerama theatres.

From John Hartley, treasurer of

Find Most ‘Taken’

Despite the obvious upbeat in
indie production, quality features
from that source which aren’t al-
ready spoken for are scarce.

Several of the majors, and par-
ticularly 20th-Fox, are beating the
bushes for indie product to add to
their skeds, but with no outstand-
ing success. Another outfit that has
been looking for indie fare to dis-
tribute is Italian Films Export,
Here, again, it’s said that the right
kind of film just isn’t in sight.

Trouble is that much Of the indie
fare is committed in advance of
production via financial ties, etc.,
with United Artists alone having
first call to a great many films via
partial financing arrangements. In
addition, majors like Warner Bros,
and Columbia are encouraging in-
dies to make package deals with
them, tossing in coin and getting
financial participation, and of
course, first call on distribution
rights.

“It’s almost difficult to find a
real independent producer these
days,” was one comment last week.
“Most of them seem very securely
tied to someone else.”

All of which makes life difficult
for companies like 20th, which arc

- . 4 . ---- , „.u«.u n W ui C i ui , looking for 2-D product to supple-:

tain to go eight weeks at the Music i Cinerama Inc.: Royalty receipts ’ ment their regular sked. Within re-
Hall which likely will bring the j W er e off for the first half of this ! cent weeks 20th has. been screen-
eight-week total to better than ! year b y 5159,000 as compared to I in £ a lot pictures, the intent be-
the * *■ ’

$1,391,000,

high, held by "Great Caruso,
other Metro film.

present money same 1953 period when they hit j * n 2 to buy. them flat. Included in

rvni r y l 1L a £1^. .a 1 i.1 AAl 1_

an-

, $364,306. Returns this year hit a

. j .. , . , j : low point in May, an upbeat started

'Brute to date has not dropped in j une increased fu vt her in Ju i y ,
below the $180,000 mark m four ' ' . - ■ ■

weeks. It started out with $187,000 1 Continued on page 16)

in the. first week, which is an “

all-time high coin mark for an !
opening session at the Hall.

The current (4th) week is ex-
pected to hold at $180,000 or bet-
ter than the third stanza’s $181,000.

"Caruso” established its all-time
mark with a 10-week run which
wound up the middle of July. 1951.

C’SCOPE POSSIBILITIES
IN U.S. NOW 6,077

“The Robe,” first of 20th-Fox’s
Cinemascope releases, continues
to rack up bookings at a pace com-
mensurate with the speed with
which additional theatres are put-
ting in C-Scope.

As of Aug. 7. C’Scope installa-
tions in the U.S. totalled 6,794,
representing 6.077 possibilities for
any one film. Of the 6,794 equipped
houses, 2,986 don’t have stereo-
phonic sound and therefore re-
quire prints with optical sound
tracks.

“Robe” by that same date had
played 3.621 dates for a rental of
$15,000,000. It stressed, however,
that “Robe” prints with optical
tracks are still limited.

Of the two releases subsequent i
to “The Robe.” “How to Marry a
Millionaire” has earned 20th
around $4,750,000 in 2.385 book-
ings. and “Beneath the 12-Mile
Reef,” S2.600.000.

RITA HAYWORTH WINS
RIGHT TO QUIZ EXECS

Rita Hayworth, who is suing to
; void a distribution contract be-
tween Beckworth Corp. and Colum-
• bia Pictures, won the right to ex-
| amine certain officers of those
| firms before trial in a decision
handed down Monday (16) in N. Y.

Federal Court by Judge Edward
Weinfeld.

At the same time Judge Wein-
feld denied a defense motion to
dismiss the complaint. Court ruled
that B. B. Kahane, Beckworth
prez and a Columbia veepee,
would start the interrogations Sept.
13 unless the date is changed by
mutual agreements by the litigants.
Slated to be quizzed later are Col
prexy Harry Cohn, and three other
execs.

Miss Hayworth, who made four
pictures for Beckworth and is the
corporation’s largest individual
stockholder, also wants an account-
ing of profits on the quartet of pix.
Lone other defendant in the suit
is Columbia Pictures International
Corp.

the films seen by the 20th execs
are a number of British features.

While 20th is completely commit-
ted to CinemaScope, it neverthe-
less needs additional product for
the houses that haven’t as yet made
the switch. Where, at one time,
it could, have had any number of
indie films for distribution, the cur-
rent pickings are slim. Even so,
20th maintains there is no plan for
another arrangement similar to
that entered into with the late
Leonard Goldstein and Panoramic
Productions, which delivered a
slate of 10 to 20th.

In Britain, 20th is financing be-
tween eight and ten features. How-
ever, the majority of these likely
will be in CinemaScope.

3d Lewis & Clark Film

Ben Babb's Midwest Swing

Ben Babb, pub-ad chief of Selz-
fiick Releasing Organization, left
New York last week on a swing
of the midwest to set up satura-
tion radio-tv campaigns for mul-
tiple area bookings of Selznick’s
re-release, “Duel in the Sun.”

His stops include Minneapolis,
St. Paul* Chicago, Kansas City,
end Pittsburgh.

( Whatever Hollywood may be
! short of in the next year or two,
‘ it certainly won’t be features based
on the exploits of the Lewis &
Clark expedition.

Latest company to file a “Lewis
& Clark” title with the Motion Pic-
ture Assn, of America is Walt Dis-
ney, which is now third in line.
Priority goes to 20th-Fox. Second
in line is Warner Brothers which
is to film the adventure yarn in the
Cinerama process.

L. A. to N. Y.

Max Abramson
Lew Ayres
Robert Breen
Dane Clark
Len Colson
Wick Crider
Tony Curtis
Hal Davis
Martin Devine
John C. Flinn
Henry Ginsberg
Milton Goldman
Robert Goldstein
Robert L. Jacks
Dr. Herbert T. Kalmus
Walter Lantz
Reginald LeBorg
Art Linkletter
Herb Meadow
Lon McCallister
Meg Mundy
Kim Novak
Cathy O'Donnell
Michael O’Shea
James Radford
Gene Raymond
Vivienne Segal
Lester Shurr
Penny Singleton
Charles Vidor
George Weinger
George Weltner
Walter Winchell
Collier Young

Motion pictures and seemingly also their audience oi tens of
millions, are castigated in the August issue of the Episcopal
Churchnews for their obvious preference for “the happy ending,”

Motion Picture editor William Miller, in discussing the disad-
vantages of America’s "upbeat” culture, admits that there have
been exceptions— he particularly cites "A Place It* the Sun” and
"The Heiress”— but charges that Hollywood., even- in those in-
stances, retains the "escape” function of the ifiiiteirtaihment it
dishes out.

“This insistence on affirmative endings represents a resistance
to a presentation which does not have a resolution: which leaves
unresolved strands which' must be taken up into the life of the
viewer. When ambiguous, critical, new, and tragic elements
are left alive in the movie’s situation, as for example in ‘For-
bidden Games’ (a French film), then the escape function of the
movie is destroyed. The. viewer then has not escaped from life,
but had something further to deal with thrust into his life.”

^.Miller seys that even when-ras in "Act of Love”— a film has a
sad ending, it’s "primarily the result of circumstances and chance;
it does not expose a tragic element at the very heart of history,
or cast into view moral ambiguities in the very nature of human
life.

“What American motion pictures characteristically cannot ad-
mit is that history does not have a final, positive meaning within
itself,” He continues that while sad things do happen in pix, and
virtue at times goes unrewarded* Hollywood can admit these
realities only reluctantly and not as a continuing reality which
should be confronted and triumphed over.

The mag holds that the happy ending has created cynicism
among teenagers with their persistence on serving the innate de-
sire for an optimistic outcome, "If the movies were completely
trivial, there would be no reason to complain about happy endings,”
Miller states. “There is not much point in having a sad ending to
a jingle, joke ... a fairly tale or any production designed to be
only a momentary diversion of an entirely escapist nature . —
But movies stay within ’iio such bounds. They are far more than
simple, meaningless diversion, both to those who make them and
to those who see them . . . Fans learn from them not only
hairstyles but also life-styles.”

Leonard Goldenson Does Not Foresee United
Paramount Financing European Features

MICKEY ROONEY SUES

Promoters Paid Only $5,000 of
Contract Picture. Fee of $35,000

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Failure to make a picture called
“45 Minutes to Broadway” result-
ed in a $30,000 breach of contract
suit filed by Mickey Rooney against
Gayman Productions, headed by
Gayle Gitterman and Alan Fried-
man.

Rooney says the contract, signed
last December, called for $35,000
for starring in .the picture. Of that
sum, he claims, he received only
$5,000.

At Moral Press

Minneapolis, Aug. 17.
Following receipt of reader com-
plaints about film ads and particu-
larly those published for “The
French Line,” the Pioneer Press
and Dispatch, St. Paul’s only news-
papers, (one ownership) have insti-
tuted what amounts to a Censor-
ship on theatre advertising.

The newspapers have notified all
of the city’s exhibitors that hence-
forth the latter must exercise more
“discretion” in their advertising
copy and art and that the daring
sex stuff that might prove offensive
to readers will bp taboo.

In his letter detailing that re-
strictions will be imposed, John
Lewis, advertising manager for the
two sheets, States that the news-

continued on page 16)

N. Y, to L. A.

Alan (Bud) Brandt
Red Buttons
Phil Carey
Truman Gibson
George Jessel
Evie Johnson
Eva Le Gallienne
Harry Markson
James Norris
Bill Ornstein s
Louella O. Parsons
Frank Quinn.

Joe Roberts
Bob Schear
Eleanor Skegg
Walter Slezak
John Stix
Larry Vinick
Esther Williams
Don Wilson

Although it’s eager to encourage
the production of foreign features
suitable for American exhibitor
needs,. United Paramount Thea-
tres at the moment doesn’t intend
to help finance such films “unless
we’re forced to,” United Para-
mount - American Broadcasting
prexy Leonard Goldenson said in
N. Y. last week (13).

He added that, what with Hol-
lywood production on the upbeat,
he didn’t think the situation would
arise where UPT would sink coin
into pix made abroad. And
Goldenson stressed that his cir-
cuit wouldn’t follow the example
of other U. S. chains which are
picking up pix abroad, dealing
directly with the producers.

On a recent European tour,

Goldenson urged foreign film-
makers to make pictures suitable
for the U. S. market,, and he as-
sured them that there was an open
door here for this type of produc-
tion. Last week, he again stressed
this thought, adding that there was
potential in the Swedish industry
and also in Germany if and when
producers there find their bearing.

N. Y. to Europe

Louis J. Barbano
Anne Baxter
Charles Boyer
Charles Chaplin Jr.

Joan Greenwood
Barry Jones
John G. McCarthy
Miroslava
Spyros P. Skouras

Europe to N. Y.

Nancy Andrews

Barney Balaban

Peter Brook

Mrs. Bernard Burke

Marge and Gower Champion

Peter Cusick

Bebe Daniels

Percy Faith

Eddie Fisher

Mae Frohman

Betty Furness

Lee Graham

Harriet Hilliard

Abner Klipstein

Gina Lollobrigida

Ilya Lopert

Ben Lyon

Walter Macker

Charlie Manny

Carmel. Myers

Ozzie Nelson

A. W. Schwalberg

Billy Shepard

Joseph R. Vogel

Sandy Wilson

5

Wednesday, August Iff, 14»S4

PICTURES

‘BATTLE OF GADGETS’

Will Complain to Visiting
Italians of U.S. Brush Within

United Artists will receive a
35% fee for the distribution of the
fight pictures of the Sept; 15
Rocky Marciano-Ezzard Charles
heavyweight match. Pix will be
filmed Under the supervision of
the promoter, the International
Boxing Club, which will turn the
footage over to VA just like any
other indie producer.

Fight pix, since the advent of
television, have been a gamble for
the distributor. Rarely does a dis-
trib undertake the distribution of
fight pictures involving a bout that
has been seen on home tv. Distribs,
however, are willing to take a
chance on the pix Of a fight seen
via theatre tv since the latter hard-
ly scratches the surface of the po-
tential market.

In the last analysis, however, the
value of fight footage depends on
the quality of the bout itself. A
quick knockout Or a dull fight can
mean exhibitor apathy or disaster
at the boxoffice.

This is UA's third experience
with fight pictures in recent years.
It’s score so far is deadlocked, with
one loss and one victory, finding
no market for Marciano’s one-
round kayo of Joe Walcott in their
final bout, and chalking up over
5,000 bookings (as of Aug. 10) for
the pictures of the first clash be- ,
tween Marciano and Charles.

Straight 50% For
Marciano Repeat

Nate Halpern’s Theatre Network
Television, which is offering the
Sept. 15 Marciano-Charles heavy-
weight championship bout to
closed-circuit situations, is asking
a straight 50-50 split of the b.o.
take sans a guarantee. Terms are
new. For. . the first Marciano-
Charles meeting in June it was a
guarantee of 10c against $1.40 per
seat sold or a guarantee of 50c
against $1.30.

However, on the basis of b.o. re-
ceipts for the June bout and the
fact that radio did not harm the
wicket activity, Halpern argues
that the upcoming event is worth
more.

National Theatres, has already !
ordered six more theatre tv instal-
lations from General Precision and
will have them installed in thea-
tres prior to the fight. Stanley
Warner expects to equip five more
houses. Fabian Theatres has al-
ready signed for houses in Rich-
mond, Va., Albany and Troy, N. Y„
for a drive-in in Norfolk, Va., and
has requested ah availability for an
ozoner in the Pennsylvania terri-
tory.

Drive-ins, which have found the
closed-circuit bouts potent b.o.
lures, are stepping up their appli-
cations for the upcoming fight.
This factor has posed a peculiar

(Continued on page 15)

L1PPERT-RUBI0 TO
MAKE ’EM IN MEXICO

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Robert L. Lippert, Jr., and Ollalo
Rubio have formed Montezuma
Films, a Mexican corporation,; to
produce pictures south of the bor-
der. Company has completed 'The
Black Pirates” and will start “Vio-
lent Men” next month,

Pictures will be made in Spanish
and English with Hollywood and
Mexican stars. They will be re-
leased in this country through Lip-
pert Pictures.

Exhib Rakes In

Chicago, Aug. 17.

In the nabes, it’s not unusual for
a theatreman to be pleased enough
with break-even results on film ren-
tals when his concession receipts
are running high. For reasons akin
to this, drive-in theatres here-
abouts are bundling triple-feature#
to capture an audience for an en-
tire evening, and a jumping candy
counter. In . popcorn especially
there appears to be plenty lucre,
and this is why many exhibs are
treating films as incidental to their
refreshment merchandising.

Case in point is Ben Banowitz
who, on the premise that he would
be either half right or half wrong,
turned his attention to popcorn and
shed two of his four theatres at the
time when tv began thinning out
neighborhood film traffic. While
house slipped grosswise, he found
concession sales gaining, with pop-
corn far in lead, and he parlayed
subsequent studies of popcorn into
a business which foresees the
eventual production of 100,000,000
packages of popcorn per year.

Banowitz, who now retains the
Grand and the Ken Theatres, be-
gan study of popcorn economics
and seed culture at Purdue Univer-
sity in 1948 when his theatres be-
gan to skid. Later he organized
TV Time Foods, under corporate
name of B&B Enterprises, and is
selling corn in volume to fellow
theatremen. He is in 19 markets
now and will open 75 new ones in
September. In past three years,
Banowitz says, he has packaged
35,000,000 bags of popcorn and ex-
pects to step up production soon
to 2,500,000 per week.

END U.S. SQUABBLE OVER
FORMOSA FILM PERMITS

San Antonio, Aug. 17.

Texas Drive-in Theatres Owners
Assn, holds its annual convention
nere at the Plaza Hotel, Aug. 22-24.

Feature of the three-day ses-.
sion win be an address by Dr.
Frank M. Tiller, Dean ?of tfce
£chool of Engineering of Lamar
lech Research Centre. Dt. Tiller
", iU .P^sent a “10-month study of
jne drive-in industry,” containing
r ? sult;s of a survey just com-

Also scheduled is a co
orum, a discussion on tax i
p ta e Representative W
ai r, a new processes fi
on .insurance prdb
a J on Sanders, Casualty
ance Commission of Texa;
pi. | on ta * depreciation t
en.i /’ director of Inter]
w-n Aus . tn V an< * a confab

w?th A Cfi u a -J! ons Affecting <

w-a 1 n H ' DaVls * Texas Sta
wa > v commissioner.

Question of divvying up the For-
mosan import licenses Was settled
by the companies last week on the
hopeful assumption that the For-
mosans will return to the Motion
Picture Export Assn. 15 permits
which they allotted to indie Asso-
ciated Film Productions outfit on
the island.

Total of 268 permits have been
assigned to the eight MPEA mem-
ber companies by the Chinese Na-
tionalist government for the year,
with 134 issued for the half-year.
For a while there was a wrangle
dver Republic’s demand to get a
quota of the licenses. This was re-
solved, however, since Rep hasn’t
even opened offices on Formosa
yet.

Even as the MPEA pressed for
an extra allotment for Rep, the
Chinese lopped off the 15 permits
for the indie outfit, the licenses
coming out of the MPEA total.
Divvying up among the eight com-
panies was ddne oh the assumption
that the 15 permits vvould be re-
stored to the U. S. distribs.

Approaching release pf Para-
mount’s first VistaVision. produc-
tion, “White Christmas,” has Par
execs formulating policies on how
the widescreen medium should be
' sold to the public.

Film gets its first unveiling for
the press next week (23) on stage
17 at the Par lot, which has been
dubbed the VistaVision Theatre.”
It’s laid out like a cross-section of
a regular, modern theatre. There
are 150 seats.

Jerry Pickman, Par ad-pub y.p.,
who huddled on the “White Christ-
mas” preview on the Coast last
week, returned to N. Y. over the
weekend and expects to wing west-
wards again for the showing. Film
opens at Radio City Music Hall in
late Sept, or early Oct.

Handling of VV represents some-
thing of a problem since Par ap-
pears determined not to be drawn
into a “battle of the gadgets.” Also,
the public has just been through
a vigorously-conducted campaign
by 20th-Fox to press home the
dramatic novelty of CinemaScppe
which, superficially at least, is
more readily Identifiable in the
public's mind due to its unique
shape, etc.

“We are going to sell VistaVision
as a star of the show,” one Par
exec commented this week. “We
feel that it's the ultimate in pro-
duction and screen presentation;
that through it the audience can
see more and feel more of the en-
tertainment values of any picture.
With its new depth, clarity and
definition, we are going to prove
VistaVision as a new emotional ex-
perience.”

VistaVision is a production rath-
er than an exhibition process. A
wider negative area is exposed at
the camera and eventually reduced
to the size of a single, normal
frame. When the image is spread
out again on the wide screen, it
has both height and considerably
improved definition. Par execs say

(Continued on page 16) I

Charity Angle Confuses
Theatremen on Marciano
Closed-Circuit Telecast

Theatres with closed - circuit
equipment are confused about a
solicitation being made by a local
group regarding a benefit per-
formance of the upcoming Mar-
ciano-Charles fight. Theatre Net-
work Television, which controls the
closed-circuit rights, has not of-
fered the event to any philan-
thropic or charity group.

A letter from the national head-
quarters of the National Council of
Jewish women in New York to its
regional units offers the fight at
$2.50 per seat, and notes that “a
nationwide organization known as
Box Office Television Inc.” has
made the offer. The letter informs
the local group to contact a specific
theatre in its community to work
out the arrangements.

Exhibs are confused just what to
answer, since BOTV which ' made
an unsuccessful bid for the fight,
does not control the rights. A
spokesman for BOTV said “it was
a mistake,” but did not clarify
further. The National Council of
Jewish Women letter is dated July
30, about two weeks before the
International Boxing Club an-
nouncement that the rights would
again go to Nate Halpern’s TNT. ;

The National Council letter also
states that BOTV is offering an-
other type of entertainment. “They
are planning to televise on the
closed-circuit outlet one hit play
each month beginning early in the
fall. Under this arrangement such
plays as “Teahouse of the August
Moon,” “Tea and Sympathy,” “On-
dine,” and other leading produc-
tions will come to the . . the-

atre in your community, via live
television directly from the stage
in New York with the original
cast.” As far as could be learned
by Variety, no deals have been
set for any of these plays.

Film Trade Body Over There

B&K CAUTIONS ON TELE
FEED OF PHILHARMONIC

Chicago, Aug. 17.

Only one Windy City theatre, the
Uptown, is being readied for closed
circuit telecast of opening night at
Carnegie Hall with the New York
Philharmonic orch. Reason is that
Balaban & Katz is unsure of the
drawing power of the longhair con-
cert, broadcast by Edmund Dorf-
man’s television company, having
never tested one such before.

Normally, for championship box-
ing telecasts, B&K lights up the
Marbro and Tivoli theatres along
with the Uptown. Essaness circuit’s
Crown Theatre, only other Chicago
house participating to date in the-
atre tv events, is laying off the
symphonic program. Uptown is
charging $2.20 admission for the
concert.

B&K heads said more theatres
would probably Show the opening
night of the Met.

Stanley Warner
39-Week Net

Stanley Warner and subsidiary
companies report a net profit of
$1,494,900 for the 39-week period
ending May 29, 1954, after deduc-
tion of $2,328,100 for depreciation,
$1,100,000 for Federal income
taxes, and $100,000 for contingent
cies. Included in the final figure is
a profit of $80,000 from the sale of
properties. Net for the 39 weeks is
equal to 64c per share of common
stock on the 2,324,337 shares out-
standing.

The operating profit of Interna-
tional Latex Corp., which became
a wholly-owned subsid on April 30.
has been included for the period
of May 1 to May 29. For the 13
weeks ending May 29, SW net was
$303,500 after deducting $849,000
for depreciation, $315,000 for Fed-
eral taxes and $25,000 for contin-
gencies. Figure equals 13c per
(Continued on page 16)

American unhappiness with th*
Voices and votes currently ac
corded the U. S. distribs on th*
board of ANICA, the Italian in-
dustry organization, will be on«
of the topics of discussion when
an Italian group headed by Eitel
Monaco, ANICA prexy, comes her*
in late September or early October

Italo visitors are due on Sept
25. Delegation from Britain t*
negotiate a new film pact there
arrives on Sept. 27. . Motion Pic-
ture. Export Assn, has asked the
Italians tb postpone their arrival
date, but they have replied thal
this can't be done. MPEA will
therefore split its exec forces and
talk to both parties at the sam*
time. The British talks are ex-
pected to take a wek but may wind
in much less time than that.

Accompanying Monaco, who is s
kingpin in the Italian industry —
he’s also the president of Italian
Films Export — are Renato Gualino
head of the Italian produceri
group, and Guilio Manenti, distrib
u tors’ topper. Exhibs in Italy hav*
their own organization.

Precise agenda of the talks be-
tween the Italians and the MPEA
isn’t known, but it’s indicated that
the Americans will wish to discuss
the ANICA board on which they
once carried a lot of weight. Dis-
tribs feel that the board is now
so arranged that “they can push
us into practically anything.”

Furthermore, there have been
complaints that when ANICA nego-
tiated a new rental term agree-
ment with the exhibs — it was
signed two weeks ago — the Ameri-
can reps were insufficiently in-
formed and consulted on these
talks.

Only American outfit that isn’t
an ANICA member is Metro. Lat-
( Continued on page 18)

TOA PICKS ITS MAN!

HE’S STILL A SECRET

Theatre Owners of America has
selected its “industry coordinator”
despite denials of the exhib organ- ;
ization’s leaders that “we’re still ;
casting around.” The man is an
individual with exhibitor connec-
tions and reportedly has accepted
the job. His name is being kept
tightly under wraps but is expect-
ed to be officially revealed in a
week or two.

There is some conflict in the
TOA top echelon about the use of
the term “coordinator” for fear it
might suggest TOA itself is ac-
tually engaged in production, a
move that is far beyond the scope
of TOA thinking, although a num-
ber of individual TOA members
have expressed a willingness to en-
courage indie production by guar-
anteeing the producers play dates.

A name that has been mentioned
for the job, but which could not
be confirmed, is that of Guthrie
Crowe, of La Grange, Ky. An at-
torney, Crowe was founder and
president of the Kentucky Theatre
Owners Assn., a TOA unit. He re-
signed as prexy in July, 1952 to
become U.S. District Judge of the
Canal Zone. Earlier Ned Depinet,
former RKO prexy, and William F.
Rodgers, former Metro sales chief,
had been considered for the job,
but both indicated they weren’t in-
terested.

No Makelim Pix
Until December

Hal R. Makelim reports a total
of 2,400 theatres already signed for
his one-a-month 12-picture deal.
Producer in New York for a few
days this week for talks with cir-
cuit chiefs, said he expects to cor-
ral over 3,000 houses which will
guarantee playdates for his prod-
uct.

Makelim indicated that he would
not start actual shooting of the pix
“until all theatres are in.” He has
pushed back his delivery date of
the first film until December and
then will deliver one a month from
then on. On a whirlwind tour of
the country to sell his plan to ex-
hibs, Makelim said he had six or
seven more spots to visit' and
“some cleanup work” on several
deals.

Producer is maintaining his pol-
icy of not revealing the properties
he will shoot or the players that
will be involved. “I didn’t do it at
the beginning," he said, “and I
don’t want to change my policy. I’m
trying to market the plan and not
each picture." Makelim said he
was on the prowl for a sales man-
ager and sales staffers who would
handle the residual selling of his
films. He’ll be in New York until
Friday (20) and then head for
Washington, D. C.

Scribe Productions Names
Jules Goldstone President

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Scribe Productions, recently
formed by Melville Shavelson and
Jack Rose, named Jules Goldstone
president and Edward M. Rose sec-
retary-treasurer.

Company is currently associated
with Hope Enterprises and Para-
mount in the filming of "Eddie Foy
and the Seven Little Foys.” Next
on the program will be a film,
biography of the Wright Brothers.

; 6 PICTURES

’ Wgdnfawby, Align 18, 1,954

Respond to Art Intermixture;

Chicago, Aug. 17. f

Balaban & Katz, Chicago’s larg-
est theatre chain, jte dabbling in
“sophisticated films” policies at
certain problem houses located in
high-rental districts which are pop-
ulated by the intelligentsia. In most
cases where house has long been
operating in the red with general
run .pix, it's felt nothing worse
could happen with switch to more
arty fare* and circuit feels it’s
worth the experiment especially in
cases where renewal of lease be-
comes a matter for decision im-
minently.

Covent Theatre is a prime case
In point. House is located near
the lake shore in a residential dis-
trict Where new and expensive
apartment buildings are going up.
Theatre has practically no juvenile
audience, the younger set having
traditionally patronized the nearby
Parkway. B&K toppers feel the
nabC has a terrific potential audi-
enee for highgrade pix,. as the. edu-
cation level is high with much of
the tenantry in the professional
dodges.

Such popular foreign pix as the
Alec Guinness series, “Pickwick
Papers,” “Genevieve,” “Heidi” and
“Greatest Love” have had recent
dates there. Approaching the
policy switch cautiously, B&K is
afraid to risk not playing dualers,
and so topgrade combos like “Ex-
ecutive Suite” and "Genevieve” are
offered regularly. Results at the
b.o. are better already, B&K execs
say.

Chain is steering clear, of the
“art” appellation and prefers to
call the selection “sophisticated.”
Best grade American product,
many of them repeats, and in gen-
eral films for a selective clientage
are what the chain is pitching. De-
spite increased biz at Covent, cir-
cuit feels fall and winter will be
the real test periods because peo-
ple are vacationing now.

B&K’s first venture into this
kind of operation was in Evanston
at the Coronet Theatre, which has
been a successful hpuse ever since.
House was given a sleek, modern
decor and a single feature policy
of adult films much like those
aimed at the Covent.

Other problem houses in similar
class neighborhoods have gone
sophisticated from time to time.
Circuit has booked certain -foreign
pix like “Seven Deadly Sins” into
Lakeside, Luna, Howard and other
theatres in the past. These are
all houses of around 800-seat ca-
pacity which may eventually go
full-swing on selective plan If pres-
ent test at Covent pays off.

U’s Tokyo Meeting First
Sales Pow Ever Assembled
By U.S. Distrib in Asia

HUGHES-ODLUM ON AGAIN

But Tevlin’s Trip to N.Y. Officially
Called 'Personal*

Negotiations between Howard
Hughes and Floyd Odium, head of
Atlas Corp., for latter to buy out
RKO are again nearing the wrapiip
stage. The talks, which halted on
the Coast two weeks ago, have re-
sumed and progress is being made.
Chances for “the deal to go
through are better than ever.” May
be finalized “within a month.”

C. J. Tevlin, RKO studio boss, is
currently in New York. There were
reports that he was accompianied
by his aide, Ross Hastings, studio
.legal counsel, but this could, not
be confirmed. An RKO executive
said Tevlin was in Gotham on
“personal business,” but insiders
stated he had held sessions with
Odium.

While Odium previously had
been reported dickering only for
the RKO holding company, RKO-
Pictures Corp., the deal now is said
to involve the whole works, in-
cluding all studio and production
facilities, the worldwide distribu-
tion network, and the complete
library of old product.

600 Minimum Needed For
COMPO’s Group Policies;
Execs 5G, Ushers $1,000

Widespread and favorable reac-
tion to COMPO’s proposed group
life insurance project was reported
in N. Y. Monday (16) by Robert
Coyne, the org’s special counsel.

AH COMPO members have been
queried via letter on their feelings
about the insurance plan which
would be available to all officers,
partners and employees of industry
outfits affiliated with COMPO.

Scheme would entitle all active,
corporation officers and theatre
execs receiving $5,000 a year or
more, and all active proprietors
and partners working in the in-
sured business for more than 30
hours a week, to life insurance
policies of $5,000. Ushers could
get $1,000 policies and all others
policies of $2,500. Door is left
open for other classifications for
the trade sheets and other charter
orgs if they elect to join the plan.

If was stressed that, provided
COMPO can rally a minimum of
600 persons, all employers with
one or more employees could be
covered. Furthermore, it was
pointed out that smaller theatres
employing less than 25 should be
specially interested since, to date,
they haven’t been able to get group
insurance of this type. Cost is ex-
( Continued on page 62)

Tokyo, Aug. 16.

With Americo Aboaf, Universal’s
foreign sales manager, presiding,
the company opened its first Far
Eastern sales powwow here today
(16). It’s said that this is the first
time in the history of any major
that sales reps from all Far East-
ern areas have been brought to-
gether in a convention.

Guest of honor at the confab is
Charles J. Feldman, U v.p. and
general sales manager. Also pres-
ent from the home office is For-
tunat Baronat, U’s director of for-
eign publicity, who arrived with
Aboaf last week (9).

Documentary Pic Rolls
On Life of Cellist Casals

Prades, France, Aug. 10.

A documentary film on the life
of Pablo Casals, world’s most
famous cellist, started rolling
today (10) in Prades, in the heart
of the Pyrenees-'Orientales, close
to the Spanish border.

Film, being directed by Robert
Snyder, winner of a 1950 Oscar
for his documentary, “The Titan,”
on the works of Michelangelo, is
being underwritten by the Loeb
■Foundation, with major part -of

Repping the local U sales force J earnings to go to the Davis Mannes
are Arthur Doyle, U’s Far Eastern j School of Music,
supervisor; Wally Orr, managing I Prominent in the film, in addi-
director for Japan and Doyle’s as- i ^ 10n the Master,” as the great
sistant, and Paul Fehlen, head : Catalon,an exile is known, is
auditor 5 Madeline Foley, acknowledged as

1 his No. 1 pupil.

! Exteriors are being shot in and
Honolulu Ace House Gets C'Scope ! around Prades with interiors and

-• A A • , M Ia Jm. t u _ _ _ ] J - A. A 1 ^ A J *

sound being recorded at the 11th-
w . ... , .century Abbaye St. Michel de

Waikiki theatre, Consolidated , Cuja, site of the 1952-53 Casals

I A V n • I A AI ^ H • > MA A M A M A «J A AS* ■ M tarn A 0 m

Music Festivals.

In addition to Snyder, Nancy
Smith functions as production
assistant. Crew consists of Jacques
Mercanton, director of photo-

Honolulu, Aug. 17.

chain's flagship, "reopened Friday
(13) after a three-day shutdown’ for
installation of an all-purpose
screen to permit optional Cinema-
Scope bookings.

Hawaii’s second “C’Scoper is ? graphy, with Henri Raichi as lead
utilizing panoramic screen and lenser, assisted by Henri Martin
stereophonic sound system. “River and Claude Robin. Handling
of No Return” i20fh) is first pic sound is Norbert Gernolle, aided
tinder the new policy. i by Georges Bertola.

fLOUNQERED, .DISSOLVES

Theatre Tele Associates Never
Got Airborne

Theatre Television Associates,
Inc,, the firm organized by Capell-
MacDonald, the national sales
firm, for a closed-circuit theatre
operation, has been dissolved. .

The sales org, operating in. con-
junction with Leo Rosen, former
theatre tv exec of. Fabian Thea-
tres, attempted to present . sales
meetings and a weekly series of
fights to theatres via theatre tv.
It ran into difficulty from the .start
over a disagreement on terms to
charge theatres, leading to Rosen’s
ankling of . the . operation- and the
abandonment of G-M’s closed-cir-
cuit plans.

Motion Picture Export Assn, has
now had confirmation of its 50-
picture deal with Yugoslavia. Coin
-involved comes to $225,000, accord-
ing to Herbert Erlanger, MPEA
secretary and assistant treasurer,
who negotiated the sale to the.
Yugoslavs.

; Involved are features from only
seven companies. The rest — Metro,
United -Artists and Republic — -held
out for individual deals in this, the
last of the active MPEA territories.
There have been reports that Metro
has already sold some 25 pix to the
Yugoslavs.

The MPEA deal was made with
Film, the Croation Film Distribu-
tion outfit in Zagreb. However, the
U. S. pix will circulate through all
of the six Federal republics. Pact
is significant in that it denotes a
certain aimount of decentralization
in the Yugo film setup. At one
time all pix for distribution in
Yugoslavia were bought by Yugo-
slavia Film, which represented the
country’s film monopoly. This situ-
ation is now apparently changed
even though the tune is still called
from Belgrade.

Erlanger said the deal was still
subject to a formality, i.e., the
granting, with Yugoslav approval,
of a conversion guarantee by the
U. S, Information Agency. The
Yugoslavs picked their 50. pix from
a list of 300 submitted to them by
MPEA. Films must be delivered by
MPEA within a year.

HIKED ADMISH LIFTS
‘ROBE’ AT NJ>. DRIVE-IN

Minneapolis, Aug. 10,

Initial first-run of “The Robe” in
one of this territory’s ozoners, and
probably the only time the picture
has made its local debut in a drive-
in theatre, enriched the 20th-Fox
local exchange’s coffers.

Playing at the Minot Outdoor
theatre, Minot, N. D., population
22,000, at advanced $1 admission
for the first showing in* the town,
“(Robe)” ran 11 days to an esti-
mated $8,000.

Boxoffice performance is consid-
ered all the more remarkable be-;
cause “The Robe” had been pre-
viously shown in a small town 60
miles distant from Minot at regular
50c admission and the theatre in
question ran large ads in the Minot
newspaper at the time. The Minot
engagement also followed an
earlier run in another town only
65 miles distant. Also, Minot has
a tv station.

Minot Outdoor theatre’s deal for
“The Robe” called for a $4,000
guarantee against 50% of the gross
from the first dollar.

* ' ii ■

Tushinsky, Branson To
Europe for Superscope

RKO will handle the foreign dis-
tribution of Superscope, the wide-
screen process invented by Joseph
and Irving Tushinsky. National
Screen Service supervises the dis-
tribution . of Superscope in the
United States and Canada.

Joseph Tushinsky and Walter
Branson, RKO foreign chief, will
leave New York early in Septem-
ber for a series of Superscope dem-
onstrations in Europe. First show-
ings abroad of the variable ana-
morphic process will take place in
London, Paris and Rome. Demon-
strations for other countries are
currently being arranged.

According to RKO, approxi-
mately 1,000 theatres in the U. S.
already are equipped with the
Superscope lens.

Security Risk

Suspense feature for. the pro-
grammer market. Should be
moderately satisfactory.

Hollywood, Aug.. 11.

AUled Artists release of William P.
Broldy production. Stars John Ireland,
Dorothy Malone, Keith Larsen; features
Dolores Donlon, John Craven* Suzanne
Ta Fel, Joe Bassett, Burt Wenland. Di-
rected by Harold Schuster. Screenplay,
Jo Pagano, John Rich; from a story by
-Rich; camera, John Martin; editor, Ace
Herman. Previewed Aug. 9, '54. : Running
time, 49 MINS.

Ralph Payne . . . . ... ... ..... John Ireland

Donna Weeks Dorothy Malone

Ted Keith Larsen

Peggy .Dolores Donlon

Dr. Lanson John CraVeit

Joan Weeks ....SuZanne Ta Fel

Malone Joe Bassett

Burke .Burt Wenland

Johnny Steven Clark

Mike Murray Alper

Sheriff ...Harold Kennedy

(Aspect ratio : 1.85-1)

The suspense ingredients in the
plot of “Security Risk” are brought
off in moderately okay .fashion to
meet the hot too discriminating de-
mands of the programmer market.
Communi$t schemers and the FBI
match wits in the story to give it a
dateline touch, and its overall ef-
fect would have been more satis-
factory had the unfoldment not
been so slowly paced.

John Ireland represents the FBI
in the William Broidy production,
while Keith Larsen is the baddie
mixed up with the Red plotters.
Action takes place at Big Bear,
and the resort layout furnishes a
good backeround for what tran-
spires as Harold Schuster’s direc-
tion sends the script by Jo Pagano
and John Rich through its regu-
lation paces. Femme interest falls
to Dorothy Malone, the good sister
who goes for Ireland, and Dolores
Donlon, her sexy, blonde bad sis-
ter, who gets herself killed for try-
ing to turn a dishonest buck with,
the Commies. Latter are repre-
sented by a femme, Suzanne Ta
Fel.

Ireland and the others are va-
cationing at Big Bear when John
Craven, atomic scientist, is killed
there by his assistant, Larsen, who
wants some secret papers for the
Bolsheviki. The murder is wit-

and his sister who conscientious! v
convert the heathen and heal tho
§ick.. Setup is viewed, through the
eyep of .the new Government offi-
cial, an iminaculpte Jaw-enforcer
wl i? learas that his predecessor
committed, suicide. When the
beachcomber gets out of hand and
wrecks the wineshop, the new-
comer keeps v his threat and jails
him. An outbreak of cholera brines
a sense .of responsibility to the
drunkard who goes to a neighbor-
ing island with the Welsh girl as
medical assistant and their strange
antagonistic relationship ends in
marriage.

Dramatic highlights are a fight
between an elephant and 'a croco-
dile and escape from death when
the girl, is bound by the malevolent
witch doctor to be trodden under-
foot by the same: elephant.

Newton gives a richly human
portrayal of the reformed wastrel,
fitting the role capably. Glynis
Johns makes an attractive figure
of the single-minded missionary-
cum-surgeon who liodKsrf bftt an
appendix with the same aplomb as
she nets her reluctant mate. Paul
Rogers is suitably Sincere and
godly as ber brother while Donald
Sinden looks immaculate and dig-
nified as the impartial dispenser
of justice. Of the minor roles, Don-
ald Pleasence stands out as a na-
tive clerk and Michael Hordern as
tribal headman. Excellent con-
tributions are made by Walter
Crisham, Ronald Lewis and Jean
Rollins. Pic is intelligently directed
by Muriel Box..

Paramount ‘ released the 1938
version of the, same story (Pommer-
Laughton production), similarly
titled; Erich Pommer director and
Charles Laughton starred.

Paris Incident

( Telegramme pour M. Herriot)

(FRENCH)

Lightweight script and slow

pace limits chances in U. S.

Helene and Arthur Davis release ; of
Mme. Goulian production. Stars Gerard
Gervais. Pierrette Simonet. Directed by
Henri Decoin. Story and screenplay, Alex
Joffe; additional dialog. Decoin; camera,
Nicholas Hayer; music, Joseph Cosma.
Tradeshown in N. Y. Aug. 13, ’54. Rum
ning time, 80 MINS.

nessed by Miss Donlon, who picks
up . the papers and then tries to
sell them to the heavies. This costs,
her life because Larsen shoots her
down when it comes time for the
Commies to try their escape. Lar-
sen is killed also, and Ireland
rounds up such remaining baddies
as Miss Ta Fel, Burt Wenland,
Steven Clark and Murray Alper.

Performances of the three Stars
and the other sare brought off ac-
ceptably. The three -femmes in
the cast take care of tenrotation
angles satisfactory. Joe Bassett
plays the FBI chief and Harold
Kennedy is seen as the helpful
sheriff.

John Martin’s lensing and. the
other technical credits are okay.

Brog.

The It pacli comber

(BRITISH— COLOR)
Colorful version of Somerset
Maugham South Sea Island .
yarn of reformation of
drunken wastrel;. Robert New-
ton and Glynis Johns do leads
effectively; limited boxoffice
in U.S. looms.

London, Aug. 10.

„.?w nera ^ Film Distributors release of.
William MacQuitty production. Stars
Glynis. Johns, Robert Newton, Donald
Sinden. Directed by Muriel Box. Screen*
nlay, Sydney Box, based on a story by
W. Spmerset .Maugham; camera (Techni-
color), Reginald Wyer; editor, Jean
Barker; music, Francis Ghagrin. At
Leicester Square 'Theatre, London. Run-
ning time, 90 MINS.

Martha . .

Ted

Ewart Gray

Owen

• Tromp

Vederala

Headman

Alfred

Captain

Wang

Headman's son

Amao ................

Girl

Orderly

.... Glynis Johns
. . Robert Newton
. . Donald Sinden
..... Paul Rogers
Donald Pleasence
. Walter Crisham
. Michael Hordern
. . . Auric Lorand
. . . . Tttny Quinn
. Ah Chong Choy

Ronald Lewis

. . . . Jean Rollins

Lizabeth Rollins
Michael Mellinger

With the universal reputation of
Somerset Maugham, plus the trans-
atlantic popularity qf Robert New-
ton, this latest version of one of
the author’s Souths Sea Island
stories should do goodly biz in most
countries. It is well adapted and
suitably backgrounded, with au-
thentic local color and all the trap-
pings of native drums, witch doc-
tors and. the ineradicable prejudice
against the white man’s medicine.

Central figure is the “Honorable
Ted,” a disreputable remittance
man idling in drunken oblivion
While his money lasts. He has an
eye for the local cuties and is the
despair of the only other white in-
habitants, a bigoted Welsh minister

Antoine Gerard Gervais

Amelie •' Pierrette Simonet

Police Superintendent- Olivier Hussenot

LitUe Boy Christian Fourcade

The Headmaster .Henry Cremieux

M. Granjean Jacques Parride

Arthur ................ Edwin Machnik

The FlowerseUer Gemaine Michel.

The Boss Henri Marchand

Amelie's Mother ...Margaret Zolen

The Postman • • Darnay

Sergeant ChauVln A16x Gordon

Etienne ..Jules Nicola

“Paris Incident” is one of those
atmospheric whimsies that fall into
the “could have been” category.
With a less tenuous plot and a
good deal of tightening, this story
of a Parisian neighborhood’s search
for some telegrams lost by a mess-
enger boy could have been one
of those sleepers from abroad. In
its present state, however, its b.o,
outlook is limited to the arties.

birector Henri Decoin took a
talented crew of actors into the
Montmartre neighborhood, and set
them loose in the streets and apart-
ments to vachieye some strikingly
n&tural shots : of Parisian domes-
ticity. But in spite of some effec-
tive moments of whimsy and sad-
ness, the Alex Joffe screenplay
bogs down badly most of the way.
And while the ending (after a lost
telegram to a Ml Herriot, presumed
to be the Speaker of the Chamber
of Deputies, is found) isn’t exactly
telegraphed* it comes as something
of a letdown. . .

Gerard Gervais is the youngster
who on his way to deliver three
telegrams, runs his bike into a
truck and then embarks on an all-
night excursion to find the wires,,
lost during the accident. He s
joined by Pierrette Simonet. an
appealing little girl, and a flock
of other interesting characters,
best qf which are Olivier Husse-
not, Henry Cremieux, Jacques Par-
ride and Gemaine Michel.

Both young$ters, Gervais ana
Miss Simonet, give remarkably
poised and sensitive performances
which for the most part carry tne
film. Decoin’s direction, though it
doesn’t overcome the lethargy 0*
the story, gets in its humorous
moments and some bittersweet
ones, and his crowd scenes, witn
the people of Rue Moffetard, a re

PYPPlIpflt

- Nicholas Hayer’s camerawork
gives an animated picture of tne
streets of Paris at night, and Jo-
seph Cosma’s score follows tne
varying moods, unhaltingly ana
contains some excellent themes
worth hearing in themselves. Ha *
monlca played by Flore .Flavey »
another plus. French title origi-
nally was “Telegramme Pou ' ]™, an '
Herriot” Cha7U

>

FIGHT FOR FILM $

Following Is the breakdown of The film companies', advertising ex-
penditures in/tnagaziiiesand newspaper sections during the first six
months of 1954, compared with 1953. Statistics were compiled by
r John Crockett, eastern ad manager of Coronet Magazine;

• ! . Pet. •

Loews ............

RKO ...•••••

Paramount ....

Universal .....

Warner Bros. ..
Columbia .....

20 tta-Fox ......

United Artist* .
Republic ......

1954

$418,789

104,786

151,510

270,814

112,250

91,615

212,960

32,830

,72,520

1953
$326,150
260,661
226,565
. 181,960
179,385
139,135
89.810
46,030
4,225

Change

+ 28.4

— 59.8

— 33.1
■f 48.8

— 37.4
+ 34.2
+137.1

— 28.7
+1.616

Dick Walsh 2-1 Victor in IA;

Aims Barbs at 1BEW and NABET

By JOE ROLLING -

Cincinnati, Aug. 17.

President Richard F. Walsh and
all other officers of the AFL In-
ternational Alliance of Theatrical
Stage Hands were reelected for a
two-year term at the five-day con-
vention here last week. Entire op-
position ticket, headed by Roy M.
Brewer, was defeated by two-to-one
margin. Walsh received 789 votes
to 408 for Brewer.

Disappointed over the outcome
Brewer said he expected “hidden
support” from small locals in
which he thought “a feeling of un-
rest was present." He said his plans
for immediate future were indefi-
nite. but indicated he will be back
in Hollywood where he filled an
executive post with Allied Artists
after resigning as IA rep in Hol-
lywood.

Walsh’s president’s report pledged
that IA will “use every ounce of
our might to protect our jurisdic-
tion against encroachment by any
other union.’’ Defy was aimed at
AFL International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers and the Nation-
al Association of Broadcast Em-
ployes and Technicians.

“These opponents," Walsh stated,
“have sought to penetrate every
phase of work behind the scenes
in television. Against them we
have been; able to do much better
than hold our own.”

Tom O’Brien, British labor’s
peace envoy, who was accorded
(Continued on page 20)

Chemical Bank Finances
Tashlin-Runkle ‘Kiss-Off’
As UA Guarantees Loan

Hollywood, Aug. 17.
Chemical Bank of' N.Y., with a
loan guaranteed by United Artists,
will finance “The Kiss-Off,” a sus-
pense yarn to be produced by
Frank Tashlin and Rip Van Runkle,
Who co-authored it.

Meanwhile UA is financing four
more films representing an outlay
of more than $7,000,000. They are:
Hecht- Lancaster’s “The Gabriel
Horn,” Paul Gregory’s “Night of
the Hunter," Russ-Field’s “Gentle-
men Marry Brunettes" and Stanley
Kramer’s “Not as a Stranger."

HIGH TERMS FOR ‘STAR’
BUT NOT A PREEM

Lopert Films, which manages
the Astor -and Victoria Theatres,
L” Y., for City Investing Co.,
Plunked down a $200,000 guarantee
{or Warner Bros.’s “A Star Is
"orn.” Picture is scheduled to open
in both houses on a day-and-date
oasis early in October. Terms for
‘he run of the film are 70-30,

Lopert management, while not
rJi ng J lts beef openly, reportedly is
ii Warners decision to

preem the picture in Holly-
tn^ *L n Sept. 30. Lopert manage-
h®, h od anticipated the hoopla
V n . New York. WB has made
BinnS cls,0n yet as to whether the

Kleidrw unve Hing will have
* le ‘g-Iight trimmings.

Television Script Bought
For Greene-Rouse Film

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Clarence Greene and Russell
Rouse bought film rights to “The
Last Notch,” Frank Gilroy’s origi-
nal screenplay previously produced
on television by the Theatre Guild
for the United States Steel Hour.
It will succeed “New York Confi-
dential" on the partners’ filming
program.

It will be the first Greene-Rouse
motion picture production which
they have not prepared themselves.

Schine’s Dismissal Bid
Denied; Judge Orders
Chain’s Books Opened

Buffalo, Aug. 17.

Motion in Federal Court here
made by officers of Schine Chain
Theatres, Inc. and Buffalo Council
President Elmer F. Lux for dis-
missal of the criminal contempt
charges brought by the U. S.
against them has been denied by
Judge John Knight.

Similar motion to dismiss civil
contempt charges against three
other individuals, and other Schine
Chain corporations were also de-
nied. Judge Knight ruled that
Howard M. Antevil, attorney for
Schine, and Donald Schine, vice-
president of certain Schine subsidi-
ary corporations, could be added
as co-conspirators even though
they were not parties to the origi-
nal antitrust judgment. The con-
tempt charges arise from the claim
of the government that Schine vio-
lated a 1949 antitrust stipulation.
Named in the present government
proceeding for contempt are J.
Myer Schine, Louis W. Schine and
John A. May, Schine Chain The-
atres, Inc., Schine Theatrical Co.
Inc., Scliine Lexington Corp.,
Schine Enterprises Corp., Schine
Circuit, Inc., Chesapeake Theatre
Corp., Hildemart Corp., Darnell
Theatres, Inc., and Elmart The-
atres, Inc.

At the same time Judge Knight
directed five Schine affiliate cor-
porations to produce all journals,
ledgers and books for the period
1939-1954 for Government inspec-
tion and also ordered Darnell, El-
mart and Hildamart corporations
to produce their books and records
for inspection.

“It appears from the petition,"
said Judge Knight, “that these cor-
porations have had such close con-
nection or relations with the vari-
ous Schine companies that it is pre-
sumably necessary that the peti-
tioner. be permitted to examine
books and records of these three
corporations.”

Max Rosenberg Reps 'Cage'

Max. Rosenberg has been named
producer’s representative for
Phoenix’s “The Steel Cage," which
United Artists will release.

Based on the book, “The San
Quentin Story," co-authored by
Warden Clinton T. Duffy and Dean
Jennings, the film was produced
by Berman Swarttz and Walter
Doniger, with the latter handling
the direction.

While film, companies barely in-
creased their ad expenditures in
consumer magazines and Sunday
newspaper supplements during the
first six months -of 1954,* as com-
pared with _ 1953, the. spending
lineup of the distribs has changed
significantly arid clearly reflects a
growing preoccupation with tele-
vision.

’ Statistics on the half year are
contained in a letter written to the
companies by C. John Crockett,
eastern advertising manager for
Coronet Magazine, who compiled
them from the records of Publish-
ers’ Information Bureau.

Crockett's figures,’ Which don’t
take into account national network
radio or tv expenditures, or “co-
operative" local newspaper, radio
or tv advertising, bear out the com-
panies’ contention that ad budgets
are in most cases being expanded
to take care of both standard forms
of advertising and the newer — and
costly— tv medium.

Total spent by nine film compar
nies during the first half of 1954
comes to $1,468,074, ail increase of
only $14,153 over the same months
in 1953. Individual breakdown,
however, shows considerable
changes.

Biggest ad spending increase in
.’54 over ’53 was registered by Re-
public, which stacked $72,520 on
ads compared to $4,225 last year.
Company went in for Sunday sec-
tion plugging to the tune of $33,-
510, which compares with zero in
’53.

Second - largest increase was
shown by 20th-Fox, which boosted
ad expenditures 137%, from $89,-
810 last year to $212,960 in 1954.
Here, again, what with its Cinema-
Scope pix to plug, the company in-
vested $72,355 in Sunday supple-
ments against a zero rating last
year.

Largest spender among the dis-
continued on page 18)

Paramount Due For
15 VistaVision Cameras

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Within the next three weeks
Paramount will have a total of 15
VistaVision cameras and is prepar-
ing for a heavy increase in produc-
tion. Currently the studio has six
VV cameras of its own and two on
lease from. Technicolor and is
awaiting the delivery of seven more
by the Mitchell Camera Corpora-
tion. They cost $25,000 apiece.

Mitchell company will also ship
a number of VVs to J. Arthur Rank
in England in time for late Sep-
tember production.

Philadelphians Organize
Exploitation Film Firm

Philadelphia, Aug. 17.

Exploitation Productions, Inc.,
new distributing outfit headquar-
tered here, has been formed for
production of special films both in
the United States and abroad.

Louis W. Kellman, head of News
Reel Laboratory, local . tv and
newsreel service, is president of
new distrib. Jack Harris, who
heads own organization in ex-
change district, is v.p, and sales
manager. Michael Freedman, for-
mer circuit op and head of Com-
prehensive Service, is treasurer.

N.Y. Backtracks on Birth
Of Buffalo With Flick’s
Return; Md. Unresolved

New York censor board back-
tracked last week and greenlighted
a scene in Walt Disney’s “The Van-
ishing Prairie” showing the birth
of a buffalo calf.

Decision came with the return
from vacation of Hugh M. Flick,
the N.Y. censor, who said his rul-
ing repped “a modification of an
old precedent” of the board which
has frowned on scenes showing the
birth of- animals. He also suggested
that there had been a misunder-
standing in that his board had
never actually banned the contro-
versial 25-foot bit.

Instead, having found the birth
sequence in possible violation of
the N.Y. censor statute, the board
notified the Disney office of its
view. Return of Flick settled the
matter.

Observers noted the apparent
press sensitivity to any matter re-
lating to censorship. The. “Prairie”
story got extraordinary play in the
lay press. This in itself, it’s said,
is apt ito be a future factor in pre-
venting censorship excesses such
as might have occurred in the past.

Maryland Free State, Too
Baltimore, Aug. 17.

Walt Disney’s “Vanishing Prai-
rie” conflicted last week with
Maryland’s State Board of . Motion
Picture Censors with the dispute
yet - to be resolved. Last Monday
(9), Sydney R. Traub, chairman of
the board, ordered 27 feet of film
involving the birth of a buffalo
I calf cut from the nature film un-
( Continued on page 69)

J. Robert Rubin Due to Retire

Also Bob Lynch in Philly — As Divorce Proceedings
Quidken Shifts and Retirements

Loevv's top brass Is currently
playing its own version of the
scrabble game in preparation for
the separation of the company’s
theatre and production-distribution
holdings, set to take place at the
end of this month. Loew’s will be
the last of major film companies
to undergo the divorcement treat-
ment under the government’s con-
sent decree judgment.

The company toppers are work-
ing out the executive and staff
lineups for the two separate com-
panies which will be formed short-
ly. A careful study of personnel is
also being made, with an eye to-
ward hiking top execs to new con-
tracts and making arrangements
for the retirement of others eligi-
ble under the company’s retire-
ment plan.

Among those set to retire is J.
Robert Rubin, veepee and general
counsel, who has been associated

with Metro since its inception.
Rubin is expected to step down
on Sept. 1. He had been with
Louis B. Mayer from the beginning
of the latter |s production activities
prior to the formation of M-G.

Robert Lynch, district manager
of the Philadelphia district, is also
retiring effective Sept. 1. He had
been with Metro Distribution and
M-G^M for a total of 37 years. An
Industry distribution pioneer, he
had been an original Metro fran-
chise holder of the old Metro corm
pany until he sold out to M-G-M
in the ’20s. Lynch is one of three
of the one-time franchise holders
still in the M-G organization, the
others being George A. Hickey,
western division manager, and Ed
Saunders, assistant general sales
manager.

Lou Formato, Philly branch
manager succeeds Lynch, with
William A. Madden, Boston circuit
sales head, moving to Philly as
branch chief.

By HY IIOLLINGER

Film production in Germany is
booming to such an extent that
there is danger of it becoming
strong competition for American
films in the foreign market. The
German film industry is slowly,
but surely rebuilding to its pre-
war proportions.

These are the observations of
Mitchell Wolfson, head of the Wo-
metco circuit and a board member
of Theatre Owners of America, fol-
lowing his return from a European
trek. Wolfson, a Miami tv station
owner and former mayor of Miami
Beach, as well as a leading exhib-
itor executive, found production on
the increase also in France, Spain,
Italy and Sweden. “While these
countries also represent competi-
tion for Hollywood in the foreign
market,” he said, “the great threat
is from Germany.”

While Wolfson does not believe
the German films or the product
from other countries will make a
serious inroad on Hollywood films
in the United States, he feels that
if the Jhreat is not met with the
proper selling abroad, not only will
American distribs lose coin but it
will also be harmful to America
in general. “Our pictures abroad,”
he said, “help sell America and we
should do everything in our power
to keep up the continuous flow of
American pictures.”

Wolfson said he found the Euro-
pean reps of the U, S. film com-
panies “hard-working, intelligent
individuals,” and he is strong in
his view that in these men lit-s the
future of American pix abroad and,
to a certain degree of American
prestige. He feels that every effort
should be made by the U. S. dis-
tribs to build up these reps and to
sell them on America.

“They should be brought to the
United States at least once every
two years. They should be talked
to and shown around America and
Hollywood. They should have a
chance to see pictures made and
to observe our vast manpower and
resources,” Wolfson suggested.

In this manner, the exhib exec
feels, they can be shown the Vast-
( Continued on page 69)

‘Black Dahlia’ Him
Come-On Cons $100,000
Worth of Sucker Money

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

They're still biting out here on
bait to make a quick killing in pic-
tures. Police today rounded up two
“officers” of International Produc-
tions Ltd., in what they charged
was a swindle that hauled in
nearly $100,000 of “sucker” money
on capital that police said was
$6.95. Suspects allegedly prom-
ised 8% interest on investment
and 20% payoff after production
of a film on “Black Dahlia,” long
headlined murder case still un-
solved.

Suspects are Glen Wood and
Brucks Randell, claimed to have
their own private information to
be used in filming the grisly crime.
Most of sucker money came from
Pasadena school teachers, doctors
and retired coupon-clippers. Six
are said to have mortgaged their
homes to “get into pictures.”

ALLIED CONVENTION
TO STRESS DRIVE-INS

Milwaukee, Aug. 17.

Figuring that two-thirds of its
members operate drive-ins as well
as conventional theatres, Allied
States Assn, will feature a post-
season ozoner exhibit at its annual
convention and trade show.

Combined meeting and exhibit,
billed as the silver anni-convention,
will be held Oct. 12-14 at the
Schroeder Hotel here.

PICTURE GROSSES

TtfcaJy, Angrai IS, 1954

LA. Hits Terrif Upbeat; 'Window’

ill

'Gladiators Tall JOG, living 16G

Los Angeles, Aug. 17. *

The boxoffice is hitting a mighty
upbeat in current frame with two
blockbusters among newcomers
and continuing hefty biz for some
extended-runs. Overall take likely
will be best of year, topping even
first session of 1954.

‘’Rear Window/’ single showcas-
ing, is sighting a great $30,000.
“Gone With Wind,” playing in two
theatres, is smash $57,000, Hold-
outs and turnaways are the order
rather than the exception for both
films. Sturdy $30,000 looms for
“Demetrius and Gladiators in
three locations. “Her 12 Men’
looks medium $12,000 in two.
houses.

“Living It Up” shapes neat $16,-
000 in second round intwo situa-
tions plus a hearty $41,000 in five
ozoners. Also stout is “On Water-
front,” with $41,000 possible in
second frame, three spots. “Broken
Lance” is good $16,000 in third
week at Chinese. “Magnificent Ob-
session” is smooth $10,000 in
fourth round at Warner Beverly.

“Caine Mutiny” looks good $29,-
000 in fifth and “Cinerama” fancy
$36,000 in 67th frame.

Estimates for This Week
Egyptian, State (UATC) (1,538;
2,404; $1-$1.50) — “Gone With
Wind” (M-G) (reissue). Smash $57,-
000. Last week, "Valley of Kings
(M-G) and “Red River Shore”
(Rep) (State only) (2d wk-5 days),
$9,500.

Hollywood Paramount (F&M)
(1.430; $1-$1.50) — "Rear Window
(Par). Great $30,000. Last week,
“Student Prince” (M-G) (4th wk),
$8,800.

Los Angeles, Uptown, Loyola
(FWC) <2,097; 1,715; 1.248; $1-$1.50)

; — , “Demetrius and Gladiators
(20th) and “Genevieve” (U). Sturdy
$30,000. Last week, plus Iris, ex-
cluding Uptown, "3 Coins In Foun
tain” (20th) and “Titfield Thunder-
bolt” (Indie) (3d wk), $19,300
Holds for fourth at Iris for nice
$3,300.

Palace, Hawaii (Metropolitan
G&S) (1,212; 1,106; 70-81.10)— "Her
12 Men” (M-G) and "Security Risk”
(AA). Medium S12.000. Last week,
Hawaii and Warner Downtown,
“Susan Slept Here” (RKO) and
“Spanish Main” (RKO reissue) (2d |
wk), $11,600. Holds a third at
Downtown for fair $4,500.

Orpheum, Vogue (Metropolitan-
FWC) (2,213; 8S5; 70-$l. 10)— “Liv-
ing It Up" (Par) and "Desperado”
(AA) (Orpheum only) (2d wk). Neat
$16,000. Last week, fancy $30,900,
plus socko $58,000 in five drive-ins.

Los Angeles Paramount, (Wiltern
Hollywood (ABPT-SW-FWC) (3,200;
2,344; 756; 75-$1.25)— “On Water-
front” (Col) (2d wk). Stout $41,000.
Last week, $60,000.

Chinese (FWC) (1.905; $1-$1.80)
— “Broken Lance” i20th) 3d wk).
Good $16,000. Last week, $19,800.

Ritz (FWC) (1.363; $1-$1.50)—
“Adventures Robinson Crusoe”
(UA) (3d wk). Okay $4,500. Last
week, $5,700.

Warner Beverly (SW) (1,612; 90-
$1.50) — "Magnificent Obsession”
(U) (4th wk). Smooth $10,000. Last
week, hefty $12,800.

Fox Wilshire (FWC) (2,296; 90-
$1.50) — "Apache” (UA) (4th wk).
Slow $5,300. Last week. $7,900.

Hillstreet, Pantacres (RKO) (2812;
(2,752; 2.812; 95-$1.75)— "Caine

Mutiny” (Col) (5th wk). Good
$29,000. Last week, $39,200.

Four Star (UATC) (900; 90-$1.50)
— “Mrs. Leslie” (Par) (7th wk).
Light $2,400. Last week. $2,900.

Fox (FWC (965; $1-$1.50)— “High
and Mighty” (WB) (6th wk). Oke
$3,800. Last week. $4,800.

Fine Arts (FWC) (631; 8O-$1.50)
— “Hobson’s Choice” (UA) <9th wk).
Slim $1,400. Last week, $1,800.

Warner Hollywood (SW) (1,364;
$1.20-$2.65) — “Cinerama” (Indie)

Broadway Grosses

Estimated Total Gross

This Week $616,700

(Based on 21 theatres.)

Last Year .... ... $738,400

( Based on 23 theatres . )

Geve.; ‘Lance’ 16G

Cleveland, Aug. 17.
Four holdovers continue to keep
first-run biz at high level here
currently. Top newcomer is
Brides for 7 Brothers," huge

“7

at

“Broken Lance” is scoring

State.

again in second round at Hipp.
"Knock 'On Wood” is smash on
m.o. to Stillman. “Caine Mutiny,”
now in fifth week, still is hefty
in fifth stanza at the Alien.
Estimates for This Week
Allen (S-W) (3,000; 70-$1.25)—
Caine Mutiny” (Col) (5th wk).
Hefty $13,500. Last week, $19,000.
Hipp (Telem’t) (3,700; 60-90)—
Broken Lance” (20th) (2d wk).
Boff $16,000. Last week smash
$30,000.

Ohio (Loew’s) (1,200; 60-90) —
“Prisoner of Casbah” (Col) and
"Outlaw Stallion” (Col). Good
$5;000. Last week, “Coroner’s
Creek” (Col) and “Gunfighters”
(Col) (reissues), $5,000.

Lower Mall (Community) (585;
60-90)— "7 Deadly Sins” (Indie)
(2d wk). Oke $3,500. Last week,
$4,000.

Palace (RKO) (3,300; 75-$l) —
“Hell Below Zero” (Col). Fair $10,-
000. Last week, “Ring of Fear”
(WB), $8,500.

State (Loew’s) (3,500: 60-90) —
"Seven Brides” (M-G). Smash $30,-
000, Last week, “Knock on Wood”
(Par) (2d wk), $16,000.

Stillman (Loew’s) (2,700; 60-90)
— "Knock on Wood” (Par) (m.o.)
Big $10,000. Last week, "Living It
Up” (Par) (m.o.), $9,000

‘Susan’ Snappy $9,000
Seattle; Brando 14G

Seattle, Aug. 17.

Cool summer continues to spell
hot boxoffice here currently. On
Waterfront” looms smash at Coir
iseum while “Susan Slept Here” is
rated great at Music Box. Big cam-
paign for preem of “Karamoja” is
racking up a terrific session.
“Broken Lance” continues great in
second round at Fifth Avenue.

Estimates for This Week

Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,829, 65-
90) — “On Waterfront” (Col) and
"Vigilante Territory” (AA). Smash
$14,000 for Marlon Brando starrer.
Last week, “Living It Up” (Par)
and “Lone Gun” (UA) (3d wk),
$8,600.

Fifth Avenue (Evergreen) (2,500;
$1-$1.25) — "Broken Lance” (20th)
(2d wk). Great $11,000.- Last week,
$15,400.

Liberty (Hamrick) (1,650; $1)—
"Karamoja” (Lip) and "Half Way
To Hell” (Lip). Huge $15,000. Last
week, "Apache” (UA) (2d wk),
$3,500 at $1 top.

Music Box (Hamrick) (850; 90-
$1.25)— “Susan Slept Here” (RKO).
Great $9,000. Last week, “Apache
(UA) (2d wk), $3,600 at $1 top.

Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,300; 90-
$1.25)— “High and Mighty” (WB).
(5th wk). Solid $9,000 or near. Last
week, $7,800.

Paramount (Evergreen) (3,039;
$1-$1.25) — "Caine Mutiny” (Col)
(6th wk). Great $10,000. Last week,
$10,400.

‘Wild’ Rousing $15,000,
Mont’l; ‘Robe’ Big 11G

Montreal, Aug. 17,
Ace newcomer here this round is
"Wild One.” solid at the Princess
"The Robe” also looms big at the
Imperial. Both “Carnival Story
at Loew’s and “Coins in Fountain’
at the Palace shape strongly in
second rounds.

Estimates for This Week
Palace (C.T.) (2,625; 60-$l)—
Coins in Fountain” (3d wk). Fine
$16,000 after a solid second of
$ 22 , 000 .

Capitol (C.T.) (2,412; 45-75) —
“Her Twelve Men” (M-G). Fair
(Continued on page 22)

Key City Grosses

Estimated Total Gross
This Week ... . . . $2,926,900

( Based on 23 cities, and 211
theatres, chiefly first runs *• in-
cluding N. Y.)

Total Gross Sama Week
Last Year ...... ... $2,600,500

( Based on 23 cities and 215
theatres.)

'Knock’ Fair 17G

St. L.; ‘Living’ lfiG

St. Louis, Aug. 17.
"Broken Lance” shapes as hot-
test thing in this torrid city where
the mercury is valued at better
than 100 degrees over the past
weekend as another heat wave has
arrived. "Miami Story” looms good
at Loew’s while "Living It Up”
landed a stout second session at
the huge Fox, where few pix stay
more than a week. It is holding a
third round.

Estimates for This Week

Ambassador (Indie) (1,400; $1.20-
$2,40)- — “Cinerama” (Indie) (28th
wk). Solid $17,000 after $18,500 last
week.

Fox (F&M) (5,000; 51-69)— "Liv-
ing It Up” (Par) and “Paris Play-
boys” (AA) (3d wk). Opened to-
day (Tues.). Second session was
big $16,000.

Loew’s (Loew’s) (3,172; 50-75) —
"Miami Story” (Col) and "Saracen
Blade” (Col). Good $14,000. Last
week, “Apache” (UA) and “Scarlet
Spear” (UA) (2d wk), $13,000.

Orpheum (Loew’s) (1,600; 75-$l)
— "Gone With Wind” (M-G). Lofty
$7,000. Last week, $8,500.

Pageant (St. L. Amus.) (1,000;
82) — “One Night of Happiness”
(Indie) (3d wk). Fine $4,000 after
$5,500 second session.

Richmond (St. L. Amus.) (400; 82)
— “Hobson’s Choice” (UA) (2d wk).
Good $2,000 following $3,000 ini-

fijil ctsn72

St. Louis (St. L. Amus.) (4,000;
51-69) — "Broken Lance” (20th).
Socko $21,000. Last week, “Garden
of Evil” (20th) (2d wk), $8,500.

Shady Oak (St. L. Amus.) (800:
82) — "Hobson’s Choice (UA) (2d
wk). Stout $2,500 after $3,000
opener.

'Crusaders’ NSG 13G, Hub; 'Lance
Sock 19G, 'Obsession Wow 17G, 4th

Boston, Aug. 17.

There are no complaints at
downtown first-runs this session.
Despite holdovers in most spots,
biz continues strong. "Magnificient
Obsession” in fourth week at the
Memorial still is great with "Gone
With Wind” in fourth at Orpheum
and State in same category,

(68th wk). Into current frame Sun- i "Broken Lance,” which skyrocketed

day (15)
week.

after fancy $36,000 last

‘12 MEN’ SLOW $7,500,
BALTO; ‘LANCE’ BIG 12G

Baltimore, Aug. 17.
Holdoyers predominate again
here this week with fairish grosses
resulting. Among the few new en-
tries, “Her Twelve Men” is mild at
the New. "Francis Joins Wacs”
wound up an okay week at the
Mayfair. "Broken Lance” is still
smash in its second week at the
Town. "King Richard and Cru-
saders” is holding fairish in second
round at the Stanley.

Estimates for This Week
Century (Loew's-CA) ‘3,000; 25r!

(Continued on page 22)

during initial week at the Para-
mount and Fenway, continues big
in second round. "Caine Mutiny,”
now in seventh round at the Astor,

, still draw's hefty night biz, but day-
| time activity action is offish. Lone
' newcomer, “King Richard and
Crusaders” at the Met shapes mild.

Estimates for This Week
Astor (B&Q) (1,500; 85-$1.25) —
! "Caine Mutiny”. (Col) (7th wk).
j Oke $14,500 following $16,000 in
; sixth.

Beacon Hill (Beacon Hill) (800;
50-$l)— "Man With Million” (UA)
(7th wk). Nice $5,000 following
$6,000 for sixth.

Boston (Cinerama Productions)
(1,354; $1.20-$2.85) — "Cinerama”
(Indie) (33d wk). Hefty, tubthum-
ping campaign has hypoed this to
a big $18,500. Last week, $19,000,
Exeter (Indie) (1*300; 60-$l) —

“Holly and Ivy” Indie) and “Wel-
come Queen” (Indie) (2d wk). Good
$7,000 after $7,500 for first.

Fenway (NET) (1,373; 50-90) .—
“Broken Lance” (20th) and "Heat
Wave” (Lip) (2d wk). Nice $5,500
following $10,500 for first week.

Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 50-$l)—
“Magnificient Obsession” (U) (4th
wk). Continues great at $17,000
following $19,000 in third, will
hold again.

Metropolitan (NET) (4,367; 50-90)
r— "King Richard and Crusaders”
(WB) and "The Cowboy” (Lip).
Slender $13,000. Last week, “About
Mrs. Leslie” (Par) and “Paris Ex-
press” (Indie), same.

Orpheum (Loew’s) (3,000; 65-$l)

— "Gone With Wind” (M-G) (4th
wk-5 days), Trim $9,500 after $15,-
500 for third.

Paramount (NET) (1,700; 50-90)

— "Broken Lance” (20th) and
"Heat Wave” (Lip) (2d wk). Big
$13,500 following $23,000 opening
week. Proved surprisingly sock
grosser here as at Fenway right
from first week.

State (Loew’s) (3,500; 65-$l) —
"Gone With Wind” (M-G) (4th wk-
5 days). Okay $5,000 after $6,500
In third, below hopes.

Detroit, Aug. 17.
Boxoffice coin dwindles some-
what this week, but overall condi-
tions are generally bright. “Knock
On Wood’’ is a little hollow at the
Michigan. “Gambler from Natchez”
is finding pickings slim at the Fox.
Second week of “On Waterfront”
at the Palms looks great. “Gone
With the Wind” is strong in -fifth
round at the United Artists. Same
applies to “Caine Mutiny” in sev-
enth week at the Madison. "Cine-
rama” continues sockeroo 74th
week at Music Hall. “Pushover”
is rated okay at Broad way-Capitol.

Estimates for This Week
Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,000; 80-$I)
“Gambler from Natchez” (20th)
and “River Beat” (UA). Slow $22,-
000. Last week, “Garden of Evil”
(20th) and “Man in Hiding” (20th)
(4th wk), $17,000.

Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000;
80-$l) — "Knock (On Wood” (Par)
an'd "The Cowboy” (Lip), Only
fair at $17,000. Last week, “Living
It Up” (Par) and “Make Haste to
Live” (Rep) (3d wk), $14,000.

Palms (UD) (2,961; 80-$l)—

“On Waterfront” (Col) and “Big
Chase” (Lip) (2d wk). Great $25,
000. Last week, $42,000.

Madison (UD) (1,900; $1.25-$1.50)
— "Caine Mutiny” (Col) (7th wk).
Socko $16,000. Last week, $20,000
Broadway-Capitol (UD) (3,500;
80 : $1) — "Pushover” (Col) and
"Law Vs. Billy Kid” (Col). Oke
$15,000. Last week, “Weak and
Wicked” (AA) and “Desperado’
(AA), $14,000.

United Artists (UA) (1,938; $1
$1.25)— "Gone With Wind” (M-G)
(reissue) (5th wk). Strong $20,000.
Last week, $23,600.

Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 80-$l)
—“Valley of Kings” (M-G) (3d wk).
Down to $7,000. Last week, $10,000,
Music Hall (Cinerama Produc-
tions) (1,194; $l,40-$2.65)— "Cine-
rama” (Indie) (74th wk). Smash
$21,000. Last week; $21,400.

‘Million’ Fancy $14,000,
Toronto; ‘Demetrius’ 15G,
‘Living’ Smash 11G, 3d

Toronto, Aug. 17.
Lots of new product here this
round but the strength is in the
holdovers. "Man with a Million”
leads the newcomers with neat re-
turns. "Gone With Wind” in
fourth frame still is topping the
town on terrific take. Up front
is "Demetrius and Gladiators” in
second stanza. “Living It Up” also
is sock in third stanza.

Estimates for This Week*
Downtown, Glendale, Scarboro,
State (Taylor) (1,050; 955; 694; 698;
40-70)— "Sins of Rome” (1FD) and
"Massacre Canyon” (Col). Okay
$13,000. Last week, "Conquest
Cochise” (Col) and "Bowery Boys
Meet Monster” (AA), $14,000.

Hyland (Rank) (1,354; 60-80)—
"The Maggie” (Rank) (3d wk).
Holding at near-capacity $10,000.
Last week, same.

Imperial (FP) (3,373; 60-$l)—
“Demetrius and Gladiators” (20th)
(2d wk). Lusty $15,000. Last week,
$22,000.

Loew’s (Loew’s) (2,096; 60-80) —
"Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue)
(4th wk). Hefty $22,000. Last
week, $26,000.

Odeon (Rank) (2,318; 70-$l) —
"Man with Million” (Rank). Fine
$14,000. Last week, "Garden of
Evil” (20th) (3d wk), $10,000.

Shea's (FP) (2.386; 50-85) —
“Living It Up” (Par) (3d wk). Hold-
ing socko with $11,000. Last week,
$12,500.

Towne (Taylor) (695; 60-90)-r
"Golden Coach” (IFD). Light $3,
500. Last week, “La Ronde” (Ha
kim) (5th wk), $3,500.

Uptown (Loew) (2,745; 65-80)
—"Her Twelve Men” (M-G) (2d
wk). Good $9,000. Last week,
$ 12 , 000 .

Kansas City, Aug. l?

Big money trenjl continues here
with strong newcomers pr sturdy
holdovers on nearly every marquee
"Broken. Lance” playing the Tower
only is making a big mark. "Black
Shield of Falworth” is great in 4-
theatre day-date setup. Fox Mid-
west circuit made the switch to
put the Tower on its own, since
film was bought on bid basis.
“Caine Mutiny” is going great in
second week at the Midland.
"Magnificent Obsession” looms
boffo in fourth week at Orpheum.
Paramount getting an okay second
Week with "King Richard and Cru-
saders.” Rainy, cool weather con-
tinues, an about-face from June
and July.

Estimate for This Week
Esquire* Uptown, Fairway, Gra-
nada (Fox Midwest) (820; 2,043; 700;
1,217; 65-85)— f *Black Shield of
alworth” (U) with "The Des-
perado” ( AA) added at Esquire and
Granada. Esquire is replacing
Tower in "hookup temporarily.
Fancy $22,000, and holds. Last
week, with Tower as fourth house
in unit, “Francis Joins Wacs” (U)
and “Fireman, Save My Child” (U)
(2d wk), $12,000.

JKimo (Dickinson) (504; 85-$l)—
Great Gilbert, Sullivan” (UA).
Nifty $2,500. Last week, "Gene-
vieve” (U) (17th wk) closed whale
of a longrun at $1,400. .

Midland (Loew’s) (3,500;. 75-
$1.25) — "Caine Mutiny” (Col) (2d
wk). Big $15,000, and holds. Last
week, $25,000. .

Missouri (RKO) (2,650; 50-86)—
Ring of Fear” (WB) and "Texas
Bad Man” (A A). So-so $5,500. Last
week,. $10,000. ,

Orpheum (Fox. Midwest) (1,913;
75-$l) — "Magnificent Obsession”
(U) (4th wk)‘. Socko $10,000, and
stay on. Last week, $12,000.

Paramount (United Par) (1,900;
70-90)— "King Richard and Cru-
saders” (WB) (2d wk). Oke $7,500.
Last week, $12,000.

Roxy (Durwood) (879; 65-85) —
"Garden of Evil” (20th) (5th wk).
Pleasing $5,000, and holds. Last
week, $5,500.

Tower (Fox Midwest)) (2.100; 65-
85) — "Broken Lance” (20th) and
"Rocket Man” (20th). Hefty $15,-
000. Holding. This big downtown
house is out of usual day-date set-
up on its own.

Vogue (Golden) (550; 75-$l)—
"Tonight at 8:30” (Indie) (2d wk).
Okay $2,200, and stays. Last week,
$2,500.

‘Brides’ Boffo $19,000,
Mpls.; ‘Obsession’ Still
Amazes, 15G, ‘Caine’ 10G

Minneapolis, Aug. 17.
Because holdovers continue to
hold down nearly all loop spots,
fresh fare again is scarce current-
ly. "7 Brides for 7 Brothers” is ace
newcomer with a sock total at the
State. Standout holdover is "Mag-
nificent Obsession,” terrific in sec-
ond round at Radio City. It was
bigger than expected opening ses-
sion. Long stayers comprise "Cin-
erama” in 18th week, plus "Gone
With Wind,” "Living It Up” and
Caine Mutiny,” chalking, up five,
four and three stanzas, respectively.
Estimates for This Week
Century (S-W) (1,140; $1.75-

$2.65) — "Cinerama” (Indie) (18th
wk). Still holding at terrific $24,-
000. Last week, $25,000.

Gopher (Berger) (1,000; 85)—
"Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue)
(5th wk). Powerful again at $6,000.
Last week, $6,900.

Lyric (Par) (1.Q00; 65-85)— "Liv-
ing It Up” (Par) (4th wk). Has
made an impressive run. Virile
$4,500. Last week, $6,000,

Radio City (Par) (4,100; 85-$D--
"Magnificent Obsession” lU) -<2d
wk). Underestimated last week. Is
proving one of the year's best non*
C’Scope b.o. performers at this
house. Amazing $15,000. Last
week, $21,000. n ,

RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2.890; 85-
$1.25)— "Caine Mutiny” (Col) (3d
wk). Another powerhouse; tail
$10,000 this Week. Last week,
$17,000. e

RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 55-75)—
"Cat-Women of Moon” (IndieVand
"Monster of Ocean Floor” <Lip •
Okay $4,000. Last week, “High an( J
Mighty” (WB) (6th wk), $5,500 at
75-$l

'State (Par) (2,300; 85-$D— ^
Brides for 7 Brothers” (MG). In-
augurates C’Scope at this house.
Raves for this one here. Wow siy -
00Q. Last week, “Gorilla at Large
(20th) (3-D), $7,000. .

World (Mann) (400; 85-$l-2Q>
"Man With Million” (U) (2d
Satisfactory $3,000. Last
$4,100.

week,

Wednesday, An#fli»t 18, 1954

PBRiWFr

PICTCHRE CROSSES

,000, "Fear Fast

23G, living’ Hep (0G, 'Obsession 28G

Chicago, Aug, 17. 4

Another snappy session is in
--nsDect here this round, as three
5ew P bUls are registering mightily.
Holdovers are nearly all stout.
Kan Slept Here/' getting an
adults-only hypo, looms lush $42,-
000 in first week at the Woods.

Grand Thdatre, relighted .with
rinemaScope and\ stereo sound, is
niSn? a terrific $30,000 with
world preem of “Black Shield of
Falworth.” Roosevelt, eyes a fast
<23 000 for combo of “Ring of
Fear’ ’and “Valley of Sun/'

Nice returns loom for second
week of “Valley of Kings” at Mon-
roe. “La Ronde ' also is brisk m
second World stanza.

5 “Living It Up” with Crew Cuts
nnstaee continues terrific in third
at the Chicago while McVickers
again is nifty with “7. Brides for
7 Brothers” for third round.
“Knock On Wood” shapes okay at
Oriental,

Fifth frame at United Artists for
“Magnificent Obsession” looks tall.
Seventh of “Caine Mutiny” is rated
sock at State-Lake; “Cinerama” is
copping another tremendous total
in 55th week at the Palace.
Estimates for This Week
Chicago (B&K) <3,000.; 98-$1.25)
—“Living It Up” (Par) with Crew
Cuts heading vaude (3d wk).
Winding up at smash $60,000. Last
week, $76,000.

Grand (Noiriikos) (1,200; 98-$1.25)
—“Black Shield of Falworth” (U).
Terrific $30,000 looms .for world
preem. Last week, “Westerner”
(Indie) and “Dead End” (Indie)
(reissues) (2d wk-5 days), $6,000.

Loop (Telem’t) (600; 0O-$1.25)—
“About Mrs. Leslie” (Par) (3d wk).
Closing to disappointing $7,500 or
less. Last week; $10,006.

McVickers (JL&S) (2,200; 65-
$1.25)- — “7 Brides for 7 Brothers”
(M-G) (3d wk>. Still sock at $31,-
000. Holds at fourth. Last week,
$39,000.

Monroe (Indie) (1,000; 65-87)—
“Valley of Kings” (M-G) (2d wk).
Brisk $10,500 after $15,000 last

W6GlC

Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 98-$1.25)
-“Knock On Wood” (Par) (3d ,wk).
Good $23,000. Last Week, $33,000.

Palace (Eitel) (1,484; $1.25-$3. 40)
—“Cinerama” (Indie) (55th wk).
Terrific $44,000. Last week,
$47,000.

Roosevelt (B&K) (1,400; 65-98)—
“Ring of Fear” (WB) and “Valley
of Sun" (WB). Hotsy $23,000. Last
week. “Francis' Joins Wacs” (U)
and “Gypsy Colt” (M-G) (?d wk),
$16,000.

State Lake (B&K) (2,700; 98-
$1.80>— “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (7th
wk). Socko $32,000. Last week,
$34,000.

Surf (H&E Balaban) (685; 95)—
“Earrings Madame De” (Indie) (2d
wk>. Nice $3,700. Last week,
$5,200.

United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 98-
$1.25) — “Magnificent Obsession”
(Hi (5th wk). Great $20,000 after
$30,000 last week, Stays a sixth.

Woods (Essaness) (1,198; 98-

$1.25) — “Susan Slept Here”
(RKO). “Adults Only” tag helping
towards hangup $42,000. Last week,
“Garden of Evil” (20th) (5th wk),
$14,500.

World (Indie) (697; 98i— “La
Ronde’’ (Indie) (2d wk). Fast $5,-
200 after $6,500 last week.

‘lance’ Smooth $16,000,
Indpls.; 'Obsession’ 10G

Indianapolis, Aug. 17.
More hot weather after a long
01 spell is pulling fans back into
. la ® theatres and helping since city
is dominated by holdovers. “Broken
Lance, ’ chief new entry; will lead
w? a hefty figure at the
Indiana. “Magnificent Obsession"

iL£ lrcl ? and “7 Brides for 7
brothers ’ at Loew’s are still going
strong m second week.

Estimates for This Week
Circle (Cockrill-Dolle) (2,800; 65-
((m , Magnificent Obsession” (U)

$17 nnn 1, Solid $10,000 after smash
LO00 opener.

“Rrnb iana T (C " D) <3,200; 65-95)—
$16 nnn n T L ? nce ” (2 °th). So.cko
aJrfr 0, Last week * ’‘King Richard
i„P r V saders ” (WB), $11,000.
“7n^, s ( Loew’s) (2,427; 70-90)—
(2d , ?. d t es f°r 7 Brothers” (M-G)
fane," k ;'. N>fty $8,000 on top of
. ol 5 500 opener.

“ouhTd- (C ; 1 P ) x (1 * 60 °; 35-70)—

HeiW- , D (R ?P> and “Untamed

week -r ° kay $5 * 500 - Last
“Fortv S? nlla „ at Large” (20th) and
-Miners” (AA), $5,000.

Estimates Are Net

Film gross estimates as re-
ported herewith from the vari-
ous key cities, are net; 1, 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.

D.C., Wham 27G

Washington, Aug. 17.

It’s a spotty session along town’s
mainstem, with usual shortage of
newcomers pulling down average.
“Magnificent Obsession” at Loew’s
Palace shapes a smash entry, being
the easily current b.o. champ.
Loew’s Columbia has “Rocket
Man” and “Gorilla at Large” for
solid takings. “Cinerama” contin-
ues sock in its 68th week, after
launching new radio campaign.
“Caine Mutiny” in sixth stanza at
RKO Keith’s remains bright. Other
longruns: are tapering off.

Estimates for This Week

Capitol (Loew’s) (3,434; 70-95)—
“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue)
(5th wk). Steady $13,000 in final
session after $16,000 last week.

Columbia (Loew’s) (1,174; 60-80)
— “Rocket Man” (20th) and
“Gorilla at Large” (20th). Smart
$7,000. Last week, “Prisoner of
War” (M-G) (4th wk), $5;000,

Dupont (Lopert) (372; 65-$l) —
“Beauties of Night” (UA) (3d wk).
Slipped to $3,500 after $4,200 last
week. Stays.

Keith’s (RKO) (1,939; 75-$1.25)
—“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (6th wk).
Firm $17,000 after $19,000 last

urAAlr TTaIHg

Metropolitan (SW) (1,200; 70-95)
—“King .Richard and Crusaders”
(WB) (2d wk). Looks like fine $7,-
000 after $12,000. last week.

Palace (Loew’s) (2,370; 65-95)—
“Magnificent Obsession” (U). Tops
city with smash $27,000 or better.
Holds, natch! Last week, “Apache”
(UA) (4th wk), $11,000.

Playhouse (Lopert) (435; 55-$l).
— “Mrs. Leslie” (Par) (4th wk).
Okay $5,000 after disappointing
$5,500 last week. Below hopes from
start. Stays. .

Warner (SW) (1,300; $1.20-$2.40)
— “Cinerama” (Indie) (40th wk).
Fancy $20,000 for third consecutive
week. Was capacity at 600th show-
ing. Continues on.

Trans-Lux (T-L) (600; 70-$l)—
“Man With Million” (UA) (5th wk).
Holding steady at $6,000 for sec-
ond week in row. Has dipped
slightly in past two stanzas. Stays.

‘BRIDES’ SMASH 20G,
BUFF,; TUSH0VER’ UG

Buffalo, Aug. 17.

Biz is holding .stoutly here in
view of the many holdovers and
only one strong newcomer. Latter
is “7 Brides For 7 Brothers” which
shapes great at the Buffalo. “Push-
over” is rated trim at Century
while “About Mrs. Leslie” is fair
at Paramount. “Magnificent Obses-
sion” shapes sturdy in 4th stanza
at Lafayette.

Estimates for This Week

Buffalo (Loew’s) (3,000; 50-80) —
“7 Brides for 7 Brothers” (M-G).
Wow $20,000 or better. Last week,
“Apache” (UA) and ‘Scarlet Spear”-
(UA), $21,000.

Paramount (Par) (3,000; 50-80)—
“Mrs. Leslie” (Par) and “River
Beat” (Indie). Fair $11,000. Last
week, “Living It Up” (Par) and
“Dragonfly Squadron” (Indie) (3d
wk-9 days), $14,000.

Center (Par) (2,000; 50-80) —

“King Richard and Crusaders”
(WB) (2d wk-5 days. Oke $6,000.
Last week, $10,500.

Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 60-$l)—
“Magnificent Obsession” (U) (4th
wk). Fancy $12,500 in 9 days. Last
week, $13,000.

Century (Buhawk) (3,000; 50-80)
— “Pushover” (Col) and “Bowery
Boys Meet Monster” (AA). Trim
$11,000 or near. Last week, “Susan
Slept Here” (RKO) and “Silver
Lode” (RKO) (2d wk)„ $11,400.

‘Apache’ Bangup $19,000,
Cincy; ‘Fear’ Forte 15G,
‘Caine’ Sock 17G in 3d

Cincinnati, Aug. 17.

Two socko bills are supplying
plenty heft to this week’s down-
town total. “Apache’’ shapes ter-
rific and is another bonanza for
Keith’s. Palace looks lively with
“Ring of Fear.” Holdovers con-
tinue power-packed. Albee still is
sock with “Caine Mutiny” in third
round. “Living It Up” is adding
another rosy chapter at the Grand.
Estimates for This Week

Albee (RKO) (3,100; 75-$l,25)—
“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (3d wk). Sock
$17,000 trailing $23,000 second
stanza.

Capitol (Ohio Cinema Corp.)
(1,376; $1.20-$2.65) — “Cinerama”

(Indie) (9th wk). Terrif $30,000.
Capacity audiences for nearly all
matinees. Last week, $28,500.

Grand (RKO) (1,400; 50-84)—
“Living It Up” (Par) (m.o.) (3d wk).
Plumpish $6,500 after $8,000 last
week.

Keith's (Shor) (1,500; 75-$1.25)—
“Apache” (UA). Giant $19,000.
Holds. Last week, “3 Coins In
Fountain” (20th) (5th wk), $9,600,
surpassed fourth week and pre-
vented from longer tenancy by
previous nabe bookings.

Palace (RKO) (2,600; 75-90)-^
“Ring of Fear” (WB). Swell $15,-
000. Last week, “Gone With Wind”
(M-G) (reissue) (4th wk), $11,000.

Philly; Brando 31G

Philadelphia, Aug. 17.

Product scarcity plus a return
of torrid weather is keeping first-
runs becalmed for most part cur-
rently. However* biz still is above
par for city for August. “On Water-
front” still is terrific in second
round at Stanley after an amazing
first week for the Marlon Brado
film. Newcomers are showing little,
with “About Mrs. Leslie” best with
a smash session at the Trans-Lux.
“Personal Affair” looms okay at
the Midtown. “Broken Lance”
continues sturdy in second stanza
at the Fox while “Adventures of
Robinson Crusoe” still is big oh
initial holdover round at Trans-
Lux World.

Estimates for This Week

Arcadia (S&S) (625; 89-$ 1.30)—
“Valley of Kings” (M-G) (4th wk).
Oke $5,000. Last week, $5*700.

Boyd (SW) (1,430; $1.25-$2.60)—
“Cinerama” (Indie) 145th wk).
Sturdy $13,800. Last week, $13,500.

Fox (20th) (2,250; 75-$1.49)—
“Broken Lance” (20th) (2d wk).
Stout $20,000. Last week, $36,000.

Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 65-
$1.49) — “Gone With Wind” (M-G)
(reissue) (6th wk). Fine $14,000.
L&st week, $17,000.

Mastbaum (SW) (4,360; 75-$l. 30)
—“Apache” (UA) (4th wk). Off to
fair $11,500. Last week, $17,000.

. Midtown (Goldman) (1,000; 74-
$1.30) — “Personal Affair” (UA).
Okay $9,500. Last week, “Susan
Slept Here” (RKO) (2d wk), $9,000.

Randolph (Goldman) (2,500; 99-
$1.80) — “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (7th
wk). Okay $13,000. Last week,
$18,000. i

Stanley (SW) (2,900; 74-$1.30)—
“On Waterfront” (Col) (2d wk).
Terrific $31,000. Last week, $44,-
200 .

Stanton (SW) (1,473; 50-99)—
“Southwest Passage” (UA) and
“Capt. John Smith, Pocohantas”
(UA). So-so $7,000. Last week,
“Bait” (Col) and “Iron Glove”
(Col), $6,000. '

Trans-Lux (T-L) (500; 80-$1.50)
—“Mrs. Leslie” (Par). Strong $11,-
000, mainly via femme trade. Last
week, “Man With Million” (UA)
(6th wk), $3,500.

V-king (Sley) (1.000; 75-$1.30)—
“Student Prince” (M-G) (7th wk).
Neat $8,500. Last week, $10,500.

Trans-Lux World (T-L) (604; 99-
$1.50) — “Adventures Robinson
Crusoe” (UA) (2d wk). Big $6,500.
Last week, $8,300.

‘Shield’ Fancy $18,000
In Denver; ‘Living’ 8G

Denver, Aug. 17.

“Magnificent Obsession” still is
standout here this session although
in second week at Paramount. It
holds again after another . great
round. “Living It Up” shapes fine
in second Denham frame. Pic stays
a third. Top newcomer is ‘‘Black
Shield of Falworth*” smash at the
Denver. “Her 12 Men” looks good
at the Broadway.

Estimates for This Week

Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 50-85)—
“Rocket Man” (20th) and “On
Riviera” (20th) (reissue). Poor $2,-
500. Last week, “Cowboy” (Lip),
$3,000.

Broadway (Wolf berg) (1,200; 50-
(Continued on page 22)

,u. s;

'Brides Boff 180G, 4th, 'Window’ 61G,

Despite the handicap of having
few new bills to accelerate business
and some sultry weather, Broadway
first-runs are doing surprisingly
well this $tanza. The big deluxers
received a rare break Sunday (15)
via prize boxoffice weather, cloudi-
ness and cool temperatures plus a
threat of rain sending many flock-
ing to Broadway. Upbeat was so
strong that some theatres actually
topped their Saturday trade, some-
thing very unusual. Even houses
with overly extended longruns
were helped materially.

The Music Hall still is champ
despite “7 Brides and 7 Brothers”
with stageshow being in the fourth
session. It will likely rack up a ter-
rific $180,000, which is only $1,000
below the third week’s total. Cur-
rent pace indicates an eight-week
run.

Second week of “Rear Window”
looks to finish with a giant $61,000
at the Rivoli. “Magnificent Obses-
sion” held with a sockeroo $44,000
in its initial holdover round ended
last night (Tues.) at the State.

“Waterfront” held near the Sec-
ond week by landing a huge $58,-
000 in the third stanza ended last
night (Tues.) at the Astor. Marlon
Brando starrer continues on in-
definitely as do “Obsession” and
“Window.”

“Gambler From Natchez” is not
getting far with only $8,000 likely
for first frame at the Globe. “Her
12 Men” is' finishing its initial week
with big $9,000 at the Trans-Lux
60th Street. “Gog,” with vaude,
other new bill, looks like fine $23,-
000 or near at the Palace.

“Caine Mutiny” looks to beat last
week’s figure with a wow $40,000
in prospect for. the eighth round at
the Capitol. “Duel in Jungle” like-
ly will finish its final (2d) frame at
the Paramount with a fair $25,000.
“King Richard and Crusaders” sup-
plants next Saturday.

“Living It Up” continues lively
with $22,000 in prospect this round
at the Criterion. “Broken Lance” is
holding at fair $37,000 in third
week, finishing today (Wed.) at the
Roxy.

“Apache” still is stout with
about $17,000 in current (6th) ses-
sion at the Mayfair. “Susan Slept
Here” probably will finish its third
week (8 days) with a fair $10,000
at the Victoria. “Dragnet” comes
in Friday (20).

Estimates for This Week

Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; $1.25-
$2 )_“ Waterfront" (Col) (4th wk).
Continued sock with $58,000 in
hird round ended last night (Tues.)
after $60,000 for second week. Con-
tinues: Still holding amazing gait.
Had been running a bit ahead of
second week until hit by heat Mon-
day (16),

Baronet (Reade) (430; 90-$ 1.55) —
“The Cowboy” (Lip) (3d wk).
Second session ended Sunday (15)
hit good $3,100 after $4,600 in first
week. “‘Fallen IdoL” (Indie) (re-
issue) opens tomorrow (Thurs.).

Capitol (Loew’s) (4,820; 85-$2.20)
—"Caine Mutiny” (Col) (8th wk).
Present frame winding today
(Wed.) looks to climb to wow $40,-
000. Seventh week was $37,000,
way over hopes. Stays indef.

Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 50-$1.85)
— “Living It Up” (Par) (4th wk).
Current week ending tomorrow
(Thurs.) looks like fancy $22,000
after $30,000 for third. Stays.

Fine Arts (Davis) (468; 90-$1.80)
— “Vanishing Prairie” (Disney),
Opened Monday (16) with record
opening-day figure. In ahead, “Mr.
Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD) (9th wkr
5 days), okay $7,000 after $8,000
for eighth full week. Moved over
to the Guild.

Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 70-$1.50)
— “Gambler From Natchez” (20th).
Initial round finishing tomorrow
(Thurs.) looks like mild $8,000.
Holds. In ahead, “Pushover” (Col)
(2d wk), $6,500.

Guild (Guild) (450; $1-$1.80)—
“Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD)
(m.o.). Opened big Monday (16),
in continuation of run started at
Fine Arts. In ahead, “Malta Story”
(UA) (4th wk-10 days), nice $8,000
for a sturdy run here.

Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 79-

$1.80)— “Apache” (UA) (6th wk).
Current' round ending tomorrow
(Thurs.) looks to hold with fine
$17,000 after $16,000 for fifth
Week, Holds again.

Normandie (Brandt) (592; 95-
$1.80) — “Adventures Robinson
Crusoe” (2d wk). First holdover
frame ending today (Wed.) likely
will hold with big $6,000 after $6,-
800 opening week.

Palace (RKO) (1,700; 50-$l,60)—

“Gog” (UA) with vaudeville. For
week concluding tomorrow (Thurs.)
this probably will hit fine $23,000
or better. Last week, “Human De-
sire’’ (Col) and 8 acts of vaude,
$24,000, considerably over hopes.

Paramount (ABC-Par) (3,664; 70-
$1.75) — «“Duel in Jungle” (WB) (2d-
final vvk). This session winding up
Friday (20) looks to reach fair
$25,000. First week was $34,000.
“King Richard and Crusaders”
(WB) opens Saturday (21).

Paris . (Pathe Cinema) (568; 90-
$1.80)— “Hobson’s Choice” (UA)
(10th wk). Held with trim $6,300
in ninth stanza ended Sunday (15)
after $6,400 in eighth. New pic
due in shortly but date not set
definitely.

Radio City Music Hall (Rocke-
fellers) (6,200; 95-$2.75)— “7 Brides
For 7 Brothers” (M-G) and stage-
show (4th wk). Still holding amaz-
ing pace, with current session end-
ing today (Wed.) likely to reach
huge $180,000. Third round was
$181,000, over hopes. Stays on,
with eight weeks now being con-
sidered highly likely. Fourth ses-
sion was running ahead of third
until heat cut in on Monday (16).

Roxy (Nat’l. Th.) (5.717; 65-$2.40>
—“Broken Lance” (20th) (3d wk).
Looks to wind up present week
ending today (Wed.) at fair $37.-
000 after. $43,000 for second.
Egyptian” (20th) preem night of
Aug. 24.

Rivoli (UAT) (2,092; 85-$2)—

“Rear Window” (Par) (2d wk).
Current frame ending today (Wed.)
looks to hold at terrific $61,000.
Opening week was $68,700, includ-
ing over $3,000 for preview night.

State (Loew’s) (3,450; 78-$ 1.75) —
‘Magnificent Obsession” (U) (3d
wk). Second round . ended last night
(Tues.) held with smash $44,000
after $50,000 opening week, biggest
week ever at this house for any
Universal pic. Stays indef.

Sutton (R&B) (561; 90-$1.50) —
“Man With Million” (UA) (8th wk).
Seventh week ended Sunday (15)
was okay $5,500 after $7,000 for
sixth. “High and Dry” (U) is due
soon.

Trans-Lux 60th St. (T-L) (453-
$1-$1.50) — “Her 12 Men” (M-G) (2d
wk). Initial round ended last night
(Tues.) was big $9,000 or near. In
ahead, “Victory at Sea” (UA) (4th
wk-9 days), $4,000.

Trans-Lux 52nd St. (T-L) (540;
$1-$1.5Q) — “Lili” (M-G) (76th wk).
The 75th stanza ended Monday (16)
held with socko $6,800 after $6,200
for 74th week. Continues.

Victoria (City Inv. (1,060; 50-
$1.75)— “Susan Slept Here" (RKO)
(3d-final wk). Present session of
eight days ending tomorrow
(Thurs.) likely will dip to $10,00Q
or less after $13,500 for second
week. “Dragnet” (WB) opens Fri-
day (20).

Warner (Cinerama Prod.) (1,600:
$1.20-$3.30)— “Cinerama” (Indie)
(63d wk). The 62d frame ended
Sunday (15) held at great $40,000
after $39,500 for 61st week. Stays
on until second “Cinerama" pic is
ready for unveiling in N. Y.— still
very indefinite.

‘Obsession’ Mighty 18G,
Prov.; ‘lance’ Sharp 12G,
‘Long Wait’ Mild $8,000

Providence, Aug. 17.

Long V-J (it’s a holiday here)
weekend hurt Saturday because of
hot weather, but showers on Sun-
day brought patrons back to film
theatres. RKO Albee is. Setting the
pace with “Magnificent Obsession,”
a t sock total. Majestic also is big
with “Broken Lance.” Loew’s is
mild with “Long Wait.” Strand
went into an almost unprecedented
fifth week with “Caine Mutiny.”

Estimates for This Week

Albee (RKO) (2,200; 50-70)—
“Magnificent Obsession” (U) and
“Highway Dragnet” (AA). Very
busy with long weekend helping to
socko $18,000. Last week. “Duel
In Sun” (SRO) (2d wk), $6,000.

Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 70-90)—
“Broken Lance” (20th), Big $12,-
000. Last week, “King Richard
and Crusaders” (WB), $11,000.

State (Loew) (3,200; 50-70) —
“Long Wait” (UA) and “John
Smith, Pocahontas” (UA). Mild
$8,000. Last week, "Men of Fight-
ing Lady” (M-G) and “Lobe Gun”
(UA), $10,000.

Strand (Silverman) (2,200; 65-
$1.25)— “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (5th
wk). Still solid at $6,000. Fourth
j week, $8,500.

10 INTERNATIONAL-

«vAw*TV'r loiidon oviucd

> St. MiHteH

Industrial Group Urges Settlement
Of Mex Fib Biz Union Troubles

Mexico City, Aug. 17.

Settlement of the stretched out
film labor conflict which didn’t end
with lifting of the recent six-day
strike by the National Cinemato-
graphic Industry Workers Union
(STIC) against 108 of Mexico’s 2,-
137 (plus the lockout by the other
exhibitors and 23 distributors), is
publicly urged by the Confedera-
tion of Industrial Chambers. The
Confederation bought half-page ads
in top dailies here to outline its
plan,

“The Cinemotographic Industry
Chamber proposes to restore to
motion picture exhibitors the right
to administer their own busi-
nesses,” the ad said in part. “Ex-
hibitors neither can have a say in
the choice of their employees and
workmen nor in the continuing in
their service of employees/ they
want (nor even in the direction of
personnel) because the immediate
chief of that personnel is desig-
nated,, by syndical leaders. “To
correct this insufferable situation,
the Chamber organized the Em-
ployers Assn, of Cinematographic
Distributors and Exhibitors and has
asked that there be unification of
the start and ending of work con-
tracts and the formulation of a
rule to conveniently govern em-
ployee-employer relations.

“As the employees and workmen
of these companies enjoy very high
wages, and, besides, the exhibitors
are disposed to grant pay increases,
the Confederation of Industrial
Chambers calls . upon the Labor
Authorities and the National Cin-
ematographic Industry Workers
Union to exercise their goodwill
and reach a satisfactory ending of
this conflict.”

Queerest Case in Mex. Film Biz

This case is the queerest in
Mexican film biz and labor-employ-
er relations history. The Union
(STIC) called off the strike when
the Labor Ministry outlawed the
distributors-exhibitors lockout.. But
the case continues as the ministry
is still undecided about just how
much pay hike the unionists should
get and STIC stands pat on its ob-
jection to the employers’ demand
that all work contracts start at the
same time and end together. Stag-
gered starting-ending causes too
much confusion, the employers say.

STIC leaders’ latest word is that
“solution of this conflict is still a
long way off." They reiterate that
they absolutely refuse to accept
the employers’ proposition about
contracts’ starting-ending unifica-
tion, contending that such unifica-
tion would regiment the unionists
and give the bosses too much of a
break. But the labor chiefs get
vague when pressed to explain just
what they mean by their conten-
tion that the unification being such
a one-sided blessing to the bosses.

Pix Industry (or Ireland
Studied by Government;
May Start With Film Lab

Dublin, Aug. 10.

Minister for Industry William
Norton has announced that he has
been examining the possibilities of
establishing a film industry here.
He gave no details but said there
were difficulties, although these
were not insurmountable, and
added that he hoped the film trade
in the country would lend the
support of which it was . capable.

Trade circles here assume this
to mean that Norton is considering
a plan, which was submitted to his
predecessor, for creating a film
processing laboratory as basis for
industry. It has been proposed
that this will be established com-
mercially, but government will
back it by insisting that all release
prints for Ireland are processed in
the country. Current production
in Ireland is limited to occasional
shorts which are processed in Eng-
land, and location work by U. S.
and English companies.

New laboratory would handle
16m as well as 35m processing. A
broader plan has also been sub-
mitted requiring exhibitors to con-
tribute towards a fund for Irish
productions, based on the Eady
Plan in England, but its operation
would mean government approval
for all scripts to be shot and has
little support here.

79 Pix Into Production
In Italy in 1st Half ’54

Rome. Aug. 10.

Seventynine pictures went into
production in various Italian stu-
dios during the first six months of
this year, recent official figures
disclose. Total represents a drop
of 10 from last year's figure,- for
the same period of time, of .89 fea-
ture productions. Of the 79 total,
four represent pictures suspended
last year and resumed in ’54, while
one represents an American-made
(Warner’s “Helen Of Troy”).

A rise in color production this
year is indicated by the first-half
figure of 32 tinters totaled in 1954
as against 24 for the same p.eriod
last year, when the production
total was higher. Also out of the
79 total, 17 are co-produced, 14
with France, one each with Egypt,
Spain, and Germany.

London, Aug, 17.

A stalemate has developed in the
latest phase of the negotiations be-
tween British picture producers
and the three industry unions over
a labor claim for a substantial
Wage hike. At a special meeting
of the Joint Industrial Council last
week, the British Film Producers
Assn, refused to advance their
previous offer of an extra 3c an
hour, which had already been re-
jected by the, union reps.

Orders to nix the producers’
offer were given to NATKE nego-
tiators the previous weekend, and
this union represents the majority
of the 4,000 workers affected.
Other unions concerned are the
Assn, of Cine Technicians and the
Electrical Trades Union.

Meantime, some progress has
been reported in the NATKE ne-
gotiations with CEA for a wage
increase for their members en-
gaged in the theatre side of the
industry. Substantial progress was
made at a meeting here last week,
and an early agreement is now
thought likely.

Finns and Huskies Swap
Helsinki Pic Theatres

Helsinki, Aug. 10.

The Russians have finally been
able to sell one of the three
cinemas they own in Helsinki.
This was achieved through a deal
in which Adams-Filmi, Finnish
distribution company and owner
of a chain of theatres, got the
favorably-situated firstrun cinema,
Royal, in exchange for the Pallas.

The Russians were forced to ac-
cept Pallas as they have to close
down their own third cinema, and
they need a second-run theatre
rather than two firstruns. With
the name changed to Adams, the
former Royal has put up a heavy
advertising campaign, headlining
that it will show U. S. pictures, to
stress the new ownership. Adams
also will be preem theatre for
Fennada and Finnish SF produc-
tions.

London, Aug. 10.

Stephanie Voss, daughter of
BBC orchestra leader Louis Voss,
stepiped into “Intimacy At 8:30,”
replacing Dilys Lay, who goe£ to
New York to play one of the leads
in “The Boy Friend” ... Jack
Hylton has acquired Patrick Cargill
and Jack Beale’s “Time On Our
Hands,” play recently tried out
at the “Q” theatre. Richard Atten-
borough sought the play as a
vehicle for himself. Hylton is now
trying to get Dirk Bogarde for the
top role.

Hans May has sold the German
rights to his hit musical, “Wedding
In Paris.” Show will be adapted
in German by Robert Gilbert and
will open at Nuremberg next
February . . . Last-minute change
moved Cecil Landeau’s “Cockles
and Champagne” to the Piccadilly
theatre instead of closing at the
Saville.

Tourist Overflow Jams
Cannes; Tough Going For
Limited-Coin English

v

By GORDON IRVING

Cannes, Aug. 10.

The Carlton Hotel, Cannes, U. S.
show biz trekkers’ hangout, is jam-'
packed, with tourists, from all parts
of Europe and America, plushy,
South of France holiday spot
houses the Duke and Duchess of
Windsor,, proving good draw for
celebrity-hunting vacationers.

Private beach of the Carlton is
like a corner of New York. The
Morey Amsterdams (Morey, Kay
and 11-year-old Gregory), stopped
here prior to motoring to Italy.
American accents mix with Italian
along this coastline. Sugar Ray
Robinson takes relaxation here
during his nitery tour of spots like
Juan-les-Pins, Antibes, Cannes, etc.
Greeting him are Jack Solomons,
English boxing promoter, and his
former rival, the English boxer,
Randy Turpin. j

Palm Beach Casino, local swank
gambling joint, is a busy haunt of
nights. Rhonda Fleming is there,
enjoying herself before her new
film chores in Germany. There’s
English actress Joan Greenwood,
recently in N. Y. In T. S. Eliot’s
"Confidential Clerk.” She has
since flown to U. S. on a pic chore.

U. S. invasion of the Riviera
spots is bigger than in years pre-
vious. Ships from New York are
carrying record loads of tourists.
Many flock south to Spain in
search, of even more torrid sun.
It’s reported that 700 cars enter
Spain each day through the front-
ier post of Le Perthus, on the main
Marseilles-Barcelona road. Front-
ier post of Irun at the other end
of the Pyrenees is now open 24
hours a day to cope with the rush.

28 Flavors

Top eating spot around the Riv-
iera: La Bonne Auberge on Route
Nationale No. 7 at Antibes, with
flower-packed gardens and one of
the best cuisines in Europe. The
28 varieties of hors d’oeuvres have
to be seen to be believed.

Italy: More primitive in the vil-
lages, flooded with Germans in
their miniature Volkswagens, tour-
ist-conscious in centres like Alas-
sio, San Remo, Santa Margherita,
Rapallo, Florence, Venice and
Rome. Beaches are jampacked with
vacationing families from the
north and centre, and except in
private hotels it’s not easy to And
a breathing space on the sands.
But the swimming is out of this
world, the Mediterranean as blue
as before, the wine as cheap as
ever.

The Oliviers and the Rex Har-
risons (who have a villa there) can
be seen at Portofino. The Windsors
are expected, too.

Switzerland: . Modem, clean and
as American-looking as ever, with
the lakes and the high mountains
as idyllic as in years past. Ex-
pensive living, though, but you get
value and no cheap articles. U. S.
cars owned by wealthy Swiss busi-
ness men ply to and fro on the
too-narrow highways. Nitery and
radio work flourishing, and more
tv aerials sprouting on the pic-
turesque rooftops.

English and Scot tourists: Mak-
ing do on the $150-each allowance
is n.s.g., especially if a vacation
stretches to over three weeks. You
have to meet business contacts
with local currency to lend or
you’ll just get by through using
the reasonable (but comfortable)
hotels, albergos and pensions. Still,
it’s exciting going. With the White
Cliffs of Dover before us across
the English Channel, I found my-
self $4 short of paying an over-
night hotel bill at Calais. The
French (despite their Auld Alliance
with Scotland in years gone by)
simply refuse to look at a Bank of
Scotland pound note, although
they’ll gladly take an English note.

I had to leave my wife as hostage
in the hotel and scrounge up the
odd Italian lire and French coins
to make ends meet. It was a do-or-
die windup to a fascinating trip.

Mex Union Leader Slain
Mexico City, Aug. 17.

Police are seeking three men
suspected of the midnight murder
at the door of his own home of Al-
fonso Mascarua Alfonso, a lead-
er in the National Cinematographic
Industry Workers Union (STIC).

He had just reached home after
his chore as projectionist at the
Cinelandia, local grind house, when
three men shot him from a waiting
auto.

King to Use Jap, U.S. .

Talent in Nip Film

Honolulu, Aug. 17.

Maurice King, of King . Produc-
tions, .plans to use both Japanese
and 'American talent in a Japanese
film venture this fall. Here briefly
before returning , to Hollywood,
King said he has made arrange-
ments with Shintoho Movie Studio
of Japan to launch the film in No-.
Vember.

Producer also expressed interest
in scheduling a future film in
Hawaii, presumably taking advan-
tage of isles’ beach and mountain
scenery. • :

Copenhagen, Aug. 10. .

Nearly empty in May, Danish
cinemas in June and July were
aided by record rain. Capacity busi-
ness resulted in many film houses.
Columbia got a lot of extra public-
ity for Rita Hayworth pic because
the title for “Sadie Thompson”
used here was “Rain.” The pic ran
for six weeks at Palads 1,700-seater.

This year’s biggest U. S. grosser
in Denmark by a wide margin is
“Roman Holiday” (Par). It has
played to full houses in several
cinemas for the last five months.
All Copenhagen girls are trying to
look like Audrey Hepburn, this be-
ing the ipost talked about film
here in years.

Next strongest is “Here to Eter-
nity” (Col), with British pic. “Week-
end With Genevieve” (Eagle-Lion)
at Alexandra, tops for European
films. French farce, “Festlige Fer-
iedage,” is a surprise hit at the
Park. The new season started with
a big Danish hit, “En Somand Gaar
i Land” (A Sailor Goes Ashore)
(Asa).

First CinemaScope film was
shown in Ronne was “The Robe”
(20th), where it is drawing big
tourist trade. Only cinema in
Copenhagen for C’Scope is Kino-
Palaet, which started with “Com-
mando” (WB). Same house is show-
ing “Kiss Me Kate” (M-G) in 3-D
in October.

The big Palladium will start the
season with two Hollywood • pix,
“Caine Mutiny” (Col) and “Glenn
Miller Story” (U). This indicates
that American films again are
dominating the Danish film scene
despite the many successful local
pix.

London Film Notes

Slane, Ire., Aug. io.

U.-I.’s unit working on W. r.
Burnett story; “Captain Lightfoot,”
is using locations suggesting a tour
of “stately homes.” Work has
ended at Powerscourt . Castle,
County Wicklow, home of Viscount
Powerscourt; and after work at
Beaiiparc and famed ruined Abbey
at Beetive, the outfit has moved
here to Slane Castle, home . of Lord
and Lady Mount Charles— both of
whom took roles in the picture as
a Lord and Lady held up in their
coach. They were no trouble to
the wardrobe; they just took out
family robes of 18th century and
donned them for parts.

Douglas Sirk Is directing the
Rock Hudson- Jeff Morrow-Barbara
Rush starrer , and will finish loca-
tion scenes here this week* mov-
ing on to seaside village of Clogh-
er, .County Louth. ' Location lens-
ing will be complete • around the
20th, Unit is first visiting Ire-
land to establish its own studio at
Whitehall, Dublin, which has en-
abled shooting to he kept up to
schedule at bad-weather periods.
Unit has been based on Dublin and
all locations are within 30 miles of
headquarters. Cameraman Irving
Glass and about 25 members of the
unit are from Universal City, bal-
ance being recruited in Ireland
and England. Film is being shot
in Eastmancolor.

Strike Seen Unlikely

Mexico City, Aug. 10.

Now that many other amuse-
ment biz workers, among them film
trade employees and vaude-revue
stage players, have won pay hikes,
on the strength of the inflation of
many prices, local cabaret talent
(400 of them) is demanding 25%
40% more coin. All are Mexicans.

The cabaretists grumble that
nightly pay of $4.80 as a mini-
mum in first-class spots and $2.80
per for second-rate clubs is no
longer fair for this costlier city.
Top spot entertainers demand an
$3 minimum and the secondary
ones at least $4. This demand
leaves the owners cold. They
claim that biz, though good, is not
enough to sustain such high pay
for Mexico, claiming that tourist
spending is not yet up to expec-
tations.

The demand has involved two
unions — the National Actors for
the talent and that of cabaret pro-
prietors. Both unions doubt that
a strike will develop. A compro-
mise at around 10%-15% is seen.
Nitery owners stress that talent
often operates almost as a house
staff, meaning that the talent has
practically a permanent job.

JLonaon, Aug. io.

Philip King and Falkland Carey*:
“Sailors Beware,” which Jacl
Waller has acquired after it
tryout at Worthing, is being sough
after by three major film com
panies, one of them being Ero:
Films . . . Michael Powell an<
Enteric Pressburger have resume<
their film partnership, with th<
first pic being a filmusical titled
“Oh, Rosalinda,” based on tin
German operetta, “Die Fleder
maus.” Pic goes into productioi
early November, and will be backec
by the new Korda-Woolf Bros,
company . . . Stars likely to be ir
the film are Michael Redgrave
Peter Ustinov, Anton Walbrool
and Ludmilla Tcherina^ Pic wil
be released by British Lion Filn
Corp. . . . Sterling Hayden, wh(
was to have costarred with Evt
Bartokin Exclusive Films' “Breal
in the Circle,” scripted and to b<
directed by Val Guest, has turnec
down the offer because of his
Hollywood commitments. Insteac
the role will be played by Forrest
Tucker, with shooting to start
Aug. 16,

Paramount Pictures has signec
Danziger Bros, for a further 2f
tele films, which will be made at
Metro’s Elstree studios, with David
McDonald directing . . . Shellej
. has i ust finished
t-Pats- ^ My Baby ” based on the
West End hit play, “To Dorothy A
Son, planes to Hollywood to star!
filming j n pic opposite Charles
Laughton . she is due back here
in the fall to star in “I Am A
Camera for Woolf Bros., in which
Julie Harris will also star.

Brit. Antarctic Tinier

London, Aug. 10.

Leon Clore and Graham Thorp
have followed up their Everest
climb record with a color film of
the Antarctic. Duncan Carson,
thesper known locally mainly for
his Dick Barton BBC sound radio
series, led the exposition for six-
month trek of the 1,500-square mile
island of South Georgia. He
brought back 35,000 feet of film.

Scenes shot include avalanches
descending the cliffs to the sea,
blue ice mountains, glaciers and
crevasses plus shots of life of
penguins, sea elephants, seals and
albatrosses.

Fewer Foreign Pix in Brit.

London. Aug. 10.

Less foreign films of over 3.000
feet in length were registered for
the year ending last March 31 than
in any year since 1948. Registra-
tions for the same year for British
pix were up against any corre-
sponding period since 1948. Fig-
ures given in the Board of Trade
statistics indicate there were 395
registrations.of foreign films against
the 1948-49 low of 402. and 138
British films against the 1949-50
top figure of 132.

Of the 54 studio stages available
for production as of May 31, 19«£*
18 were idle. Of; the 36 In use, a
were being utilized for feature
films and three for telepix/

WAMITY'V' WNDW OWlC*

• rtt, JAprtJn'* -Pile* mntfar Squrto

Dave King Te$ing Off ~
Savoy’s New Policy

i Berlin, Aug. 10. 4

While in reeent years West Ger-
man producers tooted their pix
Primarily for home consumption,
they gradually have; .become con-
ned that it , is essential .also to
think of foreign markets. The still
increasing number of foreign tfars
Saving top roles in their films and
Carefully picked story material
olainlv indicate a definite swing
towards productions suited for the
world market.

Check of production lists reveals
there are a considerable number
of domestic pix prepping which are
based on world-famous hovels and
obviously bidding for international
recognition. - r

Included in this category are two
Zuckmayer yarns, " “The Devil's
General” and “Master Over Life
and Death”; ‘’Siegfried" (Girau-
doux), “Fear” and “Portrait of an
Uriknown Woman," latter two by
Stefan Zweig. * Gottfried Keller's
“Regine” (a remake); “Am Anfang
wares Suende/’ based on a Maupas-
sant novel; “Der veruntreute'Him-
mel'' (Franz Werfel) and “Der tolle
Tag” (Beaumarchais) also are
geared to cash in on foreign play-

dates.

There are also sfeveral popular
operettas being filmed, such as
“Viktoria and Her Hussar” and
“Ball at the Savoy," both by Paul
Abraham and starring Eva Bartok;
“Wie einst im Mai" (Kollo); Ray-
mond’s “Ball of the Nations." (star-
ring Zsa Zsa Gahbrt 'Franz Lehnr’s
“Tsarevitch”; .Johann Strauss’
“Gypsy Baron" as well as a modem
version of same composer’s “Fle-
dermaus.” . ' .

Dutch Mull Using Pix
For TV, Bnt Only Under
Stringent Limitations

Amsterdam. Aug. 10.
Although the number of televi-
sion sets in Holland is still small
(probably less than 10-.000), the
Netherlands Bioscoop Bond and
the Netherlands Television , Foun-
dation, a semi-official institution ;
uniting the state ahd yarious tele-
vision societies, has held several
confabs about showing films on
Dutch tele.

The old agreement was no longer
satisfactory, and now the Bioscoop
Bond has proposed a. new arrange-
ment which the Foundation will
study in coming weeks.

The proposal of the film industry
contains several restrictive clauses.
Picture programs may be shown
only once fortnightly oh Tuesday,
Wednesday or Thursday. For a pro-
gram of 80 minutes, $500 must be
paid. The tele showings may not
be advertised in daily newspapers
but only in the house organs of the
tele societies.

All features must he at least 40
months old. The- Bioscoop Bond
gave a list of available pictures,
censored for general exhibition,
but the tv reps already have de-
termined that the quality of those
pix (many westerns) is below aver-
.The pictures. censored for ex-
hibition for persons, above the ages
°f 14 and 18 are much better, they
aver, but at present, they are not
£ j.fo r tele. Insiders think it will
be difficult to- adjust this problem
satisfactorily for all parties con-
cerned.

Austria Guarantees Up
To 80% of Pix Costs

- Vienna; Aug. 10'.
With all studios (Vienna. Graz
*hd Salzburg) occupied ; by local
companies, the decision by the
Ministry of Finance to hack 1955

a vvith a state guarantee of
wo, 000 is a relief to producers,
ms relieved some of their fears
a possible, downbeat in total
Production.

T he general idea of thfe State
-r ee w ^ s to Provide sufficient
J. for “crucial 20% of pro-

A ustr 0 ian CO rt tS f M -^ ast German and
banks dlst nbs as well as the

of th2'budg t et! :ont ; rtbute only

Berlin Gets ‘Matchmaker’
For 2d Fest Appearance

, Edinburgh, Aug. 10.

Thornton Wilder farce;, . “The
Matchmaker," set for two weeks
from Aug. 23 at the International
Drama Festival here, will go on to
the Berlin Festival. With cast,
headed by Ruth Gordon, Eileen
Herlie and Sam Levene. play will
be performed at the Hebbell Thea-
tre, Berlin, Sept. 21, 22 and 23.

| Piece has a pre-Edinburgh Brit-
ish . opening at Newcastle next
Monday (16). Decor is by Tanya
Moiseiwitsch, and Tyrone Guthrie
is meggdr. Play goes to London in
late fall.

Rome, Aug. 10.

Fall revue season is getting an
earlier start than usual this year,
with two hew shows already run-
ning despite summer temp in
Milan, more planned to curtain
before the traditional Oct. 1 open-
ing date.

Two shows getting healthy re-
turns in Milan are the Little The-
atre’s “Sani da Legare" and the
Odeon’s “Occhio per Occhio” (“Eye
for Eye"), latter starring Vickie
Henderson, Mario Carotenuto,
Luisa Poselli. This runs through
Aug. 25, with another opening,
“Casanova in Casa Nava,” starring
the three Nava Sisters, slated for
Aug. 27.

Heavyweights start moving in
September. Carlo Dapporto opens
his hew. show, “Giove In Doppio
Petto/’ With costars. Delia Scala
and Liliana Bonfatti (both pic
thespers), at the Lirico in Milan,
while Nino Taranto takes his new
revue to Milan’s Nuovo. Only open-
ing skedded for Rome during Sep-
tember is Macario’s debut at the
Sistina, in which the comedian is
only man in the cast, and 36
femmes are billed.

October- slate finds Wanda Osiris’
new show opening in Milan, while
two revues are booked into Roman
theatres during the month — Ugo
Tognazzi and Doarian Gray in “La
Mosca al Naso/’ and the untitled
Billi-Riva-Isa Barzlzza show at the
Quattrofontane Theatre.

Comedian Rascel opens his pew
show in Florence in November,
with late debut caused by pic work,
while, film engagements also make
board debuts of two remaining
show topliners, Walter Chiari and
Toto, problematic. Toto has been
so busy with pix in past several
years that he’s had to give up the
theatrical swing altogether despite
demand;

PLAN NEW METR0P0L
FOR WEST BERLIN

Berlin, Aug. 10.

, Because the famous old Berlin
Metropol Theatre is now in the
Soviet Sector* organizers long have
been planning to build up a new
Metropol in Berlin’s West Sector..
After five years, this plan finally
is nearing realization. New house
under the old label will be opposite
the former (bombed out) Deutsche
Opernhaus.. Modern house will
have a seating capacity of .1,700.

Heinz Hentschke, local operetta
pioneer as well as organizer and
director of the new Metropol The-
atre, revealed that the new house
will not only have operettas but
also use variety shows and legit.

CEA Asked About Use
Of ‘Nudes’ on BBC

Sheffield, Eng., Aug. 10.

Sheffield section of .the British
Cinematograph Exhibitors Assn,
has asked its London headquarters
if any steps will be taken to dis-
suade the British Broadcasting
Corp. from televising such things
as nudes.

Exhib Jack Relzz said nudes were
being shown on British tele “in the
name of ah." Television Was using
sex on the screen, and yet cinema
exhibs could not get even ah “X”
certificate for some things put on
tv. He thought that tele should
show only such subjects as <Would
qualify for a U (Universal) cer-
tificate in cinemas.

London. Aue. It).

Savoy Hotel, which has changed
its cabaret policy by including com-
edy talking acts, tees off with
comic Dave King for month, open-
ing Sept. 6.

King was formerly comedian in
the Morton Fraser’s Harmonica
Gang outfit, quitting the gang to
do a solq which' has clicked in
vaude- and radio.

Edinburgh, Aug. 17.

More than 30 features and about
200 shorts, entered by 38 coun-
tries, will be screened at the
eighth International Film Festiyal
which opens here next Sunday (22)
and runs through to Sept. 12. All
weekday presentations will be con-
centrated in the Cameo, with Sun-
day galas at the Caley Picture
House. There -will be an addi-
tional Sunday screening at the
New Victoria Sept, 5.

• Festival tees off with a Greek
feature, “Windfall in Athens.” It
will be followed by the French en-
try, “Avant Le Ddiuge,”- and the
Russian-made “Trio Ballet,” star-
ring Ulanova. An American candi-
date, “Little Fugitive,” will be
screened next Tuesday (24).

The British-made “The Young
Lovers/’ produced by Anthony
Havelock-Allan and. directed by
Anthony Asquith, will be pre-
sented Sept. 5 Asquith is lectur-
ing at. the festival Aug. 30 under
the auspices of the British Film
Academy.

RK0 to Handle Indie
'Break in Circle,’ Set
For Prod, in Britain

London, Aug. 17.

Under a deal which stems from
the current product shortage in
America, Exclusive Films started
production yesterday (Mon.) on
“Break in the Circle,” to be lensed
in Eastman Color with Eva Bartok.
Forrest Tucker and Marius Goring
topping the cast.

Two-thirds of. the budget has
been provided by American inter-
ests through Commerce Interna-
tional Ltd., and the pic Will have
American distribution through
RKO. Film is being made at Ex-
clusive’s own studios at Bray, with
four-week location in Hamburg
and in Polpero in Cornwall.

James Carreras, Exclusive top-
per, announced at a luncheon last
week that this was the company’s
42d post-war production and sixth
film this year. Not one has shown
a loss. Previously the program
had been mainly carried out on a
co-production basis with Lippert
Films, but this is its first venture
with Commerce International.

j

First German C’Scoper
To Have French Version

Berlin, Aug. 10.

The first German CinemaScope
film, “Der Kommandant," based on
a novel by John Khittel — also will
be made in a French Version.'
France’s Michele Morgan and Ger-
many’s Cornell Borehers will have
the female leads in both versions
which Yves Allegrot is going to
direct. Carl Raddatz (Germany)
and Pierre Brasseur (France) play
the male starring roles in their re-
spective pix.

“Kommandant” will be shot in
Munich-Geiselgasteig with exteri-
ors done in South France. Spain
and Morocco.

CCC (Berlin-Spandau) currently
also is shooting a two-version (Ger-
man and French) film. “The Tsare-
vitch/’ It will he directed by Ar-
thur Maria Rabertalt. Latter recent-
ly completed “The Gypsy Baron,”
which was also made iii v French
version (starring Georges Guetary).
Other domestic outfits think it al-
most essential to come out with
two-version films. , i

INTERNATIONAL 11'

Brit Exhibs Hint Concession h
Hassle Over Eady; Prods. Stand Pat

'Crucible’ Scores At

Venice Theatre Fete

Rome, Aug. 10.

“Barabbas," presented by the
Belgian National Theatre, opened
this year’s Venice Theatre Festival
to lukewarm reviews and scarce
attendance. The Michel De Ghel-
derode drama, selected to open the
fall legit fete, was acted in French
by Jean Nergal, Charles Mahieux,
Rene Hinaux and Line Jaques.
Show managed to garner only po-
lite applause at the finale, with a
majority of the audience discon-
certed by the play’s heavy-handed
style and content,

Arthur Miller’s “Crucible,” per-
formed the next night by the same
company, came off considerably
better in all departments. It was
registered a hit, with crix prais-
ing both the play and performances.
Attendance also spurted.

Del Rio, Jurado
Cop Hex Oscars

Mexico City/ Aug. 10.

Long-last 1953 Oscaring gave top
awards to' Dolores Del Rio, Arturo
de Cordoba and Katy Jurado. Aca-
demy of Cinematographic Arts and
Sciences stressed that picking win-
ners was the most difficult in its
history. Awarding was at a cere-
mony, attended by 2,000, in the
Palace of Fine Arts (National The-
atre) here. Alfonso Cortina, chair-
man of the National Cinematogra-
phic Board, presided.

Miss Del Rio’s victory was no
surprise. She long had been top
candidate. Her Oscar was for her
performance in “The Boy and the
Fog,” adapted from the pscho-
theme play of that name which ran
here for some time, and given real-
istic treatment by Producciones
Grovas, Pic was also Oscared as the
best of 1953. It won laurels, too,
for Roberto Gavaldon, for his di-
rection; Edmundo Baez and Galva-
don, for their adaptation; Gabriel
Figueroa, for camerawork (his
ninth Mexican Oscar); Alejandro
Chiangherotti, Jr., as infant actor;
and Gloria Shoeman, editing.

De Cordoba copped for his work
in “Three Perfectly Married Girls.”
Miss Jurado won as best support-
ing actress. Her opposite numb.er
was Jose Elias Moreno. Dame Pru-
dendia Grifell, vet dramatic actress
was awarded a special Oscar for t^e
bit role she played in -‘The Sixth
Race.” A similar award was given
Guillermo Alvarez Bravos Raul Fa-
re! won the prize as juve actor.

'MILLER’ NEW RECORD
FOR MEX CITY WEEK

Mexico City, Aug. 17.

Greatest gross any American pic
ever scored here in seven v days
time in one theatre was established
by “The Glenn Miller Story” (U) at
the swanky Cine Roble. Intake
was $23,846, rated particularly ex-
ceptional because that gross was
rolled up with a mere 32c top, the
ceiling price here. What makes it
especially great is that some other
Yank pix grossed big here, but at
the old 58c top.

| “Story” was only beaten for an
all-time high by an unusually
.strong Mexican ‘pic, the latest by
“Cantinflas” (Mario Moreno), also
at the Roble. But it topped by only
a few dollars. “Story” now is doing
landoffice biz, six shows on Sun-
days, on 'its moveover, also at 32c,
at the deluxe Cine Real Cinema
here.'

BBC Exec to Moscow
Oh Vidpix Exchange

London. Aug. 10.

Mrs. Mary Adams, assistant to.
BBC-TV controller, leaves for So-
ylet Russia this month to discuss
the exchange of films for tv be-
tween London and Moscow.

Kenneth Wright, head of music,
recently returned from the Russian
capital, reportedly with entertain-
ment pix including ballet. There is
no date yet set for beaming the
programs.

London, Aug. 17.
As the lower rate of the Eady
levy recommended by the Cine-
matograph Exhibitors Assn, swung
into operation this month, new at-
tempts were being made by indus-
try toppers to end the deadlock
between the exhibiting and pro-
ducing sections. A round table
last week served as a prelude for
a new four-trade associations ses-
sion convened for Sept. 1,

The first sign of a concession
from theatre men came at last
week’s gathering when CEA top-
pears indicated they were pre-
pared to up the levy slightly on
admissions of 36c and higher. This
would affect only the larger thea-
tres in the country and would net
the fund an additional $550,000 an-
nually, bringing the income up to
just over $7,500,000.

This concession, however, is un-
likely to tempt the producers, who
still insist they are being deprived
of their due share'Of the increased
boxoffice income from the $9,800, •
000 tax concession. Production
interests still are claiming a mini-
mum Eady income of $8,400,000 al-
though they argue that at least
$9,800,000 is needed every year to
keep the British production indus-
try in a flourishing state.

If no tangible progress is made
at the Sept. 1 gettogether, the dis-
pute certainly almost will go to
arbitration as the last alternative
before government legislation. In
view of the long Parliamentary
recess no government action could
be taken until the latter part of the
year, and industry leaders are
naturally anxious -to resolve thi
issue with utmost speed.

A. Piccard Pacted For
Deep-Sea Color Vidpix,
Tinter by German Unit

Berlin, Aug. 10.

Paul Gordon’s Eurbpaeische Tel-
evision Gesellscbaft, one of tho
most active vidpix producing out-
fits in Germany, recently signed a
contract with Prof. August Pic-
ca d, world-famous Swiss strator
sphere and deep-sea explorer, for
an expedition by the latter to the
Canary Islands. He would leave
on deep-sea diving trip in Septem-
ber.

Expedition labeled “On the
Traces of Atlantis” (Canary Islands
are regarded as the last remain-
ders of Atlantis) will be accom-
panied by the Europaeische Tele-
vision Gesellschaft, which is going
to make a full-length documentary
film with regular 35m cameras and
several color vidpix using four 16m
cameras. Gordon’s ETG will con-
trol all rights.

In addition to Prof. Piccard, .his
son Jean; Dr. A. C. Tigelkamp,
Swiss scientist and researcher;
Gordon and the camera crew will
participate in approximately 12 to
15 diving experiments. The Span-
ish government already has given
its assistance and will place a
naval unit at the expedition’s dis-
posal. If Prof. Piccard succeeds in
diving down to around 18,000 feet,
it will be a world’s record in deep-
Sfea diving and a new mark for him.
Tradewise, the most interesting
item is the scheduled color vidpix
shooting. It’s the first time a do-
mestic outfit here has done a color
telefilm.

Gordon revealed there are cur-
rently negotiations underway with
BBC-London, NBC and Life Mag
regarding coverage of the Piccard
Expedition.

Hoyts Switches Sydney
House to Foreign Pix

Sydney, Aug. 10.

To cater to the upbeat in popu-
larity of foreign-language pix,
Hoyts’ circuit will switch the 920-
r seat Park here to foreign fare.
House will be renamed the Paris.
First in will be “Moment of Truth”
(Indie).

This key city currently .has two
other foreign-language theatres,
the Savoy, 500-seat spot, run by
Peter Dawson, and Variety, 300-
seater operated by Sydney Thea-
i tres.

Wednesday, August 18, 1954

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PICTUBES 15

Gals Outnumbered 3/1 in Show Biz

• » •

•Washington, Aug. 17.

Men outnumber women nearly aHto*l in the entertainment and
recreational services.

A new breakdown ot the 1950 census, just completed by the
U S. Census Bureau, shoWs that 412,320 men and 145,140 women
were emplbyed in that field at the time the census takers covered,
the nation. ,v

Of these, 136,590 men and 73,980 women were working in the
motion picture industry and in theatres. The broadcasting industry
employed 46,740 men and 15,690 women.

Of these large groups, motion pictures and the stage had 5;340
actors and. 3,970 actresses; while radio and tv employed only 690
actors and'660 actresses nationwide.’ In addition, however, theatres'
and films listed* the employment of 750 male and 390 female,
“entertainers/' Radio and television had, 690 men as ’ entertain-
ers and 450 women entertainers,

FANCHON & MARCO LOSES

Judge Sees No Point In
Belaboring Its Case ,

Hollywood, Aug; 17. .

Fanchon & Marco’s appeal from
adverse decision in Baldwin Thea-
tre suit has been denied by the
Ninth Circuit U. S. Court of Ap-
peals. Denial, written by Judge
James Fee took issue with deci-
sion to appeal case, holding “we do
.not think appeal on facts and
weight of evidence in this case
from an able and experienced
judge who had experience in exact
area was justified.”

Judge Fee stated that although
court reviewed “long and compli-
cated record with extreme care be- 1
cause of questions of fact raised,
we do not believe an Appellate
Court, already burdened, should
had been operating under trial
questions.”

Sponsor interest roused by last f
week’s “Bits Frpm the Hits” tv
show, which plugged current fea-
tures running on Broadway for an
hour over WCBS-TV, has given the
Molion Picture Assn, of America’s
projected tv series a new lease on
life. .

• Bits From the Hits,” which
subbed in N; Y. for the blacked-out
Moore-Johnson championship fight
over the CBS net, was sponsored
by Hoffman Beverages and while it
showed a lack of preparation, it
nevertheless had industryites buz-
zing with excitement over the sell-
ing job that was done. (See re-
view in Television Dept.)

Sponsor "Interest?

Company spokesmen acknowl-
edged that the program had done a
lot to revive interest in the MPA A
show and that this was particularly
true since potential sponsors had
inquired about it. It was felt,
however, that such a show would
have to originate in Hollywood de-
spite the fact that— as one exec
put it- — .“it’s much easier to get
unanimous agreement on anything
in the east.”

Leonard Goldenson, American
Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres,
prexy, commented in N. Y. last
week (13) that ABC was as ready
as ever to go ahead with the MPAA
project, but that- it was his under-
standing that the studios were still
unable to get together on the show.
Asked if he felt the idea was dead,
he repied that this was his impres-
sion, for the. moment at least.

According to one company exec,
plans for the tv show haven’t gone
beyond the discussion stages. He
said that if the program is finally
realized, it’ll be substantially in
the same form as originally en-
visioned “but with a format that
may be slightly different.”

MPAA’s original contract with
ABC envisioned an hour-long show
which would preview coming at-
tractions, tying in --live” interviews
witli stars appearing in the films
being shown. Plans have hit a
number of snags, some of them
concerning union problems and
other relating to the studios’ per-
mission to ABC to send camera
crews to shoot star interviews off
the sound stages.

While various efforts were made
in N. Y. to get action on the MPAA
show, nonchalant handling at the
Coast end has resulted in a failure
to come up with as much as a pilot
to show to potential sponsors.
Original plans had MPAA Eric
Johnston set as the emcee, at least
for the pilot.

%

Continued from pa&e 5

Problem for Halpern, since sortv
ozone rs are bidding in areas, when
there are conventional elosed-eir
cuit theatres. Ozoners, in makinj
their pitch, are citing, their greate
eating capacity. The decision b
noose a drive-in and a conven
tional presents a toughie for Hal
Slnce the conventional thea
es supported his events befor
equipment was available for th
t?.^ n . er f And then, he might neei
tail lnd0or houses for his Metoper
for similar attraction
111 ’ e suitable for regular theatres

fmii ne d f iv e-ins carried the Jun
hi ia and wert ? serviced via me
equipment. Halpern this tim
ahin s £ n l e add itionai units avail
mon-c b - ,t u he ' s faced with a Sole

situations? ' n SeleCtlng the righ

Detroit Exhibs’ Co-op

Detroit, Aug. 17.

Some 17 Detr.oit-area sec-
ond-run film houses, including
10 drive-ins, will sponsor a
five - minute across-the-board
film roundup on the “Detroit
Deadline” on WXYZ-TV. Bev-
erly Beltaire will Interview
visiting stars and comment on .
film clips of pix currently play-,
ihg at the 17 theatres.

Project calls itself “Movie
Preview Theatres,” Hyman
Bloom, of Sloan Theatres;
Irving Goldberg, of Community
Theatres; Alden W. Smith, of
Mutual Theatres, and William
Wetsman, of Wisper and Wets-
man Theatres, have desig-
nated James Sharkey to act
for the group. Said a spokes-
man:

“Television is no longer a
thing to fight but something to
incorporate and exploit when
selling a picture.”

Difference Between
Pix and TV Spelled Out

Lesson in the difference between
tv and films is spelled out in
COMPO's latest ad in Editor &
Publisher apropos a discussion of
the newspaper practice of provid-
ing tv program listing for free;
while charging premium rates for
film ads.

Basic difference between the two
media is analyzed thusly: “Movies
are supported entirely by money
the public pays at the boxoffice.
They get this public support solely
on their merits as entertainment.
If a picture pleases the public it
succeeds; if not, it fails . . . The
industry spends a considerable
sum on advertising . . . Thus the
movies are a source of newspaper
revenue.

“Television, oh the other hand,
derives its income solely— from
advertising. In other words, it is
an advertising medium, just like
newspapers.”

The ad quoted a Variety story
that come 1956 tv would get 20%
of all advertising money spent in
all media and it went on:

“From this it should be obvious
that the purposes of movies and
television are far apart. Movies aim
to please the public with entertain-
ment the public pays money to
see. Television gives the public
free entertainment to insure an
audience for its advertising mes-
sage.”

COMPO’S TAX GOAL
REMAINS: ABOLITION

COMPO leaders are skedded to
meet in N.Y. "within a couple of
weeks” to decide on future moves
in connection with the 10% admis-
sions tax.

Robert Coyne, COMPO special
counsel, said this week that the
alternatives were to fight for com-
plete elimination of the levy or to
concentrate on an attempt to ob-
tain higher exemptions.

Industry’s fight 16 eliminate the
earlier 20% admissions tax last
year resulted in favorable CongrOs-
sional action >vhich was, however,
vetoed by President Eisenhower.
Earlier this year, the tax was cut
to 10% with admissions under 50c
wholly exempt.

F&M had sued in Federal Court
here; charging conspiracy to de-
prive Baldwin of product on an
earlier clearance than 21 days it
had been operated under- Trial
Judge Leon Yankwich ruled
against F&M in favor Of the di-
stributors.

. -■■ -wv—

Building Audience For
Kid-Appeal Pictures

Building of smallfry interest in
particular pictures is being effec-
tively accomplished via tieups with
comic book publishers. Yarns based
on upcoming films are finding their
way into the moppet literature.

The film companies provide the
comic book publisher with, the
shooting script of a film. The pub-
lisher’s staff provides the cartoon
drawings and the story thread for
the comic strip balloons. The books
are then marketed via the regular
channels and are sold at the cus-
tomary price of 10c. The film com-
pany receives a color cover and in-
side black & white pictures with
ample credits for the picture. The
rights to the yarn and the shoot-
ing scripts are furnished to the
publishers, at no cost.

The print order for each book
varies from 600,000 to 1,000,000,
but it’s estimated that the books
even receive wider distribution
since there is an active exchange
of these books among children.
The publishers are careful in their
story selection; avoiding blood and
thunder material and selecting
only wholesome stories with adven-
ture or historical backgrounds.

For example, Dell Publishing,
one of the largest comic book dis-
tributors, has recently issued a
book based on Warner Bros. “King
Richard and the Crusaders.” It
previously featured one based on
; Metro’s “Knights of the Round
Table.” In the works are ones on
Walt Disney’s “20,000 League Un-
der the Sea,” Warner’s “Drum
Beat,” “Helen of Troy,” and pos-
sibly “Daniel Boone” and “Moby
Dick.”

Theatres occasionally take part
in the tieup by purchasing a num-
ber of copies for free distribution
to their Saturday matinee trade.

In Minneapolis Area

Minneapolis, Aug. 17.

C’Scope installations in this ex-
change territory now number 225
and hardly a day passes but that
there are more of them, according
to Saul Malisow, 20th-Fox branch
manager.

There are approximately 775
conventional and drive-in theatres
in the territory, it’s estimated by
S. D. Kane, North Central Allied
executive counsel. Thus, one in
every three already has joined the
C’Scope procession, Malisow points
out.

Emo Orpwitz to Coast

Camden N. J., Aug. 17.

E. M. (Emo) Orowitz has resigned
as a top executive of the Savar
TheatTe Corp.. after a 15-year con-
nection. His bowout is effective
Sept. 15 when he leaves for the
Coast for a new affiliation which
he’ll reveal later.

Orowitz, who started as a Para-
mount exploitation man, originated
“Emo’s Movie Broadcast,” which
at one time was syndicated to 85
stations in the U. S .and Canada.
He was formerly pub-ad chief of
RKO Theatres.

m

— — — : * — f

UNPUBLISHED NOVEL SET

20th Acquires Wilbtir Daniel
Steele’s ‘Way To Gold’

Unpublished hovel by Wilbur
Daniel Steele, “The Way to the
Gold,” has been bought by 20thr
Fox for $60,000. Book will .be
brought out by Doubleday early
next year.

It tells a melodramatic story
about a young couple in search of
a gold cache, hidden by a bank-
robber. In the end, they find re-
spectability in a small town.

‘Sitting’ Draws D.C, to S.D.;
Heineman ‘Bull’ Session

Follows World Premiere

«>

Washington, Aug. 17.

Some 54 members of. Congress
from eight states in which the old
Sioux nation was once located,
have been invited to attend the
world preem of the picture, “Sit-
ting Bull,” Thursday night (19) at
Rapid City, S. D.

Four of the legislators, Senators
Francis Case and Karl Mundt and
Reps. Harold Lovre and E. Y.
Berry, all of South Dakota, are
also hosts in inviting their col-
leagues from Wisconsin, Minne-
sota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming,
North Dakota, and Montana to be
guests.

The fancy tie-in, arranged by
United Artists, also includes the
Black Hills “Range Days” rodeo
celebration.

( Early in the proceedings, as re-
ported here, Sioux Indians them-
selves were riled that “Sitting
Bull” u>as being produced in
Mexico with non-Sioux extras.
—Ed.)

Heineman’s Conferences

Following tomorrow’s (Thurs.)
world preem of “Sitting Bull,’’
United Artists’ first Cinemascope
entry, in Rapid City, S. D., UA
sales executives will join sales
chief William J. Heineman in a
series of conferences setting dis-
tribution plans for the W. R. Frank
production. Heineman left New
York Tuesday (17) for the Rapid
City preem which the district sales
chief will also attend.

Conferring with Heineman will
be West Coast district manager
Ralph Clark, midwest district man-
ager F. J. Lee, Denver branch man-
ager Bud Austin, and Minneapolis
branch manager Abbott Swartz.
Heineman will also visit Chicago.
Denver, Minneapolis and Omaha
in a flying junket to map satura-
tion bookings of “Sitting Bull.”

REP ADDS FACILITIES
FOR MORE PRODUCTION

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Republic Pictures will immedi-
ately launch a $1,000,000 studio ex-
pansion program to include new of-
fice building, cutting and projec-
tion rooms and technical equip-
ment. Project will climax three-
year improvement schedule which
when completed will represent
$3,000,000.

Additional expenditure in aug-
menting facilities of lot is neces-
sitated by company’s increased
production schedule for 1954-55.
according to Herbert Yates, prexy.

UA’s Philly Center Opening

Philadelphia, Aug. 17.

United Artists’ new two-story ex-
change building in this city is near-
ing completion. The brick and

granite structure, designed to ac-
commodate UA’s expanded sales
facilities, will be completed on
Sept. 15. It is located at the inter-
section of Juniper and Vine streets
in the heart of the city’s film row.
It will replace UA’s present head-
quarters in the Film Center Build-
ing.

The new building will serve as
headquarters, for eastern district
manager John Turner, branch man-
ager Mort Magill, pub-ad rep Max
Miller.

Product shortage is only a phan-
tom to the Broadway showcases
these days. They’ve got plenty of
top product on their skeds and • a
nurtiber of them . are booked solid
even into 1955, with long runs the'
rule.

But even as the main stem takes
its pickings, turning from a seller’s
into a buyer’s market, the arties
on the east side are crying the
product blues. Exhibs are com-
plaining that the flow of top for-
eign features has been slowed to a
trickle, with some houses turning
to reissues to keep their doors
open.

Times Square area, currently do^
ing sock biz on practically all at-
tractions, is reaping the benefits
of Hollywood’s “make ’em bigger
and better” policy. And exhibs are
screening what’s openly admitted
to be a bumper crop of grade A
b.o. attractions.

One house currently shopping
for product is the Paramount
which has sent a letter to the dis-
tribs informing them that it’s in
the market for top pix.

Here are a couple of examples:
Radio City Music Hall, currently
cleaning up with “Seven Brides
For Seven Brothers,” is set with
“Brigadoon” and “White Christ-
mas.” Capitol, now featuring
“Caine Mutiny,” follows up with
“The Barefoot Contessa” and “Vera
Cruz.” Criterion, now piling ’em in
with “Living It Up,” segues into
“Sabrina”; Victoria and Astor the-
atres look to a hefty run on “A
Star Is Born,” and the Rivoli seems
comfortably set for the moment
with “Rear Window.” In the early
fall the house shutters to get ready
for Todd-AO and "Oklahoma.”
LoeW’s State, currently housing
“Magnificent Obsession,” follows
up with “Betrayed.” At the Roxy,
“Broken Lance”, will be followed •
by the formidable “The Egyptian,”
which is good for an extended run.

While Broadway is booked solid,
the arties — with a few exceptions
—are having a tough time finding
good product. Little Carnegie is
set with Times Films feeding it
product. Paris has “Bread, Love
and Dreams” coming in. Norman-
die solved its problems by booking
“Adventures of Robinson Crusoe”
and the Fine Arts has Disney’s
“Vanishing Prairie” coming in.

Indie distribs, conceding there’s
a shortage of top foreign lingual-
ers, emphasize that exactly the op-
posite is true outside N. Y., where 11
there’s ah abundance of product
and too few outlets to play it.

DIVERSION IN THE STREETS

Two Eds (Arnold and O’Brien)
M. C. Fox, Portland, Opening

Portland, Ore., Aug. 17.

National Theatres opened its new
deluxe Fox here Thursday (12>,
first new house to open in Port-
land since 1928. The setting and
ceremonials were of Hollywood
razzle type. Prexy Charles P.
Skouras led a cavalcade, of person-
ages who came in by plane and
proceeded to their hotel with full
ballyhoo.

Here from the studios were Mr.
& Mrs. Edward Arnold, Mr, & Mrs.
Van Heflin, Mr. & Mrs. Rex Allen,
Johnnie Ray, Edmond O’Brien,
Olga San Juan, - Tommy and Carrol
Noonan, Marla Powers, Jeff Rich-
ards, Sheree Price, Jay Robinson,
Marla English, Don Creighton, and
Barbara, Madelyn and Alice Dar-
row.

A platform erected outside the
theatre served as stage for a spec-
ial vaudeville show produced by
Helene Hughes of San Francisco
with RusS Byrd as emcee. That be-
gan at 6:30, bleachers accommodat-
ing 2,500. Stars arrived at 8 p.m.
Majority of invited guests (1,536)
came in formal attire. Portland was
stunned.

Edward Arnold and Edmond
O’Brien shared the gab assignment
within the theatre. Supper-dance
given by National Theatres follow-
ed opening.

Another TV Script For Screen
Indie outfit headed by Russell
Rouse and Clarence Greene has
acquired “The Last Notch,” a tv
original scripted by Frank Gilroy,
for adaptation into a film.

Story was produced on the
United States Steel Hour over
ABC-TV last March. It’s a western.

16

PICTURES

Wednesday August IB, 1954

'Censor Self

Wall St. Dopesters Seek Reason-Why for Amusement
Strength in Unsure General Market

By MIKE WEAR

While much of the stock market
consumed most of the past week
stabilizing itself from the brisk
shakeout of Aug. 6, nearly every
picture company and film theatre
corporation stock soared to new
highs for the year. There were 13
film, theatre issues which pushed
lip into new high ground for ’54,
many of them closing on top. Not a
single stock in this group wound
up the week with a minus sign.

Although some brokers scram-
bled for some explanation for this
renewed bullishnes in amusement
shares, faithful students of the pic-
ture industry financial affairs went
no further than the present strong
summer film boxoffice for the an-
swer. It is becoming increasingly
apparent that the full effect of the
10% cut in Federal admission’ tax
now is being reflected at the na-
tion’s b.o. Also that this lift in
theatre revenue will reach its peak
late this month or sometime in
September. By then, the prize fall
product should be in release. Judg-
ing from the prelim glance at these
new screen vehicles, many forecast
continuing high or soaring boxof-
fice.

Both Paramount Pix arid Colum-
bia showed net gains of two points
each for the week. Latter went to
29 % while Par soared to 35, both
highest prices for the current year,
Loew’s also climbed into new fresh
ground at 17%, where it was up
1% on the week. The Col Pix up-
swing was predicated on expecta-
tion of a great report for the fiscal
year ended last June 30, which was
issued Monday (16). With the com-
pany having "Living It Up” and
“Hear Window,” two big grossers
out currently, Par’s move was a
natural. Big grossing pix also were
reported behind Loew’s move plus
the fact that Metro also has a great
moneymaker in “Gone With
Wind,” again in reissue status.

More New Highs
National Theatres Went to a new
peak of 8% and up half a point
on the session. At this level it is
up about two points from a year
ago, fine improvement for such a
low-priced issue. RKO Theatres
also edged up to a fresh ’54 high
of 8%, a gain of 34 of a point.

Republic Pix common also hit a
new mark at 5% for an advance of
%ths on the week. Apparently
some traders were just learning
the status of this company’s pix as
regards tele. The 20th-Fox shares
registered a new 1954 peak of -24%,
and an advance of 1% for the ses-
sion.

Stanley Warner, too, boasted a
new high of 18%, an advance of
1%, closing practically on top,
Warner Bros., the film company,
shares did likewise, reaching 1834
for a gain of one point.

Universal issues both soared to
new high ground, the common hit-
ting 26 for an advance of 1% and
the preferred, selling ex-divvy,
reaching 73. Decca, the parent cor-
poration of U, likewise hung up a
fresh mark of 13%, a gain of near-
ly a point for the week. Techni-
color, which for weeks has found
the 13-level a tough one to pene-
trate, forged ahead three-quarters
of a point to 1334. Allied Artists
common was up fractionally on the
week, reaching 434 at One time
while the preferred gained 34 of
point.

American Seating climbed 2%
to a new high of 33%. General
Precision Equipment common was
virtually unchanged on the week
while the preferred wound upi at
the old high of 96,

Radio shares also were very
strong all week, RCA common reg-
istered a new peak of 35 to show a
gain of 1% for the session. While
not'boasting any new high ground,
CBS issues both soared after a
brief period of consolidation. CBS
“A", shares climbed 4% to 66%
while the Class B stock advanced
4 points, both issues closing at the
top prices for the week.

ABC-Par stocks both hit fresh
highs for ’54. The common went to
20% and the preferred to. 20%,
latter being up 1 point on the
week,. Zenith sagged 334 points,
closing at 72. It had been up near
five points on the previous week.

Arbitration Vacations
With

Meetings, of the committee ap-
pointed to draft an industry arbi-
tration plan have been postponed
for several weeks due to vacation
schedules. Committee members
are now awaiting a call from Ralph
Hetzel, Motion Picture Assn, of
America exec v.p., for a date for
another session.

Because of the many postpone-
ments, it’s obvious that the arbi-
tration committee has not met the
schedule set in June by an overall
industry confab. The conference,
after prolonged wrangling on the
scope ’ of the arbitration, named
the drafting committee which was
supposed to come up with a plan
in "not more than 60 days.’' That
deadline has been passed and ap-
parently has gone unnoticed by
any one connected with the arbi-
tration business.

Although the drafting committee
has held several sessions, no actual
writing of the plan has yet started.
The discussions have been mainly
concerned with the scope of the
plan.

Continued from Page 4

papers themselves will be the
judge of the ads’ propriety and if
they require any changes it will
be at 1 the theatres’ expense.

When ‘-The French Line” recent-
ly played its only St. Paul engage-
ment at an indie nabe house, the
papers did not censor its ads which
included the reference to Jane Rus-
sell's dance and the cut.Qf her in
brief attire. St. Paul is strongly
Catholic and the theatre was pic-
keted during the run by religious
organizations’ representatives.

Exhibitors are pointing out that
on the day they received Lewis’
letter the St. Paul Dispatch’s late
afternoon blue sheet edition front
page carried one two-column cut
showing the full length of two girls
in bikini swimming suits. Also, that
there was the usual quota of sex
crime stories and other sensational
yarns with “sell” headlines.

One theatreow.ner, turning tables,
declared that his wife has request-
ed him not to bring the paper
home because she doesn’t want it
to get in their children’s hands.

Continued from page 5

Tangled Course of Story
Sale on ‘Rear Window’

Leland Hayward is set to receive
10% of the profits of Paramount’s
‘‘Rear Window.” This arrangement
stems from the sale of the original
story property to Par for which
Hayward received a flat $10,000.
plus the percentage agreement.

The property, based on a maga-
zine story, has an involved history.
It was originally owned by the late
Buddy De Sylva, who sold it to Hay-
ward and Joshua Logan for $10,-
000. Pair originally planned to
make the picture on their own with
Hayward producing and Logan di-
recting. It was intended as a vehi-
cle for James Stewart who was un-
der Hayward’s management.

Logan later became involved in
other activities and dropped out.
Hayward then tried to set up a
deal with Alfred Hitchcock but it
fell through, leading Hayward to
sell the property to Par for $10,000
plus the percentage agreement.

Paramount made the picture
with Stewart starring and Hitch-
cock directing.

share on the 2,324,337 shares out-
standing.

Since SW only started operations
March i, 1953, full comparative
figures are not given. For the quar-
ter ending May 30, 1953, SW re-
ported a loss of $360,000 after de-
ducting $656,300 for depreciation,
with nothing said about taxes or
contingencies. Included in the loss
was a $250,0(30 loss from the sale
of properties.

Total income for the most recent
39-week stanza is listed at $46,492,-
672, which breaks down to $44416,-
168 from theatre admissions, sales
and miscellaneous income; $2,120,-
265 from rent from tenants; $175,-
419 interest, on income, and $80,822
as profit on the sale of property.

Debits were listed as theatre op-
erating expenses, cost of sales, gen-
eral, and selling expenses, $39,328,-
768; depreciation, amortization, $2,-
328,132; interest expense, $106,632,
and minority interests’ share of
profits, $34,108.

Allied Studio Humming

Hollywood, Aug. 7:

Allied Artists next week will hit
all-time high for company in num-
ber of pictures simultaneously be-
fore cameras. Four are in work this
week and two more start Monday.

Lineup includes ‘‘The Black
Prince,” ‘‘The Annapolis Story,”
“Ketchikan,” “Shotgun,” “Cry
Vengeance” and “The Big Combo.”

Cinerama

Continued from page 4

Lopert in From Venice

Ilya Lopert, prexy of Lopert
Films, returned to New York from
Europe yesterday (Tues.) in a sur-
prise quickie visit. Producer-thea-
treowner had been busy in Venice
supervising the production of
“Summertime,” film version of the
legit play, “Time of the Cuckoo.”

His return to Gotham followed
confabs in London with Robert
Dowling, prexy of City Investing
Co., which is partnered with Lo-
pert in production activities.

Amusement Stock Quotations

(lV.y. Stock Exchange)

For Week Ending Tuesday (17)

1954

✓

Weekly Vol. Weekly Weekly

Tues.

Net

Changi

High

Low

in 100s

High

Low

Close

for wee

20%

14%

Am Br-Par Th

385

20%

19%

19%

— %

71

41%

CBS, “A” ...

41

67%

63%

6634

+4

69%

41%

CBS, “B" ...

37

66%

63

66

+334

29%

1934

COI. Pic. . . . .

136

29%

28%

28%

+ %

12%

9%

Dccofi •»•(»«»

566

12%

12%

42%

+ 34

63%

4634

Eastman Kdk.

122

6134

5934

' 5934

■ «— 34

17%

13%

Loew’s . ......

809

17%

1634

17%

+ %

834

6%

Nat. Thea. ... '

307

834

8%

8%

+ %

35

26%

Paramount ...

156

35

34%

34%

— %

37%

28

Philco

180

36%

34%

-35%

— %

35

22%

RCA ...

650

35

33%

33%

+ %

7

2%

RKO Piets. . .

99

6%

6%

6%

— %

8%

4%

RKO Th0a. . .

347

8%

7%

8%

+ %

5%

3

Republic ....

615

5%

5%

5%

+ %

12%

10%

Rep., pfd. . . .

18

12%

12%

12%

+ %

18%

11%

Stanley War . .

167

18%

18% -

18%

+ %

24%

1834

20th- Fox . ...

429

24%

23%

23%

— %

*6

18%

Univ. Pix. . . .

55

26

2434

24%

— %

1834

13%

Warner Bros.

158

1834

18%

18%

+ %

7734

63%

Zenith ......

90

74%

71%

72%

—4%

6

3%

American Stock Exchange
Allied Artists 85 434 4%

4%

14%

.9%

Du Mont . . . .

120

14

13%

. 13%

+ %

14%

1134

Technicolor. .

167

1334

13%

13%

+ %

334

234

Trans-Lux , .

9

3%

3%

3%

+ %

Over-the-Counter Securities

Allied Artists, pfd.

Capitol Records

Chesapeake Industries

Cinerama Inc. ......

Cinerama -Prod.

Bid

9%

934

3%

1%

2%

Ask

934

10%

3%

2%

3%

King Bros.

1%

. 1%

Polaroid

42%

44%

U. A. Theatres

11%

12%

Walt Disney

14

15

< Quotations furnished by Dreyfus & Co. >

+ %
+ %
+ %
+ %
+ %

— 34
+ %
+ 2 %

Inside Stuff-Pictures

Italo film industry arid its femme attractions, headed by voluptuous
Gina Lollobridgida, were profiled last week in Time Magazine. Piece,
which wasn’t particularly complimentary, pinpointed the death of neo-
realism in Italo pix and spotted its substitute— “a kind of beauty new
to the U. S. eye — an earth-heavy Italian beauty as rich as roses in an
olive dusk.” It also quoted an Italian industryite as saying that the
“gals are beautiful because they stay dumb.” Current Italo production
boom is identified as “really a series of busts.” Time explained the de-
sire of the Italians to find a commercial market abroad and then. stated:
“Thus far, the Italian ; government’s block on Hollywood dollars in
Italy has restrained the U. S. industry from open reprisal against its
rising rival in Rome.” . ,

Par Ducks

Continued from page 5

tech-

VV is “the ultimate” from a
nical point of .view.

Method has been extensively
plugged abroad, but Par has laid
low on it in the U. S. since its
demonstrations some months back.
Reasoning Was that it would be
better to make the VV point with
a completed film, i.e„ “White
Christmas,” on hand. Coast screen-
ings next Monday will serve as the
kickoff point for acquainting the
public with VistaVision. At the
same time, Par won’t make any
particular effort to plug the VV
trademark without tying it in as
a package with “White Christmas.”
All of the Par VV productions
will carry Perspecta Stereophonic
Sound tracks.

while August is expected to be as
good as July. The deal with Robin
International for foreign exhibition
of Cinerama provides for Cinerama
Inc. to receive 5% of the gross re-
ceipts. (This arrangement differs
from the domestic deal with Stan-
ley Warner whereby Cinerama Inc.
receives 10% of the net. Originally
Cinerama Inc. receives 25% of the
net up to $500,000, with the per-
centage declining on a gradual
basis until the 10% arrangement
when the $1,000,000 mark is
reached.)

From Wentworth Fling, en-
gineering v.p. who presided in the
absence of prexy Harry Reeves
Who underwent surgery: Cinerama
technical difficulties stem from the*|
laboratories which are set up for
different picture methods. The ob-
vious differences in the projected
panels are due to the difficulty in
matching prints, while the jumpy
images are caused from minute dif-
ferences in printing. The setting
up of a special lab for Cinerama
prints would be an expensive un-
dertaking. Experience is slowly
correcting past difficulties.

From S. H. (Si) Fabian, prexy
of Stanley Warner which holds the
rights to the medium and has
control of Cinerama Inc.: SW has
advanced $5,000,000 in Cinerama
and is prepared to advance more.
Progress of Cinerama has been
deliberately delayed pending the
development of Cinemascope and
other processes, but SW found that
Cinerama is growing in strength.
SW feels that Cinerama can be sup-
ported in only four or five more
cities in the United States since it
requires communities that can sup-
port long runs. It is currently show-
ing in 13 cities and will soon be
opened in London, Paris; Tokyo,
Milan or Rome, and Dusseldorf,
Louis de Rochemont’s “Cinerama
Holiday” will have its preem in
October or November in one city,
but hot immediately in the other
Cinerama houses in the U.S. “The
Seven Wonders of the World,”

Uncle Sam’s admissions tax receipts for the Federal fiscal year end-
ing June 30 last were down to $271,952,000, far below the $312,831,000
take for the previous year. An estimated 60 or 65% of the total comes
from motion pictures. The period of business^ covered is from April 1,
1953, to March 31, 1954, Internal Revenue Service points out. Thus,
the decline cannot be blamed on the admissions tax cut which became
effective April 12, 1954. For the same period as that covered by the
admissions levy, the 20% bite on mtery checks brought the Federal
Government. $38,312,000, also a considerable dive from the previous
year’s $46,691,000.

Jack Webb, who is scheduled for his first personal appearance since
hitting the bigtime as Sgt. Joe Friday on the “Dragnet” air shows,
is set for a busy whirl of press-radio-tv interviews in Chicago for the
opening of Warner Bros.’ film version of “Dragnet” at the Chicago
Theatre Aug. 18. Webb, star and director of the film, will be accom-
panied to Chi by Richard Breen, who wrote the screenplay. Pair will
return to the Coast after a four-day Windy City stay, Webb will appear
at every show of “Dragnet” on opening day.

A month after IATSE’s Toronto local had refused to screen Herber
Biberman’s “Salt of the Earth” for the press because of the Chic:<g<
local’s refusal to allow it to play a theatre, the film opened (9) withou
fanfare at the midtown Variety Theatre., Alex Barris of the Globi
and Mail remarked in his review, “I don’t see what all the fuss is abou
. . . It makes the serious error of going a bit too far in its one-sided
ness. But that hardly makes it Communist propaganda ... It is cer
tainly a piece of film artistry.”

Both Jack L. Warner, veepee and a director; and Harry M. Warnei
president and a director of Warner Bros., bought additional shares ii
that corporation either directly or indirectly recently according b
reports of ownership filed by officers under, the SEC. Jack Warner pui
chased 10,500. shares, bringing the total he holds to 288,199. Harr;
Warner's purchase of 4,000 shares was pursuant to a plan meeting re
quirements of Rule X-16B-3. This makes his indirect holdings 12,00
shares and directly held stock totalling 106,150 shares.

Frederick Brisson’s emissaries are scouting European cities to find a
femme star who can sing dance and attract wolves for one of the top
roles in Independent Artists’ musical, “The Girl Rush.” Idea is that
£uch a gal will, swell the film’s foreign gross. First candidate is a
French actress, Ghiselle Verlaine, who entertained on radio in Hanoi*
Viet-nam, before the Commies captured it.

Charles Brackett, head of the Academy of: Motion Picture Arts an<
Sciences, has appointed a committee on television consisting of Bol
Hussey, chairman, Richard Breen and Lou Edelman. Committee wil
study all proposals and suggestions from television sources which ma;
have arty bearing on the Academy’s operatiortSi

started in the Cinerama process by
Merian C. Cooper, may be com-
pleted by SW,

From Sidney K. Wolf, who read
Reeves report: The company is
making constant technical progress
despite a limited budget.

Directors elected include Fling}
Wolf, Harry Kalmine, general man-

ager and v.p. of SW, Reeves, and
Edward V. Otis, of the Wall St.
firm of Gearhart & Otis. Although
SW and Reeves holdings control
the company, with 60% of this
share in SW hands, the theatre
chain placed only one man on the
board, the others being Reeves

Wednesday, August 18 , {954

*y>

mw.

WISH IS OUR COMMAND,

MR. SCHL ANGER!

In Response To Exhibitor Requests
20th Century-Fox Announces A

** : •*, -

ft

IT SHOULD
BE MADE
AVAILABLE
TO BE SHOWN
TO THE PUBLIC.”

— Ted S chlanger

Stanley Warner, Phila.

YA^'/A

/

sftffil

In response to hundreds of exhibitor requests,
we are making available for public showing a special
CinemaScope Technicolor short subject developed from
the opening section of our recent demonstration reel on
THE ADVANCING TECHNIQUES OF CINEMASCOPE.

This one-reel subject affords a clear, informative
and fascinating explanation of 4-track magnetic stereo-
phonic sound. Using actual scenes from CinemaScope
productions, it vividly illustrates the enhancement quali-
ties of 4-track stereophonic sound and its benefits over
any other sound system.

“THE MIRACLE OF STEREOPHONIC SOUND" is cer-
tain to be enthusiastically received by your patrons and
will arouse wide-spread interest and laudatory comment.
It will do a tremendous public relations job for
you. And IT'S FREE)

sS®

TELL YOUR PATRONS
ABOUT GENUINE
4-TRACK MAGNETIC
STEREOPHONIC
SOUND f

This CinemaScope Short
Subject explains
it in detail !

IT'S,

fR£&!

Available Aug. 26! Get
in touch now with your
20th branch manager.

/

PICTURES

Pfim if?

Wednesday, August 18, 1954

Clips From Fib Row

LOS ANGELES

Manhattan Films asquired dis-
tribution rights to "Companions of
Night” in 11 western states.

Metro upped Charles K. Geary
from salesman to . assistant branch
manager of exchange here, as suc-
cessor to William A. Calihan, re-
signed. . . . . j.

Paramount will release 14 shorts
at rate of one per week during
company’s 40th Anniversary Sales

Drive. , . ,

Film Row tossed a luncheon for
Hugh Bruen, Whittier (Cal.) exhibi-
tor, to celebrate his 53rd birthday
and his 40 years in show biz. He
has three conventional film houses
and will open a new drive-in, the
Sundown, Aug. 25.

CHICAGO

Daw rerice Stewart named man-
ager of Oakland Square Theatre.

Elmer Upton, secretary of B&K,
postponed extended European trip
because wife is ailing in Passavant

H< Bni ta HoIlander, chief B&K pub-
licist. embarking on. eight-week
tour of Europe with his wife Sept.
24.

Sam Lamansky, delegate for two
film row unions, left , for Cincin-
nati last week to attend bi-annual
I ATSE conclave with toppers of
Local 110, Motion Picture Oper-
ators union. , ' .

Harry Lange named production
manager of Sarra Studios, succeed-
ing Joe Betzer who resigned for

independent biz venture.

Esquire previewed “Brigadoon
last week plus fashion show for
fashion editors of Chicago dailies.. .

Arch Trebow, purchasing man-
ager of B&K. home recuperating
after surgery in Presbyterian Hos-

^Harold Stevens, Paramount dis-
trict manager, reports "Living It
Up” outgrossing “Shane” in down-
state Illinois situations. ■ ■

Roosevelt Theatre has “Duel in
Jungle” on tap for Aug. 25 open-
ing. Pic was produced by Tony
Owen, former staffer on Chi Daily
News

Max Roth has franchise on “Duel
In Sun” for northern Illinois; film
goes into Roosevelt Sept. 22.

Kermit Russell resigning as gen-
eral manager of Schoenstadt cir-
cuit Oct. 1.

United Paramount circuit in the
past weekend, with strong product
credited by Harry B. French, the
chain’s topper here, for surge
which was registered in the face
of ideal Outdoor weather.

“The Egyptian” set for Radio
City here Sept. 2 and the St, Paul
Paramount a week later.

“Caine Mutiny” and “Student
Prince” went into their third weeks
in St. Paul.

Territory’s ozoners still- fighting
shy of one-track optical sound
G’Scope mainly because they are
averse to playing percentage pic-
tures. Out of the 80 ozoners, only
four have gone for it so far.

BOSTON

Scholarship committee of the
Motion Picture Salesman’s Club
decided last week that its proposed
scholarship will be awarded to the
high school student who submits
the best 1.000-word essay on “The
"influence of Motion Pictures in the
American Way of Life.”

Stanley Hawes, producer-in-chief
for Australian Film Board, in town
for press and radio interviews in
connection with “Queen in Aus-
tralia.” , Al \

Opening day receipts of the
VFW-Parkway Drive-In, amounting
to approximately $1,600, were
turned over to the Jimmy Fund by
owner Michael Redstone.

I. J. Hoffman, topper of the
Connecticut Theatre Circuit, and
Harry Feinstein, of Stanley Warner
Theatres, will head the 1954
“Jimmy” Fund campaign in Con-
necticut in behalf of the Children’s
Cancer Research Foundation.

CALGARY, ALTA.

Newest ozoner here is 17th
Avenue Drive-in, operated by W.
V. Cole and L. L. Jones. With
facilities for 500 cars, it boasts the
largest outdoor screen in Calgary
aiid one of largest in Canada.

A 200-auto drive-in opened at
Cardston, Alta., by Mayfair Thea-
tres of Cardston, headed by Gor-
don S, Brewerton.

Fifth ozoner in Edmonton is the
Golden West, a $100,000 project
with 600-car capacity. It is owned
by the Golden West Drive-in Co.,
an independent firm, with Peter
Ewankow as prexy and manager.

DALLAS

. Fire destroyed the screen of the
Montopolis Drive-In at Austin.
Eddie Joseph, operator of the
ozoner, stated work has started on
rebuilding the tower.

Melvin Kelly named new man-
ager of Sheppard Drive-In at
Wichita Falls; formerly was man-
ager of Kaufman Road Drive-In
here.

Harry Gaines, formerly manager
of Varsity Theatre here, trans-
ferred to the State in Denison.
Charles Stark picked to replace
Gaines at the Varsity. Fred McHam,
manager of the State, moved over
to the Strand, Wichita Falls.

Jack Olier purchased the build-
ing occupied by Majestic Theatre
at Vernon. C. C.'Hamm, who also
operates the Cactus Drive-In there,
sold the structure. Majestic will
continue to occupy the building
until the first of the year.

Tom Luce, formerly at Para-
mount film exchange here, is new
owner of Rich Theatre, Celina.

Don Galvan leased the Sunset in
San Antonio from its owner, Roy
McGregpr; will reopen it for
nightly showings plus matinees on
weekends.

St. Louis, ceased operations July
31, and 10 hours later was re-
opened as a church. _

A widescreen installed at Publix
Great States ozoner near Wood
River, 111. , * . A _

“Cinerama” played to 385,000
cash patrons since its opening^last
February, according to Ray Con-
ner. Attendance figure includes
383 performances, including 10
special showings . for school chil-
dren. |

LITTLE ROCK

United Theatres Corp. purchased
the Spa Theatre in Hot Springs
from Dickinson Operating Co. of
Kansas City, via the Hot Springs
Theatres, an affiliated company of
United. Malco, Central and Roxy
are also run there with Clarence
Duvall as City manager. Petit Jean
Theatre in Morrilton also was
bought by United Theatres: Acqui-
sitions make a total of 26 houses
in eight Arkansas cities operated
by United. ...

Little Rock, ordinarily a split-
week city, has had several recent
big pictures held over, “Gone
With Wind” played two ^eeks.
“Magnificent Obsession” is latest
to get extra playing time.

Several installations of wide-
screens plus equipment for Cinema-
Scope have been made in both
conventional houses and drive-ins
all over the state.

Airway Theatre, a nabe house,
confused with ozoners because of
name. It is now only a weekend
operation.

Sam Kirby of the Nabor Thea-
tre, a nabe, has three price scales.
Latest is an intermediate scale for
kids of 12 to 16. It is also the only
arty theatre here.

EDMONTON, ALTA.

Waiter Wilson, manager of Capi-
tol Theatre here for 29 years and
of new Paramount since July,
1952, has retired. He had been
in show business 42 years.' His son,
William, manager of Capitol, suc-
ceeds him at Paramount. B. H.
Wiber, manager of Empress, moves
to the Capitol while Jack Proud-
love, Fort William, Ont„ is hew
manager of the Empress.

Corp.

DES MOINES

Central States Theatre
here bought controlling interest in
the Starlite and SkyVue drive-ins
near Waterloo, la,, from Philip E.
Winslow. . S. A. Oellerich will
retain his minority interest and
continue as manager of both. The
Starlite was the first outdOorer
between Chicago and California.

TOLEDO, o.

The 68-year-old Warren Opera
House, Warren, 0., entertainment
mecca there in the late 1880’s and
still used as a film house* will be
razed if voters pass a $1,275,000
bond issue for a new county jail
on that site at the Nov, 2 ; election.
Theatre was operated for- years by
the late John J. Murray, of Warren,
O., a former circus performer. The
Harris interests of Pittsburgh took
over the house in 1934 and have
operated it since then.

at

was

MINNEAPOLIS

Jack Painter, 20th-Fox camera-
man and head of studio’s develop-
ment and experimental laboratory,
and his assistant, Dick Kuhne. here j
to shoot footage aboard a North-
west Oriental Airline Stratocruiser
for forthcoming C’Scope “Oriental
Express.”

Nine 28-day slot, local nabes
currently playing “High and
Mighty” daydate immediately fol-
lowing end of six-week loop first-
run which included moveover.

Art Anderson, WB district man-
ager, back from Coast confabs.

Ground broken for new Univer-
sal-International . film exchange
building which will provide branch
with triple the amount of present
space.

. Sept. 2 now definitely set as
date .for opening United Para-
mount’s new 1,200-seat theatre at
Minot, N. D., where it will replace
present “A” house.

“Ring of Fear,” which was not
so big at boxoffice on first-run
here, clicking nicely around the
Stdt6.

Bob Whelan, RKO Theatres city

KANSAS CITY

Terrace Drive-In Theatre
nearby Lee’s Summit, Mo.,
target last week for atteippt at ar-
son, kidnapping of night watch-
man and theft of projection equip-
ment. Two men took the watch-
man for a four-mile ride, stole $500
worth of projection lenses and at-
tempted unsuccessfully to torch
the projection booth.

PHILADELPHIA

Exploitation Productions Inc.,
new distribution Outfit which will
handle “special pictures,’* formed
here by Louis W. Kellman, Jack H.
Harris and Michael Freedman.

NEW YORK

Bob Weitman, veepee of ABC-
Par, celebrating his birthday today
(Wed.) while vacationing in the
mountains; he’s spending it on the
golf links.

Yanks to Complain

Continued from page 5

CLEVELAND

Confidence by Cleveland ..exhibi-
tors that a big - pickup in,, film
attendances looms for theatres
here was reflected by Community
Circuit, headed by Max Lefkowich,
in leasing the 1,400-seated- Embassy
last week in a deal involving $700,-
000. This, downtown house /was
leased by syndicate, owning 14
theatres, for 15 years. -"Will be
completely remodeled.

ST. LOUIS

The West End, 990-seater, for-
merly a unit of Fanchon & Marco-
St. Louis Amus. Co. circuit, re-
lighted by Tommy James, who
bought house several months ago.
James owns three other theatres in
St. Louis.

Breakdown in the air-condition-
ing system in the Missouri, Fan

manager, attended family reunion j chon & Marco house, shuttered it
in Sioux City, la. ; for a week.

United Paramount’s local State j The Vita, Warrenton, Mo,, house,
inaugurating C’Scope with • “7 i relighted by William Zimmerman
Brides for 7 Brothers” in for in- 1 after being dark for installation of
definite rtin; C’Scope equipment.

Business hit recent new high fori The Congress, 898-seater in west

ter is only theoretically on its own,
however, since it is still bound by
Italo trade provisions. M-G has
complained loudly over some con-
ditions which it doesn’t like in
Italy, and ANICA is said to bo
anxious to find ways in which
Metro might be brought into the
fold.

Apart from their MPEA talks,
which are likely to cover a much
broader ground than just the
ANICA question, the Italo delega-
tion is apt to survey the position
of IFE in N. Y. And both Monaco
and Gualino are certain to be asked
searching questions in connection
with IFE finances. Outfit was
supposed to give an accounting to
the MPEA but, despite frequent
reminders, has failed to. come
through. There is a considerable
difference in opinion as to how
much IFE has spent and how much
it has left in its kitty.

View of American industry .ob-
servers is that, While IFE has made
a heroic effort to push the Italian
film in the U. S. market, it so far
has not been particularly success-
ful in doing so. Outfit is said to
by losing a considerable sum each
week via IFE Releasing Corp. At
the promotional end, IFE has gar-
nered a great deal of publicity
space for Italo plx and particularly
for Italo femme stars which are
fodder for the mags. Result is
that names like Silvana Mangano
and Gina Lollobrigida have become
well known within a certain audi-
eence sector and have m^quee
value.

Hollywood, Aug. 17.
Metro changed Fernando Lamas*
exclusive contract to one calling
for one film a year. . Harry Carey,
Jr,, signed for a sailor role in
Warners’ “Mister Roberts.” . . .

John Justin’s flu attack caused
20th-Fox to postpone his opening
scenes with Susan Hayward 'in
“Untamed.”. . .Walter Lantz studio
closes Aug. ;20 for the annual mass
vacation, reopening Sept. 1 . - Max
Slaten drew a role in ‘The Silver
Chalice” at Warners ... Otto F.
Schulze, hotel chef, makes his film
bow as a heavy in Alfred Hitch-
cock’s “To Catch a Thief.”...
Frank Fowler snagged a part in
Pine-Thomas’ “Blue Horizons.” . . .
Edward Buzzell directs the Sam
Marx production, “Third Girl from
the Right,” at UI. . Walter Hamp-
den celebrating his 53rd year as an
actor with a role in “Strange Lady
in Town” at Warners. >

, Vera Miles drew the femme lead
opposite Gordon Scott in -Sol
Lesser’s “Tarzan’s Hidden Jungle. ’

. . . Columbia picked up Kim
Novak’s player option .. . . Emory
Parnell and son, James, play
father - and - son roles in “The
Looters” at U . . . Paul Gregory
signed Billy Chapin for a moppet
role in “Night of the Hunter” .

Bob Fosse, choreographer for Co-
lumbia’s “My Sister Eileen,” will
double as an actor in the film . , .
Art LaForest joined the “Untamed”
cast at 20th -Fox ... Aubrey
Schenck and Howard W. Koch will
produce “Big House, U. S. A.” for
United Artists release , . .Gregg
Tallas and Bill Shiffrin packaging
“The Promise,” an original screen-
play by Mildred Cram*

Gerald Oswald signed director
contract at 20th-Fox . . . Robert
Stack drew one of the top roles in
“The Racers” . . . Anthony Mann
will direct "The Man from
Laramie,” starring James Stewart
at Columbia ... Lillian Gish
returns to the screen to play
Rachel in “Night of the Hunter,”
with Paul Gregory producing and
Charles Laughton directing . .
Janice Rule slated for femme lead
in Arthur Freed’s production, “Fair
Weather,” at Metro . ,. . Parliament
Pictures of London signed Forrest
Tucker to star in. “The Break in
the Circle” . . . Richard Burton
checked in at 20th-Fox for his role
in “Prince of Players” . . . Pine-
Thomas signed Helen Wallace for
a role in “Blue Horizons.”

Ava Gardner and Stewart Gran-
ger will co-star in Metro’s “Bho-
wani Junction,” with George Cu-
kor directing and Pandro Berman
producing . . , A1 Petker, head of
Monarch National Productions,
bought screen rights to “Sicilian
Street,” a novel by John Kafka. . .
Dan Duryea returns to Metro for
a top role in “The Marauders,”
with Gerald Mayer- directing . . .
Ernest K: Gann screenplaying his
own novel, “Soldier of Fortune,”
for filming at 20th-Fox . . . Alan
Winston Productions, * new indie
outfit, will film English language
versions of European operas, start-
ing with Mozart’s “Impresario.” . . .
Gloria Castillo shifts form stage to
screen for a role in Paul Gregory’s
“Night of the Hunter.”

Henry Ginsberg is readying
“The London Palladium Story” for
filming next year.” . . .Myron Heal-
ey ana Phyllis Coates cast as co-
stars in the Republic serial, “Pan-
ther Girl of the Kongo.” ... Dale
Butts signed a six-month composer
contract with Republic . . . John
Camden snagged a featured role
in Mervyn Leroy's “Strange Lady
in Town” at Warners .. Elizabeth
Sellars joined the “Prince of Play-
ers” troupe at 20th- Fox . . Hilda
Plowright and Lily Kemble-Cooper
signed for Metro’s “Moonfleet.” . .
Final inventory on Darryl F. Zan-
uck’s “The Egyptian” showed that
5,001 bit players and extras were
used, in addition to the stars and
featured players.

U assigned Albert Zugsmith to
produce “Law Man,” Lee Leigh-
ton’s novel which won the Western
Writers of America award as the
best western yarn of 1953 . . . Ros-
coe Ates drew a featured spot in
Paramount's “Lucy .Gallant.” . . .
Richard Eyer, moppet, will play
Fredric March’s son in William
Wyler’s “The Desperate Hours.”
...Eduard Franz signed as King
Edward I of England in UI’s “Lady
Godiva of Coventry.'’ . . . Arthur
Greenblatt bowed out as general
sales manager of -Lippert Pictures
on completion of his seven-year
contract . . . Arthur Gardner and
Jules Levey signed a term 1 contract
as a production team at Columbia
. . . RKO will handle foreign dis-
tribution of the SuperScope proc-
ess, with National Screen Service
handling it in the U.S. and Canada.
Paramount signed Fred Sweeney

for a role in “Eddie Foy and the
Seven Little Foys” * . „ George
Glass will produce ‘‘Nightshade”
in Paris when he completes film-
ing “The Comedian'? , */ , Thomas
Gomez plays a heavy in '‘The Loot-
ers',” Howard Christie production
at UI . . . John Wayneft son, pat,
drew a young sailor rolq in “Mis-
ter Roberts” . . * Erich Wolfgang
Komgbld heading foe ..Munich to
direct the music for Republic's
“Magic Fire” . . . Mary Costa will
co-star with Guy Madison in “Five
Against the House,” .to- be pro-
duced by Stirlihff Silliphant for
United Artists release.

Howard Keel and Cyd Charisse
will co-star in “Weekend at Las
Vegas,” Joe Pasternak production
at Metro . . . Gene Darcy, former
auto racer, will race Kirk Douglas
in “The Racers” at 20th-Fox .
Kay Armen will play Vic Damone’s
mother in Metro’s “Hit the Deck”
. Indie producer; William C.
Heath is readying .“Look to the
Mountain,” with John , Sutton and
Keith Larsen slated as male leads
. . . Wallace Ford’s 144th film role
will be that of Thelma Ritter’s hus-
band in Pine-Thomas* .“Lucy Gal-
lant” at Paramount ... George
Weltner, head of Paramount Inter-
national, in town to inspect new
product ... Maxwell Shane pre-
paring “Mountains Have No
Shadows,” based on the Owen
Cameron novel.

Universal

Continued from .page 3

shares outstanding totaled 988,574
exclusive of 118,075 ‘Jn tbe treas-
ury. ’ ' '

Decca Records, the parent com-
pany, reported last w£fek that it
owns 718,585 U shares, about 73%
of the film outfits’ outstanding
stock.

The U report to the SEC also
reported the purchase of the 4,600
warrants. On June 30 there were
64,658 warrants outstanding exclu-
sive of 8,200 held in the treasury.
A month later the number of war-
rants outstanding was reduced to
59,858, exclusive of 12,800 in the
treasury. During July 200 warrants
were exercised, giving U $10 per
common share. Since the first of
the year, U. issued 41,389 shares of
common at $10 per share for a
total cash consideration of $413,-
890.

Regarding its July 20, 1954,
credit agreement for $2,393,000
with the First National Bank of
Boston, U told the SEC that the
money would be used to redeem
all outstanding 3 3 /4% sinking fund
debentures due March 1, 1959, U
has agreied to make principal pay-
ments of $200,000 each September
and March on the $2,930,000 note,
starting Sept. 1, 1955. The loan
bears a 3V4% per annum interest,
payable semi-annually, starting
MarclvLlMSj^^

Mags, Supps

Continued from page 7

tribs is still Metro with $418,789
in 1954 compared with $326,150 in
1953, a boost Of 28.4%. Universal
upped its general ad outlay 48.8%,
rising from $181,960 to $270,814.
At the same time, it almost halved
its ads in the Sunday mag sections.

On the negative side, RKO regis-
tered the biggest drop— 59.8% —
going from $260,661 last year to
$104,786 in 1954. . Warner Bros,
dropped 37.4%, from $179,385 to
$112,250. Like Columbia, which- cut
ad expenditures 34.2% in the first
six months of i954— from $139,135
to $91,615 — WB eliminated all
newspaper section ads this year.
Paramount cut back 33%, from
$226,565 to $151,510.

Crockett’S letter sold Coronet as
a good film ad buy at $5,000 a
page. He said the mag had a good
reading life, had increased the
amount of film news copy and
rated 973 readers per ad dollar.
At the same time* he rated the
reading life of Life and the Satur-
day Evening Post as poor and that
of Look and Collier’s as only fair*

As for • editorial content, Crock-
ett’s analysis showed an increase
in copy about pix in CDronet, Life,
Collier’s, McCall’s artd the Ladies
Home Journal and a drop of such
editorial matter in Look, the Satur-
day Evening Post, Good House-
keeping and Woman’s Home Com-
panion.

Wednesday, August 1ft, 1954

#

i

f

I

I

S

I

!

B

I

I

I

SEVEN BRIDES\

I

fl

new sensation

sing

| A tingling tune

I

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I

9

91

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RI6AD00N

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(From Cosst to Coast
The burning topic :
"The Stage Hit now
Is CinemaScopic"!)

BOX-OFFICE FORECAST BY TRADE PRESS:

"Topnotch business in all situations.**-Af. P. Daily
’'Robust at box-office.**— Af. P. Herald
"Sure of financia.ls\\ccess”“Shoivmen'sTrade Review
"Theatre-goers will flock to the picture "-Boxoffice
"Certain of a welcome at boxoffices.’*-M. P. Exhibitor

Hoot Mon,

It’s BetterThanThe
Broadway Success !

M-G-M preientt in

CINEMASCOPE

And COLOR!

"BRIGADOON”

Starring

GENE VAN
KELLY • JOHNSON
CYD CHARISSE

With

ELAINE STEWART

BARRY JONES • ALBERT SHARPE

Screen Ploy, Book and lyric: by

ALAN JAY LERNER

Muiic by FREDERICK LOEWE
Color by ANSCQ
Directed by VINCENTE MINNELLI
Produced by ARTHUR FREED

Available In Magnetic Stereophonic, Per-
specta Stereophonic or Optical l»Channel

NEXT AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL
( Although it seems that “SEVEN
BRIDES ' * will play forever I)

LITEnATI

Wednesday, AngiM 18, 1954

Literati

j bureau chief for the Fawcetts* x

EsS 8 £ 8 » 3 B SCULLY’S SCRAPBOOK j;

Now there’s. a “National Direc- <« o c 1 e If

tory of Discount Dealers, a $9.95 r a i * * * * * * * t * * * By Ffftnk Scully f f f ■) f 1 1

‘America's Music* house he founded with his wife, national index of the retail outlets

Gilbert Chase author of “The newspaperwoman Kaye Webb; and w hich sell at cutrates, and which ■ Hollywood.

Music of . Spain’’’ and former con- who has been prolifically published Hoge, Farrell Inc. (N. Y.) is pub- if history is still being made at night, I suspect, judging frpm the
sultant on music to NBC, RCA Vic- in Punch. lishing. ■ capacity biz these places are doing, that more world policies are being

tor and the Library of Congress, This anthology on the battle ot Benjamin Fine, education editor blueprinted in supperclubs* niteries and cabarets than in embassies,
and presently Cultural Attache in sexes, the British idea of smaufry o£ the New y 0 rk Times, and di- it would be hard to figure out how otherwise these de luxe gin mills

' Buenos Aires for the State Depart- and 1 bobbysoxers, dowager ladies, rec tor of public relations^ for the CO uld keep floating above the. general miseries of cold wars, deep

ment, has authored “Americas, stuffed shirts, pretentious VIPs, j»j ew School for Social Research, freezes and devastatingly long hot spells.

Music (From the Pilgrims to the vox pop in its sundry human frail- g j ve a course, “Principles of „ _ . „ , ■ . . „ lo _ ^ Al _

Present)” which McGraw-Hill will ties and not so fragile closeups of publicity,” at latter spot, begin- World leaders who plot and plan for other people, especially those

publish in October. Douglas man’s insecurity to man (and. n j ng October 5. working on .austerity programs, must get taut and tired from their

Moore, composer and head of Co- woman), milquetoasts, et cetera, is Vivian Connell now living on work. Unless they seek relaxation^ where the lights are low and the
lumbia University's Music Dept., delightful caricature. If is more working on a screen gags blue, they Will crack under the constant strain. •„/

did" the foreword. . than casual cartooning; it has sub-. . around the life of Lola There is hardly a city in the civilized world, or evdn in areas once

Moore, composer and 'head -of Co-- womans milquetoasts, -et cetera, is Vivian Connell, now living on
lumbia University's Music Dept., delightful caricature. If is moie tbe 'Riviera, working on a screen
did the foreword. . than casua cartooning; it has sub- niv. , the e life of Lola

England’s ‘Best 1-Acters' human race. It has been well or r
Hugh Miller, lecturer at the ganized into sundry categories, and
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, if perhaps “The Belles of St. Trin-
has taken over the editorship of ian's,” dealing with the despicable
the Best One-Act Plays of the adolescents who mayhem their
Year, and the 17th volume in the mamas, tutors add classmates, is a
series, covering 1952-53, has been shade extended, it is never dull.

published in London by Harrap
($1.50). The first anthology ap-
peared in 1931 under editorship of
the late J. W. Marriott. Current

than casual cartooning; it nas s t ory around the life of Lola There is hardly a city in the civilized, world, or even in areas once
stance and keen insight on tne Montez 0 ne of his stories, “Mr. civilized and now under ferrous canopies, where fun after dark doesn’t
human race. It has peeiv wen or- p h - arao j, ar id the Sheba,” a comedy take nightclub entertainers into ' account. Dictators may • close tne

involving the Sheba pearls, set in places temporarily to teach the peasants that life can be serious (as
»riPaline wShthe desDicab?e Cannes, is scheduled for Satevepost i£ the peasants didn’t know that much), but they seem to keep a few
adolescents wlm 1 mavhem P their serialization. • . . • open for themselves. I’ll bet right now you will find the Tower

mamas, tutors afld classmates, is a • “Not as a Stranger, Moiton nightclub of the Cathay Hotel in Shanghai quietly operating in the
shade extended it is never dull Thompson novel that ^ Stanley midst of an altered Oriental economy. I wouldn t be surprised if
’ Abel. Kramer will film for United Artists in Berlin operators of wunderbars on both sides of the Iron Curtain

^ release, goes into its 14th printing wei . e sneaking across the frontier to catch each other’s acts.

Cole Porter Between Covers rnnipfl/ thc^est- It was in Germany, incidentally, where this intime sort of art origi-

“103 Lyrics ' of Cole Porter,” ^rnpr^The’ new printing brings to nated. JBansie Patrae was one of its earlier stars. Perhaps even more

me v. iuo byncs ui v/uac j-uuci, n Th» n»w nrintine brines to naiea. jiansie rairae was one oi ns. etuitcr x-ctuaps even more

™ n™ e u 1 nc ^ des th Tt (Random House; $3.50) have been 16 eon 0 the number of copies of sensational was jean Murou, who died some years ago. He was a

A^n” h^' 1 J° r B? PrSstley y and sele <*? d by Lounsberry who ot onelegged artist and sang standing still, but he had so much talent

iw' wStt •ra^^SjST dUCtMm ' ** bookclub distribution. that he could hardly have been more : warmly received if he had

to v.„i; Gurrent issue of Business Week, jumped around like Martin & Lewis, the Ritz fros. and Carl Brisson

Mankowitz.

Porter’slvrics nmv^lack the^oftv in an unusual move, carries a five- combined.
232 page review of “On The Water-

Youth’s Companion Recalled genius “of great" poetry/ r they also review of "un m water- Back To Montmartre

A “Youth's Companion Antho- .. laqk obscurity,” Lounsberry adds » These sensational singles have their counterparts in many acts in

logy” is due via Houghton Mifflin that he finds much Of Porter’s Fl ! m . Dramatizes tne weai, mag America today, but $25, 000-a-week production such as Las Vegas

ThoinpsoikAvithdhree forme/com- £^2$ ^Sc^^fro^ the Colum'bia 81m |Uges are nearer the old Moulin Rouge musicals of Peris of a century

liT-ir- A wfUin* ■ Cfomtrrtnii *' i • a _ ji _ an 2^'rTb.e sort of acts, however, that would have been on vaude bills

These sensational singles have their counterparts in many acts in

Wolfe Howe, Arthur Stanwood Lest readers jump to the . in-
Pier and Harford Powel, assisting, evitable conclusion that Lounsberry
It covers the career of the 100-year is being pre tty “special” in his
juvenile periodical. methods of digging the master,

*«r • . I 1.. _J _ u a m i* a a m • ww _ _ w _

parable events and people from
New York’s waterfront.

50 years ago are now squeezing 40 weeks out of niteries from coast

Ray Ghent for the last 13 years to coast. They don’t seem to. be booked with any. idea of saving per-

^ ... .. — _ A J i 1 . . _ Ti. * __ — A. .A A. M . AM 'A a! 1a ' 1a A. l. r _ il,’_

a political writer on the N. Y.
World-Telegram & Sun and pub-

formers mileage. It is not uncommon for an act to hop from the
Statler in Washington to the Statler in L.A. The nearest to logistics

Wallace Kirkland, who has been Editor mi tV himself on record as World-Telegram & Sun and pub- btauer in wasmngion to ine atatier in i,.a. me nearest to logistics
a lensci for Life, since it began, having C inSion Sf Wolating »city- director for the Wendell is observed when acts do a week or two at Las Vegas at staggering
has authored his “Recollections of Porter’s own “intention of enter- Wilkie Clubs of New Jersey in the invoices and then head for Hollywood s Ciros or the Mocambo for
a ‘Life’ Photographer,” also a HM taining ” which 'seems like a good 1940 presidential campaign, now more reasonable fees.

publication, due in November. idea.- Certainly, this excellent the new publicity director for the The top attractions, of course, know what to expect and what to

selection of the’ composer’s best N. Y. State Republican Committee. do if it isn’t there,; but new acts in the field are sure to run into

‘Byline, U.S.A.’ Due . . verse provides a happy, memory- He succeeds Harvey Call, who re- some heartbreaking surprises. Rudy Vallee once worked out a ques-

A new monthly. Byline, U.S.A., fined excursion. Down . signed to enter business. tionnaire to protect himself as he breezed across the country. It

due in September, edited by Hy - should be a must for all acts under $1,000 a week.

Steirman. Mag will present the Good Broadway Whodunit § tori ,^ ^r,, 1954 ’ FH bll sb e , d ye ^ e S' Screenine Your Emnlovers

nation’s top newspaper bylmers David Alexander haS written a day (17), Bill Ornstein, Metro N. Y. . ^ m Pioyers .

and serve as a digest of the col- crackling^ kood whodunit in “Ter- trade press contact, has three sto- He insisted that less eggs would be laid if performers knew some-

uninists’ writings. ror on Broadway,” (Random House; nes cited in the “Distinctive” sec- thing about the reconverted ^ coops they were expected to perform in.

. ' - $2.75). Formerly an editor of the tion. Two of the three citations The name of the place, whether a theatre, auditorium, barroom, armory

Nettl’s ‘Mozart* N Y Morning Telegraph, Alexan- ar e stories from the author’s book, or barn, whether inside or outside, was the first thing the performer

Paul Nettl. professor of music der is the author of four chillers, “Deep Currents.” The new duo should know. Or perhaps before that, the name of the individual

history and literature in the Indi- all written after he took a 13-week now makes a total of 10 stories in who is to give the performer his check, a little item which should

ana U. School of Music, was a course at the N. Y. Institute of “Deep Currents” cited in “Best be taken care of before the performer goes on at all. He should know
guest speaker at the annual meet- Criminology. American Short Stories” in the jf there , is a private entrance leading to the stage so that he doesn’t

ing yesterday (Tues.) of the Mozart While this course may have Past three years; have to Walk through an audience or stumble over tables and chairs

Good Broadway Whodunit Mories" lor puDiisnea yester
David Alexander haS written a <Iay (17), Bill Ornstein, Metro N. Y

the new publicity director for the The top attractions, of course, know what to expect and what to
N. Y. State Republican Committee. do if it isn’t there,; but new acts in the field are sure to run into
He succeeds Harvey Call, who re- some heartbreaking surprises. Rudy Vallee once worked out a ques-
signed to enter business. tionnaire to protect himself as he breezed across the country. It

Stories” for*' 1954, S pijblished l ye^e“ should be » must for all acts unier $l,000 a week. •

rtflv M 7 V Rill OrnctPin Mptrn N v Screening Your Employers

crackling good vvdiodunit in 1 “Ter- trade press contact, has three sto^ He insisted that less eggs would be laid if performers knew some,
ror on Broadway ” (Random House- ries cited in the “Distinctive” sec- thing about the reconverted coops they were expected to perform in.

, * a . _ * m...A a/ 4 . 1 . a iLmaa TU a fk a wl aaa titVt nf Vi ah a Hi aa^ i*a aii /4 i 9 m Vv a i»r*AAin orm/UMf

have to Walk through an audience or stumble over tables and chairs

Society in Salzburg, Austria. He sharpened Alexander’s ability to Dr. Nicholas P Dallas, creator of after having been introduced with a fanfare.

spoke on “Mozart in the U.S^A.” interpret and solve a crime, it the Judge Parker connc strip, it was important for the performer, in Vallee’s opinion, to know

Preparatory^ the Mozart bicen- would seem that his years of ex- and Dan Heilman the artist, both jf the st had wlngs or eurta ins that rolled up or separated and

tenmal in 1956 S. F‘«her. of penenee along Broadway have best of Toledo, leceived a citation from if the ■ t g wer e high or low in relation to the floor where the well-

Frankfurt, top German publishing prepared him for dealing with the the American Bar Assn, in conven- . , , e agant<! siD D ed their Moscow Mules To a dancer he was

company, will bring out Prof, background of which he writes. tion in Chicago, commending them {Jf®**® if hi! S

* Nettl’s book. “Mozart Brevier.” It Many familiar show biz locales for their work in the treatment of insistent that it was important that the audience could see his feet

also will be published in a pocket- are in “Terror on Broadway,” and legal matters in the strip. They [ at all times.

- .... . _ V ’ V • 1 1 ' « I rPUA M t • Ani i

book edition.

Eddie Davis’ Billing

Editor, Variety:

its leading man is editor of a the- also received a second commenda- The question of lights and whether they improved a performer’s

atrical and sport paper. Novel is tion at the same time, in the form appearance or threw shadows on him, making him look like a gargoyle
so up-to-date that an “off-Broad- of the Freedoms Foundation was next to be considered. Were they stationary or operated by a
way” legit attraction figures in the Award, presented by the FF group skilled electrician? Dressing rooms were important, too. Were they

Since traveling with the literati story; yet there is also a warm at Valley Forge, Pa.
set I’ve made up cards^ _ Eddie feeling in the book for the Main

Davis-Author-Formerly With Stem’s golden days. Down. .....

Yellow Cab Co. (This refers to the Wftlclt

gagman-author’s background as a Disher Dishes ‘Melodrama’

taxi jehu until Eddie Cantor took Many writers have dealt with — . , mtiHn„Art rmm

him from in front of a galloping ‘ the power of melodrama in the

Continued from page 7

well-equipped, or just a curtain in a corner?

Covering Up The Cover Charge

The prices the joint charged should be checked if a performer
were there on a percentage of the cover charge. Was it net or gross?
Some clipperies can pile so much overhead on that cover charge
that the poor performer will be lucky if he gets out of it without

meter and made him read the theatre, but none so successfully standing ovation by delegates,' said being charged for the laundering of the covers.

Hoopers and Nielsens instead — . and so thoroughly as M. Willson he expected a friendly settlement The public address system has become even more important. Are
Ed.) Believe it or not, I -finally ; Disher, noted British stage histori- of the dispute over exchange of the microphones something modern or back in the crystal stage?
made Broadway; the book is in : an, in his new book, “Melodrama: American and British television Are they easily adjustable or do they require a mechanic to come
Lindy’s window — between the ; plots That Thrilled” (Macmillan; films. “England and America would out in the. middle of an act to adjust them for height? Do they hold
chopped liver and the pickled herr- | $5). .. be playing into the hands of a their position easily or do they slip downward as the ballad singer

ing Can it be L®o L indy s way of Illustrated with dozens of pic- common enemv.” he declared, if begins to slip, thereby drowning his high notes in the sort of laughter

cnoppeu livei dim iiic picnicu ucii- I^o;. .. be playing into the hands of a their position easily or do they slip downward as the ballad singer

SRin?" I 1 * V" 0 m L r^ a L 0 ii. i» ua t ra t e d with dozens of pic- common enemy,” he declared, if begins to slip, thereby drowning his high notes in the sort of laughter

as ^for 11 !^ ^ublisher Un Frederick i tion S of l ^v^onrf e MpnHpr^\n!? the dispute would lead to tariff that accompanies low comedy? Is there an amplifier that controls

ppll_c r s't 1 ^he > outs 1 'out ^Lillian * embargo. the volume-the treble and bass effect? Is it near the band or is

Roth’s “I’ll Cry tomorrow” (she’s | course of “virfuf triumphant- for . For * wo da y s O’Brien talked at it in a room somewhere locked up, thereby forcing all singers to

plenty happy today, however, as the past 104 years He deals nimblv in t erv als with Walsh and other IA sing at the same level.

the No. 2 national bestseller, and with P the sensation drama "play officials before proceeding to Hoi- Is the same mike used by a slapstick singer who kicks the thing

still going strong) and then the panoramic, cup-arfd-saucer comedy lywood for huddles with IA forces around, then put at the disposal of a singer whose bread and butter

a Haivia UaaL *<T ah aVi Vahw - j _ - - j i a * 9 nn tliA piiUiaaI- HononHc nn Vwttlf corinnchr lia non nut auam a pam rt9 To t Via hmi CP

Eddie Davis book, "Laugh Your- detective drama, sex and salvation, on the subject depends oi

self Well.” He’s the only publisher Magdalens, male Magdalens, and Reviewing the industry picture orchestra «

making money from neurotic and gentlemen cracksmen. for the past two years, Walsh said If there is

sick people — the two books are the | Disher’s list ranges from “Jane t New York legitimate theatres suf- last tuned?

best double feature since Marilyn ' Shore” to Coward’s “The Vortex” fered little, if any, from tv com-
Monroe and Gina Lollobrieida. and Kafka’s “The Trial.” The auth- petition, but that road show^ con- Are you

on the subject. depends on how seriously he can put over a song? Is the house

Reviewing the industry picture orchestra accompanying the singer? Are they all union musicians?
for the past two years* Walsh said If there is no orchestra, is there a piano? And if so, when was it

Eddie Davis.

Oops! Quelle Opposition!

Are you opening the same night that the Sadler’s Wells Ballet is

Bantam's ‘Battle Cry’

i u ^ a ^ es side trips into the me- tinued to dwindle because most opening next door? Have the Elks taken over the club for the night
.chanics of melodrama on the Broadway hits were musicals “too and are they determined to be their own comedians?

: sc ^.® n - . ’ costly to transport.” --■■■’ Does the place allow family trade, including small children? Patrons

hAAir US /»rtnf S ^ SSm ^ i ^ ki ’ Dasher § He called on IA’s 60,000 mem- have a way of looking toward such children if the gags, become ribald,

DdHic Ksiy : screen. costlv tn tranqnnrt ”

i "5 a " ta ^ 1 . P ! us _ a ?sessing . plots, Disher’? He" called on IA’s

Books history-— 600 000 conies-is i hnnk AnXint Sai.-foml’ „ JJ ; s ? er? He called on IA’s 60,000 mem- have a way of looking toward such children if the gags, become rioau.
scheduled fo/"Batde Cry,” P by ex? on^ ^styles 0 in^ ^ which^ me odramf was b - rs ■ l ,° 0PP®se .enactment -of mu- despite the fact that kids today seem to be way ahead of most per
marine Leon Uris.. In its hard- ! acted^ ^and^ ^a^ host \f oert nS !! "I. 0 !? 31 amusement taxes in wake formers who function on the visceral level of humor. ‘
cover edition, book was on the'ecdotes about well-known actors Federal cut which “helped stem Does the place allow waiters to wander among the tabl
bestseller list for 13 months. land playhouses. Down. ^‘ de theatre closings dishes and glasses? Or is it a highclass joint that closes ofi

bestseller list for 13 months.

Now it will be published at 50c,
the first week in October, to coin-
cide with publicity for the Warner-

Color Cinemascope pic to be re- Sun-Times to set up a public fela- Harland Holmden, Cleveland, sec- performing. Later when he becomes a top star hie may issue an

leased in late fall. tions firm. retary-treasurer; nine vice presi- edict against, serving drinks while he is trying to sing “Some En-

... ■ ■ ■' _ Gaby Bruyere’s “Memoires d’une den ts in numerical order, James chanted Evening” to an audience feeling high enough without being

» ti ii ( ® , Starlet,” now in its second French Brennan, Ramsey, N, J.; Carl G,. policed into the ethics of an audience attending a Broadway per*

•All the bromides about he who printing, will be translated into Cooper, Los Angeles; Harry J. Ab- formarice of “Hamlet.”

k«' S ttRS En £ ish <;.„. „ . bott, Philadelphia; Orin M. Jacob- Another thing. Vallee warned against was the dissembling of. lb*

dotes about well-known actnr^ Federid cut which “helped stem Does the place allow waiters to wander among the tables clattering
d playhouses Down ^‘ de °1 theatre closings dishes and glasses? Or is it a highclass joint that closes off all revenue

J * throughout the country.” while the performer is on? This is a much-mooted subject and the

CIIATTER Reelected with Walsh, • Brook- beginner would db . well to sing under any circumstances so as to

Oscar Katov resigned at Chicago president since 1941, were increase the revenue of the spot, not cripple business While he is

•«. m .. i. _ . * a. .... , Pfa rl ortrl U a 1 tvirl am P I a«ia 1 ' aaa m amI ay* 5 m i-t T • ■ . 1 . ' L _ i i ■ _ ' A un

discussed he is, it’s because of his Edward E, White Jr.’ appointed AkrL T J ° htl A W S ^’ f' 35 ^ hat he might spread his talents too thin. By performing for
incisive style, and it is readily un- ad and promotion manager for the ahd Mjss Louise ^Wright, free to people who then would be expected to go out to see him

derstandable why Malcolm Mugge- Lippincott trade dept., succeeding « all3s » as trustees, IVilliam C. again at night and pay for it, he was slashing his own vocal chords,
ridge, editor of Punch, has done Alan D. Williams^ upped to asso- ?F a ^ii n ’ Mass,; R. E. Morns, How Green Was My Vallee

so enthusiastic an introduction, ciate editor.- Mobile, and. George W. Brayfield, AGVA, of course, has cut down this type of teaser-performance,

m i < a . • . • « _ . _ f 1 aM # 1 a 1 a f-V .1 _ z. . i. A. _ A WT _1 .. ft _ V . J m

special chores by Holiday and the appear in the annual film issue of Lackey was elected delegate to was rated a frugal heel. But today all he has to do is take a bow,

Satevepost in the U. S.; owns Per- American Weekly. Labor Congress of Canada con- or get slapped a $1,000 fine by his union for performing without a

petua Ltd., a London publishing Michael Stern, longtime Rome ventions. contract.

ednesday, August 18* 1954

TiTiXWt

SIGNS OF A BUSY

Busy... yes,

busy bringing bigger
and better business
to your boxoffice.

Because the crowds
follow the signs
that point the way

to Showmanship!

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BBs

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Make your street . . .
that busy street
with more Trailers
and Accessories

to sell your shows . . .
more of all those things
that add up to Showmanship
and Profits!

V

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22

PICTURES

Vtifawfa, Augnrt la, 1954

BALTIMORE

(Continued from page 8)

65-95)< — “Gone With Wind" (M-G)
(reissue) (5th final wk). Okay $5,500
after $6,500 in fourth.

Cinema (Schwaber) (466; 50-$l)
—“Seven Deadly Sins" (Indie) (3d
wk). Good $3,500 after $4,000 in
second.

* Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,100;
50-$1.25)— “Caine Mutiny" (Col)
(5th ; wk). Pleasing $9,000. Last
week, $11,800.

Keith's (Schanberger) (2,400; 30-
36-80)— “Mrs. Leslie" (Par). Opens
tomorrow (Wed.) after fourth week
of “Living It Up” (Par) but slim
$5,500.

Little (Rappaport) (310; 5Q-$1)—
“Decameron Nights” (UA). Starts
tomorrow (Wed.). Second week of
“Heidi” (UA) was fair $2,500.

Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 25-44-70)—
“Make Haste To Live” (U). Opens
tomorrow (Wed.) Last week, okay
$3,500 for "Francis Joins Wacs”
(U>.

New (Mechanic) (1,800; 35-80)—
“Her Twelve Men” (M-G). Mild
$7,500. Last week, “Demetrius And
Gladiators” (20th) (5th wk), $5,500.

Playhouse (Schwaber) (420; 50-
$1)— “Man With Million” (UA) (5th
wk). Nice $4,000 after $4,400 in
fourth.

Stanley (WB) (3,200; 30-$l)—
“King Richard and Crusaders”
(WB) (2d wk). Fairish $8,000. Last
week, $13,500.

Town (Rappaport) (1,600; 35-$l)
— “Broken Lance” (20th) (2d wk).
Socko $12,000 after $18,000 opener.

lANCE’ TORRID 20G,
PORT.; ‘KNOCK’ 7G, 3D

Portland, Ore., Aug. 17.

Biz continues to perk at all first-
runs despite the heat, hiked admis-
sions and transient name shows.
Charles P. Skouras hosted a plane-
load of pix stars and film execs
at the invitational preem of his
new $1,000,000 dollar Fox. This got
“Broken Lance” off to a terrific
start, with an equally great first
session in prospect. “7 Brides For
7 Brothers” still is big in second
round at Broadway. "Garden of
Evil” looks solid in second Orphe-
um session while “Valley of Kings”
is rated tall at Liberty.

Estimates for This. Week

Broadway (Parker) (l‘890; 90-
$1,25)— “7 Brides For 7 Brothers”
(M-G) (2d wk). Big $12,000 or over.
Last week, $13,300,

Fox (Evergreen) (1,536; $1.25-
$1.50) — “Broken Lance” (20th).
Torrid $20,000. Preem pic for new
house.

Guild (Indie) (400; $1)— “Adven-
tures Robihson Crusoe” (UA) <2d
wk). Sturdy $2,200. Last week,
$2,400.

Liberty (Hamrick) (1,875; 65-90)
— “Valley of Kings” <M-G) and
“Outlaw Stallion” (Col). Tall $9,000
or better. Last week, “Ring of
Fear” (WB) and “Riding Shotgun”
(WB) (2d wk), $6,400.

Oriental (Evergreen) (2,000: Sl-
$1.25)— “High and Mighty” (WB)
(5th wk). Pushed to okay $3,500.
Last week, $3,100.

Orpheum (Evergreen) (1.6UU: $1-
$1.25) — “Garden of Evil” (20th)
(2d wk). Solid $7,000. Last week,
$13,000.

Paramount (Port-Par) ('3,400: 90-
$1.25)— “Knock On Wood” (Par)
(3d wk). First time a pic has been
held for three stanzas in many
years at house. Lofty $7,000. Last
week, $9,000.

United Artists (Parker) (890; 65-
90)— “About Mrs. Leslie” (Par).
Modest $4,500. Last week. “Caine
Mutiny” (Col) (6th wk), $6,800.

New York Theatres

’Waterfront’ Giant 30G,
Frisco; ’Obsession’ Hot .
24G, ’Caine’ $13,000, 7th

San Francisco, Aug. 17.

Market Street film houses con-
tinue to fare great in current
round, with the big openihgs of
“On the Waterfront” at Paramount,
and “Magnificent Obsession" at
Golden Gate leading the parade.
Bdth are socko. “Broken ^ance”
still is okay in second Fox stanza.
"Cinerama” continues smash in
33d week at Orpheum. “Caine Mu-
tiny” shapes big in seventh round
at St. Francis.

Estimates for This Week

Golden Gate (RKO) (2,850; 80-.
$1)— “Magnificent Obsession” (U).
Smash $24,000. Last week, “Johnny
Dark” (U) and “Monster Ocean
Floor” (Lip), $12,500.

Fox (FWC) (4,651; $1-$1.80) —
“Broken ' Lance”; (20th) (2d wk).
Okay $17,000. Last week, $31,500.

Warfield (Loew’s) (2,656; 65-90)
—“Valley of Kings” (M-G) (2d wk).
Good $12,000. Last week, $15,000.

Paramount (Par) (2,646; 90-$l) —
“On Waterfront” (Col). Terrific
$30,000. Last week, “About Mrs.
Leslie” (Par) and “Man of Conflict”
(Indie), $14,000 in 9 days.

St. Francis (Par) (1,400; $1-$1.50)
—“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (7th wk).
Good $13,000. Last week, $17,000.

Orpheum (Cinerama Theatre,
Calif.) (1,458; $1.75-$2.65)— “Cine-
rama” (Indie) (33d wk). Sock $31,-
000. Last week, $32,500, for best
week of regular performances since
opening.

Bridge (Schwarz-Reade) (399; $1-
$1.20)— “Always a Bride” (U) (3d
wk). Looks good $1,900. “Malta
Story” (UA) opens Aug. 19.

United Artists (No. Coast) (1,207;
70-$l) — “Hans Christian Andersen”
(RKO) and “Geraldine” (Rep).
Weak $5,000 in 6 days. Last week,
“Southwest Passage” (UA) and
“Captain Kidd, Slave Girl” (UA),
$7,300.

Stagedoor (A-R) (400; $1-$1.25)—
“Hobson’s Choice” (UA) (3d wk).
Good $3,700. Last week, $4,900.

Vogue (S. F. Theatres) (377; $1)
— “Barefoot Battalion” (Indie).
Good $3,600. Last week, “Mr.
Denning Drives North” (Indie) and
“Lady Godiva Rides” (Indie) (3d
wk), $2,000.

’Desperado’ Fair $5,500,
Omaha; ’Caine’ 9G, 2d

Omaha, Aug. 17.

First-run biz is good this week
despite only one newcomer. The
fact that three different pix are
going into second weeks at same
time is a record here. The new
entry “Desperado” is fairish at
I the Omaha. “Caine Mutiny” stiff
is smash in second State round.
“Broken Lance” remains strong at
the Orpheum.

Estimates for This Week

Brandeis (RKO) (1,100; 65-85)—
“King Richard and Crusaders”
(WB) and “Paid to Kih” (Indie)
(2d wk). Fancy $4,000 after $6,000
bow.

Omaha (Tristates) (2,000; 50-75)
— “Desperado” (AA) and “Bowery
Boys: Meet Monsters” (AA). Fairish
$5,500. Last week, “Hans Christian
Andersen” (RKO) and “Make Haste
to Live” (Rep), $8,500.

Orpheum (Tristater) (2.890; 75-
$1) — “Broken Lance” (20th) (2d
wk). Fine $11,000. Last wee!:, $18,-
500. .

State (Goldberg) (875; 75-$l)—
“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (2d wk).
Smash $9,000. Last week, record
$17,800.

DENVER

(Continued from page 9)

85) — “Her Twelve Men” (M-G).
Good' $7,000. Last week, “Crossed
Swords” (UA), $5,500.

Centre (Fox) ' (L247; . 60-$l>—
“High and Mighty” (WB) (4th wk).
Okay $10,000. Last week, $15,000.

Denham (Cockrill) (1,750;' 50-85)
— “Living It Up” (Par) (2d wk).
Fine $8,000 or over. Last week,
$14,000.

Denver (Fox), . (2,525; 60-$l) —
Black Shield of Falworth” (U).
Smash $18,000' or close. Last week,’
Caine Mutiny” (Col) (4th wk),
$9,000.

Esquire (Fox) (742; 50-85)— “Hob-
son's Chpice” (UA) (2d Wk). Poor
$1,500. Last week, $4,500.

Orpheum (RKO) (2,600;. 50-85)---
“Vaffey of Kings” (M-G) and “Op-
eration Diplomat” (Indie). (2d wk).
Mild $6,000. Last week, $16,500.

Paramount (Wolf berg) (2,200; 50-
85)— “Magnificent Obsession” (U)
(2d wk). Fast $14,000. Last week,
$25,000.

Tabor (Fox) (1,967; 30-50)—

“Highway Dragnet” ( AA) and “Re-
turn from See” (AA). Good $3,500.*
Last week, “Weak and Wicked"
(AA) and “Desparado” (AA),
$4,500.

Halo License

1955 Luxury Cdin

Continued from page 3

Continued from page 3

n — RADIO CUT MUSIC mu

Rockefeller Center

“SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS

h CINEMASCOPE stmiv
JANE POWELL • HOWARD KEEL

Color i>y ANSCO • An M-Q-M picture

and SNCTMSUI SUS PUESOTATION

/I

WAANEA BROS.

JEANNE DANA DAVID

CRAIN* ANDREWS* FARRAR

BUHAdUNCU |

coio, b, T echnicolor • a maun maxim ?

»>

■:

^paramount

W)QA0WAt*I43nJ$l

MONTREAL

(Continued from page 8)

$13,000. Last week, “Valley of
Kings” (M-G), $20,000.

Princess (C.T.) (40-65) — “The
Wild One” (C01). Solid $15,000.
Last week, “Prisoner of War’’
(M-G) fair $10,000.

Loew’s (C.T.) (2,847; 50-85) —
“Carnival Story” (RKO) (2d wk).
Nice $16,000 after $24 v 000 opener.

Imperial (C.T.) (1,789; 43-68) —
“The Robe” (20th). Big $11,000.
Last week, “Night People” (20th)
and "Princess of Nile” (20th),
$ 10 , 000 .

Orpheum (C.T.) (1,048; 40-65) —
“Heidi” (UA) and “White Mane”
(UA) (2d wk). Okay $7,000 after
$11,000 first week.

proval of all the companies con-
cerned.

Situation is considered poten-
tially serious since, unlike in other
foreign deals, the most recent
Italo agreement provides for 189
permits for Motion Picture Export
Assn, members. These licenses are
not exchangeable, however, so that
any permit that isn’t picked up is
automatically lost to the industry.

In addition, since foreign gov-
ernments have a tendency to go by
past performance, such defections
are apt to be reflected in future
license allocations. This happened
last year in France where some
of the smaller distribs didn’t pick
up all the licenses coming to them.
The new Italian agreement doesn’t
go into effect until Aug. 31.

A surprising number of foreign
execs last Week expressed private
sentiments favoring the U position.
Officially, of course, they’re stand-
ing pat on the assertion that the
distribution of licenses should re-
main as it was last year, with each
outfit taking two less than before.

U maintains that it’s time that
the industry took into account cer^
tain changes in the comparative
financial and product positions of
the various distribs. U’s alloca-
tion under the current divvying up T
scheme comes to 20 permits. The
outfit claims it has a right to 26.
It argues that, unlike other com-
panies, it has continued to pro-
duce at a high level and that its
grosses, are more impressive than
those of many of its competitors
with more licenses.

Metro Surplus of Permits

There have also been references
to companies like Metro which gets
34 permits in Italy but has skedded
only 27 pix for production in the
coming year. Yet another point
made by U is that in 1951 it gave
up some permits for the sake of
industry unity and that it can’t see
why it should be punished for this
at this time. U had made attempts
to get some additional permits two
years ago, but the proposition was
nixed by the Italians.

Difficulty is that, with U ada-
mant on its rights, the other dis-
tribs appear unwilling to give way,
particularly since each permit
means money in the bank. RKO,
for instance, with a highly un-
stable production sked, says it has
a full program of 22 pix for Italy
all picked out. It’s aided by. the
fact that, particularly in the quota
countries, it has accumulated a
certain backlog.

Picker, who’s fast emerging as
one of the industry’s foreign mar-
ket “statesmen,” is also on the
four-man MPEA committee which
is currently trying to work out a
“master” formula for the future
distribution of permits and remit-
tances. Others on that group in-
clude Sam and Abe Schneider and
Arthur Loew.

might go six times as high in 1955.

(2.) Income distribution has
shifted to where, by Feb., 1954,
there were six times as many
spending units over $3,000 as there
were in 1941. A total of 63% of
all families today (34,650,000) earn
mote than 3,000 a year.

(3.) Changing living standards
are reflected by the move to the
suburbs which have grown five
times as fast as the population out-
side the metropolitan areas. Where,
ih 1940' 27,000,000 people lived In 1
suburban areas, the total now is
41,000,000, and the trend continues.;

(4.) By mid-1955 there will be
64% more children under 10 and.
53% more elders over 60 in the
U. S. than in 1940. There will be
an 11% increase in the 10-39 year
age group which, comprises the
core of the motion picture audi-

ence.

Burden on Selling

New York Drive-in Theatre Corp.
has been chartered to conduct
business in New York, with capital
stock of 200 shares, no par value.
Flishnick & Liberman, were fil-
ing attorneys.

Johnson stressed the; challenge to
marketing inherent in the switch
from a production economy, heavi-
ly influenced by government, to a
consumption economy of individual
enterprise. This, he observed,
“places the bujrden on selling, on
finding needs and Creating desires
and on improving products or de-
veloping new products to meet
these needs and potential desires.”
Pointing out the expected drop of
$3,500,000,000 in Federal cash out-
lay during 1954, he said that con-
sumer purchases would have to rise
only 1 M>% from their 1953 level of
$230,000,000,000 to offset that drop,
“Just a 5% increase in living
standards could, offset more than a
$10, 000, 000, 000 cut in defense ex-
penditures— a far deeper cut than
now contemplated,” he declared.

Heading Toward 1960

Johnson expressed his confidence
in an opportunity for a 1Q% in-
crease in sales of consumer goods
and services in 1955, and “the
broader real opportunity for a
third higher standard of living in
1960.”

The potential for recreational
spending is made evident in
Johnson’s figures on the shift in
the income groups. “Early in 1954
there were six times as many fami-
lies with incomes over $3,000 as
there were in 1941,” he told the
aspiring bankers, “Nearly 29,000,-
000 families have moved up above
$3,000. The 34,700,000 with in-
comes over $3,000 represented 63%
of the 55,000,000 total whereas
in 1941 the 5, 700, 000 represented
only 14^% , qf the 39,300,000 total.
As these families move lip from
one income class to the next they
could represent substantially in-
creased markets, for, most items in
the ; standard of living'if they were
to take on the habits and desires of
the income group into which they
move.” . This, he added, was true
despite the rise in faxes and the
cost of living.

Johnson said that, in the first
quarter of 1954, the total real pur-
chasing power of the public after
adjustment for present prices and
taxes was 86% higher than in 1939.
Statistics cited by Johnson show
that the number of families with
incomes over $5,000 a year rose
from H, 130.000 (21%) in February
of 1 1 to 17.050,000 (31%) in Feb.,

195<. In 1941, only 4% of the
families, in the U. S. earned more
than $5,000.

There was a drop in the $3,000 to
to $5,000 a year group which in
Feb.-, 1954, constituted 32% of all
families aeainst 33% in. 1952. The
$2,000 to $3,000 group dropped 4%
—to 14%— by Feb. ’54. Total
number of families with an income
over $3,000 stood at 5,703,000 in
1941; 28,620.000 in 1952 and 34,^
650,000 by Feb., 1954. .

The total, discretionary spending
power of the public has grown 4t6
times for the middle income family
since 1940, Johnson estimated, it
reached a level of $136,000,000,000
by Jan. 1954 which is more than
five times the $26,500,606,000 of
1940. “These factors indicate . . .
that the level of purchasing power
is high enough to warrant more
aggressive marketing,” Johnson de-
clared. “In particular, the higher
proportion of income in the form
of discretionary spending power
offers any product or class of prod-
ucts the opportunity for a competi-
tive advantage in aggressive pro-
motion. People have the money
now to select and choose between
items beyond bare necessities.”

The figures contrast oddly with
the slump in the pix biz over the

past couple of years. Industry
economists say the upturn has onlv
now started, aided by improved
product. ... ■ u

Conjtra^Mftth 1940

Johnson argued that the consum
ing public as ;. $13§, 000,000, 000 of
discretionary buying, power over
and above, .the ,..$114,600, 000, 000
needed to provide /the necessities

l or » pf living and

he added: “this means that 55%
of disposable Income is, now in the
discretionary classification.” He
observed further . that the upward
shift in the level of income “means
increased opportunity .for influ-
encing sales by advertising, selling
and proper use of credit, it can
expand markets also, in maiiy areas
that once were considered satu-
rated.” "

. Citing the 2,752^000 . per year
population increase 'and the fact
that there are. 80% more high
school graduates ih the adult pop-
ulation now than in 1940, Johnson
emphasized the- effects of these
changes. For Hollywood, his sta-
tistics are ef interest in its battle
with tv for the attentions of the
juvenile audience both via selling
and film content, ‘

Average population increase be-
tween 1940 and mid-1955 should be
25%, Johnson estimated. The larg-
est increases come in the under 5
and between 5-9 year age groups,
the first rising 67% and the second
61%. The 10-19 year group goes
up 2% and the -20-39 ’Ve&r group
9%. In the 40-59 year group, the
increase will be 26%. and in the 60
and over group, 53%. One indus-
tryites commented that this ob-
viously implied a need for "family”
pictures acceptable to a wide range
of age appeal.

Documenting the trend towards
a population shift to the Suburbs,
which already has had its effect on
the film industry, Johnson found a
52% increase in the number of
families that have moved into the
metropolitan center orbits since
1940. The population in the 162
metropolitan areas of 193 central
cities has increased 19%, from 43,-?
400.000 in 1940 to 51,800,000 in
1954. The least increase has been
registered in the* sections outside ’
[the metropolitan 1 areas which
gained only 10%, from 61.300,000
in 1940 to 67,200,000 in 1954.

These figures have meaning for
both exhibition ahd production.
They explain the growth of the
drive-ins of which there are novr
around 4,100. Johnston stated that
of the 54,000,000 families in the
(-U. S., 60% now own automobiles.
The largest percentage (18%) of
families with cars falls into the
$3,000 to $4,000 a. year earnings
group. In that category, 68% of
all families have cars.

Trend Back

Continued from page 3

the foremost advocate of this
policy. Col’s change of heart, of
course, can be attributed to the
confidence it had in product which
turned out to be blockbuster at-
tractions. Starting with “Salome, ”
Col has giv^n New Yorkers a first
look at suqh films as. “Miss Sadie
Thompson,” “From Here to Eter-
nity,” “Th-e Caine Mutiny” and
“Waterfront.” Its . next biggie.
“The Long Gre^y. tine,” is also
slated for a. Broadway unveiling.
The same practice is being fol-
lowed by the other, majors but not
to the degree of Col.

The longrun . pull of current
product, both on Broadway and in
other key cities, Is bringing about
an important change in the indus-
try flow of pictures. The netf
chant is that it’s a holdover busi-
ness, a result that is sweet music
for the distrib cash registers but
one that is playing havoc with the
subsequent run situations. Latter
are beefing, squawking, and com-
plaining more than ever that the
picture is practically played out by
the time the pictures reach their
houses. In addition, the charge
reiterated over ahd over again that
the rental terms for these pix are
overpriced.

The long holdover policy.
also claimed, is adding to exhio
woes by making it difficult tor
them to get films to keep their the-
atres going. All the major com-
panies are admittedly making ie> ‘
er but bigger pictures, leading e -
hibs to ask “where do we get P* 9 *
tures to keep our theatres going.

Wednesday AngttitH, 1954

BADIO-TEVUVISION

+■

.. >•

The way CBS-TV's Sunday afternoon programming schedule
shapes at the .moment for the upcoming season, it will be virtually
a five-hour’ procession of “Operation Intellectual” or at least
inclusive 6 f those “Hlgh-Q” values for which the web ' has long;
held a deep penchant. To achieve that egghead status, the net-
work will usher in activities at an early 2 p.m. with “Youth Takes
a Stand” followed by its other click paneler, “Man of the Week.”
The 3 p.m. berth is being; earmarked for Dr. Frank C. Baxter,
the scholar-showman of the U. Of Southern Cal., but whether
it will be a continuation of the profs current “Npw- and Then”
or a web edition of his Shakespearean series is yet to be resolved.
“Adventure” is in the 3:30 slot. Eric Sevareid gets an earlier
showcasing next season — at 4 o'clock in .his “American Week”
sizeup, and the* 4:30 • entry will be “The Search.” Latter is' the
ambitious college-inspired roundup long on the agenda of pro-
gram v.p : . Hubbell Robinson Jr., but apparently in ship-shape
now for its mid-October inaugural .along with the other stanzas
(some of which will be launched earlier than . Oct.' 17, the target :
date for the “whole hog Sunday” package of think stuff). In its
usual spot from 5 to 6:30 will be “Omnibus” with it's fancydan
components, and bringing up the rear will be the historical series, -
“You Are There." •

From 7 o’clock -on it's strictly in the mass-appeal groove with
the “Lassie” vidpixers, Jack Benny alternating with Ann Sothern,
“General Electric Theatre,” Celeste Holm’s new show, Robert
Young’s “Father -Knows Best” telefilms and “What’s My Line.”

NBC is trotting out its top-top ♦
brass for . the tv affiliates gather-
ing in Chicago for two days at the
end of the month to wrestle with
what real or fancied problems
come up. It will be the first major
league powwow of the affils and
web since the historic Princeton
meet of 16 months ago when what
was anticipated as a first-class con-
flagration turned out to be just
smoke, with the dove of peace
hovering over the assemblage at
the bell.

The network’s contingent will
be headed by board chairman
David Sarnoff, president Pat
Weaver and executive vice-presi-
dent Robert Sarnoff, with 14 veep-
striped execs (more than half of
the web’s quota) turning out for
the conclave. Included are Manie
Sachs. George Frey, Tom McAvity,
Joseph Heffernan, William Fine-
shriber Jr. (head of the radio net-
work Charles Denny, Frank Rus-
sell (Washington, D. C.), John K.
West (Pacific Division), David
.Adams, John M. Clifford (newly
installed administrative v.p.),
Harry Bannister, Robert E. Shelby
(chief engineer) and Sid Eiges
(press factotum). Several of them
are bringing along their chief
aides.

CBS Meet Sept. 1-2

Couple of days later (Sept. 1-2),
Chicago will turn from a video to
a radio kick as CBS and the aural
affiliates sit down on high-level
matters. Here, too, it’ll be brass-
plus topped by prexy Adrian Mur-
phy and v.p.’s J. Kelly Smith (ad-

(Continued on page 26)

Rate Reshuffle

Philadelphia, Aug. 17,
Drastic readjustments in rates as
'yell as time periods become effec-
tive at WCAU, Sept. 1, in what
bales Manager John S. deRussy de-
scribed as “a realistic analysis of
actual values delivered by the va-
rious rate classifications.”

*• Under station’s new setup; Class
. Urnc is slashed 20% in basic
mghttime costs, with reductions
from $600 to $500 for the 7:30 to
h °ur Charges. The Class
Ji ^ bpurl-y rate remains unchanged
tii- , ’ *? ut the period covered by
in.oA^ Ossification now includes the
a.m.-3 p.m. Mon. thru Fri.
segments, formerly Class “C.” This
means an increase of 50%,
si 50 per hour for this period,
uass “C” now embraces 7-10:30
ii i' c and 3-6 (Mon .-Fri.); 10-
Sun. thru Sat.; 2-6 p.m.,
ja urday, and 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Sun.,

u a hike from $300 to $330
in ii UrIy c psts. However, the
p,m ‘ time, which was for-
nierdly Class “B,” decreases $120
an hour from $450 to $330.

COLGATE ’SHOPPING
AROUND’ FOR SHOW

Practically everybody with a tv
package on his hands has been
beating a door to Colgate since* the
soap company let it be known that
it’s “shopping around” for a Wed-
nesday night CBS-TV program.
Colgate’s “Strike It Rich” is cur-
rently riding out a 13-week re-
newal in the Wednesday at 9
period, and while no cancellation
has yet come through, neither the
network nor the client has been
concealing the fact that they’re
interested in installing a successor
show for the fall.

CBS, for one, is pitching hard to
dispose of one of its own proper-
ties for the period.

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Red Skelton starts off even with
Milton Berle next season, opposing
the NBC comic in the opening
half-hour slot. Last season he com-
peted in the. last half. Time hassle
was resolved by CBS top execs with
Bo Roos, business manager of Skel-
ton, and the comedian after an im-
passe created by the net’s refusal
to go along on an hour show oppo-
site Berle and selling the second
half Tuesday night to dual spon-
sors of “Halls Of Ivy.”

Skelton show is still unsold and
it’s understood under the present
arrangement he is being paid $12,-
500 . a week. Hubbell Robinson,
CBS-TV program veepee, returned
east last night after participating
in the settlement. Originally Skel-
ton was promised a full hour
against Berle and the current sum-
mer replacement for Arthur God-
frey was to have been a warmup
for the seasonal competition.

ABC’s Radio’s Major Sale

ABC Radio wrapped up its big-
gest nighttime sale in many a
moon this week by pacting the
Aero-Mayflower Transit Co., a
moving & storage outfit, to spon-
sorship of 12 five-minute newscasts
weekly. It involves an hour a week
in all, amounting to a $30,0.00 a
week billings bundle for the net.

Sale came out of the Sldener &
Van Riper agency in Indianapolis,
which is planning to have Aero-
Mayflower agencies pick up 'local
spot adjacencies around the news-
casts to plug their identity with
the national outfit.

TRY FOR ‘SPECS’

By GEORGE ROSEN

The production t>oys ; entrusted
with the task of getting the tv
networks’ spectaculars off the
ground are only now beginning to
realize the monumental job they’ve
invited for themselves ■ and are
beginning to ask: “What is this
we have wrought?” The pressures
of the pre-"spec” era in television
wore as nothing compared to. what
the boys have been going through

these past two months in crystalliz-
ing the mammoth productions for
the upcoming season; and the
lament that “even our ulcers have
ulcers” has brought ; in its wake
a - “line-forms-to-the-right” step-
ping up of visitations to the medico
chambers for the now-traditional
tv-inspired checkups.

“Plays with a spec and you wind
up a wreck” is the new refrain
echoing through the network cham-
bers as the program braintrusters
reflect on the future. They know
that from here on in there’s no
retreating— that every big-big-big
show demands an “encore” and the
need to strive for something bigger
and better each time up, not only,
to satisfy the television viewer and
the sponsor who pays the freight,
but to safeguard against the rival
network turning in a more master-
ful job.

Strictly aside from the physical
toll it’s exacting, some of the pro-
duction boys with a major stake
in the specs are beginning to
wonder whether more harm than
good will come of it. For the
problems are not easily surmount-
able. With NBC and CBS “shoot-
ing for the sky” in terms of the
biggest, the bestest and the mostest
that money can buy (and some of
them will cost up to $300,000),
they realize all too well the
staggering assignments facing
them. In effect, they're being asked
to bring in what represents two-
thirds of a major Broadway pro-
duction or a major film, not in the
six months that's par for the
course on the legit-pix ventures,
but in six weeks. No other facet
of show business has yet been con-
fronted with such built-in tensions,
pressures and anxieties, because
they realize all too well that, at
those prices, they can’t afford a
single miss.

The networks, on the one hand,
complain that they’re at the mercy
of the agents, who control the
talent components. And on the
other hand the talent agencies
bemoan their own fate — for every
Betty Hutton, Betty Grable, Ethel
Merman and Mary Martin that’s
pacted at top coin for spectaculars,
there are dozens of others on the
agency rosters who are crying
“discrimination” and are demand-
ing the same treatment and fancy
prices. In terms of the 10% off
the top, the agents appreciate the
bonanza, but their enthusiasm is
tempered by the headaches invited.

Those close to Leland Hayward
say that the manner in which he’s
been obliged to plunge into his
NBC-TV specs (on top of his
multiple other activities in films
and . legit) was unquestionably a
contributing factor in the recur-
rence of hi$ serious illness, which
now raises some doubts as to
whether he can actively participate
in the “Operations Spectaculars”
next season. While Hayward has
been able to take his pix-legit
Activity in stride, they say, the
back-breaker was the “show busi-
ness in a hurry” aspect of the
ambitious tv specs.

Color TV Schedule

NBC

Home (insert from N. Y.)—
Aug. 19, 11 a.m.

The Marriage — Aug. 19, 10
p.m.

CBS

Toast of the Town— Aug. 22,
8 p.m.

<

GEN. MILLS SHIFTS I
JUNE HAVOC TO CBS

General. Mills has shifted the
June Havoc tv series to CBS in
a sudden move, since the situa-
tioner had previously been de-
clar d a sure starter for ABC’s
fall-winter schedules. Spot for Miss
Havoc’s “Willy” package, a Desilu
production, is 10:30 to 11 p.m. Sat-
urday, where it’ll tee off on
Sept. 18.

“Two in Love,” backed by Geri-
tol, has been cancelled, thus open-
ing up that preferred time for GM.
Latter’s ABC berth was Friday at
7:30, with its working title “Art-
ful Miss Dodger.” ~

Hallmarks 200G
Macbeth -For TV;
Mebbe Color, Too

Nod for the first bigtime Sun-
day afternoon spectacular goes to
Hallmark, which will take over
the 4 to 6 p.m. segments in No-
vember for a two-hour presentation
of “Macbeth” starring Maurice
Evans. This will be Evans’ third tv
excursion into Shakespeare on be-
half of the Hallmark greeting card
outfit and reportedly will involve
an outlay of approximately $200,-
000, including time preemptions,
etc. It’s probable that the show
Will also be given the compatible
color treatment .emanating from
NBC-TV’s newly-refurbished Brook-
lyn studios.

By JACK HELLMAN

Hollywood, AUg. 17.

Old pictures are losing their pull
in television and the cry for live
entertainment is growing louder
and louder. Even if the studios
were to unload their backlog on
the open market there wouldn’t be
a rush to buy them, singly or by
the block.

There you have the sentiments
of one man, but an important one
in the industry— Sylvester “Pat”
Weaver, prexy of NBC. His opin-
ions on “senile celluloid” are not
born of hearsay but founded in fact
from, a report by the network’s
affiliate committee. Station owners
claim there is a revolt among local
advertisers and viewers agains.t
the oldies being played over and
over and are willing to take any-
thing live the network will feed
to them, according to Weaver.

Asked if NBC would buy a studio
stockpile, he replied and was
seconded by Fred Wile, his tv
program veepee in Hollywood,
“we’ve been offered the backlog
of two majors ard didn’t buy.” He
declined to s^y which studios.
Prevalent belief »n the trade is that
RKO will jump the fence first, fol-
lowed in short order by the others.
Pressure of the stockholders, it is
he’d, will force the sale of oldies
“before it’s too late.” It has long
been rumored in the trade that a
bargain had been sealed with
Howard Hughes for a sellout of
RKO’s backlog for $8,000,000 but
the buyer couldn’t get a bank to
go for it.

“Old pictures,” quipped Weaver,
(Continued on page 26)

Murrows Third
Show, Kid Edition

Last season Evans performed
“Richard II” for Hallmark and the
year previous he did ’’Hamlet.” De-
cision on “Macbeth” was finalized
this week with Evans definitely
committing himself to the major
showcase. Exact Sunday in No-
vember for the presentation is
still to be resolved.

Gillette’s ‘How Are
You Fixed for Public
Relations?’ Fight Fright

Gillette has handed all its pub-
licity and public relations over to
Robinson-Hannagan Asso dates.
While the late Steve Hannagan’s

outfit will work on all facets of the
razor firm’s operation, an impor-
tant field for p.r. will be “Caval-
cade of Sports.” Feeling is that
the move is a definite indication
that the long-running Friday night
fights via NBC under the blade
banner are waning in popularity.

Boone Gross, prexy of Gillette
in Boston, made the deal with R-H
official within the past few days.
Given as part of the reason for
taking on a p.r. firm is that Gillette
never had p.r. of its own before.
Maxon. the advertising agency han-
dling the sponsor, has no p.r, facet,
and NBC didn’t have the man-
power or time to promote the
fights.

First job for R-H will be to get
hews play on the transfer of the
audio portion of the Friday fights
from ABC to NBC. (The latter’s
sister tv network has always had
the sight edition). Other items on
the “Cavalcade” agenda are the
Kentucky Derby and the World
Series.

The fights, promoted by IBC, got
frequent slapping around by
sportswriters when the fisticuff
season was at its height. And since
Gillette never had a p.r. arm, it’s
regarded a sure thing that R-H is
under contract to keep fights out
of the doldrums.

Edward R. Murrow’s Ions ex-
pected “third show” for CBS-TV
will be a “Person to Person” treat-
ment on juveniles. It’s Called
“Youngsters.” They’ll be live re-
mote telecasts as per his “P to P”
stanza ard will cover moppets from
six to 16. Unlike his “Person”
show, Murrow will concentrate on
just plain little joes with an occa-
sional offspring of a headliner or
VIP thrown in for ma r n"ee values.
“Person” producers John Aaron
and Jesse Zousmer will ditto on
this one with Murrow.

Idea for the format was insp ; red
by the fact that Murrow has had
a number of celebrities’ offspring
on his CBS’er and there’s been a
juve mail pull. Show will fit into
a Saturday or Sundav afternoon
slot, with daylight providing ex-
terior shots to show the kids at
plav, etc.

Murrow is now in the Barbados
with In’s wife and son. Casey, who
is eight years old and fits the speci-
fications himself. News analyst is
due back end of August to ready
his "P to P” and “See It Now” on
the web plus nightly radiocasts,
on “See It Now.”

There’ll be a sneak preview and au-
dition of “Youngsters.” most likely

BUTTONS TO COAST
ON WRITER HUDDLES

Having finalized his deal, with
Pontiac for three-out-of-four-week
takeover of the Friday night at 8
slot on NBC-TV, Red Buttons has
left for the Coast for huddles with
his newly-acquired writers. Pro*
gram next season will originate
from New York, but the creative
elements of tlie show are being as-
sembled meanwhile on the Coast,
with Buttons being joined next
week by his lawyer-personal man-
ager, Jonas Silverstone. Before re-
turning east, Buttons is booked in
for a September date at the Sands,
L3S Vc§3S

Meanwhile, it’s practically set for
Jack Carson to take over every-
fourth-week for Pontiac.

24

RADIO-TELEVISION

UKriETy

Wednesday, August 18, 1954

That Some Good Shows Can’t Cure

East Stroudsburg, Pa.
Editor Variety:

Your article, RADIO NET-
WORKS' “HOW SOON,” has final-
ly driven me to take the desper-
ate step of “writing to the editor.”

I have resigned myself over the
years to seeing the medium I love
and respect dying — killed by the
mediocre thinking of those in
charge. But when I see an article

in our “bible"

throwing the last
coffin of my long-
I finally blow my

pebbles on the
time mistress,
stdclc

When claims ”... far from tak-
ing it lying down, the radio net-
works have tried time and again for
that elusive magic” which would
revive the medium, it simply isn’t
true — .it. simply isn’t true, my lads.

Pulling “every measurement
technique out of the AM hat” and
helping “the advertiser to see the
light and restore network radio
back to some semblance of its one-
time bigness” are not the answers
to the sad state of network — and
all— radio. Why should the adver-
tiser restore it — it’s not his to re-
store, but the networks’, and until
it is restored he doesn’t want any
. part of it.

The answers lie not in statistics
and sales, charts and graphs, but
in programming that will increase
the audiences and lure back the
advertiser.

Let’s do a fast synopsis of the
industry’s history, highlighting
only the applicable points. In the
30’s the networks were an ach-
ing and extremely costly void.
Their executives were not smarter
than those of today, but their
whole interest lay in expanding
the future of radio. They were
forced by the economic circum-
stances of their milieu to dream
up brilliant programming which
would compel audiences to tune in.
and thus bring in advertisers and
the resultant revenue.

As an example of the creative
thinking of those days, let me cite
“CBS Drama Workshop.” “Lights
Out.” “Chamber Music Society of
Lower Basin Street.” and Norman
Corwin 'an institution in himself 1 .

All of these were exciting and
new; whether sponsored or sus-
taining, they were network-orig-
inated. It was such shows that at-
tracted the audiences that eventu-
ally brought the .advertising rev-
enue, even though that revenue
was applied more often than not
to other shows than these pace-
setters. Incidentally. I am not im-
plying that these shows should be
revived — as the creator of “Basin
St.” I am the first to admit that
(Continued on page 28)

Stix Like Their Jazz
Licks, Too, Lyons Finds
In Rural Deejay Payoff

Monterey, Cal., Aug. 17,

“Maybe the sticks ain’t so hickey
as we’ve been told,” says Jimmy
Lyons, disk jockey on KDON,
Salinas, whiqh has studios in this
vacation spot 100 miles below San
Francisco.

Lyons, a progressive jazz d.j.
who won awards for his avant
garde jazz show which ran for four
years on KNBC in San Francisco,
fled the frantic city life a year ago
for a mountainside cabin in intel-
lectual Big Sur (home of Henry
Miller et al) and a disk jockey
show on this small town local sta-
tion.

Despite the rural atmosphere,
Lyons has been able to continue
the same sort of jazz programming
of Herman, Garner, Brubeck and
others which brought him fame on
KNBC. He discovered and first
presented the Dave Brubeck Quar-
tet four years ago and was re-
sponsible for their first records.

Lyons’ jazz show,, an 11:30-1:30
Monday through Friday strip, has
been 909c sold for the past six
months and in addition he has
been successfully running jazz
concerts in Carmel, Pacific Grove
and Monterey.

UHF Operators War on FCC’s
Satellite Ukase; Offer New Plan

SAMMY KAYE

And His

M SO YOU WANT
TO LEAD A BAND?"

Is fun for all ages
ON ABC-TV, THURS., 9 P.M,
For BRILLO
ABC-RADIO

“SUNDAY SERENADE’’ and
“SERENADE ROOM”
Columbia Records Exclusively

The consolidated income state- (
ment of CBS. Inc., and its subsidi- j
aries 1 radio, tv. records, set manu- j
factui'ing. Hvtron tube production, i
etc.), for the first six months of j
’54 is particularly revealing for the j
“between the lines” overtones that j
don’t even show up in the report. !

The net income for the period i
was $5. 177.449 for the six-month j
bpan. contrasted with S4. 793.377 |
for the same period in ’53. The ,
gross income for this year was ,
S176.016.777, while in ’53 it was l
S151.253.680. i

Yet the marked increase both ;
in gross income and net income :
comes during a six-month period j
which found the parent company !
underwriting color experimenta- j
tion, notably in the tube division,
and in the set division to the tune j
of millions of dollars of red ink. I
The profits statement would have
read differently if it weren’t for
the bullish figures kicked around
by the tv, radio and recording-
phono divisions.

First national sponsor of Du-
Mont’s pro football schedule is
Schick, buying a fourth sponsor-
ship of 40 games. Deal, calling for
92 stations and pacted through
Kudne.r agency, has eased the ten-
sion at the nework. It was in the
hole to the National Football
League for heavy coin, but now
with one national underwriter
signed on ,it‘s felt to be an indica-
tion that others will follow short-
ly. Though it was never made pub-
lic. when the web was nixed for
whole sponsorship in football by
Westinghouse and others, it de-
cided first to half it, then quarter
it.

Schick, for its electric razor, starts
the season on Oct. 2 and runs
through Dec. 12. So far DuMont
has lined up a few regional deals

DuM Sets ‘Marge & Jeff’

In Early Eve Takeover;
Morgan Beatty for Miles

DuMont has taken its first step
into time heretofore belonging to
the affiliates, and is trying to set-
tle the station lineup now, “Marge
and Jeff,’” 15-minute co-op show
in about 40 markets (now on at
7:15 p.m.) is to be moved into 6:45
p/m. as of Sept. 27. Other time
still being mulled for network ex-
posures is 7:30-8 p.m. was actually
the first, expected to be so used,
but apparently because DuMont
has inked a full-networked sponsor
in “M&J’s” current time, the lat-
ter was slated for the period web
planners felt they could most
easily clear.

“M&J,” an adlib comedy strip,
has been brought home at very low
cost, and collected a host of co-
op sponsors. Even if at 6:45, it’s
felt that affils will not want to let
go of it. General intent of Du-
Mont, however, in using early eve-
ning periods (how station time) is
to skirt the stronger program-
ming later on by the other three
networks. Morgan Beatty goes into
it at 77:15 with a news strip for
Miles Labs.

Lukewarm to TV;

Washington, Aug. 17.
The department stores using tv
advertising spend an average of
only 99c of their ad budgets on
this medium and another 4% for
radio, according to a survey made
by the U. S. Department of Com-
merce. No less than 80% of their
to help alleviate football costs. j advertising dollars st -llgo to news-

. % r . . ^ _ hanerc \i»itn nnmhoi* XC/U fnr Hirnr>r

Early this summer the package

Craig Lawrence was moved out
last week as general manager of
WCBS-TV, New York flagship of
CBS. and upped to o&o status at
the web in a newly-created post.
Lawrence was named director of
station administration, working
under Merle S. Jones, veepee over
stations and services in the tv
division of operations. His suc-
cessor at the Gotham o&o is Sam
Cook Digges, general sales manager
of CBS-TV spot sales, with that
post going to Clark George, eastern
sales boss of SS. George’s suc-
cessor is still to be named.

Lawrence’s berth was created to
strengthen services- to the o&o’s in
programming, public service, sales
promotion and research. He drew
the g.m. assignment at WCBS-TV
in February, 1952. having previ-

PHILCO ’54 EARNINGS
KAYOED BY STRIKE

Philadelphia. Aug. 17.

Philco Corp. reported a net loss
of $703,000 for the second quartetr
of 1954, due to the strike which
stopped all television, raido and

government production in the
plants here and Sandusky, O., for
almost seven weeks.

Sales in the second quarter were
$60,899,000 as compared with
$109,464,000 in the same period
last year, according to the an-
nouncement made by President
James H. Carmine.

In the second quarter of 1953

purportedly was going to a national
sponsor for around $2,500,000, but
a more recent estimate was leaked
— with facilities, exceedingly com-
plicated in the football setup, the
package would run closer to
$3,600,000 for one national under-
writer for the entire deal. By
quarter sponsorships web will col-
lect much less.

Each weekend, from Oct. 2
through Dec. 12, there will be two
to five NFL games on Saturday
night and Sunday afternoon. (Se-
lected games-of-the-week go In on
a coast-to-coaster Sunday after-
noon). Other frays go regional.
There will be one Shick game in
each of the 92 cities every week-
end.

Schick, until the DuMont buy,
had been considering the purchase
of Sportsvision’s half-hour vidpix
series called “All-American Game
of the Week* in roughly 40 mar-
kets.

Crosley Pulls Out Of
ABC’s College Grid

With the required number of sta-
tions unable to clear time for ABC
Radio’s "College Football Game of
the Week,” Crosley has withdrawn
its order for sponsorship and the
web will air the games as a co-op
feature. Crosley had ordered the
! entire country east of Denver, but

papers, with another 39r for direct
mail, and the remainder for all
other media.

Bulk of the users find video a
good medium, with quick sale of
specific items via spot plugs and
their primary objective. The de-
partment store users often seek
and get financial cooperation from
their manufacturers to help buy tv
time, rather than reducing their
newspaper budgets.

Principal beefs were high time
costs, lack of good time available
for local programs, shortage of
good local talent and of trained
personnel to prepare and coordi-
nate the advertising.

To supplement this survey, Com-
merce Department made another
among department stores which
formerly used video but dropped
it. “In every case,” says the Com-
merce report, “the basic objection
was high cost in relation to results
produced.

“These stores did not necessarily
place the blame on the medium
itself without qualification. They
mention their own inability to de-

(Continued on page 28)

WNEW Mulls Art Ford
Switch, Other Changes

The evening and late nighttime
lineup is being mulled for possible
September revamping at N. Y.
radio indie WNEW. It’s nothing
definite, but new owner-manager

dusly supervised KSO and KHNT ! the company had net income from
(Dcs Moines). WNAX < Yankton, operations of $3,532,000. or 91 cents
S. D,), WHOM (Jersey City) andia common share on the 3.771.640
WCOP (Boston). He was a v.p. shares now outstanding, and in ad-
of Cowles B'Casting and exec v.p. dition there was special non-recur-
of its subsid companies. Digges. ring income of $1.40 per share
with CBS since 1949 in various ’from the sale of television station

local commitments to high school Buckley admits the field is

! being looked over because he’s

web

posts, including Chicago, became
eastern sales chief of tv spot sales
in January, 1952, and in December
of that year was tapped lor the
post he's just' relinquished. George
has worked on the Coast and came
to N Y. iD 1949 as KNX 'Los An-
geles) and Columbia Pacific Net-
work eastern rep. He joined CBS-
TV spot sales in 1952 as account
exec and later was named eastern
sales manager.

WPTZ.

For the first six months of 1954
sales totalled $174,676,000 and net
income after taxes was $1,735,000,
or 41 cents per common share. In
the first half of last year sales
were $238,522,000 and net income
from operations was $6,933,000, or
$1.79 per common share, to which
was added the non-recurring in-
come of $5,283,000, or $1.40 per
share.

■ and. college games left the
j without enough clearances.

Web will air a total of 12 games,
including one Thanksgiving Day
contest between Cornell and Penn-
sylvania. Games can be sold on

either a straight package or par-
ticipation basis, with talent rale
per game equal to 50% of local or
national spot one-time Class A
hour rate if sold as a package or
j 59o per announcement of the
applicable one-time Class A hour
rate if sold participating. An-
nouncer hasn’t been set yet. Some
games will be blacked out in home
team areas.

seeking “the most effective pro-
gramming setup available,” this de-
spite the fact that ratings through
July, ’54, are quite strong.

WNEW’s staff, headed by pro-
gram chief Bill Kalarid, has been
assigned periods of steady listening
to the audio outlet’s . programs.
Idea, per Kaland, “is to decide who
can garner most listeners, where
and with what.”

Specific possibilities given the
o.o. by Buckley and Kaland so far
are the switching of Art Ford, now
all-night emcefe of “Milkman’s
Matinee,” and further exploitation
of Al (Jazzbo) Collins in the af-
ternoon.

Washington, Aug, 17.
The UHF Industry Coordinating
Committee yesterday (Mon,) for-
mally requested the* FCC to post-
pone the effectiveness of its re-
cent authorization of satellite UHF
stations and to institute proceed-
ings to limit licensing of such
“repeater” outlets to ultra high
parent stations.

Through its chairman, Harold H.
Thomas, the committee advised
the FCC that while it welcomes
aid to UHF the licensing of satel-
lites “compounds a proven dispar-
ity between VHF and UHF . . .
and provides only an undesirable
palliative.”

Expansion of coverage of UHF
stations through ultra high satel-
lites does suggest “practical ad-
vantages,” the committee told the
FCC. “However, extension of pro-
gramming of high powered wide
coverage VHF stations to cities
with present or prospective UHF
stations by use of single or mul-
tiple UHF repeater stations must
prove disastrously injurious to in-
dependent station UHF operation.
This injury will far exceed the po-
tential benefit that might result
from possible UHF set develop-
ment in markets that might thus
obtain choice network programs
Controlled by dominant bigger city .
VHF stations arid supplied only to
repeaters they control.”

Committee further asserted that
“inherent” disadvantages of UriF
“ought not to be combined with
the further disadvantage of com-
pelling independent UHF stations
to compete with local UHF re-
peaters fully programmed by dis-
tant entrenched stations. Further-
more, smaller market VHF sta-
tions now are unable to obtain
substantial choice network pro-
gramming due to the claims of in-
fringing vast coverage by distant
large market VHF stations. These
small VHF operations will find
themselves critically injured by
being forced to compete locally
with UHF repeaters possessing all
the choice network programs ex-
tended to the local parasite repeat-
er only because it is owned by the
large city VHF station.”

WCBS-TV’s 750G

WCBS-TV continues on a fancy
sales upbeat with some $250,000
brought into the New York flagship.
Of CBS for the second week in
August. Added to the first week’s '
fall season earmarking of $500,000
in peddlings, it makes a bundle of
three-quarters of a million dollars
in bookings for the Craig Law-
rence-managed station in only 10
working days.

Latest to come in under new
business are National Airlines, Un-
cle Ben’s Converted Rice Amm-i-
dent, N. Y. Telephone Co. and
Avon Cosmetics. National Airlines
has bought three-a-week of Bob
Trout on “6 O’clock Report” and
Ned Calmer on Saturday in a pact
extending to 26 weeks starting in
October (Kent Cigarets has Tues-
day and Thursday of “Report").
The Uncle Ben outfit is in on the
Station’s "12 Plan,” with Amm-i-
dent taking one “Early Show” and
a pair of “Late Show” plugs for
16 weeks, Nl Y. Tel buying three
identifications for 26 frames, and
Avon adding a nighttime announce-
ment on Sundays to its “12 Plan”
purchases. .

New and renewal coin gives "6
O’ClOck Report” SRO status. He- y
peat contracts signed last week
were with Ruppert Beer for one
year firm on Bill. Leonard in the
feature section of the crossboai der,
and Dutch Masters for a cycle 04
Jim McKay’s sports segment.

Zenith Profits Off

Chicago, Aug. 17-

Zenith Radio Corp. estimates its
1954 six-month profits at $1 .208,-
246, or $2.62 a share, on sales to-
talling' $56,681,409. During the
same period last year, firm earned
$2,776,190, or $5.65 a share, on
$82,207,174 in sales.

Wednesday^ August 18, 1954

RADIO-TELEVISION

25

LEBHAR & PUGHT OF THE INDIES

One of the modern-day Ripley’s in the field of network radio—
and paradoxes in radio today are all too plentiful— is the current
situation anent “America’s Town Meeting,” the granddaddy of
all discussion shows, now in its 20th year on the air. In spite of
negligible ratings arid a generally dismal sponsorship picture on
ABC Radio, it rehiains one of the top prestige programs on the
air, as testified to by the demarid for local originations of the show.

Strangely enough, this demand has undergone a tremendous
upbeat in the last four years, the same period in which it’s been
experiencing the dowribeat in sponsorship. In 1950, Town Hall
Inc., which . owns the program, had just 97 requests for out-of-
town originations. In 1951, the' number of requests was 205; in
1952 it was 208. Last year, Town Hall and producer Bill Traum
received 341 requests, and at the current rate (200 thus far) it’s
a sure bet that last year’s mark will be surpassed.

At the same time, the program, as a co-op feature on the web,
has experienced a shrinking of its sponsorship lists. It's strange
because the leaders of the civic groups, Chambers of Commerce
and educational groups, as well as trustees of colleges and li-
braries, are generally the bankers, newspaper publishers, insurance
execs, etc,, who would normally sponsor a program of an institu-
tional nature such as this. Organizations are willing to shell out
anywhere from $1,200 to $1,500 for a local origination and $50 to
$300 for line charges (depending on location), yet they imme-
diately nix a sponsorship deal. And the cost of that one local
origination could pay the time charges, for six to 13 weeks of
sponsorship in a middle-sized city like Scranton, where the show
visited last year.

Because of the increasirig number of origination requests, the
program is spending more time On the road this year than ever
before, with a probable total of 30 by the end of the year. Show
has already visited 16 cities, with 11 more definitely pencilled in
and one in September and two in December listed as probable.
This exceeds last year’s total of 25. Most of the sponsoring
organizations are colleges, but there are also women’s clubs,
YMCA's, historical societies, UN" chapters, United World Federal-
ists, civic leagues, forums, municipal leagues and Chambers of
Commerce.

Cities visited range in size from Chicago, Mexico City and
Washington to Gulfport (Miss. ) , Cambridge Springs (Pa.) and
Winona Lake (Ind.). Program, incidentally, celebrates, its 800th
broadcast on Jan. 12.

Gets 'Operation Threshhoid’ Preview

By BOB CHANDLER

Ft. Meade, Md., Aug. 17.

Mobile television is a sure bet
to take its place alongside radio as
a key medium of military combat
communications. When, where and
how are questions for the future,
but that the RCA-Signal Corps-
developed system is both feasible
and valuable was forcefully
brought home to an assemblage of
top Army brass, RCA. officials and
the press at a “Operation Thresh-
hoid.” demonstration of the first
Interim Tactical Television System
here last week.

The Army’s timetable for the
system has by no means been set.
There’s only one unit in operation,
the same one that field-tested the
system — seven vidicon cameras mi-
crowaving from strategic points to
a central command post — earlier
this year in maneuvers at Ft. Bragg
and staged the public demonstra-
tion here. But Chief Signal Officer
Maj. Gen; George I. Back termed
the system a “revolution” in mili-
tary communications and Army
Chief of Staff Gen. Matthew B.
Bidgway said that after its “possi-
bilities are thoroughly tested, tele-
vision can take its place alongside
the atomic cannon” and other new
(Continued on page 32)

lukla’ to ABC-TV

Chicago, Aug. 17.

^ Burr Tillstrom is moving his
Kukla. Fran & Ollie” troupe to
ABC-TV this fall, Tillstrom re-
turned from Europe last week arid
went into huddles
hh Chi ABC veep Sterling (Red)
Wmnlan on several possible proj-
c ‘ s fr )r the Kuklapolitians.

t0 ends Tillstrom’s
Rlm Y> NBC-TV identity, which
,‘ u ' s k ack to November, 1948,
cn KFO made its network debut
™ dwest hookup for RCA.
P artin S with NBC grew
rmi a ^^trom’s determination to
aftm. 1 , ( *- s h°w back on a strip basis
smi b^comirig convinced last sea-
nv r Ulat t . he half-hour weekly for-
sure asn 1 r lSht.for the low pres-
program. Tillstrom had
(Continued on page 28)

Petry’s ABC Rep Deal

Expansion of regional network
activities by ABC’s western divi-
sion in both radio and tv has been
set into motion via a deal under
which the Edward Petry station
rep operation will represent the
radio and tv webs on a regional
basis for the Coast. Petry will im-
mediately augment its sales staff
on the Coast.

Resignation of Bertram Lebhar
Jr. as director of the Lpew-owned
WMGM indie in New York, after
an association with the station
dating back to 1939 (then carrying
the WHN call letters), actually re-
flects the changing patterns and
reduced status of many of the in-
die radio operations in the world’s
key tv market over the past few
years,.

Lebhar, both in doubling as an
ace sportscaster on the sports-con-
scious station and as a key sales-
managerial exec, comes high in
terms of annual “take home” pay.
But those $3, 000, 000-plus billings
annually for WMGM belong to an-
other era and the Loew-controlled
station, along with so riiany other

Lebhar to WATV

Bertram Lebhar Jr. late
yesterday (Tues.) pacted a deal
with Brenner Broadcasting’s
WATV (tv) and WAAT, New-
ark, as v.p. and director of
sales.

Lebhar joins the Irv Rosen-
hausrcontrolled stations effec-
tive Sept, 1.

Gotham-berthed radio stations,
have been obliged to reappraise
themselves and their importance
in the overall broadcasting scheme.
Loew’s, too, has been doing some
reappraising on its own, with re-
sult that the ownership and Lebhar
as. manager could not see eye to
eye on his dollar value to the sta-
tion, now that his contract has
lapsed^ in terms of present and
future billings. Lebhar exits the
station Sept. 1 with Arthur Tol-
chin, vet salesman of 17 years with
the station, moving into the man-
agerial post.

CBS-TV Ups Shurick,
Succeeds Fritz Snyder

Edward P. Shurick, with a 22-
year career in broadcasting, has
been appointed director of station
relations of CBS-TV under veepee
Herbert V. Akerberg. He succeeds
Clark A. (Fritz) Snyder, whose
plans have not been made known.

Shurick joined the web four
years ago as an account exec and
moved up to become manager of
network sales development, the
post from which he was tapped for
the new berth.

By LEONARD TRAUBE

Chicago, Aug. 17.

If Admiral sticks to its ‘ live, or
else” edict tossed at DuMont for
the Tuesday night Bishop Fulton
J. Sheen’s chats next season, a good
many stations are going to be faced
with a tough public relations prob-
lem. In a move apparently de-
signed to force the widest possible
live pickup of the prelate’s pro-
gram, Admiral has informed Du-
Mont that its distribs and dealers
are squawking about the poor
kine quality and that it intends to
weed out most of the delayed sta-
tions.

. Last week’s “Bits From the
Hits” on WCBS-TV was unques-
tionably a tremendous boost for the
b.o. of seven films current in New
York. *The clips-from-the-pix route
was negotiated on the flagship of
CBS as a substitute for the Gotham
blackout of the Archie Moore-
Harold Johnson light heavyweight
title fight at Madison Square Gar-
den. What made the pic parade a
Click was the fact that it embodied
mostly top Hollywood product and
the scenes culled were the cream.

The package represented a coup
d’Queensbury for Pabst Beer, spon-
sor of the Wednesday fisticuffery
on the web, with the lager outfit
turning the local time over to its
subsidiary liquids, Hoffman Bever-
age and Tap-A-Cola. Pabst moved
over to CBS Radio (whose WCBS-
N.Y. was not included in the snuff-
out) plus taking its regular spot on
the tele network. Never before in
tv history had such a large succes-
sion of current and touted films
been on display in excerpt on the
homescreens, although Ed Sulli-
van’s CBS-TV "Toast of the Town”
is the pioneer plugger of pix in
this regard.

It took a lot of footwork and
savvy on the part of Nate Perlstein,
ad director of Pabst, who’s credited
with conceiving the "Bits From
Hits” idea. Acting in concert with
Warwick & Legler, the sponsor’s
ad agency, and Bob Steen, the lat-
ter’s producer on the show, Perl-
stein assembled the collection in
three weeks through the arduosity
of studio-by-studio negotiation.
Since last week's show was a
sockola that married off Hollywood
j and video under a canopy of the
J greatest good will, it hints at a fu-

Last year the radio : tv manufac- , f Ure wherein film moguis might set

Different B.R.

For Each Game :
ABC Grid Pitch

With only four weeks left until
the start of its NCAA collegiate
football telecasts. ABC-TV is un-
derstood to be offering the sched-
ule to sponsors on per-game pur-
chase terms. Web could conceiva-
bly have a different bankroller for
each of the 14 games on the sched-
ule, with an approximate time and
program charge of $300,000 each.

Network, however, is said to be*
attaching conditions to at least two
of the games. Army-Navy and
Notre Danie^Southern Methodist,
under which the sponsors of each
would also have to buy at least
one other game. Web would then
wind up with 12 sponsors, if it sells
the entire schedule.

Key consideration in offering the
games on this basis is the attrac-
tiveness of the one-shot feature to
seasonal advertisers, those Who
concentrate their sales pushes on
the pre-Christmas trade. Under-
stood the web has at least one pros-
pect from this category. Plan has
also served to reawaken the in-
terest of General Motors, who had
sponsored for the last two years
on NBC-TV but this year turned
[^thumbs down on ABC-TV. GM is
dickering for at least one or two
games.

Final and overriding considera-
tion, however, is the fact that the
network had failed to land a single
national sponsor or to tie up a
regional package that would
blanket the country.

With the exception of the four|turing firm spread the Bishop on UD an all-studio division to work
flagship stations of the networks j 124 stations for one of the biggest |

/wwnr’ wpdc nr uin j htad, i ... 00 !

(WNBC, WCBS, WABC and WORi
along with two or three of the
indie stations, the others have fall-
en on leaner years. They’re the
first to respond with a “Who, me?”

regular hookups extant. However,
nearly half of the lineup carried
the show on a delayed basis. This
year Admiral has let it be known
that it wants to confine the Bishop

rebuttal and denial and fingerpoint | to live beamings in the apparent
at the competition in appraising j hope that with those inter-con-
their now-&-then stock, but the nected stations which have been
fact remains that too many of them • carrying the kine version will take
are taking a beating on the sales ; him live if that’s the only way he's
front. The “trade” evil for one available. Ultimatum poses a hard
thing (exacting, for example, a -choice for those singleton stations
$3,000 car from a dealer and pay- who’ve been going along with Mil-
jug off in time) has been mounting 1 ton Berle’s NBC-TV Tuesday night
instead of diminishing on more display, working in the priest at
than one station, and in the final their convenience,
analysis trades don t meet the , j t » s ex p e cted that Admiral will

pa i* r ?. . 1 . .. . r 'okay the kine treatment for some

„ ^ was perhaps in anticipation of ( 0 £ (j ie non-cable outlets when the
contract time and the neWjjjjghop returns Nov. 2. It’s likely
i Loew s leappiaisal that Lebhar im- i t 00 it would accept some delayed

with television VIP’s on other
weddings. The potentialities for
(Continued on page 32)

pickups if that’s the only way to
enter a key market since it figures
that the distribs and dealers that
have been beefing about the kines
would beef louder about no local
exposure whatsoever. But in the

(Continued on page 32)

‘UnHappy Frequency’

Doesn’t Frighten D.C.

FM’er Entry Into TV

Washintgon, Aug. 17.

Falling heir to an ultra high
channel last week when a competi-
' tive applicant dropped out. Wash-
ington’s "Good Music” station.

WGMS. one of the. few successful
FM operations in the nation, won’t
rush to get into television but Having failed to . sell Shell Oil
plans to go ahead— if the station arid J. Walier Thompson on a Wed-
can be helped along for a few ! nesday night exposure for the pro-
years by its radio auxiliary, ' jected full-hour dramatic show

What WGMS is hoping is that it ' pitched by the Web— -J. Walter and
can get fulltime use of its 570 kc j the client Wanted Thursday, sub-
daytime AM frequency (it operates | sequently sold out from under
day and night on-FM) to expand | them — ABC-TV is now peddling a
its radio coverage. Its 570 appli - 1 half-hour Version of the same dra-
cation is in contest with several i matic segment for the Wednesday
applicants seeking daytime use of | at 9:30 period. Program would be
the new 540 kc frequency. Both a half-hour version of its “Center
signals cannot be used in this. area. Stage,” but with the emphasis on
Bob Rogers, president of WGMS, romantic comedy and with a per-
isn’t too scared of the “Unhappy manent company including a cou-

It’s OK With AFL

Frank Edwards submitted his
resignation as commentator for the
American Federation of Labor-
sponsored series on Mutual, after
a three-year association, and the
AFL board promptly responded by
sanctioning the move. Resignation
and dissatisfaction between Ed-
wards and AFL stems from inabil-
ity to agree on “where news ends
and opinions begins” with the la-
bor federation factotums concerned
over Edwards’ penchant for editor-
ializing in the news segments. AFL
denies, however, tha t censorship

eA ^ ( UIL 7, a *i‘ 1 : was involved; merely a desire to

meantime the advertiser and the

Frwin Wasev a*encv are deter- I ha ' e Edwaids stick to ne " s leport-

n-dned' to clear a°s manv live key ing and sc P aratin S ne ' vs from
mined to clear as many me kg> 0 pinion Edwards, on the other-

(Continued on page 32) handi claims censorship.

Harry Flannery. ex-CBS man in
Berlin, has gone in as Edwards’ re-
placement on his cross-the-board
nightime stint, but whether he’ll
be permanent has yet to be re-
solved. Matter became a serious is-
sue a couple of years back when
the AFL began more vigorous
screening of the stanza.

SHELL WON’T SHELL
OUT, DRAMA SPLICED

Frequencies.” Accustomed to “dif-
ficult media.” he feels that “if we
can make FM pay, we can make
UHF pay.” Operating on a conser-
vative basis, he .. believes that
WGMS, with its loyal following of
“Classical” listeners, can entice
enough video audience with art
j films, televised concerts and other
1 “good taste” programs to get in
the black in two or three years.

pie of femme stars.

That 9:30 period has turned out
a thorn in the side of ABC-TV
execs. With the entire evening sold
out before that period (Via Disney-
land, Stu Erwin and “Masquerade
Party” SRO’s), the network antic-
ipated little trouble in peddling the
9:30 slot. But with September fast
approaching, it’s now hard-put to
get a bankroller for the period.

DICK CONNELLY EXITS
NBC; BACK TO Y&R

Dick Connelly has resigned as
publicity director of NBC to return
to. Young & Rubicam. the ad
agency he left after eight years
(to 1953) to take the post with the
web. He’ll join the radio-tv de-
partment of Y&R’s expanding, pub-
licity division headed by Harry
Rauch. This was Connelly’s second
hitch at NBC, having been there
in 1942-45. He starts at the agency
early next month.

Syd Eiges. vicepresident over
NBC Press, had to return from
vacation this week to consider
Connelly’s successor.

26

TELEVISION REVIEWS

Wednesday,- Augitet.- 13, 1954,

BACKGROUND

With Joseph C. Harsch, Frank

Bourgholtzer
Producer: Ted Mills
Director: John Goetz
Managing Editor: Reuven Frank
Writers: Frank Harsch, Bourgholt-

zer, Paul Cunningham, others
Film Supervisor: Jean Lenauer
Film Editor: Constantine S. Gochis
30 Mins., Mon., 8:30 p.m.
Sustaining

NBC-TV, from N, Y.

. After a couple of years of search-
ing for tlie program formula with
which to pattern its “news in
depth” concept, NBC-TV’s news
and special events department has
finally found it in “Background.”
In for only a four-week test run,
the program is a sure bet as a
regular fall entry. If the >veb has
ever developed a show that can
prove to be NBC’s answer to Ed
Murrow’s CBS “See It Now," this
is it.

The first segment of “Back-
ground" was titled “The Man from
Louviers" and was a study of the
background and achievements of
French premier Mendes-France.
With chief commentator Joseph C.
Harsch delivering the narration
live over newsreel clips and Paris
chief Frank Bourgholtzer doing a
topflight film study of the man
and his surroundings (with the aid
of cameraman Gene Jones), what
emerged was a full-fledged picture
of the man in crisis. It was a de-
tailed, rounded study, a sort of
audio-visual Time mag lead story.

Program via old newsreel clips
went back some 20 years for the
first sight of Mendes-France argu-
ing against appeasement, bringing
the viewer up to date through his
membership and resignation from
a de Gaulle cabinet to the time
a year ago when he failed in a bid
for the premiership up to the pres^
erit and his accomplishments in
Geneva and Tunisia, to say noth-
ing of in the French Assembly it-
self. . Bourgholtzer and Jones
visited the town of Louvier, where
he was Mayor, to talk to the towns-
people and to Mme. Mendes-
France. and then back to Paris
for talks with his supporters.

Blit overriding even the excel-
lent visual material was the top-
flight commentary prepared by a
well-staffed and better-informed
scripting department headed by
Reuven Frank. Here was journal-
ism of the highest order— a story
told simply, in detail, and yet with
all the elements of the drama of
news. And both Harsch and Bourg-
holtzer delivered it in topnotch
fashion. If there are any gripes
about the show, they may accrue
from the free expression of a par-
ticular point of view — in this case
an unbounded admiration for
Mendes-France and a dauntless
optimism in his ability to work
miracles. But point of view is a
necessity in this type of program
as in any interpretative journal-
,s “*- The point is that the viewer
whether he agrees or not, will get
a story out of watching, an accu-
rate, informative and dramatic
story.

It may be significant that it took
a producer of “entertainment"

5£hfn to .J*, 11 l . he Jackpot here. Or
perhaps it s just that Ted Mills
rates his reputation as one of the
uebs top troubleshooters. Which-
«v«f ‘he case, Mills, who can be
«M 1 of d fh' V,th deveI °P*hg the con-

fne b. ?.t p i og ( am and c0 °rdinat-
i?* " , ? elements, can savor

one of VRr fr, that he s <™*ed
onerof NBC s elusive programming

problems, the translation of “news

visiSn Pth ' t0 the medium of tele-
v,slon * Chan.

MANNERS for mutts
with Joe Simpson, Sandy
Producer: Simpson
IHrecton Vince Roman
J5 Mins.

KGO-TV, San Francisco
. J . oe Simpson is a topnotch dog
trainer and in this weekly quarter
hour gives dog lovers hints on how

He t hii”t 9 t i eir canine companions.
”?.. has take n a young pup, Sandy

vith no demonstrable pedigree and
• ShS 0 ] 1 . s t ssion u has ta ught him an-
?ng etc nCk SUCh aS standing * Teel-

Simpson’s screen presence is ex-
cellent, he talks with the authority
of a man who knows what he is
doing, and his voice and personal-
ity are pleasing. The show had as

bit” “ ,?a"„4 0 g rae elera “ lary
The project announced for this

breakiJiJ 1 ’ program » tha t of house!
ln e a puppy, did not mate-

consol d of t th 4 » events i beyond the
vonuoi of the production staff

tlw'Ttu Simps0n 8?ve ! short
talk at the end of the 15 minutes

i° Slng severaI useful bits of
intelligence on this subject.

Sandy, a bright little pooch ob-
viously should be co-starred. Audi-

SJfSri 0 ^ dog ? and lhis is a Par-
ticularly loveable one. Rafe.

CBS-TV’s “The Morning Show,”
7 to 0 a.itt.’er competing with
NBC’s pappyguy waker-upper, “To-
day," got launched Monday (16) in
: a revised format and some new
personnel components led by Jack
Paar. Current accent is on enter-
tainment in a switch from the
structure headed up by newsman-
host Walter Cronkite. Couple of
months after its preem in March,
“Morning" underwent alteration
with Paul Levitan ankling as pro-
ducer, this chore going to a two-
some consisting of Ted Fetter and
Richard Brill, along with the drop-
ping of the two production units.
Now, three months later, comes
the second change in midstream in
an effort to build the stanza against
the well entrenched rival starring
Dave GarrOway and J. Fred Muggs
(et al.). The commercial aspect is
still downbeat, but patience is a
CBS virtue.

Truth to tell, the Paar edition is
an okay 30-minuter compressed
into two hours. Anyone staying
with it beyond half an hour ought
to have his noggin examined. But
for about a fourth of the total deal
it’s a pleasant journey of Paar and
his pinchhittirig Saturday night
troupe, which includes capable
singer Betty Clooney, virtuoso
pianist Jose Melis and prankster
bandster Pupi Campo, who with
his Cuban dialect is being con-
verted into a comedian and disher
of the sports scores. Continuing
in their regular roles are the Bil &
Cora Baird Puppets, featuring
Charlemane the Lion, and Charles
Collingwood, the half-hourly news-
caster. Also status quo are the
New York cut-ins, Harry Marble
on the local news spliced into the
show three times, and Margaret
Arlen, who closes the session at
8:55 in her “Morning Memo." The
WCBS-TV inserts are. curiously, a
handsomer sponsor lure than the
web portions.

the desperation in the producer’s
attempt to bring some l life to the
hour,

Borge* who was subbing for the
vacationing Ed Sullivan, doubled
as emcee and performer* In the
latter department, he stuck to his
familiar pattern of patter and pi-
ano. It’s a tried and tested routine
but it failed to work for him this
time out, Much of the yock mate-
rial went wide of its mark - and
when he finally got around to;some
serious keyboard work it turned
out 1 to be the well-worked “Clair De
Lune." The production staff tried
to come to the rescue here by su-
perimposing an underwater solo
ballet. The H20 dip was done by
the “Golden Mermaid," borrowed
from New York’s Latin Quarter
nitery. The blend of Borge’s key-
boarding and “The Mermaid's fish-
bowl artistry didn’t make much
sense.

Also in the ballet department
was a stint by Mata & Hari. In an
Oriental motif, the duo went
through its paces in a choreogra
phic styling which most constant
tv viewers are beginning to find
all too familiar.

Show’s brightest spot came from
Nita & Peppi, young aero team.
They were fresh and frisky and
moved through a stuntful routine
at a breezy pace. Columbia Rec-
ords’ vocal combo, The Four Lads
also brought some spirit, to the ses-
sion with a workover of their lat-
est disking, “Skokiaan." The boys
have a neat harmony technique
and the. tune, which is better on
melody than on lyric, got a hefty
production showcasing.

Magico Roy Benson also had a
pleasant set. His manner is affa-.
ble and his tricks are good. It’s a
combination that’s hard to beat but
he lost all he had gained when he
walked off with a weak closer. A
flashier stunt would have made it
a socko turn. Thrush Jeanne VOlk

Paar is doing a polished job ini”i ad f ^er tele debut near the close
his new status. Though" glib and .! 2f the^show \varbling My Hero,
sometimes sly, he has a way of rib- 1 s Sot a good set of pipes and

^ ? — A A A F n AAl ft A ft% • A M A A A Vft A m * A a a aa

bing both himself and the show
for a nice change of pace. If he
talks about his daughter Randy too
much. — as he did at opener — it will
be up to the Customers to bring in
a verdict on such paternal par-
tisanship. With commercials con-
spicuously absent, troupe did a
lampoon plug on Paar himself that
won’t win any awards. The weather
reports were given twice with no
voicings, merely an alphabetical
crawler covering U. S. cities and
Havana (latter apparently as a bow
to Melis and Campo); the print
could be sharper. The Bairds are
on vacation but came in for the
opening, with their figurines in ac-
tion via kinnies. There were a
couple of production fluffs, most
serious of which had Paar still
talking at the signoff. But it could
have been worse than his question,
"Is this the end of this business
now?"

Technical credits for the new
deal stack up with Ted Fetter and
David Heilweil. producers; Av
Westin, news producer; Kirk Alex-
ander and Peter Birch (latter of
Paar’s Saturday nighter, former
with the Cronkite version), direc-
tors; Vincent Walters, news direc-
tor; Larry Markes, Sidney Reznick,
Toot Pray and Paar, writers. Hal
Simms is the announcer. Melis is
the baton ist. Trail.

Fred Allen filled in for Steve
Allen on Sunday night’s (15)
“What’s My Line” on CBS-TV and
the vet comic was seldom more
natural before the cameras. In-
deed/ it was something of a revela-
tion, for unlike most of his previ-
ous excursions into tv programming
(either panel show, or straight
comedies) here was an occasion
when F.A. revealed himself as the
glib, sure and unrehearsed person-
ality and showman that thus far
(on tv) had eluded the legion of
Allen followers. In the between-
Dorothy Kilgallen - and - Arlene
Francis panel slot, Allen reacted to
the now standard byplay and q & a
verbal gymnastics as though he
were long grooved to the sparring
contest. If, as reported, the new
Steve Allen late night cross-the-
board NBC network show may com-
pel the latter’s retirement from the
Sunday night package, Goodson &
Todman could well have found the
replacement answer (and F.A.’s
niche as well). Sunday’s “test" left
no doubts. Rose,

When Victor Borge prattfell into
a prop pool dragging most of Ray
s * demen vvith him midway
on CBS-TV 's “Toast of the Town"
show Sunday (15), the show fell
apart completely. Not that it was
much better fore or aft of that
madcap session, but it did reveal

came through for an okay score.

Sullivan came in on film twice
to plug his Lincoln-Mercury spon-
sors. Gros.

A. J. Russell had a promising
theme for "Recoil," his original
teleplay on last Sunday’s (16)
“Goodyear Playhouse" on NBC-
TV. It dealt with the “peaceable”
man who finally is forced to stand
up to fight to resolve . conflicts
within himself and with his fiance.
Unfortunately, the dramatic device
used to explore the theme and
resolve the conflict was unconvinc-
ing, and the very establishment of
the conflict was slowly paced and
lacked a sense of continuity.

Philip Abbptt was Cast as the
“peaceable" man, an easy-going
guy with a live-and-let-live out-
look. Betsy Palmer, his fiancee, is
an opposite type, a pusher who
believes in elbowing any obstacle
out of her way. Action is set off
with a burglary in her apartment,
with Abbott unable to stop the
thieves as they rushed past him
on their way out with her fur coat.
Question of whether he should
have tried to stop them grows big
out of proportion in Abott’s mind,
and that’s aggravated by another
incident, in which Miss Palmer
goes behind his back to ask his
boss for a raise so they can get
married right away. When he
finally learns the whereabouts of
one of the thieves, Abbott decides
he's got to take matters into his
own hands, to prove to himself
that he’s a man, and recovers the
post* But he warns his girl that
that s the last of violence in his
life.

Theme Itself and the character
etchings of the two principals were
laid out in sharp fashion, with

s ° lid interpretations on the part
of Abbott and Miss Palmer. But
the dramatic device of the burglary,
and Abbott's sudden decision to
get the coat himself when he could
have easily, turned to the police
lacked the ring of credulity. And
the introduction of the salary in-'
cjdent while helping to set off the
conflict between the two and filled
in on their characters, served also
to misdirect the continuity and
slow the pace considerably. It was
a second act with no direct relation
to the first and last.

Abbott delivered a beauty of a
performance, especially in the final
two scenes, one with the thief and
his family in which he shows his
qmet couroge, and the finale, In
which he pleads that he’s got to
hve m his own quiet way. Miss
Palmer was no less effective, and
her best bit was the scene with the
boss. Cameron Prud’homme, as

^ bot , t X father ; Pe S Hillias and
John Kellogg, as the thief's mother
and though brother; Martin Rudy,

as the boss and Jane Moultrie as
a bothersome neighbor rounded
out an excellent cast.

David Susskind’s production
maintained the high “Playhouse"
values, and Jeffrey Hayden, a new-
comer to the show’s directorial
ranks, achieved some notable mo-
ments with his cast, in spite of the
overall sluggishness of the script.

Chan.

Rex Thompson, as anyone who
has seen the current Broadway le-
git hit, “King of Hearts," can attest,
to, is a youngster of unusual talent
and fresh appeal. In “The Desde-
mona Murder Case," which “Cen-
ter Stage" presented on ABC-TV
last week (10), he again brought
himself to pleasant and favorable
attention in the role of a boy won-
der with a photographic mind who
is exploited by a ruthlessly am-
bitious mother.

Show, apart from an impossible
windup, came off with a good deal
of suspense and benefitted from
some fine performances. TelCplay
by Joseph Sctiull. suffered from
some slow spots, but on the whole
told its story well. It was about a
10-year old who had a capacity for
memorizing Shakespeare or any
other written work. Driven too
hard by his • mother — played by
Martha Scott — the kid’s mind
snapped and he plotted her death
with a cunning taken straight out
of “Othello,"

Miss Scott wasn’t really cut out
for this type of role, but did her
best with it under the Capable and
imaginative direction of Henry
Kaplan. Donald Woods as the pro-
fessor trying to stop the exploita-
tion of the boy etched a clear pro-
file and Russell Hardie managed a
rather improbable part as the boy’s
father. Vinton Hayworth was okay
as the theatrical agent.

Thompson, the boy, is something
of a phenomenon in that, while he
certainly sounds precocious enough,
one doesn’t end up with that im-
pression of him. It fact, he’s a like-
able youngster who emotes With no
apparent effort and certainly with
few camera inhibitions. He affects
an exaggeratedly precise speech
which has its advantages in
the long run but detracts from his
performance in the beginning, at
least, when one becomes, very much
aware of the diction. Big difference
between Thompson and other tv
juves is that he’s got real talent,
and the "Desdemona" show gave
him plenty opportunity to show off,
Herbert Brodkin produced this
well-coordinated thriller which in-
cidentally had some fine camera
work. Hift.

New Title, Format For
Kovacs’ Fri. Nite Quizzer

DuMont’s Friday at 10:30 p.m.
hole will be held -down by Ernie
Kovacs, just as now, but hereafter
Show will change title and format.
The quizzer, “Gamble on Love,"
which Denise Darcel femceed and
which Kovacs took over when she
missed out, will become “Time Will
Tell.” The latter, a quizzer also,
will be more down Kovacs’ line,
featuring a more humorous angle.
Contestants up to now were “peo-
ple in love." Now deal calls for
quizzees with offbeat characteris-
tics of one kind or another.

Both programs belong to Bob
Adams, who’s recently aligned him-
self with Rockhill Productions.

NBC-TV Chi Most

Continued from page 23

mlnistrative), H. Leslie Atlass
(Central Division), Lester Gottlieb
(programs), John Karol (sales),
William A. Schudt Jr. (station re-
lations), and Richard Salartt (CBS,
Inc., general exec). In the depart-
mental contingent will be George
Bristol (sales promotiomadvertis-
ing), Harper Carraine (research),
George Crandall (Press Info), Ed-
ward DeGray (station relations),
Louis Dorfsman (associate in sales
promotion-advertising), W. Dudley
Faust (sales), Harry Feeney,
(Press Info), Norman Frank (pro-
grams), Sid Garfield (exploita-
tion), Richard Golden (sales pres-
entations), E. E/ Hall (sales serv-
ice), Roger K. Huston (Western
Division sales), Tom Means (pro-
motion service), Ole Morby (West-
ern station relations), Frank Nes-
bitt (sales development), Charles
Oppeiiheim (sales promotion-ad-
vertising), Murry Salberg (pro-
gram promotion).

HI TIME

With -Dottle Hansen; Eddte jBrae-
. ken, guest
Producer: Miss Hansen
■Director: Vince Roman
30 Mins.; Thurs., $:W-6:30 pan.
Participating .

KGOVTV, San Francisco

Aimed at the high school view-
ers, this is a combination juvenile
jury and juke box show. Teen-
agers from local high schools,
YMCAs and othfer organiations, sit
on the studio' floor, sip cokes and
eat sandwiches, dance .to records
and interview gu^stdelebrities.

Dottle . Hansen, pert. ' looking
brunette, had Eddie Bracken as
guest when dialed. She turned him
over to her teenagers for ques-
tioning after a brief rolind of q&a
and- then had afi effective bit with
Bracken dancing with One of the
young students.

Bracken, obviously a tv vet and
as showwise as they come, got in
solid plugs for his high fidelity
equipment business and “The
Seven Year Itch- ’

As a focal point for teenage in-
terest, this show has already made
something of a marfc for itself. It
could be strengthened, however,
by organizing the informality a lit-
tle so that it does, not become con-
fusion and by the hostess herself
striving for a little less breath-
lessness. Stronger attention to
teenage tastes and fads would help,
With the possibility that some sort
of teenage advisory board might
cue in topical items. The use of
records and the shpts of the kids
dancing were very effective but
the pitch for the Northern Califor-
nia Youth Council while for a good
cause, was never clear to the
viewers.

‘Old Fix Never Die 1

Continutd from, page 23

"never die, their audience slowly
fades aiway.”

Reaffirmation of Specs

Creator of the colossal, known
in tv as spectaculars, Weaver is
firmly convinced “We’ve done the
right thing" in broadening the
scope of production with the com-
ing of color. “We got good mileage
(so far four years) out of ‘Comedy
Hour’ and ’Saturday Night Revue’
and the principle of the hour show
will be extended.

“What we’ve done for the ad-
vertiser is to add another arrow
to the quiver and for the set
owners the biggest break they ever
got. If the' public lets us down
we’ve get problems but so far it
hasn’t and we have every reason
to believe they’ll flock to their sets
in greater numbers than ever
before."

Weaver admits there’s an audi-
ence beyond the “zombie" level
that he believes the big color spec-
tacles will capture it to compensate
the sponsor for the $300,000
outlay per show (time included).
"Zombies" are the hard-core look-
ers who comprise half of the tv
audience and miss few shows. The
big one-shots will get the others,
he is hopefully confident. Slo-
ganned Weaver, “nothing is cheap-
er than advertising that works."
In the years to come ^here’ll be
three times as many Specs because
it has been proven the “explosive"
spectacles pay off, he offered.
Every one of NBC’s upcoming hour
shows is fully sponsored.

Weaver admits that talent is a
problem but believes that un-
knowns away from the metropoll
will eventually gravitate to the
three great centers. If not, the
grass roots will be. scouted. An
earlier plan to develop “names"
went by the boards when sponsors
demanded proven talent but this
pattern is being reactivated.

Radio is far from being a “lively
corpse” to Weaver’s way of think-
ing. It’s a real going medium that
will tap new veins of nourishing
income and he believes the small
advertiser will keep it prospering
for many years to come. “It used
to be a bluechip ’ business," said
the prexy, “but now we’re chang-
ing the time pattern to make it
easier to use radio within nominal
price range."

NBC has no immediate plan for
“filming its own" similar to recent
disclosures by CBS but Weaver ad-
mitted that it is being explored
and has been for the past few
years. He indicated It’s not being
rushed because tfBC is not yet
ready for ijs.

Dallas— Bob Whitten has joined
the staff of KRLD, AM-TV* He
was formerly with the American
Forces network in Frankfort, Ger-
many and stations in ..Little Rock,
Ark., and Sulphur Sjpripgs, San
Antonio and here:

ffeteiifi Angttfrt 18, 1954

ItAniO-TEEEVI.SIOX

27

CBS board 'chAtynuih William Paley’s observations on public
information at the Chi convention t of NARTB last May, can be
read noW in light of the web’s “corporate” realignment Of its
news and public affairs departments. Among excerpts from that

speech; > ■

“Too often , public officials, legislators and other people in
public life look upon the broadcasting organization primarily as
an instrument created to serve their own purposes, whatever they
may be. They do hot sufficiently regard the broadcaster as a
free and autonomous institution exercising to the best of his
ability an influence and responsibility dedicated to the interest of
all the people.

“The fact is— ^our own timidity in the vital areas of public in-
formation Is self-perpetuating; it breeds pressures which in turn
breed further timidity. Our excursions, by and large, into the
responsible exercise of our functions in the field of news and pub-
lic affairs are often too spasmodic, too tentative Or too sensitive
to permit us to realize our own independence and stature. This
must be corrected.”

London, Aug. IT.

It’s all over except the shouting.
And even that is now being reduced
to a whimper as the government’s
plans for commercial tv have been
carried through despite strenuous
political opposition; imid the stage
is set for its introduction a year
hence. Only A • Fall general elec-
tion and the defeat of the Con-
servative government can alter the
situation. ■

Within a few days of the govern-
ment’s bill receiving royal assent,
the personnel pf the Independent
Television Authority was named
from Downing Street with Sir Ken-
neth Clark listed as chairman and
parttime memhers recruited from
public life. The major appointment
of a director of the commercial
network is yet to be made.

Once this top post has been filled
an immediate decision is expected
in regard to the naming of the
program contractors Who will be
responsible for ieeding the new
commercial .network with screen
time and once this has been settled
steps, will be taken: to establish the
first commercial station to serve
the London area. Further transmis-
sion centres will follow in quick
succession in Birmingham (for the
Midlands) and Manchester (for the
north), with Scotland to be serv-
iced at a later stage.

Although the government has
consistently nixed a suggestion for
a hefty British quota to keep out
a mass of canned American pro-
grams the labor .unions are still
pressing their case and British
Actors’ Equity has given notice
that they will demand an 80% Brit-
ish preferential quota at next
month’s annual meet of the Trades
Union Congress. ,

Program packagers are already
(Continued on page 28)

Memphis Fair As

‘MoondogY 60 Stations

Cleveland, Aug. 17.

A 60-station network will pick
up the Alan Freed “Moondog”
stanza when the $100,000-a-year-
disker ankles WJW, here, for
WINS, N. Y.

Latest to latch onto Freed offer-
ing is his present local operation,
WJW, which, along with Detroit
and Pittsburgh will air “live” the
Gotham “Moon Dog House.”

Phil Dean, in town to . line up
publicity for WINS said 60-station
hookup will soon be announced.
He also poo-pooed suits involving
use of “Moondog” name.

‘Voice’ Appeals To
TV Industry For

, Memphis, Aug. 17.

WMCT, Memphis’ NBC outlet,
will tee off its color operations here
with a live color telecast of the
annual Mid-South Fair from Sept.
24 through Oct. 3. It will be the
nrst live color tv operation in the
South. WMCT on Channel ,5 here,
was the -first tv station in Memphis
and the Mia-So.Uth. area,

Fair visitors will be able to view
activities, and themselv.es qn color
sets which will be placed at various
spots on the Fair grounds area. It
will also be the first mass exhib of
nve color tv in this area. A special
color theatre” will be stationed
directly in front of the Shelby
j-ounty Building and will be housed
Jl ? J :ent whiqh will measure 150
if® -by 50 feet, and is expected to
na S rJ * a . cr °wd of about 500,

will also get into the act by
ispatching a working crew of en-
gineers from its Camden, N. J.,
headquarters. The RCA crew Is
:i s ,° s L en <? iT1 g. its $350,000 mobile
knit here to record the eight-
„ ?P e 5®tion, which. will include
* 32-foot trailer.

Voice of America director J. R.
Poppele last week asked for more
program material from the televi-
sion industry to meet increasing
demand for American program-
ming ’ from foreign stations.’ Rer
quest was made as Poppele re-
leased -reports on European and
South American television progress
made by VOA execs Vestel Lott,
Sidney N. Berry and after visits to
the two continents.

Both reports indicated slow
progress in their areas, although
Lott, who’s chief of the VOA’s cen-
tral program services division, re-
ported that Eurovision has proved
“tremendously successful.” Lott
pointed out, however, tha there are
only about 242,000 sets in Western
Europe outside Britain (latter has
3,500,000) and that figure isn’t ex-
pected to increase quickly. Berry,
the Voice’s television development
officer, stated that South American
tv is plagued by Government inter-
ference, lack of. trained staffs and
lack of set' circulation.

Voice, however, is still servicing

(Continued on page 32)

Jerry Danzig’s 1-Shot

On Grid Production

Jerry Danzig, who cut loose from
CBS-TV a couple of months agd
after stints as associate' program
director and color factotum, this
week was signed by ABC-TV to
head the production unit for the
pre-football one-shot scheduled for.
Sept. 11 from 8 to 9.

Format and stars haven’t been
set for the gala, which will tee off
the web’s NCAA collegiate foot-
ball schedule (first, game is set for
Sept. 18). It’s to be a variety
stanza with football as the theme,
and is planned as a N.Y. origina-
tion With film clips. . Danzig re-
ported to the web Monday (16) and
will start overall 'planning,, with
conferences scheduled for the. end
of the week with talent-programs
veep Bob Weitman when the latter
returns from vacation.

After a three-year “noble ex-
periment” CBS has come to the
conclusion that radio and television
belong to each other as far as news
is concerned. When, in July of.
1951, Columbia split its family, into
aural and. visual spheres, its news
and public affairs departments
came under the divorce proceed-
ings, but as of this week they were
reunited to serve both broadcast-
ing divisions of the parent com-
pany.

Heading the overall operation is
Sig Mickelson, complete with vee-
pee stripes, and under him are di-
rectors of news, public affairs and
a newly created component, spe-
cial projects. Charged with the
news captaincy is Edward P. Mor-
gan, with United Press and magr
azine background, who’s beeii with
the web since 1951 as a correspon-
dent. The public affairs division is
headed by Irving Gitlin, who’s
reputation has been built on such
clusters as “The People Act,” “The
Nation’s Nightmare,” the . old Ed
Murrow-Fred Friendly “Hear It
Now” (precursor of tv’s “See It
Now”), and is currently working
on the long delayed “The Search,”
scheduled as a Sunday afternoon
series in October. Chief of the
special projects division is Elmer
Lower, who came into New York
from the Washington, D. C., office
of the web last summer after a
term as news and public affairs di-
rector there (he’s also worked for
Life, AP and UP and was infor-
mation boss of HICOG — High
Commissioner Occupied Germany
— in Bonn).

Under the realignment, Stuart
Novins, erstwhile director of public
affairs on the radio side and mas-
terminder of its “Feature Project”
series, becomes associate director
reporting to Gitlin, but the status
of Wells Church, news chief of the
web’s aural division, has not yet
been resolved. A number of shifts
and additions are believed to be
on the Way with all principals in
extended huddles between last Fri-
day and. yesterday (Tues.).

‘Man of Decision’

Broadcasting circles speculated
following the Mickelson appoint-
ment that he would become the
pivot and “man of decision” on
matters relating to legislative hear-

( Continued on page 28)

Moses’ Bargain-Price
Tryout’ of Comm’Is
On TV ‘Good Morning’

The “Good Morning Show,” the
only early morning local tele, show
in N.Y., has been selling itself to
advertisers as the “tryout” time for
new commercial pitches. Angle
has gotten some results since
coming on five weeks ago, with a
brace of sponsors picking the 8-9
a.rh. WABC-TV music and . gab
stanza to preview product and
pitch.

Already testing via the tv stanza
is Cal-Grove frozen lemonade, a
Sunkist subdivision. Before going
national, Canada Dry will start,
within the next two weeks or so,
“testing” its new no-calory soft
drink, Glamor. Both, firms are
going to wait out the success or
failure of their respective., tele
advertising in the N.Y. market be-
fore hitting the national video
picture in force.

A strip of one-minute commer-
cials on “Good Morning Show”
goes at $383 gross, a figure as low
as some radio station rates. To
entice sponsors, producer John
Moses is even offering to cut a
kine of any commercial for only
$40. As further inducement, he’s
even letting sponsors use their
own pitchmen, instead bf show
regulars, Allen Ludden or Scotty
Scott. Glamor; through J. M.
Mathes, will use its own gal spieler,
for example; Other sponsor on the
stanza, which limits itself largely
to records and chatter, is Doehla
Greeting Cards. "

Via Shifts in Radio, Jinx’s TV Solo

CBS-TV Eyes Monroe
For the Long Haul

Bill Stewart has been assigned
as producer of the upcoming short-
term Vaughn Monroe show teeing
off Aug. 31 on NBC-TV. Stewart
dittoed on Monroe’s first tv’er
about seven years ago when the
then maestro had a half-hour
stanza for Camel Cigs on CBS.
Tapped as director is Craig Allen.

Monroe, who will operate Tues-
days and Thursdays in the 7:30-45
slot as a five-week stopgapper for
the vacationing Dinah Shore, is
currently riding high with his Vic-
tor cutting of “They Were Doing
the Mambo,” and web program
execs will be looking him over for
a possible permanent berthing.
Supporting Monroe will be the
Richard Hayman orch and the
Tunesters (4).

Interesting to note as the major
networks prep for the new season
is the almost negligible variance in
public tastes today contrasted with
March, 1950, when Nielsen first
brought out his national tv ratings.

Here’s how the very first Top
10 came out:

Milton Berle 79.8

Godfrey Talent Scouts .... 66.3

Godfrey & Friends 55.2

Toast of the Town 55.1

Stop the Music (Admiral).. 51.9

Gillette Fights 51.1

Stop the Music (Old Gold) . 50.5

Lone Ranger 49.1

Goldbergs ............... 49.0

Big Story 48.4

Particularly revealing in the
then-&-now picture are the big
ratings for the Top 10 boys back
in ’50, notably that 79.8 for Berle,
indicative of an era when the com-
petition was so much less formid-
able and the number of one-station
markets (now almost nonexistent)
in key cities which automatically
lifted ratings to stratospheric
scores.

Berle, of course, is still paying
off handsomely as a major force in
the comedic sweepstakes, now for
Buick in contrast to the ex-Texaco
alliance. Godfrey still invites a
waiting list of clients (though the
ratings have tobogganed over the.
past season). “Toast of the Town”
still gives CBS and Lincoln Mer-
cury happy moments. “Stop the
Music” is all set for a comeback
via ABC-TV (same web as before)
starting next month. . “Lone
Ranger,” while not Top 10 today,
garners a. week-in-week-out healthy
audience pull. “Goldbergs” has be-
come a DuMont Tuesday night fix-
ture while “Big Story” still ggts an
enviable (often Top 15) payoff for
its alternate-week sponsors.

WNBK’s 24 % Biz Hike

Cleveland, Aug. 17.

Strong upbeat in tv business for
the first six months pf the year was
chalked up by NBC here with Wil-
liam N. Davidson, sales manager,
reported WNBK’s intake 24%
above that of first six months a
year ago.

Radio upturn for WTAM is
about 7% over a year ago.

Tv surge, expected to carry
through the year will, said David-
son, give the station “best stand-
ing in its six-year history. We
did not have the anticipated sum-
mer drop off as several local spon-
sors latched onto programs.”

New York’s hot l’Affaire ‘Tex
& Jinx’” has been resolved but
with the stag part of the title (Mc-
Crary) losing out entirely in tv
(WNBT) and the duo scramming
their coveted early morning radio
(WNBC) slot. Jinx (Falkenburg)
McCrary will go it alone in her
afternoon video show and the pair
will have a 1 to 2 p.m. cross-the-
board aural stanza in a remote
from the Waldorf-Astoria, con-
tinuing also with their night show
aired at that hostel.

Loss of their morning AM’er is
keenly felt by the McCrarys. As
McCrary put it. “Through two.
Presidential elections and even
through the McCarthy- Army hear-
ings, our morning program had
still managed to prove that con-
troversy could be commercial. We
are delighted that our late night
Waldorf program has survived, and
that our new daytime program will
go into the period that Mary Mar-
garet McBride made dear to the
ears of millions of New Yorkers
for so many years; We will not re-
treat an inch from our conviction
that it is impossible to overesti-
mate the intelligence and curiosity
of womon and we will try to serve
them at midday what we served
them in the morning. Mornings
have been surrendered to tv and
Mr, Muggs (NBC’s “Today” show),
but' we haven’t.”

According to McCrary, upon the
couple’s return from vacation they
were offered a “severely slashed”
schedule on the NBC o&o’s in
which “most of the elements we
had worked for during more than
eight years had been killed.” The
evening radio show, which was
sold out immediately after it went
on the air, McCrary said, was to
be killed. “We would have been
left with a half-hour tv. with Jinx
alone on it, and a .half-hour radio
program beginning at 9 a.m. This
was not acceptable and hence we
signed with Music Corp. of Amer-
ica to work out a deal we could
live with. We have it now, for
two years.”

Taking up the cross-board hour's
gap in radio (8:30-9:30) Will be
Ailyn Edwards, extended from his
6:30 snot for a three-hour cluster
into which the web’s “World News
Roundup” will be inserted for a
quarter-hour at 8:30, kicking off
Sept. 12. A woman’s service show
will be slotted 9:30 to 10 featuring
(Miss) Sidney Smith, late of "To-
day.” Jack LaDelle’s “Musical.
Scrapbook” will ride for an hour
up to the “Tex & Jinx” takeover at
1 o'clock. The McCrary tan-es will
give way exclusively to live, in-
cluding on-the-spot guests.

McCrary was incensed about cer-
tain gossip that arose during his
negotiations with Ham Shea, gen-
eral manager of the stations. “It
(Continued on page 32)

General Foods has reportedly
set Ray Bolger as one of three stars
fpr its Oct. 12 kickoff show in the
Tuesday at 8 slot on NBC-TV. GF.
which has nine Tuesdays this sea-
son (with Milton Berle on 20 Wjjeks
for Buick and Martha Rayc 10 for
Hazel Bishop), has slated Bob Hope
for six of them,, but Hope won’t ap-
pear in the Oct. 12 segment. Young
& Rubicam, the GF agency, is dick-
ering with Victor Borge and Liber-
ace to appear with Bolger on the
opener, with the program, a Coast
origination, budgeted at over*
$ 100 , 000 .

Selection of Bolger for the open-
ing show leaves GF with only two
more Tuesday night segments to
fill. Bolger, incidentally, although
under contract to ABC-TV, is a
free agent for guest shots for other
webs. He filled in for Berle a
couple' of months back when the
latter’s mother died.

28

RADIO-TELEVISION

USniEfr

Wednesday, August 18, 1954

'Radio Needs Some Good Shows’

Continued from pace *24

it cannot be done successfully—
but I do insist that the showman-
ly thinking that created these
shows must be revived.

Want another example of the
wise spending, the taking of
chances on untried talent, that was
true of networks in those days but
not now? In the 30’s CBS had so
many slots to fill that they kept
eight musical conductors on stall
to service their sustaining shows,
all of whom were unknown at that
time. Their names? First team:
Howard Barlow, Andre Kostelan-
etz, Mark Warnow and Freddie
Rich; second team: Bernard Her-
mann, Leith Stevens, Ray Bloch
(then a quartet arranger) and
Johnny Augustine. Of these, only
Kosty had a commercial iRealsilk,
if memor)- serves), and it is pos-
sible that Barlow had already
played the Stadium Summer Con-
certs! Of these, only one is not
known today to the public, and
even he has made his mark in the
trade.

Came The Giveaway

Let us go ahead with our. -his-
tory.- In their anxiety to lure the
advertiser’s dollar, the networks
relinquished control of their pro-
grams to the agencies: came the
day of the giveaway.

With the advent of tv. the indus-
try's brightest brains applied them-
selves to tv problems; whether by
assignment or inclination, every-
one jumped on the bandwagon. TV
is now a success because the same
drive was applied to its program-
ming problems as was originally
applied to thpse of radio.

Yet SRO success in tv does not
bring the dull lassitude that now*
besets radio. Some mediocrity
slips in. sure — it always will, when
people not in showbusiness are
asked tq, spend such enormous
sums. But that tv is tot over-
loaded with mediocrity— as radio
now is— is due to the fact that, the
networks have been forceful in re-
taining their control and using it
for best showmanship results.
They have had the courage to evict
shows that do not measure up to
their standards, and insist that
sponsors take the shows they deem
best.

Let’s have a detailed look at the
present state of radio in general.
We can dismiss local programming
with real praise by pointing out
that the locals axe turning their
own programming inward upon
their own communities more and
more, and that this provides at
their level the excitement that
breeds audiences; it explains why
they are successful in. the face of
the networks’ failure.

What are the networks doing for
exciting programs? Here are the
national Nielsen ratings for June
20-26: Lux Radio Theatre 2.7; Our
Miss Brooks 2.47; Best of Groucho
2.42: People Are Funny 2.19; My
Little Margie 2.14: On the Line
With Considine. Nick Carter and
Charlie McCarthy, all 2.0; Dragnet
and Gene Autry 1.9.

This is hardly a list calculated
to inflame and inspire the popu-
lace: the leading show is about 20
years old. and many of the others
are copies of their tv counterparts,
their competitors or even them-
selves.

I venture to say that if a show
of the stature of the Ford 50th
Anniversary tv show — With all its
anticipations, tensions and excite-
ments — were to be put exclusively
on radio for an evening, three-
quarters of the nation's tv sets
would be dark: and this for. only
a portion of the S50.000 that show
is reputed to have cost.

A series of really dramatic docu-
mentaries of the caliber of "Vic-
tory At Sea"; children’s shows like
“Kukla. Fran & Ollie” and "Ding-
Dong School’*; a fresh approach to
comedy like Caesar & Coca’s — a
in programming, we find frustra-

Oliq.w uadcleq g.uo.w ;r ]ng
year of this type of programmatic
thinking and the audiences would
come flocking back.

tv. Instead of creative excitement
ti-ons, stagnation and panic. We
find everyone believing that tv has
radio licked; that nobody listens to
radio; that fin the words of
Variety) “Considered as a possible
strong factor in bringing things to
* head is the imminence of bigtime
color television, with mass set
circulation and programming trans-
lated into a big rainbow blaze.”
Boo! Now I’ll scare you. Did vou
ever see a real dull Technicolor

picture? One network is so fright-
ened .it has announced its com-
petitive stance versus tv and color:
its nighttime program policy will
be based on music and news— a
thing none of its member stations
have ever thought of, obviously.

There are many things that ra-
dio can do better than tv. They
break down, probably, into two
main categories: 1, that which is
dull to watch but nice to listen to.
(singers and orchestras, for one
group); and 2, that which lures
listeners into soaring with their
imagination. There is a certain
type of drama, for example, which
binds its audience with too-factual
settings and other physical habili-
ments; .the attempts of the Wyllis
Cooper- Albert McCleery school of
tv drama, with few or no settings
and many closeups, tacitly admits
that radio is better for this class
of show.

But network radio is not going to
improve until the following steps
are taken: 1. its programming must
become imaginative, thrilling, irre-
sistibly compelling; and 2. a sub-
sequent step) its programming
must remain in the hands of the
networks, where showbusiness can
control it.

When these two consecutive
steps have been taken, the net-
works will find a bonanza on their
hands instead of a bust.

Tom Bennett.

U. of Minnesota (his home state).
He got launched with CBS 11 years
ago in Minneapolis (WCCO) and
six years later became the radio
web’s public affairs chieftain and
ditto at the tv counterpart in 1951,
just about the time when the com-
pany was split into two network
operations.

Tillstrom

Continued from pit* 25

Continued from page 27

ings out of Washington, the “equal
time'’ hot potato, etc., as Well as
focal point for any attacks upon
, the broadcasting industry that’s
jonly been hinted at in Ohio Sen-

* ator Bricker’s alleged “private
; war” with the networks. Whether.

Under this theory. Mickelson also
would act as a buffer for the web's
Ed Murrow, taking the latter “off
the hook” on crisp issues, was part
of the speculation pursued both
. by news rivals of CBS and those
under its wing.

Frank Stanton, prexy of CBS.
Inc., announced Mickelson for the
new post with the statement that
it stems from a concept expressed
last May by board chairman Wil-
hom S. Paley at the. Chicago con-
vention of NARTB that “lop man-
agement in broadcasting must give
greater attention and emphasis to
the operation of news and public
affairs.” (At that powwow. Paley
' delivered the keynote address and
received .‘the association citation
for outstanding service.) Paley
challenged the industry to
shoulder its responsibilities in the

• fields of news and public affairs
’ and made a number of pungent

statements in this connection. “In
, news programs.” Paley declared,
“there is to be no opinion or slant-
ing, the news reporting must be
straight and objective. In news
analysis there is to be elucidation,
illumination and explanation of
the facts and situations, but with-
out bias or editorialization.” He said
that opinion broadcasts must be
labeled for what they are, that
opinion must be separated from
' news and that the listener is en-
; titled to know what he js receiv-
ing, news or opinion, “and if it be
opinion, whose opinion.”

| “When opinion is expressed in
any type of information program —
; excluding news and news analysis
; where opinion is not allowed, op-
portunity for reply is given, to the
person with whom issue has been
, taken, or to a responsible spokes-
man representing an opposite vlew-
; point. An advertiser who sponsors
i any type of information program
; produced by us. does not thereby
j purchase, or jn any way gain, any
rights to control the contents of
the program.”

These and other concepts in
Paley's “no timidity” credo, in-
cluding the right to editorialize
and the same right to independent
expression as the free press, have
been closely adhered to by Mickel-
son who, at age 41, is an integral
part of the Paley-Stanton team of
“young upstarts” with their CBS
eye on the ball. After a newspaper
and newscaster career in South
Dakota (following his college
work), he was a journalism instruc-
tor at Louisiana State U„ an as-
sistant prof at Kansas U. and the

sounded out the possibility of using
the show as a regular feature on
“Home” or the coming “Tonight”
but when nothing definite emerged
he started serious talks with Quin-
lan, who had been angling for the
property for several months.

The first ABC project which is
being pitched to prospective ad-
vertisers is a daily 15-minute ex-
posure in the 6 p.m. slot on the
Chi and New York ABC-TV- sta-
tions, WBKB and WABC-TV. Also
in the works is a Saturday morning
half-hour show angled for the kids
which has already sparked interest
from a national advertiser as a
network buy. And in the prelimi-
nary stage is a Kukla, Oliver J.
Dragon and Fran Allison day timer
aimed at the housewives. This lat-
ter venture would be launched as
a localer via WBKB with the eye
to eventual network showcasing.

Return to WBKB is something
of a homecoming, for Tillstrom and
producer Beulah Zachery, who
made their entry into tv at the old
WBKB, which was operated as an
indie by the Balaban & Katz the-
atre chain prior to the ABC-United
Paramount Theatres merger. TiU-
strom’s friendship with Quinlan.
John Balaban. B&K prexy, and
other members of the B&K-UP
family was a big factor in the move
when NBC evidenced no particular
interest in renewing his contract,
which expired last spring.

Dept. Stores-TV

************

From the

Continued from page 24

velbp the right kind of program;
some obviously feel that if they

could afford a really generous in-
vestment in tv it ivould pay off.

“The high and rising costs which
are the discouraging aspect of tv
for those stores include more than
just the cost and time of program-
ming. Here is an excerpt from one
report: ‘Our program was a straight
30-minute shopping program. With
special telephone order setup, We
did a good volume. However, most
of it proved to be C.OJ)., delivered
with exorbitant costs. It required
an enormous amount of merchan-
dising and planning to fill five half-
hour programs a week, eight or 10
items a day. We believe that tele-
vision has priced itself out of the
reach of most department stores'.”

One interesting criticism given a
: department store to the Commerce
; Department: “The tv medium has
j made no effort to supply adequate
j information or data for its use on
| the retail level. Stations have no
j understanding or appreciation of
! retailers' problems and needs."

British Com’l TV

Continued from page 27

anticipating that there may be
strong resistance to the mass im-
portation of kinescoped U S. tv pro-
grams and arc coming up with an
alternative suggestion which should
help the Anglo-American indus-
tries. This is based on the principle
of acquiring rights to major U. S,
programs but producing a British
counterpart with a kinescope to
j be used to provide a perfect model
j to facilitate rehearsals and actual
; production.

} . It is felt that in Ihe initial stages
j of the new network that this would
i eliminate considerable time-wast-
ing and reduce production costs to
| a reasonable level. This is particu-
j larly necessary in view of the lim-
ited market availr^le to packagers,
especially during the early stages
of the commercial system.

Cincinnati — “Famous tface” con-
test, most successful ever conduct-
ed by Crosley's WLW-TV chain,
drew 103.000 entries. It was a part
of the “Operation Sunburst” pro-
motion campaign. Winner in the
special “Playoff” show originated
here was a 14-year-old girl from
BellefontaJne, O. She received a
Packard Clipper and 40 other
prizes for identifying the face as
Arlene Francis.

IN NEW YORK ...

Warren J. Boorora in as assistant director of local promotion for
BAB as of this week . . . Mutual feting 30Qth year.of JfeWs in America
via several web shows, first being next Sunday (22) from the country’s
oldest synagogue at Newport, R. I. . , .... Beltone Hearing Aid will
sponsor Gabriel Heatter on alternate Tuesdays , . . Joey Adams and
A1 Kelly as well as Betty Reilly into WMGM’s “American-Jewish Cara-
van of Stars” . . . A couple of .Mutual shifts: “Hawaii Calls,” now
8 p.m. Sundays, moves to Saturday on Sept. 11, and on same day
“New England Barn Dance Jamboree” hits Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. . . ,
Robert H* Harris, who plays “Jake” on “The Goldbergs,” tapped by
ABC for “Ever Since Eve” . , . Alex Sherwood joined Harry S. Good-
man productions as northeastern sales director . . . Moppet Philip
Rodd commuting from Pawling, N.Y, for roles on “My Trite Story,”
“Whispering Streets,” “Telephone Hour” and “Hilltop House.”

John Derr, CBS sports chief, broke into his Lake Kezar, Me.; vaca-
tion to do his Sunday (15) stint from WG AN, Portland, and will bat
for Herman Hickman next week on WCBS , . Ham Shea, g.m. of

WNBC-WNBT, named radio-tv chairman of United Hospital Fund Cam-
paign . . . Bob Blake, publicity director tfor NBC’s o&o stations, to
be interviewed oh farming over WGY, Schenectady . , . CBS’ “Make
Up Your Mind” racked up first anni on Monday (16) ... Newscaster
f Allan Jackson vacationing aboard chartered cruiser „ , ; WNBC so-
{ journers: Mgr. Ernest de la Ossa splitting It up between, “at home”
! and New Hampshire. Sales rhgr. George; Stevens returned from two
, weeks of sailing out on Long island. Program chief Steve White at
[Atlantic Beach , . . Hank Besayne, director of WCBS “MuslO TU Dawn,”
back from Cape Cod honeymoon with Eleanor Baldwin, administrative
; assistant at CBS-TV ... Farm editor Phil Alampl of WNBC to m.e.

• farm machinery demonstration at Morris (N.J.), County Fair today
; (Wed.) . . . Calgon, Inc., of Pittsburgh, to sponsor new Galen Drake
i commentary series on CBS starting Sept. 11 In the 10:45-10:50 a.m.

. slot . . . Bob Haymes taking his entire fan club on a one-day outing

• to Palisades Park. Haymes celebrated his third anni with WCBS last

! week . . WNBC planning special program built around 32d anni of

■ first radio commercial over WEAF (Sept. 7; 1922) . . . George J. Zachary
; named radio-tv production mgr. for Lever . . . Joan Edwards and

John Henry Faulk of WCBS to guest on “Make Up Your Mind" over
: CBS on Aug. 26 and Sept. 3, respectively. Stephen ("Caine Mutiny
Court Martial”) Chase plays lead on WOR’s “Crime Fighters” tomor-
. row (Thurs.l.

Barry Gray, after midnight commentator on WMCA, has booked his
two-hour stanza into the plush Cafe Lounge of the Delmonico Hotel
as of Sept. 4. Plus regular commercial sales, he gets a salary from
the spot and percent of the take on liquor and food * . . Frank Zuzulo
and Bob Schmid. Mutual press toppers, to helm the special promotion
, bal lying the web’s 20th anni.

[in CHICAGO . . .

WMAQ sales manager Rudl Neubauer to be inducted into NBC’s
! 25-Year Club next week at the 17th annual outing of the NBC Athletic
Assn. . Staff gabber Don McCarty , named assistant to program
director Lou Bonder at WCFL . . . WIND has signed with the City
News Bureau for a round-the-clock local wire . . . Chi NBC continuity
’ acceptance chief Harry Ward and family vacationing in Wyoming . . .
Milt Blink reports over 200 stations have signed for Standard Radio’s
new “Shorty-Tunes;’ . . . Judith Waller. Chi NBC’s public .offal rs-
education director, doubling as local radio-tv chairman of the World
.Council of Churches assembly . ... Jack Webb to guest on ABC-TVs
"Breakfast Club” tomorrow *Thufs.) . . . Mutual audience promotion
manager F. Carleton McVarish and John Begley in for a round of
conferences with Chi officials . . . Bill Oliver handling WBBM's pickups
? from the Illinois Slate Fair this week , . . Needham, Louis & Brorby
leased space in the Prudential Bldg, now going up . . . Jean Carson,
Mutual staff artist, on a three-week Mexican junket . . . Skcll.v Oil
has renewed for the 14th year Alex Dreier's early morning newscast
aired on a NBC split web. Oil firm is also continuing with the Satur-
day morning “This Farming Business’* hosted by Dreier and Lloyd
Burlinghan . . . Fohrman Motors. one of the most active local radio-lv
accounts, has switched from Malcolm-Howard to Olian & Bronncr.

IN WASHINGTON . . .

Charles L. Kelly has resigned as tv topper for WMAL-ABC to become
general manager of WSUN, St. Petersburg, Fla., presaging an antici-
pated flurry of staff changes under newly-appointed station prexy
Frederick S. Houwink . . . Ed Sullivan and manager Mark Leddy in
town to o.o. Hotel Shorehnm Terrace show, featuring maestro Barnce
and his 12 Singing Violins for a "Toast of the Town” tv stint . . .
WTOP-CBS radio flack Warren Boorumnow a staffer with Broadcast
Advertising Bureau in New York, with Bill Wiggins replacing him . .
Eye filling magazine writer Deena Clark pinchhltting for vacationing
j Ned Brooks on “MCjLLiht; Press” next Sunday (22) . . . Sherman Hildreth
I partied by NBC staffers here on eve of his departure for WNBT. New
I \ork. where he Is new operations supervisor . . . A new high in local
tv sales set by WTTG-DuMont in a $600,000 time deal with Scrta
Mattresses . . . Lew Schollenberger, CBS director of special evenls,
back at his capital desk after a three-week vacation . . . Nancy Osgood,
femmecastcr for WRC-NBC, back at mike after a month in southern
, Florida.

in boston . . .

i WHIL lias established an annual $250 college scholarship for Hie
student from two local high schools who attains the highest academic,
r a ting . WBZ-TV’s “Big Brother,” Bob Emery, has inaugurated a
: filmed interview with local Navy boys stationed in the Far East on
' urday telecasts . . Revamping .its afternoon platter sessions;

: how skeds Ken Maiden from 1 p.m. to 3, airing Standards and

; showtimes, teaming at 3 p.m., with Bob “The Robin” Martin for an
I hour of chattel* with Martin taking. over solo for combo and jazz disk
i airings until 6 p.m. . . . Jim Fitzgerald, who handles deejay chores
. over WVOM and WKEI, has annouheed his candidacy for state rep' c^

; scntatiyc from his district (Cambridge) . , , The total count of piano
rolls sent in to various WBZ-WBZA deejays and personalities on Kdh
day of search reached 1,765, Station hopes to fill a boxcar with lh®
[nstitu lions W * bt> cl<)n ‘ ltc< *' alon 8 with any. player pianos,, to local

IN MINNEAPOLIS . . .

Clellan Card and Gordon Eaton, WCCO tv and radio personalities,
appearing currently in Old Log strawhatter production of “Stalag lV
l no ^ v et l u IPpcd to carry color tv to Twin Cities’ stations.
n * v . ha * bought 15 color tv sets for its department heads , . . .
pr. Edward Schons and his son, .William, localises who have an Interest
! n £??i 0 / tati0ns , at , Green Bfl y. Wis., and Macomb, 111., have applh’d
to for permission to construct and operate one in a Minneapolis
suburb. Twin Cities’ area now has 11 such stations . . . KSTP-'fV
scored a news beat when Gcorre Grim, its ace personality, accidentally
picked up on his home shortwave monitor -Initial first-hand account

(Continued on page 32)

Wednesday, August .18, 1954

' i [ I 1 i I

“M-

PfaRIETY

RADIO-TELEVISION

29

South Bend, Ind., Aug. 17.

WSBT and WSBT-TV, South
Bend Tribune stations, are credit*
ed with* playlbg a key role in the
precede^ ; .Vote by the CIO
United' Auto, Wqricers last week to
accepted pay slash from the
Studebakeir 'auto firm. Union rank
and file "previously had nixed the
pay cut proposal backed by man-
agement. ap'd UAW brass, thus
threatening this city with the logs
of one of its: two major industrial
setups.

Since both the company and
union execs figured the first turn-
down resulted from a lack of un-
derstanding by the membership of
Studebaker’s back-to-the-wall situ-
ation in the highly competitive car
market, they overlooked no bets
in getting their message across for
the second balloting.

WSBT and WSBT-tV’s contribu-
tion in laying out the issues at
stake took the form of an hour-
long simulcast the night preceding
the second vqte. News director Bob
Houser lined lip Studcbaker board
chairman Paul Hoffman, prexy Har-
old S. Vance and industrial rela-
tions veepee Paul Clark to sit in
with him for a 60-minute question-
answer period. Series of spot an-
nouncements had alerted the UAW
membership to get their queries in
for airing on the show by the top
company execs. All in all, the
Studebaker toppers handled over
45 questions in a frank discussion
of the company’s problems.

The union vote the next day ran
nearly eight to one in favor of
the cut in pay.

ABC S ELECTION NUE
WRAPUP FINALIZED

ABC’s radio and television net-
works have completed plans for
their election night wrapup for
Nov. 2, with network’s radio and
tv news departments combining for
coverage of the event. Combina-
tion will give both radio and video
coverage no less than 22 commen-
tators analyzing the returns, with
the team headed by Elmer Davis
and John Daly. Latter, who’s v.p.
in charge of tv news and special
events, will run the show along
with radio veep Tom Velotla.

Radio web will go on the air
at ft p.m. to conclusion, with the tv
side coming on at 10:30, forcing a
preemption of one commercial
show, “Stop the Music.” Election
si a IT will work out of the web’s.
Studio TV-2 in N. Y., with radio
and tv cutins from o&o stations.
Web has arranged private wires
with its six news bureaus along
with reports from Its affiliates.

Commentators set for the special
are Martin Agronsky, Paul Harvey,
Ted Malone, Gunnar Back. Leo
Cherne, John Edwards, Erwin Can-
ham, Julian Anthony, Taylor
Grant, Bryson Rash, Austin Kip-
linger, Chet Huntley, George So-
kolsky. Quincy Howe, George
Hamilton Combs, Don Goddard,
George Hicks, John* MacVane,
John W. Vandercook and Ulmer
Turner.

Mutual Dickers For

to Hypo
Sked; Set Kenny Baker

Mutual is dickering with Tony
Martin for a musical quiz show to

top off its fall lineup of audio
stanzas, In the meantime, two new
shows have already been signed to
strengthen the web’s daytime pro-
gramming, where most of the new
program activity Ls now going on.

.Kenny Baker has been inked for
a 15-minute strip, tentatively set
for 10:15 ayem ; (That spot would
precede five minutes of news for
Johnson’s Wax, a heavy news show
sponsor on the network, and the
Madeleine Carroll airer . from
10:35-11 a.m. Latter show'Ls the
web's first daytime “multi-mes-
sage” carrier and begins Oct 4.)
Earlier in the day, at 8:55 a.m.,
Bill Cullen ahd Arlene Francis
team up in a five-minute strip
signed on for. the network over a
fortnight ago. “Break the Bank”
is set to continue at 12:15 p..n. for
Miles Labs. ;

St. Louis— Charles H. “Chuck”
Norman, 34, disk jock at WIL is
in a Branson, Mo., hospital re-
covering from back and possible
internal injuries suffered last week
when his' outboard motor boat
plunged 50 feet over a dam at an
Ozark lake and landed on the
concrete base of the dam.

MANION GABFESTS
. SET FOR MUTUAL

Chicago, Aug. 17.

Clarence E. Manion, ex-Notre
Dame law dean and co-chairman
of the newly-organized For Amer-
ica group,, is slated to make his
network bow Get. 1 on Mutual with
a 15-minute Commentary on na-
tional affairs. Gabfests, billed as
espousing the “pro-American point
of view,” will be sponsored by the
Manion Forum of Opinion, a pri-
vate nonprofit outfit headed by a
group of midwest industrial and
financial figures.

The Manion airers will . be
launched on some 30 Mutual sta-
tions with the expectation that the
full web will be used as. the coh-
tributlon kitty grows. Telegrams
sent out by the backers said it
plans to tap “50,000 industrial,
business and professional men in
all states” for financial support.

Account is being handled by the organization

n yt : i ... a a _ _ _ ■ i , ■ Trin .

There are some politicos in
Democratic New York City who’
fear that if they okay a municipal-
ly-operated video station it will
make campaign fodder for upstate
Republicans and Gov. Thomas E.
Dewey in the November elections.

Dewey supporters, who have
long been waging political war
With N.Y.C., are expected, in the
event the city approves the tele
station, to lambaste it for excessive
spending at a time when the city’s
finances are tight. To support ac-
cusations against proponents of a
city-owned UHF tele station, to
complement an existing city-owned
radio outlet, the Republicans can
hold up as an example Dewey’s re-
fusal to okay a state-operated tele

E. Ross Humphrey &
agency.

Assocs. ad !

T OR C' RENEWED

P. Lorillard (Old Gold) has come
through with a renewal on “Truth
or Consequences.” NBC-TV Tues-
day nighter was sent in a few
months back to succeed the can-
celled Fred Allen in his “Judge for
Yourself” quizzer for the ciggie
outfit.

It’s seen where Deweyites would
like nothing better than to strike
out at the municipality which in
the past has opposed the Republi-
can-controlled State Senate on sev-
eral issues.

However, supporters of a tele
operation owned by the city are
prepared to argue financial issues
of the deal with Dewey men. Seen
as a result of the station, it’s main-
tained, are the coin savings from
things like civil service job train-

ing via tv. Also,, and considered of
great importance, is that the UHF

operation, with a handful of
choicely-located video receivers,
can be a mass aid in classroom
education.

Seymour Siegel, director of
WNYC, went before the City plan-
ning Commission yesterday (Tiles.)
to urge that, even in the face of
pressure by other city departments
for capital funds, $238,607 be given
for the proposed tele outfit, which
if finished will be the first UHFer
and non-commercial operation in
currently a seven-station market.

Archerd’s Bankroller

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Pearson Pharmacal (Ennds) has
picked up the tab for a 52-week
run of Daily Variety, columnist
Army Archerd’s “Hollywood Ex-
clusive” on KNXT and the Colum-
bia Television Pacific Network.
New half-hour show debuts Aug.
26 in the 10 :30 p.m. time slot.

Acherd, heretofore on a twice-
weekly 15-minute basis, will in-
clude news and interviews and an
inside glimpse of film production
in the expanded show'.

f

■

Unger Sees Upbeat In
Regional Radio Buys

Radio timebuying, which in the
past couple of years has increased
only on the local level, is starting
to do a comeback on aSregional
basis, according to Alvin E. Unger,
sales v.p. of the Frederic W, Ziv
Co. Not only is there a noticeable
upward swing in multh-market buy-
log, says Unger, but there's an up-
beat in the type of buying, with
solid program sales instead of
merely participation buys.

_ Unger says trand Is most no-
ticeable in buys of Ziv’s Red Skel-
ton hour-long show and more re-
cently in sales on the radio version
of “Mr. District Attorney.” Re-
gional deals on “D. A.” include
Tarnow Food Delicacies of Tampa
for nine Florida markets, Penning-
ton Bakeries for seven Ohio and
Kentucky markets and Carolina
Light and Power for five north and
South Carolina cities.

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ommercials— coast- to- coast

in peak morning time for as low as $ 1 , 300 / a message

Listeners this fall are going to have a lot to carol
about when ‘‘Story Time’’ starring gifted actress
Madeleine Carroll, will be presented 5 days a
week from 10:35 toll :00 AM over Mutual, the
network for Radio-PLUS.

This is dramatic news; for millions of house-
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Why so dramatic? Simple: You see, the
Madeleine Carroll show brings to daytime radio
the successful, proven formula— top-flight dra-
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And now here’s a brief run-down on Mutual’s
new daytime Multi-Message Plan. ..

THE TIME : Monday through Friday, 10:35
to 11:00 AM. A time deliberately selected to
reach millions of housewives and help them
make up their minds while they ? re making up
their marketing lists— and timed when TV com -
petition is at a minimum! *

THE PLACE: “Story Time” has been care-
fully placed in a solid commercial program
block — preceded and followed by full-network
commercials. It will be heard over the more
than 500-station Mutual Network — over 300
located in markets that TV and other media
sparsely penetrate*

THE GIRL: Madeleine Carroll.. .star of
radio, television, films, and theatre . . . doubles as
storyteller and leading actress in “Story Time’ 1

It’s a listener- winning combination. Last year
when Miss Carroll and her talented cast were

presented in the evening, ratings jumped 20%.

\

• i .

THE OPPORTUXITY: Never before have
national advertisers been offered morning
participations on Mutual. Never before, on any
network, have they been offered participations
in a name-star dramatic vehicle ... in a longer
than fifteen-minute show. . .in such early morn-
ing time. Priced as low as $1,300 a participa-
tion, for time and talent. Mutual’s morning
Multi-Message Plan has been designed to dupli-
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Because we can only accommodate one
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want to “Carroll” with us!

MUTUAL Broadcasting System

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PHONE:
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Wednesday* August. 18,' 1954

Role of TV In Military Combat

Continued from page 25

weapons as a means of military
communications “as part of our
modern army.”

Strangely enough, what started
out as merely a public relations
phase of the demonstration may
well turn out to be a determining
factor in the Army’s timetable in
adapting tv to military use. That
was the color tv broadcast by
NBC’s remote crew over a nation-
wide hookup, explaining the system
and heralding the demonstration.
The meat of the press showing was
in the closed-circuit demonstration
that preceded the color broadcast,
with the latter merely figured as
an added plus for the public.

But so impressed were the brass
and the press by the world of diff-
erences between similar scenes in
color and black-and-white that
many of the post-demonstration
press conference questions cen-
tered about when color would be
available to the army for its sys-
tem. To these RCA board chair-
man Gen. David Sarnoff replied
that with the advances currently
being made in color, it wouldn’t
be long before a color vidicon cam-
era could be developed and used
by the Army. RCA prexy Frank
M. Folsom accompanied Gen.
Sarnoff here.

Revelation

Fact is that .the well-Dlanned
NBC coverage of the event, though
showing far less than the actual
closed - circuit demonstration of
Tactical TV that preceded it, was
a revelation as compared to the
b & w show staged by the army.
Scenes that appeared first as dull
expanses of woodlands with limited
detail turned out clear as a bell
with every detail of terrain and
movement clearly exposed. How
much of it was due to the actual
differences between those hand-
held vidicons and the big color
cameras is hard to tell, but there
was no question that the presence
of color was a sizeable asset for
tactical purposes.

The two showings, the black-and-
W'hite and the tint, were worked
out this Way; Army’s black-and-
white showing was an actual ma-
neuver using the Tactical TV Sys-
tem. In a large tent, a simulated
regimental command post, were
placed seven working monitors,
working off a switchboard into a
large master monitor. Each moni-
tor was controlled by a camera (all
but one were vidicons, and at least
one of which was hand-held) out in
the field. One was mounted in an
L-20 recdnnaisance plane, another
on a tank, another on an amphibi-
ous troop carrier, etc.' ■

Regimental commander and his
staff, together with a tv communi-
cations officer and a switcher (equi-
valent to a technical director) sat
with the other communications
staffs in the tent, ordering their

field cameramen to cover a certain
area, to pan, etc., with the c.o.
studying the detailed picture off
the large-screen master monitor
and giving his orders on the basis
of information supplied by the
cameras. Every camera was wired
by cable to a mobile microwave
unit up to 500 yards in its rear
which then beamed the signal a
distance of five-to-10 miles to the
command post. Army demonstra-
tion covered a complete maneuver,
including two attacks (one amphib-
ious and one a tank' attack) along
with destruction of “enemy” equip-
ment and capture of prisoners.

The Barry * Wood-topped NBC
color crew staged a slightly differ-
ent show, covering part of the same
duplicated maneuver but emphasis-
ing the actual demonstration as a
historical event in-military annals,"
with Ben Grauer narrating the
show and Gens. Ridgway, Back and |
.Sarnoff speaking to the network
audience from the scene. In spite
of its duplicatory and anticlimatic
nature, however, the color broad-
cast stole the show.

However soon tv does become a
standard phase of combat opera-
tions, it should be stressed that it’s
only going to be supplementary to
the current radio, telephone, and
eyewitness means of communica-
tions and f econnaisance. Fact of
the matter is that the demonstra-
tion, however spectacular, added
little information which the com-
mander wouldn’t have had other-
wise. Two exceptions to this— the
c.o. was able to examine a “cap-
tured” document and make a split-
second decision based on its infor-
mation, and the air-borne camera
enabled him to keep a steady eye
on activities behind enemy lines.
Other cameras weren’t very im-
portant.

The tipoff, though, is in that
phrase “supplementary,” which
was stressed by the brass present.
Those cameras won’t replace any-
thing currently in the field, and
their presence could conceivably
mean the difference between vic-
tory and defeat in a given situation.

-Voice’

Continued from page 27 _

25 stations in 19 countries with
programs running from a quarter-
hour to 90 minutes weekly. Voice
just recently helped inaugurate
video in Thailand (50 sets in the
country) and is helping program,
a 12-hour show for one Of the two
Japanese networks, which is cele-
brating its first anniversary. Japan
now has a set circulation of 50,000.
Poppele stressed the importance of
providing foreign stations with
programs in their initial stages so
that as they reach full scale opera-
tions, American programs will be-

come part of their regular sched-
ules and planning.

Reports list 21 stations in South
America (four in Brazil, five in
Cuba, six in Mexico, three in Vene-
zuela and one each in Argentina,
Colombia and the Dominican Re-
public) with a total set circulation
of'385,400 (Cuba leads with 135,000,
Brazil next with 110,00 and Mexico
third with 75,000), Western
Europe has 34 stations (eight each
in England and Germany, seven in
Italy, three in France, two each in
Belgium, Netherlands and Switzer-
land and one each in Denmark and
Spain). Total sets number 3,742,-
.000, with Britain first with 3,500,-
0Q0; France next with 108,000 and
Germany third with 60,000.

Lebhar

Continued from page 25

tiated overtures some months back
to buy WMGM from the film dy-
nasty, but the deal collapsed.

Triple-Threat Guy

Lebhar has long been recognized
as a clorful, triple-threat individu-
al — cracker jack sportscaster under
the name of Bert Lee (combo of his
nickname “Bert” and first syllable
of his last name) and radio execu-
tive as well as nationally known
contract bridge player under his
real name. (A son, Bertram Leb-
har III, is known, on the air as Bert
Lee Jr.)

Lebhar started as. 0 CBS sales-
man in the days when WOR, then
a 5,000 watt outlet, was the key
station of Columbia. . Later he sold
time on WOR and WMCA. He
joined WMGM in 1939 as director of
sales and was appointed director of
the station 10 years later. He
changed the programming com-
plexion of the Loew’s-owned out-
let almost from the moment of his
arrival! He made WMGM, then
WHN, the dominant sports station
in the U. S. It was Lebhar who was
iaregly responsible for the change-
over in call letters when the out-
let moved from its Old quarters
atop the Loew’s State Theatre
Building to former NBC studios at
711 Fifth Avenue,. N. Y. It was
Lebhar who conceived the Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer Radio Attractions
syndicated program project based
on the use of MGM film product.
Lebhar also had a hand in getting
Metro stars to record . the now
familiar “Call Letter of the Stars”
station breaks. He was the first of
the indie station operators to sign
a big name personality (Ted
Husing) for a disk jockey show.

; These and many other “firsts” are
to his credit. In the sportscasting
category he conceived “Today’s
Baseball,” the show which reenacts
the day’s biggest ball game, com*
plete with sound effects. Hockey
fans in both this country and
Canada rate him the No. 1 hockey
sportscaster.

Tex ft Jinx

__ Continued from page 27

was reported,” he declared, “that
‘more than a thousand* letters of
protest against our comments on
the McCarthy-Army controversy
flooded NBC. The truth is that the
total file of responsible signed let-
ters addressed to executives at
eveiy level of NBC was less than
30. Our total of signed and un-
signed letters on that subject was
less than 50. By contrast, 3,000
letters came in after Jinx’s inter-
views with (architect) Frank Lloyd
Wright — all favorable. We still
believe controversy can be com-
mercial, so long as it is handled
with taste and intelligence and
equal time to both sides, rules from
which we have never deviated On
mike or camera.”

Admiral-Sheen

■SS Continued from page 25 *£es55

markets as possible. And they fig-
ure they’ve got the package to
force the issue.

’Many Protests’

Bishop Sheen, knowing of one
complaint from an Admiral distrib,
said, that after a leak about the
proposed cutback in affiliates,
there were many protests to Ad-
miral and prexy Ross Siragusa.

Slragusa, said Bishop Sheen,
was cognizant of the protests, and
that “he is too much of a business
man to lose all of the goodwill he’s
built up. I’m sure Admiral will go
on with 200 now,” the clergyman
said.

Rcpreienled by

M E E

K E

R

T

V , Inc.

NEW r O R K

CHICAGO

L C S

A N G E

L E S SAN c PANC : SCO

From the Production Centers

_ ■ • Continued from page 28

over the air by pilot Capt. Philip Blown of how his British plane
was shot down by the Chinese. Grim made a tapp recording of the
interview and put it on his 10:30 show the $ame night,' broadcast
signal caught by him traveled from Hong Kong .to TUonAeu.'tfie latter
a distance of 11,176 miles from here. One of Grim's jwfebfes ia tuning
in on the shortwave monitor ai)d this time it paid off,JSSTP*TV claim-
ing to be the nation’s only station to carry the actual atojpy from
Blown’s lips > ; . Dick Hance, KSTP-TV staffer, making * movie about
Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes for distribution to a dozen of tbte teade area’s
tv stations. Gene Ward, New York Daily News columnlBt, here. In con-
nection with project.

IN SA1S FRANCISCO . . .

Bob Fouts has been named sports director of KOVR-TV, Stockton,
which is scheduled to go on the air Sept, 6 . . . Coca-Cola has bought
Dottie Hansen’s “Hi-Time” on KGO-TV for 26 weeks this fall . . .
Ed Hewitt, formerly with MCA, has joined KGO-TV as a salesman . . .
Jack DiMello, former musical director for Del Courtney, now a sales-
man at KROW ... Wanda Ramey's sharp interview show dropped
Aug. 30 temporarily by KGO-TV and replaced by Ben Sweetland and
a how-to-win-success show , . . “Success Story” expanded to one hour
especially to cover the story of the San Francisco International Air-
port .’. . “Annie Oakley” switches from KPIX to KGO-TV on Aug. 30

. . Curtis Peck, KNBC chief engineer, transferred to Hollywood . , .
KQED, Bay Area educational tv station, doing a series of programs
on the IJ.N. . . . Bill Weaver's KCBS afternoon show ^devoting one day
a week to a salute to a California community,

IN PHILADELPHIA ...

Mary Wilson, WPTZ commentator, received $100 check for her stint
on an NBC colorcast depicting Philadelphia’s fire prevention program.
She sent the check to what she called the “real stars of the production,”
Firemen’s Relief Fund ... Radio station KYW has. nixed deejays
playing platters which plug brand name products . . . Topping the
list are the “Muriel” lilt and the Gillette Cavalcade of Sports march
. ... John “Chick” Kelly, press agent for WPTZ, staged special press
showing (11) of NBC’s colorcast of ground warfare from Ft, Meade,
Md. . . WIP, which has already lined up broadcasts of the Villanova

football games, has also arranged to pick up the. Notre Dame grid
schedule . . . Bill Givens, KYW disk jockey, was .cited by Veterans
Administration in recognition of “his outstanding work for hospitalized
war vets

IN CLEVELAND . . .

Bill Todd puppeteering ' on Glenn Rowell's Saturday xnamitjg WNBK
stanza ... Florence Roth hypoed TV Guide day at Ghipoewa Park
with score of broadcasting personalities including Maggie Widff, John
Fitzgerald, Kinky Dinks, Johnny Andrews, Gene CarroH, Jackie Lynn,
Woody Woodell, Kousin Kay & Coco . . . WJW’s Tom Cir— a -did two-
hour circus pickup . . . Norman Bergholm new WSRS executive direc-
tor . . . WEWS program exec Dave Baylor off on fishing trip . . . Gerald
G. Marans leaves WEWS to become production manager at KQED . . .
WGAR’s Ruth Allen nominated for Press Club Board . . . NBC flack
Bob Horan in West Virginia week-long hiatus . . . Joan Bendell named
WSRS flack . . . WDOK’s Tex and Glenn get added half-hour stint
at 7;30 p.m. ... Norman Wain from WNYC, disking at WDOK and
Walberg Brown, ex-NBC, spinning records on Candlelight hour . . .
Lloyd Yoder, NBC general manager, back from Coast hiatus.

Pabst’s 1 Big Fix Clips Package

^ 1 ^^— Continued from page 25

both sides are tQO obvious to let
this pass into limbo as a mere one-
shotter without a future.

A couple of opportunities are
apparently coming Up immediately.
The first will be on Sept. 1 . In
Philly when Kid Gavilan meets
Johnny Saxton, and three weeks
later (22) in Frisco with Jimmy
Carter going against Paddy De-
Marco. Both Coast cities will be
similarly blacked out in tv and
hence it will be interesting to see
what pictures showcased in the re-
spective towns will be made avail-
able for the parlor populace in the
highlight form.

Pabst had originally announced
“Caine Mutiny” (Col), “On the
Waterfront” (Col), “Living It Up”
(Par), “Rear Window” (Par) “Val-
ley of the Kings” (Metro) and
“Apache” (UA) as the bally en-
tries for “Bits.” “Valley” (Robert
Taylor, Eleanor Parker) was drop-
ped and two others substituted.
Warner’s “Duel in the Jungle”
(Dana Andrews, Jeanne Crain,
David Farrar) and UA’s “Man With
a Million” (Gregory Peck). There
were three vivid scenes from
“Caine” (Humphrey Bogart, Van
Johnson, Fred MacMurray), a crazy
bit from Martin & Lewis’ “Living’’
(with Janet Leigh), a solid three-
some from “Waterfront” (Marlon
Brando, Eva* Marie Sdlnt; Rod STeF
ger, Karl . Malden), a single from
Alfred Hitchock’s “Rear Window”
(James Stewart, Grace Kelly), Burt
Lancaster singlehandedly battling
the enemy in “Apache” (with Jean
Peters in a romantic insert), a
swiftie from “Duel in Jungle,” with
“Million” bringing up the rear for
a nifty finish,

Stanza ended just, past 11 from
Its regular 10 o’clock starj. Weak
link was" the between pic summary
of how the, fight was going, with
Dennis James as ringmaster. Either
his telephonic information was bad
or his ad libs were dropped on the
way to the studio because a fan
interested in the progress of the
fracas got a minimum of intelli-
gence. More important, he muffed

'identifying some theatres where
pix are playing. He carried on a
pair of Interviews, with Mona Free-
man up near the forepart and with
Miss Saint after the “Waterfront”
footage. The cameras played on the
Garden crowd after the tussle, both
competitors being shown right
after Moore’s TKO of Johnson in
the 14th round, for a meaty fillip
at the windup.

STARTING OCT. 2 *
TEXACO STAR THEATRE
SATURDAY NIGHT— N.I.C.
Mot.i William Morris Agoney

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W©dne»d*y, AngUl 1 %

IS

Your

Strike Hit Parade says:

//

while'

And presents a special summer service

During its 12 -week
hiatus Your Hit Parade
will list in this space
the seven top tunes from
Your Hit Parade Survey

i

Here are your Lucky 7 tunes that
you would have heard last Saturday
night, as determined by Your Hit
Parade Survey, which checks the
best sellers in sheet music and
phonograph records, the songs most
heard on the air and most played
on the automatic coin machines.

V

X 1

VI

m

\

l

N

c \ ^ *

R £ Y

Y B *

1. Hernando’s Hideaway

2. Hey, There

3. The Little Shoemaker

4. Little Things Mean a Lot

5. Three Coins in the Fountain

6. The High and the Mighty

7. Sh-Boom

~lhe HIT PARADf/fr

BE
HAPPy
GO
tUCK/

\24

A

Be sure to watch Your Hit Parade’s summer replacement

“PRIVATE SECRETARY ”*, .„„ 1N0 ANN

SOTHERN

Saturdays at 10:30 P.Me (N.Y.T.)
NBC Television Network

34

RADIO REVIEWS

PStKU&Ff

Wednesday, August 18, 1954

THE WORLD OE JAZZ

With John S. Wilson, George

Simon

Producers: Wilson, Simon
30 Mins*, Mon., 9:35 p.m.

COCA COLA
WQXR, from New York

(Hilton & Riggio)' ,

WQXR has finally let its long-
hair down. The predominately
classical New York indie has
latched on to a jazz series that
could hold on to its constant dial-
ers as well as bring in a flock of
new fans.

Series should be subtagged an
academic adventure into the world
of jazz. Fortunately producers
John S. Wilson (N.Y. Times jazz
critic) and George Simon (Metro-
home mag editor) didn’t let their
format fall into a pedogogic rut as
happens to most of the jazzophiles
when they start exploring and ex-
pounding on this American musi-
cal form. The introductory patter,
handled by Wilson, is bright and
breezy. He doesn’t get too pro-
found and yet he doesn’t talk down
to the listener. Simon, too, is
pleasant and informal with his per-
sonality yarns.

On the teeoff show Monday (16),
stanza was just a shapeup run.
Wilson showcased wax examples of
musical styles and performers to
be dwelled on at length on subse-
quent shows. Next Monday’s
course, for example, will be the
blues which only got a brief rep-
resentation on the opener via a
Bessie Smith waxing of “Nobody
Knows You When You’re Down
And Out.” The disk whetted the
appetite for more of the same and
if the boys dish it out properly,
they’ll have no trouble holding On
to the dialers for the rest of the
run.

There’s plenty of hot jazz wax
around now since most of the rec-
ord companies have been pouring
it out on the market so the pro-
ducers should have no trouble
making the series listenable as
well as informative. Gros.

OZARK JUBILEE

With Red Foley, Graty Martin’s

Crossroads Gang, guests
25 Mins.; Sat., 10:05 p.m,

ABC, from Springfield, Mo.

It’s doubtful whether there’s a
wide enough audience to warrant
a network spotting for this hill-
billy-styled show. Program is
strictly a hayseed production and
as such is completely limited in
appeal to those who favor yokel
humor and cornball song styling.
In addition, the drawling manner
in which the cast handled their
lines made for difficult understand-
ing on opener Aug. 7.

Airer stars Red Foley, whose ap-
pearance on radio’s “Grand Ole
Opry” and Capitol Records output
have established him as a leader
in the mountain music field. Singer
gave his usual alfalfa treatment to
several tunes, with guest songstress
Jean Sheppard also giving twangy
delivery to a couple of numbers.
Humor was strictly geared for hin-
terland consumption. Jess.

NALLE

at the

Piano * Organ * Celeste

I

REMEMBER

MAMA

DOCTOR SIX GUN
With Karl Weber. Bill Griffis,
others; , • ■■ '

Director; Fred Weihe
Writers: George Leffers, Ernest
Kinoy

30 Mins., Thurs., 8:30 p.m.

NBC, from New York
Science and morals in the old
west were the substance of the new
network arrival, "Doctor Six Gun,”
when heard (12). Writers sought
the current drarifatic upbeat on
realism but settled finally, for to-
day’s cliches. In a story in which
hero, Doctor Six Gun, succesfully
ends local intolerance there was a
superabundance of dramatic con-
trivances, like the doctor, after all
his years of purity, feigning suc-
cessfully a heart as black as those
of the hooded hoodlums he’s try-
ing to catch molesting “furriners.”

The NBC radio drama’s iim is at
the younger audience, judging by
the block its contained in— pre-
ceded >by Roy Rogers and followed
by “Scarlet Pimpernel,” but not
satisfied with the former’s simple
mechanical anachronisms, "Six
Gun” shot for some public issues
more evident today than yester-
year. Because the program didn’t
draw its realism from something
resembling ageless human frailty
but rather from the broad scope of
today’s events, it was more preachy
than action-filled or good. Rather
than depend on the Roy Rogers
tune-in factor, best NBC fc should
sharpen up the ‘Six Gun” format.
Acting by Karl Weber, as the hero,
and Bill Griffis as his gypsy cohort,
was appropriately broad. Art. .

HAPPINESS EXCHANGE ...

With “Big Joe” Rosenfeld
Producer-Director: Rosenfield
120 Mins., Mon.-thru-Sun., 12 Mid.
Participating
WMGM, New York

“Big Joe” Rosenfeld, expatriate
of New Orleans, has been bounc-
ing around New York radio with
his “Happiness Exchange” since
May, ’49, depending on audio ad-
dicts whose tastes are more maud-
lin than musical. Nasal and south-
ern-accented Rosenfeld nightly
runs three or four people in need
of assistance, mostly financial. Call-
ing them “cases” and borrowing
from John J. Anthony’s habit of
“no name; please,” the gabber has
each give an historical “hard sell.”
Afterward, emcee takes phone calls,
letters and studio gifts, in the form
(when heard) of $1, $2, $5 and $10
gifts to tide the needy oyer, amid
his “thank you, cousins” and “God
Bless You.” Rosenfeld professes
feeling that giving makes the giver
happy as well as the recipient — ■
hence the show title.

“Happiness Exchange,” despite
seeming here to be real small town
programming, apparently has
enough of a New York listenership
to get enough change to help his
less fortunate “cousins.” His fol-
lowing, judging from one-way
Ameche conversations, is strongly
behind him,

Rosenfeld himself has a quality
ranging from what seems genuine
warmth — he certainly demon-
strates a tremendous memory — to a
misplaced religioso flavor. Much
of his spiel, in segments heard,
drew a decidely so-what reaction
or just a hohum.

Type sponsors heard were most-
ly of mail order calibre on “Happi-
ness Exchange,” with Rosenfeld
delivering all the pitches in the
same way he discussed his needy
guests. Art.

* Radio Registry •

Wrigley Sticks

Chicago, Aug. 17.

Wrigley gum firm, which picked
up CBS’ “FBI In Peace and War”
for a six-week summer hitch, is
staying on into the regular season.
New pact starts tomorrow night
(Wed.).

Arthur Meyerhoff agency han-
dles the billings:

FALLING HAIR CAN BE STOPPED

The new .book just published by
Lanole Products titled “SCALP HEALTH
AND HYGIENE" and' released through
the Lanole Scalp Clinic reveals a
startling new concept in the scalp
structure and hair growth. It takes,
you behind the scene of ten full years
of research into, the scalp structure,
its chemistry and its function. It ex-
amines the causes of scalp failure
(bpldness), scalp itch, dandruff and
many other scalp conditions. "W*
must understand the causes of scalp
disorders," declares A. P. Abbey,
noted trichologist, "if we ever hope
to correct these conditions and pro-
vent the tragedy of baldness." This
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gan-part of the human body and not
as a vegetable garden or lawn.
There is no hair seed; no scalp fer-
tilizer.

It teaches a new and revolutionary
method in scalp hygiene, how to pre-
vent scalp failure and baldness. Learn
the truth about hair oils, Water, mas-
saging and brushing. This book com-
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about guarantees, growing new hair
in 30 days and other confusing and '
misleading advertising.

Write for your free booklet to the

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THE AMERICAN STORY
With John Facenda
Producer-Directors; Fred Karcb,

Mary Margaret Kearney
30 Mins., Sun. 10 p.m.

WCAU, Philadelphia

New series presented by the
American Historical Society and
Broadcast Music, Inc., is meatier

than most dog days’ fare. Segment
shapes up as a timely stressing
of the country’s founders* parties
larly the ones responsible for our
liberal tradition. The material is
selected by history professors,
recognized authorities in their
field, and has been adapted for
radio by Sidney T. Loupas.

Format couples a narrator and
sketches, the whole primed with
music of the period and setting.
This session (15) was devoted to
Roger Williams, founder of Rhode
island. Instead 'of straight narra-
tion, John Facenda brought out
biography of the colonist by queries
directed at Williams’ associates, to
unearth pertinent early facts.

Beginning, with the frivolous
reign of James II and running
through the Pequot Indian Wars,
the script covered a lot of ground
but proved fast and informative
as it related the trials of Williams
in colonizing Rhode Island, a dem-
ocratic corner in Colonial America
where liberty of conscience was
guaranteed in the patent rights.

With the avowed purposes of in-
stilling a better knowledge Of the
nation’s past, the finale seemed a
little abrupt as it launched into
a hat-passing pitch “Send $1 to
Box 1776. Strike a blow for Free-
dom.” Money will be used to help
restore Washington Square in
Philadelphia. Facenda’s distinctive
voice is a major asset. Music is
too insistent at times, particularly
in the bridges. Gagh.

ADVENTURES OF SCARLET

PIMPERNEL

With Marius Goring, others
Producer: Harry Alan Towers
30 Mins., Thur., 9 p.m.

NBC, from New York (transcribed)

On the NBC Radio network for
a month, the British-made "Adven-
tures of the Scarlet Pimpernel”
rounds out what seems a juve block
on Thursday nights. Being British,
stanza heard (12) was a bit too
talky to fit highest standards of
derring-do. There was, however, a
flippancy in the person of the
Pimpernel’s . portrayer, Marius
Goring, that lent itself well to the
kind of things the swordsman
should have done to extricate the
beautiful maiden and her demented
but brilliant father from the
clutches of the butcherous French
revolutionists.

The Pimpernel, after a too long
discourse with the maiden over
the state of her father, rescues
him, in all too brief a scene for
suspense, from a prison. The rest
of the show, some 20 minutes, is
used mostly to keep the vengeful
old man from spreading bubonic
Plague throughout the Continent,
Show hit broadly at both and
adults and juves, being as it was
in the time during the summer
which belongs to both age orders.
IL didn’t however, have enough to
fully satisfy either. Art.

j

hside Stuff— Radio-TV

There seems to be a mistaken notion among some tv critics that
comic Gene Sheldon* who’s been appearing on Colgate’s NBC-TV
“Summer Comedy Hour,” is deliberately appropriating old vaude rou-
tines for his stint on that show. Sheldon has been doin$ takeoffs on
Charles Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harry Langdon, eti al., for a num-
ber of years. Although he broke into show biz about 30 years ago and
was popular in and around Columbus, O., in that era, Variety finally
caught up with him for its New Act files in 1930* when he appeared
at the Strand, N. Y., in his, panto-guitar act Reviewer Abel made a
number of favorable observations, noting particularly his Buster Keaton
impression and instrumental work,

Television is sometimes credited with more than it deserves. Case
in point is that of young John Stix, a director who* to go by the cur-
rent ballyhoo, came into prominence with a couple of playlets (includ-
ing “The Duchess and the Smugs”) on the CBS-TV "Omnibus” last
season: On those clicks, it’s claimed in his behalf that he snared
“one of the theatrical plums of the year,” directing Helen Hayes in
“What Every Woman Knows,” Which will open in L. A. and then go to
Frisco, with a national tour in prospect. Although Stix has had limited
legit credits, such as “Take a Giant Step” (on Broadway) and “The
Father” (off it), Miss Hayes knew his Work intimately since he staged
her 1951 production of “Mary Rose” for ANTA. Thus Stix was a known
quantity to the actress before his “Omnibus” deliveries.

Gene Von Hollberg, third veep of the American Society of Music
Arrangers* in reaction to Variety’s stbry last issue on the predicament
of the arranger in television (as against his former prosperity in radio)
points out that ASNA«is under the wing of the American Federation
of Musicians, or more exactly Local 802, whereas the recently organized
Composers Guild of which Leith Stevens is president, is entirely
separate. The latter is an attempt to forge a new concept of re-use
fees, via ultimate labor union negotiations, covering music written for
mood, dramatic, narrative and similar purposes,,

Some 50,000 mothers* arid children from 45 Alabama counties and
four states were lured to the Alabama State Fairgrounds for the
“Mom’s Day Out” stunt promoted by WAPI, WAFM and WABtf, with
the Birmingham News and Birmingham Post-Herald, owners of the sta-
tions, as co-sponsors. There were four grandstand shows on the cuff
featuring station personalities with - “Miss Alabama” as co-femcee.
Prizes for fetters on “My Mom Is the Best” were given out hourly.
The Fair Assn, reduced rides to a nickel on a coupon tieup. Event was
such a click that Henry P, Johnston, prexy of the NBC. affiliates, plans
to put it on annually.

Arthur Hanna, staffer of the American Theatre Wing and a radio
soap opera . director, is currently in England studying British radio
and tv methods. He’s there as a guest of British Broadcasting Corp,
Among Hanna’s serials are “Our Gal Sunday,” “This Is Nora Drake”
and “Right to Happiness.”

How many radio stanzas have been going for a quarter of a century?
CBS’ “Let’s Pretend” will enter the circle this Saturday (21) with
"The Dun Horse,” an American Indian legend. Two members of the
company founded by the late Nila Mack in 1930 (who was succeeded
by Jean Hight as director) are still with it. Maurice Brown, now
conducting the string ensemble and the show’s composer, played cello
in the initial airing. Gwen Davies was a moppet performer who gradu-
ated to emcee and star actress!.

Radio Followup

Quite a commercial for the new
Bing Crosby 20th anniversary Decca
album (4!fc hours of The Groaner’s
cavalcade, to be retailed at $27.50,
truly a kingsize anthology) as
Johnny Mercer emceed the pro-
ceedmgs Sunday (15) night over
CBS.

Crosby’s first solo opportunity with
Paul Whiteman in 1926 (“Muddy
Waters”); his acknowledgement to
Hoagy Carmichael for his (Cros-
by s) alltime favorite, “Stardust”;
and thence into “Sweet Leilani,”
S™!! Fry ” “Road to Morocco,”
White Christmas” (trailer for the
upcoming Paramount filmusical,
with an October release men-
tioned), were a kaleidoscophic re-
prise. Crosby mentioned Berlin.
Burke & Van Heusen, Mercer,
Satchmo, Hope, Barry Fitzgerald,
Donald O Connor among other
credits; saluted “the many, he has
worked with on wax” over the
years. It was all part of the pat-
tern of “the most heard voice in
the world.” Abel.

GF'S -B'FAST CLUB' BUY

General Foods ‘ has bought six
quarter-hours of ABC Radio’s
Breakfast Club” for. a special
hypo for Jell-0 Instant Pudding at
the end of September; GF will
sponsor the Monday, Wednesday
and Friday 9 a.m. segments of the
show in the two-week period start-
ing Sept. 20.

Young & Rubicam agented the
deal.

As of July 1 the nation’s telesets stood at 30,717,000, according to
NBC’s Hugh M. Beville Jr.* research and planning director. ..June’s
contribution to the viewing pot was 306,000 receivers, 80,000 or 35\o
above that of June of ’53.

* 1 — : — ► ■ <■ " —

WALLY PARR SHOW
With Louis Candy, Ted Bryant
120 Mins.; Sat., 2 p.m.
Participating
KITE, San Antonio

Being blind makes no difference
to Wally Parr who is billed as San
Antonio’s “only blind disk jockey.”
Show, is being aired for two hours
each Saturday afternoon. First
hour is devoted to “Today’s Hits”
and brings the top tunes of the
day with a few of the new tunes
just received in the station's
library. The second hour is devoted
to “The Crooner Club” and pre
sents Bing Crosby and other vocal-
ists.

Despite his handicap, Parr has
a wide knowledge of music, and
the various recording artists of the
day. His line of breezy chatter
keeps the show moving along at a
fast pace. His anecdotes are in
good taste and now and then to
give a change of pace he uses
several voice changes to good
effect.

Several segments of the two-
hour show are sold and Parr reads
the commercials in fine style.
These are previously sent to him
and transposed by him into braille
which he reads as^ well as the
ordinary disk jockey with sight.
His sense of timing is also perfect
using a special open face clock in
the studio to time himself.

Program contains newscasts
each hour and half hour ably
read fay Ted Bryant. Spinning the
records for Parr is Louis Candy
who operates in the control room
and ably produces tile show.

All in all pleasant listening on a
Saturday afternoon. Andy.

Below-Border Tint

Mexico City, Aug. 17.
First color program aired in
Mexico was telecast yesterday
(Mon.) via XHTV here. Station-
aired the color prints on two “Fav-
orite Story” episodes.

Color presentation came off the
same day that the Ziv vidpix series
.made its tint bow in* the U.»S via
a WNBT. N. Y„ color showcasing! :

Eijeen BARTON

LATEST CORAL RELEASE

SWAY

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Wednesday, Avgust 18, 1954

Television Chatter

•-

New York

Mike Foster, CBS-TV press Info
chief, vacationing on Nantucket . , .
WNBT's Toni Southern and emcee
Allen Ludden pairing, for Aug. 30
nreem of “Sentimental You” . . .
Virginia Vincent supporting Paul
Stewart in Flamingo Films' “Top
Secret" shooting at Parsonnet Stu-
dios . . . Herb Sheldon airing first
reeularly skedded space weather
forecasts on his WNBT. “Saturday"
stanza . . . WCBS-TV “filmflammer"
Glenn Hasselrooth vacationing at
Vineyard Haven, Martha’s Vine-
yard ... Dick Ward, tv production
head of Raymond Spector, back
from a biz (“This Is Your Life")
and vacation trip to the. Coast . . .
Robert Dale Martin, CBS-TV asso-
ciate casting director, back from
vacation . . . Joe Silver, ex-Red
Buttons, getting feature billing in
“Walk Tall,” the Paul Hartman re-
vue now in tryout. He’s in half a
dozen numbers , . . Harry Sosnik
signed to baton the music for
Janet Blair • in her drama and
th rushing stint* on Armstrong’s
“Circle Theatre” Aug. 31 opener
. . . CBS-TV slots Whitney Museum
and Museum of Modem Art Satur-
day specials, Oct. 9 and 16, respec-
tively, at 6;3Q p.m. ... CBS-TV
cocktailed Joan Caulfield (“My
Favorite Husband") last night
(Tues.) at Hampshire House . . .
Sam Levenson, after his Las Vegas
date, joined family at White Lake,
N.'Y.

On the 1.7th floor of CBS: Nancy
Cammarota, “Person to Person"
administrative asst., back from
three-week honeymoon at Lake
Placid, N. Y., with Daniel Salmon.
Franklin Schaffner, director of
“Studio One" and “P to P," spend-
ing summer in Spain with spouse
. . . Rebc Holder, Ed Murrow’s new
secr'y, on ABC-TV’s “Who’s the
Boss” last Friday (13). Dorothy
McDonough, Murrow’s Gal Friday
for seven years, off for a long
European vacation. Murrow and
family off last week to the Bar-
bados.

Back from the Coast where he
did “Battle Taxi’* pic, actor. Jay
Barney was promptly booked for a
role on DuMont’s “The Stranger”
this Friday (20) which he’s re-
hearsing after his 8:30 to 5:30 ac-
tive duty stint with the Signal
Corps Photographic Center where
Lt. Col. Albert McCleery (“Hall of
Fame”) is conducting tv seminar
for Army personnel.

Bob Drew on NBC-TV “Fron-
tiers of Faith" next Sunday (22) ...
Hermione Gingold, of recently
closed “Almanac” on B’way, on
panel of CBS-TV’s “What’s In a
Word”’ tomorrow (Thurs.) as. one-
shot sub for 'Faye Emerson who’s
to appear in Newport, R.I., in her
new play, “The Lady Chooses." . .
Peter Fernandez and wife Marian
Russell flown, .back from. .Bermuda
where they had appeared as Mr.
&, Mrs fishing team in fourth epi-
sode of “Charter . Boat” series be-
ing filmed on Darrell’s Island by
Atlantic Productions. Miss Russell
goes into “Telltale Clue” on CBS
tomorrow (Thurs.) and, Fernandez
begins running role on CBS Ra-
dio's “Aunt Jenny." . . . Milton
Kraemer tapped for WNBC-WNBT
ad and promotion dept.

Chicago

Don Gallagher commuting be-
tween Chi and New York for film
assignments at both centres . . •
WNBQ’s Thursday night paneler
“It’s A Curious Thing," hosted by
Don Herbert, checks off next week
to make room for NBC-TV’s Lux
drama .hour . .. . Bob Atcher
launches a new Saturday morning
half-hour on WGN-TV Sept. 18 for
the Toy Guidance Council . . . Jim
Troy, Chi NBC-TV unit manager,
vacationing in Colorado . . , WICS,
Springfield UHF’er, remoting four
hours of programming daily from
the Illinois State Fair this week
. Singer-actress Etta Moten
joins Wed Howard’s “Melody Mag-
azine” daytime deejay strip on
W.NBQ . , . standard Oil of Indiana
wul again bankroll the Monday
night “Chicago Bears Quarterback
Club” via WGN-TV . . . Dor* Clark
doubling from the “Wonderful
Town” legiter cast into NBC-TV’s

A Time to Live" soaper . . . Pure
Oj spotting “Badge 714” on WGN-
■( V in October . . . McLauglin’s
Manor House Coffee taking over
Clint Youle’s 6 p.m. WNBQ weather
snows on Tuesdays and Thursdays,
Pius a weekly package of seven
station breaks.

Ottawa — Carl F. McCaull, former
xTin J* nnouncer in the Maritimes
Canadian Broadcasting Corp.,
fl™ name d program director
n ?, 1 1 s hew Halifax television

l Jlet, CBHT, scheduled -for • late
autumn opening.* *

‘Biggest Bus in World’
Rides Steve Allen Show
As 1-Shot Commercial

Greyhound Lines picked up the
tab for last night’s (Tues.) Steve
Allen show on WNBT, N. Y., in a
special stunt for the bus outfit.
Greyhound's Scenicruiser, billed as
“the biggest bus in the world," was
parked outside the show’s usual
origination point, the Hudson Thea-
tre on 44th St., where the public
got a preview as the stanza un-
folded inside, outside and atop
the vehicle.

Allen’s audience were passengers
aboard the bus with production
numbers built around it, one of
them being Eydie Gorme and Steve
Lawrepce duetting atop the
Scenicruiser in “Love on a Grey-
hound Bus." Allen conducted a
tour of the double-decker, inter-
viewing passengers and driver,
with Greyhound v-P*. and general
manager John P. Hightower as
guest.

Pre-midnight show came under
the aegis of BilL Berns, special
events director of WNBC-WNBT,
the NBC o&o’s in Gotham.

Albany — John D’Auitolo, former
account exec with O. L. Taylor Co.
and ex-member of the WCBS, New
York, sales department, has been
appointed national sales manager
of WTRI-TV.

'IXTllxW

RADIO-TELEVISION

Cincinnati, Aug. 17. . 120,000,000 Telephone Entry Blanks

rosley talent staff has Wn * -V . ,

As Bra Buildup for Stop Music

Cincinnati, Aug. 17. .

Crosley talent staff has fcepn
bolstered by additions of Billy Lee
Holmes and his wife, the former
Phyllis Brown, “The Melody Mr.
and Mrs." from WLS, Chicago, for
the Midwestern Hayride radio and
tv shows.

Other newcomers are Jim Fidler,
the radio and tv weatherman, and
Kenny Price and Glenn , Scott;
instrumentalists, for the Midwest-
ern show, and Pete Conn, guitariist,
from Chicago, for Bill Bailey’s
show on WLW-D, Dayton; O.

Calif. Radio Outlets

Form Regional Web

Five California radio stations
have banded together to form a
regional net which will offer na-
tional spot advertisers combined,
facilities of all five or any combina-
tion of three at uniform rates with
discounts of up to 20%, Formation
of the web, which is named the
California Valley Group, was an-,
nounced last week by Avery-Kno-
del, which is the station rep for all
five outlets.

Stations involved are KFRE,
Fresno; KERO, Bakersfield; KHSL,
Chico; KROY, Sacramento and
KVCV, Redding. All are CBS af-
filiates with the exception of
KERO, an NBC outlet. Of the
five, one, KFRE, is a 50,000-watter.

One of the biggest advertising-
merchandising campaigns ever to
accompany a network tv entry is
currently being prepared by Ex-
quisite Form Brassieres, which will
sponsor “Stop the Music" on alter-
nate weeks on ABC-TV starting iri
September. Firm has already set
aside $700,000 in ad coin, thi^sum
to be matched by participating re-
tail stores, and has printed 20,000,-
000 telephone entry blanks for the

quizzer, with orders for more com-
ing in from the stores.

Back of the campaign— and back
of the acquisition of “Stop the
Music" as a vehicle for Exquisite
Form’s first tele venture— is a “get

’em into the stores" campaign, to
revolve about the telephone fea-
ture of the quizzer. If a viewer
wants to be called on the phone,
she (or he) has to go down to the
local retail store for an entry
blank. And the stores have moved
behind the campaign to the point
where they’re now clamoring for
more blanks.

So great has been the demand
for the latter, that Exquisite Form

has set up a deal for stores to buy
additional blanks at cost— $10 for
20,000 blanks. Some 2,000,000 more
blanks have already been ordered
via this method, bringing the total
to 22,000,000. Such outlets as
Macy’s, N. Y.; Hecht’s, Washington
and the White House in San Fran-
cisco have told Exquisite Form
they can get rid of 50,000 blanks a
day.

Ad campaign, which will amount
to $ 1 ,400,000 on a co-op basis, will
kick off the first week in Septem-
ber, plugging both the show and
the fact that viewers must come
to the stores for their contest
blanks; Additionally, ABC, in line
with its projected fall ad campaign,
will run additional copy plugging
the show, And accompanying all
this will be point-of-sale displays
and other promotional material.

While format of the program has
been altered to include studio con-
testants, the telephone feature will
still be the mainstay of the quiz-
zer, since it’s the gimmick around
which the entire campaign is
wrapped. Each studio contestant
will compete against a telephone
contestants thus maintaining the
number of home winners at a high
level.

C

l

.'.v.'.v.v.v.v.'iv.v.v.w. .V . .V.WV.V.V. 1 . ••■**.

The. x American Stores

''''

.'.V.V.V.V.V.W V.* • • V.- w.-.-.- V.\ ,*.V, .'.‘.V. •. •

Company, one of the
forges! food chains in
the ..nation,, operate the
Acme Super Markets*^
with 13 2 outlets i n
northern New Jersey
and Staten Island.

TWELVE WEEKS AGO
Acme added the Look
Photoquiz, with Paul
Brenner — five quarter
hours per week.

Do YOU have a sales problem

h a n n • I

waiv

covering metropolita n he w york-new |ersey

TELEVISION CENTER , NEWARK 1, NEW JERSEY

• I PRESENT SO IV WHO It'll VI SI ON CO*f„

iMnatfay^Avgn 18^1954

mighty moving

experience

Wt*dm*dny» Apgn»t

n

Speaking of moving ... the big surge, the big shift is to NBC radio . . . where
listeners are moved to laugh, to cry, to buy. Programs and sponsors are switching. More and more
listeners are switching. It’s all part of the new excitement on NBC this’ Fall !

Take Tuesday night . . . a great new day for radio. Two long-famous shows. Lux Radio Theatre and
People Are Funny, are moving to NBC and bringing their fans with them. Other programs have
been juxtaposed . . . to make Tuesday night one solid can’t-leave-it-for-a-minute mass of entertainment.

Side by side, the seven programs below, guarantee audiences in the millions at a cost in
pennies, for every Tuesday night advertiser. If you move fast, there are still one or two opportunities
for you to join this great NBC evening. We suggest that you call your NBC representative now.

No wonder the big Tuesday night shift is to

Radio

d service of Radio Corporation of America

X

m

I

•Sponsored on other night* by The Gillette Co.; The Toni Co. Diviaion. endRsdio Corporation^

' 'Sponsored Tuesday* end other night* by pradenti*! Insurance Co.of Ai mric*. Itoidio Corporation o t America,
Lowia-Howe Company, Carter Producta Inc., Liggett & My«n Tobacco Co. Inc*

VARIETY’S weekly chart of city-by-city ratings of syndicated and na-
tional spot film covers 40 to 60 cities reported ly American Research Bureau
on a monthly basis . Cities will be rotated each week, with the 10^ top-rated
film shows listed in each case, and their competition shoWn opposite . All

ratings are furnished by ARB, based on the latest reports •

This VARIETY chart represents a gathering of all pertinent informa-
tion about film in each market, which can be used by distributors, agencies,
stations and clients as an aid in determining the effectiveness of a filmed
show in the specific market . Attention should be paid to time — day and

time factors, since sets-in-use and audience composition vary according to
time slot, he., a Saturday afternoon children's show, ioitha tow 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 market • Abbre-
viations and symbols are as follows* (Adv*), adventure; (Ch), childrens;
(Co ), comedy ; (Dr), drama; (Doc), documentary ; (Mus), musical;
(Myst), mystery ; (Q), quit; (Sp), sports; (W), western; (Worn),
women's* ” Numbered symbols next to Motion call letters represent the sta-
tion's channel ; all channels above 13 are VHF * Those ad agencies listed as
distributors rep the national spot sponsor for whom the film is aired.

TOP 10 PROGRAMS

AND TYPE STATION DISTRII,

DAY AND JULY SHARE USE I TOP COMPETING PROGRAM

TIME RATING C%> SETS IN I PROGRAM STA. RATING

CHICAGO

Approx. Set Count—

-1,800,000

Stations —

-WBBM (2)

, WNBQ (5), WBKB (7), WGN (9)

1. Drewry’s TV Playhouse (Dr).

WNBQ.

.Ziv,

Wed. 9:30-10:00 ...

. . .23.6

.. .. 36

65.9

Liberace ...........

.WGN- ;

. . . . .20.5

2 1 T.ed Three Lives (Dr)

WON

7iw

Tues 9*30-10*00 . . .

. . i 20.8

38.....

54.6

Name’s the Same . . .......

WBKB

16.3

3. I.ihemee (Mus)

WON „ ... .

Guild

Wed 9*30-10:00 . . .

20.5.

32

65.9

Drewry’s TV Playhouse. .

WNBQ

... . ..23.6

4. Life of Riley (Com). . .

WBKB .

:NBC.....

. Tues. 10:00-10:30 . .

. . .19.8 . . . .

.... 40

50.1

Weatherman; D. Connors.

WNBQ

, . . .. .19.6

Four Leaf Clover Theatre WGN .

12.5

5. Badge 714 (Myst)

. WGN

.NBC

. Tues. 8:00-8:30

. . . 19.6

.... 38....... ■«.

51.8

Make Room for Daddy

WBKB

.13.6

6. Mr. District Attorney (Adv). .

WBKB

.Ziv

Fri. 9:30-10:00

...18.6.....

.... 49

38.3

It’s News to Me

. WBBM

.... . .10.4

7. Inner Sanctum (Myst)

WNBQ

NBC.

. Sat. 10:00-10:30 . . .

. . . .16.3. . . . .

. . . . 39 .

42.4

Wrestling

WGN .

: 10.2

8. Waterfront (Adv) ...........

WBKB .......

.UTP

. Thurs. 10:00-10:30.

14.8

38

39.2

Weatherman; D. Connors,

WNBQ

17.5

News — J. AngelL . . ....

WNBQ

7.9

9. The Visitor (Dr)

WBKB

,NBC

. Tues. 10:30-11:00. .

... 12.9

40

32.5

Four Leaf Clover Theatre.

WGN . .

...... 12.7

10. Boston Blackie (Myst)

.WGN

.Ziv. :

Thurs. 9:30-10:00. . .

..... 12.9 ....

.... 25

51.7

Place the Face

. WBBM

25.0

PHILADELPHIA Approx. Set Count- — 1,600,000 Stations — WPTZ (3), WFIL (6), WCAU (10)

1. Mr. District Attorney (Adv)

. .WPTZ . . .

Ziv

. Tues. 10:30-11:00. ... . .

.14.6 . .

...... 37 . ; . . .

. . 39.2

Stage “S”

WFIL ...

.. .18,

2. Superman (Adv)

..WCAU. . .'. .

.... .Flamingo. . .

Mon. 7:00-7:30

. .13.8. . .

51

. . . 24.6

Dangerous Assignment. .

WFIL ...

... 8.

3. Boston Blackie (Myst)

..WCAU

Ziv.

. Thurs. 7:00-7:30

. .13.8 . .

72,...

. . . 19.3

Hopalong Cassidy ....

. WFIL ...

... 3.

4. Badge 714 (Myst).

. WCAU

NBC

Fri. 7:0(1-7:30.

..13.8 ..

72

... 19.2

Captured *. , . .

WEIL . . .

... 3.:

5. Victory at Sea (Docum)....

. .WFIL. ......

NBC

. Tues. 7:00-7:30

. . 12.3 . . .

57....;

... 21.5

Big idea

WCAU ..

;.. 7.

6 . I Am the Law (Myst)

. WFIL

.... MCA

Wed. 7:00-7:30. ......

. .11.5 . . .

45

... 25.4

Cisco Kid

.WCAU ..

. . . 10.1

7. Foreign Intrigue (Dr)

..WCAU

.... .Sheldon Reynolds

Sat. 7:00-7:30

.. .11.2. . .

81...,.

13.9

Story Theatre

.WPTZ ...

... 1,

8 . Life With Elizabeth (Com) . . .

. WFIL. . . . . .

. . . . .Guild

. Fri. 10:30-11:00

. .10.8. . .

...... 32

... 33.2

It’s News to Me

. WCAU ..

. . .16.1

9. Cisco Kid (W)

. WCAU. ... .

Ziv,

Wed. 7:00-7:30. ;

, . .10.0. ; .

39

.... 25,4

I Am the Law.

.WFIL ...

. . .11.!

10. Death Valley Days (W)

. .WCAU

.... McCann-Erickson

Thurs. 10:30-11:00. . . .

. . . 9.2 . .

27 .... .

. . . 34.1

Mystery Hour !.....;

WPTZ . . .

...16.'

CLEVELAND

Approx. Set Count — 1,100,000

Stations— WmK (3), WEWS (5), WXEL (8)

1. Foreign Intrigue (Dr). . ..... .WEWS.

2. Liberace (Mus) WEWS.

3. City Detective (Myst). WNBK.

5 Annie Oak’ey (W) WNBK

6. Death Valley Days (W) WEWS

7. Wild Bill Hickok (W) WNBK

8. Mr. District Attorney (Adv) . . WEWS .

9. Cisco Kid (W) . .WNBK.

10. Favorite Story (Dr) WNBK

Sheldon Reynolds

Sun. 10:00-10:30.....

. . .27.7

... 46

Guild

. Wed. 9:00-9:30

. . .'27.7

... 44

MCA

Wed. 10:30-11:00...

. . . 24.6

... 48

Ziv

. Fri. 10:30-11:00

. . .24.3 . . . .

... 40

CBS

Sat. 6:30-7:00

. . .17.0: ....

... 80

McCann-Erickson

m h urs. 10:30-11:00 . ..

. ,16.8 ....

... 38

Flamingo ....

?d. 6:00-6:30. .....

. . .16.1

... 85

Ziv

Jt. 7:30-8:00

. , .15.1

... 76

Ziv

Sat. 6:00-6:30

. . .14.7-

... 74

Ziv

thurs. 10:30-11:00. . .

. . . 14.4

... 33

Bouts; Sport Spot WEWS ..... 15.6

60.7 Baseball WXEL . 35.4

21.2 Film Shorts WEWS 3.3

44.3 Favorite Story..., WNBK 14.4

19.9 Polka Time WEWS

SAN FRANCISCO

Approx. Set Count — 820,000

2. Boston Blackie (Myst).

4. Lone Wolf (Dr) KRON.

5. I Led Three Lives (Dr) , . KRON

I Am the Law (Myst). . . ... . . KGO.

8. Life of Riley (Com) KGO.

9. Range Rider (W) :...... KPIX

10. Superman (Adv) .KGO .

SALT LAKE CITY

Approx. Set Count— 150,

. .KTVT

. Thurs 8.30-9:00

. KTVT

.... Ziv

. Sat. 9:00-9:30

.KTVT. . . .

.... McCann-Erickson

Mon. 9:30-10.00

KTVT

. . . .NBC

Tues. 9:30-10:00

• KSL

ABC..

. Tues 9*30-1 f)>nn

KTVT. ....

....UTP...........

Thurs Q*oo_Q.Qn

.KSL.

Ziv

W«i1 O-AA ft.OA

.KSL

. . if cu« ViUlru^Ov

• KSL

CBS. .

• r n. o!UU a o!oO ....

. Sun. 7:09-7:30

. KSL .

• Fri. 5:30-6:00

Stations — KRON (4), KPIX (5), KGO (7)

. . . NBC

. . Wed. 9:00-9:30 . ....

. 30.2.

4fi

. . Ziv.

. . Tues. 8:30-9:00 . . . .

. .27.4. .

49

... .Guild

• Sun. 9:30-10:00 . . . .

24.0. .

47

. . .UTP

..Fri. 8:30-9:00......

. .22.2. .

48

. . ,Ziv

. . Mon. 10:30-11*00

22 0

P9

. . . MCA

. . . Mon. 8:00-8:30

. .20.9 .

3ft

. . .UTP.

. . Sun. 10:00-10:30 ....

19 5

i ?*5

... NBC

. . Mon. 7:30-8:00,

. .19,2. .

. . ... 40

. .. CBS

. . .Tues. 7:00-7:30

. .18.9. .

. . . Flamingo.

. .Wed. 6:30-7:00. .

186.

57

Stations — K.TVT (4), KSL (5)

Wednesday, August 18, 1954

TV’S BEST

TV~FIU»fS

PIX

Pendulum on rerun acceptance by stations now appears to swing-
ing the. other way, with tjie stations themselves out pitching reruns
to prospective sponsors in their areas. Latest example of this is
a pitch by KPTV in Portland, Ore., the NBC UHF affiliate there,
and incidentally, the first UHF station to hit the air.

Station, in its promotional newsletter sent to advertisers in the
Pacific Northwest, pushes reruns in a lead article which stresses
the fact that set circulation has increased since many films were
first carried in Portland. Article maintains that even if a film show
got a 30 rating its first time’ around, the rerun has a potential
viewing audience of 85,2% in Portland,

Outlet figures that thetre are 70%. of the market's tv homes
that missed the show the first time around. Added to that is an
additional 5% of new tv homes since the first showing. And finally,
it quotes Nielsen as saying that 34% of people who saw the first
run watch the rerun, This 34% of the original 30% who watched
the first showing comes to 10.2%, giving the final total of 82.5%
potential viewing audience.

Statement concludes with the observation that “reruns have
the advantage of haying already proven popularity” and advises
rerun sponsorship on the basis that "rerun features make pos-
sible top quality at low prices," ‘

A new wrinkle in telefilm adver-4-

Using, with "the' product as the
star,” has been worked out by
Product Services Inc., the four-
year-old N. Y, agency which in that
period has achieved an annual
billings figure of over $3,000,000
with 80% of it in television. Agen-
cy has been producing 10- and 15-
minute film series for its clients
which in their entirety are insti-
tutional commercials and yet by
virtue of their “educational” and
“instructional” nature have been
accepted by station program con-
tinuity departments. Agency has
been spot-booking them all over
the country.

Example is the series the agency
made for Koto-Broil, comprising
at first 26 kinnies of live broad-
casts made in N. Y. and. later 39
quarter-hours especially made for
the purpose. Films actually are a
pitch for rotisseries, with the
Roto-Broil prominently featured
throughout the film. But Lester
Morris, who emcees, does an ama-
teur cooking segment giving rec-
ipes and tips on rotisserie cooking,
and only . about three minutes are
actually devoted to pitching the
Roto-Broil per se.

A second series Product Serv-
ices shot was for Sona, a new cos-
metic product, in which femcee
Jeanette Evans does eight minutes
of beauty tips and information and
two minutes plugging the product.
Currently being booked is. another
(Continued on page 44)

70 for 'Corliss’

Number of multi-market sales
has brought the total markets
sold by Ziv on its upcoming “Cor-
liss Archer” series to 70, according
to sales v.p. M. J. Rifkin. Series
was sold to Nash Coffee for two
S. Dakota markets, Oscar Mayer
Meat Packers for two Iowa: outlets
and Kroger’s Stores in Cincinnati
and Peoria.

Additionally, Safeway Stores has
bought the series in Washington
and Harrisburg, Va., and Peter
Hand Brewing has picked it up for
Chicago. Series has a September
air date.

United Television Programs has
set something of a record for tele-
film saturation in New York — the
firm has no less than 11 series
currently running on five of
Gotham’s seven outlets. This rep-
resents all but two of the distrib’s
current catalog of 13, and of these
two, one has already played the
Gotham circuit while another, the
now Ken Murray series, hasn’t hit
the air yet.

. Series on the air are "Look
Photoquiz” (WATV), “Gospel
Singer” (WPIX), “The Buggies”
■ TV), "Rocky. Jones”
(WNBT) and "Waterfront,” "Holly-
wood Offbeat,’’ “Royal Playhouse,”
Counterpoint” and “Heart of the
«.o- ” and “City Assignment” (both
Rig Town” reruns) all of whii&h
on WABD. In addition, “Lone
wolf” is set to start on WNBT in
September.

Of these, about half are reruns.
Resides the “Big Town” replays,
there s “Hollywood Offbeat,” the
* •■films of which are on their
fourth or fifth time around; “Royal
i layhouse,” which are the 1950
_ r ireside Theatre”; and “Counter-
Pomt, which was made in 1950.
cals were all set over the past

rl months b y UTP-Gross-Krasne
^otnam veep Aaron Beckwith.

Madison, Wis., Aug. 17.

Lee-International TV Network
headquartered here which for the
past several months has been pitch-
ing for affiliates to its 'proposed
all-film non-interconnected hookup
announced last week it would
launch its first programs Sept. 26.
L-I prexy R. . L. Kulzick said
“sufficient affiliates” have been
signed to start the operation which
will involve the production and
sale of up to three hours of film
programming daily.

When queried for further details,
Kulzick said the number and
names of the affiliates will, he
released next week, but that “se-
curity of information” reasons
prevent his giving them out at
this time. He also refused to give
any details on the type of programs
or talent except that the shows will
be- comprised of five and 10-minute
units and that “a lot of top names
are available.” He said the shows
will be lensed by various studios
around the country with each
affiliate receiving a print for si-
multaneous release.

No production is. under way
presently but talent and technical
auditions are slated for this week-
end. He said the network will have
its “own affiliated talent manage-
ment agency” which will book the
performers to "40 weeks of per-
sonal appearances at leading hotels,
supp6r Clubs, and theatres across
the nation.”

Stations are being charged an
affiliation fee which started out
at $3,000 per pactee but goes Up
to $5,000 on Sept. 1. The network
will do the selling with the affili-
ates receiving a fee. Kulzick said
one national client has already
bought in but refused *to identify
same. Only sponsored shows will
be aired.

Kulzick is head of a Madison
advertising agency specializing in
sales and management counsel.

•, 6 *» • a *

By GORDON KNOX

(Pres. Princeton Film Center)

On the network level television
is a gbing, highly-prdfitable propo-
sion. On the local level, speaking
for both VHF and UHF opera-
tions, things are fair from settled
—and not nearly as rosy.

Without going in to the many and
complicated financial ramifications
it boils down to this: local stations
simply cannot fill the many hours
of local option time with sponsored
programs. They, however, must
stay on the air with sustaining
shows in order to meet the de-
mands of competition and the. local
"udience. Staying on the air can.

>st a lot of money— usually. But
here is a way to keep costs at a
. minimum, a way which has been
[ Utilized since television’s very be-
ginnings — but not to the extent it
will be used in the . future.

I’m speaking of public service
films— or, if you will, promotion
films, public relations films, special
purpose films, quasi-commercial
films. They all have one thing in
common; they are supplied at no
charge to local stations.

These films, of course, are noth-
ing new. For many years now
hundreds of industrial, charitable,
educational, and public service or-
ganizations have had films made
for non-theatrical showing to vari-
ous sales organizations, trade or-
ganizations, sales meetings and
various local groups. Many hun-
dreds of these films are now avail-
able for television. But they are
just a drop in the bucket as com-
pared to the number of such films
that tv can use.

Such films can be of material, as-
sistance to the many local stations
now operating in the red — -if more
of them are produced. Right now
there just aren’t enough suitable
ones to go around. By suitable I
mean their commercialism must be
kept to an absolute minimum, they
must be interesting and educa-
tional and they must be properly
produced in order to fit FCC speci-
fications (and station specifications)
as to what constitutes a “public
service” program.

We at Princeton have locked
horns with this problem (if it can
be called a problem) from both the
production and distribution end.
As distributors we have” been ap-
proached many times by organiza-
tions, industrial and otherwise,
which have a film which they want
shown as widely as possible on tele-
(Continued on page 44)

‘Mr. DA’ Meets the McCoy

V Cincinnati, Aug. 17.

David Brian, lead in the “Mr.
District Attorney" tV film series,
was . spotlighted here for two days
last week in home town of Ziv,
producer of the series.

Visit of “D. A.” was keyed to
fourth annual conference of dis-
trict attorneys. He appeared on
WLW-T 50-50 Club and Pick-A-
Pack shows and on Wendy Barrie’s
WKRC-TV program. Also on a
special discussion show on WLW-
T with three local newsmen and

+ In an effort to supply film pro-
gramming to stations in competi-
tive situations at a cost the outlets
can offord. National Telefilm As-
sociates has worked but ai library
plan under which the station gets
the firm*® ehtire catalog at a “be-
low-list" flat rental fee, with the
vidfilm distrib recouping a per-
centage of that portion of the film
that’s sold to sponsors.

Plan gives -the participating sta-
tions— of which there are now. 19—
some 500 hours, of programming,
which includes over 150 features,
eight half-hour series, eight quar-
ter-hour shows and five miscellane-
ous series, at a price about a third
of what it would cost the stations

wood Sunday.

Heatter, Marines

three district attorneys as guests.

Brian also spent a day in Dayton j to bu V on a show-by-show basis,
and Columbus, O., for similar ex- ! Rate S S° aR the way down to $50
ploitaiion. He returned to Holly- ! an hour in the smaller markets,
' which means the station can put

on a quarter-hour show for as lit-
tle as $12.50.

Plan was worked out initially be-
tween NTA sales v.p. Harold Gold-
man and exec v.p.-general manager
John D. Sheuer, of WTVI in Belle-
ville, 111., the UHF station in the
St. Louis market. After a series
of discussions, a formula for pric-
ing the library deal was worked out
between the two, . and after
Scheuer got the approval of his
superiors, he sent some 280 tele-
grams to UHF stations and some
post-freeze V’s recommending the
deal as a possible formula “for
small tv stations’ programming and
sales problems.!’ Results, accord-
ing to Goldman, have been instan-
taneous, with the 18 other deals
already set after only a month,
and with several other deals in the
process of negotiation.

Way the formula operates is
this: NTA charges a flat fee for
the complete library over a long-
term period, with the charge
broken down to a basic hour rate.
Stations can then program as they
(Continued on page 44)

Of Gen. Teleradio

WNYC Mulls 14 More
‘How to Run a City’
Vidpix, Two in Color

Plans for 14 vidpix of Varying
lengths, two in tint, plus other
celluloid projects for the coming
fiscal year have been mapped by
WNYC, municipally-owned radio
station in N. Y. C. Radio station
handles film operation for the city
government, and reports that last
year' its vidfilms were carried on
86 U. S. stations.

Films to be shot on behalf of
various city departments include a
tinter called ‘‘Up at the Zoo” (Cen-
tral Park), another color job on
false alarms, and 12 others in black
and white on everything from N.Y.
piers to advantages of one-way
streets. WNYC also plans to keep
up with all ground breaking, cor-
nerstone and dedication cere-
monies for city construction proj-
ects in order to be able to evolve
a wrapup stanza on city capital
projects. The other item for okay
of city fathers is a ‘ planned series
of video spots for recruiting mu-
nicipal employees.

In all, pix ranging from five-
minutes to a half-hour after they
are cleared, will be produced by
the station for a cost within its
$40,000 anni budget for that rea-
son. There are presently some
25-30 vidpix in WNYC archives for
Use by all video stations.

The Film Division of General
Teleradio is moving more deeply
into the production of vidpix. The
outfit is talking about financing
and later distributing a document-
ary series about the Marines, and
only last Friday (13) GT was pow-
wowing with Gabriel Heatter to
star in a vidpix version of “We
the People.”

It doesn’t look as though GT is
of a mind to distribute any but its
own properties, or at least those
which it has a major share in. Top-
pers surrounding Tom O’Neil, boss
of the widespread GT interests, are
generally convinced that deals
brought in for distribution alone,
or for only a small percentage of
ownership, take too long in the
selling wheels before even the or-
iginal investment is recaptured.

The documentary series, about
the Marines’ current history
(World War II until now) belongs
to Executive Productions, headed
by Bill Kara, Paul Davison (ex-
Army Colonel) and Cliff Carlings,
latter agenting. Much of the mate-
rial will come from official film
archives of the fighting arm in ac-
tion. Other footage, however. Ex-
ecutive will shoot itself, of history
on the books but never caught on
film. Series, half-hour in length is
tentatively titled “Above and Be-
yond.”

No format has been set definitely
yet for "People,” but GT’s inten-
tions are to use Heatter, who did
the show for radio at its inception.
Seen . as the stumbing block to
finalization of the deal is that for-
mat called for up-to-date events.
GT is seeking a more generalized
kind of subject matter, without los-
ing basic theme. As far as cur-
rent plans are concerned, there
will be 26 in each series.

Now It’s Vidfin

Outboard; Marine & Manufactur-
ing Co. (Johnson and Evinrude
outboard motors) and the U S. Fish
& Wildlife Service, have tapped
MPO Productions to turn out a 25:
minute public relations telepic on
commercial and amateur fishing.

Film will be in production for
the next 18 months, with location
shooting scheduled on a seasonal
basis in 10 major areas.

Gridpix Jackpot

Distrib that currently appears to
lead in sales among the growing
number of firms with sports vid-
film is Sportsvision, Inc., of San
Francisco. Its three football tv
films, produced each week, are to-
gether sold in 115 markets.

First, there’s Sportsvision’s "All-
American Game of the Week’*
package, a half-hour summary of
the best of 14 top college games in
the country. Coast other packages
are Pacific Conference “Hi-Lites,”
a half-hour wrapup on Coast
games, and highlights from Big Ten
football (same as other in format).

Biggest single buy so far has
been by Phillips Petroleum in
over 30 markets. In the south-east,
the oilery buys "Game of the
Week,” and in middle-west and
Rocky Mt. area the highlight pack-
ages.

Also reported considering buys
of Sportsvision’s football pix are
Pontiac in an undisclosed number
of markets and Tom McCan, the
shoe chain, in 15 markets.

Sportsvision is now prepping 13
of a 15-minute, vidpix series on
golf, called "Golf With the Cham-
pions."

Widmaier’s Telefilm

For President of Haiti

Ricardo Midmaier, owner of Ra-
dio Haiti in Port-au-Prince, arrived
in New York with his family last
week on official business, which
includes production of a telefilm
for Paul Magloire, president of
the Haitian Republic.

He’ll be im.town for 15 days/

Jerry Stagg to Roach
As Associate Producer

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Hal Roach Jr., expanding his
■ own exec staff to handle his in-
\ croasingly heavy vidfilm produc-
:tioii load, has named Jerry Stagg
! lo associate producer status, with
Stagg supervising the Cesar Ro-
mero series, “Passport to Adven-
ture.”

Stagg was formerly producer of
"Celanese Theatre” and the "Pulit-.

. zer Prize Playhouse.” Romero
iseries, due to roll in mid-Septem-
| ber, will be syircKcated by ABC-TV.

AND HIS ROYAL CANAD

FEATURING THESE FAMOUS "LOMBARDO PERSONALITIES'^

$

V

THE

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CARMEN LOMBARDO

LEBERT LOMBARDO

VICTOR LOMBARDO

KENNY GARDNER

UPWBI

Call, wire or write your nearest M.C.A.-TV office today!

4 .

A

NEW YORK: 598 Madison Avenue
BEVERLY HILLS: 9370 Santa Monica Blvd.
ATLANTA: 51 5 Glenn Building
BOSTON: 45 Newbury Street
CHICAGO: 430 North Michigan Avenue
CLEVELAND: 1172 Union Commerce Bldg.
CINCINNATI: 3790 Gardner Avenue

DALLAS: 2102 North Akard Street *
DETROIT: 837 Book Tower
SAN FRANCISCO: 105 Montgomery Street
SEATTLE: 715 10th North
ROANOKE: 3110 Yardley Drive, NW
NEW ORLEANS: 42 Allard Blvd.

SALT LAKE CITY: 727 McClellan Street

CANADA: 11 1 Richmond Street, Toronto, Ontario

Wednesday* August 18, 19] 54r

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FIRST RUN

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EXPRESSLY FOR TV

A TOP TV ATTRACTION FOR LOCAL OR REGIONAL SPONSORSHIP!

On the air and in person, Guy Lombardo is America’s

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And this in a tough 7-station market! Now, you too

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Each week a glamorous

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♦ARB, April, May, June 1954

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COAST TELEFILMS’ NO VACANCY’
STATUS ON EVE OF ’54-’55 SEASON

By DAVE KAUFMAN

Hollywood, Aug. 17*
With peak fall production still
a month off, Hollywood’s indie
rental telefilmery studios are . at
capacity or close to that, again ac-
centing the tremendous growth of
the telepix industry. Studios have
“no vacancy” signs out, and they’re
turning away telefilm producers
prowling for space, and two studios
are blueprinting more stages to
take care of the increasingly tight
space situation.

This marks the first time in Hol-
lywood’s history that these studios
have been so busy that some have
had to reject prospective tenants.

California studios are completely
sold out on space, reports studio
manager Sol Dolgin. Producer-
owners Jack Gross and Phil Krasne
have added two stages in the past
year to bring the total up to seven,
but even so it’s not enough, and
they’re now planning more stages,
and even talking about eventually
converting the nearby Polar Palace
into a vidfilmery.

Another studio where there is
no space available is Motion Pic-
ture Centre, where studio man-
ager Gayle Gitterman says they’ve
had to turn ’em away, they just
don't have the space to handle
more series. It’s the first time in
MPC history it’s been completely
filled.

General Service studios, on the
brink of being lost to its creditors
only a few years ago, is probably
the most dramatic example of what
tv has done for the indies. Today
owners Jim and George Nasser
have not only repaid their debts,
but with the Las Palmas lot operat-
ing at a record 90% of capacity,
they are in the midst of a $300,000
remodeling program .and plan to
spend another $450,000 on three
new stages. Studio now has eight
stages. Jim Nasser unqualifiedly
attributes the financial comeback
of his lot to vidfiims.

Kling at 95%

Kling studios is operating at
959c capacity, but here space is
allotted to two motion picture
companies, plus one telefilm outfit.
Similar split is true at RKO Pathe,
where theatrical films are lensed.
but Star and the Story and Four
Star Playhouse are also shot.

Hal Roach studios v.p.-manager
Sidney S. Van Keuren reports the
lot is now 80% filled, a record. He
says “we have an indicated
capacity, with some relief in Octo-
ber.” Roach plant is now talking
deals with vidpix producers seek-
ing space. Nine series are now
quartered there.

No percentage figure was avail-
able at the Goldwyn studios, which
houses five telefilm companies, Re-
public, with eight telepix series
housed at the Valley lot, can prob-
ably accommodate more but its
situation “fluctuates according to
the theatrical film schedule,” a
spokesman reports. Although Rep
will be near a tv production peak
in September, the studio can at the
present time handle more video
companies.

American National Studios, for-
merly Eagle-Lion, is quarters of
five series, but studio manager
William Stephens refused to say
what the present capacity of the
studio is. When ANS was formed
following the purchase of Eagle-
Lion early this year, the new own-
ers said they would rent space to
no outside vidpix companies ex-
cept Frank Wisbar, already on the
lot. However, company recently
leased space to producers of the
“Medic” and “Dear Phoebe” series.

Mark VII Productions is quar-
tered at the Walt Disney lot, also
scene of shooting for Disneys’ own
series for ABC-TV.

Lot-By-Lot Check

As studios gear themselves" for
the heavy fall shooting skeds, a lot-
by-lot check looks like this:

General Service; Mickey Rooney
senes, Ozzie and Harriet, Burns
Allen, Joan Davis, Donald

producer of Ann -Sothem series,
"Lone Ranger,” “Cavalcade of
America.”

Motion Picture Centre: Desilu,
lensing “I Love Lucy*”' “December
Bride,” June Havoc series, “Our
Miss Brooks,” Danny Thomas, Ray
Bolger, “The Lineup." Also “The
Halls of Ivy.”

Hal Roach: “Life of Riley,”
“Space Rangers,”. ■‘My . Little
Margie,” “It’s a Great Life,”
“Waterfront,” “Trouble "With
Father.” ‘‘Amos ,’n’ Andy” resumes
Aug. 25; “Public Defender,” Aug.
25, “Passport to Adventure,” Sept.
3.5.

California studios: “Mayor of the
Town,” “Big Town,” “Lone Wolf,”
“Cisco Kid,” ,} C6rIiss Archer,” “Mr.
District Attorney,” “I Led Three
Lives.” “Superman” and “Authors
Playhouse” also on lot,

Goldwyn studios: Schlitz Play-
house of Stars, Loretta Young,
“The Falcon,” “Lassie,” “Roy
Rogers, “Topper.”

American National Studios:
“Fireside Theatre”’ “T-Men in Ac-
tion,” “Man Behind the Badge,”
Medic,” “Dear Phoebe."

Republic: “Stories of the Cenr
tury,” Ray Milland, QE series,
Pepsi-Cola Playhouse, Heinz 57,
“Adventures of Kit Carson,” “City

DU PONT SATURATION
‘ANTI-FREEZE’ VIDPIX

Chicago, Aug. 17.

DuPont, through the BBD&O
agency, has spotted Norman Sper’s
filmed college football forecast
show on 125 markets to date and
is shooting for additional outlets
to completely saturate the cold
weather market. Show, which de-
buts the first week in October, will
plug DuPont’s Zerone and Zerex
anti-freezes and will span the 10-
week college grid schedule up to
the New Year’s finales.

Films, built around Sper’s week-
ly picks, will be specially tailored
for the various collegiate regions;
Norman Sper, Jr„ is exec producer
of the series which was sold to Du-
Pont through Station Distributors
Inc.

8

Network continuity departments and their q&o station counter-
parts are considering a ban on beet pitches by top actors, such
as those delivered by Douglas Fairbanks, AdolphMenjoq, et al.
Under terms of the ban, a regular commercial announcer could
deliver a foamy-mouthed pitch, but the w.k. name who hosts-
narrates the show would be forbidden to touch the stuff.

Ban’s being considered because of increasing protests from
temperance groups, who while they realize the webs and stations
won't ban beer advertisers; are making the point that the actors
are setting an example for impressionable youth. Feeling is that
the kids won’t respond so much to a lesser-known announcer as
they will to an established star who tells them that the suds are
good, Ban would affect Fairbanks, Menjou, Henry Fonda plus half-
a-dozen other program stars filming commercials for regional suds
sponsors.

Detective.” “Joe Palooka”. com-
pany also on lot.

Kling: Jack Denove, lensing
“This Is Your Music” and “Caval-
cade,” and McGowan Productions,
shooting “Death Valley Days,” plus
two indie film companies.

Burgess Meredith’s
Telepix Drama Series

Burgess; Meredith has been
signed as host-narrator of a half-
hour dramatic series, “Most Likely
to Succeed,” created and written
by Ed Adamson and Richard Berg.
Telefilms will be produced by Cen-
turion Productions, headed by Rob-
ert I, Siegel, which will have head-
quarters in New York.

Each program in "Most Likely”
will revolve around career of a
man or woman once singled out by
a graduating class. Meredith will
occasionally act within the frame-
work of the story as well as emcee.

First pilot will be filmed in the
east, starting in mid-September.
Siegel is now negotiating with a
west coast director.

‘Rin Tin Tin’ Slotless

“Rin Tin Tin,” though sold to
Nabisco, is still without a time slot,
following the fadeout of a
projected berth at 4:30 on Sun-
days On CBS-TV. Agency, Kenyon
& Eckhardt, is concentrating on a
couple of possibilities, one of
which is NBC-TV on a three-out-
of-foUr Sunday afternoon basis.
Canine vidpixer would go into the
5:30 slot, following the half-hour
“Hallmark Hall of Fame,” and
would make way to Hallmark on
the fourth week when the show
goes full-hour.

Other possibility is ABC-TV,
where there are plenty of time
slots open on the weeekend.

NBC Film Division, with the
sale of “Inner Sanctum” in its
100th market this week, now leads
the syndication pack with a total
of eight series in more than 100
markets. Second, according to
available figures, is Ziv, with six
series over the 100-market mark.

Achievement of the mark
brought some coincidental com-
ment about industry pricecutting
by NBC Film Division veep Carl
M. Stanton, who charged that “the
current wave of pricecutting and
shortterm deals” threaten “the
foundations of the film syndication
business.” Stanton said the NBC
mark substantiates “our original
premise that advertisers and sta-
tions pay for value received : top
quality programs distributed by an
established syndicator who also
provides the many services re-
quired to build local audiences and
product sales.”

Present practices of pricecutting,
Stanton averred, present a danger
in that lower revenues from tele-
pix are a deterrent to continued
production of top product. Only
“sound business practices,” he
said, will provide the kind of rev-
enue “which alone can assure the
continued production of outstand-
ing syndicated programs.” Stan-
ton’s the first industry exec to
go on record as cognizant of the
current price war and as opposed
to it.

NBC shows besides “Sanctum”
in 100 markets are “Dangerous
Assignment” (171), “Badge 714”
(166); the hour-long "Hopalong
Cassidy” (146)', “Paragon Play-
house” (134), “Captured” (118),
“Victory at Sea” (111) and the
half-hour Hoppies (106).

and

THE EAGER MINDS
With Philip Bourneuf; Dwight
Weist, narrator
Producer; RKO Pathe
Producer: Jay Bonafield
Director: Larry O’Reilly
Writer: Burton Benjamin
One half-hour (color)

Distrib: local electrical companies
Light’s Diamond Jubilee Com-
mittee, the 300-company group
celebrating the 75th anniversary of

the invention of the incandescent
lamp, together with N. W. Ayer, its
agency, RKO Pathe, have turned
out one of the best industrial
public relations pix seen in a long
time. . It’s a solid programming
entry for any tv station and rates
a prime time slot.

Film, through the eyes of Philip
Bourneuf, who grows up with the
electrical industry,

. , first as ; a

dreamy boy, later as an engineer-
' ------ , ing student and finally as a devel-

OConnoi, Jack Chertok, who is ; opment engineer, is a virtual pan-

orama of the growth of electronics
in the U. . S. and the parallel
growth of American industry. In-
cluded are some new electronic,
developments (a televised phone
system, the wrist-watch radio, the
home visual tape recorder; electric
eye - operated closets , etc.) that
make some of the science fiction
half-hours on tele look like pikers.

It’s a well-produced, well-written
and well - performed film that
doesn’t have to take a back seat
to any commercial programming on
the networks or stations. RKO
has also eliminated a headache, for
station film directors by deliberate-
ly avoiding visual plugs of any
kind, and the pic won’t need any
lab work. Distribution is being
arranged via local electrical com-
panies, for non-theatrical, tele and
theatrical showings. And those
outlets which have already ' in-
stalled color origination systems
should be able to use the pic to
good advantage. Chan.

Transfilm’s Upped

Production Chart

Upbeat in the use of filmed com-
mercials, and especially animated
blurbs, is reflected in the report
by Transfilm, one of the larger
production outfits, that its produc-
tion for the first six months of the
year ran 51% over that of the
same period in 1953^.

Firm’s greatest growth has been
in the animation field, with the ad-
dition of 16 artists to make a total
animation department of 30. New
staffers were formerly with such
firms as United Productions of
America, Walt Disney and Acad-
emy Pictures. Abe Liss, formerly
with UPA, has joined the firm as
animation director, with Les Gold-
man, ex-Academy, as production
manager.

Vidpix Chatter

New York

Murphy McHenry, former man-
aging editor of the Los Angeles
Record and more latterly with
Production on Film Inc. of Cleve-
land, joined Transfilm as an
account exec on commercial and
industrial films . . . Vincent Melzac,
formerly with the Atomic Energy
Commission, joined Television Pro-
grams of America as an account
exec covering middle Atlantic
states . . . Betty Jeffries, the Chi
television scripter who’s currently
turning put Demby Productions’
“Hollywood to Broadway” series,
has been named a Miles Anderson
Award winner by the Dramatists
Alliance for her “Half the World's
a Bride” . . . Mickey Dubin a new
MCA TV salesman out of the New
York office. New exec was last
veepee in charge of sales for Bob
Lawrence Productions.

Mary Lee pearing, 15-year-old
ingenue currently appearing ifi
“Anniversary Waltz,” tapped for
the role of Gene Lockhart’s niece
in Galahad Productions’ “His
Honor, Homer Bell,” which starts
shootin Monday (23) at Warner
Studios in Brooklyn . . . William
Veneman, former national sales
manager of KABC-TV in Los An-
geles, joined the staff of TPA as
an account exec for northern Cali-
fornia . . . Mike O’Shea, MPTV na-
tional publicity chief, returned
Monday (16) from a tour of the
syndication outfit’s branch offices
in Dallas, L. A., San Francisco and
Chicago . . , Actor Jimmy Yohaci
to Bolling Field in Washington for
location shooting of a documentary.

SDG Eyes Weekly TV’er
Like Past Radio Series

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Screen Directors Guild wants
into television with a weekly show
of its own similar to past radio
series. Top directors would handle
the shows and the income would
be earmarked for the Guild’s edu-
cational and benevolent founda-
tion. Feelers to the networks in-
dicate interest.

Guild board chairman of fund-
raising subsidiary George Waggner
said tv entry would not compete
with its members.

Sterling Drug Co., which has al-
ready reserved its network time
for the fall on ABC-TV Fridays at
9:30, - has' finally set the property
it’s going to install on the web.
It’s a mysterioso series called “Ac-
tion." and is currently being shot
in England by the Danziger broth-
ers.

Drug outfit ran repeats on “In-
spector Mark Saber’Uast year, and
set about looking for a hew prop-
erty this season. Dancer-Fitzger-
ald-Sample, Sterling’s agency, en-
tered into negotiation for “Action”
a couple of months ago, but re-
fused to reveal the name of the
package pending final clarification
of overseas theatrical release of the
series and other details. Series is
the first in tele for the Danziger
brothers, who’ve been active in the
indie theatrical field to date.

Gen. Tires DuM Deal

To complement the Schick buy
of one-quarter of DuMont’s pro
football skfed, General Tire & Rub-
ber Co. has bought 102 web mar-
kets for a 15-minute vidpix show,
“General Sports Time,” for 12
weeks. Deal calls for spotting
show either at 7:45 p.m. on Satur-
days or 1:45 p.m, on Sundays, im-
mediately preceding times when
pro games kickoff.

General Tire evidently held off
its purchase until assured that Du-
Mont was getting a national hook-
up for the games. Quarter-hour
stanza is a Harry Wismer starrer,

Loveton’s Own Distrib
Setup to Peddle ‘North’

With 57 “Mr. & Mrs. North" pix
in the can and no network berth
pending for the series, producer
John W. Loveton this week set up
his own distribution company to
syndicate the films. Firm, Adver-
tisers’ Television Program Service
Inc., is headed by Loveton with
Maurie Gresham, former Coast
manager for Motion Pictures for
Television, as v.p.

, Firm -will headquarter on the
Coast, with Charles C. Alsup as
western sales . manager under
Gresham. Latter, incidentally, is
currently in N. Y. to set up a
Gotham sales office and a southern
outlet, as well as to dicker new
product for the firm. Thus far,
“North" is the only entry, but it’s
understood Loveton will produce
new product for syndication via
ATPS. /

ABC Flm Syndication
Sets 1st Sales Powwow

ABC Film Syndication will hold
its first national sales meeting since

the network subsid was organized
a year ago with a three-day con-
clave in N. Y. starting next Wed-
nesday (25). Key concern of the
meet will be the outfit’s two new
properties, “Passport to Danger”
and “Mandrake the Magician.”

Hal Roach Jr. and Cesar Romero,
producer and star of “Passport.’
are expected to fly in from the
Coast for the meet, .with John
Allen planing from Bermuda to
rep the “Mandrake" production.
Firm will also add new salesmen
to its force, with the newcomers
being briefed at the meetings.
ABC Syndication prexy George
Shupert and sales v.p. Dpn Kearney
will preside.

Howco’s Distrib Setup

Charlotte, N, C„ Aug. ; - 17*

First major telefilm distribution
organization set up out of the cus-
tomary New York : Los Angeles-
Chicago orbit has been established
here as a subsidiary of Howco Pro-
ductions. New 'Syndication outfit,
National Television Films, has ac-
quired two quarter-hour senes,
“Lash of the West" and "Secret
Chapter,” and is negotiating for
other properties.

Firm is headed up by J. Francis
White, who’s alsb’ president ot
Howco, with . Scott Lett as sales
manager; Other properties cur-
rently being negotiated are a pacK-
age of 13 western features and a
half-hour jungle. series. “H, ,
and “Chapter" were previously
[syndicated by Guild Films.

Wednesday* August 18, 1954

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Wedpesda^, August 18 , ^54

Show Biz Laws

Continued from page 2

their taxes in foreign earnings, pro-
viding the Treasury Department
gives specific approval. While this
was not intended to benefit Ameri-
can Films with frozen coin abroad,
it does hold out that possibility
for the future.

No taxation conventions with
foreign nations, which would ter-
minate double taxation on Ameri-
can earnings abroad, were okayed.
But two— with Japan and the Brit->
ish Crown Colonies— were reported
to the Senate. Two Others are pend-
ing and will doubtless be approved
by the next session— with Germany
and the Crown Colonies of the
Netherlands. ■

Small Business Comm.

The Senate Small Business Com-
mittee continued to keep an eye on
the tug-of-war between the exhibi-
tors and the motion picture dis-
tributors. Despite pressure from
some indie groups, the committee
failed to thump the exhibitors
very hard. It took the view that the
industry should settle its own dis-
putes via a voluntary arbitration
system, and should not run to the
Government with all its com-
plaints.

Antitrust Damages

Legislation to set a uniform sta-
tute of limitations for treble dam-
age antitrust suits once more was
left to wither on the vine in the
House Judiciary Committe. This
is of great interest to the motion
picture industry where an esti-
mated $600,000,000 of such suits
are currently pending.

Jukebox Royalties

In the same boat was legislation
on which ASCAP had pinned its
hopes so fondly — bills amending
the Copyright Act to include juke-
boxes, requiring them to pay roy-
alties tp owners of .the music they
play. As it has done in other re-
cent years, the powerful jukebox
lobby succeeded in keeping the
bills bottled up — this time in a
subcommittee of the Senate Judi-
ciary Committee. \

Radio and Video

It was mostly talk-talk'-talk in
Congress on matters affecting radio

and television. Two minor bills
passed, One extends from 15 to 30
days the time for the FCC to make:
findings on protests. The other
eases criminal penalties for viola-
tions of the FCC regulations.

Final action i^ still hoped for on
the bill which would giye tv set
manufacturers a- $7 tax credit on
all-channel sets, for the purpose of
increasing the size of the UHF au-
dience.

Prohibition forces made their
usual pitch before -the. House Com-
merce Committee to ban liquor,
wine and beer advertising over the
ether waves. Nothing resulted.

Senator Bricker

The wheels began to turn, near
the end of this session, for a ma-
jor probe, by the Senate Com-
merce Committee, into network oo-
eration. Its results, to be submit-
ted to the next Congress, may de-
termine whether, the FCC will be
authorized to license radio-tv webs.
At present, the Commission’s au-
Authorize baseball to formulate
rules restricting broadcasting and
■ thority is limited to control of in-
dividual stations. This move, by
Senator John -W. Bricker, Com-
merce Committee chairman, stems
from hearings conducted by Sen-
ator Charles E. Potter, dn whether
the networks were crowding out
the UHF television stations.

Also-Ran Bills

television and motion pictures,
would prevent commercial exploi-
tation of the name of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation. Under it,
the initials FBI could not be used
by any media in such a way as to
indicate approval or endorsement
by the agency, unless. specific per-
mission' were given by the FBI
director.

NT A Library Deal

Cbntinued from page 39 ss

please, but when they sell spon-
sorships or participations, they
must split the proceeds 50-50 with
NTA after first deducting the time
charges plus the rental -fee already
rayed NTA for the film. It’s stilt
too early for any result but NTA
anticipates the plan will work out
to its satisfaction as well as the

stations.’

»

Plan is an outgrowth of the of-
fer made to UHF stations several
months ago by Comet Films, which
subsequently merged into NTA.
That offer was a pledge of Comet's
feature library to UHF’ers at a
price they named. It was carried a
step further by Scheuer and Gold-
man during the NARTB meet in
Chicago, and the final formula was
worked oiit shortly thereafter.
While the plan’s appeal is 'mainly
for UHF operations, fact Is' that
many: V’s in the more, competitive
post-freeze situations are- inter-
ested, and 12 of the 19; stations al-
ready in on the plan'are VIIF.

From the producers’ ‘ standpoint,
NTA prexy Ely Landau points out
that the plan will get the film into
a vast spread of smaller stations
customarily bypassed, and into
some of the larger markets where
it was previously impossible* to .sell
a show. Laudau said that while
the per-market return "to- his pro-
ducers would be smaller, it -would
result in a far greater, aggregate..
Shows included in the library, in-
clude “China Smith,” “Orient Ex-
press’* “Pantomime Quiz” among
the half-hours arid Harry Popkin
and Hall Roach packages among
the features.

NTA exec v.p. Oliver Unger, in-
cidentally,; is currently on the
Coast dickering production deals,
on two new properties’. They
won’t be included in the library,
however. ■ * ' . *

Product Services

Continued from page 39

Among bills which were intro-
duced and got nowhere were the
folloioing: .

Prevent anti-trust violators from-
obtaining tv licenses.

Prevent use of interstate facili-
ties to transmit gambling informa-
tion.

telecasting of games, irrespective
of the anti-trust laws. - • •

Require stations to make record-
ings of all broadcasts and telecasts.

Limit FCC authority to charge
license fees.

Permit a single owner- to have
10 UHF stations ; present limit be-
ing five, the same as for VHF sta-
tions.

Prohibit tv station ownership by
newspapers in cities of 100,000 or
more population.

One minor law recently passed,
which will be of interest to radio]

series, on Pro-Kleen, this more in
the nature of a straight pitch, and
two more series are in prepara-
tion, ope for plastic plates and an-
other .for a cosmetic product.

Hit 55 Markets

Roto-Broil series was booked into
some 55 markets last winter and
spring, with somewhat spectacular
results. Firm’s gross annual busi-
ness has risen iri the past two years
(since it’s been with the agency)
from $3,000,000 to $20,000,000, and
it’s achieved . near-national' distri-,
butiori via its tv advertising. Even
more spectacular has been the
Sona story, since the product didn’t
even go on the market- until the
films were ready. In less th?n six
months (January to this past June),
it did a business of nearly $1,500,-

000 and achieved national distri-
bution. This was done with only
three films (reedited and respliced
for multiple showings iri each mar-
ket) in some 250 markets, plus an
NBC Radio network spread with
the soundtrack.

Agency first shoots the films
(usirig whatever studio space is
available in N. Y.— last batch Were
made at the Robert Lawrence Stu-
dios),, then buys the time' in Vari-
ous markets and installs the shows.
On the Roto-Broil and Soria Shows
there’s been no continuity accept-
ance problem— stations' have ac-
cepted them as instructional pro-
gramming. On the first of the Pro-
Kleen films, which was in the na-
ture of a straight pitch, it hasn’t
been ..so easy, Product Services
prexy Les L. Persky points out,
however, that with a new product
the hard sell is necessary, at first—

1 to find out what part of the pitch

I appeals to -the consumer. After the

initial pitch the program is refined

1 to the educational status, and after
th appoint, the agency regular
one-minute spots utilizing that fea-

ture which most appeals to the
public.

From , the client viewpoint, the
quarter-hour filrii technique is
more economical than spot an-
nouncement buying. Entire series
of 39 Roto-Broil pix cost abo*Ut
$35,000 to produce, or less than
$1,000 each. Spread over 55 mar-
kets, each program cost less than
$20 per market, not counting re-
peat showings. While this may
have cost more thain spot an-
nouncements on a production
basis, it amounts to 15 minutes Qf
commercials as compared with 30
seconds, with tfie time rate not
much different in the case of good
spot availabilities.

Another offbeat feature is . the
timebuying itself, which Product
Services stresses to' a greater de-
gree than most agencies. Roto-
Broil series, for example, was not
run in daytime at all, buL-was
booked into prime evening time.
Theory behind this was that on a
large appliance investment, <both
husband and wife would have to
agree and both should see the
pitch. Also, Morris pitched, the
show as much at husbands and.
wives, urging the men to try their
hands as chefs. Coincidental with
the telefilms; incidentally, were
department store tieins, with Mor-
ris making p.a.’s and also with
films being shown in the stores
and free recipe books being passed
out.

kidpix Violence

Continued* from pace 1

around beefs on network shows
simply by pointing out that they
come from N. Y. Or the Coast and
therefore the stations have no con-
trol bver them; on the other hand,
syndicated shows are bought by
the station and local sponsors, and
both : stations and Sponsors can not
only beef, but refuse to buy the
shows concerned.

While the. networks are well
aware of the problem and report-
edly are taking steps to meet.it, it
Strikes home more deeply and im-
mediately at the* syndicators— bright
in their pocketbooks, in fact. Les-
lie T. Harris, v.p.-general manager
of CBS Film Sales, said that it’s
“vital for future ^ sales that we
eliminate excess* brutality and vio-
lence from our* programs/’ Harris
said “The -Whistler”- and other up-
coming productions will eliminate
all violence and brutality, drink-
ing, murder scenes and murder
weapons, He said, r„et$kes h^d al-
ready been made on one scene in
which a gun was dropped over the
side of a- ship, with the new version
showing something dropped over-
board but not showing it to be a
gun. s

TPA has been conferring with
parent-teacher groups for advice
on upcoming production. Latest of
the firm’s mysteriosos, “Ellery
Queen,” avoids all scenes of vio-
lence and concentrates on scien-
tific detection, Future production
of “Ramar of the Jungle” will lay
more stress on animal scenes. TPA
last month participated in Colum-
bia U.’s Graduate School of Edu-
cation Summer Seminar on pro-
gramming for young people and on
the basis of that session is nego-
tiating a permanent arrangement
whereby . TPA can call oh the
teachers regularly in the future
for programming advice. ,

Key pressure on the national
level has been coming from the
National Assn, for Better Radio
and Television - (NAFBRAT), the
Los Angeles-based group which
makes annual reports on children’s
shows. But local pressure is on the
upgrade, with many local groups
citing the NAFBRAT findings, a*f
their authority. Example of this
was a front-page article in the
N. Y. World-Telegram & Sun last
week, which linked the rise in
juvenile delinquecy in N. Y. di-
rectly to the increase in violence
on tv as cited by NAFBRAT.

Guild’s /Nagel Theatre’ .

Guild Films', ha's rieeditfed its
new series of 26 - half-hour dra-
matic films it picked up a couple
of months bagk under the 'title of
“Signet Circle .Theatre” by ^hoot-
ing new sequences, with Conrad
Nagel as host-narrator and . h‘aS re-
titled the series the “Conrad Nagel
Theatre.” Series-gose into release
late in September.

Sequences featuring Nagel were
shot over the past several weeks
at the Marion Parsonriet Studios
in N. Y. Series itself was shot
in Italy by Andre Luotto Produc-
tions last winter, and Guild ac-
quired distribution rights.

Buffo Pix

Continued from pace 39

vision. We immediately screen the
films with an eye to its commercial
content and its innate public in-
terest. If we feel that, the film is
interesting and that the commer-
cialism can be cut to the bone,
we’ll accept it for distribution^
Making Everybody Happy

The sponsor of the film pays us
— the local' station -gets it free df
charge. The sponsor is happy be?
cause, although he’s, not getting, a
“hard sell” commercial, he is get*
ting an identification arid excellent
public relations, The station own-*
er is happy because he’s got a good
film of interest to his. audierice -arid
one that beside not costing him
anything, is actually saving him
money by filling a time period,
which he’d otherwise have to fill
with costly “live” or filmed enter-
tainment. •

: It is entirely within the realm
of possibility that we will soon see
promotion or public relation film
filling as much as 20% each day of
a station’s local time . . , thousands
of hours weekly throughout the
country. But as I said earlier,
there’s riot now enough product to
go around. But this situation is
brightening. Hardly a day passes
when some organization doesn’t
suddenly realize that they’ve got a
story to tell the American public, a
story they Can tell on film via tv.
And when they learn how cheaply
this can be done in terms of total
audience, and how eagerly local
stations will accept their properly
produced film for screening — •
there’s another organization recep-
tive to the overtures of an alert
producer versed in this type of pro-
duction.

It’s a healthy situation, one
which brings joy to the hearts of
film producers, film distributors,
sponsors and the local station. And
as far as the local station is con-
stead of red ink into its very vitals,
cerned, it’s helping pump blood in-

COLOR SEMINARS
SLATED FOR MPLS.

Minneapolis, Aug. 17.

Although few persons have the
sets to receive the programs be-
ing presented regularly here by
WCCO-TV and KSTP-TV, color tv
is taking shape locally faster than
might be expected, in the opinion
of industry heads here. "

Despite the fact that widespread
purchase and use of color tv sets
by Twin Cities area residents are
believed several years away,
WCCO-TV soOn will hold seminars
on color tv. These, according to
E. Van Konynenburg, executive
vice-president, will be for adver-
tisers, promoters arid others eager
to get an early start; in using color
pictures to advance their fields
and products.

Also, WCCO-TV already pos-
sesses the equipment to originate
local color programs, Including
live color studio shows and “Color
bar test pattern signals” to enable
local tv servicemen to align color
receivers. • ' ' -

Wolper’s Coast Berth
v For Flamingo

lts expansion move!
‘".‘he department, Flaming
Films has assigned Dave Wolnl
one of the principals In the firm’

uons. Hes moving to the Coast

Angeles. UP “ branch of£1< * Loa

■ Meanwhile, the firm has added
five more men in the field. The?
ai*e Ken Israel, who’ll work Michi-
gan and Ohio out of Detroit-
Stearns, Ellis, who’ll derate in the
nrid-AUantic Atates^SklT* Irwin, op.
eratmgm the iriidwe^aman Lud.

riri4rife^6lper on

the ^oristl and a .IKjgft&itet not
yet , named, who’ll operate tinder
topper Sly Weintraub -iri Gothanv

TV Ban

—Ef Continued from page 1

camera, the most potent arguments
for doing so were presented last
week before another committee by
two personalities who owe their
pronainence^ to the televising of
the McCarthy-Army probe. Tfcev
were Sen. KarlVMuriiit (R-S D )
who presided over the hearings,
and Ray Jenkins, the Knoxville,
Tenn., lawyer who served as coun-
sel for the Senate committee which
investigated, the charges.

Appearing before the Senate
Rules subcommittee studying pro-
cedures for Congressional hear-
ings* Sen, Mundt had this to say
of broadcast coverage of Commit-
tee proceedings: ‘’These new
media which report bysound and
pictures are a great; and mighty
conscience . for the p>es?. There
is seldom any cause to'.'^sbmplain
of biased reporting when a hearing
is, conducted before tv cameras and
over radio.

“Indeed, radio .and tv make bet-
ter reporters of the best we have
and good reporter? of the rest of
those covering Capitol Hill. Per-
sonally, I* shall always vote against
any legal measure . . . Which en-
deavors to select front o the media
of communications some with
which to cooperate and others to
condemn.”,;

Asked by Sem; William Jenner
(R-Irid. ) , subcommittee chairman,
whether Senate debates should be
televised, Mundt said “We’re com?
ing to that,” But there would have
to be' alterations made in the
Senate chamber, he added, to ac-
commodate the medium.

Jenkins lauded. radio and tv as
sources of “great accuracy” in
coverage of hearings. “They are
the perfect media for bringing the
true facts to the public,” lie said.

Sen. Watkins has indicated a
williingness to discuss the situation
with a delegation representing the
National Assn, of Radio and TV
Broadcasters. The question should
be^ decided this week,

Dream Bally

Lombardo Originations
From His L.I. Cafe

First three of new season’s tele-
casts of the “Guy Lombardo Show”
on WNBT, N. Y., will originate at
the maestro’s East Point House
restaurant in Freeport, L. I., after
which the orch will move back to
the Hotel Roosevelt Grill. Lom-
bardo will kick off his second sea-
son under Lincoln-Mercury Dealers
of N. Y. on Sept. 3 in the 7 to
7:30 p.'m. Friday slot. The dealers
beg^p sponsorship of the show last
November. * . * ’ * ' ! *

• Jim Elsou directs the series;

' - - - ■ ■ ■ ■ • - ■ ■ •

Nielsen’s New Clients

• •. v/Jv Chicago; Aug. 17, •

A. C. Nielsen audience research
firm has. logged in 12 new clients
for its radio-tv services, Camp-
bell-Ewald agency and Pet Milk
have ordered the tv index.

Buying the new station reports
are Bordens; Benton & Bowles;
Dancer-Fitzgerald-Sample, ' Foote,
Cone & Belding; Lennen & Newell,
Marschalk & Pratt, Young &

S ub '^V. Rhoades Davis, and
Dan B. Miner. *

Continued from page 1

prises, . the . American ■ vidfilm dis*
trihUtion outfit 'headed' by person-
al manager .Charles Wick, which
has been in '.the process of arrang-
ing an American, lecture tour for
Fabiain in conjunction iVith the re-
lease of the series this fall.

As a direct result of the Toronto
story. Wick is negotiating a deal
for theatrical distribution of three
of the telepix episodes with the
Goldwyn distributing organization
in ,Canada,< in , spite of the fact
that the films will be- sold In their
half-hour tele versions there. The*
atrical version Is already Play 1 ”*
the circuits in England, where it *
being distribbed' by Eros Films ana
where the tele version won’t he
shown.

' In ' addition, ; Wick's office was
flooded with calls' All' last week
from stations and agencies dick-
ering for the series in the Toronto,
Detroit and. Montreal areas. Series
is being sold on a syndicated basis,
with the west coast already solo.
Fabiari appears briefly' in the filws
to afitheritlcatb’ the'sWries, bu hii
role: isenacted by -British tiiesp
Bruce. S.eton.

Detroit— -George L. Snyder ha*
been appointed merchandising
manager of WJBK, it was an-
nounced by Harry R. Lipson. a-*
sistant managing director oi y>

station. Snyder succeeds Pete

Storer who will devote full time
tv sales.

Wednesday, August 18, 1954

The Industry Salutes

’s TV Sweetheart

*Mf ■ ■ ■ ■■■

WHITE

star of

O j

LIFE WITH ELIZABETH

tfie hilarious half-hour comedy that's now syndicated in more than lOO markets

Betty White is also seen daily, Monday thru Friday on her own daytime TV show
over the NBC television network, 4:30 P.M., EDT.

THAN KS

.to the TV stations, ad agencies.

advertisers, film producers and film distributors

who voted Betty ...Best TV Actress...and Best TV Comedy Actress

Th#

In Hi II hoard annual TV Talent Poll of non — network film

UFE WITH ELIZABETH created

by Bandy Productions . . . produced and distributed by

C 0 Af AW Aty /JVC

420 MADISON AVE. • NEW YORK CITY • MUrray

Payola-— Continued

Mitch Miller, Columbia Records' artists & repertoire head,
who rather fancies the Variety Reference that “it got so that if
Miller burped they bought it,” has his' own views on disks and
disk jockeys^-and vicariously, payola.

He blames much of it on “the abdication of the stations to
the disk jockeys;” and cites their shortsightedness as having
spawned the evil of payola. “You don’t see Klavan & Finch and
that type of disk jockey, who earns $60,000 and $70,000 a year,
bothering about payola. They get a cut Of .the commercial reve-
nue; their job is to cement listener interest; they even pay
writers to perk their material, so^ the records are incidental,
and they program these with intelligence and discrimination.
But (naming a top Boston deejay) just got raised to $250 a
week, after making all that money for his station by platter-
chattering, with, nary a dime cut to him. Sure, some of the
stations ‘cooperate’ by lending their facilities to shill for this or
that disk jock’s ‘Record Hop,’ or kindred ballroom or other ad-
mission promotion, and naturally any recording artist anywhere
in the neighborhood shows up, and it's all a nice free benefit
for the poor jock who should have gotten it in the first place
from the station which employs him.”

Miller cites yesteryear practices where the program managers
of the smallest indie station laid out the shows — two wellknown
artists, then an unknown or upcoming artist, and the like. Most
deejays strive for the same thing, “but you know how it is when
you have friends— you naturally start to favor this one, or that
one, or maybe you recall those two-on-the-aisle for Sajama
Game’ and the nice evening at the Copa when the hinterland
jock came to New York. And so it goes.”

As an a&r man, Miller stresses the travail that goes with
“protecting” the artist and the company’s exchequer with “new
material.” This may cause this or that company to “piay ball”
with this or that publisher or writer, especially the Writers,
“where they know how to write for a certain singer.” In this
connection Miller mentioned Bob Merrill’s frequency with Guy
Mitchell as a realistic case in point. “And it's really worthwhile.
This is not a picayune business. If I can protect my artist and
thus get a fast jump on the market with a half-million exclu-
sive seller, that means $200,000 at 40c a copy to Col, as whole-
salers; it’s $375,000 to the retail trade.” It is in this connection
that ‘'material” looms so importantly.

On the disk jockey front, Miller cites their value when it
comes to artists such as Frankie Laine, Joni James, Rosemary
Clooney and the like. The deejays associate themselves with
these artists, and people like Laine very wisely evidences that
he s never forgotten them. On the other hand there can be sing-
ers whose careers were never influenced by actual deejay pro-
motion and yet the jocks will give them all the support possible.
But let some of them, as in the case of one gal, who suddenly
comes around in a Cadillac and a mink, start to put on the dog,
and the jocks who ‘remember her when’ will .‘let-her-to-have
it,’ as w e-say in our set. Or if some lucky record girl gets a
Hollywood contract, and the highpowered flacks start buttering
up the Bosley Crowthers and forget the deejays— and this has
happened, too— that’s gonna hurt. Because they like to remem-
ber this gal as the way she Was; When she would get up for a
breakfast deejay or a midnight jock’s show, and they don’t for-
get when the next platter comes around.”

To be continued. .Abel

Col, Apollo In

Columbia Records and the indie
Apollo label are in a hassle over
spiritual songstress Mahalia Jack-
son. Col has been dickering to pact
the Negro thrush for the past cou-
ple of weeks, but a block was
thrown into the negotiations when
Apollo claimed that Miss Jackson
was under contract.

Coi n™ is counterclaiming that
there’s no such pact in existence
and that Miss Jackson is *a free
agent. Bess Berman, Apollo prexy,
claims that the warbler’s pact with
Apollo has , another year to run.
Ahss Jackson has been with Apollo
tor the past nine years and has
oeen the backbone of its roster.

Col’s lawyers currently are in-
vestigating Apollo’s hold on Miss
Jackson and no pact has yet been
^gned. If Col ele&rs the way to
inking Miss Jackson, deal will get

nnn ? minim um guarantee of $50,-
000 for five years.

J-' 1 01 * interest' in Miss Jackson
rVS^ ro ™ her recent pacting with
i • , dio. Her AM stanza is set
to kick off in the fall.

RCA Hillbillies in N.Y.

v JV9 A Victor’s hillbillies are con-
j n e ' glri / ln New York this. week. In
Pllp n , u rec °rding sessions and tv
guest shots are Eddy Arnold, Davis
h lp |f rs * . c bet Atkins, Stuart Ham-
We n . an d Rita Robbins.
D,;,!i s . Robbins an( i The. Statesman
hin k if 1 wet £ added to the label’s

hUJbllly roster ]ast weekj

RCA’S CHARLES DALY
FAMILY’S AUTO TRAGEDY

A son and daughter of Charles
Daly, RCA Victor, manager in Cam-
den, N.J., were drowned last week
(11) when the car their mother was
driving swerved off the road and
fell into a deep channel near Sea
Isle, N. J. The children were
Charles, 10, and Patricia, seven.

Mrs. Daly, who suffered severe

shock, told police that she had
been blinded by the sun as she
approached the drawbridge leading
to the Sea Isle City resort. The
Dalys had been on their summer
vacation.

Set Jazz-Symph Combo
Concerto for Chi Orch

Chicago, Aug. 17.

American unveiling of “Con-
certo for Jazz Band and Symphony
Orchestra” by contemporary Geiv
man composer Rolf Liebermann is
slated for Thursday-Friday con-
certs at Orchestra Hall on Nov.
18-19, Fritz Reiner conducting.
Orch will be the Chicago Sympho-
ny, and jazz band engaged to per-
form the work will be made up of
Chicago jazz musicians.

Emphasis during fall concert
season will be on contemporary
composers, with five works being
played here for the first time. Sam-
uel Barber, Randall Thompson,
Carl Orff, Richard Mohaupt and
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco are
the modern composers whose
works are on tap.

#.

*

The quick disclick is on the
wane. In sharp contrast to-a couple
of years ago, when a record would
leap into the hit brackets within a
few weeks after release, the road
to the top has become a slow, ardu-
ous trek. Publishers as well as disk
company staffers now have to wait
as long as three months befpre
they get any indication of the con-
sumer’s reaction to their platter
and/or song.

The slow getaway of a disk today
is adding an extra tab to the
platter’s overhead. Both the disk-
ers and the publishers are being
forced to shell out more coin in
promoting and exploiting the wax-
ing because of the longer plugging
period. Heretofore, both diskers
and pubbers would go on an allout
plugging spree for a couple of
weeks, and if the public didn’t bite,
would go on to , something else.
Now, however, they’re sticking
with a tune for several months,
hoping that it can be pushed into,
the hit brackets.

Overloading?

Decline of the deejays’ disk pro-
motion power is said to be one of
the important factors in the snail-
pace movement of the platters on
the retail level. Several diskery
artists & repertoire men claim that
sales of their disks aren’t in pro-
portion to the d.j. plugging at-
tack until months after the initial
spins. Other tradesters cite the
overload of releases as a contribut-
ing element in slowing up the
breakthrough process. “There are
so many records hitting the mar-
ket every week,” one a&r exec
pointed out, “that it takes time for
the good records to emerge from
the junk.”

In the past year such disks as
Doris Day’s “Secret Love” (Colum-
bia) and Nat (King) Cole’s “Answer
Me, My Love” (Capitol) have been
top examples of slow rising plat-
ters. In both instances, neither the
publisher (Remick on “Secret
Love” and Bourne on “Answer Me,
My Love”) nor the disk company
let up on its plugging chores.
“Love,” for example, was pushed
for close to six months before it
gave any indication of stepping
out. More recent examples of hits
that have taken time to move into
the payoff bracket are Betty Madi-
gan’s “Joey” (MGM) and Rose-
mary Clooney’s “Hey There”
(Columbia).

Victor Releasing ‘Dream’
Day-A-Date With N.Y. Bow;
$25,000 Towards U.S. Tour

RCA Victor will release its
original-cast album of “A Mid-
summer Night’s Dream” day and
date with the New York preem of
the show by the Old Vic Co. at the
Metropolitan Opera House . Sept.
21. Label currently is putting the
show in the groove in London. Set
features Moira Shearer, Robert
Helpmann and Stanley Holloway. It
also includes the complete musi-
cal score of Felix Mendelssohn.

Music is performed by Sir
Adrian Boult and the BBC Sym-.
phohy Orchestra. The touring pro-
duction’s orch will be .under the
baiton of Hugo Rignbld.

Victor has shelled out $25,000
as its participating ante in the un-
derwriting of the production’s
U. S. tour. Show is being brought
to the G. S. under aegis of S.
Hurok.

Harbach Salute

Otto A, Harbach, ex-ASCAP
prexy, will be saluted as the dean
of American librettists at the 25th
annual Chicagoan Music Festival
at Soldiers Field, Chi, Saturday
(21). Music show will star Li-
berace.

Dick Frohlich, ASCAP publicist,
will accompany Harbach to Chi.

RCA and EMI

One of those Wall. Street
rumors has linked Radio Corp.
of America With EMI (U. S.)
Ltd., and it reached its peak
over the weekend that Victor
was taking over Electrical &.
Musical Industries, which mer-
chandises the Angel platters.
This is denied both by RCA
prexy Frank M. Folsom and
veepee Mannie Sacks, who is
in direct charge of the Victor
record operation. Meantime,
the stock went from $1.50 to
$3 in a few months, closing
yesterday (Tues.) at $2.78.

The Dot Records dicker is
still in the tentative stage.
This is Randy Wood’s Gallatin
(Tenn.) operation, and sup-
posedly to be merged . with
Victor’s subsidiary Label X.

Indie Dot Label

The indie Dot label is staying
below the Mason-Dixon line. After
feelers for a buyout had. come
down from the north from RCA
Victor, Randy Wood, Dot’s owner,
squelched the sellout talk by stat-
ing last week that he’s holding on
to his Gallatin, Tenn., plattery
operation.

Wood admitted that he had had
slight negotiations with Victor but
no deal was consummated. Break-
off of negotiations was amicable,
Wood stated, and Victor will con-
tinue pressing Dot disks through
its Custom Records Division. In
the past, yictor has pressed the
majority of the Dot platters.

Dot, in which is celebrating its
fifth anni, has made a dent in the
market as one of the top indies
in the field. The Hilltoppers have
sparkplugged the label’s pop ros-
ter for the past couple of years
and Dot now is making important
inroads in the rhythm & blues mar-
kets. Wood currently is mapping
out an expansion plan for his pop
and r&b divisions and expects to
move into the packaged goods field
within the next couple of months.

Victor's interest in Dot was seen
by tradesters as a move to bolster
its Label X operation. Victor
launched Label X early this year
and although it’s just begun to get
on its feet, it was believed that
Label X would absorb the Dot
operation.

PHILLY COMBO LEADER
HELD ON DRUG CHARGE

Philadelphia, Aug. 17.

Robert Chudnick, trumpet player
and combo leader known as Red
'Rodney, was arrested by the police
narcotic squad on drug charges,
and held in $1,500 bail for the
Grand Jury. •

Currently starred at the Red
Rooster Cafe, in West Philadel-
phia, Rodney was trailed to his
home by police raiders, who al-
lege they caught him in the act
of disposing of a package of
heroin, with a needle-mark freshly
made on his arm.

Despite the police surgeon’s re-
port that he had found no evidence
of recent drug Use* Magistrate E.
David Keiser sent Rodney to Moya-
mensing Prison, where he collapsed
upon admission and had to be
taken to ah outside hospital.

Rodney denied in Court that he
had taken a shot and said the
needle-mark came from a hypo-
dermic given him by a doctor be-
cause he expects to go to Japan.
Magistrate Keiser called Rodney,
father of three children, “a bad
influence on young people.”

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

There seems to be a prevailing
belief in film studios that a mu-
sician can’t have two strings to his
bow. At any rate, that’s the way
composer-conductors with disk
backgrounds see the situation.
They claim they are discriminated
against when it comes .to scoring
assignments.

“It’s a ‘ new kind of snobbish-
ness,” they contend. “Studios seem
to feel that if you have a hit rec-
ord you are beyond the pale.”

Mostly, it’s a subject that the
musicians discuss among them-
selves— but the bitterness has been
growing to the point where some
speak out.

“It’s ironic,” Les Baxter de-
clared in summing up the situa-
tion. “The studios are now very
conscious of. records as a means
of exploitation, and those of us
who are conductors as well as com-
posers are constantly being asked
to record this or that song from
a picture. But they won’t con-
sider us for the writing end of
the work at all.”

Disqualified?

Baxter recently completed his
second independent film-scoring
job and is elated over the fact
that better than 15% of' the- pre-
view cards on the film lauded the
score. But there has been no ma-
jor studio interest and Baxter be-
lieves that “hit records disquali-
fied me.”

David Rose had some scoring as-
signments, Baxter pointed out, but
he’s about the only recording ar-
tist-composer who comes to mind
who has had that kind of work.

“Studios seem to feel that, we
just can’t adapt to the work,” Bax-
ter commented. “Ironically, my
background and qualifications are
(Continued on page 62)

IBEWtofight

Disking at Home

Lbs Angeles, Aug. 17.

International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers launched a
campaign last week on the Coast
against recording artists who work
out of their own homes and threat-
ened what amounted to a cross-
country radio boycott of such disks.
Move was started by business
agent Harry Stillman of Local 45,
Broadcast & Recording Engineers.

Coast local has asked interna-
tional headquarters in N. Y. to take
the problem up with AFM chief
James C. Petrillo, or permit en-
forcement of an IBEW contract
provision permitting IBEW mem-
bers to refuse to handle such disks.

Chief targets of the move are
such artists as Les Paul & Mary
Ford, Leo diamond, Johnny Bond,
Buddy Cole and William Rousseau.
All but Paul and Miss Ford are on
the Coast and all record, on tape,
from elaborate home setups where
no engineer is used.

IBEW contends that such rec-
ords made without an engineer are
“unfair” and points out that con-
tracts provide that IBEW members
—which in. many radio stations
means the engineers who actually
spin the disks on a disk jockey
show — will not handle either the
masters or the disks made from
those masters.

Benida Gets Disk Rights
To Eddie Davis’ Tome

Dewey Bergman, Benida Records
prexy, has picked up the disking
rights to Eddie Davis’ tome,
“Laugh Yourself Well.” Bergman
currently is dickering for Jackie
Miles to narrate excerpts from the
book.

Benida also is negotiating with
the Atlanta Symphony for its long-
hair album, building program. Early
this week the diskery teamed up
with British Decca for latter to
release the Benida pressings in
England.

Wednesday* August 18, 1954

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50

MUSIC

#»* —

►

Wednesday, August in I954

Cuffo Disk Plan
To Be Launched

Columbia Records will launch
its ‘-Priceless Editions” broadside
after Labor Day. Col's sales staffers
have been fanning out around the
country for the past couple of
weeks briefing distributors on the
. fail plan which cuffos “not for
sale” disks for each Col platter or
needle purchased. The sales con-
fabs are skedded to wind up this
week.

Despite the fact that the cuffo
disk plan is pegged at the con-
sumer and will be handled directly
by the plattery, no dealer squawks
have been registered; Only hitch
that has come up in Col’s scheme
so far has been from the rural
areas, where the dealers claim
they never use a sales slip, (A
sales slip and 25c entitles the cus-
tomer to one of the “Priceless Edi-
tions" platters.) The distribs in
these areas have received the
go-ahead from the Col homeoffice
to print special slips for cuffo
handouts to the dealers.

As an incentive to get the dealers
to push Col’s fall line, label has
tacked on ^ an additional 5% dis
count privilege. Some dealers are
taking the extra percentage deal
off their billing while others will
pass it on to their customers. Col
also is prepping a contest for the
dealer who does the best job on
the fall program.

BERKSHIRE FEST WINDS
TO RECORD 330G TAKE

Lenox, Mass., Aug. 17.

The 17th annual Berkshire Fes-
tival wound up at Tanglewood
here Sunday (15) at a high peak,
both artistic and boxoffice-wise.
Charles Munch led his Boston
Symphony Orchestra, plus four
brass bands, Music Center chorus
of 200 and Springfield, Mass.,
chorus of 50, in a performance of
Berlioz’s “Requiem.” New attend-
ance record for the six-week fest
was set, with a new boxoffice mark.
Total paid admissions were $330,-
033. as against $311,600 in 1953.

The dozen concerts of the BSO
In the 6,000-seater Shed (with
overflow on lawn) brought in
$249,217. Six chamber orchestra
events in the 1,150-seater Theatre-
Concert Hall accounted for another
$32,467. Six more music events
in the smaller hall added $13,007.
“Tanglewood on Parade” benefit
Aug. 13 netted $24,066, and there
was an additional $11,276 added
from Saturday morning public re-
hearsals.

Westminster Prepping
45 RPM Platter Movein

Westminster Records is prepping
Its initial movein to the 45 rpm
platter field. The step into the
slow-speed market is part of the
label’s overall expansion program.
Diskery recently launched a pop
platter series after having con-
fined all its output to the longhair
field.

Diskery’s initial 45 rpm releases
will all be in. the pop field. Re-
leases will include jazz, mood and
background music, Latin dances
and French chansons. The West-
minster 45s will hit the market
early next month.

RETAIL DISK BEST SELLEBS

“ ~PS‘RIETY'

Survey of retail disk best
sellers based on reports ob-
tained from leading stores in
22 cities and showing com-
parative sales fating for this
and last week.

National
: Rating
This Last
wk* «k»

Artist; Label, Title

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CREW CUTS (Mercury)
“Sh-Boom” ... ..: 1

ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Col.)
“Hey There”. 3

6

9

1 173

8

9

8

GAYLORDS (Mercury)
“Little Shoemaker” . . .

9 4 5 3 8 3 132

6

2.8 2

KITTY KALLEN (Decca)
“Little Things Mean a Lot”

2 131

2 10

8

ARCHIE BLEYER (Cadence)
“Hernando’s Hideaway” . , . .

6 111

6

9

8

10

6

KITTY KALLEN (Decca)

6 10 “Chapel in the Moonlight”.... 5 9

5 89

8 8 9

FOUR ACES (Decca)

6 “Three Coins in the Fountain”

4 56

8

9

7 6 6

9

6

McGUIRE SISTERS (Coral)
8; 8 “Goodnight, Sweetheart” ... .

6

51

8

9 8

10

8 10

9 6 8

8 9

FRANK WEIR (London)
9A 9 “Happy Wanderer” . . . .

49

6

9

6

VICTOR YOUNG (Decca)

9B 6 “High and the Mighty” .... 9
LeROY HOLMES (M-G-M)

11 11 “High and the Mighty” . . 6

45

6

9

9

45

6

10

12

LES BAXTER (Capitol)
“High and the Mighty’

39

PAUL-FORD (Capitol)

13 19 “I’m a Fool to Care” .

DEAN MARTIN (Capitol)

14 24 “Sway” ............... .

27

10

7 10

8

6

25

6

15

16 14

CHORDS (Cat)

“Sh-Boom” . . . . . . ; . . . . . . . j

FOUR TUNES (Jubilee) : ' “ ! “ ~ “

“I Understand How You Feel”. .. .. 5

9

23

20

8

CREW CUTS (Mercury)

17 13 “Crazy ’Bout You, Baby” ,. 7

VAUGHN MONROE (Victor)

18 15 “They Were Doing the Mambo” . . 10

8 18

10

2 10

10

16

6

10

HUGO WINTERHALTER (Vic.)
19 12 “Little Shoemaker”.

9 15

10

20

21 17

PATTI PAGE (Mercury)

“I Cried”

ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Col.)
“This Ole House”

14

12

22

23 20

BILL HALEY (Decca)

“Shake, Rattle and Roll” ....

DAVID WHITFIELD (London)
“Cara Mia”.

1 •• -- 10 11

10

8

24

HUGO WINTERHALTER (Vic.)
“Magic Tango”

10

10

8

JUNE VALLI (Victor)

25 15 “I Understand How You Feel” .

10 .. .. 10 ..

SIX TOP

ALBUMS

1

STUDENT PRINCE

Mario Lanxa

Victor

LM 1837

2

PAJAMA GAME

Broadway Cast

Columbia

ML 4840

S

GLENN MILLER

MEMORIAL

GUnn Millar

Victor

LPT 3057

4

GLENN MILLER
STORY

Film Soundtrack
Decca

DL 5519

5

MUSIC FOR
LOVERS ONLY
Jackio Olaacon

Capitol

H 352

6

PARDON MY
BLOOPER, VOL. II
Karmit Scholar

Jubilee
* LP3

Col Rushes Clooney Set

Columbia is rushing out a new
Rosemary Clooney album tagged
“While We’re Young,” to take ad-
vantage of her skyrocketing “Hey
There.” Release delays the label’s
plans to issue an album of duets
between Miss Clooney and her hus-
band, Jose Ferrer.

Album includes the title tune,
“Hello' Young Lovers,” “Young at
Heart,” “Too Young,” “You Make
Me Feel So Young,” and “Young
Man, Young Man,” written by
Ferrer.

IfJjJ Jf l,AR TIN

gene AUTRY

K» v Hit

IN THE SKY

RECORDS

Victor

it m • n 1 fvrOr

SISTERS* Columbia

medd^» CUNNINGHAM * * * * * • Benida

Dio? !, KA IADAMS. M . ; Volley

Published by RIDGEWAY 4

Audivox

Continued from page 1

novations, including a seven-chan-
nel tape that’s already been used
by Audivox.

Another novel aspect of the op-
eration is that during Audivox’s
16 months of operation, label’s
talent has been confined to Scott
and his 'wife, Dorothy Collins. Both
appear on the “Hit Parade” tv
show, Scott as musical director and
his wife as key femme vocalist.
Besides these activities, Scott is.
also a composer, arranger and pub-
lisher. Several of the Audivox
releases have been Scott composi-
tions played by an orch fronted
by the tunesmith. His ASCAP
pubbery is Gateway Music, formed
about seven years ago.

Scott has acquired some new
acreage adjacent to his home and
is planning to expand his record-
ing facilities. His electronics equip-
ment is valued at approximately
$100,000 and runs the gamut from
a simple voltohmeter to a more
complex audio-frequency wav#
analyzer.

Brit Maestro’s Injury
Won’t Snarl Band Debut

London, Aug. 17.

Drummer Eric Delaney, whose
newly-formed orchestra has been
signed to record for Mercury,
nearly had his. career cut off in its
prime last Tuesday (10) when he
severely injured his left hand.

Delaney, one of Britain’s top
drummers, launches his combo at
Sept. 16, and the first records
of the orch have been favorably
received by critics here. A keen
motorist, he was fixing his car
when he caught his left hand in
the generator belt. He was rushed
to the hospital where the second
finger of his left hand was ampu-
tated to the knuckle. The third
finger was crushed but it is hoped

ing aV ° ld amputatio * 1 h y skin-graft-

Delaney says he will have to al-

ter his grip slightly, but is sure
that his playing won’t be affected
and that the debut of hi§ band
will take place as arranged.

Claude Marchand Dancers set
for the Casino Theatre, Toronto,
Aug. 26.

M. WITMARK
ft SONS

Wally Gingers orch slated for a
one-niter at the Sunhybrook Ball-
p °ttstown, Pa., Aug. 28.
Orch s also set for a three-night
stand at the Centennial Terrace,
Sylvania, O., beginning Sept. 3.

America's - Fastest
-"Selling^Records!

Wednesday, Angus! 18, 1954

52

MUSIC

PfiniEfr

Wednesday, August 18, 1954

Local Talent, Labels Grabbing Big

PfatlETY

♦ M4 64 + 4444

Geography is becoming the*
nemesis of the music biz. New York
publishers and the major record
companies are finding it increas-
ingly difficult to plug new tunes
in the hinterlands, they’ve become
invaders in territories where local
talent and labels are very power-
ful.

In the past couple of months, the
battle for spins in the grassroots
areas has been won by the home-
grown product. The swing to the
local output has been especially
noticeable in the jukeboxes and
it’s become increasingly evident in
the programming of the deejays
around the country.

The civil war in the disk field,
heretofore, has been pop vs. hill-
billy or pop vs. rhythm & blues
but now it’s developed into a strug-
gle of pop vs. pop. Publishers and
disk companies are springing up all
over the country and any localite
with a voice and some financial
backing is getting a crack at the
shellac market. Their backers are
calling the turns with the local
deejays and coinbox ops.

Artists & repertory execs and
major pubbery representatives
who’ve been on junkets around the
country recently report that their
product is being brushed off in fa-
vor of disks, artists and tunes that
they’ve never heard before. Each
town has its favorite native singers
and they get steady play on the air-
lanes and in the coin machines.
It’s got to a point, one diskery exec
said, where only the top national
hits get any play in these areas
and it’s become increasingly dif-
ficult to break through with a new
artist or a new song.

The stress that the regional dee-
jays and juke ops have put on lo-
calities has stirred some singers,
who’ve failed to click on a top la-
bel, go home and try it again un-
der another name. So far the re-
gional push has done nothing more
than make them big names in their
home town. It’s yet to push them
into the bigtime.

Good Medicine

Arnold Shaw has taken a
page from his own book, "‘The
Money Song.” Shaw, who’s a
veepee at Hill & Range, re-
cently acquired “Sh-Boom”
after it had broken through
on the indie Cat label, a sub-
sid of Atlantic. In his tome,
the “money song” is picked up
. b;y a publisher after a noise-
making breakthrough on an
indie label.

Incidentally, the novel hits
the pocketbook market this
week via Signet.

on

PARIS’ ‘MEN& MELODIES’
COVERS 16 CAREERS

A good anthology for reference
and also good reading is Leonard
A. Paris’ “Men and Melodies”
< Crowell; $2.75), capsuling in under
200 pages the lives and careers of
16 top songsmihts. They embrace
Reginald DeKoven, Victor Herbert,
Harry B. Smith, George M. Cohan,
Rudolf Friml, Otto Harbach, Sig-
mund. Romberg, Jerome Kern, Irv-
ing Berlin, George Gershwin, Vin-
cent Youmans, Cole Porter, Kurt
Weill, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz
Hart and Oscar Hammerstein 2d.

Through these is virtually traced
the history and evolution of Ameri-
can musical comedy. There are
anecdotes about the songs and
their original interpreters. It is
chattily and informally written,
and will spark a pleasant nostalgic
note in its reading. Abel.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
6;

7.

8 .

9.

10.

sh-boom «> ; .•;;.v:.v;:;. Mcr S

LITTLE SHOEMAKER (7) \ S ayl0r ^i 1 ’ V u * Mercury

' [ Hugo Wtnterhalter Victor

LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT (16) Kitty Kallen

LcRoy Holmes

HIGH AND THE MIGHTY (1)

Victor Young
Johnny Desmond
l Les Baxter ......

HEY THERE (4) . . . : , . Rosemary Clooney

THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN (13) Four Aces .......

HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY (11) . i Archie Blayer ....

[Johnnie Ray . ... .

I’M A FOOL TO CARE (5). 'Les Paul-Mary Ford

IN THE CHAPEL IN THE MOONLIGHT (5) . . Kitty Kallen .

THEY WERE DOING THE MAMBO (2) . , Vaughn Monroe

Decca

* . •■ » ,

Decca

..... Coral

• . . . .Capitol
. . . Columbia
...... Decca

. . Cadence
. . Columbia
.... Capitol

.... . Decca

. . . . .Victor

i

4

4

Second Croup

t HAPPY WANDERER

Lea Mathews, formerly with the
Willis Conover band in Washing-
ton, D.C., and who has been fea-
tured at Cafe Society, has joined
Woody Herman and the Third
Herd as vocalist replacing Dolly
Houston who had been with the
Herman organization for the past
four years.

•••«*.• .v,v.v.v.\

REMO

sings

LINE

OF

LIFE

IT WAS MEANT
TO BE
THIS WAY

MGM 11778
K 11778

78 RPM
45 RPM

M G M RECORDS

THE GREATEST NAME | N ENTERTAINMENT

701 SEVENTH AVE , NEW YORK 36

N. Y.

. SFrankWeir ..... London

[ Henri Rene Victor

CRAZY 'BOUT YOU, BABY Crew Cuts .......... Mercuru

GOODNIGHT, SWEETHEART, GOODNIGHT McGuire Sisters Coral

MAGIC TANGO Hugo Winterhalter Victor

I UNDERSTAND JUST HOW YOU FEEL [Four Tunes ..Jubilee

{June Valli ...Victor

THIS OLE HOUSE Rosemary Clooney . .\ . Columbia

CINNAMON SINNER .. Tony Bennett Columbia

IF YOU LOVE ME (REALLY LOVE ME) Kay Starr Capitol

SOME DAY Frankie Laine Columbia

DREAM . . Four Aces Decca

{Figures in parentheses indicate number ol weeks song has been in the Top 10]

t t • 4 40 4 4 00 4440 4 4444-4 ♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ M t tf t I t t M ♦ ♦ ♦♦ M

♦

♦

♦

Alexander Ties Up Solid
10 Weeks at NX Statler
For Monroe, Two Orchs

Willard Alexander has locked up
10 solid weeks at the Cafe Rouge
of New York’s Hotel Statler with
stands for Vaughn Monroe, Rich-
ard Hayman’s orch and the Sauter-
Pinegan band.

Monroe has been slotted into
the room as a single for six weeks
beginning Oct, 8. It’ll mark Mon-
roe’s Gotham debut as a solo. He
broke up his band about a year
ago and is currently riding high
with “They Were Doing the Mam-
bo” on RCA Victor. Monroe will
be backed by the Hayman orch.
The Sauter-Finegan crew moves
into the Statler on Nov. 19 for a
four-week stay. The date will be
the band's initial New York hotel
stint. Orch played the Bandbox,
N. Y. jazz nitery, about a year ago.

Statler’s new fall policy will kick
off with the Dorsey Bros, next
month.

TITO BURNS TO DISBAND
HIS TOURING SEXTET

London, Aug. 17.

Tito Burns, accordionist band-
leader, whose sextet has been one
of the top touring band attractions
here for eight years, is disbanding
the outfit. It breaks up in Sep-
tember.

Burns, with vocalist wife Terry
Devon and his group, is at present
in the middle of a two-month tour
of U. S. bases in Europe. They
return Sept. 1, after which they
do some one-niters until the 11th
Then finis.

Burns is keeping mum about his
plans for the future, although
there are suggestions that he may
be giving up the profession en-
tirely. He has given no reasons
for his surprise decision to dis-
band, beyond the fact that he is
tired of galloping around, as he
has been doing on one-niters for
some years.

Blasts Disk ‘Junk’

Editor, Variety:

Amen brother on your editorial
about the payola in the disk in-
dustry.

As a man who programs a moun-
tain of records for radio and tv
each day naturally I’m interested
in what happens to this business.
Aside from all the obvious pitfalls
you mentioned in print, there is
the consideration of the very poor
material that finds its way to the
monthly release package.

The amount of junk these birds
are throwing on the market is go-
ing to haunt them in the not too
far future. In this line I’m for a
complete reshuffle in the a&r
business. Too bad we can’t men-
tion names. But it’s for the same
reason, no doubt, that I don’t want
my name mentioned either.

Pour it on them. Thanks.

Name Withheld.

CSIDA AND GREEN ADD
PARKER TO MGT. LIST

Joe Csida and Charlie Grean
continued bolstering their manage-
ment operation with the pacting of
composer-crooner Johnny Parker.
Singer recently was renewed by
Coral Records for an additional
two years.

Parker previously had worked
with such orch leaders as Les
Brown, Charlie Ventura and Skitch
Henderson.

4

4

t

44

Gillette Files
Suit On
look Sharp’ Tune

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Gillette Razor filed a $500,000
damage suit in Superior Court
against the composer and pub-
lishers of the tune, “To Look
Sharp,” claiming they had no right
to market the tune without per-
mission of the company, which
originally hired the composer to
pen the song. Asking declaratory
relief damages and an injunction,
Gillette said Mahlon Merrick had
penned the tune for them in Janu-
ary, 1951, as “Gillette Look Sharp
March,” and that since that time
they had spent $23,000,000 in radio
and tv advertising in which the
tune is used.

Complaint says Merrick recently
had the song published in sheet
music form and alleges he violated
an agreement inked Feb. 1 this
year when he omitted the com-
pany’s name from the title. Charge
contends both Merrick’s and Gil-
lette’s names were to have been
listed. It’s claimed Merrick didn’t
have the right to make use of the
composition for profit or perform-
ance without Gillette’s okay.
Named as defendants along with
Merrick are Marlen Music Co. and
Gordon Music Co., publishers of
the song; David M. Gordon, Mel-
vyn L. Gordon and 10 John Does.
Razor plaintiffs added they feared
a band arrangement would over-
popularize the song.

Amer. Tunes Now Dominate
Danish Radio; Too Many
in Denmark?

Copenhagen, Aug, 10.

Four out of five tunes played
on Danish Statsradiofoniens dance
or record programs are of Ameri-
can origin. This summer not one
hit has dominated the market, like
“Seven Lonely Days” (Mork) did
last year, but Tin Pan Alley prod-
ucts like “Changing Partners” and
“Aanswer Me” (both from Dacapo),
“Till the End of the World”
(Mork) and “Make Love to Me”
(Imudico) have had Jbig sales on
records, both imported and in local
versions.

Some stir has been created by a
Danish song, “Der er altfor mange
sode pi’er in Denmark,” published
by Imudico and written by the pro-
lific composer Sven Gyldmark.
This song, a polka, complaining
about there being much too many
pretty girls in Denmark (because
there is not enough time to kiss
them all), has had a lot of pub-
licity and is already out on four
Danish recordings.

’s New Band
In Houston Shakedown

# Houston, Aug. 17.

Joe Reichman and his new orch
opened here at the Empire Room,
Rice Hotel, last Thursday (12) for
a four-week stay. Reichman has
been in retirement as a bandleader
for the past two years and .has
been a disk jockey with WFAA,

, is to shake the band down
here and in Dallas prior to taking
it on a national tour. Arrange-
ments are by David Rose. For the
local stand Spencer & Jinaye,
dance team, will spotlight the floor
show for the first two weeks.

Thor Johnson, conductor of the
Cincinnati Symphony, will be guest
batoneer with the Philadelphia
Orchestra during the coming sea-
son, for the first time.

A Solid Ballad Hit!

LEO FEIST, INC.

Jqndon

RECORDS

‘The finest sound on record”

t

FREE USE OF 1
RECORDING EOUIPMENT
in oxchango for Offico
midtown adv. agency or
affiliated with radio, tv, mutic.

BOX V-81 354, VARIETY.

154 W. 46th St.. Now York

\ 4 ♦

Wednesday, AuguBl 18, 1954

Scoreboard

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 a statistical system comprising each of the tiree. major sales outlets enu-
merated above. These findings are correlated wiht data, from wider sources , which are exclusive
with Variety, The positions resulting from these findings denc&je the OVERALL IMPACT de-
veloped from the ratio of points scored two ways in the case juf talent ( disks coin machines)
and three ways in the case of tuneS ( disks coin machines sheen music).

TALENT

POSITIONS
This Last

Week Week ARTIST AND LABEL

1 1 CREW CUTS (Mercury)

POSITIONS
This Last
Week Week

KITTY KALLEN (Decca)

ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Columbia)

GAYLORDS (Mercury) ......

ARCHIE BLEYER (Cadence) ....

FOUR ACES (Decca) ......

McGUIRE SISTERS (Coral)
FRANK WEIR (London) . .
VICTOR YOUNG (Decca) .
LE ROY HOLMES (M-G-M)

TUNE

(Sh-Boom

‘ ) Crazy ’Bout You, Baby

( Little Things Mean a Lot
) Chapel in the Moonlight

(Hey There
) This Ole House
. Little Shoemaker

. Hernando’s Hideaway

(Three Coins in the Fountain
* ) Dream

. . Goodnight, Sweetheart
. Happy Wanderer
, High and the Mighty
. High and the Mighty

TUNES

(♦ASCAP. fBMI)

tune publisher

fSH-BQOM ....*. Hill & Range

♦LITTLE SHOEMAKER Bourne

♦HEY THERE Frank

♦HIGH AND THE MIGHTY Witmark

♦LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT Feist

♦HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY . . ! Frank

♦THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN Robbins

t GOODNIGHT, SWEETHEART, GOODNIGHT Arc

♦HAPPY WANDERER Fox

♦IN THE CHAPEL IN THE MOONLIGHT Shapiro-B

Inside Stuff-Music

• Birdland, the Broadway jazz boite, gets a double-barrelled boost on
two Decca platters, concurrently being plugged. One is an ode to the
joint, Ella Fitzgerald’s "Lullaby of. Birdland,” written by George
Shearing. Patricia Music is publishing. The other is a paradox, in
that Louis Armstrong’s concurrent engagement at the rival Basin
Street, nearby Broadway bop bistro, has cued deejay references to his
ultra-modern version of "Whiffenpoof Song,” which tees off with
"from the tables down at Birdland,” likewise a strong lyric disk plug
for the spot.-

In- preparing for its 20th anni celebration starting this fall, Decca
Records combed through its sales lists for 1,000,000-sellers and dis-
covered that seven platters have “sneaked” quietly into the golden
circle over the past few years. Disks, which reached the 1,000,000
marker by a dribble of sales after their initial click impact, are Guy
Lombardo’s "Third Man Theme,” "Humoresque” and "Easter Parade”;
Fred Waring’s "The Night Before Christmas”; Jimmy Dorsey’s “Green .
Eyes”; Woody Herman’s "Woodchoppers’ Ball,” and Johnny Long’s
“Shanty Town.” .

Plans are in the offing to set aside Sept. 21 as "Hank Williams Day”
in Montgomery, Ala. The salute to the late hillbilly crooner-composer
is being organized by the. Alcazar Shrine Temple, with the entire pro-
ceeds to be turned over to the Shrine Charity Fund. Country & west-
ern artists will participate in the memorial program and MOM Records,
Williams’ label until his death Jan. 1, 1953, and its Atlanta distributor
will work with disk jockeys, jukebox operators and dealers to promote
the affair.

After the death of songsmith Ralph Care a couple of weeks ago,
Bernie Wayne, who collabbed with him on a number of tunes, dusted
off one of their compositions, "Do Me Good, Ba-Baby,” for a pop push,
Wayne also is turning over all the royalties on the tune, which Meridian
Music, an E. H. Morris subsid, is publishing, to Care’s widow.

Bob Weems, heaid of Willard Alexander bureau in Chicago, cur-
rently is touting a tune called "Ava” for the WA office. Ditty was
come upon fortuitously, after newspapers in the Windy City pub-
lished freak circumstances in which the song was "discovered.” A
houewife, Mrs. Lena Golightly, had doffed "Ava” in hobby fashion
and lost three demonstration disks of the tune in a Loop store. Some-
time later she received a check in the mail for $1,000 from one who
wrote only "I Love Ava.” Mrs. Golightly later learned that her tune
had helped to mend a rift between a gentleman and his woman named
Ava, Weems says there are'several publshers and diskeries interested in
the property.

Third Toronto vocal quartet to break into U. S show biz is changing
its moniker too— the Esquires— signed by MCA for a tv shot in Cleve-
land and a Toledo nightspot, as result of a recent lounge date at Bas-
sets in Toronto. No new name chosen yet. The Four Lads were
originally Four Dukes but changed, like Esquires, because another
combo was using the tag already. Canadairs changed to Crew Cuts
just before waxing their first hit, "Crazy About You, Baby.”

Eugene Cines, head of CBS-TV’s record library, is making some
noise as a tunesmith — but not in this country. His song, "Spindthrift,”
is building in England, Germany And Holland but hasn’t yet been
published ini the U.S. Tune is published in England by Edition Lynx
and has been recorded by Tom Van Elst. Several N.Y, pubberies
currently are dickering for the song.

Leslie A. Macdonnell, who recently ankled the Foster Agency In
London, is acting as personal manager to a limited number of artists.
He is, not associated with the Ted Heath Agency nor has he launched
out into the music publishing business. Macdonnell represents Heath
in certain phases of his business and has rented offices in Heath’s
. suite in Albermarle St.

The American Broadcasting Co, will salute Decca Records’ 20th
anni on Sept. 7 via special tributes to the diskery on seven of its
radio shows. All the programs will originate in New York. The Decca
salute will be kicked off in the ayem bv Dean Cameron and run through
the day, winding up with George Hamilton Combs’ “Spotlight on
New York” stanza in the late evening.

Julius Bihari and Modern Records were ordered by Federal Judge
Ben Harrison in L. A. to refrain from selling any imperfect Clef, Nor-
gran or Mercury Records .acquired through the purchase of scrap stuff
from RCA Victor’s custom pressing division.

George Shearing and his pressagent Bill Hegner have teamed up
as a songsmithing duo. Shearing and Hegner already have collaborated
on a dozen tunes, three of which are being waxed by the Ray Charles
Choir for MGM Records this week.

Decca Tags Roman

Decca Records added warbler-
guitarist Mimi Roman to its coun-
try & western roster recently.

Thrush, who is being earmarked
for a "Grand Ole Opry” showcase,
will begin etching for the label
within the next couple of weeks.

Waco, Tex. — Sam Snyder’s "1954
Water Follies” will be presented
here Aug. 16-20, under sponsorship
of the Lions Club of Waco, at the
Heart o' Texas Coliseum. This is
to be the only Texas stop of the
water show.

coming up real fast . . . real big!

An Old Familiar Love Song

great new ballad by Bob Hilliard and Dave Mann

RCA VICTOR No. 2-5836

J o e Reisman Orchestra

MUSIC

Wednesday, August 18 , 1954

On The Upbeat

New York

Fred Amsel on a deejay trek
through the midwest plugging
Karen Chandler’s new Coral slice
of “Heartbeat” Elliott Bros, orch
currently at the Rendezvous Ball-
room. Balboa Beach, Cal. Shir-
ley Harmer, MGM Records thrush,
begins her own tv show , for the
Canadian Broadcasting System Oct.
3 . Juggy Gayles leaves for the
Coast tomorrow (Thurs.) for an in-
definite stay . Jo Stafford’s Co-
lumbia Records’ coupling of “Near-
er My Love To Me” and “Temple
of an Understanding Heart” picked
by Woman’s Home Companion
mag as the disk of the month for
October Vaughn Monroe began
a one-week stand at the Steak
Ranch. Atlanta, Monday (16)

Sol Ilandwerger, MGM Records
publicity chief, farming in: upper
New York State for a week . .
Baby Bee, MGM Records pactee,
currently at the Cotton Club, At-
lantic City Nat (King) Cole into
Ciro’s, Hollywood, Aug. 27 . Lion-
el Hampton orch currently at the
Chez Paree. Montreal Chico
O’Farriil’s new band debuts at
Birdland Sept. 16 Ray Haney,
MGM Records new folksinger, on
an extensive road tour plugging
his debut sides, “I’m Sorry, Sorry
Now” and "Rosie’s TV Song.”

Chicago

Count Basie opening two weeks
at Blue Note Aug. 25, with Duke
Ellington pegged for fortnight on
Sept. 29 . . . Herbie Fields playing
three weeks at Preview, Chi, be-
ginning Sept. 22, and following
with week at Scaler’s, Milwaukee,
commencing Oct. 11 . . . Charlie
Ventura opens six days at Scaler’s
on Aug. 23 ... Claridge Hotel,
Memphis, cutting out acts and
dance policy as of Oct. 8. . .
Sauter-Finegan orch begins first
southwest tour of colleges on Sept.
10 . . . Commanders current at
Grove Ballroom,' Chi, for one week
. . . Gee Cee Trio dated for 12
weeks with options at Old Heidel-
r ‘ * berg starting Sept. 5 . . . Shep
Fields on niters in midwest cur-
rently . . . Chuck Foster to Peabody
Memphis. Aug. 23 to Sept. 11 . . .
Tommy Reid to Claridge Hotel,
Memphis, Aug, 20 through Sept. 8.
. . . Ralph Sharron keyboarding at
Cloister Inn for three weeks, fol-
lowing which regular pianist War-
ren Meyers returns

St. Louis

Janet Brace, songbird, in at
Steeplechase Terrace, with Bob
Thompson and his Aquatones con-
tinuing to play for shows aind danc-
ing . . . Jan Grant and Dick Fister’s
band h.o. at Towm & Country...
Sid Tomack back for seventh time
at Zodiac Roof, plus Joe Schuv
mer's Bournon St. St. Six. . .Boris

Romanoff ranging from Bach to
boogie on the 88 at the Chantilly
Lounge . Gene Hoyer’s orch and
chirp Betty Dunn at the Forest
Park Highlands. . .Bands of Hal
Havird and Johnny Polzin alternat-
ing for night and day cruises on
the excursion steamer Admiral.

San Francisco |

Jack Ross celebrating his 10th
year at the Cirque Room at the
Fairmont . . Horace Heidt comes

to the Italian Village tonight
(Wed.) . . . Georgia Auld at Fack’s
for two weeks with Vince Guardldi
on piano, Jerry Good on bass and
Gus Gustafson on drums ... Kid
Ory returned to the Hangover Club
Monday (16) with George Probert
on clarinet- . . . Woody Herman
playing a one-nigh ter at Rio Nido
at Russian River Aug. 26.

Omaha

Chuck Foster orch closed a
three-night stand at Peony Park
here Sunday (15) and will be fol-
lowed by Hank Thompson (22) and
Ray Pearl <27-29 > . . . Vic “Star”
Dust opened at Sun-Set Ballroom
in Lincoln last Saturday (14) .

Jay Bellaire orch at the Turnpike
in Lincoln. Hank Thompson is set
for one-riighter there Friday (20)

. . . Thomas L. Thomas drew 5,947
at the Omaha Centennial’s Century j
of Great American Music last ‘
week. j

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 August 6-12, 1954

Cara Mia ... Feist

Crazy ’Bout You Baby . Sunbeam
Gilly, Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen ........ Beaver

Cfoodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight Arc

Green Years .... ......... Harms

Happy Wanderer ... Fox .

Heaven Was Never Like This . . Famous

Hernando’s Hideaway— *“Pa jama Game” ...Frank

Hey There— -*“Pajama Game” Frank

High And The Mighty — t“High And The Mighty” ..Witmark
I Can’t Believe That You’re In Ldve With Me . ... . . Mills

I Love Johnny, Johnny Miller

I Need You Now .....Miller

I Understand Just How You Feel .Jubilee

If I Give My Heart To You . . Miller

If You Love Me (Really Love Me) ...... . Duchess

I’m A Fool To Care . . Peer

In The Chapel In The Moonlight . .Shapiro-B

Little Shoemaker Bourne

Little Things Mean A Lot Feist

Magic Tango Chappell

Make Her Mine . . BVC

Sh-Boom H&R

Skokiaan. . . . ; Shapiro-B

Some Day ..... Famous

Steam Heat — *“Pajama Game” .... .Frank

Sway ........... : Peer

There Never Was A Night So Beautiful Broadcast

They Were Doing The Mambo .. Morris

Three Coins In Fountain-t“Three Coins In Fountain”. Robbins
Wedding Bells (Are Breaking Up That Old Gang) . . Mills

Ton 30 Songs on TV

(More In Case of Ties)

San Antonio

Art Mooney and his orch here ]
for a number of dates at local ;
Army and Air Force installa- :
tions. . . Erskine Hawkins and orch !
booked for a one-night stand at the .
Municipal Auditorium Saturday <21 * *
Included in the show will be Fay ?
Adams, the Drifters and the Counts
among other entertainers . . . Jim- '
my Joy has formed a new five-piece •
combo in Dallas, to be known as
The Townsmen. Joy also has a
larger crew for club dates, college
proms and . other bookings.

London

West End bandleader - pianist
Tommy Rogan, late of the Berkeley
and 400, has been chosen by im-
presario Maurice Winnick to lead
the band on board the liner Sax-
onia, which sails from Liverpool to |
Montreal on her maiden voyage
Sept. 2 . . . Len Edwards, general
manager of Mellin Music here, is
ill with heart-trouble and has been
ordered to rest for a month „ . .
Johnnie Gray and his band signed
for two months’ tour of U.S. camps
in Europe . . . Fred Jackson, head
of Mills Music here, off on Con-
tinental business trip. He will visit
Luxembourg, Holland, Belgium*
Germany and France, returning
Sept. 11 .

And This Is My Beloved — *“Kismet”

Baubles, Bangles And Beads— *“Kismet”

Crazy 'Bout You Baby .

Gilly, Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen .......

Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight

Green Years

Half As Lovely

Happy Wanderer

Hernando’s Hideaway — *“Pajama Game”

Hey There— *“Pajama Game”

High And The Mighty— t“High And The Mighty” .

Hit And Run Affair

Hottentot ..... : .

I Love Johnny, Johnny

I Love Paris — *“Can-Can”

If You Love Me (Really Love Me)

It’s Great To Be In California

Jones Boy

Little Shoemaker

Little Things Mean A Lot

Lost In Loveliness— *“Girl In Pink Tights”

Make Her Mine

Marie

One Arabian Night

Sh-Boom .•

Skokiaan •

They Were Doing The Mambo

Three Coins In Fountain- t“Three Coins In Fountain’

Under Paris Skies ;

Young At Heart

, Frank
. Frank
. Sunbeam
Beaver
Arc
Harms
Shaw
. Fox
Frank
Frank
Witmark
Duchess
Dartmouth
Miller
Chappell
Duchess
Amer. Acad.
Pincus
Bourne
Feist
Chappell
BVC
Berlin
Meridian
H&R

Shapiro-B

Morris

.Robbins

Leeds

Sunbeam

t FVmusical.

Legit musical.

MEMO ^

TO: Advertisers of

musical instruments,
accessories and services

FROM: Associated Musicians
of Greater New York
LOCAL 802,

American Federation of Musicians

If you want to reach
31,000 professional musicians,
pur 1955 Membership Directory
will be open to advertisers*

PUBLICATION DATE -
JANUARY, 1955

o

information and rates:

Public Relations Department
LOCAL 802,

A.F.ofM.

261 W. 52nd St.,

New York 19, N. Y.

Martin Block

Continued from page 1

“then only by a bad process of
elimination because all the others
were so bad,” he adds.

Block plays his new disks blind.
“It isn’t fair otherwise,” he ob-
serves, “not to listen to the new
platters without my listeners, so
I listen when they listen. And
when they were that bad, as last
week, 1 just had to stop the music.
When some of those ‘new voices,’
as they call ’em, are perpetrated
on the public it also offends me,
and I have the privilege of chop-
ping off the agony.”

Indigo Disk Versions

Block is also plenty incensed at
the off-color trend in some of the
disks. He named names, which
shall be kept anonymous at the
moment although Variety at di-
verse times has cautioned against
the double-entendres and pash
vocalisthenics, which come under
the category, of what some of the
a&r men think might be “cute”
or “romantic.” The boudoir in-
terpretation and/or the saucy
wordage has been a sensitive point
with Block.

His paternal interest in the
music business causes Block to
observe that “eventually it's gonna
kick back into their faces,” be it
mediocrity or paprika lyrics, and
“it’s come to a point where I just
won’t be party to it,” he says.

Jane Morgan, Kapp Records’
thrush, gets a two-day leave of ab-
sence from New York’s Latin
Quarter show to head out on a dee-
jay tour of Cleveland and Detroit
plugging her debut disk of “Base-
ball, Baseball” and “Fair Weather
Friends.”

Exceed ’53 Pace

Cab’s Coast Music Dates
After 2 Years in ‘Porgy’

Hollywood, Aug. 17,
After two years in the legiter,
“Porgy and Bess,” Cab Calloway

plays his first music date Friday
(20) in a featured spot in Irving
Granz’s “Jazz a la Carte” concert
at the Shrine Auditorium. He’ll
be backed by Louis Bellson and his
All-Stars, including Zoot Sims and
Harry Edison.

Others on the bill are Stan Getz,
Buddy DeFranco Quartet, Red
Norvo Trio with Tal Farlow, Chet
Baker Quartet and Max Roach.
Same talent, except for Baker, will
be used for another bash the fol-
lowing night at the Russ Audi-
torium in San Diego.

Hollywood, Aug. 17.

Sales of Capitol Records zoomed
again during the 12 months ended
June 30, 1954, to reach new heights
that sent earnings up to $31,000
prexy Glenn E. Wallichs reported
in a letter to stockholders today
(Tues.). Sales volume reached
31-7,785,534 — a jean of more than
$2,750,000 over 1953’s $15,013,369.

Net income for the period
amounted to $706,023, equal after
preferred dividends to $1.47 per
share on the 476,230 shares of
common stock outstanding. For the
previous year, the net of $674 946
i were equal to $1.39 per share.

Working capital at the end of
the period exceeded the leyel of
the previous June 30, Wallichs re-
ported, with cash and Government
securities alone exceeding total
current liabilities.

Dividends of 75c per share, total-
ing $357,172, were paid by the firm
during the 12-montlj period ended
June 30. A quarterly dividend of
15c a Share was declared Aug. 12,
payable Oct. 1 to stockholders of
record Sept. 15. Declarations in
the 12 months ended June 30, 1953,
were $238,115, equal to 50c a share.

‘SANTA’ GETS UPDATING
FOR FRESHER FIELDS

“Santa Baby” is being updated
with new. lyric versions. 'Joan
Javits, who penned the words to
the Tony and Phil Springer mel-
ody, has written three sets of new
lyrics for the pop, kiddie and hill-
billy field, Tune hit the bestsell-
ing brackets last year via RCA
Victor’s Eartha Kitt waxing.

Trinity Music, which is publish-
ing “Santa Baby,” is prepping a
deejay contest for recommenda-
tions as to what artist should cut
the tune in each field. Best dee-
jay suggestions will get $100.

Robbins Preps Francis,
Community Song Folios

Jack Robbins is prepping a flock
of new song folios. The vet pub
recently tied up Arlene Francis for
a folio in her name and pacted
Prof. Harvey Robert Wilson to ar-
range a community song book for
highschools and colleges. Latter
folio will be tagged “Lobby Sing.”

Wilson is professor of music
education at Teacher’s College,
Columbia U. “The Arlene Francis
Song Folio” is due for hefty plug-
ging via her tele shows.

SONG FROM

MUTINY

I Can’t Believe
That You’re In Love With Me

by JIMMY McHUGH and CLARENCE GASKILL

MILLS MUSIC, INC

IQccaideci Oft /4U JHajax

CARMEN McRAE

WINNER DOWNBEAT 1954 AWARD
’WORLD’S BEST NEW FEMALE SINGER'

Currently

CLOISTER INN, Chicago, III.

Opening S«pt. 3, Apollo Thootro, Now York

ASSOCIATED BOOKING CORPORATION

JOE GLASER, Pres.

New York | Chicago
74 5 5th Ave. PL. 9-4600 | 203 No. Wabash

Hollywood
861 9 Sunset Blvd.

Wednesday, August 18, 1954

*K5,000 Suit Vs. Day On
Honolulu Runout Claim

Chicago,. Aug. 17.

Bonn Reyes and Lee' Gordon, in
tljeii' owrf version of ten-twent’-
thii-r two-a-day parade of U. S.
talent in Australia, “made a few
thousand dollars’' oni their first
“Big Show” unit which grossed
£46.000 ($103,5001 in a one-week,
tluee-city tour that ended two
weeks ago. But, instead of the 10-
20-30 c admish prices of vaude days,
the Aussies were tapped 10-20-30
bo b— roughly $1.25 to $3.75.

Second “Big Show” unit, to open
Sept. 10 in Sydney, includes John-
nie Ray, comic Dave Barry and
dance team of Peggy Ryan &, Ray
McDonald. Mickey Rooney and Cab
Calloway are set for the October
tour. Rudy Vallee has okayed an
Aussie junket, with date as yet un-
decided. Reyes and Gordon plan
six to eight of these Down Under
trips annually, and are considering
adding the Philippines and South
Africa to the itinerary.

First “Big Show” package star-
red Artie Shaw, Jerry Colonna,
Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy Rich and a
local Aussie orch. Unit played
three days in Sydney, three in Mel-
bourne and one in Brisbane, from
July 23 to Aug. 1.

Ray will get $22,500 for his stint.
Budget for the entire layout will
be around $45,000, which the pro-
moters feel should be average for
the traveling shows. Reports from
Aussie are that show, Miss Fitz-
gerald. Rich and Colonna pulled
down $10,000 each for 22 shows.

Original unit grossed approxi-
mately $102,000 for the seven days,
despite the fact that some coin was
lost when Miss Fitzgerald, delayed
in Honolulu, was unable to make it
on time. To insure goodwill, pro-
moters took considerable news-
paper space to explain the situation
and then hired auditoriums for her
to do a pair of solo shows for the
benefit of Hcketholders who had
seen the original layout without
her.

Reyes is also talking a deal with
Hedda Hopper, only Hollywood
columnist whose column is syndi-
cated in Australia, to go along as
mistress of ceremonies for one of
the units.

When Reyes and Gordon first ap-
proached U. S. acts ,for their pro-
posed tour, the reaction they got
from performers was “Australia
is weeks and weeks away and we
can’t spare that much time.” Some
were skeptical even after an ex-
amination of the airlines schedules
proved that they could play full
eight days (laws prohibit Sunday
performances) in Australia and
still be back in the States two
weeks after departure.

Reyes left for Australia last
week. Vick Knight, who’ll produce
the second unit, planes out Sept. 3,
with the acts to follow on Sept. 7
for the Sept. 10 opening in Sydney.

Gene Krupa, appearing in
Australia last week for Aztec Serv-
ices with a local band, drew more
than 20,000 at his initial stand.

Ray’s 3d Brit. Visit

London, Aug. 17.

Third visit of Johnnie Ray to
Britain will take place next April,
lie plans to make his longest stay
here — at least three months.

It’s almost certain he’ll again ap-
pear at the London Palladium.

JOE E.’S VEGAS ENCORE
12 WEEKS SO FAR IN ’54

Las Vegas, Aug. 17.
•Joe E. Lewis’ engagement at El
•Rancho here is being extended an
additional four weeks. He started
July 14 a t this spot. He . played El
Rancho four weeks previously this

year -for a total 12-week, stint since
Jan. I.

Lewis opens the fall season at
T ! le Gopacabana, N. Y., Sept. 16 for
six weeks.

‘Junior Jinx’ N.Y. Finals
To Be Staged at Palace

Metropolitan N. Y. finals of the
Jumor Jinx” contests, now being
conducted in Various nabes in. New
Tork will be staged at the Palace
theatre, Sept. 1. Contest is for
Buis under 21 who have aspira-
ions of being a .video, reporter,
at e ~ w * nners will be selected
1 the Palace, with finals to be
slJgGd on Long Island Sept. 12.

Despite Big B.O., Red River
Fair Into the Red for 6G

Winnipeg, Aug. 17.

Despite a record-breaking at-
tendance at the recent Red River
Exhibition, here, the fair went into
the red to the extent of $6,000
because of the huge construction
costs and terrific talent nut. Gross
hovered around $14,000.

Largest expenditures were for
Lionel Hampton who got $15,000;
$1,200 for Grandpa Jones; $1,000
for Ray Little’s Radio Cowboy
Show, and $600 for Frank Torrence.
In addition, the exhib had to pay
for expensive grandstand construc-
tiom.

After the breakup of the Red
River show, the Greater Winnipeg
Exhibition in nearby St. Vital,
opened, and is expected to do. well
since it has a. negligible nut. Cliff
Claggart, rodeo promoter from Cal-
gary had a $30,000 ; grandstand
built for them and they get the
show grounds free from the mu-
nicipality, whereas the Red River
show paid $15,000 for use of the
Polo Park racetrack.

Nightclub Biz

New York’s Summer Festival is
bringing in a lot of business into
the city. Grosses in niteries, legit
houses, filmeries, etc. are on the
upbeat. At this point it’s a mix-
ture of good product and increase
in the number of tourists hitting
the city. Just how much is being
contributed by each factor is dif-
ficult .to break down. However,
niteries, which are generally de-
void of summer banquet business,
are getting & lot of trade they
haven’t had previously.

For example, Lou Walters, Latin
Quarter boniface, says that he's
been hitting more than 100 ban-
quet covers nightly set up by travel
agencies. This kind of trade wasn’t
around last season and Walters
concludes that it must be the Sum-
mer Festival. He feels that the
promotion on the Festival, which
has been hitting the provinces, has
done much to promote nitery busi-
ness in New Yorfc Other cafes
elsewhere have also been hitting
an upbeat as a result of the expan-
sion of promotion.

The business increase in the ni-
teries is especially significant since
there are no highpowered names
current in the N. Y. cafes, and the
hypo comes at a time when many
of the natives who would normally
patronize the clubs are out of the
city. T

Toronto Ops Get Appeal
In Apollon 7G Award

Toronto, Aug. 17.

T. Holmes and Lou Chessler, op-
erators of the One-Two Club here,
have been granted an appeal on
the recent award of $7,195 given
Dave Apollon by the International
Executive. Board of the American
Federation of Musicians. Same
body okayed the appeal. Bonifaces
claim that the award was. not justi-
fied in view of the fact that a com-
plete set of facts had not been pre-
sented.

Apollon had charged the op’s,
with a breach of contract, having
cancelled an all-femme act pack-
aged by Apollon after four weeks
of an eight-week contract. Owners
had claimed that the girls had in-
sufficient wardrobe and arrange-
ments to justify a continued stand
at that spot

Goldman to Jaffe

Milton Goldman,, former eastern
rep for the late Paul Small> has
become eastern rep for the Jaffe
Agency of Hollywood.

Gbldman is returning from the
Coast this week. • • •

Frank , Llbuse signed for the
Moulin Rouge, Hollywood, Sept. 23.

a ni l? * Dennis Da y ; has until
Aug. 31 to answer a $25,000 dam-
age suit filed by Mrs. Tessie Levitt,
Qu^^^g IIon °l u l u Sportsmen’s

Plaintiff alleges breach of con-
tract and claims Day, through Mu-
sic Corp. of America, signed a con-
tract with her for three appear-
ances here in 1951 and that singer
refused to go through with it.

Suit was filed while Day was
playing a benefit engagement at
Civic Auditorium. “To my knowl-
edge, no contract exists,” Day com-
mented- after Mrs. Levitt’s suit was
filed, Singer, who has returned to
the mainland, is represented by a
local law firm.

British vauders are hitting a de-
cline, according to Charlie Manny,
an . English" percenter currently
visiting the U. S. Manny, who
came to the British Isles many
years ago as part of a vaude team,
settled there to become an act rep.

Manny pointed out that economics
are catching up to the vaude in-
dustry in that part of the world.
The industry there, he said, is suf-
fering from repetition. The na-
tive acts have been seen too fre-
quently, and American headliners
cost a lot of money.

Supporting acts from America
are also expensive, and so the
British vaude . industry is in a fix
at the moment, However, Manny
expects that some solution will be
found. British television is still
not strong enough to provide seri-
ous competition for the variety
field.

Manny expects to remain in the
U. S. for several months before re-
turning to England.

Sheraton on Expansion
Jag Too; Grabs 2d Hotel

Sheraton hotel chain, now sec-
ond in size to the augmented Hil-
ton group which last week acquired
the Statler Hotels, is also doing the
expansion bit. Last week the
Sheraton Corp. acquired the 500-.
room Blackstone Hotel, Chicago,
which it purchased from the
National Cuba Hotel Corp. It was
the second acquisition within the
week. Previously Sheraton had
bought the Ten Eyck Hotel,
Albany, from the Schine Hotels
Corp., of which Pvt. G. David
Schine is president.

The Blackstone had been
operated by Kirkeby Hotels, which
now has as its major holdings the
Gotham and Warwick, both N. Y.;
Nacional, Havana, and Beverly
Wil'shire, Beverly Hills.

The Sheraton chain, with assets
of $127,000,000, now operates 26
inns. The chain reported a record
gross income for the fiscal year
ended April 30 of $72,771,079, and
a net profit of $5,295,000 or $1.63 a
share on the 3,259,430 shares out-
standing. Earnings increased from
$1.24 a share during the previous
year.

The Sheraton owns hotels and,
office buildings in the U. S. and
Canada. The Blackstone is the
second Chi hostel owned by the
chain. Other is the Sheraton Chi-
cago. In addition, chain has ac-
quired a substantial portion of
Thompson Industries, which manu-
factures stampings for the auto
industry.

CHI CHEZ INKS GREENE
FOR 4 FUTURE DATES

Chicago, Aug. 17.

Comic Shecky Greene’s impact
on his initial Chez Paree appear-
ance has been such that boniface
Dave Halper has inked the lad for
four future dates in the next three
years. He’ll be held over to co-
headline the next two-week shows
on Aug. 24 with Dick Contino, after
current Ann Sothern bill expires.

Recent MCA pactee is already set
to return on May 12 next year and
again in both 1956 and 1957.

VAUDEVILLE

55

Mon

Pic Sets Esther Williams
Validates Back to Fall

Esther Williams, who was origi-
nally slated for a vaude tour this
summer, has delayed the jaunt un-
til the fall because of continued
work on her Metro picture, “Jupi-
ter’s Daughter.” According, to the

t The inter-union quarrel between
the American. Federation of Musi-
cians and American Guild of Va-
riety Artists is killing off night-
club business in Montreal. Town
has long been regarded as one of
the hottest nightclub cities on the
North American continent, fre-
quently employing more name tal-
ent than either New York, Chicago
or Hollywood, or any city in the
United States with the exception

William Morris Agency, deal had of those in the Nevada gamblihe

Vtodin c^f Ilia 1IT n r>L. : _ w I ^

been set for the Capitoi, Washing-
ton, but Metro couldn’t give the
final okay. Consequently, she’ll
probably play that house sometime
in the fall.

Montreal has been blitzed by the
flareup between these two Ameri-
can Federation of Labor affiliates.
I Nightclubs are dropping off
There’s possibility that actress ; rapidly* The Mt. Royal, which

will also play Loew’s State, N. Y.,
along with other Loew houses. In
her act will be her husband, Ben
Gage. Miss Williams is not plan-
ning an aquatic display, but rather
an act consisting basically of
singing

used to have a fullscale floorshow,
ho$ axed the acts and has shrunk
Max Chamitov’s orchestra down to
a trio. Other niteries are being
put in the position of haying to
lay off the act policy during the
height of the tourist season. Nitery

Miss Williams has been signed , P r ^H s have disappeared almost

for a three-day stand at the State
Theatre, Hartford, starting Sept.
10, and a Steel Pier, Atlantic City,
date for week of Sept. 13 is under
negotiation. Miss Williams is on a
percentage deal, getting 60% over
$15,000, in Hartford.

For a Headliner

. Show

The N. Y. Paramount Theatre
quest for a headliner, to start
around Labor Day, is becoming a
nerve-wracking chore. All those
approached have so far nixed the
proposition, each for a variety of
reasons. It’s conceded to be one
of the toughest tasks in show biz
to induce a headliner to go for
four to six shows a day, during that
part of the year, when the Govern-
ment will virtually claim the at-

completely there.

The fight stems from the repu-
diation of an agreement defining
the . jurisdiction of musical acts
by AGVA. Latter union had
charged the AFM with repeated
violations. James C. Petrillo, fol-
lowing the contract cancellation,
sought to forbid musicians from
backing AGVA acts, but an adverse
court decision in Boston forced
abandonment of that policy. War-
fare along the same lines was sub-
sequently started in Canada by
AFM veepee Walter Murdoch. Mur-
doch augmented his no-backing of
AGVA performers with the estab-
lishment of an auxiliary in which
| AGVA members could join upon
' payment of $10.

The auxiliary hasn’t grown to
any extent because of the fact that
any American performer joining
it would be banned from work in
the U. S. Sole effect apparently
has been to create havoc among
the nightclubs.

Sad part about the situation is
that Canadian musicians are losing
work also. Closing of niteries
doesn’t help the employment situa-
tion there and the chances are that
the hassle may cause • permanent

tional°Uxes" tir6 ‘" P *" d 33 addi 1 tamale To '^htdubs in Canada,
tional taxes. .The light comes at a time when

Booker Harry Levine had been , video is making strong inroads in
approaching luminaries such as | the area, and the populace may en-
joy the resulting economy as well
as the belter grade of shows which
are due to return to video in the
fall.

Meanwhile, the Associated Ac-
tors and Artists of America, parent
body of AGVA, is set to take up
the AFM hassle again at its meet-
ing on Friday (2). The 4A’s, ac-
cording to AFL regulations, must
be the body to present the case
to the AFL. When this will be
done isn’t known as yet. George

Jackie Gleason and Eddie Fisher,
was casting about for Esther
Williams and had others under dis-
cussion. But at this point, all have
turned down the Paramount.

It’s reported that Gleason was
offered a 70-30-10 deal, if he would
come in with a show that would in-
clude Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey,
Art Carney and a few others on
his video series. This kind of deal,
would have Gleason collecting
70%, the house getting the rest,

but with the stipulation that the ! Meany, AFL prexy, is currently on
Par would get at least 10% of the : a speaking tour, and action will
gross take. j have to await his return.

The Par, for example, has to ' —

cope with the competition of night-
clubs, which offers its topliners
two shows nightly. It also has the
rivalry of video, in which a guest
is worth what used to be a normal
week’s salary in vaudeville.

Again, it’s the wrong time of the
year. Most of the top-monied per-
formers have already earned or
have staked out the rest of their
earnings for the fiscal anni. Any
take over the amount figured on is
liable to cost them a wad.

FRISCO FLOATING CLUB
DREAM MIRED IN MUD

San Fruncisco, Aug. 17.

Showboat promoter Barney
Gould's dream of a floating thea-
tre. nightclub and museum of the
great Sacramento River stemwheel
paddlers looks like it’s mired in
the mud.

The San Francisco City Recrea-
tion and Park Commission has or-
dered Gould to sail or tow away
the paddlewheel steamer, the Fort
Sutter, out of the Aquatic Park
lagoon, where it has been for over
a year while Gould attempted to
finance his project.

The Commission put no time
limit on the removal notice. Gould
had had tentative approval from
the city to establish the showboat
as a going concern, providing all
financing was settled by Aug. 15.

La West for L. Q.?

Via Amiis. Park Dates

Gabby Hayes, whose activities
up to now have centered about
films and television, is exploring
new fields via a string of personal
appearances at amuserpent parks
in the east. The western star, broke
in his act weekend before last at
Riverside Park, Springfield, Mass,
and Lincoln Park, New Bedford,
and last weekend (14-15) did a
stint at Canabee Lake, N. H. Ten- | Deal is in the works for Mae
tativeiy, booked for later this i West to play the Latin Quarter,
month are parks in Worcester and j N. Y., as well as other niteries, in-
Washington. ! eluding Copa City, Miami Beach.

Bookings have been handled by • The William Morris Agency Ts
Martin Stone, video packager and ; working out the details of the
Hayes’ manager, who set Hayes J jaunt.

into the park circuit following sue- j Morris office originally ap-
cessful experiments with p.a.’s by proached the RKO I alace, * . .,

“Clarabelle,” of Stone’s ‘‘Howdy ! for a two-a-day stint Ho\\ ever,
Doody” tv segment. Stone, inci- j with the turndown by the I alace,
dentally, is readying a new tv’er last week. Moiris office staitcd ne-

for Hayes.

gotialions for a circuit of niteries.

56

VAUDEVILLE

Wednendayy Augiigt 18. I 954

Night Gub Reviews

Palmer House, Chi

Chicago, Aug. . 12.
George Gobel, Maureen Cdii -
non, Three Houcks, Double Daters
(4), Charlie Fisk Orch (10); $3.50
minimum, $1 cover.

se$h with one gal feeding while
second gal balances atop male
partner’s head.

Maureen Cannon follows with
vibrant warbling pipes, a pleasing
tremolo and a belting manner.
“Shine On Your Shoes,” sung cir-
cling the stage, is solid opener; and
Merriel Abbott has put together in lively gyrating fashion she
a savory four-decker pastry that clicks with “Sister Kate” and “Red
should keep the Empire Room of Hot Mama.” “Joey,” a current
this hotel bulging during its four- ditty, gets a nice lilt and is her sole
week tenancy. George Gobel is offering in the ballad class. As
the frosting, and if opening night there’s an overdose of belting in
(12) is an indication, he’s a cinch her yield, songalog could stand
to repeat the same boff biz he more change of pace and divetsi-
brought last year at this time. fication with another ballad. Miss
The little guy, trademarked by Cannon has what it takes to im-
his oversized guitar and boyish press on the boards, and “Bill
crewcut, rocks the customers with Bailey” strutter gets her away to a
his riotous travesties on simple salvo. Les.

worldly problems. Gt>bel is a comic

who is best when he’s seen. Sober- ^

ly deadpan, he caricatures an hon- HaslTl M reel, 1%. w*
est, naive sour who is constantly Louis Armstrong Orch (6) with
muddled by life’s many complica- Velma Middleton; Charlie Ventura
tions arid who can’t skirt a per- Band (4) with Mary Ann McCall;
sonal transaction without friction. <cg rninimum.

Accordingly, he unspiels woeful

tales of medical appointments, do-
mestic relations and tv charity

drives.

Monolog is delivered calmly and

When boniface Ralph Watkins
inaugurated a jazz policy at this big
midtown N. Y. room in early

quietly, with devastating timing on grtjj ' TuriSI

the punchlines. At times shaggy- SSS, 0 "*

doggish, material .is always fresh ^ to

a 7 anv bringing him back in. mid-August
gabbing is r e!-eved by two za y tQ bolster the slow summer coffers,
specialty numbers sung to self- ^ was gRO opening night last

comp , , . , , timpH Tuesday (10) and it’ll probably be

Rest of the ^ s . ropes up the rest of the way,

round out ? Despite his many years on the

chapters registering enthusiastic p 0( ji urn> Armstrong still enjoys

returns. Double - Da f® rs > _ what he’s doing and there are few

and two guys who were ( previously orchesters around who can do it
known as the Four Footnotes, tee as well His gaiety and

off on the upbeat with sprightly y 0u thf u i exuberance are the extras
breezy harmonizing. Armstrong offers to his expert
Youthful group has polish, plenty trumpeting and crooning. He gives
bounce and good looks that com- the customers their 20% tax worth,
hm e . : r a big mitt. , dishing out nine numbers in the

Brisk pace is sustained by Three first set opening night and 12 num-
Houcks, a sock European juggling heirs in the second set.
team that holds the house rapt Although Armstrong could stand
over three-way hoop and Indian up solo through a whole set with-
club manipulations, Precision stuff ou t -wearying the tablers, he’s
is highlighte d by a triple juggling surrounded himself with a quintet

of standout footers. Together they

"The Clown Prince of the
Diving Board and the
Trampoline"

belt out a solid beat, and in solo
stints each is worthy of solid
mitting. In the lineup are Trum-
my Young, trombone; Barney
Bigard, clarinet; Billy Kyle, piano;
Barrett Deems, drums, and Arvel
Shaw, bass. There’s also Velma
Middleton’s warbling as an added
fillip. Her duet with Armstrong
on “You’re Just In Love” is worth
the tab alone.

Alternating on the podium with
Armstrong is Charlie Ventura’s
combo. They’re as different as hot
and cool. Ventura in the progres-
sive groove and his appeal lies
mainly with the tense cult. Ven-
tura’s sax is backed by piano, bass
and drums, with an occasional
vocal break by Mary Ann McCall.

Gros.

500 Club, A. C.

Atlantic City, Aug. 14.

Will Mastin Trio featuring
Sammy Davis Jr,, Joey Bishop ,
Nickoli & Phillip Knight, Ernie
Richman & Manikins (3), Jack
Curtis, Pete Miller Orch (10); $5
minimum.

Sammy Davis Jr., playing his
third summer engagement in Paul
D’Amato’s 500 Club in as many
years, registered more solidly than
ever with the capacity 700 : payees
catching the opening dinner show
of the Will Mastin Trio, which is
Davis 90%.

With exception of a short inter-
val when his father does his ver-
sion of the Charleston, and his un-
cle,. Mastin, struts like Eddie
Jackson, young Davis is the act,
going through a routine of dances,
carbons and finally a session with
the drums which is gobbled up by
the outfronters, who demand more
after some 40 minutes of enter-
tainment. t

Trio gets off to a fast start with
all joining in on “Good to Be
Home,” Sammy putting in few
kind words for D’ Amato and the
resort. Fast dance bit features
nifty tap as Sammy carbons the
late Bill Robinson while rest of
team retreats near band as he
takes over. From then on Sammy
wows them with such things as
Sinatra doing “Black Magic,”
satirical Mario Lanza’s “Be My
Love,” and then swift haircomb to
become Jerry Lewis.

Reserves drum bit until last and
it scores solidly, Sammy showing
that he can perform in this me-
dium with the best of them.
Father and uncle Support with in-
cidental dancing and ad libbing,
but its Sammy all the way,
mimicking, clowning, singing, etc.

Nickoli & Phillip Knight have
one of the most entertaining
marionette acts ever caught here.
Nickoli, a tall dark looker, works
strings most of the time, and the
four skits put on are a delight,
drawing big mitting.

Ernie Richman and his manikins
are in teeoff spot and turn in neat
job featured by Richman playing
bits on toy piano doing dance.
Girls are all lookers, beautifully
and colorfully gowned.

Joey Bishop was slated for the
emcee spot but missed initial per-
formance because of a tv spot on
Jackie Gleason’s show, when he
plugged the club over the network.

Walk.

work cut out for her overcoming
lethargy created by the support-
ing act of Marty Allen and Mitch
De Wood. „ , . ,

Miss Murphy is a good pianist
and a good singer, though by no
means at the pinnacle of either of
those fields. She is, however, a
happy performer and she dis-
penses a brand of entertainment
that generates solid response.
Turn, of course, is bulwarked by
such recording items as “Me and
My Shadow” and she leans heavily
On the standards. She’s using the
same arrangements she had when
last in town some four years ago,
but this occasions no complaint,
since they fit her style. She’s on
for a fast 17 minutes and wisely
leaves ’em clamoring for more.

. The same, unfortunately, can-
not be. said for Allen and DeWood.
Opening night, they were oh for
approximately 25 minutes, running
through a raft of old material (like
the semaphore bit on “Mother”)
and a series of imitations that were
I more aggressive than accurate.
Most of their stuff has no punch-
line. which further wakens the
turn.

Gene CJarf’s four-piece conibo
has taken over musical chores at
the Bar. Kap.

Sialcline, Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe, Nev., . Aug. 11.
Ames Bros., Stuart Morgan
Dancers, Phil Ford & Mimi Hines,
Dick Foy Orch. No cover, no mini-
mum.

Shorcliam Hotel, D. C.

Washington. Aug. 13.
Ruth Costello, Woodie Morgan,
Singing Strings (12), Four Pianos,
Barnee Orch (11); cover 50c, $1
weekends.

LARRY

GRISWOLD

Currently 4th WEEK
RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL

NEW YORK

1812 2nd Ave., Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1. 1

LEW

BLACK

and PAT

DUNDEE

. (Beauty and

the least)

A new note lit

WMLmmm

Glamor Comedy

Staged by

Mervyn Nelson

Mgt. Cass Franklin
Lou Walters Ent,
1576 Broadway

New York

i

m

i

COMEDY ACTS

5 different acts. Can be uied anywjiere. All
for $3, An Introduction to the most helpful
writing service In the field of entertainment.

A. GUY VISK

Writing Enterprises

M Hill 8treet Troy, N.Y.

''Creators ef Special Comedy Material”

Bernie Bralove’s popular Shore-
ham Terrace continues its experi-
mentation toward a schmalzy,
melodic style of entertainment
which will serve as a unique signa-
ture for the big hotel overlooking
Rock Creek Park— and also as a
lure for warmweather payees.

Newest feature is a four-piano
girl team — Evelyn Reims, Connie
Thomas, Margaret Lyon and Violet
Sheldon — with two of the pianos
nudging the bandstand an the edge
of the dance floor ana the other
two on the small balcony over the
top of the band shell.

. Working with them are the 12
strolling violinists (now dubbed
the Singing Strings) introduced at
the beginning of the summer sea-
son. They stroll among the tables
discoursing sweet melody and also
work on the floor and in the bal-
cony, with the other entertainers.
Filling out the current production
are holdover blonde Ruth Costello,
an aero ballet dancer, and new-
comer Woody Morgan, socialite
D. C. vocalist.

The entertainers work together
as a unit in a variety of forms
and presentations. Occasionally,
Barnee’s dance orch deserts its
shell and hauls its instruments out
on the floor to- work with the
pianos. Selections range from
sambas to “Rhapsody in Blue” with
such nostalgic surefire items as
“September Song” and “Tea for
Two.”

Windup . has the entire aggrega-
tion pitching in on “Rhapsody in
Blue,” with the four girls and two
men playing the four pianos, as
Miss Costello dance a special num-
ber. Effect is very good theatre.

Lowe;

Thuntlcrbird, Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Aug. 12.
Margaret Whiting, Arthur Blake,
Rex Schepp, Thunderbird Dancers
(8), A l Johns Orch (11); no cover

minimum.

■ Margaret Whiting is delightful
and Arthur Blake amazing and the
combo surmounted technical diffi
culties opening night to get this
sparkling little vehicle under way
for its three-week stay.

Miss Whiting is a hep nitery
chirp, as ready to respond with a
jest as she is with a song. Thirty
minutes with this blonde, dynamic
belter, who has never looked love-
lier, is time well spent. Mood
transitions are many and the star’s
vocal chords get the full treatment
from the “I Love To Sing” opener
to the “So Long” closer. The
smooth presentation is constantly
punctuated by the approbation of
the gourmets packing the Navajo
Room.

Blake, in one of his rare local
appearances, is a smash in well-
staged impressions he’s been doing
for years. Against a folding screen
he incorporates the use of cos-
tumes and makeup for socko emu-
lations of Louella Parsons, Greta
Garbo, Charles Chaplin, Charles
Laughton, Bette Davis, Shirley
Booth, George Arliss and many
|>thers. The dramatic bits are spiced
with satirical whimsies that score
and in recorded intros to the char-
acters his voice is a clever carbon
of many personalities.

Rex Schepp, billed as a banjo
virtuoso, opens the show but has
little time for displaying his wares,
using it up in lohgwinded speeches
with bon mots that barely rate
a chuckle or in a rather feeble
attempt to vocalize “High Noon.”
When essaying his fave instrument,
Schepp is good. (In subsequent
performances “High Noon” was
stricken from this turn. Also, the
speeches were omitted).

The Thunderbird Dancers pre-
sent a pair of fair production num-
bers to round out the show.

The only trouble the Ames Bros,
encounter here is . getting away
from insistent crowds. Show
caught kept the brothers busy far
past their usual sked.

This is a sort of a Coney Island
part of Lake Tahoe, at this south
end. The action is noisier and
more robust than the sedate north
end. The trade is tourist, the at-
mosphere informal. Reception in
this area always seems to be more
demonstrative.

Every number brings sustained
plaudits so that the quartet finds
itself standing, waiting for the
chance to intro next number.
Usually, the only real mitts heard
around here are when the head-
liner tries to steal away early.

Brother Vic, the dawn of the
group, does very well in his role.
He makes the most of lyrics which
are double entendre,, and rhuggs
consistently for laffs. But the
group, knpwn for its mellow blend-
ing on serious things like “Man
With the Banjo” and “You, You,
You,” could easily dispense with
this clowning for such numbers,
On the novelty stuff, it fits very
well. But on disclicks, the singing
should be the feature.

Brother Ed’s “Here” shows the
single voice qualities of the fam-
ily, as does Joe’s “Old Man River.”
Both receive full applause. Their
carbons of other singers aren’t im-
pressive but this works up for some
big yocks and eventually “Four
Vaughn Monroes,” in the trend of
multiple recordings.

The Stuart Morgan dancers reg-
ister well. The two men toss a slip
of a girl around like a beanbag.
An uncomfortable low ceiling finds
her stumping it with her hand
more than once. Customers give
the trio a yelling ovation.

A cute twosome, Phil Ford arid
Mimi Hines, opens the show with
quiet, but pleasant business. Ford
has some stories, and femme intros
with a fine voice on “Tenderly.”
Different touch is given when she
pantos “Tenderly” in spotlight, and
Ford does the voice offside. Duo
winds with a. duet and dance on
“Hucklebuck.” Miss Hines is cute
and vivacious and Ford is young
and unaffected. They’ll polish up
well with more work. Mark.

Hollywood, Aug. 9.
■Pearl Bailey, Dick Stabile Oroh
(8), Bobby Ramos Rhumband (51.
$2 cover . '■

This is a quick local stand for
Pearl Bailey, who unveils a new
look for the date and some new
material that builds to an excel
lent show, highlighted by effective
changes of pace.

That doesn’t mean that the
“Tired” gal has suddenly gone
energetic. But that easy manner is
being used to sock over a wider
variety of material, in a stint that
commands rapt attention for 40
minutes and leaves ringsiders lit-
erally' screaming for more. The sly
asides and muttered innuendoes
buttress the .top vocalizing.

This time around, Pearlie Mav
has lost weight and gained new
authority, and she rings in such
unexpected (for her) items as
“T’aint Necessarily So” for peak
effect to change the pace from
such numbers as “A Girl Gotta Get
Married” or' “I Get It If I Want
It.” Standbys like “Laziest Gal in
Town” spice the layout and she
uses that number for a ribtickling
satire on the song styles of the ’20s.

It’s a show, without a lag and
she gets fine support from Dick
Stabile’s orch, with Stabile pro-
viding an exceptional sax obbligato
on “Necessarily.” Bobby Ramos
crew handles relief chores. Kap.

Colony, London

London, Aug. 12.

Wally Griffin, Felix King and
Don Carlos Orchs; $5 minimum.

Bar of Basic, L. A.

Los Angeles, Aug. 13.
Rose Murphy, Marty Allen &
Mitch DeWood, Gene Garf Orch
(4); minimum, $1.50, $2.

There’s okay entertainment on
tap here for half of the show, but
Rose “Chee Chee” Murphy has her

London’s nightlife usually fol-
lows a rigid pattern, and any de-
parture in the entertainment line
is something of a novelty. The gen-
eral formula is for a cafe to hire
a personable femme performer
with sufficient eye appeal to win
over an audience on first entrance.
If the gal has talent as well, then
( Continued on page 60 )

COMEDY MATERIAL

For All Branches of Theatricals

FUN-MASTER

THE ORIGINAL SHOW-BIZ GAG Fill
(The Service of the STARS)
First 13 Files $6.00-AII 35 issues $25
Singly; $1.05 per script.

• 3 Bks. PARODIES, per book .$10 o

• MINSTREL BUDGET. . $25 #

• 4 BLACKOUT BKS., ee. bk. . .$25 o

• BLUE BOOK (Gags for Stags) $50 o
HOW TO MASTER THE CEREMONIES

$3.00

GIANT CLASSIFIED ENCYCLOPEDIA
OF GAGS, $300. Worth over a thousand
NoC.O.D.'s

BILLY GLASON

200 W. 54th *t., New York 19~Dept. V
Circle 7-1130

Currently
MERMAID ROOM
Park Sheraton Hotel
New York

Gatineau, Ottawa

Ottawa, Aug. 13.

Tony Bennett with Chuck Wayne,
Walton & Sina, Gene Griffin, Lind-
say Sapphire Dancers (6), Harry
Pozy Orch (8); $1 admission.

Capacity business is a regular
thing at the Gatineau Club this
week with chanter Tony Bennett
headlining. Teeoff (12) had therri
waiting in line to get into this
1,000-seater and Bennett, backed by
top guitarist Chuck Wayne’s string-
plucking and batoning the Pozy
house band, supplies them with all
they want. SaWy singer garners
cheers, whistles and palmpounding
for every number he does. Backed
by standout arrangements, Ben-
nett’s tunes included disclicks such
as “Stranger In Paradise,” “Broken
Dreams,” “Rags To Riches” and
“Lollypop Eyes,”

The show is short (50 minutes)
arid it’s all Bennett’s. Walton &
Sina provide a brief stanza of aero
and balancing to good reception,
and the elegant Lindsay Sapphire
Dancers, featuring warbler Gene
Griffin, hold over three socko rou-
tines.

Com.

(RALPH AND MARY)
Currently
HELD OVER
2nd WEEK

ALPINE VILLAGE

CLEVELAND

Week Aug. 22
STEEL PIER, Atlantic City

Dir,: Jimmie Husson Agency

119 W. 57th St., New York

Wednesday* A ugust 18, 1954

"BILL MILLER PRESENTS MAE WEST
IN 4 WEEK RETURN ENGAGEMENT
AT HOTEL SAHARA IN DECEMBER!"

to everyone for
helping me break

ALL LAS VEGAS RECORDS

//

"Mae West, the greatest thing since ga
was sexsational in her nightclub debut

mblini

yl— _

, - 1

u

at

X

aFttti

m

'They're battering^^^hj^^ efoori
to see MgecWo^f. * . f 0lvutous...seri!

, 'V > jyty

1 to date

r /-^ i ^ i \ < /v - - — rv^>^r5ces and aces!

///^ ' i'' \ — ~ Editor Daily Variety

//r ' * \

<4

Vj

NJ

"The rarest, rip-roarin'est saloon act you've

ever seen in Las Vegas or anywhere!"

—Mike Connolly , Hollywood Reporter

oved invigorating even for Las Vegas!"

—Time Magazine

■Jimmy Starr, L. A. H'erald-Express

"Mae West came up with a show to stop all shows..

one of the most sensational night club debuts!"

—Edwin Schallert , L. A. Times

ied her throne ... last night!"

Coates. L. A. Mirror

l!\t^Vcreate a strong derhan

placj^s) jwRer^the public can see

4tt-Bev&r,~L as Vegas

'^Sete-up

BILL MILLEI

for bringin;

\ v i ■ ; v-

\ S(» v -

Sahara's Congo Room!"

^jtftlph Pearl, Las Vegas Sun

i'}

wonderful

/ / TO THE SAHARA PUBLICITY STAFF

(KAK&i- ! Larry Sloane, Hebert & Rose - Publicity^ Sta n Irwm-Promonon^

>5/ /~J~/ To EVERYONE AT the SAHARA

/ ( for making this engagement a great highlight of my career

y

x~:i

Represented by

WILLIAM

MORRIS

AGENCY

lirtcfer Choreography: CHARLES O'CURRAN Songit ALAN ALCH. JOE ERENS. DOB THOMPSON. PONEY SHERRELL. PHIL M

VAUDEVILLE

Wednesday, August 18 , 1954

3

CAROLYN

AYRES

and her escorts

Modem Dance Interpretations

^ ,'-v <% <.;

vj rr:

currently appearing at

Rancho

opening soon

LAS VEGAS

LATIN QUARTER. Boston
CHEZ PAREE, Montreal
500 CLUB. Atlantic City

SAN FRANCISCO o CHICAGO o NEW ORLEANS

Just Concluded

Crew Cuts On the Go Via
Wide-Spaced Bookings

Chicago, Aug. 17.
Itinerary for Crew Cuts, tight
with dates- through mid-November,
has. the foursome bounding back
and forth from east to west because
several well-spaced bookings were

consummated before the unit turn-
ed hot on the Mercury label. -
Group leaves Chicago Theatre
this Friday (20) to keep a short
date at Hampton Beach, N.H., fol-
lowing day. Then it moves to Lor-
raine, O., Aug. 20 for two days; to
Lake Club, Springfield, 111., tor a
week starting Aug. 28, and travels
down to Casa Loma in St. Louis
Sept. 10 tor another week.

Crew Cuts finish September with
a forthnight at Eddy’s, Kansas City,
and play a similar date at Fazios,
Milwaukee, beginning Oct. 1. Jhe
unit then returns east for two days
at Totem Pole, Boston; a week at
Sciolla’s in Philadelphia, and a
week each at Casino Royal, Wash-
ington; Town Casino, Buffalo; and
Copa in Pittsburgh,

Jack Whiting
Vice Johnston

In

Camden, N. J., Aug, 17.

Bankruptcy petition has been
filed in U. S. District Court here
for Charley Ventura’s Open House,
jazz spot on the White Horse Pike,
near Lindenwold, N. J.

Ventura, one of the country’s top
tenor men and longtime bandsman
and combo leader, opened the cafe
in 1950, with an outlay estimated
around $25,000, Steady bookings
and road tours have kept the
musician away from the spot for
long periods, and he has been try-
ing to sell it for some time.

Open House played many jazz
names, but strongest draw was
always Ventura’s own group, or the
Gene Krupa Trio, which featured
Ventura on horn with pianist
Teddy Napoleon.

Jack Whiting, vet musicomedy
juvenile who last clicked on Broad-
way in “Golden Apple,” takes to
the niteries as partner with Hilde-
garde when she reopens the Cotil-
lion Room of the Hotel Pierre,
N. Y., jSept.. 21. Hildegarde and
her incumbent partner, Johnny
Johnston, opened last night (Tues.)
at the Desert Inn, Las Vegas< at
$11,000 for the team. It’s their
final four-week engagement as a
duo. Johnston is exiting the turn,
having Hollywood film commit-
ments.

Hildegarde & Whiting will break-
in their new turn the weekend pre-
ceding their Pierre opening at the
Hotel Statler, Hartford, but in ac-
tuality they will start rehearsing
in Las Vegas during the final week
of the casino engagement.

Dick Barstow is^ staging the new
turn, under Hildegarde’s longtime
personal manager Anna. Sosenko’s
direction. Gene Bone & Howard
Fenton, piano-song duo, will also
backstop the act;

From the Pierre, Hildegarde
with Whiting are slated for -five
weeks at the Palmer House, Chi-
cago, and in midwinter she has an
NBC-TV . dicker which may jell
about this time.

The Hlidegarde teaming is Whit-
ing’s mtery debut.

FUNDS MISUSE CHARGE
IN OHIO ARENA SUIT

Youngstown, O., Aug. 17.

Henry Pelloni, vice-president
and a stockholder of Theatrical
Sports Inc., which operates The
Arena in Simon Road, Youngstown,
filed suit Thurs. (12) in Mahoning
County Common Pleas Court charg-
ing three stockholders with con-
version and misappropriation of
funds. The petition was filed
against the company and Manny
Benson,- secretary; Simon C. Ben-
son, treasurer, and Louis K. Iroff,
president, all of Youngstown.

Pelloni asked the court for judg-.
ment against the three for a total
of $4,000 he claims they withdrew
from the company for personal use,
and a total of $2,805 he claims they
owe him or used for personal pur-
poses.

Iroff denied converting funds for
personal use, and said the books
were always available to Pelloni.

Saranac Lake

Personal Management— LOU PERRY
.1697 Broadway, New York City.

PRESS RELATIONS— PAUL MONTAGUE
177 N. State St.* Chicago

By Happy Bemvay
Saranac Lake, N. Y., Aug. 17.
William Joyner, owner and man-
ager of Dixie and Gilmont theatres
at.Mt, Gilead, N. C., who graduated
here 100% okay now fishing at
Kill Devil Hills, N. C.

Louise Riso, United World Films,
back at the Will Rogers following
a major operation at the General.
Edmund, Lillian and Janie Riso
motored in from N. Y. to cheer her.

Kudos for Johnny Garwood,
announced over local station
WNBZ for his timely daily greet-
ings to patients at Will Rogers
hospital.

Allie Hansen, Chicago manager
and a longtime bed patient, into
the General for major surgery,
now back at the Will Rogers rest-
ing in comfort.

Kate Smith took time out from
her Lake Placid Camp to attend
the Saranac Lake Antique Show
here.

Marie (Loew’s) Gallagher and
Dolly Gallagher, mother and
daughter, who regained their
health- here in 1944 and 1953
respectively, in from Philly for
vacation and check-up; both okay.

Lawrence (IATSE) Gerber, pro-
jectionist at Criterion, N. Y., in
for annual checkup, and given
100% okay, He celebrated the
occasion by giving a lobster dinner
for some shut-in friends.

-’Write to- those who- are ill.’

Touring Gale ‘R&B’ Show
Amassing Fine Takes;
Chicago’s $20,000 Gate

The “Biggest Rhythm & Blues
Show,” a Gale Agency promotion,
is hitting excellent takes on its
tour. Show, with an average $2 ad-
mission, has been going well in all
cities, with the exception of De-
troit, in which it drew a disap-
pointing $9,600.

The largest gross was scored in
Chicago. This was disk jockey A1
Benson’s promotion, which drew
$20,000. Other major dee jay pro-
motion was in Cleveland, where it
scored $18,500. This was a Moon-
dog buildup. Other grosses in the
tour include $9,400 at the Speed-
way, Dayton; $13,500 at the IMA
Auditorium, Flint; $6,000 at the
Playhouse, Gary; $12,000 at the
Greystone Ballroom, Cincinnati,
and $16,000 in Kansas City.

Package comprises Roy Hamil-
ton, Drifters, Spaniels, Faye
Adams, Big Maybelle, Erskine
Hawkins and Rusty Bryant.

WEBB-TAPED ‘DRAGNET’
INSERT FOR ‘CAPADES’

A second insert, based on “Drag-
net,” will be Included in the new
edition of “Ice Capades” opening
Sept. 15 at Madison Square Gar-
den, N.Y. Jack Webb has been
signed to do the taped commen-
tary. It will be a production num-
ber with a cops and molls theme.

Other insert to be done by the
blades display will be a condensa-
tion of “Wish You Were Here,
with the borscht -belt settm 0
changed to Lake Placid during an
ice carnival.

Bergen World of Mirth
For Greensboro Fair

Greensboro, N. C., Aug. 17.
The World, of Mirth Shows,
owned and managed by Frame
Bergen, has been booked as lmc-
way attraction for the Greensboi
Agricultural Fair Oct. 5-9, accord-
ing to Clyde Kendall, fair manage i.

George A. Hamid & ^Son h _
booked the grandstand show in is
will include a revue from the btee
Pier in Atlantic City, plus cue
and hippodrome acts.

Bonds’ 4th New Spot

Dallas, Aug. 17.

Nitery owner Joe Bonds T ;
open a rteW club here soon on HJ- 1
way 77. Spot will be named The
Blue Flame, and future pl JI,s 1
elude a swimming pool. , .

Bonds also operates three I
local spots, The Blue Lady . T
Blue Lite and a. huge ballroonu t
Sky Club. Latter is « g in
operation, where Bonds wil ■ ■ .

la midweek boxingevent shoiti..

Wednesday, August 18, 1954

** '

>*

:V*V\ v \

. / V> *■ :

JERRY COLONNA

ELLA FITZGERALD

BUDDY RICH

ARTIE SHAW

WE. ..ALL.. .THANK. ..YOU!

Version

OPENS SEPTEMBER 10th In SYDNEY

followed By

MELBOURNE — BRISBANE - ADELAIDE

starring

Johnny Ray • Dave Barry • Peggy Ryan o Ray McDonald

v

** WM—rwinrMww ■■■»■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ ■■■■■■ Mwfuifwww ■ >■ MiirwwprM »>wioaoannor»aiKim>(«iiri« »» » I ■■■■■■■■■■mwmmwmwwm

’* } .

A LEE GORDON PRODUCTION

Vick Knight, Executive Producer/In Association with Benn Reyes and Art Shurgin

15 Broadway— New South Wales, Australia

Box 46128, Hollywood, California, U.S.A. Phone Hollywood 25500, Hollywood, California

NOW BOOKING FOR FAIL AND WINTER 1954

60

VAUDEVHJLE

Wednesday, August 18 . 1954

Night Club Reviews

Continued from page 56

Totally* London i

the battle, has been won — and won •
easily. !

The male performer lacks these ;
natural attributes. He has to make !
the grade the hard way and stand i
or fall entirely on his own ability, j
Hence there has been some . re- !
luctance on the part of many boni- i
faces to take a chance on mere j
males, but Harry Morris, operator ]
of this Berkeley Sq. restaurant, has j
taken a flier with Wally Griffin, j
now making his London debut.
Any misgivings he may have had
were wiped out by the enthusiastic
audience reception and there is lit-
tle doubt the Broadway comic will
chalk up a strong personal success
during his month’s stint.

Griffin achieves his success by a
combination of several showman-
ship factors. He has a breezy sense
of humor, a shrewd knack of tim-
ing his gags and sufficient show
biz savvy to come alongg with a
pile of original material rather
than rely on too many standard
pops.

On the rare occasions when he
uses a hit number it is mainly
done to serve as a gimmick entry
into his next song, such as the new
verse of “Young at Heart,” which
follows the straight rendition of
the original. Best items in a sound
lineup include the selection of
nursery rhymes as they might have
been written by Gilbert & Sulli-
van, Cole Porter . and Edith Piaf
and a comprehensive parody of
most of the hit songs from “South
Pacific.” with extra laughs saved
by smart and punchy comedy gab.

Show is smoothly showcased by
the Felix King combo (although
the maestro is convalescing after
an operation) who share the dahsa-
pation sessions with the Don Car-
los rhythm aggregation. Myro.

Blue Note, Chi

Chicago, Aug. 12.

Les Brown Orch (18) with Jo
Ann Greer; $3 beverage minimum.

midweek crowds indicate house
will get off the large nut easily.

Shelving the dance beat a la
Palladium, the Les Brown orch
here dishes out a strict jazz mode
that really swings. It’s music for
listening, primarily, though sock
instrumental interplay plus Butch
Stone comedizing make for good
watching too. Big band has a full,
rich and distinctive sound. It can
modulate to mellow or shake the
rafters with crescendos. End re-
sults are always solid.

Group (four trumpets, four
trombones, six reeds and four
rhythm) plays 45-minute sets with
20-minute rests, the maestro him-
self taking up clarinet on only a
few occasions. Standout soloists
are Dave Pell on tenor sax, Don
Fagerquist, trumpet; Don Trenner,
piano; Ray Sims, trombone; Ronny
Lang, baritone sax, and Stumpy
Brown on vocal and bass . .trom-
bone; Chirper Jo Ann Greer has
two fine vocals per set.

Orch intermingles such identities
as “Leap Frog,” with a juiced-Up
olio of operatic arias, a terrific
“Porgy and Bess” ragout, and a
jazz version of Tchaikovsky’s “Nut-
cracker Suite,’* which brings a host
of offbeat instruments into play.
Reaction to the music is all times
mighty, but Brown can dispense
with such out-oLorder announce-
ments^as “featuring so-and-so who,
we might say, represents the new
white hope in the jazz field.” Les.

Sahara, Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Aug. 10. ,
Vagabonds (4), Maria Neglla,
Dunhills (3), Martha Bentley,
Frank Linale , Saharem Dancers
(12), Cee Davidson Orch (11); no-
cover or minimum.

With Les Brown’s dapper, stage-
filling crew, boniface Frank Holz-
feind is currently fielding the larg-
est unit to play the Blue Note
stage since the jazz headquarters
reopened last spring. Brimming

Seven Seas, Omaha

Omaha, Aug. 14.

Andririi: Bros. (2), Bill Dennis
Trio; no cover or minimum.

Andrini Bros, have been around
for several vaude and nitery sem-
esters, so they know what the
customers want. And the boys de-
liver, although their act cah hardly
be described as the type that draws
raves.

Their best bet remains their mu-
sical offerings on several string in-
struments. Their closer of playing
banjos behind their heads is solid.
Patterwise, they’re n. s. h., stress-
ing dialect too much. Biz good night
caught. Trump.

Following the history-making
nitery stint of Mae West, a diffi-
cult chore for anybody, is routine
for the zany, melodic madcaps, the
Vagabonds, who bring in their own
revue for the next three frames.
They may not tax the Congo Room
to the capacity inspired by the vet
sex-siren, but with a little tighten-
ing and cutting the show as a
whole will be jim-dandy.

The Vagabonds, minus sur-
names — Dom and A1 on the gui-
tars, Pete on the bass fiddle and
Tilio the silent deadpan accordion
wizard — for the most part reprise
last year’s presentation which is
just as Socko . in this 85-minute
opus. The daffy swing quartet ren-
ders hilarious routines in which
their vocalistics are standouts in a
broad, bouncy sense. Fayes are
“Won’t You Come Home. Bill
Bailey?” “Salt Song,” in which
Pete shines, and “How You Gonna
Keep ’em Down on the Farm After
They’ve Seen Tv.”

Returning is Maria Neglia, a
fetching young European violin
virtuoso, who is artisically comedic
in an impish way. Personality,
talent and playing make her chore
a standout. “Tea for Two” in-
trigues, and “Hot Canary” is clev-
erly executed.

The DUnhilis, just three weeks
after closing a short distance down
Highway 91— at the Thunderbird —
in the main repeat their torrid tap
routines. The act is a natural,
with challenge dancing and a
rhythmic softshoe turn spicing
things up to a fine ovation.

Ballerina Martha Bentley is a
terrific pacesetter in the opener,
featuring spins and whirls at light-
ning speed. Graceful in body and
arm movements, she earns acco-
lades for terps to the score of
“Rhapsody in Blue.”

The Saharem Dancers are fea-
tured in a scintillating blues num-
ber, with lighting and costumes a
big aid. Herb Flemmington is
okay on the production vocals.

Frank Liriale conducts the Cee
Davidson orch for the Vagabonds.

Bob.

peared twict In Lai Vegas and
that’s about all. Already he’s be-
ing pressured Into a holdovef third
week and will probably comply.

His songs are free of the Irish
influence — until he’s forced to
comply by shouts from the tables.
He then comes forth with a typical
medley like “Clancy Lowered the
Boom” and “Danny Boy.”

George Moro has happily built
an Irish production around Day.
Moro gives the show a gay, decisive
finale. Called “An Irishman Will
Steal Your Heart Away,” the Star-
lets in twosomes impersonate
French, Spanish, German, etc.,
while Day joins in short native
dances with them. The climax, of
course, is in the mood of the title
song.

Day’s impressions, although not
always flawless, are somewhat re-,
markable. In “That’s Entertain-
ment,” he does Jessel, Ted Lewis
and Johnnie Ray. In a parody on
“Richochet,” he does Churchill,
McCarthy and a Russian diplomat
(not identified).

Serious songs include “Granada,”
“Three Coins in' the Fountain,” and
“Here.” Another parody on "I
Love Lucy (Paris)” is a lament
about being put up against “Lucy’s”
tv rating which gives him another
chance to impresh Jimmy Durante,
Liberaee and Ronald Coleman.

Comic bit as German submarine
commander is still a wonderful
highpoint, held over from three
years ago.

The Marcellis are a pair of acro-
frantics whose only conventional
trick in the whole act is possibly
a flip. Any similarity to straight
aero after this is accidental,

. Everything has a twist. The dub
throws in plenty of humor too, but
the payees are so busy holding
their breath, they miss a lot of it.

Starlet’s . opening production
number is real sendoff for Day.
Costuming is superb and Starlets
are precision in Irish clog.

Mark.

New Golden, Reno

Reno, Aug. 4.

Four Tunes, Yonely. Bud & Cece,
Golden Girls, Will Osborne Orch;
no cover or minimum.

Booker Milton Deutsch brings in
about two-to-one more recording
personalities here than the other
two big spots combined. He usual-
ly trots them in at the height of a
disclick, too. It’s been a pretty
successful trend.

The Four Tunes are probably
the biggest experiment because
they are “newer” than any who
have appeared before. But they
certainly aren’t lesser known.
Numbers, like “Marie” and “I
Understand,” plus the newest,
“Greatest Feeling in the World,”
are recognized With big mitts in
the first few bars.

The free movement of their ideas
on tunes doesn’t keep them from
having a style. There are plenty
of distinct sounds in the group —
most prominent of which is the
heavy chording of Patrick Best’s
guitar for solid rhythm accompani-
ment. Leader Jim Nabbi gives
“Marie” that flutter-tongue effect.
These two, plus basso Jim Gordon
and Danny Owens, all take turns
for soloing — each with a different
style.

Yonely is a kind of glum Victor
Borge. Mini-instruments are fea-
tured for awhile, then he plays a
violin conventionally. Once it’s
turned completely around, and
another time he uses a tamborine
for a bow and accompaniment. He
has a brand of sarcasm which he
uses to good advantage as a sort
of break. If it were sprinkled
through his routine, hetween. in-
struments, the whole act would
catch better mitts. The silent
humor is stretched too far. As a
windup, he plays the piano with a
couple of regulation soft balls
rolling over the keys.

Bud & Cece (Robinson), in their
usual youthful vigor, start things
moving in the show. Dance card
is climaxed by their mad jitterbug
in baggy sweaters. Mark.

Riverside, Reno

Reno, Aug. 12.

Dennis Day, Les Marcellis, River-
side Starlets, Bill Clifford Orch.
No cover, $2 minimum second
show.

Sans Souci, Miami R’ch

Miami Beach, Aug. 14.
Morty Gunty, Ann Herman Danc-
ers, Sacasas Orch; $2,50 bev. mini-
mum.

Morty Gunty is making his debut
in these parts at an odd time of
the year for a borscht-belt favorite
— the types frequenting that resort
sector usually flocking here come
showtime. It is to his credit that
the lad marks up a solid laugh
score in the smart Blue Sails Room
of this Swankery with a mixture of
ideas that sparks warm response
from the all-states tourists who are
in attendance at this time.

Youthful appearance and en-
thusiastic approach to his work
adds to overall appeal, although
much of the material is indiginous
to the Brooklyn-Bronx clime.
Blend is a fast-moving one that
contains original— and funny — bits
on family and reunions with rela-
tives; takeoff on Jerry Lewis — a
natural for Gunty — who sounds
and at times works like him, and
sock piece on teaching experience
— hard to believe, going on his
teenage looks, but funny and
fresh. He could dispense with bit
on effects of tv on children, a con-
cept that has been kicked around
by too many comedians.

Adds Yiddish dialect stories and
tops matters with showmanly take-
off on Danny Kaye, staging featur-
ing the graceful handwork that
stamps the Kaye talents. He’s a
cinch for a return date hereabouts
when the winterites arrive, and
with intelligent pruning and addi-
tion of some material more uni-
versal in appeal, a bet for video
and the better cafe spots looking
for a new face.

Ann Herman and her quartet ex-
hib tango and mambo for the africi-
onados who make the rom a must-
stop for Sacasas Latino rhythms.
The orch is a strong draw here and
sets up inviting dansapation in all
languages. They’re tops at show-
backings as well. Lary,

Baker Hotel, Dallas

7 r, Dall as, July 30.

• Gisele MacKenzie, Carl Sands
Orch (9); $1 cover weeknights, $2
Saturdays.

Del Coronado, Cal.

Gre“ a °'Car?oU AU li rt

minimum. 1 BeTman 0rch ‘ »■»,

Hotel Del Coronado’s Circus
Hoorn vastness may handicap some
but a truly good performer can
score no matter the setting. This
applies to Paul Gilbert, young

!£!S iC r. Wh0 Y ins the traditionally
cool Coronado crowd with a srair

bag of waggery and an appealing
kind of vitality. 1 1 ■ ng

Starting slowly, getting the feel
of the room, Gilbert earns some
laughs with a- topical monolog 6
touching on the usual Vegas TeS
lte ™. A drunk routine follow!
and builds to a howler. Best laugh-
grabber IS a spoof Of tv’s “Marrh
of Medicine” with Gilbert garbed
“ me ( £“- . Even - tho f e unfamiliar

humor here InTWVbVsf a

dimensions^’ d " w * laUghs * atl

Opening the show, the youthful
Carroll Sisters duet on “Who Are
You Taking Out Tonight’ ” a bai
lad-style -Indiana" and -s?^
ling for okay results. Don. >

Pack’s, San Prancisco

San Francisco, Aug. 13
George Auld Quartet; $1.50 mini-
mum.

A lower Market St. jazz spot,
this club has capitalized on its ad-
jacency to the Palace Hotel to
build up quite a clientele among
the younger set. Current attrac,
tenor sax. star Georgie Auld'
veteran of many top name bands
including Artie Shaw and Benny
Goodman, and currently riding the
crest of a coupje of fast-selling
Coral platters.

Auld, a j personable emcee, belts
out ballads, jazz tunes and rhythm
& blues style jump numbers on the
tenor while accompanied by a local
band. His program ranges from
old Count Basie swingers to bal-
lads like “Manhattan,” all done in
a powerful tenor sax style. The
solid crowd of young hipsters gives
Auld a heavy mitt after each num-
ber. Auld emcees his own show
and the accent is strictly on
music. R a f e .

SHE'S DYNAMITE!

Appearances of Dennis Day in
niteries are far too infrequent. This
is his second at the Riverside —
three years in between. He’s ap-

For a second time in six weeks
Gisele MacKenzie, Canadian ca-
nar y* sc° ras locally. Last month’s
click showing in the “Jack Benny
Revue, ’ opener of the State Fair
Musicals 13th season, is augmented
in a sock 50-minute session.

Aside from reprising hit parade
items, looker belts over a Benny
show holdover, “You’ve Got to
<^ e ?^ht Singer for the,
Right Song, 'a readymade, risible
r ^ 1 i <31 V on ‘, A ^-gallon prop Stetson
adds local color in the vocal run-
down, but she also adds her own
88 backing to “How I Feel About
and for a smash ending she
fiddles an accompaniment for her
Vaya: Cart \Dios^ vocal* a .Bark; ,i

Currently

BAMBOO

CLUB

Atlantic City, N. J.

Direction

MERCURY ARTISTS ’

VIRGINIA

PARKER

Tht Star at tha
STEINWAY

The NEPTUNE ROOM

WASHINGTON, D. C.

30th WEEK

CORBETT

MONICA

WHEN IN BOSTON
It's the

HOTEL

The Home of Shpw

Avery & Waihlrtf|tOl^ / ■'

is held over and headlined at the Chez Paree . . .

rmims (ouit, Chicago n; hi.

PHONE: D Em* Ml 7-3434

"He had the room in throes and by quit-
ting time had to beg for a getaway."

Les, VARIETY

,AY A. C. SCH ATI

hwvrtf

August 11, 1954

"He's the brightest new comedy find in
years." Kup, Chicago Sun-Times

Mr. Marvin Moss
Musi c Corp • of America
430 No. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, 111.

Pear Marvin:

"His material is sharp, and he carried the
show very well and handles himself like
a veteran. His begoff left the house in
stitches." Steve Schickel, Billboard

By way of confirmation of our conversation
of yesterday, please let me thank you and
Mr. A1 Borde for your very kind efforts on
our behalf.

Shecky Greened first appearance here has
been a notable one for the Chez Paree; the
public reaction has been terrific, the
box office excellent, and for the first
time in many years, we are holding over a
supporting act to headline the next show.

I presume that you have executed the contracts
on Shecky for 19 55, 1956, and 1957. Will
you kindly deliver them to me personally
this week?

Cordially yours,

CHEZ PAREE

dh/g

"Shecky Greene's explosive performance
brought down the house. The Chez can
add a new comic to it's limited roster of
comedians."

Sam Lesner, Chicago Daily News

SHECKY

Currently CHEZ PAREE, Chicago

(and returning May 12)

Sept. 23 — Headlining CHASE HOTEL, St. Louis
then RENO for the third time in six months
and on to LAS VEGAS Dec. I

Personal /Wgf.: ALBERT BORDE, 203 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago

Dlrtttin: MUSIC COUP. OF AMERICA

Wednesday Angnal 18, 1954

REVIEWS

gaby bruyere

Songs

30 Mins. _ _ _

Hotel Del Coronado. C«I-
Charm and gayety, ingredients
parlayed successfully by Gallic
performers over the years, are sta-
ples of Gaby Bruyere’s first ven-
ture in U, S.niteries. She’s strictly
heaucoup in the Gay Paree depart-
ment, eschewing for the most part
the gamin- sadness or the Piaffec-
tations.

Despite a limited Vocal range,
the mademoiselle is an effective
song seller with assurance and
strong presence. Most important,
she is blessed With the gift for be-
ing liked immediately by both
genders.

Petite, ash-blonde charmer is an
attention-grabber from the start,
wearing long black gloves and a
beaded blue gown slit to the waist
in front. The tasty French dressing
provides a striking entrance, but
leads into the weakest of some
otherwise firstrate and precisely
groomed material by Ray Gilbert.
“The Man” and an American med-
ley of “Crush On You,” “Piano
Roll Blues,” “Tea For Two” and
“Can’t Give You Anything But
Love” are good, but chanteuse
doesn't warm up until a smartly
staged ode to champagne — sung to
a glass of the bubbly with a violin
background.

After that, the French looker has
the patrons pocketed in this cool
and spacious room with “Why
Not?,” a typically Gallic cutie
about a bid to the boudoir,, and
“Paris,” a stirring musical tour of
the city capped by a socko "My
Man” to accordion backing. Singer
comes back for French medley, in-
cluding “Madelon,” “Pigalle,”
“C’Est Si Bon,” and,, following
hasty skirt change, a rollicking bit
of can-can terpology that’s a win-
ner.

At this stage. Mile. Bruyere may
be straining to gear her talents
specifically to American audiences
and this lessens her Impact. It’s
axiomatic that, with modifications,
what’s, good in Paris is good here.
Strong response to songs with Gal-
lic theme and locale— in contrast
to others with personal point of
view on U. S. life, linguistic prob-
lems, et al.r— indicates there’s still
a payoff in French traditional.

Exciting to see and hear, Mile..
Bruyere has a distinctive charm
that should register at the plushier
niteries at which her act is aimed.
She’s also a fine tv bet— the Pari-
sian song tour would rock home
on the little screens.

Other credits go to Jack Pfeiffer
for piano backing and Joe Hooven
as arranger. Eddie Bergman’s
house band proves expert for the
show and dancing. Don.

WIN! & SPENCER
Dancing
5 Mins.

Palace, N. Y.

Wini & Spencer, Negro boy and
girl dance duo making their initial
appearance at the Palace, open
with conventional stepping. Pair,
however, has a novelty twist via
moving atop chairs for some fancy
footwork. Femme member of the
team, garbed in brief costume the
better to show her gams, contribs
* bit of hip-weaving at the finale.

Male partner joins his mate in
this spirited sequence which ap-
pears too suggestive for houses
whose clientele is predominantly
the family trade. While this turn
has its visual values, it’s of doubt-
ful calibre for the choicer stage
and nitery bookings unless hypoed
with fresh, original routines sans
the suggestive gestures. Gilb.

THE PEOP-ETTES (2)

Puppeteers
11 Mins.

Palace, N. Y.

Those disk jockey bits on tv
where someone does on-screen
pantomiming to the recorded
voices of phonograph faves may
have been the inspiration for The
Peop-ettes. This novelty act com-
prises several marionettes who
mimic top wax and tv stars --while
an accompanying platter is turn-
tabled over the house p.a. system

. Interesting aspect of the turn
is the fact, that the man and worn
an. who manipulate the figures
substitute their own heads on the
bobbing mannikins. Working via a
miniature stage against a black cur-
tain,.. they serve up their versions
of Liberace (complete with piano),
Johnnie Ray, plus Jo Stafford and
Frankie Laine chanting “Ham-
bone,’’ a disk hit a couple of sea-
sons ago.

Most distracting, however, is the
Peop-ettes’ . use of two bright yel
low lights immediately below the
puppet “arena.” It’s tough on the
audience but perhaps the lights
are necessary to heighten the illu-
sion, On the whole, this entry is
a unique offering with routines dif-
fering considerably from conven-
tional puppet acts. With further
polishing to build the illusion, the
turn should broaden its potential,
especially television-wise. Gilb.

HINES KIDS (2)

Dance
10 Mins.

Apollo, N. Y.

Eight and 10-year-old brace of
coppery terpers, the Hines Kids do
their original vaude turn at the
Apollo, Harlem key. Likeable Greg-
ory and Maurice previously were
legit, as the news and shoeshine
boys in “Girl In Pink Tights.”
While their tapping and softshoe
talents need sharpness that comes
only with maturity, the two boys
have charm and precocious Wit, as
evidenced via their effective aping
of adult steppers.

Chief difficulty With turn, how-
ever, is when boys attempt, in all
seriousness, splits, leaps and twists
that belong with more experienced
performers. In same, the Hines
Kids seem to be working routines
by the numbers, instead of casu-
ally as within the proper bounds of
their labors. Mixed in is some chal-
enge stuff, plus a little chatter.

Attired in long pants and bowler
derbys the new vaude team do
most of their terp stuff in pre-
cision. Some of the finer audience
moments come when, in session
caught older boy tries secretly to
guide the little feller back in line
when he loses beat dr cue. Art.

KRISTOPHER & KING

Dance

12 Mins.

Bellevue Casino, Montreal
Working one of their ' first
bia.ior commercial dates at Harry
Rolinok’s lavish Bellevue Casino,
hooters Kristopher & King have
both youth and talent on their side.
Looking like a couple of jUves
fresh from dance school, the kids
impress in every sequence from
tne opening production number to
iheir solo stint near closing.

■ Routines at the moment are
rather contrived and obvious be-
^ us ®.°f inexperience in a big show
oi this type, but proper grooming
«n(i more definite choreography
snouid *set these youngsters up
' n «u kay results.

Rpjn are small of stature and
® ipnt but costuming is effective
* n << general spirit of enthusiasm
ahn-i 0nly Points to underlying
* tle f but extends to payees who
T«.f on< ? w ^h a solid reception.
irti an i ls a einch for vaude-type
icshows and big cafes offering
extravaganzas. Newt,

BARLOW & CRAFT
Songs
9 Mins.

Palace, N. Y.

Barlow & Craft are a mixed
team of concert singers whose
warbling of operatic and pop airs
makes for pleasant listening. Plump
brunet, fetchingly attired in strap-
less gown, engagingly blends her
soprano with the baritone of her
male partner.

Best of their repertoire is a lilt-
ing duet of “Wunderbar.” They
follow with a medley of arias from
“Traviata,” “Boheme,” “Carmen,”
etc. While these works are ideal
showpieces to demonstrate their
vocalistics, they could use a sharp
change of pace via a pop rhythm
number. Okay for most vaude and
nitery bookings. Gilb.

to ° long. They’ve got the talent
and the enthusiasm and only some
weakness in material keeps* them
from registering as an unqualified
pet. As it stands, the Kings IV is
®u . excellent lounge attraction
which can be built via records and
tv particularly.

This is not merely a nerve and
verve act; each of the four mem-
bers pla ys a variety of instruments
sa that they can offer some 60 in
all, ranging from the tenor sax to
the towering sousaphone and not
forgetting the ra seen valve-
trombone. Arrange. nents take care
• j. co .|? e ^ y > s °iue good vocalizing
individually _ and as a group and
some fine instrument work, par-
ticularly on two-beat stuff. Combo
can, and does, peddle a regular
’dance beat where necessary.

For the plushier spots, a little
h)®}’©. taste is indicated in material
niore care, in, avoiding
the blue-tinged stuff. These boys
don’t need it. Kap.

MARNI NIXON
Songs
5 Mins.

Latin Quarter, N.Y.

. Young coloratura soprano. Old
Gold “Chance of a Lifetime” win-
ner, brought in as a special for a
week at the L.Q., impressed so
well, as to be held over indef. Slim;
blonde and attractive, the Coast
singer, who’s done longhair, tv and
summer musicals in the west,
shows to advantage in two num-
bers, the .ballad, “All The Things
You Are,” and the Bell Song, from
the opera “Lakme.”

Singer has a sweet, lyrical voice,
and some neat head tones. With
power and range, she hits a high
E truly, and always stays on pitch.
The coloratura is used sparingly,
though well, in the ballad, and the
Bell Song comes off expressive as
well as musical. Mike approach is
easy and natural. Versatile voice
can be used in clubs, shows or
opera. Bron.

NIO YU

Wire Walking, Juggling
6 Mins.

Palace, N.Y.

While Chinese high wire artist
Nio Yu obviously is a veteran bal-
ancer, she previously had not been
documented in Variety’s New Act
files. A member of a longtime cir-
cus family, she does a bit of hoop
juggling before ascending a taut
wire some eight feet above the
stage.

Miss Yu, who’s aided by an un-
billed male assistant, juggles hoops
while On the wire, does a split,
jumps over a table held on the
wire by the assistant, and stands
on a chair placed atop the table
among other feats. For a closer,
the wire is slacked off a bit whilst
she sways precariously on it. It's
apparent that her repertoire is
considerably larger than what she
does here. A fine sight act. Gilb.

House Reviews

Palace, IV. V.

Wini & Spencer, Peop-ettes (2),
Barlow & Craft , Lee Allen, Three
Arnauts, Paul Valentine, Slate
Bros. (2) with Joan Larkin, Nio
Yu, Jo Lombardi House Orcli:
“Gog” ( UA ).

New faces along with some fa-
miliar turns result in fairly divert-
ing entertainment this week at the
Palace. Though the layout is far
from sock, there’s an elenierit of
freshness in the newcomers, and
oldtimers such as the Three Ar-
nauts and Slate -.Bros. , add a dash
of seasoning to the potpourri.

Paul Valentine, last seen on
Broadway in “Wish You Were
Here,” provided audience interest
(at least on session caught) not
only via his songs and ballet rou-
tines but also through a noisy
group of femme teenagers who
sounded suspiciously like a claque.
They whooped things up while the
singer Was making with “Sorrento”
in Italian and “Babalu” in Spanish.
Disregarding his bobbysox appeal,
Valentine shapes as a personable
singer-dancer with above-average
potential.

Three Arnauts, two males and a
femme, register handsomely on the
applause meter with their famed
birdcall bit. Slate Bros., a versa-
tile duo who used to be a ti’io.
dish out impressions, levity and
varied hoofing for neat returns.
Lissome Joan Larkin supplies add-
ed comedy effects to the turn.

Jo Lombardi’s house band, per
usual, backs the show nicely. Un-
der New Acts are the terp team
Of Wini & Spencer, puppet turn
of The Peop-ettes, song duo of
Barlow & Craft, wire-walker Nio
Yu and comic Lee Allen. Gilb.

Olympia* Miami

Miami, Aug. 12.

Henny Youngman, Jack Russell,
Madcaps, Bobby Dae & Babs, Helen
Vernon Trio, Les Rhode House
Orch ; “ Return From the Sea ”
(AA).

as usual, the leader frenzies the
fans. Several minutes later the
band returns in “Sorrento” and
“Gator Tail,” first being a jazzy
twist on the standard. In the mean-
time, there are the Edwards Bros.,
followed by The Larks.

Former group, comprised of
three ofay acrobats, do some pre-
carious balancing and risley for
satisfactory returns. Larks, four
male vocalists plus their pianist,
are a supercharged troupe. With
the exception of a sometime too
loud delivery, guys are perfect har-
monists.

Remaining two acts are Hines
Kids (New Acts) and Pigmeat
Markham, Harlem (Comedy fave,
with enlarged group of backerup-
pers, including George Wilshire,
Sybil Lewis and John Bunn. Rou-
tine is also longer than usual, thus
adding to standard amount of
laughs garnered by Markham’s
cornball antics. Miss Lewis’ digni-
fied talents fit as well in this low
comedy as they might on the legit
stage. Art.

Casino* Toronto

Toronto; Aug. 13.
D’Aarcio & Gee, Kay & Aldridge ,
Al Antonio, Carmen del Carmen,
Miriam Sage Girls »8), Archie
Stone Orch; “Once a Sinher ,,
(Indie).

LEE ALLEN
Comedy
12 Mins.

Palace, N. Y.

Lee Allen is a youthful comedian
who gives comedy, hoofing, mimic-
ing and singing a whirl in his 12
minutes onstage at the Palace,
While his versatility can’t be de-
nied, unfortunately he fails to ex-
cel in any of these fields.

Allen’s humor is of the self-
deprecating type in which he re-
calls his highschool days. Follows
with some fair terping— hat brim
down, cigaret at a rakish angle.
Imitates an alligator via some hor-
rible, raucous sounds and croons
a fair “Black Magic.” It’s obvious
that further experience is required
before he’s ready for the more
lucrative spots in visual media,

Gilb,

KINGS IV

Vocal, instrumental combo
30 Mins.

Saddle & Sirloin, Studio City, Cal.

After a couple of years in the
Air Force, this combo is now
breaking into the civilian enter-
tainment field— and the odds are
they’ll shoot to the top of the vocal-
instrumental quartet list before

Mindy Carson Show

Omaha, Aug. 14.

Mindy Carson, Dancing Waters,
Pompoff Thedy & Family, Jerry
Coe, Fedi & Fedi, Leslie & White-
house, Henry Branden, Ak-Sar-Ben
Orch (16). At Ak-Sar-Ben Coli-
seum, Omaha, Aug. 11-12, ’54.

Mindy Carson has had her share
of show biz thrills and she’ll un-
doubtedly have more. But it should
be a long time before she forgets
her triumph this week in the show
she headlined for Ak-Sar-Ben.

The talented blonde came on
facing this situation: She was fol-
lowing a show-stopping comedy
act, and on stage in a huge coli-
seum before 8,000 payees — a far
cry from the intimate spots she’s
used to. .

But Miss Carson was more than
equal to the occasion and was way
ahead with "Lucky in Love,” “Lit-
tle Things”, and “No-body’s Baby.”
Then she wrapped up matters with
a click imitation of Bert Williams
in “Nobody,” and had aud clapping
with her on “Down by the- River-
side.”

Show-stopping comedy act was
Pompoff Thedy & Family, Spanish
troupe just in this country the past
month. The three brothers, their
dad and uncle, all are talented at
piano, violin, sax, clarinet, guitar
and accordion, and are experts at
pantomime. Little guy is a terrific
mugger. This act is ready for big
things,

Fedi & Fedi, one-man novelty
dance act, has been on the top tv
shows and goes over big. Jerry
Coe sells well with accordion and
tambourine, although he could
drop the latter and be ahead.

Leslie & Whitehouse, good-look-
ing, energetic dance couple, are
Standouts as openers. Their best
stuff is the boy’s buck and wing a
la I at Rooney and a “Nocturne”
windup that packs plenty of s.a.

Ttump.

With vet comic Henny Young-
man guiding matters, layout on tap
this week winds its way into the
solid reception groove. Handling
the emcee chore in slick manner,
Youngman keeps the mood friend-
ly and in own spot mixes his fa-
miliars and newies for consistent
laughs. Good portion of lines are
twists that lead into tropical and
off-trail waggery for a refreshing
touch. Tops stint with the inevi
table violin vs. orch bit plussed by
one-liner breaks to set stubhold
ers reacting with yocks.

Songster Jack Russell is a person-
able lad who handles his tune com-
pote in highly competent style.
Lad is at ease throughout, with
projection of such compositions as
“September Song” and. “This Is
My Beloved” from “Kismet” illus-
trative of the type of song he sells
best. Billed as from tv’s “Show of
Shows,” he works like he’s been
around the flesh circuits as well.

Tap-weavings of Bobby Dae
& Babs are sprightly affairs, the
routines being showmanly, the
hoofery reflecting sound talent in
the field. Harmonica work of the
Madcaps is adept, with overall vaL
ues heightened by some well-placed
clowning to break the blend of
mouth-organing. Adagio acts are
rare in this house, and the Helen
Vernon Trio proves a novelty, the
acro-tossing brought off with ease
and enough of the unusual to bring
steady gasps and building mitts.
Les Rhode and house orch are
okay on the showbackings.

Lary.

Apollo, N. Y.

Ruth Brown, Edwards Bros.
(3), Larks <5), George Wilshire,
Pigmeat Markham, Sybil Lewis,
John Bunn, Willis Jackson Band
(12), Hines Kids (2) ; "Glass Web”
( U-I ).:

Apollo management figured there
were four weeks in summer that
are too hot for even cool music.
But the Harlem key opened the
gates again last week on an upbeat
vaude bill, headed by Bosomy
thrush Ruth Brown and the Willis
Jackson twelvesome, and while the
musiclog is more hot this time
than cool, it should keep the b.o.
moderately well off.

Miss Brown is a Harlem fave.
Chief merit With the pewsters is
her vigor. Her forte is “What A
Dream,” pitched at the eardrums
in a shouting yet always rhythmical
style. Rounding out her spot on
the card, she warbles a grating
blues bit, “It’s All In the Mind,”
surrounded by more satisfying
“Don’t Freeze” and “Any Sense.”

Willis Jackson, on tenor sax,
does the initial Work of the eve-
ning in “Just Blowin’.” Energetic,

Last surviving vaude spot in
Canada, the Casino continues to
put. up a 60-minute stage stint
that has most of the ingredients
of the old days. In traditional pat-
tern, the line girls ease on for
the opener and then it’s diversity.
On present stanza, it’s, the girls be-
fore the traveller in alternating
pink and green gowns for a tap
routine and then Parker Gee tak-
ing over the emcee chore prior to
his own act with Johnny D’Arca.

Al Antonio trails with some blue
patter that could be pencilled out
but is over big on his instru-
mentals, including a no-stool chore
at the grand piano, followed by
swift changes on the brass and a
wham finale on the drums, all to
neat support from Archie Stone’s
pit band. Kay & Aldridge follow
with their eccentric contortos and
balancing bits for intentional fluff-
ing and knockabout slapping, with
the girl on the receiving end for
babyvoice protests. Whole act goes
over on balancing dexterity, but
the personable hoyden could cut
down on those indigo asides.

Tops, of course, are D’Arcio &
Gee for their standard mutual
mayhem, always a favorite net here
despite its lack of change. The tall
and short male team scores well,
with both exhibiting terrific duet
pipes on “Donkey Serenade” and
“Sweet Mystery of Life,” and
whole stanza over to tumultuous
begoff. Girl line, in top hats and
black-sequined briefies, close with
a strut finale, complete with a cane
routine, with blonde Carmen del
Carmen wrapping up the stage
stint with some very interpretive
dancing that is notable for imagi-
native effects on crossstage pirou-
ettes and on-toes effects for ter-
rif audience reception. McStay.

Olympics Lad to Partner
Scott in New Ice Revue’

Chicago, Aug. 17.

Jimmy Grogan has been signed
by Arthur M, Wirtz as skating
partner to Barbara Ann Scott in
the 20th edition of the "Hollywood
Ice Revue,” now in rehearsal.

Grogan, a 22-year-old who placed
third in last year’s Olympics, re-
places Peter Firstbrook, who work-
ed alongside the ice show’s star last
winter.

Dewey Orders New Road
To Ease Borscht Traffic

Albany, Aug. 17.
Gov. Dewey has ordered con-
struction of a four-lane highway
designed to bypass Route 17 traf-
fic around the village of Liberty,
one of the most heavily congested
areas on a road which carries the
bulk of the borscht-belt traffic
from New York. New bypass will
eliminate greatest part of the
travel from the scene of a recent
accident in which three were
killed. Road now runs through
Liberty’s Main Street.

Work on the new road will be-
gin early next year and may be
completed in time to relieve the
summer congestion. Borscht-belt
hotelmen are among the heaviest
users of talent in the U. S.

64 LEGITIMATE

Wednesday, Augmt 18 , 1954

WalUngford, Conn, Tune-Tent Click;
Sea (M’s Best Year; Other Barns

Wallingford, Conn., Aug. 17.

Surpassing all pre-opening ex-
pectations, the tune-tent setup of
Oakdale Musical Theatre here has
had a rapid attendance growth
since its July 3 inception. Figures
compiled through Aug. . 8, repre-
senting five weeks of operation
show a total of 35,206 payees. At-
tendance for the various shows was
as follows:

“Annie Get Your Gun,” 6,321;
“Student Prince,” 6,062; “Show
Boat ” 7,964; “Brigadoon,” 7,274;
“Desert Song,” 77,585. “Annie”
played nine performances, the
other shows seven each.

i

Grosses, likewise, have been ex-
tremely healthy for a new project,
respective takes being, “Annie,”
$13,750; “Prince,” $12,900; “Show
Boat,” $15,900; “Brigadoon,” $15,-
600; “Desert,” $15,800.

House generally goes clean on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays,
Saturdays, with near-capacity on
Thursdays. Sunday nights and Sat-
urday matinees are the light spots
and management is making a play
to boost those performances . by
operating show buses from several
cities.

Last-minute financing, which
held teeoff preparations to a min-
imum, precluded any season sub-
scription activity, a feature which
will be incorporated in the 1955
operation.

most of the boxoffice activity has
centered around the advance sale
for the added, second week of Mar-
garet Truman in “Autumn Crocus.”
Show opens next Monday (23) and
plays through Sept. 4/

Strong biz to date this season has
given rise to a flock of rumors, in-
cluding a possibility that next sea-
son the Playhouse will add three
or four weeks, possibly two at each
end. Another report is that a sec-
ond theatre will be opened in
Fairmount Park under the same
municipal setup, possibly for the
presentation of musicals.

'Angels’ $2,200, Reading
Heading, Pa., Aug. 17.

Berks Players, at the Green Hills
Theatre here,, grossed almost $2,200
last week for five performances of
“My 3 Angels.” Attendance totalled
over 1,430. Comedy is currently in
the second week of a fortnight’s
run.

Heavy advance sale and buyout
of house by theatre parties two
nights this week prompted manage-
ment to add a special performance
last night (Mon.). Theatre usually
runs on a Tuesday-Saturday basis.

‘Corner’ Record $9,213, Spa
Saratoga, N.Y., Aug. 17.
Premiere of John Cecil Holm’s
“The Southwest Corner,” starring
(Continued on page 68)

Maria Riva Joins Tele

Sliding Scale Ups Sea . Cliff
Sea Cliff, N. Y., Aug. 17.

The sliding scale has developed
a bonanza for the Sea Cliff Sum-
mer Theatre. Producers Thomas
Ratcliffe and Louis Macmillan dis-
close that the current season to
date is running 26% over 1950.
Latter season was previously the
tOp grosser in the strawhat's seven-
year history.

The 599-seat house this year
adopted an admission policy slant-
ed upward through the week. Top
Monday and Tuesday is $2.50;
Wednesday and Thursday, $3.30;
Friday and Saturday, $4; Thurs-
day matinee tops at $2.26. In past
years the silo’s scale ran to $3.60
for all evening performances, $2.40
for matinees.

Reduced rates early in the week,
producers say, attract additional
customers to whom a bank book
means more than a Playbill. Fill-
ing the house during the early
week also means more missionaries
spreading word-of-mouth reports
on the bill and thus hypos subse-
quent attendance.

Faye Emerson, who opened the
season in “The Lady Chooses,” is
also top grosser this year with $10,-
271, including tax. “The Little
Hut,” with Barbara Bel Geddes
and Hiram Sherman, ran close at
$10,229. “Wish You Were Here,”
with no stars, hit $9,710. “The
Hasty Heart,” with Farley Granger,
reaped $9,164 and “Boys From
Syracuse,” no stars, garnered $8,-
580.

Good advance was reported on
“Mamba’s Daughters,” starring
Ethel Waters in her original Broad-
way role, which opened last night
(Mon.). Orders are already pouring
in for Constance Bennett's ‘‘Sa-
brina Fair,” which closes the sea-
son Aug. 30-Sept. 4 arid looks good
to break Miss Emerson’s mark.

‘Gate’ 6G, Stockbridge
Stockbridge, Mass., Aug. 17.

Aft.er a capacity opening stanza,
interest held for the tryout here
. last week of “The Iron Gate” and
a nice $6,000 gross was registered
on the week. John Golden is con-
sidering the John T. Chapman play
for Broadway this fall.

Current is the old standby,
“Charley’s Aunt,” with William
Roerick, frequent guest player,
starred. Featured are Gaye Jor-
don, Deidre Owen, Sheppard
Strudwick and Maurice Wells. Di-
rector William Miles has an-
nounced “Three’s a Family” for
closing week, Aug. 30, with Mar-
garet Hamilton.

Names on Barn Circuit

Another tv name has been added
to the current season’s strawhat
lineup with the signing of Maria
Riva for a two-week guest stint
starting next Monday (23) at the
Salt Creek Summer Theatre, Hins-
dale, 111. Actress-daughter of Mar-
lene Dietrich will costar with Brian
Donlevy in Clifford Odets’ “The
Country Girl.”

Other Video personalities play
ing the haymow circuit this sum
mer include Fay Emerson, Imogene
Coca, Wally Cox and Patricia Be-
noit,

‘Cuckoo’ 13G, Philly
Philadelphia, Aug. 17.
n.J im p e . the Cuckoo,” starring
Betty Field, ninth offering of the
Playhouse in the Park’s 13-week
season, packed an unexpected wal-
lop at over $13,000 last week. Bet-
ter matinee trade was largely re-
sponsible.

Advance for this week's “Sabrina
Fair, with John Baragrey, Georgi-
an^ Johnson and Paul McGrath,
indicates another solid gross, but

Strawhat Tryouts

(Aug. 16-29)

Brother Cain, by Jerome Chodo-
rov— Ivy Tower Playhouse, Spring
Lake, N.J. (16-21).

Champagne Complex, by Leslie
Stevens — Bucks County Playhouse,
New Hope, Pa. (23-28).

Darling, Darling, adapted by
Anita Loos from the French —
Westport (Conn.) Country Play
house (16-21); Pocono Playhouse
Mountainhome, Pa. (23-28) (Re-
viewed in Variety this week).

Dear Charles, adapted by Alan
Melville from the French — Lake
Whalom Playhouse, Fitchburg
Mass. (16-21); Lake Region. Play-
house, Laconia-Gilford, N.H. (23-
28) (Reviewed in Variety, July 14
’54).

Dream of Fair Women, by Regi-
nald Lawrence — Provincetown
(Mass.) Playhouse (16-21).

Imperfect Stranger — Camden
Hills Theatre, Camden, Me. (17-21)

Lady Chooses,’ - by William
McLeery— Newport (R.I.) Casino
(16-21) (Reviewed in Variety, June
16, ’54).

My Aunt Daisy, <by Albert Halper
and Joseph Schrank — Westport
(Conn.) Country Playhouse (23-28)

Oliver’s Little Twist, by Herman
A. Miller — Gretna Playhouse, Mt
Gretna, Pa. (16-18) (Reviewed in
Variety this week).

On the Wing, revue — Ivy Tower
j Playhouse, Spring Lake, N.J. (23-
! 28).

Out of the Blue* musical, by
Bryan Turner and Edward Ochsen
— -Windemere Summer Playhouse,
Seal Harbor, Me. (24-28).

Private Affairs of the Grand
Duchess, by Thomas and Ruth
Martin, based on Offenbach-
White Barn, Westport, Conn. (21-
22 ).

Stronger Sex, by Laslo Vadney
—Hyde Park (N.Y.) Playhouse
(17-21).

.Trouble in Tahiti, by Leonard
B'ernstein, and Thirteen Clocks, by
James Thurber— Westchester Play-
house, Mt. KiscO, N.Y. (16-21) (Re-
‘ viewed in Variety, July 28, ’54),

I Unfinished Portrait, by Made-
line Davidson — Hedgerow Theatre,
Moylan, Pa. (24).

I Walk Tall, revue — John Frew
, Theatre, East Hampton. L.I. (16-
2D (Reviewed in Variety, July
28, ’54).

Witch of Dogtown — Cape Ann
Playhouse, Gloucester, Mass, (16-
21 ).

New Castle Group Folds;
Dropped as SAGA Member

New Amstel Players, New Castle,
Del., have folded following a break
with Irving Strouse’s Stage &
Arena Guild of America. Group
had been dropped as one of SAGA’s
affiliated theatres because of a con-
tractual dispute. According to
Strouse, the group’s producer,
Larry Perron, failed to comply
with a SAGA stipulation that each
theatre in the Guild print in its
programs the bookings of other
member operations.

Perron is the second producer to
have been dropped from SAGA
roster, the other having been Sam
McCulloch, who had been manager
of the Memphis (Tenn.) Arena The-
atre. It's the first time, however,
that a producer and theatre have
been . given the heave.

Gloria Vanderbilt In
Click Strawhat Debut
In Molnar’s The Swan’

Mountainhome, Pa. ; Aug. 16.
Gloria Vanderbilt Stokowski’s
stage debut at Pocono Playhouse
here tonight (Mon.) proved an ex-
citing eVent for theatre, press and
society. In the role of Princess
Alexandra in Ferenc Molnar’s com-
edy, “The Swan,” Miss Vanderbilt
is one of the loveliest of the many
theatrical princesses past and
present.

Press coverage for the event hit
equal proportions with the Mar-
garet Truman's legit debut in
“Autumn Crocus” at same spot
last June 7. London Evening Post
sent its N.Y. correspondent, Eve-
lyn Irons. Other press representa-
tion included Time, Newsweek,
N.Y. Times, World-Telegram arid
Post, AP, UP, INS, and Fox-Movie-
tone, with camera men of many
major papers and locals. Flowers
poured into the theatre during the
day, filling the young star’s dress-
ing room and part of the office.

“Swan” and Miss Vanderbilt are
an excellent combo. Some of the
shine has. worn off the 30-year-old
comedy, however, and a re-silver-
ing job should be applied before
there’s further thought of a Broad-
way revival. But there’s the light-
ness of another world in the Mol-
nar play, and the refined merri-
ment and romance remain bright
and vigorous as played by the
young star and present cast.

Miss Vanderbilt reveals a per-
sonal theatricalism that is lovely
to see. Her poise, savvy, expressive
beauty, as well as her dignity and
reserve all add up to a new per-
sonality to be reckoned with the-
atrically.

Of interest in the cast are Chip
Taylor, making his stage debut as
the princess' younger brother;
Halliwell Hobbes, as Father Hya-
cinth, Who plays same role as in
the Broadway original, and Nancie
(Mrs.) Hobbes, also from the 1923-
24 edition.

Other members of the company
include Jean Arden Cobb as Prin-
cess Beatrice, Peter Donat as the
tutor, John Morley as the heir ap-
parent and Olive Templeton as
Princess Dominica.

The production « is entirely a
playhouse venture, with no Van-
derbilt money involved, although
the star gets a modest salary. Miss
Vanderbilt wears a diamond tiara
and earrings of her own, which
she carries to the theatre nightly
in a locked wooden box. Rene
Bouche and Raymond Sovey de-
signed her costumes.

Biz hit capacity, with standees
and extra chairs for tonight’s
opener. Leopold Stokowski, Miss
Vanderbilt’s conductor-husband re-
mained at Lbke Placid, N.Y., with
their children and is not planning
to attend the show this week, but
will do so the week of Aug. 30 at
the Falmouth Playhouse, Coona-
messett, Mass. Lamar,

‘Fauna’ Tryout Erased;
B’way Production Off

Fred and Martha Miller, oper-
ators of the Somerset (Mass.) Play-
house, have relinquished their Op-
tion on CharJ.es Robinson and Jean
Dalrymple’S “Feathered Fauna.”
Duo had planned to present the
play last week at their barn and
this fall on Broadway, but can-
celled It because of “casting dif-
ficulties.”

“The Country Girl,” with Brian
DonleVy starred, was the substitute
bill.

A tent show idea, that of tabloidiziftg w.k. film hits for summer tour-
ing under canvas, has not been worked out, as yet, by Howard Hoyt
And as it looms now it riiay be too complicated* what with copyright
provisions and other restrictions which would entail an extended and
costly negotiation for each property. Agent Hoyt’s name was linked
with Frank Loesser in a tent tab of “Hans Christian Andersen” which
apart from being premature, is not even, in the think stage; For one
thing, that particular property, with its Samuel Goldwyn production
ownership and the percentage participation interest of Danny Kaye
the star, is further complicated by Moss Hart’s property rights, as the
scenarist. All Loesser owns is the score which he authored and pub-
lishes. However, this is an instance of a property not on Hoyt’s pro-
posed schedule. More specifically he had in mind a film like “State
Fair,” among others, rights for which he hoped to acquire fot summer
tentshow touring.

Harry E. Gould, w.k. in show biz as a backer, onetime owner of the
Belasco and Lyceum Theatres, etc., aigain hosted, with his wife Lucille
for 150 disabled and wounded Korean vets at a picnic at his Green-
wich (Conn.) estate. The show biz instinct resulted in an auxiliary
“production,” staged by Jack Effrat, With a show emceed by Bert Parks
and including Eddie Miller, Eddie Weber, Eddie Clarke, Charles Al-
thoff, Renee Orin and Alan Carney. Red Cross ambulances brought
the vets from Portsmouth, Bethseda, Quantico, Fort Belvoir, St. Albans,
Fort Dix, Bronx V. A. Paralyzed Veterans Assn., Blinded Veterans
Assn, and Amputees of DA V, transported by the 52 Association of New
York. All-day (luncheon and dinner) picnic and show was held last
Thursday (12), a surprise weather break in light of last week's un-
seasonable cold and rain.

Legit Bits

Jean Barrere is quitting as stage
manager of “Pajama Game” to
take a similar assignment with the
upcoming “Fanny”. . . . Gabe Rubin,
manager of the Nixon, Pittsburgh;
in New York last week to angle for
fall bookings . . . Charles Harrow
is talking about sending out a
touring edition of “Carousel” and
perhaps “Dial M for Murder” . . .
Walter. F. Kerr, drama critic of the
N. Y. Herald Tribune, and his play-
wright-wife Jean Kerr* are nearing,
completion of their musical come-
dy, “Goldilocks.” No producer is
set for it.

Pressagent Abner Klipstein back
in New York after 10 weeks in
Europe ... Stanley Gilson Jr.,
formerly with the Liebling-Wood
office, has joined the New York
office of Shaw Artists Corp., in
charge of legit . . . Mary ward, re-
cently returned from Italy, going
out as advance flack for the up-
coming touring revival of “Saint
Joan,” starring Jean Arthur.

William Hutt, of the Canadian
Repertory Theatre in Ottawa, and
Bruce Swerdfager, of the Crest
Theatre, Toronto, Ont., copped
$1,500 scholarships as initial re-
cipients of the Tyrone Guthrie
Awards given out annually by the
Stratford (Ont.) Shakespearean
Festival company . . . Lilian Arnold
has been upped to veepee status at
the William Schuller Agency where
she heads the talent and literary
departments ... Lily Turner, for
the past three years general man-
ager of the Woodstock (N.Y.) Play-
house, has been appointed artistic
coordinator for the off-Broadway
Greenwich Mews Theatre.

Leo Kerz and Harry Horner, who
recently withdrew from The En-
semble leaving the project in the
hands of Joseph Kramm, are talk-
ing of forming their own perma-
nent New York repertory company.

. . , Jay Schraier has left the Wil-
liam Morris Agency’s legit depart-
ment to handle tv at. the Robert
Lantz Agency . . .

Louisa Horton will star in “The
Pony Cart,” which opens Sept. 14
at the off-Broadway Theatre de
Lys ... Feurer & Martin have
added “Silver Triangle;” by Mere-
dith Willson, to their production
schedule to follow “Boy Friend”
and “Silk Stockings.”

Jeanette Kamins has resigned as
production assistant to Cheryl
Crawford to write a new play. Her
“Always Welcome" is a prospect
for Broadway production this sea-,
son ... Vincent Price will be star
of and Gregory Ratoff will stage
A. B. Shiffrin’s “Black-Eyed Su-
san,” to be produced by Gordon W.
Pollock, in association with James
Goodman and Everett Hart . . .
Nancy Andrews returned yesterday
(Tues.) from an Army entertain-
ment tour of Europe.

Melvyn Douglas, starring in
“Time Out for Ginger,” currently
at the Harris, Chicago, checks out
next week for a three-week vaca-
tion at his Vermont home. Albert
Dekker comes in from the Coast to
sub . . . Robert Fryer, producer of
“Wonderful Town,” was in Chi last
week to check the performance at
the Shubert. Paul Groll, company
manager, will book the “Town”
tour following the Chi engagement

Pressagent Phyllis Perlman back
from European vacation. She got
homesick and flew home ahead of
schedule . . . Pete Zeisler, who’ll
stage-manage the Playwrights Co.
production of Robert Anderson’s
“All Summer Long,” returned
from European honeymoon with
his actress-wife Helen Harrelson.

the Coast . . . Robert Penn, an actor
in “Can-Can,” will become a
producer this fall with Bachelor
of Arts,” by Miriam Young,

Now it’s Gant Gaither who’s
ready to produce the musical ver-
sion of “Seventh Heaven,” with
book* by Victor Wolfson, score by
Victor Young and lyrics by Stella
Unger, under John C. Wilson’s
direction . .. . Courtney Burr and.
John Byram plan to produce
“Shangri La,” a musical edition of
the James Hilton story, with book
by the novelist and Jerome Law-
rence and Robert E. Lee, with an
unpublished score by* the late
Vincent Youmans . . . Frank J. Hale
is readying a Broadway production
of “Strange New Men,” by Steven
Cambridge.

Paul Ford has resumed his fea-
tured role in “Teahouse of the Au-
gust Moon” after a vacation, dur-
ing Which Peter Hobbs subbed.
Only featured player who isn’t tak-
ing a week’s leave is Larry Gates,
who’s building a home at New
Canaan, Conn., and prefers not to
take the layoff. Incidentally, the
extras in the Maurice Evans-
George Schaefer production get a
week off with pay, plus $100 bonus.

Kaye Lyder has joined the cast
of the touring “Seven Year Itch,”
succeeding Lydia Clarke (Mrs.
Charlton Heston), who withdrew
for approaching motherhood .
James Lee has resigned as assist-
ant stage manager of the original
Broadway company of “Itch" to
join the scripting staff of the up-
coming Eastman Kodak tele series
starring David Wayne. As pre-
viously reported, Elliott Nugent
takes over Aug. 25 as star of the
Broadway “Itch” while original
star Tom Ewell makes the screen
version of the George Axelrod
comedy.

“On With The Show,” musical
formerly titled “Can You Dance?”
is announced by producer Eliza-
beth Miele to open Dec. 2 at the
Mark Hellinger, N.Y., with Irra
Petina as star. . .Paul Henrled will
costar with Eva Gabor in “Tonight
in Sam arcand”. . .Bernard Simon
will be sole producer of “Thracian
Horses,” as Joyce Mathews and
Rose Teed have withdrawn from
thd project, which is slated to open
on Broadway week of Dec. 20.

“The Cretan Woman,” scheduled
to continue through Sept. 19 at the
Provincetown Playhouse, Green-
wich Village, N.Y., will then be
brought uptown to a Broadway
theatre . . . Mary K. Frank, associ- 1
ated with the Playwrights Co. in
the production of ‘Tea and Sympa-
thy” and already preparing a solo
presentation of Kathleen Winsor’s
“America, with Love,” has ac-
quired a comedy, “Abracadabra,
by Hermlone Gingold and Mel
Dinelli. . .Mary Chase, author of
“Harvey” and “Mrs. McThing," has
a new comedy, “Lolita,” which will
be tried out beginning Aug, 30 at
the Barter Theatre, Abingdon, Va.,
and which Robert Whitehead may
bring to Broadway this season un-
der Producers Theatre sponsor-
ship.

Charles Lederer, librettist-pro-
ducer of “Kismet,” is planning a
mid-October production of Len-
til,” drama by Mrs, Ben Heont*
with moppet actress-daughter J c »‘
ny Ilecht in an important role -
James S. Elliott is readying a Pi’ 0 '
duction of a Tennessee William*
double-bill, “Lord Byron’s Lo\e
Letter” and “27 Wagons Full of
Cotton,” with Edward
stager . ... Harry .Wagstaff G«b bl
plans to produce and direct BiacK.

Producer Gala Eben back fromCandle,” by Lea Freeman.

London, Aug. 17.

West End managers are unable
to account for the consistent suc-
cess of musicals and revues in Lon-
don. No one is objecting, of course.

Of the 10 revues ^currently in
the West End, nine are in the big
money. Toppers are still the. “Pal-
ladium Show” at steady average of
$35,000, with Val Parnell and Ber-
nard Delfont’s "Folies” show, “Par-
don My French,” still grossing
around $20,000 after nearly a
year’s run. The others likewise are
steady hits. Musicals are also gar-
nering hefty coin, with Drury
Lane’s “The King and I” continu-
ing to pack in around $34,000 a
week, while George and Alfred
Black’s Hippodrome hit, “Wedding
in Paris,” is still topping $18,000.

Only revue that never got going
was Cecil Landeau’s “Cockles arid
Champagne,” which lingered at, the
Saville for several losing weeks
and was due to fold. It received a
last-minute respite, however, by
transferring to the Piccadilly*
where it may survive.

4 ; — —

Stewart’s Title Role In
‘Tycoon’ Barn Tryout

Woodstock, N. Y„ Aug. 17.

David Stewart, who drew critical
attention last season in a featured
role in the Broadway production
of “The Immoralist,” will play the
title role, said to represent the
late Irving Thalberg, in “The Last
Tycoon,” to be tried out at the
Woodstock Playhouse week begin-
ning Aug. 30. Others in the cast
will include Felicia Monteleagre,
Mary James, Norman Rose’ and
Mike Levin.

Mike Howard is staging the Al-
bert Selden-Morton Gottlieb pro-
duction of Hy Kraft's dramatiza-
tion of the unfinished F. Scott Fitz-
gerald novel.

Harmons in Rebuttal;

Claim Connie Bennett
Delayed Signing Pact

Clinton, Conn.

Editor,. Variety:

Your story last week, “Bennett
Kicks Up Again,” specifically
mentioning the Clinton Playhouse,
was incorrect and incomplete and
we would like to set the record
straight.

On Saturday, Aug. 7, an Actors'
Equity traveling representative,
Harry Young, stopped at our the-
atre, and we officially filed a com-
plaint against Miss Bennett at that
time.

When Geoffrey Barr, of the Gus
Schirmer Jr., office, agents for
Miss Bennett, phoned us early in
June to offer the star in “Sabrina
Fair,” we told him in addition to
the guaranteed salary, we would
only book Miss Bennett if she
agreed that she would start to
share on percentage above $7,500.

In good faith we made out con-
tracts to this effect and signed
them June 21 for opening Aug. 2.
We did not receive the contracts
back signed by Miss Bennett. After
numerous phone calls to her
agent, we wrote a letter July 8
notifying him that contracts
should be returned in 48 hours.

We again wrote July 14 request-
ing contracts, but to no avail. In
desperation, we called Barr again.
He said he - couldn’t understand
tthy we hadn’t received the con-
tracts, but that he would have Miss
Bennett wire us confirmation of
the engagement, which Equity
recognizes as binding. We subse-
quently received a telegram from
Miss Bennett from Binghamton,
N, Y., assuring us that she would
Play Clinton, but without mention
of terms.

Miss Bennett arrived in Clinton
early Saturday morning, July 31,
but did not turn up at the play-
house until Sunday afternoon.
When we requested the contracts,
(Continued on page 68)

Bus-Delayed Audience
Gets Re-Performance

Greensboro, N, C., Aug. 17.
Because engine trouble caused
them to miss part of the show, 25
■lennesseeans were treated to an
m ^dnight part-performance
‘ Horn in the West” at nearby
■Boone last week. The audience was
outnumbered three-to-one by those
0n f^ a Se and behind the scenes;

ihe group, traveling to Boone
roru Pik ev rii e( Tenn., was delayed
yien the bus failed in the moun-

«if members learned of the
illation and voted unanimously to
e Play the first part of the show.

The Theatre Guild is apparently
using ty as a testing ground for
legit. - Group, which produces the
video series for U. S. Steel, has
skedded for Broadway three plays
recently presented on the series.

Shows are N. Richard Nash’s
“Welcome Home,” Michael Dyne’s
“Garden in the Sea,” based on
Henry James’ story, "The Aspern
Papers,” and Richard Maibaurn
and Cyril Hume’s “Fearful De-
cision.” Of the trio, only “Wel-
come Home” has been completed
for the Guild.

Other plays that have previously
made the tv-to-legit transition in-
clude Horton Foote’s "Trip to
Bountiful” and “Dial M for Mur-
der.” Also, Nash's “The Rain-
maker” is due for Broadway pro-
duction -this fall by Ethel Linder
Reiner.

BRAE MANOR, CANADIAN
BARN, ENDS 19TH YEAR

Knowlton, Que., Aug. 17.

Brae Manor, one of Canada’s old-
est strawhats, winds up its 19th
straight season in this eastern Que-
bec resort Aug. 28 with “Nothing
But the Truth.”

Born as an amateur group per-
forming once a week in the draw-
ing room of a huge country house,
the outfit has had a good-sized the-
atre, lighted from Wednesday to
Saturday, besides the house. Group
has helped train some, of Canada’s
pros, including Amelia Hall, man-
aging director of Ottawa’s Cana-
dian Repertory Theatre and stager
of its opening show last month,
Ian Fellows, of CRT, is the com-
pany manager and Dora Clarke,
ex-CRT, is business manager.

Brae Manor, founded by Filmore
Sadler, who died last Christmas,
and now operated by his widow
Marjorie, seats 250, with 50 extra
chairs that have been filled at
least twice a week all this season.
It was built with voluntary non-
interest loans from local business
men.

Guild’s ’Picnic’ Blurbs
‘Sexsational’ in M’pls.

Minneapolis, Aug. 17.

The Theatre Guild is apparently
doing a Hollywood in sexing up
the selling of its touring subscrip-
tion shows. Local ads for the cur-
rent week engagement of William
Inge’s “Picnic” at the Lyceum de-
scribe the drama as “direct from
two sexational seasons in New
York,” and include amatory art.

It’s believed to be the first time
that a Guild offering, particularly
a prestige play such as the Pulitzer
and N. Y. Drama Critics Circle
| prize-winner has used that type of
copy. Previously, only such hon-
ky-tonks as “Maid in the Ozarks”
and “Good Nite, Ladies’' have gone
in for such come-on plugging.

By HOBE MORRISON

Theatre party agents, who usu-
ally manage to extract a buck be-
tween headaches, are likely to feel
more frustrated than ever this sea-
son. Here they are, with more po-
tential business than ever before,
but with only a meagre list of suit-
able new shows scheduled for
Broadway production,

There’s always a bright Other
side to anyone’s tribulations, of
course, and in this case it’s the
New York ticket brokers, sworn
enemies of the party agents, who
presumably stand to profit. For if
fewer theatre parties are booked,
there will tend to be more tickets
available for regular broker allot-
ments and, ergo, greater trade for
the agencies.

From preliminary indications,
theatre benefit parties are becom-
ing a prime fund-raising device of
charitable organizations. That is
evident in reports of lively bidding
by party agents for dates for sched-
uled new Broadway shows, and
from announcements in the New
York dailies of already-set benefit
performances. Also, from the num-
(Continued on page 68)

‘Fox,’ ‘Figure’ Open

Philadelphia, Aug. 17.

First definitely skedded legit
productions for the fall season
have been announced by the local
Shubert office. “South Pacific,”
with Iva Withers and Webb Tilton,
opens Sept. 27 for an indefinite run
at the Forrest.

Two plays are slated to kick off
the new season, Sept. 20. They are:
"Fragile Fox,” by Noran Brooks,
with John Ireland and Dane Clark,
at the Locust; and "Reclining Fig-
ure,” new comedy by Harry Kur-
nitz, at the Walnut.

The Shubert will relight Oct. 12,
with "Fanny,” the S. N. Behrman-
Harold Rome musical based on
Marcel Pagnol stories, costarring
Ezio Pinza and Walter Slezak.

Helicopter Freeloading
On ’Champagne’ Latest
Strawhat Bally Gimmick

Freeloading by helicopter is the
newest strawhat ballyhoo gimmick.
It’s being used by Alexander H.
Cohen, for the second week of his
tryout of Leslie Stevens’ comedy,
“Champagne Complex,” at the
Bucks County Playhouse, New
Hope, Pa. There’ll be champagne
served on the flight, natch.

Special roundtrip bus . ride,
with dinner and theatre tickets
for the opening performance of
the show next Monday night (23),
was completely sold out the first
day. Excursion will include three
buses carrying 45 patrons each, at
$8.95 per person, including dinner
and theatre tickets. Champagne
will be gratis on the trip, and be-
fore and after the show.

With the opening-night trip sold
but and "Complex” held over for a
second week at the strawhat, Cohen
has scheduled another three-bus
excursion on the same terms for
Monday night (30) of the holdover
week. In addition, a few favored
patrons (probably gals, for photo
exploitation purposes) will be tak-
en by helicopter.

Windmill plane, supplied by N. Y.
Airways, will leave LaGuardia
Field, N. Y„ about 4 p.m. and pro-
ceed to Trenton, where the half-
dozen passengers will be picked up
and shuttled by bus or taxi to New
Hope. All excursionists, including
both motor and air patrons, will
have dinner at Monte Proser’s
Playhouse Inn on the theatre
[grounds.

With Flock of Low-Budget Tourers

— — — — - — .+

La Jolla Will Premiere
‘Vacant,’ by Streger-Kerr

La Jolia, Cal., Aug. 17.

Final production of La Jolla
Playhouse season will be "The Va-
cant Lot,” new play by Paul
Streger and Berrilla Kerr. After
the La Jolla premiere, producer
John Swope plans to take the show
on tour to Broadway.

Script, uncovered in New York
by La Jolla co-producer Dorothy
McGuire, requires a cast consisting
of five youngsters under 17. Nor-
man Lloyd will direct.

John Barrymore Jr. filed . coun-
tercharges yesterday (Tues.) with
Actors Equity against Charlotte
and Lewis Harmon, producers of
the Clinton (Conn.) Playhouse,
whose charges against him are
pending with the union. Case will
be heard Oct. 5 by the Equity
Council.

Actor, Who was accused by the
Harmons of actions unbecoming an
Equity member during and imme-
diately following a guest appear-
ance at their strawhat in Mel Di-
nelli’s “The Man,” has refused to
discuss the case, in accord with
union instructions. However, an as-
sociate reveals that Barrymore’s
countercharges involve varioiis vio-
lations of Equity regulations, in-
cluding refusal to give him ade-
quate direction.

The actor’s complaint also al-
leges that Mrs. Harmon held a cast
meeting, from which he Was
barred, to pressure others in the
company to second her charges
against the star. He also makes a
countercharge of indecent lan-
guage in answering a similar ac-
cusation by the producers.

Barrymore is said to be bitterly
angry over the unfavorable pub-
licity he has received following his
appearance at Clinton, particularly
since he was careful to obey
Equity’s no-discussion order. He
believes that someone must have
fed unfavorable items about him
to various columnists. In comment-
ing on this phase of the situation,
the actor’s friends point out that,
contrary to insinuations, he does
not drink.

COLUMBUS SHOW TRAIN
SETS N.Y. FALL DATES

Columbus, Aug. 17.

Two musicals, a Shakespearean
fantasy and a Pulitzer-prize play
are the legit shows to be offered
200 central Ohioans on the fifth
New York Theatre Party conducted
in the fall by the Columbus Citi-
zen. Drama editor Norman Na-
del visited New York last month to
buy his shows. He lined up the
following:

“Midsummer Night’s Dream,”
“Teahouse of the August Moon,”
“Pajama Game” and the revival of
“O.n Your Toes.” Also on the itin-
erary are "Cinerama Holiday,” the
stage-screen show at Radio City
Music Hall, and a United Nations
tour.

Torgy’ Launches New
Legit Season in Hub

Boston, Aug, 17.

Hub’s legit season gets off to an
early start this year with "Porgy
and Bess” moving into the ShuDert
Theatre next Friday (20) for an
eight-day stand.

First important preem of the sea-
son is slated for Sept. 20, wi*en
"Fanny” bows into the Shubert
for a three-week engagement. “Get-
ting Gertie’s Garter,” is also inked
to open a two-for-one engagement
i at the Majestic the same night.

Hinterland legitgoers are in for
a surge of bargain-basement pro-
ductions this fall. At least six pro-
ductions are scheduled for two-for-
one tours. Shows run the gamut
from established lowbrow farces
to a recent Broadway musical.

Tuner is “Gentlemen Prefer
Blondes,” being sent out by Manny
Davis, who presented it this sum-
mer at his Allentown (Pa.) Music
Circus. A show tagged “Models In
Season” is being put together by
Morie Efron.

Joe Roth is sending out "Pajama
Tops,” which tried out last season
at the Hilltop-Parkway Theatre,
Baltimore, Md., and the Empress
Theatre, St. Louis. Latter play, a
French original, was. adapted by
Mawby Green and Ed Fielbert,

George Brandt, who sent "Moon
Is Blue” on tour last season, will,
give the F. Hugh Herbert comedy
another low-budget whirl this fall.
John Yorke and Max Gendel have
lined up a road trek for “Getting
Gertie’s Garter.”

Jules Pfeiffer will be represent-
ed by a touring company of
"School For Brides.” Same pro-
ducer had an extensive tour last
season with a "twofer" production
of "Good Nite, Ladies.” Another
Pfeiffer road prospect for the com-
ing season is "Tobacco Road.”

Cut L’ville Aud Seats,
Concerts Go to Rialto;

Set 6-Week Local Legits

Louisville. Aug. 17.

Louisville Community Concert
Assn, will offer its series of five
bookings next season in the 3,134-
scat Rialto, according to announce-
ment by former Mayor Charles P.
Faimsley, prez, and D. Irving Lorig,
Fourth. Avenue Amusement Co.
prez. Marks the first time that the
association, which opens its 19th
.series in October, will present its
programs on a stage other than at
Memorial Auditorium.

Renovation in Memorial will
eliminate about 600 seats, cutting
its capacity to about 1,750 seats.
Pz’omoters of the Community
Concert series claim more than.
2,300 season memberships sold to
the series. Rialto will probably
continue to show films up to about
6 p.m. the day of each concert.

Alterations costing $170,000 are
being made to Memorial Aud,
which are designed to improve the
accbustics. A six-week drama sea-
son, to be produced by Denis
Du-For is now in the works for the
aud, to be given next January-
February.

Jazz Unit Takes Over
‘S.P.’ Date in Hartford

Hartford, Aug. 17.

Booking mixup has the Bushnell
Memorial here presenting two
shows the same day. Skedded for
Sept. 17 are the Norman Granz
"Jazz at the philharmonic” and the
touring "South PAcific.”

Way was cleared for presenta-
tion of both shows by putting
“South Pacific” on a matinee diet
for the day and the Granz unit
taking over the evening. Granz
always opens his season jazz tours
here.

"South Pacific” is booked for the
Bushnell for the full week Sept.
13-18. Originally, six evening
shows, and two matinees had been
skedded. Under the revised setup,
however, the legit show will have
five evening performances and
three mats.

'KING' PERKS DES MOINES

Des Moines, Aug. 17.
"King and I” will head the 1954-
55 season at the 4.200-seat KRNT
Theatre here for one week starting
Sept. 13.

Seat sale starting last week is
already keeping the boxoffice busy.

66

LEGITIMATE

Wednesday, August 18 , 1954

Strawhat Reviews

Tlie Southwest Turner

Saratoga, N.Y„ Aug, 10.

John Huntington production ot play in
three acts six scenes;, by John Cecil
Holm, based on the novel of the same
title by Mildred Walker. Stars Eva Le-
Galllenne; features Parker Fennelly, add
Markey. Staged by Holm; setting. Peg
Crossfield. At Spa Summer Theatre, Sara.,
toga. N. Y., Aug. 9, 54; $3 top, n
Orville Grecnstead . . . . Parker Fennelly

Marcia Elder Eva La Galllenne

David Keajtng Clifford Cothren

Rea Cannon • ® n,< J Markey

Edith Summers ••• Toni Dmmv

Hattie Care w

Sam Wilson Clyde Waddell

Connie Dana • • Mary GasjnrJ*

(no use. An exaggerated wardrobe
I doesn’t help, either.

' Richard Derr, as the discontented
darling, and Jill Kraft, as the
transformed duckling* are the most
effective of the -others,

Tom Tryon has a bad time cop-
ing with the role of the babyhood
pet, and Florence Sundstrom and
James Nolan are standard as drop-
in pa's. The unquestionable hit of
the show is Marvin Reiss’ elegant
i interior. . Eletn.

John Huntington has preemed a
number of new scripts during his
tenure at this playhouse. So far
none has had the essentials to
tempt a Broadway exposure, This
warmly human story of contrasting
types in an aged farmhouse on a
hilltop in Vermont appears to have
the necessary innards to take the
Main Stem step, however.

There arc the usual tryout pro-
visos. The perfect casting of the
three principal roles practically
demands the retention of the Le-
Galiienr.e * Markey- Fennelly com-
bination ior more ambitious pro-
duction plans.

Fortunately, John Cecil Holm is
an experienced playwright, who
presumably appreciates that a
great deal of cutting must be done,
and a stronger final curtain will be
paramount, even, to the eliihination
a minor role brought in as an ex-
traneous note of romantic interest.
Casting of the minor roles will
have to be more on a par with the
top trio.

Playwright-director Holm has
taken the Mildred Walker story
and woven it into three acts of
character study depicting the deci-
sion of an fl3-year-old to share her
home. The contrast . between the
gentle octogenarian with her
memories of the past and the prac-
tical flamboyant extrovert from
Dedham provide laughter and
pathos.

Miss LeGallienne limns a well-
rounded characterization of the
woman who represents an era of
easy genteel living. It is a per-
formance that will grow in stature
With repeated performances. It is
a tough assignment as Enid Markey
and Parker Fennelly, top troupers,
have parts that might overshadow
the star.

Miss Markey’s role offers some
of the best opportunities of her
career. She takes full advantage
of them with a fine performance.
Unfortunately, the playwright has
touched only lightly on traits that
would make the character a bit
more sympathetic. Fennelly, as
the taciturn friend of the octoge-
narian and victim of the newcomer,
is also perfectly cast. Outside of
his familiar radio and tv charac-
terization. the actor gives a full-
bodied- interpretation of the faith-
ful handy man.

Peg Crossfield has designed an
effective farmhouse kitchen-living
room setting. Russ.

Darling, Darling

Westport, Conn., Aug. 16.

Westport Country Playhouse produc-
tion of comedy in three acts (three
scenes) by Anita Loos, based on the
Parisian success. "Ami, Ami," by Pierre
BarUlct and Jean-Pierre Gredy. Stars
Gvpsv Rose Lee, Richard Derr. Directed
by John C. Wilson; setting. Marvin Reiss.
At Westport Country Playhouse, - West-
port. Conn.. Aug. 16-21, '54; $3.60 top.

Nicole Prentice Gypsy Rose Lee

Christopher Prentice Richard Derr

Alex McClarey Tom Tryon

Tabitha Wyatt Florence Sundstrom

Norton Wyatt James Nolan

Jeanne Milliken . . ■ Jill Kraft

The Iron Gate

Stoqkbridge, Mass., Aug. 9.

Berkshire - Playhouse - production of
drama in two acts (five scenes), by John
T. Chapman. Stars Sidney Blackmer, Carol
Stone. Directed by William Itiiles; . setting
and costumes. Jerome Borgos; At Berk-
shire 1 PI xyhouse, Stpckbridge, Mass., Aug.
9, gil;. $2.75 top.

Alexander Fleming Sidney Blackmer

Cornelia Fleming ......... Carol Stone

Rose Evelyn Davis

Meg Fleming .*. .Dledre Owens

Phoebe Shoemaker Anne Ives

Col. Henry Bartlett . SheppaVd Strudwick
Capt. C’tn.rles Emory . . . . WUIiam Swan

Theresa Fleming Nolla Trammel

Dr. Baiiley .......... . .Maurice Wells

Eleanor Delaney Mary Jackson

I Program note advises that this
play won a prize in 1952 for its tv
presentation. It will never garner
a Pulitzer' or Critic's Circle award
for its legit production.

Playwright John T. Chapman
faced the same difficulty in trans-
posing from the stages to the the-
atre platform, as previous efforts
of this type have encountered. A
taut 60-mirtute (minus commer-
cials) tele script requires enlarge-
ment in its transfer, usually result-
ing in padding. This has occurred
in this case, resulting in a slow and
ponderous first act buildup for the
balance of the play.

However, the basic concept of
the clash of wills in Southern
family holds the possibility that
with heavy spade work the script
cop’d be molded into a Broadway
entry. A stage-wise collaborator
would help and top casting would
be a requisite.

A capacity opening night audi-
ence’s interest was held, despite
the shortcomings and the heavy
going of the initial stanza. There
is a strong femme appeal; the kind
that bpught "The Little FOxes,”
which the new script resembles.
“Foxes” proved that a despicable
character is no hinderance at the
boxoffice.

Sidney Blackmer’s approach to
the role of the iron-willed, un
scrupulous, tyrannical . patriarch
seems uncertain. This can perhaps
be put at the author’s door as role
requires brusqueness, suavity, cold-
ness and no touch of sincere kind-
ness. The actor is inclined to go
a bit melodramatic at times.

Top acting honors go to Carol
Stone as the nemesis of her fath-
er’s desire to rule his daughters
with ah iron hand. She gives a
live and vivid interpretation to the
role of the eldest daughter fighting
for the freedom of will for a
younger sister.

The latter part is given a nice
aura of sweetness by Deidre Owens
of the resident company. Nolia
Trammel, in her initial appearance
here, turns in a highly competent
performance as the treacherous,
scheming and hypochondriatic sec-
ond sister. In the original tv show-
ing Henry Daniell and Beatrice
Straight played the parts now
h-n^ed by Blackmer and Miss
Stone. Russ.

“Darling. Darling” is a very bad
play. Its Anita Loos authorship,
the directorial identification of
John C. Wilson and the stellar
presence of Gypsy Rose Lee make
the Westport Country Playhouse
entry all the more embarrassing.

The pointlessness and lack of
taste of Miss Loos’ farce were dem-
onstrated at tonight's (Mon.) open-
ing by the number of empty seats
after the second intermission.
Those who stayed were not the
luckier. And Miss Lee's third-act
line, “Where did everybody go?,”
ruhbed it in.

“Darling’’ casts Miss Lee as a
successful Gotham couturier who
dominates her handsome mate, a
hdme-!oving guy with a travel
agency job, and tries to run the
life of a lad she’s known from
childhood. When she arranges a
romance between the boy and her
niece, a seemingly unattractive Girl
Scout leader, the latter metamorph-
osizes into a glamorous bride and
even wins the 'love of the aunt’s
unhappy husband, The mix-in wife
gets back her man, however, when
the young couple announce a baby’s
joomtng.

Director Wilson has not denied
his ecdysiastic headliner the op-
portunity to demonstrate her tal-
ents. But the assignment provides
So little that although the star
plajs it for what it’s worth, it’s

Sea-fhango

Dallas, Aug. 14.

Margo Jones production of comedy In
three acts (five scenes), by William Case.
Features Jeanne Gal. Directed by Ram-
sey Burch; technical direction. James
Pringle. At Theatre '54, Dallas* Aug. Id.
'54; $3 top.

Steward . Nathan Roth

Sally Glllis Jeanne Gal

Shirley Duke Louise Noble

Stan Berman Michael Dolan

General Nathan Roth

George Hicks Charles Braswell

Lt. Jacques Berard Michael Garth

Miss Nagle . Sadie French

Miss Fnedenholzer Virginia Young

Horace Michael Dolan

Larrabee .... Louis Veda -Quince

Frederick Worthington, Jr. James Pringle

Sapphira ...Virginia Young

Reeves Michael Dolan

Penultimate production of Mar
go Jones’ first 15-week summer
season of five plays is William
Case’s “Sea-Change.” Reception
here indicates a hefty three-week
run.

Script gets generous laughs, with
steady chuckles often building into
yocks. Since the humor isn’t forced,
i the result is good “audience” com-
i edy.

Frothy fable concerns a day-
dreaming midwest secretary on a
week’s Carribean cruise, before her
scheduled marriage to a wealthy
stuffed shirt back home. Ship-
board complications include roman-
tic encounters with a Gallup poll-
ster and a French ship’s officer.

The heroine’s secret life, a la
, “Dream Girl,” includes being a
i Commie spy-catcher, a Nobel

prize-winning poetess, an Oscar-
winning film star and a Soiith Sea
siren. Actually, she’s finally won
by a fellow passenger who has ac-
cused her and her roommate of be-
ing predatory.

“Sea-Change” gets a big assist
from Ramsey Burch’s deft direc-
tion. He extracts boff thesping bits
from minor to major roles and, in
the case of Jeanne Gal, a top per-
formance in a mutliple role, the
biggest this ingenue has had this
season. Louise Noble, as her cabin-
mate, gets every laugh from a
small, but necessary part.

Her prey, a liquor peddler on a
free trip, is well handled by Mi-
chael Dolan,, who also clicks in a
dream sequence as a derelict who
scorning family and friends for
the South Sea charmer. Charles
Braswell’s pollster role establishes
a new high in comedic ability for
the veteran arena actor.

As the French ship's officer,
Michael Garth is convincingly
amorous and polished. Veteran ac-
tor. Louis Veda Quince scores k in a
bit role as a psychoanalyst with, a
“bar stool” manner.

Smart costuming and slick light-
ing are provided by James Pringle.

Bark.

Jimmy Polls Gets A
Haireut

East Hampton, L. I., Aug. 13.

William Whitman-Ron Rawsdn produc-
tion of comedy in two acts (seven
scenes) and prolog, by George Panetta.
Features Arny Freeman, Jose Perez, Mike
Kellin. Paul Lipson, Lola d'Annunzio.
Directed by Ruth Rawson; scenery, Ar-
nold Abramson. At John Drew Memorial
Theatre, East Hampton. L. 1., Aug. 9-
14. '54.

Hannah Anna Berger

Ignatius Jose Perez

Romani Arny Freeman

DeWolfe Joe Graham

Jimmy Billy Raftery

Maloney . .. Larry Bolton

Hippo Paul Lipson

Interne Dave Garner

Mrs. Romani Lola D'Annunzio

Sarge Mike Kellin

t>iokie Martin Greene

LaGuardia ...Gilbert Mack

George Panetta’s “Jimmy Potts
Gets A Haircut” may have been an
interesting short novel, but it’s too
close-cropped to stand up as stage
fare.

Although generally slick writing
gives “Haircut” a neatly pomaded
appearance, the single-strand plot
is not -enough to hold an audience
for the required two hours.

Producers Ron Rawson and Wil-
liam Whitman (the latter and au-
thor Panetta are commercial tv-
radio writers at the Young & Rubi-
cam ad agency) have given “Hair-
cut” a neat presentation in Raw-
son’s John Drew Theatre here, and
Ruth (Mrs.) Rawson has staged it
effectively. Billed as a “fable in
two acts,” Panetta’s script revolves
about a single situation in the Ital-
ianate Bleeker Street section of
Greenwich Village, N. Y., during
the LaGuardia administration

Jimmy Potts, playing in the gut-
ter on the way home from the
barber shop, trips on the curb just
as a speeding truck flashes past.
A housewife, half asleep in the sun,
sees the boy fall and falsely alarms
the neighborhood that the young-
ster was struck by a hit-runner.

Casting here is probably as close
to perfect as will be found in the
summer circuit. Arny Freeman
and Jose Perez catch the barber
and son relationship with obvious
appreciation for the differences be-
tween Old and New World think-
ing. Lola D’Annunzio looks and
acts the part of the harassed Italian
wife-mother with sustained effec-
tiveness and Billy Raftery capably
handles the motivating but small
role of Jimmy Potts.

Major comedy is supplied by
Mike Kellin and Paul Lipson as the
precinct sergeant and the over-
weight cop dn the Bleeker Street
beat. Kellin’s efforts to cover up
for the beat-pounder who spends
most of the day “resting his feet”
in Maloney’s Tropical Bar, and Lip-
son’s pathetic attempts at coopera-
tion hit “Haircut’s” comic peak.

Gilbert Mack, as LaGuardia, re-
mains a radio voice until the final,
all too-long scene, in which he
shows a resemblance to the Little
Flower almost as striking physical-
ly as vocally. The radio bits, though
exceptionally well done, serve
chiefly to impede stage action, and
the opening broadcast, done on a
darkened stage, stalls the yarn be-
fore it starts.

Anna Berger, as the housewife
who “sees” the accident, Joe Gra-
ham as the assistant barber, Larry
Bolton as the neighborhood bar-
keep, Dave Garner as the interne
and Martin Greene as a bookie,
complete the true-to-life casting.

A practical system of rolling
stages makes the scene shifts be-
tween the Bleeker Street exterior
and the barber’s living room both
fast and silent. Arnold Abramson’s
interior and exterior sets are ex-
cellent atmosphere pieces.

“Haircut,” however, remains too
: thin a tale in its present form to
| risk the big city clippers. Hank.

Magle Morning

Spring Lake, N. J., Aug. 4.

Rea John Powers production of comedy
In three acts by Thomas W. Phipps and
RusseU Medcraft. Stars Judith Evelyn.
Directed by Edgar Kioten; sets, Marshall
Yokelson. At Ivy Tower Playhouse, Spring
Lake, N. J., Aug.' 2, '54; $3.30 top.

Oscar Barlow Frank Bollinger

Nigel Turner Peter Pagan

Irene Ward Judith Evelyn

Bonnie Marjorie Walsh

Andrew Scott ........... Kendall Clark

Lucy Scott .Milllcent Hanley

Jedd ..John Marriott

Isobel Channing Grace Powers

Ann Scott Lois Edwards

Teddy Sturgess .Kenneth Porter

Herbert Wakefield George Cathrey

Ciridy Wakefield ... . . . .porothy Peterson

Eulalle Brownwood Mary Bell

Roger- Blake .Joe A. Callaway

Although they have- Judith
Evelyn playing on their side, co-
* authors Thomas W. Phipps and
Russell Medcraft have not con-
verted nostalgia for Charleston;
S. C., into a play with serious legit
potential. As produced at the Ivy
Tower Playhouse, “Magic Morning!’
does not prove a script worthy, of
Miss Evelyn’s expert talents.

Grant that a top-flight actress’s
whimsical wire may bring running
a suitor of 20 years ago, and say
even that this man, a widower and'
Charleston aristocrat, can sweep
the star off her feet, bearing her
back to South Carolina. and domes-
ticity. Allow several scenes to
show the gal's . impact on Charles-
ton (and vice versa), divide into
three acts and it’s “Magic Morn-
ing.”

As the stage luminary, Miss
Evelyn is only able to eke out two
scenes that are ' Worth her while.
Her reading from “Paolo and
Francesca” with a little-theatre
neophyte, and her climactic show-
down with hubby .are notable. For
the rest, although she labors
valiantly, there just isn’t enough
to make her own.

Kendall Clark is the husband
whose love has survived two dec-
ades with another woman. Adopt-
ing a heavy accent, he plays with
all the verve of a high pressure
salesman. As his understanding
sister, Millicent Hanley is gracious,
accepting the newcomer with cau-
tious reserve. Grace Powers plays
the woman all Charleston hoped
would be the second wife, being
nobly withdrawn in her rejection.
Lois Edwards is the step-daughter
who cottons, to the actress at once.

As a southerner who likes to see
tradition challenged, Joe A. Calla-
way is agfeeably amusing. Frank
Rollinger and Peter Pagan are
cohorts of the actress, the former
as manager, the latter as author
and previous husband.

■ Mary Bell makes much of her
stint as the local little theatre
director, getting the show’s major
yocks. John Marriott steps lively
as a family retainer, and Dorothy
Peterson appears as a neighbor.
George Cathrey, Kenneth Porter
and Marjorie Walsh complete a
cast which, in a couple of instances,
is below par.

After a slow start, the authors
conjure up one excellent- scene in
which the actress and Charleston
sit down together for drawing
room chitchat. The cross purposes,
and misfires of good intent, make
for true high comedy. It takes a
play-full of such to foot the bills,
however, Phipps and Medcraft
showing themselves capable of
doing it only briefly

Edgar Kloten’s direction does
not illuminate a mostly dull occa-
sion. Marshall Yokelson designed
the sets, contrasting New York and
Charleston living rooms, the latter
reeking sufficiently of magnolia.

Geor.

‘ A Dash ok’ Hitters

Mat-,*., t •Dallas, Aug. 6,

M<ug° Jones production of drama In
n/Ifh acCs fs ® ven scenes), by Reginald
and , Conrad Sutton-Smlth,
adapted from "The Perfectionist t»v

S i' . clair - Fe£ »tures Muriel’ Kirlf-
Hi!?»V DireC T ted by Mar «® Jones; technical

Th ' aire -H '

vffi a n 1 ia w wi!Ki I I: . Miti l. K „ i ;" a c n .1
Ricardo v15?l charlej Braswell

Margo Jones’ announced five
new comedy scripts for 15 weeks
of summer theatre fails to show in
her third tryout, “A Dash of Bit-
ters.”

Lukewarm whodunit, adapted by
veteran playwrights Reginald Den-
? am a ? d Conrad Sqtton-Smith
£&” “fp"* SJ Clair's yarn,
The Perfectionist,” smacks too
much of film melodrama and
strongly of “Arsenic and Old
Lace.”_ Saving the piece, as staged
!?f r ^/r is brilliant performance
of Munel Kirkland, first guest
artist in Miss JCnes’ eight seasons
of local arena theatre.

Actress commands all seven
scenes, as a lovelorn spinster
whose bent is sketching still life,
bhe makes sure the life is stilled
for her art, dips apples in wax,
cuts down a windblown tree, poi-
sons and stuffs her pooch, land,
freezes goldfish in their bowl. She
includes a nephew by poisoning
his drink. All this because an
(Continued on page 69;

‘SANDHOG’ MAY DREDGE
RACHEL-PHOENIX COIN

“Sandhog ” which bows Noy. 23

at the off-Broadway Phoenix The-
atre, has a promising financial set-
up. It’s being financed at $60,000,
and is budgeted to recoup its pro^
duction cost on its scheduled six-
week stand at the house. Sellout
biz during the run would bring in
an ‘operating profit of $63,000 and
a $3,000 net, according to pre-pro-
duction estimates.

• Cost of mounting the Earl Rob-
inson-Waldo Salt musical, which is
being put on jointly by Rachel Pro-
ductions and the Phoenix Theatre
.is figured at $47,000. Each of the
sponsoring • outfits is responsible
for a $30,000 investment via a reg-
ular limited partnership agree-
ment.

Capacity take at the 1, 150-sea ter
will be. $24,500, with a $3 45 week-
day top and a high of $4.60 on Fri-
day and Saturday nights. Weekly
operating cost is expected to be
around $14,000 at capacity^ leaving
a working profit of $10,500.

As of early 1 last week, Rachel
still was shy $14,400 on its half of
the financing. Both Rachel and
the Phoenix have extensive mail-
ing lists for ticket sales, with the
first two weeks of Show’s run open
to Phoenix’s season’s subscribers,

There’s a possibility production
may run a maximum of seven
weeks. Also, a move to another
theatre, either on or off Broadway
is planned if b.o. response war-
rants.

Presentation will be directed by
Howard Da Silva, who’s partnered
in Rachel with Arnold Perl. How-
ard Bay will design the scenery
and costumes.

Entries Heavy for Mpls.
Guild-ATS Subscriptions

Minneapolis, Aug. 17.

Although there has been no
newspaper or other advertising
and only mall and telephone solici-
tations, Theatre Guild-American
Theatre Society subscriptions for
the coming local Lyceum legit sea-
son now number. 1,600,' or approxi-
mately two-thirds of last season’s
final total of 2,500.

Last season’s subscribers are re-
ceiving refunds up to $10 each be-
cause of the failure to deliver two
of the promised' eight productions,
and also for admission tax refunds.
The ensuing season, opening with
“Picnic” tonight (Tues.), has only
six subscription shows scheduled.
Presence of “King and I” as the
second on the list has proved
a stimulus for the drive, says Low-
ell Kaplan, Lyceum manager.

Lyceum isn’t employing the
charge account plan. The extreme-
ly early opening of the season,
Aug. 17, and a non-airconditioned
theatre is believed to be a handi-
cap. Last season had a very late
finish in late June with “The Seven
Year Itch,” which despite extreme-
ly hot weather and the non-refrig-
erated house, chalked up a healthy
$19,500 gross for the week.

For the second successive sea-
son, legit tourers Will play their
only Twin Cities’ engagements ex-
clusively here. They’re by-passing
St. Paul, from which the Guild-
ATS has bowed out.

Current Road Shows

(Aug. 16-28)

Caine Mutiny Court Martial
(Paul Douglas, Wendell Corey,
Steve Brodie) — Opera House, Cen-
tral City, Col. (16-28).

King and I (Yul Brynner, Pa-
tricia . Morison)— Orpheum. Seattle
(16-21); Capitol, Salt Lake City
(23-28).

Peter Pan (Mary Martin) (try-
out)-— Philharmonic Aud., L.A. Jlj>*
28) (Reviewed in Variety, July
21, ’54).

Picnic (Ralph Meeker) — Lyceum,
Minneapolis (17-21); Pabsl, Mil*
waukee (23-28).

Porgy and Bess — Shubert, Bos-
ton (20-28).

Seven Year Itch (Eddie Bracken)
—Geary, S.F. (16-28).

South Pacific (Iva Withers,
Webb Tilton)— Royal Alexandra,
Toronto (i6-28). ,„.. n

Time Out for Ginger (Meh)d
Douglas)— Harris, ^hi (16-28

Wonderful Town (Carol Clian
ning) — Shubert, Chi (16-28).

Wednesday, August 18; 1954

Shows Abroad

Salad Days

London, Aug. 6.

Linnit & Dunfee, Jack Uylton presenta-
tion 0 f Bristol Old VIC production of a
musical fanfasy in two parts, with hook
and lyrics by Dorothy Reynolds and
Julian Slade, and music by Slade. Di-
rected by Denis Carey. At Vaudeville
Theatre# London, Auy. 5, 54, $2,20 top.

Tramp Newton Blick

j~ne Eleanor Drew

Timothy John Warner

Mr Dawes Michael Aldridge

Mrs. Dawes Dorothy Reynolds

Lady Raeburn Yvonne Coulette

Constable Boot Joe Greig

Rowena Pat Heywood

Bishop Newton Blick

Troppo Bob Harris

Sir Williams James Cairncross

Fosdyke Michael Meacham

Dress Designer Michael Aldridge

Fiona Christine Finn

With this staging of Bristol Old
Vic’s last winter’s attraction, Julian
Slade shapes as a bright young
hope of the musical world. His
London debut was “The Duenna,”
now safely launched at the West-
minster. And with the tumultuous
reception for his second, venture,
he has the unique distinction of
two smash hits within two weeks.
It is a nonsensical affair, scam-
pered blithely through by a bunch
of talented unknown players. They
have an infectious gaiety that is a
tonic, arid it is a refreshing change
from the ultra-sophistication of
current intimate revues. Its sim-
plicity and ingenuousness might
make it as suitable an' offering for
Broadway as “The Boy Friend,”
from a u novelty angle,

A boy and girl just graduated
from a university plan to meet in a
London park. He is coerced by his
family to interview four influen-
tial uncles for a profitable career.
She is to satisfy her mother’s ambi-
tions for an aristocratic marriage.
While' jibbing at their prospects,
they are left in charge of a bat-
tered street piano by a rakish old
busker. The music brings an ir-
resistible impulse for passerby to
dance, and within a month of their
guardianship of the. ipstrument
they net sufficient money to snap
their fingers at their folks and
marry.

There are witty little comedy
scenes interspersed more in revue
style, the best of which is the girl’s
titled mother giving a nonstop tele-
phone conversation during all
phases of hair and facial treatment
in a beauty parlor. A four-armed
Eastern dancer in a nightclub gets
plenty of laughs. There is even a
flying saucer equipped to maintain
a better service than a helicopter,
to locate the piano, when it is
stolen.

Threaded through all this is the
delightfully catchy music which is
the mainstay of the production,
directed by Denis Carey with split-
second timing.

Of the capable company,' Eleanor
Drew and Jbhn Warner shine as
both dancers and singers in the
main parts; Dorothy Reynolds
(part author) scores as a Dietrich-
like nightclub songstress as well
as playing . the boy’s mother;
Yvonne Coulette gets the best com-
edy situation as the girl’s mother;
Newton Blick has the dual role of
the tramp and a bishop, which he
differentiates with distinction, and
Boh Harris gives an excellent
clownlike mute performance' as a
self-appointed nursemaid to the
piano. Clem.

sincerely {hat. it avoids mawkish
sentimentality. .

Two youths are involved in the
killing of a police officer. One is
a crook who shoots his way out
following a robbery, the other a
retarded 19-year-old who tags
along to get even with the boss who
fired him. Both are condemned to
death, the younger boy as an ac-
complice, despite a nationwide
campaign for clemency. He devel-
ops an affection for his guards and
the padre, whose influence imbues
him With philosophic calm to face
his execution.

There is no flaw in Donald
Bradley’s portrayal of the young
criminal. He makes no attempt to
dramatize the pathetic moron, his
sensitivity accentuating the poign-
ancy of his plight. The parents are
coriimendably played by Margaret
St. Barbe-West and Leslie Hand-
ford. Campbell Copelin and Ken-
neth Outwin give excellent support
as the sympathetic prison warders
and Charles Stapley makes a
humane figure of the priest. Frank
Pendlebury contributes a lifelike
study of the young, gangster who
makes a catspaw of his friend.
Play is directed with f orcef uL
realism by John McKelvey.

Clem.

Murder Story

London, July 23.

Tom Arnold presentation (by arrange-
ment with Aldershot Hippodrotne Arts
Theatre) of Urania- in three acts (8 scenes)
by Ludovlc Kennedy. Directed by John
McKclvcy. At Cambridge Theatre, Lon-
don, July 22, '34; $1.85 top.

Elsie Tanner . . . .Margaret St. Barbe-West

Arthur Tanner. Leslie Handford

Jim Tanner Donald Bradley

Daisy Richards Henryetta Edwards

Ted Clift.. Frank Pendlebury

orficer Bartholomew .. .Campbell Copelin

Officer Graves Kenneth Outwin

Officer Briggs ...Arthur Hosklng

Governor Deering Wells

Chaplain. Charles Stapley

Inspector John McKelvey

Mrs. Tomkins Nancy Wlnton

In this grim story of young
hoodlums, paralleling a real mur-
der case, the author earns respect
in his first play for his courageous
treatmeht of a controversial sub-
ject. it is forthright propaganda
against capital punishment, with an
underlying plea for merciful re-
straint towards those accused of
complicity. On its merits it should
ctraw lovers of pure drama, but it’s
coo morbid for universal appeal.

The author probes intelligently
into the criminal mind and intri-
cacies of the law with its inexorable
remands. He pulls no punches
*“Y ln 8 a c ^ oseu P of the psychologi-
4 u ec t on all concerned. Scenes
ni deathhouse and home of one
ot the condemned men are played
:,\ an atmosphere of simplicity that
ods them of sensationalism. Even
r, e ^i8ious angle, usually soft-
i .d' on the stage, with the ,
inaplain teaching the doomed
youngster to pray, is handled so I

Relations Are Best
Apart

London, Aug. 4-

H. J. Barlow (for Magnet Entertain-
ments Lid.) production of comedy in
three acts, by Edwin Lewis. Stars Leslie
Henson, Hazel Court, Dermot Walsh.
Directed by Martin Landau. At Garrick
Theatre, London, Aug. 3, *54; $2.20 top.

Tom Brown Leslie Henson

Clara Hazel Court

Mark Gladwin Dermot Walsh

Sarah Brown ............ Bertha Russell

Bill Brown . . Frank Pettitt

Herbert Brown Frank Lawless

Polly Gladwin Pauline Brandt

Sam Gladwin Don Farrow

Alf Barnes Alexander Harris

Mary Olwen Griffiths

This comedy o of community
family life might have been okay
during the war years, when the
housing shortage was more acute
arid the enforced sharing of homes
with inrlaws a more topical and
vital problem. It is reasonably
well constructed with a few genu-
ine laughs, but remains primarily
a family embroglio in a dingy at-
mosphere.

Interest centers on Leslie Hen-
son, as a returned vet, and the
screen "and stage players Hazel
Court and Dermot Walsh. Because
of them, the play may stand a
chance, but with a belated heat-
wave looming its prospects are not
bright. It offers nothing for the
U. S.

Yarn involves middlecLtss couple
who have housed: their daughter
aqd her fiery socialist husband for
seven years. There’s also an old
sweetheart, a cousin believed
killed in the war, who turns up
after years of amnesia, a younger
son of the family, an aged grandpa.
Henson wins most of the eveningls
honors as the shuffling grandpa.

• Miss Court ■ and • Walsh, acquit
themselves well as the quarrelling
couple, with Bertha Russell, Frank
Pettitt, Don Farrow and Paulina
Braridt in fine fettle as the dis-
cordant inlaws. Alexander Harris
registers faintly, as the cousin and
Frank Lawless and Olwen Griffiths
give natural performances as the
younger son and girl friend eager
to fill the vacated room and seal
up the circle of overcrowding. Play
is evenly directed by Martin
Landau. . Clem.

‘Norway’ Tuneful $50,000
For Starlight, Kaycee

l( _ Kansas City, Aug. 17.

. , oong of Norway” drew a sat-
isfactory $50,000 last week as the
®ifibth production of the season at
the Starlight Theatre here. Show
battled uncertain weather through
the week, with the Wednesday
night (11) performance doused at
curtain time, Lillian Murphy, Law-
rence Brooks, Frances Greer and
Donald Clarke sang leads,

“No, No, Nanette” opened last
night (Mon.) with a cast including
Romo Vincent, Ann Crowley, Rudy
Tone, Helene Howard, Xenia Bank,
Robert Smith and Marion. Weeks,

"Ginger 12G/Chi

Chicago, Aug. 17.

Both Windy City shows scored a
biz upbeat last week. Influx of
sports fails for the All-Star foot-
ball games was figured a factor in
the b.o. surge.

Tickets go on sale shortly for
“Picnic,” opening Sept. 13 at the
Erlangen

Estimates for Last Week

Time Out for Ginger, Harris
(31st wk) ($4.15; 1,000) (Melvyn
Douglas). Almost $12,000 (previ-
ous week, under $11,000).

. Wonderful Town,; Shubert (6th
wk) ($4.60; 2,100) (Carol Channing).
Nearly $36,900 (previous weejc,
$35,800).

A Riverside Charade

Dublin, Aug. 3.

Irish National Theatre presentation of
comedy in three acts by Bryan Guinness.
Staffed by Ria Mooney; settings, Vere
Dudgeon'. At Abbey (Queen's) Theatre,
Dublin. July 26, '54.

Sally Shortchalk Maura O’Donnell

Peter Magill Ray McNally

Olga Lalique Doreen Madden

Jimmy Michael Hennessy

Charlie Fox Joe Lvnch

Molly Fox Joan O’Hara

Susan Perkitt Marie Kane

Falrfellow Harry Brogan

Miss Fairfellow.. Anffela Newman

Roisin Kinnety Eithne Lydon

Richard Kinnety Christopher Casson

Joshua Bloggs. Ronnie Walsh

Johnny. .Michael O’Brien

Patrick Armitage Edward Golden

Bryan Guinness, author of this
fantasy-comedy, in private life is
Lord Moyne, of the famous brew-
ing family, which explains why a
local brew called Fizzer is a basic
cause of all the fuss. Plot line is
fairly thin. The lady whose family
has been drawing a royalty on
Fizzer for generations has not been
seen for years, which causes some
inquiries and complications.

Third act sees three femmes
appearing at a garden party as the
lady in question, but they are un-
masked in turn. Nothing is settled
very definitely and the play ends
in an atmosphere of goodwill on a
sunny afternoon.

It completely fits the title, “A
Riverside Charade,” and is not to
he taken too seriously, therefore
(Continued on page 68)

N.Y.C. BALLET HOT 71G

Los Angeles, Aug. 17.

Los Angeles Civic Light Opera
Assn, opens “Peter Pan,” starring
Mary Martin, tonight (Tues.) to go
into the final lap of its season.
“Poi'gy and Bess” finaled over the
weekend after a successful fiver
week run. Also departing over the
weekerid was “Yiddisher Dragnet,”
which headed north after a four-
week run here.

Estimates for Last Week

N.Y. City Ballet; Greek Theatre
(6th wk) (4,407; $3.60). Wow $71,-
000 for eight performances to give
it a total of $119,000 for 12 per-
formances of “Nutcracker” which
wound up the stand. Jose Greco
troupe in this week.

' Pdrgy and Bess, Philharmonic
Aud (5th wk) (2.670; $4.80). Okay
$60,700 for final week to give it
$312,700, including tax, for five
frames.

That’s Life, Las' Palmas (7th wk)
(400; $3.30). Another $6,000.

Yiddisher Dragnet, Civic Play-
house, (4th wk) (400; $3). Okay $4,-
000 on the final frame for a total
of $15,800.

‘Red Mill’ Fair $49,500
For St. Loo Muny Week

St. Louis, Aug. 17.

Rains and a drop in the tempera-
ture last week slowed “Red Mill”
to a $49,500 on about 52,000 payees
last week at the Municipal Thea-
tre Assn’s Forest Park playhouse.
Gil Lamb, Hal LeRoy, Robert
Shafer, Dorothy Coulter, Jen Nel-
sen and Patricia Bowman were the
leads.

Two-week stand of “Oklahoma”
opened last night (Mon.) as the
season finale with a record crowd
of 11,000 and gross of $8,500. Leads
are William Johnson, Pamela Brit-
ton, Jerry Mann, Elsie Rhodes and
Hal LeRoy.

s Comeback;

Kismet’
‘Cadillac’

‘Okla.’ Sets $42,000 Mark
At L’ville Amphitheatre

Louisville, Aug. 17.

“Oklahoma,” windup bill at the
Iroquois Amphitheatre here, pulled
in a record $42,000 last week,
bringing, the six-week season’s take
to approxiriiately $176,700. Previ-
ous high for a week at the al fresco
operation was established earlier
in the summer when Jeanette
Mac Donald i n “Bittersweet”
grabbed a smash $40,000.

Other shows during the season
were “Anything Goes,” with Janet
Blair, Billy Gilbert and Jack
Goode ($29,000); “Panama Hattie,”
with Elaine Striteh ($22,000); “Boys
From Syracuse,” with the Black-
burn Twins ($22,000), arid “Three
Musketeers,” with Don Ameehe
($21,700).

‘Stalag* $6,900, New Hope;
Extend ‘Champagne’ Run

New Hope, Pa., Aug. 17.

“Stalag 17” topped $6,900 in
eight performances at the 432-seat
Bucks County Playhouse here last
week. “Two Blind Mice” is cur-
rent.

Preem of Leslie Stevens’ “Cham-
pagne Complex,” originally set for
a week’s run beginning next Mon-
day (23), is now set for a fort-
night’s stand. Alex Cohen plans to
bring the comedy to Broadway this
fall in association with Gayle
Styne.

Extension of “Complex” fills
the first week of a two-week va-
cancy made when Alan Jay Ler-
ner and Frederick Loewe with-
drew permission for the Playhouse
to present their 1945-46 musical,
“The Day Before Spring.” Tuner
was scheduled for a two-week run
beginning Aug. 30. Remainder of
the gap left by the yanking of
“Spring” will be filled by “Sabrina 1
Fair,” with Constance Bennett
starred, the week of Sept. 6.

Tan’ Wow $55,460,

,080, S.F.

San Francisco, Aug. 17.

Most successful season in San
Francisco legit history tapered off
this week with only two theatres
open. Even so, one of them set
a new house record for the fourth
consecutive week. That was “Peter
Pan,” at the Curran, with a $55,400
gross. Show closed Saturday (14)
with a total gross of $216,600 for
the four-week run.

Estimates for Last Week

Peter Pan, Curran (4th wk)
($5.50; 1,758) (Mary Martin). New
house record, $55,400. (Previous
week, $54,000).

Seven Year Itch, Geary (2nd wk)
($3.85; 1,550) (Eddie Bracken).

Solid $27,000. (Previous 'week,
$23,000).

‘HATTIE’ OKAY $37,300
AT STATE FAIR, DALLAS

A . Dallas, Aug. 17.
State Fair Musicals’ fifth pro-
duction of the current, 13th season,
“Panama Hattie,” reached the mid-
way mark with Sunday’s (15) riiati-
nee showing a $37,300 take for its
first seven performances. Cole
Porter tuner, which runs through
next Sunday (22), stars Vivian
Blaine, Buddy Ebsen and Arthur
Treacher, with Beverly Bozeman,
Karin Wolfe and Bill Van featured.

Rehearsals started yesterday
(Mon.) for the closing production,
“Wonderful Town,” in its first
stock production, Aug. 23-Sept. 5.
Imogene Coca, Edith Adams, John
Tyers and Arny Freeman topline,
with Margaret Irving, Norberi
Winkler and Dody Goodman fea-
tured.

‘Anything’ Nifty $16,300,
Toronto’s Melody Fair

Toronto, Aug. 17.

Neat $16,300 gross was pulled by
Leighton K. Brill’s production of
“Anything Goes,” with Iggie Wolf-
ington and Betty O’Neil, last week
at Arena Gardens.. Masked-off 5,-
300-seater was scaled at $2.50 top
for this eighth week musicomedy
item. The Melody Fair setup, mov-
ing indoors from previous three
summers’ tent productions of thea-
tre - in - the - round, thus far has
played to an increased capacity of
some 35.000 customers more than
last season, when the tent seated
1,640.

Advance on the current “Kiss
Me, Kate,” with Kathryn Albert-
son and Andrew Gainey, was hefty
$7,000. "Show Boat,” with Kaye
Connor and Donald Clarke, has a
similar sale for the week of Aug.
23; On that hefty audience in-
crease for the announced 10-weeks’
season, Brill has decided to run an
extra two weeks, this coincident
with the. fortnight’s grandstand
show at the Canadian National Ex-
hibition, Aug. 27-Sept. 11.

‘Picnic* $12,300, Seattle

Seattle, Aug. 17.

“Picnic,” starring Ralph Meeker,
grossed over $12,300 at the Metro-
politan Auditorium here last week.

Show is current at the Lyceum,
Minneapolis.

Broadway took a healthy jump
last week, as per schedule. Mid-
August deadline brought hikes for
all shows except the already-splid
smashes. Boosts ranged from a low
of $1,600 for a straight ; play to
$5,500 for one musical.

Although the situation is looking
up for the weaker shows, they still
have some distance to go before
gaining solid footing. Only sellouts
were “Pajama Game” and “Tea-
house of the August Moon,” with
“Caine Mutiny” just missing going
clean.

Estimates for Last Week

Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama),
CD (Comedy-Drama), R (Revue),
MC (Musical-Comedy), MD ( Musi -
calDrama), C (Opera), OP (Op-
eretta).

Other parenthetic designations
refer, respectively, to weeks played,
number of performances through
last Saturday, top prices, number
of seats, capacity gross and stars.
Price includes 10% amusement tax,
but grosses are. net: i.e., exclusive
of tax.

Anniversary Waltz; Broadhurst
(C) (19th Wk; 147; $4.60; 1,160;
$28,000) (Macdonald Carey, Kitty
Carlisle)! Almost $13,400 (previous
week, $10,700).

By the Beautiful Sea, Majestic
(MC) (19th wk; 148; $6.90; 1,510;
$58,000) (Shirley Booth). Over
$27,000 (previous week, $22,500).

Caine Mutiny Court Martial,
Plymouth (D) (30th wk; 236; $5.75-
$4.60; 1,062; $33,500) (Lloyd Nolan,
John Hodiak, Barry Sullivan).
Held at just $33,500.

Can-Can, Shubert (MC) (67th
wk; 532; $6.90; 1,361; $50,160). Just
$43,000 (previous week, $45,200).

King of Hearts, Lyceum (C)
(20th wk; 154; $5.75-$4.60; 995;
$23,389) (Dohald Cook, Jackie
Cooper). Nearly $11,000 (previous
week, $8,700).

Kismet, Ziegfeld CO) (37th wk;
292; $6.90; 1,528; $57,900) (Alfred
Drake). Almost $56,600 (previous
week, $51,100).

Oh Men, Oh Women, Miller (C)
(35th wk; 286; $5.75-$4.60; 920;
$23,248) (Lloyd Bridges). Nearly
$8!900 (previous week, $7,300).

Pajama Game, St. James (MC)
(14th wk; 108; $6.90; 1.571; $51,-
717) (John Raitt, Jacis Page, Eddie
Foy Jr.). Clean again at ■ over
$51,700.

Sabrina Fair, Royale (C) (39th
wk; 309; . $4.60; 1,172; $24,000).
Almost $11,000 on twofets (previ-
ous week, $8,500).

Seven Year Itch, Fulton (C) (9lst
wk; 725; $5.75-$4.60; 1,063; $24,000)
’Tom Ewell). Over $17,048 (pre-
vious week, $14,700).

Solid Gold Cadillac, Music Box

(C) (41st wk; 325; $5.75-$4.60;

1,077; $27,811). Nearly $16,700

(previous week) $13,700). Josephine
Hull resumed her starring role
Saturday (14) after a three-month
illness.

Tea and Sympathy, Barrymore

(D) (46th wk: 365; $5.75-$4.60;
1,060; $28,300) (Joan Fontaine).
Almost $20,700 (previous week,
$18,500).

Teahouse of the August Moon,

Beck (C) (44th wk; 356; $6.22-$4.60;
1,214; $33,608) (David Wayne, John
Forsythe). Capacity as always at
over $34,000.

‘PACIFIC’ FAST $32,800
FOR FINAL WEEK, WASH.

Washington, Aug. 17.

For the 13th and final week at
the National Theatre here, “South
Pacific” snapped back to a sock
$32,800 last week. That erased
some of the loss the musical sus-
tained here. .

House is now slated to go dark
until “All Summer Long” preems
Sept. 6 for a fortnight run prior to
moving to New Yqrk.

‘King’ Smashing $56,100
For Week in Portland

Portland, Ore,, Aug. 17.

Yul Brynner and Patricia Mori-
son in “The King And I” racked up
a nifty $56,100 in five evening per-
formances and three matinees at
the Civic Auditorium last Tuesday-
Saturday (10-14). The 4,000-seat
house was scaled at $4.80.

William Duggan’s bookings' -for
the season include “Seven Year
Itch,” Helen Hayes in “What Every
. Woman Knows,” Jean Arthur in
i "Saint Joan” and Deborah Kerr in
“Tea and Sympathy.” with Shirley
Booth in “By The Beautiful Sea”
a possibility.

68

LEGITIMATE

Wednesday, August 10 , I954

Party Agents’

Continued from page 65

ber of phone calls to drama desks
for info about how to go about
booking parties and even for inside
tips on listed shows.

In spite of this wealth of eager j
potential business, however, the
pa.ty agents have troubles. There
just aren’t enough suitable shows
scheduled for production. So a
painful number of potential benefit
organizing committees may go un-
serviced.

Despite 'the unusually heavy
lineup of incoming shows for the
early fall, only a relative few are
figured desirable for party book-
ings. In general, benefit organiza-
tions find it easiest to sell (and are
therefore more inclined to buy)
light comedies or musicals, pref-
erably with top stars.

For the fall season, too few
scheduled shows meet those speci-
fications. What’s more, in one In-
stance. an otherwise likely show is
unavailable because the star has
flatly forbidden party sales.

Latter show is "Dear Charles,
the London comedy hit by Alan
Melville (adapted from the French,
which was in turn based on a
Broadway oiiginal) which will, be
presented by Aldrich & Myers at
the Morosco, N.’ Y. The $ept. 15
opening is early enough to allow
plenty of time for a sponsoring or-
ganization to sell the tickets.

Monsters to Tallu

But the insurmountable hitch in
the situation is that the show’s
star, Tallulah Bankhead, regards
theatre party audiences as frigid
nightma.es, and will have hone of
’em. So the otherwise-choice "Dear
Charles” is just another unattain-
able dream to the party agents.
That rates it as a natural for the
ticket brokers (if the notices aren’t
downright devastating) and the ad-
vance sale on Miss Bankhead’s pre-
sumed personal draw.

"Fanny,” the S. N. Behrman-
Harold Rome musicalization of sev-
eral Marcel Pagnol stories, being
produced by Joshua Logan and Da-
vid Merrick, is a natural with Ezio
Pinza as star. But the Theatre
Guild subscription will take the

reportedly obtained a virtual mo-
nopoly of available dates, so the
other agents are either excluded
‘or must split commissions with the
eavly-bird pair.

"The Tender Trap,” the Max
Shulman-Robert Paul Smith com-
edy being produced by Clinton
Wilder, has been advance-touted in
the trade as a very funny script, so
it's reportedly already heavily
booked for theatre parties even
without the assurance of b.o. stars.

Also a light comedy prospect is
"Champagne Complex," by Leslie
Stevens, being produced by Alex-
ander H. Cohen in association with
Gayle Styne. Its suitability awaits
its forthcoming strawhat tryout,
however,

Sub-Standard Imports

"Quadrille,” Noel Coward com-
edy, starring Alfred Lunt and Lynn
Fontanne, would be a natural but
for several complications. On the
basis of reviews and returning-
playgoer comment from its original
London engagement, the play is be-
lieved to be sub-standard Coward.
Also, it is a John C. Wilson-Thea-
tre Guild presentation, so the first
three weeks will be taken by sub-
scribers.

"The Boy Friend,” a revue be-
ing produced by Feuer & Martin,
has the drawback of being a Lon-
don import, which benefit organiza-
tions have found tough to sell. In
addition, it will have a no-name
cast.

Party agents have taken a num*
ber of dates, however, in some
cases On the apparent understand-
ing that they will thereby get pref-
erence on the next Feuer & Mar-
tin production, “Slik S f ockings,” a
musical by Cole Porter, George
Kaufman and Leueen MacGrath, to
star Hildegarde Neff and Don
Ameche.

Perhaps the clearest indication
of the avidity of agents for party
dates is that there are reportedly a
number of bookings for "Fragile
Fox,” the Norman Brooks drama,
said to be a grim yarn about a
war prisoner camp in Germany
during World War II and, as such,

receive the pact until the week
ending July 24, while she was at
the Lakes Region Playhouse, Laco-
nia, N. H. The hitch in signing was
due to the producers, not her, she
claims. v

After the Clinton deal was set
by her agents, the actress declares,
she phoned Harmon from Bing-
hamton, N.Y., to confirm it and, dur-
ing the conversation not only men-
tioned her insistence on a clause
requiring verification of the break-
even figure in her contract, but
even mentioned the difficulty she
was then having with Gail Hillson,
producer of the. Binghamton barn,
over the matter.

Moreover, Miss Bennett says, her
advance director and representa-
tive, Payton Price, alsp made a
point of the breakeven verification
clause during a Visit to Clinton a
week or so later. If there was any
hedging on the issues, the star
argues, it was on the part of the
Harmons, who presumably hoped
to persuade her to » back down.
Rather than do so, she refused to
go on opening night.

In regard to the Bennett-Har-
mon dispute, an Equity representa-
tive said yesterday (Tues.) that no
charges had been filed against the
actress.

first three weeks’ performances ] anything but a benefit performance
and the mail orders from the Lo- : natural.
gan-Leland Hayward preferred list
will have priority after that.

A still added complication is
that two leading party agents have

Harmons-Bennett

Continued from page 65

be an an

HERE’S YOUR
CHANCE TO BACK
A BROADWAY
SHOW!

At last, the Broadway theatre is an in-
vestment within your reach. For only
50c a share, you can buy stock in a cor-
poration that invests regularly in
Broadway shows, motion pictures, tele-
vision and radio.

Bv “pooling" the capital of many invest-
ors, BROADWAY ANGELS, INC., creates
a fund large enough to back entire shows
and lo acquire broad interests in the en-
tertainment field by diversifying not
more than 40 r 'c of its capital. A board
of experienced, professional advisers*
many of them famous, all of them re-
spected names in the theatre, make the
selection of shows worthy of investment.
Few people realize the margin of profit
returned on original investments in suc-
cessful shows. For example, “Voice of
the Turtle" showed a profit of 3.000 r /<? on
the initial investment; “Mister ..Roberts'
paid off 5 to 1; "Harvey” paid off $40 to
$50 for every $1 invested.

These are extremes, of course; the re-
turns on the average successful shows
are not that high and many shows are a
complete financial loss.

By spreading the initial investments and
by applying profit against loss, wc be-
lieve that we are ■ offering the safest,
most down-to-earth theatre investment
yet devised— and the investment with the
best assurance of bringing substantial, re-
turns.

BROADWAY ANGELS, INC. is offering
at this time 570,000 shares at 50c a share.
If an established securities firm is em-
ployed to distribute these securities,
there is an allowance of.$7L250 broker-
age commissiops and $12,000 for ex-
penses leaving $201,750 working capital.
If the entire issue is sold direct, the
working capita) is estimated at $260,000.
A Letter of Notification under Regulation
A has been filed with the Securities &
Exchange Commission. This does not
mean that the Commission has either ap-
proved of disapproved these securities or
passed upon the completeness or accur-
acy of the statements in the Offering Cir
cular issued in connection therewith.

Barn Grosses

Continued from page 64

Eva Le Gallienne, with Enid Mar-
key and Parker Fennelly, pulled
$9,213 last week at a $3 top at the
Spa Theatre here. That was the
top gross in the eight years that
John Huntington has operated the
587-seat strawhat. Previous record
was $8,612, set by Eve: Arden in
“Here Today” three seasons ago.

Play drew standees every eve-
ning except the opening and the
two biggest matinees in the the-
atre’s history. The management es-.
timated standees for the five days
numbered 350. A program run of
5,000 was exhausted.

This week’s bill is “The Show-
Off,” starring Joe E. Brown.

in

i BROADWAY ANGELS, INC., DEPT. V3 {
* 29 West 65th St. N. Y. 23/ N. Y. •

I TR 4-1815 J

l Send Offering Circular without cost i
■ or obligation. i

i

NAME

i ADDRESS I

I 1

! CITY ZONE ... 1

l STATE

i

I

Phone

she said that she had them at her
house and would bring them in.
Sunday night (dress rehearsal),
when we again requested contracts,
she said there was one rider she
had to initial and would bring
them to the theatre tomorrow
(Monday), opening day.

At 4 p.m. Monday, she showed
us the contracts in her dressing
room with our original percentage
riders added about mutual consent
of cast and set added. None of
these, of course, had been initialed
by us.

There was a long discussion,
which only reached an impasse.
The discussion was continued
after dinner in Miss Bennett’s
dressing room. She refused to go
on until we signed a new contract.

Under duress, in desperation to
get the curtain up, we signed a con-
tract with the following rider; “It
is agreed that the actress shall re-
ceive 50?o of the gross weekly box-
office receipts oyer the breaking
point, to be determined within a
reasonable time after the close of
the manager’s whole 1954 summer
season, and which breaking point
shall be the figure set forth in a
verified statement to be prepared
by the manager’s certified public
accountant after examination and
audit of the manager’s books and
records.”

Because of Miss Bennett’s calcu-
lated action in withholding con-
tracts, the curtain for our opening
night did not rise until 9:05. That
was 25 minutes late, which had a
harmful effect on the entire en-
gagement and injured the reputa-
tion of the playhouse.

The above statements can be
verified by copies of letters, a
telegram and the original dated
contract.

Charlotte and Lewis Harmon,

Producers, Clinton Playhouse

Maggie Smash $14,700, Hub
. Boston, Aug. 17.

Margaret Truman, starring
"Autumn . Crocus,” nabbed $14,700,
the season's top gross at the 917-
seat Boston Summer Theatre last
week. (‘The Little Hut,” starring
Marie Wilson, was slightly below
hopes at the Marblehead Summer
Theatre, with a good, but not
gaudy $9,000.

Current at the Hub spot is pro-
duction of "Boys From Syracuse,
with “Stalag 17,’* at the Marble-
head spot. Both houses operate
with a $3 top.

the wartime blitz, this comedy-
thriller by film scenarists Frank
Launder and Sidney Gillat has
been revised and title changed
from "The Body Was Well Nour-
ished.” It is "mildly amusing,
depending too largely on the per-
sonality of Brian Reece, radio and
stage comedy star, and is unlikely
to register favorably, during sum-
mer season. For the U. S. it would
have even less appeal.'.

"When is a Corpse not a Corpse”
would be an alternative tag. A
vacuum cleaner salesman meets a
suspicious . character in an empty
house, finds bloodstains and a limp
blonde concealed in the grand
piano. Reporting the discovery
next door, he is reassured by an
gniiable old clockmaker who osten-
sibly calls the police. In reality
he has connived at the murder, the
intended victim being secretary to
a politician whom he has planned
to destroy.. The corpse revives,
gives a blurred clue to where her
chief is to be blown up and the
salesman hurries off to a seashore
rendezvous, reveals a time bomb
concealed in the radio and hurls it
into the sea at zero hour.

Amorous interludes sidetrack, the
main issue, the VIP’s identity be-
ing obscure as he is incognito on
an illicit weekend. The amateur
sleuth, haying brought the owner
Of the empty house along, wins her
away from the stuffed-shirt BBC
announcer she was all set to wed.
A good cast gives commendable in-
terpretation of the Improbable
characters involved, with Reece’s
nervous bonhommie providing the
bright spot of the show,, well
blended with the personality of Joy
Shelton, his ex-radio partner* Play
is slickly directed by Henry
Kendall. . Clem.

Soprano Sack Set for U.S.
Concert Return in Fall

Erna Sack, German coloratura
soprano, is returning to the U. S.
this fall for a concert tour under
management of Felix G. Gerstman.
Last time she was here was in
1937.

Soprano was a controversial fig*
ure during and since the war, but
has been cleared by authorities.

'Mid-Summer’ $14,900, Chi
Chicago, Aug. 17,
"Mid-Summer,” starring Geral-
dine Page and featuring Jenny
Hecht, both of the original Broad-
way cast, fetched $14,900 during its
two-week run through Sunday
night (15) at the Drury Lane Sum-
mer Theatre here.

In for the current week is Terry
Moore starring in Paul Crabtree’s
“A Story For a Sunday Evening.”

Miss Bennett Replies
Constance Bennett denies state-
ments by Charlotte and Lewis Har-
mon that she delayed signing a
contract for her appearance • at

Number {' their Clinton (Conn.) Playhouse.

She asserts that she did not even

Shows Abroad

Continued from page 67

A Riverside rharndo

being something of a surprise to
Abbey Theatre audiences. A trim-
ming down in the number of char-
acters might help and not all the
jokes are new. General character-
ization is amusing.

Playing is on a good level, with
Joe Lynch, as the hotel manager;
Ronnie Walsh, as artist Joshua
Bloggs; Marie Kane, as highly-
professional hotel receptionist, and
a newcomer from Galway Gaelic
Theatre, Eithne Lydon, deserving
commendation. Settings vary from
richly imaginative in the hotel
dining room to purely realistic in
the garden scene. Staging by Ria
Mooney copes well with problems
which the author had set in the
different moods of the piece, which
is a sharp departure from the
Abbey tradition. Mac.

Barn Notes

John J. Crowley, general man-
ager for the last three years at the
Bucks County Playhouse, New
Hope, Pa., has been elected to the
board of the theatre corporation,
joining producer Michael Ellis,
Monte Proser, Harold Getz,
Howard Hoyt and Don Walker . . .
John O’Hare, a member of Mary.
Astor’s supporting cast in "Late
Love” last week at the Ivoryton
(Conn.) Playhouse, has authored
"Pride and Joy," to be tried out
week of Aug. 31 at the Hyde Park
(N.Y.) Playhouse.

Sherman Marks is director of
"Gigi,” which opened on Monday
(16) at the Cape Playhouse, Dennis,
Mass., with Kathy O’Donnell as
lead ... Norman Le Beau is the
new scenic designer at the Town
and Country Playhouse, Clarence,
N. Y. . . . Tommy Morton has the
title role in the Howard Hoyt tour-
ing package of "Pal Joey.”

Jack Palance has cancelled
strawhat bookings in “Dark of the
Moon.” His agent has explained
that bow-out was caused by delay
in the shooting schedule of the ac-
tor’s current picture, “The White
Chalice,” and also because of an
injured foot . . . Julius Bing will
appear in "Call Me Madam” at the
Oakdale Musical Theatre, Walling-,
ford, Conn., next week . . . Beatrice
Pons will appear at the Clinton
(Conn.) Playhouse next week in
"Time of the Cuckoo,” starring
Geraldine Page.

Deer Lake a Folderoo
Despite Okay ’Goodbye’

Heading, Pa., Aug. 17
"Goodbye Again,” .with Jeffrey
Lynn and Elaine Stritch, played to
the best houses of the season at
Deer Lake Theatre near here, but
the show rang down the curtain
Aug. 7 on the premature closing of
the barn. Producers Joseph W.
Kapfer and Leonard Soloway ran
out of coin and had to shutter the
barn, but say they hope to reopen
the 350-seat air conditioned spot
next June.

Reasons given locally for the
Deer Lake failure are poor press
and the distance from the center
of town. Paper-in nearby Pptts-
ville gave reviews and nightly re-
leases with pictures. The Reading
papers sat on thpir presses as far
as reviews and releases were con-
cerned, but the radio and tv sta-
tions cooperated fully, it was
stated.

The Heading dailies said the
theatre was outside the county and
therefore would be treated like
other barns at farther-away Mount
Gretna, Barnesville \and Allen-
town,

Deer Lake is 20 miles north of
town on the Pottsville Pike, a
main highway.

Scheduled B’way Openings

( Theatre, indicated if set)

Fifth Season, Cort (9-5) (re-
opening).

Dear Charles, Morosco (9-15).

Midsummer Night’s Dream, Met
Opera House (9-21).

Home Is the Hero, Booth (9-22).

Summer Long, Coronet (9-23). ^

Boy Friend, Royale (9-30),

Peter Pan, W. Garden (9-30).

Blues, Ballads & Sin Songs, Bijou
(10-4).

Reclining Figure, Lyceum (10-7).

Tender Trap, Longacre. (10-10).

On Your Toes, 46th St. (10-11).

Fragile Fox, Belasco (10/12);

Ensemble (rep.), Bijou (10-15).

Champagne Complex (IQ-26).

Flowering Peach (10-27). .

Rainmaker, Cort (10-28).

Quadrille, Coronet (11-3).

Fanny, Majestic (11-4).

Festival (11-10),

Tonight Samarcand, National
(early Nov.).

Living Room, Miller (11-17).

Hot Rock (11-22).

Sandhog, Phoenix (11-23).
Black-eyed Susan (Late Nov.).
Mrs. Patterson (12-1).

On With the Show, Hellinger
(12-2).

Thracian Horses (week of 12-20).
House of Flowers, Alvin (12-23).
Silk Stockings, Imperial (12-29).
Desperate Hours (1-26).

Moot A Roily

London, July 22.

Laurence Olivier Productions Ltd. pres-
entation of comedy-drama in three acts
by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat.
Stars Brian Reece, Joy Shelton. Directed
by Hehry Kendall. At Duke of York’s,
London, July 21, '54; $2.25 top.

William Blake Brian Reece

Ann Joy Shelton

Reginald Willoughby-Pratt.

William Kendall

Allan Patrick Cargill

Mr. Hawkins Duncan Lewis

Landlord Julien Mitchell

Mr. Boughtflower. .... .Cyril Chamberlain
Sir Gregory Upshott. . . . . Lloyd Pearson

Joan Wood .....Dorothy Gordon

Winifred Christine Polloh

Lilly . .Barbara Leigh

Sergeant Noel Coleman

Withdrawn after two weeks in

Operating Statements

KING OF HEARTS
(As of July 31, ’54)

Gross, last four weeks, $39,002.
Loss, last four weeks, $6^251.
Unrecouped Cost to date, $38,411.
Capital available, $21,589.

EXITS NEBRASKA GROUP

Omaha. Aug. 17.

Karl Sittler, director and biz
manager of the Lincoln (Neb.) Cir-
clet Community Theatre, has re-
signed to accept a similar position
with the Booth Tarkington Civic
Theatre in Indianapolis. He left
last week upon completion of the
theatre’s rebuilding, program.

John Sedwick is serving his fifth
season as director of . the Hayloft
Theatre, Lincoln’s other barn
operation.

CAN-CAN

(As of July 31, ’54)

Gross, last five weeks, $228,763.

Profit, last five weeks, $36,457.

Total net profit to date, $414,873.

Distributed profit, $317,605.

Cash available, $39,917.

Barn Bus Co-op
Rochester, N. H., Aug. 17.

The management of the Lake*
Region Playhouse in Gilford-
Laconia, N. H., and officials of the
Interstate Bus Lines, Inc., of this
city, are cooperating to increase
patronage of the summer theatre
from Rochester, Dover, Somci's-
worth and Farmington, New serv-
ice includes a reduced round-trip
fare, with a choice seat reservation.

Idea was started on an experi-
mental basis, but may be continued
with additional bus runs and facili-
ties. .

NED ARMSTRONG

Theatrical Publicity
Staff Account Executive
S. RICHARD STERN ASSOCIATES
5 East 47th Street, New York, N. Y.
PLaxa 9-6460

Thanks to:

BOB BREEN, BLEVINS DAVIS and
all the cast, crew and staff of
"PORGY and BESS" for 2 won-
derful years as 'Sportin' Life.'

GaL GaUtuaatf

Wednesday, August 18,1954

LEGITIMATE

National Wash I N ° Vel the ^icnSr Itw^ntav^eeke^ — ■ =S= Continued from page 66 - —

ilUMVAltfti) mmwi i satisfaction of playgoing for the starting Aug. 30 for a fortnight. A Dash of DUtors merit. Unfortunately, also, most
■ * a n i n lJ^rd of hearing is being made by This will be the first offering of adopted niece deserts her and the o£ his cast give careless perform-

Washington, Aug. 17. the management of the Lyceum the Theatre Guild-American The. mcomine neDhew— son of a sister ances and have failed to learn
Edmund Plohn, a veteran of 72 here, Through the Cedric Adams a tre Society subscription season. who wed her lo^r— wins her over hnes ‘
vpars in show biz, resigned yester- column in the Minneapolis Star, The second subscription play, and takes her ready cash. First play by screen writer Her-

yea is m a Qe wanatf _ r th _ house manager Lowell Kaplan has “Mrs. Patterson," opens Sept. 20 at Good rolG _ ' handled hv man A. Miller is a rather slight
da y (Mon.) as manager of the Na announced that he’ll help such the Cass, starring Eartha Kitt. Jeanne GaLas the knowlng niece , whin ] sy about a gem-cutter who

tional Theatre here, a post he had patrons obtaih scripts of unpub- Others in the subscription series who tries to alarm others of her has , lo ? t hi , s io \ t whose . wlf S

held for the last 17 years. His as- lished plays appearing there, so announced for the Cass and Shu- aunt’s mental Rations, and

dstant Scott Kirkpatrick, was im- they can read them before attend- bertare "Tonight in Samarcand,” Michael Garth, whose Spanish role Howevei-b the hero’^ M

a Liv named to succeed him ing the Performance. Kaplan will "Saint Joan," "Tea and Sympathy," is exciting and necessary. Charles h v S 0 n d riac commissioner of

mediately named to succeed mm con t a qt the respective Broadway "Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker” Braswell’s necessary walkons are nnfiOO h ^eneiR C of C th?^iSlS?en and

by the Aldrich & Myers and City producers of the plays. and "Black Eyed Susan." capably done. threaten!’ ^exposure, bit ^e gOm-

Playhouses, Inc., management. Adams explains that enjoyment Margaret . Zolbe, Detroit sub- Play’s ‘ English isle setting is cutter’s little twist is that pur-

Plohn quit on his physician’s of a play can be enhanced by read- scription. manager, says the an- negligible. With absent accents, chasers of stolen goods are accom-

tZ watt ctrirken with a ing the text in advance, especially nounced program has brought a locale could be any American piices. So the commissioner cans

advice. He was siricxen wun a £or those who m have dif fi culty "torrent" of renewed subscriptions, town. Pringle has elegantly fur- off the charges and two jewelry

« • i. o Hnnncr rho* POTltm trin - . .. . y. . ^ ^ mrho/i elndla vnlair raf un f h /• n. . . i_ • _ t_ _

Seek Advance Scripts
For Hard of Hearing

Minneapolis, Aug. 17.
Novel attempt to increase the

Detroit’s Early Bow

Detroit. AuE. 17.

The 1,482-seat Cass is scheduled
to open the 1954-55 season with .
"Picnic,” starring Ralph Meeker, j "

Strawhat Reviews

Washington, Aug. 17.

w ALa. l*-'u *Vi VUWC niiu 1 UOJ HO V C UUllVUAtV

heart attack during the return trip hearing the dialog in the theatre,
from his recent vacation in Europe, if the script has been published, of
He spent some time in a hospital course, it can be purchased at
here On his discharge the doctor regular stores, but the Lyceum
advised him to take it easy. policy is designed to obtain other-

Plohn broke in as a child actor wise unavailable scripts.

In his native Louisville. At various ' , ■ ■ ; / - ■

times in his career he was an ac r

tor, producer, director, manager of i C A || A14nme

actors and theatre manager. At one LCgll rOUOWlipS

time, he was personal manager of

George M. Cohan. 1 . — * — “

Kirkpatrick has been a protege Can-Can

of Plohn. The new. house manager (SHUBERT, N.Y.)

broke in at the National as en — — —

usher, while he was a college stu- After more than a year, it’s still
dent. He later became publicity a ma tt er 0 f trade speculation why
man and assistant manager of the cir _i. _ ujf Tha rnio

Continued from page T

ness of America and the film in-
dustry here. "This,” he said, "will

■ • ■ . nished the single relay set with firms offer the hero jobs.

' • • u ” ~ '^^ting agahy Rachel Taylor, a . looker with a

Waif* am abets the script. Baric. beautiful speaking voice, is the

VVUII9UII cast standout despite her rather

= continued from page 7 Tlte Sin of Pat Mill <1 0031 smalLpart. The other players are

■ * • Mountainhome Fa. Aug. 10. palpably uncomfortable because of

ness of America aind the film in- Rowena Stevens production of comedy- their uncertainty with their lines,
dustrv here "This” he said "will drama in three acts * b v John McLiam. The generally slow pace, stuttering

uubuy ucie. iiub, PC bdiu, wm Stars George Mathews, Sara Hadcn. Di, n f linec hnHIv writan enrint and

serve to instill new enthusiasm for rented by John o’Shaughnessy; setting, lin es, baaiy written script ana
the selline Of American nirtures Bailout- lighting, Cameron MacCardcll. At unimpressive set make tills a
w*en they return ^!o their P Sve HT%, Mountalnhon,< * • p ‘" wearisome theatrical evening.

countries.” Some of the foreign Theresa Muidoon ..Barbara Stanton L,ama.

reps, Wolfson pointed out, have p£ g Muidoon ^

been selling American pictures for g? rn f r 1 i^ g d a, a L s | cey . • HerWrt 1 R S aTnS Tlio Seven Year Itch

2Q or more years and have never j oe vierra Morris Minor La Jolla Cal Aug 10.

seen America. Father Jerome Uallagher .. Casey Walters JohnSwope-La JollaPlayhouse produc

Don’t Go to Uncle Sam! Ofnc r er d WUUe d Dunne A*H^ndKn “on Of. comedy in three acts, by George

Turning to a discussion Of do- — — —— ilughcs. Directed by Norman Lloyd; set-

mestic film , nroblems. Wolfson Out of his reminiscences of erow- ting. Robert Corrigan. At Ln Jolla (Cal.)

Lama.

Tlic Seven Year Itch

La Jolla, Cal., Aug. 10.

John Swope-La Jolla Playhouse produc*

man and assistant manager of the t( ~, ■ p an »» cir „u a ua Th _ mestic film . problems, Wolfson Out of his reminiscences of grow- “ng. Robert Corrigan. At Ln Jolla

house. He left the National after it Porter a be Burrows musiCal eot a termed the threat of exhibitors to ing up, Jphn McLiam has built a Richard Sherman . Don Taylor

shuttered several years ago ber Porter-ADe Burrows : musical got a g0 to the government in their run- cumu i a tive exm-ession of his fam- U? len M shc }' man Catherine McLeod

cause of its racial exclusion policy, rather so-what critical reception n ing battle with distributors "as ^ ^ Ihpirwit and Eia S fne Morr ! 8 . : *. ! : *. -RSi^ GieSSS

Marcus Heiman then held the lease and professionals have continued the worst possible solution.” He liy ’ ■ T„, uv . ’ A Marie Whatever-Her-Name-wns ....

on the house. to look down the schnozz at it. said that every time exhibs have pathos. These incidents are lively KatSSfn tfJShes

shuttered several years ago Der . ,usw, ' w euL - go to the government in their run- P umulative exm-ession of his fam- U? len M shc i' man Catherine McLeod

cause of its racial exclusion policy, rather so-what critical reception n ing battle with distributors "as ^ ^ Ihpirwit and Sfffne rr !V:V.V.: :::::: iSSSii? cieSSS

Marcus Heiman then held the lease and professionals have continued the worst possible solution.” He liy ’ ■ uv . ’ Marie Whatever-Her-Name-wns ...

on the house

to look down the schnozz at it

Bibs Borman
Kathleen Hughes.

as DooKer in iNew lorK. rv.uKp<ii-.' uuuum ui s auHuuci a vc uccu ah luao uusiuca? comings Muldoon is a happy uu,k * * »ojmvuac m

rick returned as assistant manager slump, it still draws bumpCr trade. fp r 35 years and I’ve always time in a summer theatre. With a P £a y concurrent with its Broad-

some months ago. Choreographer Michael Kidd, thought rentals were too high and revision and work it should be a )J{? y

_________ A m a .. ^ oi ieaiurea aancer tjwra veraon, in jsania oiara, me iviuiuuoii : n » wpplr hut thn Ta Tnlla nnora-

TWOFFR ‘PAIAMA TOPS^ remain the highlights. Although 5 ave V* ” 1 ^ ke the best possible family lives in a shabby side-street tion is okav L J U P

1 vr VI Lill 1 nj/liVin ivi v she has just recovered from an ill- deal. Im in favor of sitting down house with a cherished orange tree y * , * ..

DCATITrn FAD DA AA ness and returned to the cast at the and working things out with the by the window planted by Pat and -^As tne nuapanci amictea py tne

liCnl/lCll rUA ItUilll. performance caught. Miss Verdon distributors in an amicable mail- symbolic to him of man’s continu- 3, dv ® n t ur0 1 us itch, him actor Don

"Paiama Tone” ariantori hv was still the show-saver. She has, ner.” ance and growth. The “sin” of Pat Taylor PJ®y s -

Mawby Green and Edwart FeU- n“* 'J 0 ? 1 *!“ “ S?‘ T.‘T Ssnlas bufSbu 5 !' sacrifietof

bert from the French farce, "Mou- impresses as readv for a show of up in thea | : ?’ e busmeas in le " ^ 1S . s }h ^5ainaWp laughs. It’s an excellent perfor-

mou” by Jean de Letraz, is being dy f h f cent, months. “If the product con- secretly he has sold the valuable mance marred only by a £ew

produced by Joe ^ Roth is a low- L°T , tinues as good for next six months a ley, a nest egg for the ! Muldoon s gangli ^ g , juv e nil e maunerisms.

budget show to play the road on G e“ge S. L P eSnt % ‘>5.“ f f W m0nt f hS ’ doorfnd souaidered the , none" fn I" her stage debut, film ingenue

a two-for-one basis. Play was tried SUCC essor to Hans Conreid as the theatres throughout 6 th/ C United a weekend of free living with a £ f°ik S nic ?i y

out last spring at Don Swann s Bulgarian would-be sculptor, and cf atp . » bp Mexican senorita. On this and a famihar role ._Hje talky, wide-eyed

Hilltop Theatre, Baltimore, and in Norwood Smith is adequate as the cnnairino ahn.it toa'c secondary love affair the author wbo actually prove

St. Louis. . romantic lead originated by Peter ' SC w C ?/ Ql builds most of the plot. more exaspeiating than desirable.

Roth has solicited prospective Cookson More than a year of play- said the exh i b oJe 1 w a a ^ Happily the Muldoons are won- Willard Waterman as the psy-

backers with* a prospectus stating mg hasn’t improved top-billed Lilo, derful people. Their Irish wit and chiatrist, spoofs that vulnerable

lhai the venture will be financed however. The Parisian music hall mg aiound for the light man. He pathos bas been dramatized in profession and resists any tempta-

at ^0 000 and estimating that it sin g er a rafter-shaking- voi$e, said, however, that he had reserve- f ender writing by an author who tl0 n to lapse into his ‘‘Gildersleeve’

! nrSTio f,? hrit S Kn but her accent seems to have fie- tions on use of the term “coordi- loves his characters characterization of tv. Catherine

will be abie to br ® ak jye? c a M 10 ’: come more extreme, so the lyrics natpr.” "The word leaves me cold,” » ® "i i SnZi nf Producers McLeod is a Properly tongue-in-
500 weekly gross. Show is one of are now almost completely unintel- he said. "I think the individual Th ?!tre an/ f member of the cheek wife and othGr loIos 6 et
a number being readied for twofer ngibie. What’s even w-orse, her Would serve more as a liaison man Sfavwrlght^Co. holds Sn option good treatment from George Neise,
tours this fall. already-mannered style, ^ with its than a coordinator. His job would nn “Muldoon.” There is plenty of ^ e S in a Gleason and Bibs Borman.

over-busy gestures and facial and be to encourage more production attraction here for the Irish, of Norman Lloyd’s staging keeps

p flflAW i Tkool n0W seem P ain “ among the majors as well as the in- course, and the warmth and humor the comedy moving. Don.

tvecora lictiet Ucdl ' tuny exaggeiatea. dependents. TOA, as a trade organ- should appeal to nearly everyone. > — —

On ‘Wedding- in Paris’ The other principals are about ization, cannot go into production. Rowena Stevens has given this ... . » T . , .

TfSnJmi Anif 17 vf j? £ore 'p layin l . a blt Individual members may encour- premier a thoroughly polished pro- Alieo in Wonderland

rina nf iu rfpalc rh SR?+« but o” 01 U ? d u» y a 8 e producers by guaranteeing duction. Two-room set by Ballou Uilfl Gerald Loves

f R ° senstocks playdates, but TOA itself cannot is a standout. John O’Shaughnessy’s Sandra Loves I’nxoit

for a British musical was conclud- batoning, the orchestra frequently .» Hin^rtinn h ac oanght thp lustiness !,ai,ura n ■ uauh

.<1 here last week, when ticket drowns out the singers, ButVe. fo make any guarantees. (I «URRAY JHEATRE.

brokers gave a further guarantee Mielziner scenery remains a dec- rg 0 £ £be scr i P t PRINCETON, N. J.)

of over $280,000 for "Wedding in orative, atmospheric asset and the ■ rpnrtr* Matbews makes Pat a „ ■ 4 T A „

Paris ” the current hit at the Hip- Motley costumes impress as before. kliolr George -Mathews rnakes Hat a Princeton, N. J.. Aug. 17.

current nit at tne nip ^ H rllUH professional at trouble, rambunc- Two interesting but unimportant

p drome. • _ .. . . tious, full of wild instincts, but new 0 ne-acters, one of which may

Authored by Vera Caspary, with o ’■ cpnbnued from pafie 7 — generally lovable. It is a full- p ] ay 0 ff-Broadway this fall, were

music by Hans May and lyrics by ravine der £he "indecency” clause in lo- bodied part and the actor plays it offered at the Murray Theatre here

Sonny Miller, the musical stars (NATIONAL, WASH.) cal, oft-contested censorship legis- with sure enthusiasm. Especially j aS £ we ek by Princeton's quasi-

Anton Walbrook and Bvelyn Laye. ~ — ~ 4 ^ lation. A Disney representative ac- excellent are his scenes with Casey professional University Players.

It preemed April 3. 12 -a cepted the board’s decision, made ^ a te s . a b S : _ t] he^nh^l^oShv^ Although lacking bigtime b.o.

South Pacific, winding up its the necessary cuts and signed a ex Pl alns bls beat philosophy. ap p ea i, Mario Siletti’s "Alice in

_ , _ ^ 13th and last D.C. week prior to release freeing the film for its Sara Haden, as his wjfe, plays j Wonderland” an d Paul Sias’

Current London Shows Striking out for Toronto, Montreal preem at the new Film Centre, Pat 1 are C o*ar- n 0 * 1 ’ 31 .? L * oveS i, ^l ra ^ oves

VUUCUI iiUUUUUDUUnd th * , Phiiiv run ic a refurbished Centre nabe, set to be “? ' yhl ^ h ii aV? 1 i Paxon went wel1 Wlth Tl 2 er Town

t a ner 17 an ® then a long Pnilly run, is a ■ . ticularly notable. Art Smiths n otrnns.

Record Ticket Deal

On ‘Wedding in Paris’

London, Aug. 17.

ed here last week, when ticket drowns out the singers, But the Jo
brokers gave a further guarantee Mielziner scenery remains a dec-
of over $280,000 for "Wedding in orative, atmospheric asset and the
Paris,’’ the current hit at the Hip- Motley costumes impress as before.

podrome.

Authored by Vera Caspary, with
music by Hans May and lyrics by
Sonny Miller, the musical stars
Anton Walbrook and Evelyn Laye.
It preemed April 3.

Current London Shows

Hobe.

Don.

Ali<*o In Wonderland
anil Gerald Loves
Sandra Loves Faxon

(MURRAY THEATRE,
PRINCETON, N. J.)

Princeton, N. J.. Aug. 17.
Two interesting but unimportant

South Pacific

(NATIONAL, WASH.)

London, Aug. 17.

(Figures denote premiere dates) - Dy me local rtappaport cnain, cum- nf a «+; n(r rif Iho cnnnnrtina i which oucui nupca iu

Airs "shoes? ri no G l?ovar 6 ct ^w- 22 - 53 ) amval here three months ago. mencing this week. J \klers* Barbara Stanton P gives a ! sbow in New York around Thanks^

Angels in Love!' Savoy (2*ii*54). ‘ The principal difference is the Subsequently, Disney released a tender and wistful performance as | Sivibg or Christmas, is a skillfully

§2? F E H. d nd M new live-wire, lead, Iva Withers, statement calling the board's ac- the daughter. Walters, Anne Meara written t piece running about an

Cockles a c’hamiM^^Pic diiiy^*28-54). ^ bo , re P la f ced f ^? ar } ne , fial as Nellie tion "very surprising.” The scene a nd Morris Miller also help bring n?m, r ‘ suggestive of ^adfe^^h^au"

S a a v k nWi E ? 0U9 5/ Aldw r? Forbush for this last week of the ln question was "not dwelt on un- to theatrical life the Muldoon °u it ba i „ h V U c lnnc

Dueiina* Wesnnfnster y (73!8^54).^ 1 " 2 ^ Washington i engagement and _will naturally or sensationally” and was house and its visitors. ?heme of the Red^nd

Foiies Bei^erdl'prr^Waies '(9-24*53). remain With the musical indefi- M part 0 / the life cycle in the ani- — rr- ?P h S G e Sn An h Red and

Guys and Dolls, CoiHseum (5-28-53). nitely. Miss Withers gives the For- Jf . hv wafi.rai ...... While Queen,

| H Am 9 a D c!?£l2?i bush role the warmth and zest that t Kv ivonM Oliver’s Lillie Twist For his costumes, Siletti has

Intimacy At 8:30, Criterion (4^29-54). it must have, and seems to pep up [ a n t " p p ?ug® r ffiSeij.H S iTi^^ Mt. Gretna. Pa., Aug. 12. gone back to the original Carroll

Joyce Grenfell, Fortune (6-2-54). the remainder of the cast. Her . ■ an „y ® tner mciaenc. xie expiesseu Gene p ott ^ & c har i es f. coghian illustrations. Though interesting

Love fAateh handling of both dialog and songs reluctance to enter a controversy production 0 (. i n° I i? ed |? i rlcted 10 ^ v a cha ries and humorous, their realism tends

Manor of Northstead. Duchess (4-28-54). is outstanding. Certainly this com- with the censor board but merely F Coghian; ^ettW. Michael Forest. At to conflict with the abstract set-

Miaf' A T\t,tpA in nl C Atit Vine* m lilt'll /tVl Il’OTI f fri nl oriTtr mv nncitirm in thA /I Hni n n D1 A<(U,M«rA Cl I'OinD Pi! _ AllfT.' I 1« m W T? M ■ nl !•* 4L tM M A<(> ItAMniAM

and then a long Philly run, is a ticularly notable. Art Smith’s \ p ^ s ,

stronger production than it was on by th ‘ ! d ocal Ea p P aport chain, com- g e 0 f a S g f h n e suppoSin-j “Alide,” which Siletti hopes to
arrival here three months ago. mencing this week. J l lay ®s Barbara Stanton P gives a ! sbQ . w ih New York around Thanks^

The principal difference is the Subsequently. Disney released a norfnvmanpp , giving or Christmas, is a skillfully

Folles Bergere, Pr. Wales (9-24-53).

Guys and Dolls, Colliseum (5-28-53).
Hippo Dancing, Lyric (4-7-54).

Am a Camera, New (3-12-54).

Intimacy At 8:30, Criterion (4-29-54).
Joyce Grenfell, Fortune (6-2-54).

King and I, Drury Lane (10-8-53).

Love Match, Viet Palace (11-10-53).
Manor of Northstoad, Duchess (4-28-54).
Meet a Body, Duke York (7-21-54).
Mousetrap, Ambas. (11-25-52).

Murder Story, Cambridge (7-22-54).
Never Too Late, Strand (6-3-54).

Pa Joey, Princes (3-31-54).

Relations Apart, Garrick (8-3-54).
Sabrina Fair, Palace (8-4-54).

Sa ad Days, Vaudeville (8-5-54).

Salome & Prostitute, St. Mart. (7-20-54).

Relations Apart" Garrick'^ (8-3-54> as Emile de Becque. His perform- matter would be • taken to the EUnor Cromwell ; Robert VInsing ad V lt: appeal is limited.

Sabrina Fair! Paiace^ts-^-si). 3 * ance now has the town's critics courts if necessary’ despite Dis- Nicholas Da y Kashouty — Matt Briggs "Gerald Loves etc.,” the one-act

sa em» D V vs ii- Va ^* de i. v111 ^ <8 »' 5 ‘ 5 1 ) - m on comparing him favorably with Ezio ney’s okay for the exhibition of the Martin Forman S w ™ e n r^ilj curtain raiser, is a fairly clever

sjx^cha m chirs^ st^as^CT^R^s^)^ Pinza, something their reviews cut print. Hanic d . .^. I . a . r . s .\ a .*! , ...V.V.V. . .^ a james" l Ray I twist on the play-within-lhe-play.

Teahouse Aug. Moon, Her Maj. (4-22-54). didn’t mention when the: show Traub has promised to restudy Rev. Palmer Robert DeMora The unaffected conversation of two

W'trRIXTaWaSk opened here last May Dorothy the board . s riUing with, the eon- & P o „a c.p stagehands is interspersea with the

Witn.,1 Pros.cution, ^. GardMio-28-53). Franklin continues brilliantly as su it a tion of city and state edu- P rehearsal of a highly artificial tr -

■ D J*h, Phoenix (7-27-54). Bloody Mary. Considerable im- „ 9 t nr « einrp h P ie concerned with ^ angledrama.which in turnparal-

You'ii Bo Lucky, Adeiphl (2-25-54). nrovemeht u shown bv Stanlev cators since lie is concerneawnn Gretna Playhouse changed policy f Al | mar >V a i prob i em s of one of
Your Entortainmont, Cindaey (7-27-54). ? r nvp? T le ut Cabie 07 & y the impact of the scissored se- of presenting standard stock plays Jf ls rlt 1 P r0Dlems

— auence on young viewers. He tn frv a nremler of "Oliver’s Little lhe S ri P s - . .. „

it. ■ » wavvwiiviif Ui uaiut uu-au-uu)

v D **h, Phoenix (7-27-54).

M B* Lucky, Adelphi (2-25-54).

»our Entartainmant, Lindsey (7-27-54).

SCHEDULED OPENINGS

DrJ P D!.? Cool PUca, Savllie (8-16-54).
Dr/ Rot, Whitehall (8-31-54).

W| leh Errant, “Q” (8-7-54).

Of the others Bennv Baker as < l uence on y0ung viewers> to try a premier Of "Oliver’s Little uie &"P!>.

T Hther BlllisandRuss B™wn as promised not "to take advantage” Twist.” Unfortunately, resident Aithough the play scoied mildly

Cabt Brackett continue strong’ of the signed release held by the director Charles F. Coghian has here, there shttle t° ieeom

Gapt. BracKeu, continue sirong. 6 SG ic e t Gd a so ri D t with onl.v slight to Broadway. lieny.

Lowe. I board.

selected a script with only slight

CHATTER

70

Wednesday, August lg. 1954

Broadway

Loew’s veepee JOsephR. Vogel
back this week from Europe.

Vet agent Eddie Smith now
doubling in Westchester realty.

Kim Novak in from the Coast
for bally on Columbia’s “Push-
over.”

Bob Marks, head of E. B. Marks’
Coast office, due in New York this
week.

Anne Baxter in and out of
Gotham on her way to Paris for
Metro’s “Paris Story.’’

Filmakers exec Collier Young in
from the Coast yesterday (Tues.) to
promote “Private Hell 36.”

Agent Ken Later now the owner
of a racing stable. He purchased
two nags along with a yearling.

Singer Cliff Edwards has applied
for a patent on a plastic pants and
skirt hanger which he designed.

Arthur Silverstone, asst, general
sales mgr. of 20th-Fox, in Mt.
Sinai Hospital for minor throat
surgery; expects to be away sev-
eral days.

Edward Lachman, president of
Lorraine Carbons, attending the
IATSE convention • in Cincinnati.
After that he’ll tour the . Lorraine
Carbons dealers. Returns Aug. 24.

Frank Quinn, amusement editor
of the Daily Mirror, and his wife,
Eleanor Skegg, Coasting Friday
(20) for a month’s 0 . 0 . of the stu-
dios and Las Vegas.

Herb Miller, editor of Motion
Picture Exhibitor, checked into the
Southern Division of the Albert
Einstein Medical Center in Philly
for a checkup and treatment of a
glandular condition.

Trader Tom’s Steak House has
petitioned for a reorganization
under Chapter XI. Assets are listed
at $72,013 and liabilities at $123,-
128. Full payment is proposed in
monthly 2% installments.

Ed Sullivan bought a 60-acre
farm-estate in Southbury, Conn.,
from Neil Agnew, former. Para-
mount sales veepee. It includes a
10-room house and swimming pool,
two small lakes and an orchard
With 100 trees.

The Texas Comets, a 48-girl line
that was a feature of the " Greater
Texas Centennial, Dallas, in 1938,
staged a reunion last week in New
York. One of the girls came in
from Chi and another from Buffalo
for the event.

Mr. and Mrs. Terry Turner send-
ing out invites to the marriage of
their daughter, Susie Clark, to
Robert K. Weiss Sept. 11 in N.Y.
Turner’s the former RKO exploita-
tion chief, now an exec of General
Teleradio.

Grace and George Brown left
on the last lap of their freighter-
cruiser Far East globe-trot for
Hollywood and home, from Japan.
The former Paramount studio pub-
ad chief now operates Hotel La
Serena, Palm Springs.

Joan Greenwood flew into New
York Monday morning (16) from
London and took a plane for Holly-
wood yesterday (Tues.) noon to star
with Stewart Granger, George
Sanders and Viveca Lindfors in
Metro’s “Moonfleet.” John House-
man is producer and Fritz Lang
director.

Emery Davis, son of band mae-
stro Meyer Davis, inked as bass
clarinet 4 with the Detroit Sympho-
ny, beginning this fall. Maestro’s
daughter, Virginia, with Theodor
Uppman, signed to sing scenes
from "Pelleas and Melisande” with
Les Concerts Symphoniques de
Montreal next season.

Riviera

By Ed Quinn

The Palm Beach Casino in Can-
nes opened its new nightclub with
Dany Dauberson, followed by
Juliette Greco.

Lena Horne played one nighters
at Sporting Club Monte Carlo, in
Nice and Juan r les-Pins.

Sidney Bechet starring with the
Claude Luter orch at the Vieux
Colombier, Juan-les-Pins.

Rhonda Fleming and husband
vacationing in Cannes. She shortly
starts Work on a new film, “Courti-
sane of Babylone,” with Ricardo
Montalban and Cedric Hardwick in
Rome.

The Festival of Music at Menton
opened v^ith the Stuttgart Cham-
ber Orchestra . lead by Karl
Munchinger; also appearing are the
Trio of Trieste and Wilhelm
Kampff.

Marqueez and the 12 West End
Lovelies from the London Club
Eve at the Casno of Juan-les-Pins
this month. Also there for one-
night stands were Maurice Cheva-
lier and Charles Trenet.

_ Vicky Autier, now playing the
Monte Carlo Sporting Club, will
leave for Canada at the end of
the season for dates at the Ritz
Carlton, Montreal, and also the
Versailles Hotel del Prado.

Marlehe Dietrich doing unique 1

show on Riviera at Monte Carlo
Sporting Club to aid French polio
victims. Also on the bill are Lud-
milla Tcherina and the Aime
Barelli and Edmundo ROs orchs.

Paris

By Gene Moskowltz

(28 Rue Huehette; Odeon 49-44)

Big French legit interest shown
in ’'Tea and Sympathy.”

Earl Blackwell preparing to fete
celebs at costume ball during Ven-
ice Film Festival.

“Robinson Crusoe” (UA) to play
three top house in its original ver-
sion starting Aug. 25.

Julien Duvivier now shooting ex-
teriors of his Franco-German pic,
“Marianne De Ma Jeunesse” (Mar-
ianne of My Youth), in Salzburg.

“Roman Holiday” (Par) and the
Franco-Anglo pic, “Monsieur Rip-
ois” (Paul' Graetz), both in their
fourth month here, and bowling,
along.

Richard Sale here for lensing of
Anita Lqos’ “But They Marry Bru-
nettes.” “Brunettes” is sequel to
“Blondes.” Jane Russell, who has
lead, arrives for Sept. 8. shooting.

Jean Vilar’s Theatre National
Populaire will present four plays,
Moliere’s “Don Juan” and
“L’Avare” (The Miser), Corneille’s
"Le Cid” and Victor Hugo’s “Ruy
Bias” at the French Fair in Mont-
real, Canada, next season.

Roberto Rossellini to make his
first film here after his German
chore with Ingrid Bergman in
“Fear.’ Pic will be based on the
Alfred Savoir play, “Grand Duch-
ess And The Bellboy.” It will star
Miss Bergman and Fernand Gravey.

Sacha Guitry’s pic, “Napoleon,”
to go before cameras late in Octo-
ber. Guitry’s “Versailles” film is
now playing Champs-Elysees with
English titles. He is uncertain
about the release date of “Ver-
sailles” in the U.S. It is France’s
leading 1954 moneymaker.

Eddie Constantine up for his
fourth portrayal of the Peter
Cheney Lemmy Caution character
in the fourth pic in this highly suc-
■ cessful boxoffice series to be made
next season iby Bernard Broderie.
Constantine is just finishing a lead
in the Jerry Epstein 0 pic, “Yours
Truly, Blake.”

Lisbon

By Lewis Garyo

Tenor Morgado Maurico, back
from Africa, off on a tour of North
Portugal.

Actor-manager Ernesto Torres
left for a provincial tour with a
vaude show of six acts plus a 12-
girl line. .

Oporto Arts Theatre, directed by
Antonio Pedro, touring strawhat
theatres in summer towns along
the Atlantic border.

Graham Greene, producer John
Stafford, French producer Rene
Clement and newshawk Rene
Branelled, of France Illustration,
holidaying in Portugal.

Rank’s Cinema S. George will
present for two months Irish or-
ganist Tommy Dando. Manager
Henry Foster threw a cocktail par-
ty to present Dando to the local
and foreign press.

Jacques Gauthier, producer of
French pic “Les Amants du Tage”
(The Lovers of the River Tagus),
has gone on location at the fishing
village of Nazare, North Portugal.
With him are director Henri Ver-
neuil; stars Francoise Arnoul,
Daniel Gelin and Amalia Rodri-
gues; scriptwriter Jacques Com-
panez, cameraman Roger Hubert.
Lisbon firm of Filmes Lusomundo
provides the base here for the
French team and holds the Portu-
guese and Brazilian distribution
irghts.

San Francisco

By Ralph j. Gleason

Esther Williams and Ben Gage
in town plugging the new Sports
Illustrated.

Maria Costi, star of “Barefoot
Battalion,” here for its preem at
the Vogue.

Leo Fuchs in “Yiddisher Drag-
net” opens Aug. 23 for a week at
the Marines Memorial Theater.

Duke Ellington making the disk
jockey route plugging his new hi-fi
Capitol album, “Ellington ’55.”

Lisa Kirk substituting for Billy
Eckstine at the Fairmont begin-
ning Sept. 7. Eckstine cancelled.

Bob Adams appointed promotion
manager for Leo J. Meyberg, RCA
distributor in northern California.

Mel Torme’s opening show at the
Italian Village was so good Dick
Reinhart, house booker, wants to
sign him to play one month in
each of the next four years.

Newark News drama critic Row-
land Field, struck by the plenitude
of show biz personalises here, es-
pecially in legit, observes that it
“looks like Times Square Jr.” i

London

Christine Jorgensen met press
in London prior to her British
vaude debut at Manchester this
week.

The J. Arthur Rank organization
entered “The Young Lovers” for
screening at Edinburgh Festival
Sept. 5.

Ed Kingsley left for Paris last
week after 10 days on combined
business and honeymoon trip in
London. . .

Leo Jaffe; Columbia veepee, in
town for confabs with Max Thorpe
on company’s upcoming British
program.

Sir Miles Thomas, BO AC topper,
is to inaugurate this year’s Radio
Exhibition, at Earls Court next
Wednesday (25).

Stanley Maxted, recently back
from a six-month U. S. tour, is de-
scribing his experiences in a scries
of BBC radio programs.

Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels
sailed last week on the Flandre.
Fellow passengers were William
Wilder and Peter Cusick.

Tom Pedi celebrated his first
wedding arini and his 150ist per-
formance as Harry the Horse in
the Coliseum production of “Guys
and Dolls” at a backstage party,

Q Theatre, riabe tryout spot, cele-
brating its 30th anni with a play
competition open to British au-
thors. Winning plays will be pro-
duced, and writers will receive
cash prizes.

Ed Fitzgerald arrived here last
week via the United States but
checks out for Paris before re-
turning to N.Y. His wife, Pegeen,
will join him in Europe as soon as
she is able to get away.

Joy Nichols, who recently re-
turned from a 12-moiith vacation
which took her to Australia and
the U.S. with her husband, Wally
Peterson, is to be joint guest of
honor with Sir Thomas White* the
Australian High Commissioner, at
the next Variety Club luncheon.

Fire Island

By Mike Gross

Denise Darcel in for a quickie
0 . 0 .

Dick Lewine back after color
huddles on the Coast for CBS-TV.

Johnny Long orch booked in for
a one-nighter at the Fireman’s Ball
in Ocean Beach Aug. 28.

Paul Stewart shuttling between
his Seaview home and Gotham
\yhere he’s making telepix.

RCA Victor prepping an etching
of the “Fire Island Mambo” which
Patricia Music is publishing.

Rose Tobias, who’s heading for
Europe next month for the Robert
Breen producing office, weekend-
ing at the Jess Kimmels.

Among the weekenders: NBC’s
Ben Grauer, tele producer Stew-
art Rosenberg, tv actor Ralph
Stantley, and soap opera thesp
Earl Hammond.

Rival disk company artists &
repertoire men, Epic’s- Marvin
Holzman and RCA Victor’s Jack
Lewis, weekending with Duke
Niles, N. Y. chief of Capitol Rec-
ords’ publishing firms.

Cape Cod

By Earl J. Dias

Cathy O’Donnell in Dennis for
“Gigi.”

Richard Myers, producing part-
ner of Richard Aldrich, visiting on
the Cape.

Gloria Vanderbilt Stokowski in
Dennis to rehearse for her legit
debut in Ferenc Molnar’s “The
Swan.”

Songstress Kitty Kallen and
bearded Gabby Hayes making per-
sonal appearances at Lincoln Park,
New Bedford.

Howard Lindsay and his wife,
Dorothy Stickney, recreating their
“Life with Father’.’ roles at Richard
Aldrich’s Falmouth Playhouse.

Fred and Martha v Miller signed
Steve Cochran to appear at their
Somerset Playhouse next week to
replace Jack Palance, who is in-
disposed.

By Lois Wilson

Dolored Del Rio expected here
shortly to make a film.

Gloria Swanson left for France
and Monte Carlo, and from there
to Venice as guest of honor at the
Film Festival.

Variety well-represented this
week in Spain’s capital. Both
Luigi Gario of Lisbon and Gene
Moskowitz, Paris, Variety mugg
visitors in Madrid. Latter to cover
Venice Festival before returning
to Paris.

As most Madrilenos trek for
cooler places the town seems un-
usually quiet even though travel-
lers continue to pour in. Expected
here are Rita Hayworth and Minna
Wallis, sister of producer Hal
Wallis.

Augustin Lara, famed Mexican
composer of “Madrid,” “Granada” ,

and other popular hits, gave a
party at the Castellana Hilton;
only Mexican food served. Guests
included stage and screen names,
as well as matadors and socialites.

June Clyde and husband-direc-
tor Thornton Freeland here show-
ing the sights to their 14-year-old
son Clyde. The Bud Ornsteins (she
, is Gwen Pickford) here also. He is
UA representative for Spain and
the family is domiciled in Barce-
lona. ■ ■ .

Joe Cotten being paged for a
picture to be produced in Madrid.
And Dolores Del Rio will make
“Senora Ana” here. Robert Hag-
giag, who produced ‘-The Barefoot
Contessa,” readying “Carmen” for
production here. Sir Laurence
Olivier due from London to film
exteriors for “Richard III” in
Spain. • . ;

Bad weather failed to spoil the
fun for the visiting celebrities from
many different countries. In the
absence of the stars — Tony Curtis
and Janet Leigh — of the (Uni-
versal) film “Black Shield of Fal-
worth,” Gloria Swanson repre-
sented America and made an amus-
ing and simpatico speech that
clicked with the audience. Speech
was translated by press man Vic-
tor Rueda.

By Florence S. Lowe

Hollywoodite Penny (“Blondie”)
Singleton arid Jerry Lester current
at Casino Royal nitery.

Col, Joseph Goetz, head of
Arriied Forces professional eriter-,
tainment branch, recovering from'
major surgery at Walter Reed
Army Hospital.

Benny Baker, comic lead of
“South Pacific,” putting his chil-
dren iri school near Philadelphia ,
with an eye to a long run in that
city starting October.

Theodore C. Streibert, director
of U. S. Information Agency, re-
turned last week from month’s
survey of the agency’s installation
in Europe. His first report was to
President Eisenhower on his find-
ings abroad.

Rome

By R. F. Hawkins

J. Fred Muggs planed to Beirut
and Cairo, after brief Italian visit.

Franco Fabrizi, Italo thesper,
hurt in motor accident on road to
Fregene.

Josephine Baker replaces Ann
Hathaway as show topper at Belve-
dere delle Rose nitery.

Xavier Cugat, Abbe Lane and
troupe to Naples after successful
local run at the Foto Italico.

Jane Hugo, French starlet, here
from Paris for role in “Stardust,”
local production starting soon.

Anna Amendolai, Cosetta Greco
and Gianna Canale to Paris for
roles in “Napoleon,” French-made
pic.

Maria Teresa Paliani, Italo rep
to “Miss Universe” beauty contest,
flew back to Rome. No gripes and
praise for organization.

Scores injured on “Helen of
Troy” set when team of horses
went wild, ran into a crowd of ex-
tras. Previously on same pic, stars
Jacques Sernas, Rossana Podesta,
and stunt man Dave Crowley were
hurt.

Philadelphia

By Jerry Gaghan

Kenneth Goodman, Philadelphia
organist, left for series of concert
appearances in Europe.

Kitty Kallen engaged Larry Fo-
tine, local bandsman, to maestro
her tour of one-nighters.

Anshel Brusilow named concert-
master and assistant conductor of
the New Orleans Philharmonic.

Madeline Davidson’s “Unfinished
Portrait” will be given world
preem at Hedgerow Theatre, Rose
Valley, Pa„ Aug. 24.

Jack Fields, owner of Blue. Note
Cafe, turned down by Atlantic City
Convention Hall management when
he tried to lease ballroom for
mambo concert Labor Day night.
Boardwalk enterprises objected to
competish.

Westport, Conn.

By Humphrey Doulens

Tina Louise to Lake Placid.

Elia Kazan at his Newtown farm.

Lawrence Larigner back from
Stratford, Ontario.

Murray Burnett, tv scripter,
renting Robert Rossen house.

“Darling Darling,” by Anita
Loos, preemed at Country Play-
house, Aug. 16.

Eva Gabor and Richard Kiley
will do Shakespeare scenes at ben-,
efit for. Airierican Shakespeare Fes-
tival Aug. 29.

Charles Friedman will direct
Offenbach’s “Private Affairs of the
Duchess” at White Barn Theatre,
Aug. 21. Book is by the Tom
Martins.

^oMille celebrates his
73d birthday, by working. s
Theda Bara recovering aftor
second surgical operation.

. Billy Gilbert back in town after
an absence of four years.

Charles LeMaire on a five-citv
tour to plug “The Egyptian.” 7
Jack Webb to Chicago for world
preem of film version of “Dragnet”
Jack Palance returned to work
at WB after recovering from snake
bite.

Mark Stevens back from Alaska
where he appeared in AA’s “Ket-
chikan.”

Harold Wirthwein to Salt Lake
City on a tour Of Allied Artists
exchanges.

Pamela He fry, Australia’s “Teen-
Ager of 1954,” is Metro’s guest for
two weeks.

B’nai B’rith.will honor Mr. and
Mrs. Danny Thomas this year as
Mr. and Mrs. American Citizens
." Edward Arnold in from Port-
land, Ore., where he officiated at
opening of new Fox theatre.

Paul Gilbert entertained at
award dinner ‘ of United Jewish
Welfare Fund Apparel Trades in-
dustry.

Norman Taurog honored by
Swiss critics with the Presentation
des Journaliste Suisses Pour le
Film Comique.

Bud Abbott) Lou Costello, Bob
Cummings and Jack Carson were
honored guests at the Soapbox
Derby in Akron.

Max Liebman arid staff here to
catch Ann Sothern at Chez Paree.

Sheraton Hotel chain last week
purchased Blackstone Hotel in Chi,
and maintaining no-show policy.

Vet actor Bert Lytell here last
weekend on 22-city tour to bally
’The Egyptian,” upcoming at State-
Lake.

Tony Curtis making appearances
here last week; onstage and off
at Grand Theatre, for world preem
of “Black Shield of Falworth.”

John Kriza and Ruth Ann Koe-
sun, both of Ballet Theatre, here
in “Brigadoon,” current at Mar-
shall Migatz’ Fox Valley Playhouse
in St. Charles, 111.

Carol Hay upped to biz manager
and Irv Seidner to publicist at
Fox Valley Playhouse when Steve
Slone left for summer package of
“Trouble In Tahiti.”

Corirad Hilton remodelling of
Boulevard Room made way for new
space upstairs christened Williford
Ballroom, named in honor of Rob-
ert P. Williford, executive veepee
of Hilton Hotels Corp.

Omaha

By Glenn Trump

Ak-Sar-Ben starting to plug its
October rodeo,

Ringling Bros, circus set for
Playland Park here Sept. 26.

Dorothy McGuire visited her
mother, Mrs. Isabelle Burkley.

Andrini Bros, at Don HUmmond’i
Severi Seas for two-week stanza.

Variety Club Tent No. 16 held
its annual all-industry field day
and summer dinner dance last
Monday (16).

Local disk jockeys are plugging
Bobby Mills' waxing of “Five
O’Clcck Rush,” the latest song of
Omaha dentist Dr. Royce Swain
on wax.

Acts set for the Sheridan
County Fair at Gordon, Neb., Sept.
10-12 are the Joyettes, Jimmy Mur-
phy, Tab Evans and the Aero
Cubans.

Minneapolis

By Les Rees .

A1 Dazell here ahead of “Picnic.
Hotel Radisson Flame Room has
comic Will Jordan,

Dorothy Lewis Ice Show continu-
ing at Starlight club. „ lt

Buddy Morrow into Prom Ball-
room for one-nighter.

Prom Ballroom had The Com-

manders for two nights.

Star Playhouse held over “Moon
Is Blue” a second week,

Edyth Bush Little Theatre reviv-
ing “Peg O’ My Heart.” .

Lionel Hampton troupe played
Auditorium one-nighter. ...

Comedian Will Jordan continu-
ing at Hotel Radisson Flame Room*
Minnesota U. Theatre touring
“The Hasty Heart” throughout
northwest after presenting it here.

William Donnelly, national vee-
pee of IATSE and AFL stagehands
business agent, recovering from

ajor operation. . . *

Persian Palms has Sm toppms
>or show that also includes
ilura, Jean Idelle, Buddy Heller,
nn Lee and Jane Ruby. .

Evelyn Juster in from New Yoix
play femme lead in ‘The
oor,” new play by Phil Gelb of

house.

72

P^vIIVFy TM.wd.ft Angus! 18 , 1954

D

TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD

S

on

TELEVISION: COLLEGE OF MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE (NBC-TV, Sunday) Prom, Pamper, Viv, Deep Magic.
RADIO: TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD SHOW (CBS, Monday thru Friday) Prom.

STARTING SEPTEMBER 6: Half-hour radio show (CBS, Monday thru Friday).

RECORDS: Still going strong-RIVER OF NO RETURN* Just released-EIN, ZWEI, DREL

^>r. CandUa at

dates a

■baJ anc J

f.rtonal Managi^ Pradc CLIFFIE STONE Publicity— MICKEY FREEMAN

FILMS

P'i

m

RADIO

VIDEO

•

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«

STAGE

Published Weakly at 154 West 46th Street. New. York 36, N. Y„ by Variety, Inc. Annual subscription 610. Single copies, 35 cents.
Entered as second class matter December 22, 1905, at the Post Office at New York. N. Y., under the act Of March 3. 1879.

COPYRIGHT. 1954, BY VARIETY. INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

VOL. 195 No. 12 y

NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1954

»

PRICE 25 CENTS

1954 :

BIZ S BOOM YEAR

By JESSE GROSS

Strawhat tours are becoming
family affairs. The circuit is alive
this summer with husband-wife,
father-son and father-daughter
combos.

Wally Cox and Marilyn Genrtaro,
who were married recently, ap-
peared at the Marblehead (Mass.)
Summer Theatre the week of Aug.
2 in "The Vegetable.” Frank Mc-
Hugh and his son Michael are cur-
rently playing the 'Myrtle Beach
(S. C.) Playhouse in “Ah Wilder-
ness." Duo appeared in the same
play the week of Aug. 2 at the
Great Lakes Drama Festival, Sag-
jinaw, Mich.

Victor Jory appeared ■ with his
ion in “My 3 Angels” at the
Triple Cities Playhouse, Bingham-
ton, N. Y., the week of Aug. 9 and
ast week his daughter was in the
ast of “Angels,” in which he
tarred at the Theatre-by-the-Sea,
atunuck, R.I. Jory, his wife, son
nd daughter appeared together
hree years ago at the Bucks
County Playhouse, New Hope, Pa.,
a “The Spider.” Helen Hayes’
adopted son James MacArthur ap-
peared with her in “What Every
Woman Knows” recently at the

f 'lymouth Playhouse, Coonames-
ett, Mass.

Elliott Nugent and his daughter,
'fancy, played Bucks County the
veek of Aug. 2 in “The Automo-
bile Man.” Fred Miller and his

(Continued on page 22)

‘Adults Only’ Tag For
‘Sunbathers’ Nudie Pic

Los Angeles, Aug. 24.

Nudist feature, “Garden of
Eden,” will wear an “Adults Only”
tag when it goes into the United
Artists Theatre here for a run
starting Sept. 1.

Film was produced in Tampa,
Fla., by Walter Bibo with the co-
operation of the American Sun-
bathers Assn. It is in Eastman
Color and runs 70 minutes.

Chi Patrons

t’s In the Blood; ‘Caine’

Cast Sits Back to Watch
Offspring Do Its Stuff

Actoi' s in the touring company of
Caine Mutiny Court Martial”
vere in the audience last week,
ad liked the show better than
heir own. They attended a single-
•erformance matinee of a play
'fmten, produced and acted by
tieir own children. It all took place
riday (20) in Central City, Col.,
vhere “Caine” is current.

Moppet presentation, titled “Pa-
sian Vacation,” was written by
.evi Brodie, 12, whose father,
L . Brodie, is a • costar in
uj } ” e - Cast included the author
,0 Jo Ann Brodie, 11; also Robin,

• John, 7, and Jennifer, 5, whose
,M 1 er ls costar Wendell Corey, as
if, 1 . as Terry, 12, and Curt, 7,
EL. Robert Anderson, who
e P r °secutor in the Her-
Wouk drama.

[Maggie Douglas, daughter of co-
if t ^ ^ ou 8i as an d his actress
L n ’ Jaa Sterling, arrived » from
too late to appear in the
^ to °k charge of the lemon-
fai* PPcom concession. Whole
iivpc Possible because the
L® and families of the “Caine”
[Uy Pany ^ are w Rk them in Central

admis sion of 25c, the
eirlv 3 ? ft ? alrs for people, but

#rly 100 attended.

Of Leg Shows

Chicago, Aug. 24.

Chorus lines, which in past year
had been disappearing from the
Chi nitery scene, may be returning
by popular demand.

Explaining that she is ainswering
the requests of her patrons, Hilton
producer Merriel Abbott currently
is auditioning hoofers for new line
to be installed at Palmer House
with Sept. 23 show which headlines
Helen Gallagher. Chorus is to con-
sist of six gals and two guys and
may revert to the name of Merriel
Abbott Dancers.

It’s known that nitery regulars
for some time have been missing
the stage-filling splash and the leg
show which the lines afforded at
Chez Paree and Palmer House.

Palmer House, by the way, has
Hildegarde and Jack Whiting on
tap for Noy. 7 opening and is
bringing back Los Chavales de
Espana to span New Year’s Eye
shows.

By GENE ARNEEL

The worldwide public is doing a
gratifying job of pouring its enter-
tainment coin into American film’
company coffers. With the second
half, of the calendar well under
way, 1954 appears .shaping as the
best period in terms of gross rev-
enues and/or net profits for the
major outfits collectively since, the
wow money days of 1947-48.

At a glance, it’s Columbia with
a gross of $75,000,000; Paramount
with a six month earnings jump of
33%; Loew’S with a 40% increase
for its recent 40-week span; United
Artists moving to near $40,000,000
in record gross business this year;
Universal continuing on its spec-
tacular rise; Warners up and with
continuing improved prospects;
20th-FOx taking the Cinemascope
route to income doubling last
year’s; and so on.

Over recent months there have
been instances of revenue progress
for this or that company. The up-
trend now looks all-embracing,
with the exception of RKO. (The
uncertainty of its internal affairs,
not the state of the picture busi-
ness, makes RKO unique).

Significant point underlined by
some observers of the trade’s eco-
nomics is the apparent change in
the ratio of hits and flops. For
years many of the reputed experts
reported an overall batting average
of one strong success to each four
productions which -barely broke
even or lost varjfing amounts. Top
execs prefer to watt a little longer
(Continued on page 6)

Hollywood, Aug, 24.

This is a year of remakes on the
film lots with an estimated $35,-
000,000 expected to be spent on re-
incarnated successes of bygone
years. Most Expensive will be
Cecil B. DeMille’s “Ten Command-
ments” and Metro’s “Ben Hur,”
both big moneymakers back Jn the
’20s. .

Others include “Moby Dick,” “A
Star Is Born,” “Three for the
Show.” formerly “Too Many Hus-
bands,” “My Sister Eileen,” “Lost
Horizons,” “Hit the Deck,” “The
Vagabond King” and “The Spoil-
ers.”

‘Studio One’ Eyeing

Murrow Guest Shot

Edward R. Murrow Is being
“looked over” as a likely prospect*
to play himself On CBS-TV’s “Stu-
dio One.” Felix Jackson, producer
of the Westinghouse Monday
nighter, is interested in the com-
mentator to do the narration on
a teledramatization of U, S. Su-
preme Court Justice William O.
Douglas’ forthcoming book, “Al-
manac of Liberty.”

Prospective date for the tv’er is
Nov. 8. ...

TV’er in Ibsen

Gene Tierney has been nabbed
by General Electric via its ad
agency, BRD&O. to make her tele-
debut on the CBS-TV V “GE The-
atre” Sept. 26, when the series
marks its seasonal opener .under a
revised pattern. Actress will be
seen live in an adaptation by
George Beliak of Ibsen’s “A Doll's
House.” It will be called “Nora,”
after the lead character’s name.
(Ibsen has rarely been done on tv;
most ambitious try was last winter
when ABC-TV’s “U.S. Steel Hour”
starred Tallulah Bankhead in
“Hedda Gabler.”)

GE’s Sunday . night series will
alternate live and film this season
with Ronald Reagan the program
supervisor andfe on-the-air host,
Don Medford directing and Mort
Abrahams the producer. Fred
Waring, the electrical outfit’? main-
stay with his musical package, will
make „a limited number of appear-
ances, the first from Chicago
(where he’ll be on tour) on Nov. 7.
That variety stanza will be pro
duced by the agency.

May Go Legit
On ‘That's Life

The Palace Theatre, N. Y., tra-
ditionally the top vaude showcase
of the country, may get a legit
show this fall. Danny Dare, pro-
ducer of the Coast revue, “That’s
Life,” is negotiating for the house,
which is due on Broadway in De-
cember.

Possible hitch to the booking is
that the Palace’s. 1,603-seat ca-
pacity may be a trifle large for the
intimate show, which has a small
cast and is currently playing at the
400-seat Las Palmas, Hollywood.
With that idea, Dare is also con-
sidering the 984-seat Playhouse,
N. Y., independently owned by
Ben Marden, as well as several
Shubert spots.

“Life” will be refinanced at
$125,000 for the Broadway edition,
for which Sam Schwartz is general
manager and Arthur Cantor indi-
cated as pressagent.

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Admission that certain provisions
of the Motion Picture Production
Code have outlived their useful-
ness and others can be changed,
comes from John A. Vizzard,- as-
sistant to Production Code direc-
tor Joseph I. Breen It marks the
first time any Code executive has
openly discussed any possible re-
vision of the Code. Vizzard’s com-
ments in the current issue of the
Screen Producers Guild Journal
says that portions of the Code
should be changed when the Mo-
tion Picture Assn, of America
board - of directors dictates that
time and circumstances for suet
a change are proper # in certain
areas.

In defining these areas Vizzard
said, “It is clear that there is no
necessary permanence to the Code
provision which prohibits use of
the words ‘hell’ and ‘Damn/ These
are not even moral problems. They
are problems of usage and fitness.
Secondly, there is no moral reason
for not changing the Code clause
forbidding miscegenation. This is
purely a social and pragmatic Code
provision. Some people have even
argued that it is flatly immoral in
itself and should not be embodied
in a ‘moral’ document.

“Thirdly, certain Code provi-
visions such as the one which for-
bids the showing of ‘details of
smuggling’ have rather obviously

(Continued on page 63)

Looms in Vegas

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

A possible talent price war be-
tween Las Vegas strip spots is
looming following the Sands’ hiring
Nat (King) Cole away from the El
Rancho Vegas by paying $12,500 a
week for the singer, or $5,000 more
than the El Rancho offered.

El Rancho management is un-
derstood to be seething in resent-
ment at the Sands move. Cole
played El Rancho last July and it
hqd counted on him for a return
date. But the Sands grabbed him
for a three-week date in January.

Chapman Going It Solo On
Drive Vs. Early Curtains;
Final Brandy Gets Watts

Apparently John Chapman,
drama critic of the N. Y. Daily
News, is going to be stuck with his
latest campaign to persuade Broad-
way managements to revert to the
old policy of regular curtain time
for opening nights.

There’s been no indication of
any legit producers abandoning
the 8 o’clock start for premieres,
and two other aislesitters have
written pieces favoring the early
ringup. They were in answer to
Chapman’s recent column agitating
for the old 8:40 opening.

Richard Watts Jr., Qf the N. Y.
Post, had two references t‘o the
subject last week. First one read,
“It still puzzles me why any critic
should object to those early first-
night curtains. My impression is
that merely the opportunity to get
to and from the theatre before the
nightly midtown traffic jam has
started and the taxis are all taken,
more than atones for any depriva-
tion the gourmets among the re-
viewers have to suffer in bolting
their five-course dinners.

“Somehow I find I can dine
quite agreeably and still make the
8 o’clock opening. It’s rather an

(Continued on page 61)

/

72

1 Mid(by t August 18 , 1954

TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD

on

TELEVISION: COLLEGE OF MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE (NBC-TV, Sunday) Prom, Pamper, Viv, Deep Magic.
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Publicity— MICKEY FREEMAN

FILMS

yn’i

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Published Weekly at 154 West 46th Street* New York 36, N. Y., by Variety, Inc. Annual subscription f 10. Single copies, 25 cents.
Entered u second class matter December 22,. 1905, at the Post. Office' at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3. 1879.

r COPYRIGHT, 1954, BY VARIETY. INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

yOL. 195 No. 12 ^ NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1954 * PRICE 25 CENTS

♦

AM verv tozv on me Dam loop

By JESSE GROSS

Strawhat tours are becoming
family affairs. The circuit is alive
'this summer with husband-wife,
father-son and father-daughter
combos.

Wally Cox and Marilyn Gennaro,
who were married recently, ap-
peared at the Marblehead (Mass.)
Summer Theatre the week of Aug.
2 in “The Vegetable.” Frank Mc-
Hugh and his son Michael are cur-
rently playing the 'Myrtle Beach
(S. C.) Playhouse in “Ah Wilder-
ness” Duo appeared in the same
play the week of Aug. 2 at the
Great Lakes Drama Festival, Sag-
inaw, Mich.

Victor Jory appeared ■ with his
son in “My 3 Angels” at the
Triple Cities Playhouse, Bingham-
ton, N. Y., the week of Aug. 9 and
last week his daughter was in the
cast of “Angels,” in which he
starred at the Theatre-by-the-Sea,

‘Adults Only’ Tag For
‘Sunbathers’ Nudie Pic

» Los Angeles, Aug. 24.

Nudist feature, “Garden of
Eden,” will wear an “Adults Only”
tag when it goes into the United
Artists Theatre here for a run
starting Sept. 1.

Film was produced in Tampa,
Fla., by Walter Bibo with the co-
operation of the American Sun-
bathers Assn. It is in Eastman
Color and runs 70 minutes,

Chi Patrons

Matunuck, R.I. Jory, his wife, son
and daughter appeared together
three years ago at the Bucks
County Playhouse, New Hope, Pa.,
In “The Spider.” Helen Hayes’
adopted son James Mac Arthur ap-
peared with her in “What Every
woman Knows” recently at the
Plymouth Playhouse, Coonames-
lett, Mass.

1 Elliott Nugent and his daughter,
fancy, played Bucks County the
veek of Aug. 2 in “The Automo-
>ile Man.” Fred Miller and his

(Continued on page 22)

t’s In the Blood; ‘Caine’
Cast Sits Back to Watch

Offspring Do Its Stu

[Actors in the touring company
Caine Mutiny Court Martia
vere in the audience last wee
nd liked the show better th;
heir own. They attended a sing]
,e rformance matinee of a pi
written, produced and acted 1
heir own children. It aU took pla
riday (20) in Central City, Co
v ™: re “Caine” is current.

Moppet presentation, titled “F
pan Vacation,” was written
(?, evi Brodie, 12, whose fath<
•eye Rrodie, is a * costar
Cast included the auth

Ann Brodie, 11; also Robi
• John, 7, and Jennifer, 5, who
T ls costar Wendell Corey,
ei as Terry, 12, and Curt,

, rei V°f: Robert Anderson, w
sr^-nr prosecutor in the Hi
'g Wouk drama,
waggle Douglas, daughter of <
ifi p r U ^ Douglas and his actri
niu, ^ an , sterling, arrived) fr<
nf * 00 l®te to appear in t
I ’ 1 J*? took charge of the lemi
fab. nd ppcorn concession. Wh<
; vp „ w ® s possible because t
ves and families of the “Cain

ity Pan ^, are w tt^ them in Cent

ids*bi^ a \ Emission of 25c, 1
earlv ?nn hairs for 40 People, 1

100 attended.

Of Leg Shows

Chicago, Aug. 24.

Chorus lines, which in past year
had been disappearing from the
Chi nitery scene, may be returning
by popular demand.

Explaining that she is answering
the requests of her patrons, Hilton
producer Merriel Abbott currently
is auditioning hoofers for new line
to be installed at Palmer House
with Sept. 23 show which headlines
Helen Gallagher. Chorus is to con-
sist of six gals and two guys and
may revert to the name of Merriel
Abbott Dancers.

It’s known that nitery regulars
for some time have been missing
the stage-filling splash and the leg
show which the lines afforded at
Chez Paree and Palmer House.

Palmer House, by the way, has
Hildegarde and Jack Whiting on
tap for Nov. 7 opening and is
bringing back Los Chavales de
Espana to span New Year’s Eve
shows.

f

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

This is a year of remakes on the
film lots with an estimated $35,-
000,000 expected to be spent on re-
incarnated successes of bygone
years. Most expensive will be
Cecil B. DeMille’s “Ten Command-
ments” and Metro’s “Ben Hur,”
both big moneymakers back jin the

»20s.

Others include “Moby Dick,” “A
Star Is Born,” “Three for the
Show.” formerly “Too Many Hus-
bands,’* “My Sister Eileen,” “Lost
Horizons,” “Hit the Deck,” “The
Vagabond King” and “The Spoil-
ers.”

♦

By GENE ARNEEL

The worldwide public is doing a
gratifying job of pouring its enter-
tainment coin into American film
company coffers. With the second
half of the calendar well under
way, 1954 appears ^shaping as the
best period in terms of gross rev-
enues and/or net profits for the
major outfits collectively since/ the
wow money days of 1947-48.

At a glance, it’s Columbia with
a gross of $75,000,000; Paramount
with a six month earnings jump of
33%; Loew’s with a 40% increase
for its recent 40-week span; United
Artists moving to near $40,000,000
in record gross business this year;
Universal continuing on its spec-
tacular rise; Warners up and with
continuing improved prospects;
20th-Fox taking the Cinemascope
route to income doubling last
year’s; and so on.

Over recent months there have
been instances of revenue progress J
for this or that company. The up-
trend now looks all-embracing,
with the exception of RKO. (The.
uncertainty of its internal affairs,
not the state of the picture busi-
ness, makes RKO unique).

Significant point underlined by
some observers of the trade’s eco-
nomics is the apparent change in
the ratio of hits and flops. For
years many of the reputed experts
reported an overall batting average
of one strong success to each four
productions which barely broke
even or lost varying amounts. Top
execs prefer to wait a little longer
(Continued on page 6)

Gene Tierney’s
TV’er in Ibsen

Gene Tierney has been nabbed
by General Electric via its ad
agency, BBD&O. to make her tele- i
debut on the CBS-TV “GE The-
atre” Sept. 26, when the series
marks its seasonal opener .under a
revised pattern. Actress will be
seen live in an adaptation by
George Beliak of Ibsen’s “A Doll’s
House.” It will be called “Nora,”
after the lead character’s name.
(Ibsen has rarely been done on tv;
most ambitious try was last winter
when ABC-TV’s “U.S. Steel Hour”
starred Tallulah Bankhead in
“Hedda Gabler ”)

GE’s Sunday night series will
alternate live and film this season
with Ronald Reagan the program
supervisor and*, on-the-air host,
Don Medford directing and Mort
Abrahams the producer. Fred
Waring, the electrical outfit’s main-
stay with his musical package, will
make „a limited number of appear-
ances, the first from Chicago
(where he’ll be on tour) on Nov. 7.
That variety stanza will be pro-
duced by the agency.

‘Studio One’ Eyeing

Murrow Guest Shot

Edward R. Murrow is being
“looked over” as a likely prospect’
tq play himself on CBS-TV’s “Stu-
dio One.” Felix Jackson, producer
of the Westinghouse Monday
nighter, is interested in the com-
mentator to do the narration on
a teledramatization of U. S. Su-
preme Court Justice William O.
Douglas’ forthcoming book, “Al-
manac of Liberty.”

Prospective date for the tv’er is
Nov. 8.

N.Y. Palace
May Go Legit
On ‘That’s Life

The Palace Theatre, N. Y., tra-
ditionally the top vaude showcase
of the country, may get a legit
show this fall. Danny Dare, pro-
ducer of the Coast revue, “That’s
Life,”' is negotiating for the house,
which is due on Broadway in De-
cember.

Possible hitch to the booking is
that the Palace’s 1,603-seat ca-
pacity may be a trifle large for the
intimate show, which has a small
cast and is currently playing at the
400-seat Las Palmas, Hollywood.
With that idea, Dare is also con-
sidering the 984-seat Playhouse,
N. Y., independently owned by
Ben Marden, as well as several
Shubert spots.

“Life” Will be refinanced at
$125,000 for the Broadway edition,
for which Sam Schwartz is general
manager and Arthur Cantor indi-
cated as pressagent.

Looms in Vegas

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

A possible talent price war be-
tween Las Vegas strip spots is
looming following the Sands’ Hiring
Nat (King) Cole away from the El
Rancho Vegas by paying $12,500 a
week for the singer, or $5,000 more
than the El Rancho offered.

El Rancho management is un-
derstood to be seething in resent-
ment at the Sands move. Cole
played El Rancho last July and it
h^d counted on him for a return
date. But the Sands grabbed him
for a three-week date in January.

Admission that certain provisions
of the Motion Picture Production
Code have outlived their useful-
ness and others can be changed,
comes from John A. Vizzard,- as-
sistant to Production Code direc-
tor Joseph I. Breen It marks the
first time any Code executive has
openly discussed any possible re-
vision of the Code. Vizzard’s com-
ments in the current issue of the
Screen Producers Guild Journal
says that portions of the Code

should be changed when the Mo-
tion Picture Assn, of America

board • of directors dictates that

time and circumstances for suet

a change are proper 'in certain
areas.

In defining these areas Vizzard
said, “It is clear that there is no
necessary permanence to the Code
provision which prohibits use of
the words ‘hell’ and ‘Damn.' These
are not even moral' problems. They
are problems of usage and fitness:
Secondly, there is no moral reason
for not changing the Code clause
forbidding miscegenation. This is
purely a social and pragmatic Code
provision. Some people have even
argued that it is flatly immoral in
itself and should not be embodied
in a ‘moral’ document.

“Thirdly, certain Code provi-
visions such as the one which for-
bids the showing of 'details of
smuggling' have rather obviously
(Continued on page 63)

Chapman Going it Solo On
Drive Vs. Early Curtains;
Final Brandy Gets Watts

Apparently John Chapman,
drama critic of the N. Y. Daily
News, is going to be stuck with his
latest campaigh to persuade Broad-
way managements to revert to the
old policy of regular curtain time
for opening nights.

There’s been no indication of
any legit producers abandoning
the 8 o’clock start for premieres,
and two other* aislesitters have
written pieces favoring the early
ringup. They Were in answer to
Chapman’s recent column agitating
for the old 8:40 opening.

Richard Walts Jr., qf the N. Y,
Post, had two references tb the
subject last week. First one read,
“It still puzzles me why any critic
should object to those early first-
night curtains. My impression is
that merely the opportunity to get
to and from the theatre before the
nightly midtown traffic jam has
started and the taxis are all taken,
more than atones for any depriva-
tion the gourmets among the re-
viewers have to suffer in bolting
their five-course dinners.

“Somehow I find I can dine
quite agreeably and still make the
8 o’clock opening. It's rather an

(Continued on page 61)

MISCK 1 XANY

Wedatgday, Angg»t 25 , W54

To Strengthen Protection Overseas

By JOHN SCIIULMAN

( Member of U, S. Delegation to
Geneva Conference)

The Universal Copyright Con-
vention, recently ratified by the
Senate, represents an advance of
major importance in the U. S. copy-
right system. For the first time we
shall be participants In a world-
wide Copyright Convention and
American authors, publishers, mo-
tion picture companies and Other
copyright owners will no longer be
obliged to lean upon the Berne
Union for protection of their copy-
rights in the major foreign mar-
kets. This means not only more
adequate means of securing rights
abroad and better relations with
the authors and users throughout
the free world, but a saving y of
burdensome effort- and Of unneces-
sary expense as well.

The treaty was drawn and pro-
visionally signed at Geneva in Sep-
tember, 1952, after five years of
wide discussion and thorough prep-
aration both in the U. S. and in
foreign countries. It has met with
overwhelming approval and has
been widely endorsed by authors’
and professional associations, and
by publishing, broadcasting, mo-
tion picture and other trade groups.
The copyright lawyers have sup-
ported it strenuously. The coun-
tries represented at Geneva in-
cluded almost the entire free world
and the only notable absences were
those countries which lie behind
the Iron Curtain. Many of the na-
tions which signed at Geneva and
others who represent similar view-
points will undoubtedly ratify the
convention as soon as our action is
formalized, so we may soon expect
to enjoy the hew treaty relation-
ships with the British Common-
wealth countries, with France, Hol-
land, Italy and the other countries
of Western Europe, with the Latin- 1
American Republics and many na-
tions in Asia.

Domestic Law Unchanged

The convention does not make or
require any substantial substantive
changes in domestic law, but is
aimed at cutting away the under-
brush which has made international
copyright protection so difficult. It
follows the doctrine of national
treatment, providing in substance
that each country will have an ef-
fective copyright system under
which authors who are nationals
of the other Convention States and
the works first published in such
other states will receive equal
treatment with domestic authors
and works of domestic origin. In
England, for example, our works
will be treated as though they had
been written by English subjects
and in France as though they were
French works.

We will continue to extend the
benefit of our domestic copyright
law to the foreign authors and
publishers whose countries adhere
to the Universal Convention. But
the nature of the works to be pro-
tected and the exclusive rights
granted and the limitations im-
posed upon them will depend upon
domestic laws and public policy.
The Universal Convention, differ-
ent from the Berne system, does
not establish the categories of
works which must be covered by
copyright nor does it prescribe the
substantive provisions which must
be part of the domestic copyright
law. There are, on the other hand,
stipulations in the convention to
safeguard translation rights so that
(Continued on page 12)

Alberghetti Snafued By
D.C. House Windup Rush

Washington* Aug. 24,
Hollywood' actress-singer Anna
Maria Alberghetti will have to
wait until next year for a chance
at ,U. $. citizenship because' of
failure of Congress to pass a bill
which would have given her perma-
nent residence. 1
In the rush for adjournment the
House failed to act on a Senate-
approved measure to permit Miss
Alberghetti and her parents to
stay. They are here On a temporary
visa but after they gave testimony
that they were “involuntary” mem-
bers of the Fascist party in Italy
during World War II special legis-
lation Was introduced.

A Congressional source said that
the Immigration Service has ex-
tended the visas of the Alberghet-
tis and other similar cases until
next March pending House action
on the legislation.

Only Five Out of 58
Soviet Germany Filins

Berlin, Aug. 17.

The survey _ published by the
West German Federal Ministry
for All-German Affairs (Bonn)
shows there were only five out of
58 DEFA (sole pic producting out-
fit in Soviet Germany) films re-
leased from 1946 through 1954
which contained no anti-Fascist,
anti-Capitalist, anti-Western or
other propaganda. The five films
classified by the ministry as “films
free of propaganda” were “Kein
Platz fuer Liebe” (1947), “Eins-
zwei-drei, Corona” (1948), “Traeum
nicht, Annette” (1948), “Der Kahn
der Froehlichen Leute” (1949) and
“Der Kleine Muck” (1954).

The Soviet-controlled DEFA has
gone through several cycles since
(Continued on page 63)

Biographical Ike Film
Short Set for Campaign

The National Citizens For Eisen-
hower Congressional Committee
has completed a 25-minute short
subject called “The Year of Big
Decision.” It was previewed in the
D. C. Statler Hotel presidential
ballroom last week, with President
Eisenhower as honor guest. The
motion picture traces events cen-
tered around Eisenhower’s life
from D-Day of 1944 until the time
he was inaugurated President in
1953.

A shorter version of the same
subject (14 minutes) also has been
prepared for use On tele and for
theatrical distribution. Both “.De-
cision” pix were produced by
Brandt Enos Associates, New York.
Enos formerly was producer-di-
rector in the March of Time film
department, while Westbrook Van
Voorhis, who did the narration,
was vet announcer.

8/25

Subscription Order Form

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HORACE HEIDT

Currently On Tour
Under Personal Management

WALTER PLANT

"Welshing 9 on Int!

American distribs aren’t happy
over the way some members of the
International Federation of Film
Producers Assns. fail to live up to
terms of their agreement on con-
ditions governing international
film fests.

Biggest gripe centres around the
refusal of the French to honor a
provision of the deal which calls
for countries sponsoring festivals
to grant free remittance of earn-
ings on prizewinning pix. The
French have been more than tardy
in granting that concession to the
Cannes film fest entries.

The Americans acknowledge that
the arrangement** involves some
complicated bookkeeping proce-
dure. At the same time, they hold
that an agreement is an agreement
and should be honored by all na-
tions that are signatories to the
IFPA pact.

Yet another provision of the
IFPA agreement is that entries to
film fests would be granted extra-
quoto status. In practically all
cases, this condition has been com-
plied with. However, this is a
problem in comparatively few
areas, with France again outstand-
ing.

The international producers
group, of which the Motion Picture
Export Assn, is a member, controls
both the number of approved film
fests and the conditions governing
them. The extra-permit and free
remittance concessions are bonus
incentives thrown in primarily by
foreign government seeking to at-
tract U. S. film distribs to their
festivals.

Parisian Irene Hilda
. In West End Tan-Can’

London, Aug. 24.

Irene Hilda, Parisian cabaret and
music hall headliner, has. been
signed by J erqme Whyte,' produc-
tion rep for Williamson lyiusic, for
the femme lead in the London, pro-
duction of “Can-Can.” Musical, a
current hit on Broadway, opens
Oct. 14 at the Coliseum.

Casting of Miss Hilda has been
okayed by the Ministry of Labor,
with the approval of British Actors
Equity. Singer arrived from Paris

over the weekend for costume fit-
tings, etc., prior to starting re-
hearsals Sept. 6.

Other principals in the West End
edition of the Cole Forter-Abe Bur-
rows tuner will include Edmund
Hockridge, now playing Sky Mas-
terson in “Guys and Dolls” at the
same ^theatre, and Alfred Marks,
George Gee and Gillian Lind. The
Michael Kidd dances will be repro-
duced by Dierdre Vivian.

“Can-Can” Will be presented
jointly- by Williamson. Music
(Rodgers & Hammerstein publish-
ing firm) and Cy Feuer & Ernest
H. Martin, original producers of
the show on Broadway, in. associa-
tion with Prince Littler, owner of
the Coliseum and other London
theatres.

Strong U.S. Pix
In Venice Test

By ROBERT F. HAWKINS

Venice, Aug. 24.

“Rear Window” (Par) opened the
15th Film Festival here Sunday
(22) with a large crowd of officials,
stars, industrymen and press reps
on hand at the Film Palace on the
Lido. Pic is second straight opener
here for Paramount, which last
year also initialed with “Roman
Holiday,” Other Yank entries are
“Caine Mutiny” (Col), showing
Sept. 1; “Waterfront,” the Sam
Spiegel indie, booked for Sept. 3;
Metro’s “Executive Suite,” on
Sept. 5; and “Three Coins in Foun-
tain” (20th), which shows Sept. 6.

In contrast to previous years,
U. S. selections were arrived at
with no friction occurring between
festival and Yank reps, with
choices being announced and
prepped well in advance of opening
here. Last yea^ U. S. almost
pulled out of fete at last minute
when some of its entries failed to
pass scrutiny of a since-eliminated
festival pre-selection committee.
Already here handling prelim de-
tails of Yank participation are the
company reps and Eugene Van
Dee, MPAA topper for. Italy &
(Continued on page 61)

Because Complainants
Talked Much in Advance

John Barrymore Jr. has been
cleared of charges of “conduct un-
becoming a member of Actors
Equity.” Case was dismissed yes-
terday (Tues.) by the union’s gov-
erning body.

In a statement announcing the
decision, Equity executive secre-
tary Angus Duncan explained that
if such charges are “proper and
consequential” it is the union’s pol-
icy to consider them and hold a

hearing with both sides present.
Under such circumstances Equity
insists that, in fairness to all parties
to the dispute, the case may not be
discussed outside.

However, in this instance, Char-
lotte and Lewis Harmon, producers,
of the Clinton (Conn.) Playhouse
and complainants against Barry-
more, gave their side wide publici-
ty through the press, the statement
said. Barrymore, on the other
hand, abided by the union rules,
despite the unfavorable publicity
he received'. Therefore, the coun-
cil concluded, it decided “not to
consider the charges further.”

The Harmons’ accusations against
Barrymore involved his behavior
during and immediately after his
recent guest appearance at the
Clinton strawhat in “The Man.”
They accused the actor of using in-
decent language to Mrs. Harmon,
who directed the week’s show.
Barrymore subsequently issued
counter-charges against the pro-
ducers.

Mary Garden to U.S. In
Sept, on 24-City Tour

Aberdeen, Aug. 24.

Mary Garden, opera singer,
plans to fly to N.Y. Sept. 24 on her
fifth tour for the National Arts
Foundation of America. She also
will record her opera reminiscences
in the archives of the Library of
Congress. In a five-month trip, she
will visit 24 cities. Project follows
a visit to her home here by Dr.
Carleton Smith, of the NAF.

In her waxed story, Miss Garden
will tell of her career from the
night she left a seat in a Paris
opera house to shoot to fame in
the lead in Gustave Carpentler’s
“Louise” until she became a world-
known singer.

By MARK CURTIS

^ Lake Tahoe, Aug. 24

Nevada’s shortest entertainment
and gaming session, the brief
three-month season of Lake Tahoe
could become the state’s most im-
portant summer business. Right
now the length of . the wide-open
season is regulated entirely by the
presence of the school-age popu-
lace.

This unique operation, which be-
gins when school lets out for the
summer, and comes tp a dead halt
immediately after Labor Day, ig-
nevertheless making an important
bid for the major part of Nevada’s
summer action. The vacation in-
flux has increased 30% in the last
five years and 50% in the last 10.

Based on current accommoda-
tion figures, Lake Tahoe now has
more space for tourists and gam-
boleers than Las Vegas , and Reno
combined— over 45,000 according
to Fred Main, president of the
Tahoe Chamber of Commerce. Add
to this the summer cottage and
home trade and the population on
any single summer day hits close
to 65,000.

And it’s not all in Nevada. Most
of it is in California, but the Lake
is one big playground even though
the stateline runs through the mid-
dle.

A few years ago Lake Tahoe
was a quiet, fajrly unknown beauty
spot, cut off from the rest of the
world at a 6,500-foot elevation by
high, heavily wooded mountains.
It was a summer retreat for the
wealthy and a sort of local vaca-
tion spot for western Nevada and
northern California. Today it is a
solid tourist business, too, separat-
ed rather sharply frbm the old, es-
tablished lake aristocracy. It is car-
nival and blaring at the south end
-—exclusive and snooty at *tlrar
north. In between, around the 100
miles of shoreline, are the summer
homes and cottages, and old, re-
fined resorts. It is this element
which still dictates the length of
the Tahoe season! but which is
losing control of the increasing
business and playground activity.

Reno-Tahoe Parlay

Increasing the potential of Ta-
hoe is its proximity to Reno, a
scant 5Q minutes away over Mount
Rose. Reno and Tahoe, in fact,
complement each other, and trade
a major portion of their vacation
business. A visit to one spot prac-
tically assures a, visit to the other.

Both Rend and Tahoe have
broadened their outlook on area
promotion, especially with the in-
creasing emphasis being given win-
ter sports.

Selby Calkins, Reno C. of C. pub-
licity head, points out: “Statistics
from 1953 show that active partici-
pation in winter sports in New
York, surpassed the attendance
figure of organized baseball. And
this Is the reason Reno and Tahoe
are beginning to look at winter
with increasing favor.”

Oldest and most exclusive Tahoe

('Continued on page 54)

MAE WEST TO SNAG
12 TO 25G PER DATE

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

William Morris agency has lined
up a series of night club bookings
for Mae West, earning for her from
$12,000 to $25,000 per engagement,

Commitments are 10 days at Lat-
in Quarter, Boston, starting Sept,
16; one week, Town Casino, Buf-
falo, Sept 27; four weeks, Latin
Quarter, N. Y., Qct. 10; four weeks,
Sahara, Las Vegas, Dec. 7, and two
yye.eks at the Copa. City, Miami

Ford’s 2d Irish Film
May Star Tyrone Powe

Dublin, Aug. 24.

John Ford will make his secon
Irish picture, this time for the n ^
land outfit he’s interested in ( F° U _
Provinces Films) early next yea I
Lord Killanin, associate of
on *“The Quiet Man,” is a directo*
of Four Provinces and announce^
plans . on < his return from Hony
wood where he’s been huckUinj
with Ford, _ . ,, hl

Understood here that Col um _
may be in on the deal since J
rone Power has been announ
by the company as making a p
here next year under Ford s on
tion.

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

PICTURES 3

Rundown of film issue prices on the N. Y. Stock Exchange, which
follows, shows how Wall Streeters who were indifferent to the pic-
ture business last fall have since had a change of heart:

Oct. 6, 1953 Aug. 20, 1954 Net Change

, ml. A At* * A4 A VA • A AA

AB-Par Th.

..$14,25 *.

$19.50

+ 5.25

Columbia ............

..15.62

31.25

4-15.63

Loew’s ..........

.. 10.75

17.62

4- 6.87

Nat’l Th; i . . . .vV. . . , ... . .

. . 6,00

8.37

4- 2.37

Par. . . -

.. 25.50

35.12

4- 9.62

RKO Pix v...

. . 3.00

6.25

4- 3.25

RKO Th.

., 3.50

8.37

4- 4.87

Rep. ... ...

. . 3.00

5.62

4- 2.62

Stan-War

.. 10.00

18;00

4- 8.00

20th ...

. . 15.00

24.75

4- 9.75

Univ. *

.. 16.12

25.62

4- 9.50

WB ... . - . .

... 11.75

18.25

4- 6.50

Ever-conservative Wall St., af-4
ter much hesitation, appears now
convinced that the film industry
is a “good buy.” Investments in
pic stock issues over the past few
months have been consistently up-
beat and have pushed various
shares to new-high levels.

An analysis last fall of N. Y.
Stock Exchange trading showed
Gotham's financial district indif-
ferent to what was then being bill-
ed for the first time as Holly-
wood's new era. Although newly-
introduced techniques were bol-
stering business and a wave of
optimism was sweeping the indus-
try’ quotations on the big board
showed little confidence in the
welfare of pix.

As of last Oct. 6, for example, a
sixmonth comparison study (com-
paring the prices with the previ-
ous April 21) revealed that Loew’s
had dropped $2.50 per share and
closed at $10.75; National The-
atres fell from $7.12M> to $6; Para-
mount closed at $25.50 for a de-
cline of $2, and most of the other
issues were static.

Brokers at the time were still
fearful of the competitive effects
of television which, some felt,
overshadowed ,the benefits of the
new screen processes.

Since then, though, there’s been
a change of heart. Adjoining chart
shows the “then” and “now”
prices. In all cases, money men
large and small who invested in
and kept film stocks came out on
top.

Newsreels Won't Protest
Senate Hearing Brush;
Nix Fulltime Coverage

The newsreels* failure to line up
with radio and tv in vigorous pro-
tests against exclusion of the sight
and sound media from the upcom-
ing Senate committee hearings on
Sen. Joseph McCarthy is due to the
reels' disinterest in fulltime cover-
age.

Tom Meade, current chairman of
the Motion Picture Assn, of Ameri-
ca’s newsreel committee, said the
group had discussed the matter but
had decided against any official
protest. Meade, who is editor of
Universal’s reel,- Said the only
thing the newsreels were really in-
terested in was coverage of the
opening session, “and we’re quite
sure we’ll be able to get in for
that.”

— Sen. Arthur V. Watkins (R.,
Utah), chairman of the special Sen-
atorial panel that is to hear charges
against McCarthy, has banned both
tadio-tv and the reels from the
hearing room in reported effort to
keep proceedings orderly and the-
atrics to a minimum. The decision
has been attacked by the broad-
continued on page 18)

Stanwyck to Stir In
Bogeaus’ ‘Bow Timely’

“Bow Tamely to Me,'* Collier’s
j^agazine story by Kenneth Per-
kins, is to be picturized by pro-
ducer Benedict Bogeaus at RKO.

Barbara Stanwyck already is set
f°r a lead spot in the film, which
is to roll in October in the Super-
&cope process.

as

Now This -Makes Sense

Akron, O., Aug. 24.

No matter how much the
city of Akron needs additional
tax revenue, there is little
likelihood that Council will
reenact the 3% amusement
tax, repealed last Nov. 24.

Mayor Leo Berg, reflecting
Council’s sentiment, said, “The
theatre operators are having it
rough enough as it is.” The
tax was repealed after theatre
managers said it was neces-
sary if they were to continue
in business. •

moves on Local

Level by Fall

Film Industry can expect king-
size attempts to tax theatre admis-
sions on the local level,: that is by
city governments, sometime after
November, it’s feared by leaders of
the Council of Motion Picture Or-
ganizations.

There would have been moves to
take a slice of the b.o., such as
N. Y. City’s 5% tax grab, long be-
fore now had this been a non-elec-
tion- year, it's figured by the
COMPO-ites. But mindful of re-
percussions that a burdensome
levy might have created among
their constituents, mayors and lo-
cal lawmakers . are awaiting the
windup of the ballot-box sweep-
stakes,

Gotham, film execs point out, is
a unique situation where the con-
sciousness of the voters worked
the other way. The Mayor, Robert
F. Wagner’s Democratic adminis-
tration, used the tax in furthering
its fight with Republican Gov.
Thomas E. Dewey. In effect, Wag-
ner and his City Hall aides insisted
that theatres had to be tapped for
revenue because the necessary
state aid to the city was being
withheld by Dewey.

Meanwhile, N. Y. exhibs are still
hoping to upset the 5% bite in a
court fight.

Deny Skouras’ Move To
Nix $42,000,000 RKO Suit

Judge Sylvester Ryan in N. Y.
Federal Court yesterday (Tues.)
denied a motion by Skouras Thea-
tres for dismissal of a $42,000,000
action filed against Skouras by
RKO Theatres. The RKO action is
in the form of a cross complaint
within the framework of an $87,-
000,000 antitrust suit, instituted last
year by Skouras against the RKO
chain N. Y. and the distributors.

Ryan also decided to consolidate
the Skouras complaint with an-
other suit by the same plaintiff.
This asks damages of $14,000,000
(for a total of $101,000,000) and in-
cludes Loew’s among the defend-
ants. Loew’s is not a party to the
i $87,000,000 complaint.

■¥

My’ Role; to Play Maestro

Unique new motion picture, com-
pany has been formed in N* Y. by
Fred J. Schwartz, president of. Cen-
tury Theatres, and a group of 30
other exhibitors from across the
country. AH are in as' stockhold-
ers; Schwartz, as prexy, heads
management.

Company, called Distributors
Corp. of America, has a list of 10
feature properties lined up for re-
lease over the next two years, in-
cluding a picturization of “Finian’s
Rainbow,” legit musical, . rights
to which already have been ac-
quired; “Long John Silver,”
lensed both in Cinemascope and
standard ..format, already com-
pleted, will be the first pic sold.
The 10 pix ' combined will cost
$8,000,000 to $9,000,000,. according
to Schwartz.

Exec disclosed in N. Y. yester-
day (Tues.) that Charles Boasberg,
who resigned last week as general
sales manager of RKO, has joined
the new outfit as v.p. and general
sales chief. Schwartz said he
wants to keep the wraps on the .
Identity of his 30 exhib . partners
until a stockholders meeting is
held shortly to elect the board of
directors.

The prez - revealed that DCA’s—
he prefers that it's referred to only
by initials— mode of operation will
be “the finding and financing of
motion picture production for in-
dependent producers” in addition
to releasing product. Specifically,
DC A will acquire properties on its
own and assign them to indie film-
makers or will provide the produc-
tion money for indies who have
packaged properties. The company
intends to limit itself to a maxi-
mum of 12 features in any one
year, said Schwartz. .

Idea for such an exhib-formed
organization was proposed and
worked on about seven years
ago by S, H. (Si) Fabian. Many
of the most prominent circuit op-
erators of the nation showed in-
terest but backed away when it
came time to actually putting up
the money.

One of the unusual aspects of
(Continued on page 22)

Take Another Look, Boys

Film realism doesn’t always
pay off, as 20th-Fox is finding
out with its “The Egyptian.”

Picture has a scene showing
the supposedly-snaked Bella
Darvi reflected .^briefly in the
quivering waters of a pool.
The Pennsylvania censor board
took one look at this shot and *
decided it would have to come
out.

As of the weekend, 20th
execs were trying hard to con-
vince the board that . Miss
Darvi wasn’t naked at all; that
such , a shot obviously couldn’t
be taken on the stage of a
major company in Hollywood.

Pennsylvania finally con-
quered its imagination and let
the film pass without a cut. .

Herbert Greenblatt, distribution
vet, is now set as the next domes-
tic general sales manager of RKO.
Exec is now the company’s cen-
tral division chief, headquartering
in Chicago. Promotion of Green-
blatt is part of a complete upper
echelon sales realignment.

Charles Boasberg’s bowout from
the sales topper post and the upp-
ing of Walter Branson from foreign
manager to wordwide sales head
were disclosed by James R.
Grainger,, RKO president, the lat-
ter part of last week. In a move
which he had been considering for
some time, Boasberg resigned to
join Distributors Corp. of America,
(Continued on page 18)

National Boxoffice Survey

Biz Continues Stout; ‘Brides’ Leader, ‘Caine’ 2d,
‘Obsession’ 3d, ‘Cinerama,’ ‘Lance’ Next

Recently launched product is
giving a hypo to first-run biz gen-
erally this stanza as a return of hot
weather did not appear to hurt
trade in big key cities covered by
Variety. Current week winds up
one of strongest months of August
recalled by exhibitors in many
years, with unusually potent pic-
tures paying off in spades.

“7 Brides For 7 Brothers” is
moving up into first place, this be-
ing the initial session it has been
on release extensively. Even with
half the money it is getting in its
fifth week at the huge N. Y. Music
Hall, this musical wojild easily pace
the pack.

“Caine Mutiny” (Col) is moving
up to second position. It was third
a week ago. “Magnificent Obses-
sion” (U), champ last round, is fin-
ishing in third spot, mainly being
on extended-run.

“Cinerama” (indie) again is
fourth, a natural development since
playing in the same key cities.
“Broken Lance” (20th), second last
session, is dipping to fifth. “Gone
With Wind” (M-G) (reissue) is cap-
turing sixth, same as a week ago. .

“Living It Up” (Par) continues a
great moneymaker, taking seventh
spot in national ratings. It has been
high on the list for weeks. “Susan
Slept Here” (RKO) is making a
much better, showing than previ-
1 ously, to cop eighth place. “King

Richard and Crusaders” (WB) is
winding up in ninth while
“Apache” rounds out the Big 10
list.

“Francis Joins Wacs” (U), “High
and Mighty” (WB) and “Valley of
Kings” (M-G) are the runner-up
films in that order. “Mighty” has
been high on list for a number of
stanzas, now having finished most
of its bigger first-run playdates.

“Rear Window” (Par) again
plainly indicates it will be a smash
grosser when it gets around in the
keys. It still is terrific in N. Y.
and L.A., and hung up a new rec-
ord opening week in Philly. “On
Waterfront” (Col) is proving just
as sock in additional cities where
opened this round as it was initial
week at N. Y. Astor.

“Dragnet” (WB) shapes as a
potentially great newcomer pred-
icated on its mighty take in Chi
and its near-record biz in N. Y. at
the Victoria. “Vanishing Prairie”
(Disney) also looms very big, being
smash in most keys currently, prac-
tically its first week out on release.

“Black Shield of Falworth” (U)
also shapes as a hefty new entry,
being torrid in Chi and lusty in
K.C. “Man With Million” (UA) is
sturdy in Toronto and Balto and
good in N. Y. and Boston.

“Duel in Jungle” (WB) is on dis-
appointing side currently but okay
in L-A. “Knock on Wood” (Par) is
fancy in Chi and fast in Cleveland.

( Complete Boxoffice Reports on
Pages 8-9)

eatres Prior to I V

Chicago, Aug, 24.

Reversing the “Dragnet” cycle—
i.e. from tv to: motion pictures—
Jack Webb is aiming to test publia
acceptance of his new role as band-
leader in “Pete Kelly’s Blues” in
theatres before attempting tele-
visation of a new series. Webb’s
concern over “Blues” is a matter
of plunging another iron into the
fire, “just in case the public should
become surfeited with the Sergeant
,Friday # role.”

There are two good reasons,
Webb told Variety, for trying out
“Pete Kelly’s Blues” first as a mo-
tion picture. For one, he felt d
lV6-houc color film would give au-
diences a better sampling of the
new Series’ flavor than would a
pilot film, and a check of theatre
grosses around the country could
help determine “whether or not it
makes sense to^ pursue the Idea.”
Secondly, Webb pointed out; ' “a
theatrical version would enable me
to be at two places at once, shoot-
ing the picture while the new
‘Dragnet’ tv series is being run off
in the spring.”

Webb’s new role is that of a
Dixieland bandleader in Kansas
City during the 1920s. Story would
have a background of the speak-
easies and would portray a com-
pletely different segment of life
than is normally seen on tv. Said.

(Continued on page 18)

Tap S-W for $1,000,000
To Complete 7 Wonders’
In Cinerama Process

With Lowell Thomas set to per-
sonally produce “Seven Wonders
of the World” in the Cinerama
process, Stanley-Warner Is being
tapped for $1;000,000 to complete
the film, for which considerable
footage has already been lensed.

Walter Thompsoh, associated
(Continued on page 54)

i •

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INDEX

Bills 54

Chaitter 62

Film Reviews 6

House Reviews 55

Inside Legit , . ... 56

Inside Pictures .-...• 22

Inside Radio . TV 30

International 12

Legitimate 56 .

Literati 61

Music . 38

New Acts 53

Night Club Reviews 52

Obituaries 63

Pictures 3

Radio-Television 23

Radio Reviews 30

Record Reviews 38

Television Reviews 26

Frank Scully 61

TV-Filrtis ; . - . 34

Unit Review ...... 52

Vaudeville • 47

DAILY VARIETY

(Published lit Hollywood by
Dally Variety. Ltd.l
$15 a Year $20 Foreign

PICTURES

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

r 4

Of Names, Sez Cu

Availability of top b.o. stars in
Hollywood is so limited that a num-
ber of good properties have been
shelved for want of leading play-
ers. Michael Curtiz reported in
N.Y. last week (20),

East to plug “The Egyptian,"
which he directed, Curtiz said he
was disturbed over the lack of new
names and the studios’ hesitancy
to do something about it. "When
they’re big, right away they want
* fabulous salary and 50%. of the
profits," complained the man who
counts among his "discoveries”
Errol Flynn and Doris Day.

Curtiz added that it was the pub-
lic that was primarily to blame for
this situation, since it apparently
refuses to be drawn into, the thea-
tres by unknowns. "The result is"
he observed, "that we. keep using
the same old people, over and over
again, and naturally they’re get-
ting a high price. Hollywood bet-
ter start worrying about the devel-
opment of new talent in its pic-
tui-es.” The director said it was
his practice to use unknowns
alongside more experienced play-
ers.

In his own case, Curtiz revealed
that under his last Warner Bros,
contract, which gave him a 25%
profit participation, he had lost
money. He attributed this to “high
overhead" written off against the
pictures, ,

Curtiz disclosed he has a new
five-year contract with Paramount
which provides for a flat salary.

(Continued on page 16)

Threat to U.S. Coin

Beset with economic difficulties,
the Indonesian government has re-
vived the thseat of a 6636% tax on
U.S. film remittances and is also
holding up coin due the distribs
from 1953.

Irving Maas, Motion Picture Ex-
port Assn, rep, is currently in In-
donesia in an effort to forestall the
tax, which is considered prohibi-
tive. The Indonesians, who author-
ized remittance of some $300,000
earlier in the year — covering part
of the 1953 earnings — have delayed
sending through the rest, amount-
ing to about $1,000,000.

Question pending now is wheth-
er, in addition to the 1954 earn-
ings, the .66%% levy also applies
to the 1953 remittables.

ATLAS HOLDS 884,900
SHARES OF RKQ COMMON

Atlas Corp., investment trust
headed by Floyd Odium, held
884,900 • shares of RKO Pictures
Corp, common stock as of last June
30, the company’s half-year finan-
cial report discloses. The stock
had an estimated market value of
$5,530,620.

RKO Pictures is the holding
company from which Howard
Hughes acquired all film assets.
It’s a corporate shell whose only
asset is cash.

Atlas portfolio also includes
5,000 shares of Loew’s, valued at
$72,500 and picked up in the first
half of this year; 25,000 Paramount
shares valued at $793,750, and
101,100 shares of Walt Disney Pro-
ductions valued at $1,085,750.

Call RKO Theatre Mgrs.

For Special N.Y. Meeting

All RKO Theatres managers in
the N. Y. metropolitan area have
been called to a special meeting
at the 20lh-Fox homeoffice tomor-
row (Thurs.) by William Howard,
V.p. of the chain.

Purpose of the session is to
bring the theatremen up to date on
new developments in 20th’s Cine-
mascope process. Film company’s
“The Egyptian" will be screened.

20th’s 30G ‘Saturday’ Buy

"Violent Saturday," a novel by
William L. Heath, due for publica-
tion by Harper’s next year, has
been acquired by 20th-Fox for
$30,000.

Story tells of the effect of a bank
robbery oh the lives of several
people in a small town.

rt % Blames Public

Bonus Import License To
Par on Jap ‘Stalag’ Award

Merit award for its . “Stalag 17"
has earned Paramount a bQnus
import licence from the Japanese
government. This gives. Par 17 li-
censes for the 1954-55 film- year
which started April 1, ’54.

The Japanese government in
April set aside six merit awards
carrying a bonus import license as
a» prize. They’re being handed out
at the rate of' three every six
months. Japanese licenses are val-
ued highly by the American dis-
tribs. The two other bonus permits
have been handed to French films.

, Japanese allocation for U. S.
distribs, determined by Tokyo au-
thorities, originally gave Metro and
Par, 16; Warner Bros., 14; 20th-
Fox, 13; Universal and RKO, 10;
Columbia, nine; Republic, six and
United Artists, five.

Three indie productions— two of
them British— are being acquired
by 20th-Fox for Worldwide distri-
bution in a move to pad out the
distrib’s release sked.

Titles are "The Outlaw’s Daugh-
ter,” made by Edward Alperson
Jr. in Hollywood, and "Black 13"
and "Devil’s Point," both British.
Trio is being bought on an outright,
sale basis. 20th is also interested
in a fourth indie production.

According to William C. Gehring,
20th exec assistant sales head,
20th’s requirements for outside
2-D product are now satisfied, "We
wouldn’t take on any other films
unless something unusual was of-
fered to us," he said.

Production at 20th has for many
months been converted completely
to Cinemascope. However, the
company felt that, during exhibi-
tion’s conversion period to C’Scope,
it needed 2-D pix, particularly
since many houses are retaining
their double bills ahd are coupling
2-D and Cinema-Scope releases to
do so. Also, with more than 7,000
theatres now converted to C’Scope,
this still leaves a goodly number
to be serviced with standard pix.

Mollified, Columbia Does
Not Insist ’Waterfront’ Be
Official Venice Entry

Having received assurances that
its indie Venice festival entry, "On
the Waterfront,” will receive the
full benefit of Motion Picture Ex-
port Assn, publicity, Columbia now
is no longer insisting that the film
be made an official MPEA selec-
tion.

It was said at the association that
Columbia was now satisfied that
“Waterfront” would be given the
same buildup as the regular MPEA
entries; Quite apart from that,
Marlon Brando, star of the pic, will
be in Venice for the occasion and
MPEA will naturally make use of
him.

Earlier Col insistance that "Water-
front" be included among the of-
ficial assn, choices proved to be a
source of embarrassment for the
Export office. Col already has one
picture entered in Venice via
MPEA— "The Caine Mutiny"— and
acceptance of a second film would
certainy have brought complaints
from other majors whose pix were
rejected by the MPEA selection
committee.

1st Brit. VistaVision Pic

London, Aug. 24.

First British production in the
VistaVision process is skedded to
start rolling at Pinewood Studios
before 'the end of the year. Sub-
ject picked is "The Life of George
Wilson," a circus yarn authored by
Neil Paterson.

Farrow’* Christ Tale

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Llraen Productions, John Far-
row’s new indie company, will tee
off with “Son of Man,” Farrow’s
own story of Christ, early next
year. Currently he has a commit-
ment to direct "Sea Chase” for
Warners.

Meanwhile Farrow is talking a
deal with RKO for the film rights
to two properties, “Cimmaron”
and "Five Came Back," for his new
outfit.

SIMPP Again to Press For
Full Convertibility On
Coin in New Anglo Pact

Society of Independent Motion
Picture Producers, as it has .done
in the past, will press for complete
convertibility of film earnings
When the Anglo-American talks for
a new film agreement open in
Washington Sept. 27.

In N. Y. last week, Ellis Arnall,
SlMPP puexy, said he had been
contacted by the British Embassy
which relayed a query from Sir
Frank Lee in Britain, asking
Whether the Sept. 27 date was okay
with the indies. Latter will be
repped at the talks by Arnall and
James Mulvey, president of Gold-
wyri Productions.

It’s now certain that there won’t
be separate negotiations with the
British by the Motion Picture Ex-
port Assn, and SIMPP. MPEA
prez Eric Johnston, in a letter
dated Aug. 16, invited SIMPP to
join in the British talks.

Outlook for full convertibility in
Britain is dim, in the opinion .pf|
American observers. When asked
about this recently, Tom O’Brien,
general secretary of Britain’s Na-
tional Assn, of Theatrical & Kine
Employees, said Britain wasn’t
ready for such a move yet and that;
when it came, it would fit into the
overall economic picture. The
Americans can be expected to ask
for a raising of the base remittance
figure in view of Britain current
favorable, dollar balance. For the
past several years, that base
has • been $17,000,000 with over-
all remittances totaling around
$23,000,000.

JERSEY HOUSE ANNI AS

SALUTE TO SI FABIAN

*

Paterson, N. J., Aug. 24.

Community brass and film and
theatre execs from N. Y. joined at
the Regent Theatre here tonight
(TuesJ. in a celebration marking
the 40th anniversary of the house
and a salute to S. H. (Si) Fabian,
president of Stanley Warner. In-
cluded on the program was the
showing of vintage film shorts
originally screened at the Regent,
which is a S-W outlet’, years ago.

Fabian began his business career
at the Regent 40 years ago, work-
ing for his father who had built
the house.

Circuit Operators Trio
To Chair TOA Convention

Trio of circuit operators have
been named co-chairmen of the
Theatre Owners of America con-
vention set for Oct. 31-Nov. 4 in
Chicago. They are Roy Cooper,
Cooper Theatre Corp., San Fran-
cisco; George Kerasotes, Rerasotes
Theatres, Springfield, 111., and
Horace penning, Dixie Drive-In
Theatres, Jacksonville.

Giving the job to three men will
mean representation for the west-
ern, central and eastern areas,

Europe to N. Y.

Rita Allen
Julie Andrews
Eric Berry ’

Stella Claire
Alistair Cooke
Peter Cusick
Ed Fitzgerald
Arlie Furman
Patricia Gaston
John Heavvood
John Hewer
Geoffrey Hibbert
Millicent Martin
Eileen Murphy
Syd Silverman
Mary Sinclair
Spyros P. Skouras
Alfred Starr
Ann Wakefield

‘Coltore’ in Commie Poland

(The following is A quotation from a preface to "Polish Film,”
an illustrated catalog of Polish cinematograph ip accomplishments
issued by the Polish Embassy in Washington*— Ed . )

“Many of those who are making Polish films today — ftiany of 0 ur
progressive film directors, cameramen and producers — were al-
ready working! in films before the war. But it is only now, in the
conditions created for them by the qare of the State, that their
talents have found full opportunity for development.

“Films in People’s Poland have now became a cultural necessity
for the great masses of the people . . . The fact that culture is now
regarded as a necessity by the masses has not only meant an
immense increase in book-reading, but has- also led to an un-
precedented increase in the number of cinemas.”

Spiegel to Huddle O’Seas
With Johnston on MPEA

Marc Spiegel, Continental man-
ager for. the Motion Picture Export
Assn., leaves N. Y. tomorrow
(Thurs.) on the Liberte for his
Paris headquarters.

He expects to meet in Europe
with MPEA prexy Eric Johnston
when the latter passes through
Paris on his way to the Venice
film festival. Spiegel himself
doesn’t plan to attend the Venice
fest.

Paramount’s estimated earnings
climbed to $3,962,000 for the six
months ended last July 3, equal to
$1.79 per common share, the com-
pany disclosed last week. At the
same time the Par board of direc-
tors, at a N. Y. meeting, voted a
third quarter stock dividend of
50c per share, payable Sept, 14 to
holders of record on Sept. 1, thus
containing the annual $2 rate.

Contributing to the half-year up-
beat was a net profit '‘of $832,000
on what, was termed the "adjust-
ment of investments in subsidiary
and affiliated companies." This
presumably was in reference to a
public sale by the company of a
(Continued on page 20)

Huston to India Next Year
For ’King,’ 1st AA Stint;
Studio Work Set for Brit.

London, Aug. 24.
When he has completed his
chore on "Moby Dick,” currently
on location in Fishguard, early
next year, John Huston planes to
India and Pakistan to scout loca-
tions and size up the atmosphere
for "The Man Who Would be
King,” the Kipling story. • "King”
will be his first production under
the Allied Artists banner.

Humphrey Bogart will play one
Of the two leads, and the pic is
expected to swing into production
in the fall of 1955. Apart from the
extensive eastern locations, the
studio work for this $2,000,000 opus
(Continued on page 16)

N. Y. to Europe

Joan Bennett
Herb Golden
Robert J. Landry
Walter Lantz
Ilya Lopert
Mark Spiegel
Walter Wanger

N. Y.toL. A.

Irving Berlin
Bebe Daniels
Tom Ewell
Martin Goodman
Gaston Hakim
Hampton Howard
Wilfred Jackson
Harvey Lembeck
Fred Lynch
Ben Lyon
Ozzie Nelson
Eugene J. Zukor

■ Film companies are stepping up
the use of off-beat personalities
for hinterland bally tours timed to
coincide with the opening of im-
portant pictures in particular com-
munities. While it’s admitted that
big name stars of the pictures
would be the most valuable, they
are not usually .available for ex-
tended tours because of prior com-
mitments. The pix ballyhooligans,
employing ingenuity, have come up
with all sorts of gimmicks that pay
off space-wise almost as much as
touring, the big name personalities.

The experience of the publicity
men has been that newspapers,
'while tough on canned film items,
are friendly to in-person Holly-
wood interviews. A starlet, a mod-
el, a producer, a writer, or any
person connected in some manner
with the picture .can serve as an
important entre for newspaper
space and for local' radio-tv time.
The batch of clippings and reports
of radio-tv airings reaching the
homeoffice publicity chiefs daily
attest to the value of the road trips.
Stars, when available, are usually
employed for key city in-person ap-
pearances or for network radio-tv
plugs. " However, the grass roots
good will is built up by a group
of comparative unknowns, some
whose connection with the film biz
(Continued on page 22)

On 'Aida Film

IFE Releasing Corp. is virtually
staking its future on the success
of "Aida" and three other top
Italian color attractions skedded for
release between October and De-
cember of this year.

Italo outfit, which has been run-
ning in the red with only one
strong grosser-^" Anna" — for the
fijrst half of the year, is confident
that it has now been handed the
kind of product which can throw
a hefty b.o. punch and is gearing
up to cash in on these values.

Expectations for "Aida," which
is to be presented in the U. S. by
Sol Hurok, is for $2,000,000 in
gross rentals, the spectacle to be
pitched at what Bernard J.acon,
v.p. in charge of sales, calls ‘‘both
the mass and the class audience."

(Continued on page 16)

L. A. to N. Y.

Robert Audrey
Anne Bancroft
James Barton
Ernest Borgnine
Joan Caulfield
Michael Curtiz
Dan Dailey
Danny Dare
William Dieterle
Nanette Fabray
Andy Hervey
Joni James
Walter Kane
Milton Krasner
Gene Lockhart
Jerry Pickman
Otto Preminger
Don Quinn.

Johnnie Ray
Hal Roach Jr. ■

Frank Ross
Elton Rule
Willard Sage
William Saroyan
Ellen Siegel
Dennis Stock
Gene Tierney
Pat Weaver
J. Arnold Weissberger
Michael Wilding

doth rix, Legii rrojecis on axea

In a « surprise tieup, . William ^
Goldman, millionaire Philadelphia
exhibitor, and Paul Gregory, legit
producer, have formed a partner-
ship- company to produce both pix
and stage presentations. Each owns
50 Co of the outfit, which is named
Gregory-Goldman Enterprises, Inc.

Initial plans call for one stage
project and two pictures in the
first year of the operation. Not
covered in the deal is “Night of
the Hunter,” now shooting. This
is Gregory’s first pic-making ven-
ture and it’s slated as an indie re-
lease via United Artists, which set
up the financing.

Key role in bringing Goldman
and Gregory together was held by
William Zimmerman, an attorney
formerly with RKO and now asso-
ciated with the N. Y. firm of Leon,
Weill & Mahony. In behalf- of
Goldman, who’s had a yen for
some time to segue into pro-
duction, Zimmerman approached
Gregory via his Coast legal rep,
Gordon (Tubby) Youngman. Lat-
ter, incidentally, also is a former.
RKO lawyer. Despite the fact that
he has his pic in work, Gregory
came into N. Y. from Hollywood
last week to see Goldman on the
arrangements.

Laughton on Call

Zimmerman will continue work
with the company, handling both
business and legalistic matters.
He’s also going on the board, along
with Goldman, Gregory, Young-
man, William Loudermilk (who’s
treasurer of Goldman Theatres)
and an associate of Gregory’s oh
the legit end.

Services of Charles Laughton
will be available to the company
(Continued on page 20)

H’ wood’s Quick Blast Back
At Charge It Lampoons
Aged; Points to Record

Hollywood was quick to blast
back last week at an attack bn it,
which alleged lampooning of the

aged in films. Original blast came
from a committee of N. Y. State
legislators in Albany. Reporting
on “Problems of the Aging,” the
group, headed hy Sen. Thomas C.
Desmond of Newburgh, called
Hollywood “the arch foe of the na - 1
lion’s senior citizens.”

It went on to complain that “the
only roles Hollywood associates
with later life are those of the
irascible spinster, the garrulous
grandpa, the Helen Hokinson-type
grandma, the seedy aged tramp
and the meddling aunt.”

Coming to the defense -of the
filmmakers, the Motion Picture
Assn, of America rebuked- commit-
tee members for having “miyast
themselves in a hero’s role by
their intemperate attack on Holly-
wood” and for having done “a
grave disservice to the sincere
cause of America’s senior citizens
(Continued on page 18)

COLMAN COLLECTS 75G
ON ‘CHAMPAGNE’ PAY

Los Angeles, Aug. 24.
Ronald Colman was awarded
$75,000 in his suit against Cardinal
Pictures Inc, and Yoland Produc-
tions in Superior Court. Action in-
volved the film, “Champagne for
Caesar,” in which Colman starred
in 1949.

In addition to the $75,000, rep-
resenting unpaid salary, the actor
'vas awarded 7% interest from
April 27, 1952.

1, 000-Car Coast Drive-In

Los Angeles, Aug. 24.
..New 1,000-car drive-in theatre,
rne Sundown, will be opened to-
morrow (Wed.) in nearby Whittier
ny Hugh Bruen, who also operates
inree conventional theatres in
that town.

up * 0r the first week are
valley of the Kings” and “The
® s ^ e rado.” Theatre lias equip-
e nt for all types of widescreen*

Double-Standard

Chicago, Aug. 24.
Theatremen here are winc-
ing over the irony in the city’s
blocking of minors from thea-
tres on adults-only pix/
According to state law, a.
girl is declared . a full-fledged
woman at the age of 18 —
meaning she can marry sans
parental consent and- can order
a drink in a saloon legally.
By censorial rules, however,
she has to wait three more
years until she’s 21 before
she’s permitted to see an adult
film.

Suggestion that the distribs cut
their salesmen in on the profits
both to raise morale and establish

better exhib relations was made
in Champaign-Urbana, 111., last
week by George Kerasotes, United
Theatre Owners of Illinois v.p.

Addressing a regional meet of
the Theatre Owners ' of America
affiliate, Kerasotes also charged
that “the dictatorial and auto-
cratic policies of the major film
companies have lowered the stan-
dards of business ethics and are
destroying equitable business rela-
tions with exhibitors.”

“The present-day film salesman
is nothing more than a robot sent
out on the road in the lowest-
priced automobile obtainable,” he
declared. “He is provided with a
printed form of selling instruc-
tions, from which he is not per-
mitted to deviate, no matter what j
conditions or situation exists in re-
gard to the problem of the exhib-
itor. I have often wondered why
the film companies have salesmen.
Why shouldn’t they just make a
tape recording and mail it out with
(Continued on page 18)

‘FRENCH LINE’ GIVEN
4-WALL ENGAGEMENTS

Minneapolis, Aug. .24.

“The French Line” finallv has
cracked local four-wall theatres
following its Twin Cities’ first-runs
at two ozoners here and a St.Paul
neighborhood house.

Four of the W. R. Frank circuit
Minneapolis neighborhood theatres
are playing the controversial pic-
ture day and date. At this writing,
so far as can be learned, no trouble
has been encountered.

Picture ran four and a half
weeks at one of the local drivein
theatres and a week and a half at
the other without squawks and to
huge business, it’s claimed. It also :
chalked up boff grosses during its ■
two St. Paul nabe house weeks, but
the theatre was picketed by repre-
sentatives of religious organiza-
tions. At the engagement’s end the
theatre shuttered permanently.

Golden O’Seas to Gander
Indie Production, Vidpix

Herb Golden, Bankers Trust Co.
assistant v.p., accompanied by his
wife, planed out of N. Y. yesterday
(Tues.) on a five-week European
trek. First stop will be Venice to
chtch the current Film Festival,
followed by visits to Rome r Paris
and London.

Golden will look in on various
phases of indie production abroad,
including the lensing of telepix for
the U. S. market. BT has numer-
ous indie pic accounts and is now
investigating the field of tv film
production abroad.

More and more, a significantly-
sized segment of film exhibition is
Veering toward lotigrun (meaning
months on end) engagements. It’s
part of the “new era” in the pic-
ture business.

In N, Y., “This Is Cinerama” is
nearing the two-year mark and
still going strong. This is a rarity
in. show business annals, of course.
But rarity or not, in trader opinion
it’s a factor which, along with oth-
er portents, is bringing the pic-
ture of the future into focus. Cin-
erama has set the precedent..

Theatre officials hasten to un-
derline that such long-distance
holding over will never be
commonplace. But they do point
to evidences that there will be a
greater number of houses, particu-
larly the showcases, tied up with
extended runs spanning periods of
months.

Upcoming Colossals

Key reason is the upcoming
flock of “super-colossals” from
Hollywood. (There could be among
them one that might even chal-
lenge the phenonemal staying
power demonstrated by Cinerama,
it’s observed).

Pix cited by exhib officials in-
cluded Metro’s “Ben Hur,” Walt
Disney’s “20,000 Leagues Under
the Sea,” Warner’s’ “A Star Is
Born,” RKO’s “The Conqueror, ”
Paramount’s “Ulysses” and Cecil
B. DeMiUe’s “Ten Command-
ments.”

These are some of the . future
pix regarded as relatively mam-
(Continued on page 18)

Inti Tieup Of

Theatremen Off

Chances of getting U. S. the-
atremen and .their ‘ counterparts
abroad together under the same
organizational roof are now nil.
The idea might be revived some-
time in the future, but for the
time being all efforts toward an
international association has been
called off.

Specific proposal had at its start-
ing point the affiliation of The-
atre Owners of America with Eng-
land’s Cinematograph Exhibitors
Assn. The setup was to have as its
purpose a common understanding
of each other’s problems — sort of
a joint working together for the
common good. There would be, for
example, a clearing house of ideas
on how-to cope with rising opera-
tion costs, the difficulties In con-
verting to new screen techniques,
etc.

Upsetting the plan is the J. Ar-
thur Rank organization in London.
Rank’s recent bowout from CEA
membership, over division of Eady
Fund benefits, removed from CEA
the extent of British exhib repre-
sentation which would be required
in an Anglo-American theatre or-
ganization, it’s now felt.

U.S. Info Agency Lining Up
Pix Talent for Far East
Anti-Red Propaganda

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Paul Conroy and Keith Adam-
son, representing the U. S. Infor-
mation Agency, are in town to
round up writers and other film
talent for a campaign again com-
my propaganda in the Far East.
In cooperation with the Motion
Picture Council, they will inter-
view foreign language specialists
with professional experience in
writing and editing.

Object is to find writers with a
knowledge of one or more of the
following languages: Korean, Can-
tonese, Mandarin, Amoy, Japanese,
Indonesian, Burmese, Thai Viet-
namese, Russian, Croatian, Geor-
gian, Turkish, Italian, Greek,
Arabic, German, Lithuanian and
Armenian.

nrstruns tor 1st lime in rears;

Cartoons Go European !

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Woody Woodpecker is going
abroad in his next series for
UI release. Producer Walter
Lantz is heading for Europe
with 4,000 feet of film to shoot
backgrounds in various coun-
tries o.ver a period of two
months. •

First of the new series will
be “Woody Woodpecker in
Paris.”

Since ‘Robe’ For
NX’s “Egyptian’

Splashiest preem since “The
Robe” had a gala assembly crowd-
ing into the Roxy Theatre, N. Y.,
last night (Tues.) to attend the
opening of 20th-Fox’s “The Egyp-
tian,” Darryl F. Zanuck’s first per-
sonal production in Cinemascope.

Occasion topped a vigorous and
unprecedently largescale ad-pub
campaign to sell the film version
of the Mike Waltari bestseller.
Blueprinted and . conducted hy
Charles Einfeld, 20th v.p., the
drive to plug “The Egyptian” was
carried out with, a view to maxi-
mum penetration and used every
available medium, notably televi-
sion.

Cost of the campaign is l esti-
mated at around $1,000,000. Among
the features of the drive are an
unprecedented billboard campaign;
a traveling exhibit showing items
from the pic and featuring among
other things lion and leopard cubs;
a number of lecturers, notably
Bert Lytell, to tell the story of the
making of the pic to clubs and
other groups; extensive fashion
and other tieups, etc.

Preem last night, a benefit af-
fair for the March of Dimes Emer-
gency Fund Raising Campaign, had
unusual double tv coverage, with
WABC-TV transmitting “live”
from the Roxy from 8 to 8:30 p.m.
and WPIX carrying a kinescope of
the proceedings later in the eve-
ning. Several stars from the pic as
well as a lineup of celebrities at-
tended.

Spyros P. Skouras, 20th prexy,
(Continued on page 20)

NORWEGIAN PIX DEAL
EXTENDED TO OCT. 1

Current Norwegian film deal has
been extended to Oct. 1, giving the
Americans additional time to try
and work out a new arrangement.

The old pact was cancelled by
the Norwegians, who refused to
grant special rental terms for
CinemaScope and other “specials.”
Under the terms of that agree-
ment, these “specials” are entitled
to rentals up to 45%, The ceiling
oh the rest is 40%.

The old deadline for the agree-
ment was Sept. 1. It later was
extended to Sept. 15. The new
expiration date is now Oct. 1.

Downey Retiring As
Metro Branch Manager

Frank J. Downey, Metro branch
manager, will retire on Sept. 1 af-
ter 34 years with the company. He
joined the Goldwyn organization in
1920 as a salesman, remained after
the M-G amalgamation and be-
came a branch manager in 1926,
Succeeding him is Louis Marks,
promoted from assistant manager
in Detroit. Marks has been with
the company since 1937.

Chicago, Aug. 24.

For the first time in many
years, none of Chicago's 13 flrstrun
houses is showing a double feature.
It’s a reflection of the industry’s
movement in the direction of big-
ger, better and more expensive pix
that the filmeries have settled
down to one feature apiece, each a
fairly strong item.

Not that the dualers necessarily
are gone for good. So far, houses
like, the B&K Roosevelt and United
Artists, the JL&S McVickers, and
the New Grand haven’t committed
themselves to exclusive single-
feature policies. But the present
situation points in that direction,
as each of the onceregular double-
, features houses is doing at least
as well— and very often better —
with a single good attraction.

House records, were broken at
four usually double-feature thea-
tres sooner or later after they
switched to a single attraction.
Roosevelt slew ’em with “Apache”
in mid-July, and a week later
United Artists broke a 20-year
money record with first run of
“Magnificent Obsession,” which is
still going strong. House has “Gone.
With the Wind” to follow. . First
(Continued on page 18)

FWC Mgrs. Get Back Cut
In Concessions After Big
Huddle With Skouras

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Fox West Coast’s theatre man-
agers’ participation in concessions
was restored to 4% over the week-
end following a meeting between
Charles P. Skouras, circuit presi-
dent, and a seven-man committee
representing managers in each of
the theatre chain’s Southern Cali-
fornia districts.

Committee was appointed by
each district manager at the re-
quest of Skouras, who called the
huddle to iron out the problems
and misunderstandings that had
arisen when the cut from 4c on the
profit dollar to2V&cwas announced
at a special meeting held last
Tuesday (17). Cut had come as a
surprise to many of the managers,
most of whom apparently had not
understood the reasons for it.

While restoring the cut, includ-
ing managers’ responsibility for
(Continued on page 20)

TUCSON WILL INHERIT
WB’S PIONEER VILLAGE

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Warners’ pioneer village, built
near Tucson for Mervyn LeRoy’s
“Strange Lady in Town,” will be
turned over to that city when the
shooting is ended.

Village consists of 34 adobe and
frame buildings, including a mis-
sion, hospital, primitive laundry
and a plaza. The Junior Chamber
of Comerce will used it as a tour-
ist attraction.

Vallee’s O’Seas Pic Date;
Angling Brit. Niteries

Boston, Aug. 24.
Following his current , week at
the Cape Playhouse, Dennis, Mass.,
Rudy Vallee will bow. out of his
tour of “Jenny Kissed Me” to fly
to Europe, where he's skedded to
go before the camera in the Jane
Russell starrer, “Gentlemen Marry
Brunettes.”

Vallee, who celebrated his 25th
anni in show biz while appearing
at the Bradford Roof here last
week, has been inked to play the
role of a middleage bachelor in the
pic and is slated to remain in
Europe for at least 10 weeks. He
also expects, if the shooting sked
permits, to nab a few nitery dates
in England before returning to
the U. S.

6 FILM REVIEWS

• Wednfday, AwkmI 25. M5a

The Egyptian

(CINEMASCOPE-COLOR)

1 11 ^ i .

Spectacular .and ambitiously
mounted version of Mika Wal-
tari’s bestselling “The Egyp-
tian,” laid against a back*
ground of ancient Egypt. A
showmanship special with
built-in b.o. lure.

Twentieth Century-Pox release of Dar-
ryl F. Zanugk production. Stara .Jean
Simmons. Victor Mature, Gene Tierney,
Michael Wilding. Bella Darvi, Peter Us-
tinov, Edmund Purdom, Judith Evelyn;
features Henry Daniell, John Carradine,
Carl Benton Reid. Tommy Rettlf, Ajiitra
Stevens. Donna Martelf. Directed hy
Michael Curtiz. Screenplay, Casey Robin-
son and Philip Dunne; based- on' Mika
Waltari novel of same title; camera (East-
manColor), Leon Shamroy; editor, Bar-
bara McLean; music, Alfred Newman ana
Bernard Herrmann. Previewed Aug. 10,
'54 in N. Y. Running time, 140 MINS.

Merit ....
Horemheb
Balcetamon
Akhnaton
Nefer

> « • «

* * • i

, * m • i

> • « 1

. . Jean Simmons
, . . Victor Mature
Gene Tierney
.Michael Wilding
. . Bella Darvi

Kaptah . Peter Ustinov

Sinuhe J .Edmund Purdom

Tala Judith Evelyn

Mikere .Henry Daniell

Grave Robber John Carradine

Senmut ....Carl Benton Reid

Thoth Tommy Rettig

Nefertitl Antira Stevens

Lady In Waiting Donna Martell

First Princess Mimi Gibson

Egyptian Dancer. . .Carmen de LavaUade

Nubian Harry Thompson

Priests . George Melford,

Lawrence Ryle

Liblan Guards Tiger Joe Marsh

Karl Davis

Captain Ian MacDonald

Sinuhe (age 10) Peter Raynolds

Officer .....Michael Granger

Nubian Prince Don Blackman

Governess Joan Winfield

Death House Foreman . . Mike Mazurki

( Aspect ratio : 2.55 to 1)

The decision to bring Mika Wal-
tari’s masterly, scholarly-detailed
♦‘The Egyptian” to the screen must
have taken a lot of courage for this
is a long way off the standard spec-
tacle beat. The book tells a . strange
and unusual story laid against the
exotic and yet harshly realistic
background of the Egypt of 33 cen-
turies ago, when there was a. Pha-
raoh who believed in one god, and
a physician— a man or rare quality
—who through suffering and exile
glimpsed a great truth and tried to
live it.

without infusing the soldier-leader
with some of the distinctive quali-
ties Waltari gave him in. his book,.
A hot-tempered man, spoiling for
a fight and frustrated by the Pha-
raoh’s refusal to allow it, Mature
shapes Horemheb info a colorful
figure,

Michael Wilding as Akhnaton,
the epileptic emperdr, who dies of
Sinuhe’s poison with a prayer to
his one god oh his lips, gives a
restrained performance that ranks
among the best in the picture. He
is the gentle, forgiving Pharaoh of
“The Egyptian,” and his final
scene with Purdom and. Mature
helps shape a resoundingly effec-
tive climax. Gene Tierney is beau-
tiful and cold, as the script re-
quires, in the role of Sinuhe’s half-
sister. Judith Evelyn as the Queen
Mother does herself proud in a
small but important part,

A delightfully humorous portrait
is delivered by Peter “Ustinov as
Purdom’s opportunist^, servant. His
is one of the best performances
in the picture. Megging by Curtiz
keeps in mind the film's multiple j
facets. Where some parts tend to
be ponderous, others pound with
the excitement and romance of this
little known era.

There is visual delight in Pur-
dom’s and Mature’s lion-hunting
expedition aboard a chariot with
Mature killing the lion just before
he attacks the praying Pharaoh.
The market scene, showing work-
men moving the large stone slabs
for the pyramids, has an air of
reality and drama. And that flair
for authenticity and realism is
again evident in the sequence with
Purdom, realizing he has been
fooled by Miss Darvi, tries to
strangle her. As added inducement,
Curtiz has thrown in an intriguing
teaser scene showing the supposed*
ly-naked figure of Miss Darvi re-
flected in the quivering waters of
a pool.

Those who come looking for an
exact translation of “The Egyptian”
to the screen will likely leave dis-
appointed, for — of necessity — -a
good part of the novel not relevant

In his ambitious production of
“The Egyptian,” Darryl F. Zanuck
has not only pulled out all the
stops of showmanship — the lavish
production values alone insure a
vast b.o. potential-r-but has suc-
ceeded in capturing the many fine
shadings and the deeper religious
meaning of the Waltari yarn. It all
adds up to a solid, alluring, can’t-
fail merchandising package which
opens exciting new vistas for the
film audience. By its very nature
it lends itself to a lot of razzle-
dazzle for a big payoff.

This is a long picture — there are
many sequences that could stand
trimming easily without affecting
the overall production in the least
• — but for the better part it’s well-
paced and well-balanced. It’s big
and . splashy and sometimes breath-
taking in its CinemaScoped dra-
matics! Yet there are many mo-
ments of genuine emotion and
spiritual quality that make for con-
trast and the required relief.

Big coin — around $4,200,000 —
has been splurged on bringing an-
cient Egypt to life again for this
picture and the results justify the
expense. Quite apart from the rich
and handsome costumes, the film
offers a great many authentic and
impressive settings, ranging from
the vast and ornate throne-room
and the huge outdoor altar to Aton;
the one god, to the plush quarters
of Nefer, the Babylonian courtesan,
and the shiny expanse of the Nile.
EastmanColor effects are perfect
and the colors stand out in vivid
and pleasing contrasts.

A big cast with good marquee
appeal was picked and, under the
direction of Michael Curtiz, goes
through its paces with obvious en-
joyment A weak spot in the talent
lineup is Bella Darvi who con-
tributes little more than an attrac-
tive figure. Her thesping as the
seductive temptress who drives
Sinuhe, the physician, to ruin, is
something less than believable or
skilled.

In the title part, Edmund Pur-
dom etches a strong handsome
profile. As the truth-seeking doc-
tor who grows from weakness to
the maturity of a new conviction,
Purdom brings “The Egyptian” to
life and makes him a man with
whom the audience pan easily
identify and sympathize. He has a
Peasant, British voice that is both
distinctive and very well suited to
his difficult part which, in char-
acter-development, has been
changed somewhat from the Wal-
tari novel.

Jean Simmons is lovely and
Warm as the tavern maid who loves
Purdom and wants to marly him.
However, being a believer in Aton,
the one god, she dies with an ar-
row in her breast when the priests,
plot to overthrow the Pharaoh. Vic-
tor Mature as the robust Horem-
heb, the soldier who is to become
ruler, is a strong asset to the cast

to the main story line has been
skipped by scripters Casey Robin-
son and Philip Dunne. This in no
way weakens the story which
emerges clear and strong, gaining
greatly from its unusual back-
ground which in itself gives the
film unique stature.

“The Egyptian” is a big and im-
portant film, in every respect. And
it proves beyond a doubt the tre-
mendous advantages of Cinema-
Scope for this type story even
though not all of the book’s poten-
tials— such as its battle sequences
— have been exploited. Stereo-
phonic sound is used throughout
for good results. Leon Shamroy’s
lensing is topnotch and makes for
a series of pulse-racing effects,

Hift.

Dragnet

(COLOR)

Toprunning radio-tv program
comes to films longer, bigger
and in color. Stout grossing
prospects.

Hollywood, Aug. 20.

Warner Bros, release of Mark VH Ltd.
(Stanley Meyer) production. Stars Jack
Webb; features Ben Alexander, Richard
Boone, Ann Robinson. Directed by Webb.
Screenplay, Richard L. Breen; camera
(WarnerColor), Edward Colman; editor,
Robert M. Leeds; music composed and
conducted by Walter Schumann; song,
Herman Saunders, Sidney Miller; techni-
cal advisor. Capt. James E. Hamilton,
L.A.P.D. Previewed Aug. 18,. '54. Running
time, 89 MINS.

Sgt. Joe Friday Jack Webb

Officer Frank Smith., Ben Alexander

Captain Hamilton Richard Boone

Grace Downey Ann Robinson

y.ax , Tr°y • . . . Stacy Harris

Ethel Marie Starkie Virginia Gregg

Adolph Alexander Victor Perrin

Btelle Davitt Georgia Ellis

Jesse Quinn James Griffith

Roy Cleaver Dick Cathcart

Lee Reinhard Malcolm Atterbury

Chester Davitt Willard Sage

Ray Pinker Olan Soule

Captain Lohrman Dennis Weaver

£ r ed K< -,mp • „ James Anderson

Fabian Gerard Monte Masters

Mr. Archer . . Herb Vigran

Mrs. Caldwell Virginia Christine

Walker Scott Guy- Hamilton

Wesley Cannon ...Ramsey Williams

Lt. Stevens .Harry Bartell

Booking Sergeant Herb Ellis

Interne . . - Harlan Warde

(Aspect ratio: 1,75-1)

“Dragnet” comes to the motion
picture screen from radio and tele-
vision with a pre-sold audience
that' could well spark it into the
stout grossing category. This
readymade audience, which built
the see-hear electronic versions
into consistently toprunning pro-
grams, will be getting the same
type of show that Jack Webb
stages via video and radio every
week.

The big difference, of course, is
that it’s no longer for free, but for
the price of a ticket the film ver-
sion offers 90 minutes, instead of
radio-tv’s 30; a tremendous big-
screen picture, instead of a 21-inch
tube size, and some striking War-
nerColor tints. Thus, with the
marquee value Of the title and the

High and Dry

(T he Maggie)

“High And Dry” whose Eng-
lish title was “The Maggie”
was reviewed in Variety
March 17, 1954, The G.F.D.
release of Ealing Studios-Mi-
chael Balcon production, sched-
uled to preem Aug. 30 at the
Sutton Theatre, N. Y., stars
Paul Douglas and features
Hubert Gregg, Alex MacKen-
zie,- James Copeland, released
in the U. S. by Universal,

Reviewer Myra opined, “The
casting of Douglas provides ’
. some marquee strength and the
film should rate as a good av-
erage attraction for the arty
theatre circuit. Yarn has been
subtly written as a pi^ce of
gentle and casual humor. Pace
is always leisurely, and the
background of Scottish lakes
and mountains provides an ap-
propriate backcloth to the
story.”

Webb *name, b.o, results look
promising.

In making the transition from
radio-tv to the big screen and
color, Webb’s Mark VII indie pro-
duction outfit has come up with a
show that is spotty in entertain-
ment results. As on video, quite
a bit is made of the long, tedious
toil of thorough police methods.
This can be kept in hand in a 30-
minute period, but when that time
is tripled the pace is bound to
slow to a walk often. This seems
to be the principal flaw in “Drag-
net's” initial screen try. Compen-
sating, however, are good perform-
ances, a number of scenes with a
real emotional quality, and some
dialog that speaks up without in-
hibitions and scores solidly.

Under Webb’s direction of the
Stanley Meyer production, the film
gets off on its melodramatic path
with a brutal murder, committed
before the main title predits are
shown, Thereafter, the homicide
and intelligence divisions of the
L. A. Police Dept, start a wide-
spread hunt for evidence that y^ill
pin the killing on some redhot sus-
pects. The latter are questioned,
released, questioned again, as the
hunt goes on.

Detailed are police methods,
new aids to crime solution, and the
often dull, thankless plodding
necessary before any case is brok-
en. It doesn’t seem quite right
that Stacy Harris, chief suspect,
has . to die of a cancerous ulcer just
as the police have the evidence to
convict him, but as the picture is
based on a real-life case, Webb’s
bent for “just the facts” is carried
out.

Webb’s "direction of the Richard
L. Breen screenplay is mostly a
good job. He stages a four-man
figbt, in which he and his police
sidekick, Ben Alexander, are in-
volved, rather poorly and it may
invoke unwelcome laughs. Other-
wise, when sticking to terse han-
dling of facts, or in building hon-
est emotion, such as in the splen-
didly-done drunk scene by Vir-
ginia Gregg, grieving widow of the
murdered hood, he brings his show
off satisfactorily.

Performancewise, Webb, Alex-
ander, plus such other video regu-
lars as Harris, Miss Gregg, Victor
Perrin, Georgia Ellis, James Grif-
fith, topnotch as a reluctant wit-
ness, and Virginia Christine are
seen to advantage. Same goes for
Richard Boone, head of the intelli-
gence division; Ann Robinson, po-
licewoman, and most of the othei
casters. .

- Edward Colmari handles the
color cameras most effectively,
making a number of sequences,
such as the visit to the African
wing of the L. A. County Museum,
pictorial standouts. Walter Schu-
mann’s score plays an important
part in the film's mood. Heard in
one sequence is “Foggy Night in
San Francisco,” by Herman Saun-
ders and Sidney Miller. Brog,

Kliyhcr Patrol

(COLOR)

Another action-meller localed
around the Khyber Piss; ac-
ceptable supporting fare.

Hollywood, Aug. 19.

United Artists release of World Films
Presentation. Stars Richard Egan, Dawn
Addams, Patric Knowles. Directed by
Seymour Friedman. Screenplay, Jack De-
Witt; from story by Richard Schayer;
camera (Color Corp, of America). Charles
Van Enger; music. Irving Gertz. Pre-
viewed Aug. 12, '54. Running time, 71
MINS.

Cameron Richard Egan

Diana . Dawn Addams

Ahmed Raymond Burr

Lt, Kennerly Patric Knowles

Melville , . . . . Paul; Cavanaugh

Ishak Khan Donald Randolph

Col. Rivington ........... Philip Tonga

Brissard Patrick O'Moore

Kushla Laura Mason.

( Aspect ratio: 1.33-1)

“Khyber Patrol” shapes up an
acceptable supporting fare. Foot-
age is In the commercial vein, and

should And okay reception from
the action devotees.

As scripted by . Jack DeWltt,
from a story by Richard Schayer,
tale has Richard Egan and group
literally wiping out all the un-
friendly natives not taken care
by Tyrone Power in 20th-Fox*s
“King of the Khybec Rifles” some
months ago. Hostile border tribes
are out to gain control of Khyber
Pass, and the Russians ate help-
ing their fight hy supplying arms
and ammunition, .

Opposing are the British Lan-
cers, this group including. Richard
Egan, * headstrong, undisciplined
captain. Egan has his troubles be-
fore it’s all over, both with the
enemy and also with his own men,
many of whom don’t approve, of
his tactics, but at the final fade-
out the enemy has been defeated
and Egan’s proved he was right
all along. He’s also wound up with
Dawn Addams, daughter of the
Lancers* - commander.

Egan dominates the footage
throughout, turning in a neat per-
formance that’s bound to help his
popularity. Miss Addams has little
to do but supply the femme inter-
est, while Patric Knowles is ac-
ceptable as the Lancer-suitor of
Miss Addams until he’s killed off
during an attack. Raymond Burr
and rest of the supporters are ade-
quate to demands. •

Direction of Seymour Friedman
tends to draw out the inherent, ac-
tion values, and ^generally gives
footage a good pacing. Charles Van
Enger’s camera work is stock, as
are remainder of the technical
contributions. .

Film, incidentally, carries no
producer credit but was actually
produced by Edward Small. It’s
being released under the World
Films banner. Neal.

The Bounty Hunter

(COLOR)

Satisfactory Randolph Scott
western feature in color for
regular action market.

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Warner Enrs. release Of Transcona En-
terprises (Sam Bischoff) production. Stars
Randolph Scott; . features Dolores Dorir.
Marie Windsor, Howard Petrie, Harry
Antrim, Robert Keys. Directed by Andre
de Toth. Screenplay, Winston Miller; from
story by MiUer and Finlay McDermid;
camera (WanerColor), Edwin DuPar; edi-
tor, Clarence Kolster; music, David. But-
tolph. Previewed Aug. 19, '54. Running
time, 79 MINS.

Jim Kipp ...... Randolph Scott

Julie Spencer. Dolores Dorn

Alice Marie Windsor

Sheriff Brand Howard Petrie

Dr, Spencer Harry Antrim

George Williams Robert Keys

Rachin Ernest Borgnine

Danvers Dubb Taylor

Vance Tyler MacDuff

Harrison Archie Twitchell

Jud Paul Picerni

Ed . Phil Chambers

Mrs. Ed . . v . . .... Mary Lou Holloway

( Aspect ratio : 1.75-1)

Western action against scenic
backgrounds is offered in this Ran-
dolph Scott starrer and it should
please those who like outdoor fea-
tures of the oater school. The ac-
tion plays along a a good clip, the
plot is constructed along regula-
tion, easily-followed lines and the
results are satisfactory for the mar-
ket at which it is aimed.

The Transcona Enterprises pro-
duction, which Warner Bros, is re-
leasing, started out as a 3-D fea-
ture, but the depth treatment has
been dropped and it goes out as a
straight 2-D feature in Warner-
Color for widescreen presentation.
Andre de Toth directs the Sam
Bischoff production with a good
hand at making the story points
come out even at the finale.

The Winston Miller script, from
a story by Miller and Finlay Mc-
Dermid, this time casts Scott as a
bounty hunter — a man who makes
a trade of bringing in criminals for
the reward money. Here Scott is
hired by Pinkerton to get three
train robbers and, if possible, the
$100,000 in currency they made off
with a year before. Scott plays a
cagey game when he gets to Twin
Forks, the town he believes the un-
known robbers are holed up. in,
and this eventually leads to the ex-
posure of Ho war d Pe trie, the sher-
iff; Dubb Taylor, the postmaster,
and, as a surprise, Marie Windsor,
as the sought-after trio. When the
shooting’s all over, Scott finds him-
self the new sheriff and with a
wife, Dolores Dorn, daughter of
the town’s doctor.

Scott takes easily to his saddle
and gun chores, playing his part
With authority of long experience.
Script permits him to have a num-
ber of lighter moments so it’s not
all tight-lipped heroics. Miss Dorn
looks good as the western heroine
and the baddie trio wraps up its
chores satisfactorily, as do others
In the cast.

Color lensing by Edwin DuPar
comes off well, as does the editing
that holds the footage to 79 min-
utes. Film has a noisy score by
David Buttolph. Brog.

(SONG)

bWhvsIH* «Iumc atelodnm..
"““V «*ra»e pEt

, . Hollywood, Aug. 24

ductlon. Start SterJtag Bt Hayde^ t *G^ r ,°*

todSu

11. 'M, Running time, gl M*NV® d
A1 Willis ............. ... Genu

88 -

Chief A. s. Babcock. : . . , . IstMrt'Sandail

IS

F? r j“oT>w":: : : : : p £“

Otto Stella ........ •- jSkftg

( Aspect ratio: 1.85-1)

Rough and ready melodramatics
plus some lowgtade sex, are wrap^
ped up in this highly-improbable
film titled “Naked Alibi.” Names
heading the cast are, familiar and
b.o. prospects appear about aver-
age overall, since some situations
in the general market can take ad-
vantage of the more obvious ex-
ploitation angles to rate it a fast
play at their wickets.

Production guidance by Ross
Hunter is slack in most all de-
partments. Stronger supervision
could have corrected the lack of
logical plotting and given the film’s
physical appearance a more real-
istic look. Results would have been
a better show because the per-
formances, while to type, are satis-
factory and the Jerry Hopper di-
rection whips up a fairly good ac-
tion pace. Lawrence Roman scripted
from an original story by J. Robert
Bren and Gladys Atwater.

The chase plot sees Sterling
Hayden,. q discharged chief of de-
tectives, setting out to prove he
was right in accusing- Gene Barry
of cop-killing. Barry’s a psycho, but
obstensibly a law-abiding small
businessman. To get away from
Hayden’s hounding, he .leaves town
and heads for a border city and his
girl friend, Gloria Grahame, a
cheap saloon singer. It’s no trouble
for Hayden to follow, gain, the con-
fidence of Miss Grahame, seize the
killer and take him back home. He
even lets Barry escape so the mur-
der weapon will be turned up and
tilings wind up with a rooftop
chase , in -which Miss Grahame is
killed and Barry falls to his death.

Hayden makes a good policeman
and Barry’s psycho killer also
comes over. Miss Grahame makes
as much as possible of the blatant
sex so obviously spotted in her
character and sings the oldie, “The
Ace In the Hole,” for one saloon
scene. Marcia Henderson, as
Barry’s wife, rates scant footage.
Others are okay in living up to
the light demands of their assign-
ments.

Russell Metty’s lensing, art di-
rection and other technical credits
function adequately. The music
supervision by Joseph Gershenson
makes the background score a
noisy competitor of the action.

Brog.

1954 Film Boom

Continued from page 1

<

before making any conclusive
analysis of how the new ratio is
shaping. But there seems agree-
ment that more and more pix are
winding up in the black these
days.

Lesser Epics Gain

While the tall grosses of current
and recent epics would seem to
bolster the theory that “only the
big ones make big money,” running
counter to this is the product of
lesser investment scope which also
is raking in impressive sums.
Columbia’s “On the Waterfront,
brought in at a little over $1,100,-
000, is vieying with many an entry
over over $2,000,000 in the bmO'
chips sweepstakes. This is on. 1 "
one example. Just about every a is "
tributor has one or others.

Unlike U.S. theatreowners, the

producer-distribs are corporately
diversified. Consequently, a d r °P
in Yankee theatre business does not
necessarily mean a commensurate
decrease in film company income.

Further, foreign income for the
majors is continuing at a good clip
and ibere’s hope that the oversea
market will yield even better re-
turns. The bolstered economy 0
many a ofreign nation augurs we
for the film .. concerns, for h
strengthens chances of free con-
vertibility of earnings.

Wednesday August 25, 1954 .

PICTURES

7

Amount of inflammable, nitrate
film in the nation’s exchanges has
diminished to the point where
there is increasing sentiment with-
in the industry for calling a halt
to the circulation of anything but
prints on acetate safety stock.

Issue is one that concerns dis-
tribs and exhibs alike/ since a final
switch to safety could involve sav-
ings within a wide, area, including
the reduction of insurance rates,
modification of building restric-
tions and, finally, a reduction in
theatre personnel.

Not a single foot of nitrate stock
has been: manufactured by East-
man Kodak for several years, and
the , new releases of ali companies
are now 100% on safety film. That
takes in also the newsreels, which
took their time converting, and
trailers.

Seymour Moses has handed in
his resignation as operations v.o.
of Fine Sound Inc. and Perspecta
Sound effective Sept. 1, 1054. He
had been with, both companies
since the beginning of the year.

Prior to this, he was with Loew's
International in various ppsts
abroad. He expects to announce
his new plans following a vacation.

While the industry has thus
switched to safety, nitrate prints do {
continue in ’’circulation, but in a
very limited number. Most of them
are reissues Or foreign imports.
However, Europe too is switching
to safety and, furthermore, prints
for most foreign lingualers are
made in the U. S.

Issue of acetate vs. nitrate fig-
ured in a hearing in Boston last
week before Gen. Otis M. Whitney,
Commissioner of Public Safety for
the Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts. One of the exhib spokesmen
at the hearing was Frank C. Ly-
don, exec secretary of Allied The-
atres of New England, who plugged
for permission to reduce the pro-
jectionist force in the booth to only
one man. In this he was opposed
by reps of the IATSE* who K eld
that the two men were necessary.

One-Man Booths
Similar moves by exhibs have
been reported from ■ Washington
and Los Angeles County. In Wash-
ington the Fire Marshal has al-
lowed one-man booths, since the
(Continued on page 22)

‘Moon’ Skirmish Resumes
In Kansas; Judge’s Ban
Upset to Be Contested

Kansas City, Aug. 24.

Legal skirmish over censorship
of “The Moon Is Blue” (UA) in the
state of Kansas was resumed today
(Tues.) in the courtroom of Judge
Harry G. Miller Jr. in Wyandotte
County District Court.

A long wait on the case was pre-
cipitated July 15 when Judge
Miller handed down a memoran-
dum opinion that the Kansas
Board of Review did not have the
authority to ban the film, in the
state. The opinion was based on
a view of the 1917 law which the
judge called vague and indefinite.

Judge Miller then hied off on a
vacation before the decision could
become official by being recorded
in the court journal. The censor
body refused to accept the ruling
as official and ordered two Kansas
theatres which had booked the pic-
ture to stop plans for the show-
ings.

. The crucial journal entry was to
be made today. Judge Miller said,
with hearing held to help deter-
mine its wording.

Whatever the wording, the case
is certain to be appealed, accord-
(Continued on page 16)

Helen Mourad Quits Reade
Circuit After 26 Years

Helen Mourad, exec administr
tive secretary of the Walter Reai
circuit, has left the organizatii
alter 26 years. Her resignati<
was cued by Reade’s switch
headquarters from N. Y. to Nt
Jersey.

Miss Mourad, who during her
last 10 years supervised insurance
and real estate rentals for the org
Jh. Edition to her regular duties,
Joined the Reade chain in 1928 as
personal secretary to the late
Walter Reade Sr.

Minneapolis, Aug. 24.

In another of his bitter denunci-
ations of film companies, the most
vitriolic that ever has emanated
from him, Bennie Berger, North
Central' Allied president, claims
that trade relations between the
bulk of exhibitors and distributors
have reached such “a critical
stage” that destructive warfare
within the industry can be averted
only if there is an immediate
about face. It’s no longer a free
economy, he charges.

Berger declares “a sellers’ mar-
ket and bloated earnings” have
made the film companies so inde-
pendent that “in their own minds
they now feel they’re actually do-
ing the small town and sUbsequent-
run exhibitors a favor in selling
them important pictures, and
they’re conducting their business
accordingly.”

“Drunk ' With prosperity and
power, these film companies have
lost all sense of decency and fair
dealing,” avers Berger. “They
make no bbnes that they despise
the little fellows, they barely toler-
ate these Small exhibitors, and
they don’t conceal the fact that
they’d as soon forego this business
at a time when many of their pic-
tures are chalking up tremendous
(Continued on page 18)

SEE BRITISH EXHIBS NOT
AFRAID OF COM’L TELE

British exhibitors have no fear
of commercial television in Eng-
land, reasoning that the sponsored
programming will not represent
much change from nationalized tv,
according to Alfred Starr, Nash-
ville circuit owner. He conferred
with numerous theatremen in
England during a two-month trek
abroad.

Starr also related that British
exhibs feel tv sponsors will not
receive anywhere near the pene-
tration values which accrue to pro-
gram bankrollers in the U. S.

Houston Color Lab Sues
Kiiller Prod, for 81G

Los Angeles, Aug. 24.

Benjamin H. Smith and the
Houston Color Lab filed suit for
$81,052 in Superior Court naming
Sid Kuller Productions, Joseph
Justman and William M. Wallace,
as defendants.

Contention is that Smith guar-
anteed a $75,000 loan he charges
the defendants got from the Cali-
fornia Bank to produce a film
titled “The D.uet.” Under the agree-
ment, he claims, he and the bank
were to have first lien on the pic-
ture. He declares profit-sharing
certificates wore issued and later
purchased by Houston. Now, Smith
asserts, the certificates are worth-
less because of false representa-
tions.

♦

Latest cycle of strong b.o. prod-
uct has cued increasingly, bitter
exhib resistance against terms
asked by the distribs. |

Spokesmen in both the National
Allied and Theatre Owners of
America camps are jabbing at com-
panies with unusual vigor,' charg-
ing that rentals on the big.pix are
out of line and designed to rob
the theatres of their rightful
proflits after a period of crisis.

Rental war, oddly enough, comes
at a time when the biz is experi-
encing a definite upswing and at-
tendance has risen way above nor-
mal levels/ Distribs’ pitch is that,
with fewer films released and a
record investment* they not only
are entitled to a healthy cut of
the profits, but must have it in
order to show a decent return.

Coupled with their beefs about
rentals is the exhibs^ charge that
the distribs refuse- to Invest ade-
quate authority to the branch man-
agers, who are thus not in a posi-
tion to make the kind of adjust-
ments required by local conditions.

Latest blast against the distribs’
policies comes from Rube Shor,
treasurer of National Allied, writ-
ing in the Independent Theatre
Owners of Ohio -bulletin. He urged
exhibitors to take the fight against
high rentals to the public. Further-
more, he called for a flood of damr
age suits, a united buying combine
and/or a national boycott.

Suits Upon Suits
“They are ruining our business,”
Shor declared. ’’This calls for
damage suits. Let us file suits upon
suits. Let us find out how much
pressure they can stand. It’s time
to join in a united buying combine
that will determine the terms we
can afford to pay and keep our
doors open. Or join in a national
(Continued oh page 22)

Study of new advertising-pub-
licity approaches has been set by
Theatres Owners of America and
the distribs. Purpose is to explore
new and improved avenues of
reachihg the public.

First meet took place in N. Y.
yesterday (Tues.) between the
companies’ sales managers and a
TOA group consisting of Walter
Reade Jr., president; Leonard Gol-
denson, Roy Martin Jr. of Colum-
bus, Ga., and Julian Brylawski.

Future powwow, with no set
date, was agreed upon. It’ll bring
together the TOA committee, the
national ad-pub toppers of the
companies and the sales heads.

TOA’s Rockford Outcry

Rockford, 111., Aug, 24.

Theatre Owners of America is
taking up the same cry as Allied
States Assn, in relation to “the
exhorbitant film rentals and the
unfair sales methods now being
practiced on theatreowners.”

In the first of a series of re-
gional meetings being conducted
by the United Theatre Owners of
Illinois, the grotip under the lead-
ership of veepee George Kerasotes,
supported TOA prexy Walter
Reade, Jr., in his efforts to en-
courage indie production and en-
dorsed his criticism of distrib
tactics.

The theatre men were loud in
their beefs about the 40% and 50%
rentals and stated 'such “high
rentals are threatening their sub-
sistence and very existence.”

Among specific complaints reg-
istered were the shortage of prints,
the forced sale of blocks of pic-
tures, the forcing of shorts with
features, and the high terms Which
they said retarded new theatre im-
provements, The unit was unani-
mous in its support of the develop-
ment of any plan the TOA leader-
ship could promulgate to increase
the product supply.

t

Boasberg Quits as MPAA
Distrib Committee Head

As a result of the key sales per-
sonnel changes at RKO, the chair-
manship of the distributors com-
mittee of the Motion Picture Assn,
of .America has been left open,
Charles Boasberg formally quit the
job at a meeting in N. Y. yester-
day (Tues.) in the wake of his de-
parture from the sales manager’s
post at RKO.

Meeting of the MPAA group had
been called mainly to discuss trade
problems with Walter Reade, presi-
dent of Theatre Owners of Amer-
ica,- and other TOA reps.

Bout-A Record

Record number of 62 theatres
were signed up by Theatre Net-
work Television as of yesterday
(Tues.) afternoon to carry the Sept.
15 Rocky Marciano-Ezzard Charles
return bout for the heavyweight
crown.

With the exception of National
Theatres, all the major circuits
with theatre tv installations have
contracted for the fight with TNT
prexy Nathan Halpetn estimating
that the eventual total of theatres
offering the event will reach 70 or
more. The last fight was carried
by 61 houses.

Halpern is still talking with Na-
tional Theatres re the possibility
of the Fox Wilshire in Beverly
Hills taking the bout. That’s the
only NT house currently equipped
for theatre tv. As of the moment,
only the Paramount Downtown and
the Orpheum Downtown in L. A.
are taking the fight. .

Last week, National Theatres
abruptly cancelled orders for 16
theatre tv units which it had
planned to install for the match.

(Continued on page 18)

PAR DUSTS OFF DEMILLE
’42 ‘REAP’ FOR REISSUE

Cecil B. DeMille’s 1942 produc-
tion of “Reap the Wild Wind” is
being dusted off for reissue by
Paramount late in October. It will
be the first DeMille pic on the
market since “Greatest Show on
Earth.”

Film, which will be given the
widescreen treatment, has Ray
Milland, Paulette Goddard and
•John Wayne in the star roles. In
selling the film this second time
out, Par doubtless will underline
Susan Hayward, who had featured
billing but is -now an important
marquee name.

Texas Exhib Is Sued On
Jockeying of Grosses

Brownsville, Tex., Aug. 24.

Six suits alleging fraud have
been filed in the Federal district
clerk’s office here against William
A. Smith, official of Texas Thea-
tres, Inc., of Pharr. The suits ask
damages “in excess of $3,000 for
each film company filing the
suits,” plus punitive damage and
costs.

Plaintiffs, who allege Smith fal-
sified gross attendance figures of
the theatre circuit, are 20th-Fox,
Columbia, Paramount, Warner
Bros., RKO and, Universal. In their
suits, the companies allege that
the misrepresented figures enabled
the circuit to get a flat rental fee
substantially lower than the plain-
tiffs would have granted had gross
attendance figures of prior pix
been accurately represented*

Lack of a single license last
week torpedoed a compromise ar-
rangement that would have solved
the Italian permit situation to
everyone’s satisfaction. Problem
is now to. be handed on to the U. S.
film companies’ presidents.

Stalemate arose with Universal’s
demand for six additional Italian
licenses. Company argues that*
three years ago, Tt gave up* some
licenses for the common good, but
with the understanding that they’d
be eventually restored. This
hasn’t been done. In addition, U
feels that its allocation of 20
licenses under the new Italo agree-
ment isn’t commensurate with its
overall standing in the industry.

When the Motion Picture Export
Assn, couldn’t agree on a solution,
Arnold Picker, United Artists v,p. (
was called in to suggest a com-
promise. His proposal was this;
Universal would agt*ee to take
four Instead of six licenses. Two
of these would be given up by the
other distribs now. The other two
would go to U following a half-year
checkup at the end of April on
how many licenses have actually
been picked up. Since such a
check is expected to show a de-?
ficiency in the number of licenses
actually used, the two companies
that gave up permits in the first
place would be reimbursed. The
total MPEA allocation for the year
is 189 licenses.

While U appealed willing to go
for such an arrangement, the for-
eign managers last week weren’t
able to scare up mole than one of
the two required permits for U, and
thus the plan fell through. The
sole distrib willing to part with a
license was RKO.

Suggestion was made that MPEA
prexy Eric Johnston go to Italy to
ask the government there for the
additional permit. However, the
idea was nixed.

The entire compromise idea is
based on the assumption that the
Italians would agree to make the
American licenses freely inter-
( Continued on page 20)

Int’l Info-Swapping Plan
On B.O. Values of Films
Stressed by Tenn. Exhib

U. S. exhibitors would exchange
information on the boxoffice value
of pictures with theatremen
abroad under a plan suggested by
Alfred Starr, Nashville circuit
owner and former president of
Theatre Owners of -America. He
states that American theatremen
are for the most part uninformed
anent foreign product and the
same obtains with exhibs overseas
concerning Hollywood’s output. A
note-swapping program would
benefit all filmmen, he insists.

Starr winged into N. Y. Friday
(20) from London after two
months throughout the British
Isles, Scandinavia and Germany.
It was a vacation trip but he took
time out to consult with a num-
ber of theatremen along his itiner-
ary.

So far as the Yanks are con-
cerned, Star believes “we pass up
msriy foreign pictures which
could make money for us. The
chief fault is with the theatre-
owner or booker — he just doesn’t
know.”

Starr said England and Italy
particularly are turning out prod-
(Continued on page 22)

Raft Files 40G Suit On
Car Crash; Out 2 Months

Los Angeles, Aug. 24.

George Raft filed suit for $40.-
000 against Donald Frankcl. oil
company executive, as a result of
an auto accident last Jan. 9. A^tor
claims his car was rammed from
behind by Frankel’s while relum-
ing from the Santa Anita track.

Raft, according to the complaint,
suffered arm and shoulder in-
juries and nervous shock and was
unable to work for two months.

PICTURE CROSSES

Wednesday, Aupint 25. 1954

LA Big; 'Crusaders Stout $11,000,
'Prairie Wham 12G> 'Jungle’ Okay
18G, 'Window’ Whopping 25G in 2d

Los Angeles, Aug.. 24. 4

Strong holdovers are furnishing
the most potent grosses here cur-
rently. keeping overall first-run biz
level up. “Vanishing Prairie is
heading for socko $12,000 or oyer
at the big arty Fine Arts. King

Richard and Crusaders,” now on

popscale, is seeking a .good On. 0 ?®,
at Warner Downtown, .Duel m
Jungle” shapes okay $18,000 m

three spots. ■ ■ „ . . «... ,- nn

“Robinson Crusoe is slow $5,500
in' two small-seaters. Sturdy $9,000
or near looms for “Companions in
Night” at Four Star showcasing.
Second frame of “Gone With
Wind” is fancy $50,000 in two situ-
ations. In same stanza, ‘Rear Win-
dow” shapes smash $25,000 or close

in one house. • .

“On Waterfront” looms good
$30,000 in third round, three sites.
“Caine Mutiny” shapes smooth
$23,000 in sixth week, two loca-
tions. ... ... .

Estimates for This Week

Fine Arts (FWC) (631; 80*1.50)
“Vanishing Prairie” (Disney).
Sock $12,000 or over. Last week,
“Hohson’s Choice” (UA) (9th wk),

Broadway Grosses

Estimated Total Gross
This Week . ... $652,800

(Based on 22 theatres. )
Last Year ........ .$743,900

(Based on 23 theatres.)

Hobson s

$1 Four Star (UATC) (900r 90-$L50)

. — "Companions In Night” (Indie).
Sturdy $9,000. Last week, Mrs.
Leslie” (Par) (7th wk-9 days), $2-

7 °Globe, El Rey (FWC) (782; 861.;
70-$1.10) — “Adventures Robinson
Crusoe” (.UA). Slow $5,500. Last
week, sub-run.

Warner Downtown (SW) (l,io7;
70-$1.25)— “King Richard and Cru-
saders” (WB) and “Return From
Sea” (AA). Good $11,000. Last
week, “Susan Slept Here” (RKO)
and “Spanish Main” (RKO) (reis-
sue) (3d wk), $4,900. .

United Artists, New Fox, Rita
(UATC-FWC) (2,100; 965; 1,363; 70-
$1.10)— “Duel In Jungle” (WB) and
“Thunder Pass” (Lip). Okay $18,-
000. Last week, UA sub-run; Fox,
“High, Mighty” (WB) (6th wk-6
days), $3,800; Ritz "Robinson Cru-
soe” (UA) (3d wk), $4,800. .

Loew’s State, Egyptian (UATC)
(2,404; 1,538; $1-$1.50) — "Gone

With Wind” (M-G) (reissue) (2d
wk). Fancy $50,000. Last week,
$ 53 , 000 . , ,
Hollywood Paramount (F&M) (1,-
430; $1-$1.50) — “Rear Window”

(Par) (2d wk). Great $25,000 or
close. Last week, $32,000 with
preem coin:. „ .

Los Angeles, Uptown, Loyola
(FWC) (2,097; 1/715; 1,248; $1-$1.50)

. — “Demetrius” (20th) and “Gene-
vieve” (U) (2d wk). Fair $18,000.
Last week, $30,300.

Palace, Hawaii (Metropolitan
G&S) 1,212; 1,106; 70-$1.10>— “Her
12 Men” (M-G) and “Security Risk”
(AA) (2d wk). Slow $7,000. Last
week, $12,100.

Orpheum, Vogue (Metropolitan-
FWC) (2,213; 885; 70-$1.10)— “Liv-
ing It Up” (Par) and “Desperado *
(AA) (Orpheum only) (3d wk). Big
$11,000. Last week, $15,600, plus
$40,000 in 5 ozoners.

Los Angeles Paramount, Wiltern,
Hollywood ( ABPT-SW-FWC) (3,200;
2,344; 756; 75-$1.25)— “On Water-
front” (Col) (3d wk). Good $30,000
Last week, $39,600,

Chinese (FWC) (1.905;

—“Broken Lance” <20th) (4th wk).
Neat $12,500. Last week, $15,500.

Warner Beverly (SW) (1,612; 90-
$1.50) — “Magnificent Obsession”
<U) (5th wk). Nice $8,000. Last
week, $9,300.

Fox Wilshire (FWC) (2,296; 90-
$1.50) — “Apache” (UA) (5th wk).
Okay $5,500. Last week, $5,300.

Iris (FWC) (814; 70-90) — “3
Coins” (20th) (5th wk). Pleasing.
$3,400. Last week, $3,300

Hillstreet, Pantages (RKO) (2,-
752; 2.812; 95-$l. 75)— "Caine Mu-
tiny” (Col) (6th wk). Smooth $23,-
000. Last week. $28,300.

Warner Hollywood (SW) (1,364;
$1.30-$2.65) — “Cinerama” (Indie)
(69th wk). Into 69th frame after
socko $38,300 last week.

Omaha, Aug. 24.

The boxoffice situation is solid
here this week with three strong
new entries. “Caine Mutiny”; still
hefty at State in third week. Cooler
weather isn’t hurting the upbeat.
“Living It Up,’’ however, is the
real ey e-opener, with a terrific total
at the Orpheum. “Susan Slept
Here” is trim at Brandeis.

Estimates for This Week
Brandeis (RKO) (1,100; 50-75)—
“SUsan Slept Here” (RKO) and
“Big Chase” (Col). Hot $6,000. Last
week, “King Richard and Crusad-
ers” (WB) and “Paid to Kill” (In-
die) (2d wk), $4,500 at 85c top,
Omaha (Tristates) (2/000; 50-75)
—“Valley of Kings” (M-G) and
“Bitter Creek” (Rep). Oke $7,000.
Last week, “Desperado” (AA) and
“Bowery Boys Meet Monsters”
(A A), $7,000.

Orpheum (Tristates) (2,890; 60-
80)— “Living It Up” (Par). Wow
$17,000. Last week, “Broken
Lance” (20th) (2d wk), $10,000 at
scfll©.

State (Goldberg) (875; 75-$l) —
“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (3d wk).
Okay $5,000 after $8,000 for sec-
ond.

‘Wind’ Noisy $32,000, .
Monti; ■‘Susan’ Big 16G

Montreal, Aug, 24.

“Gone With Wind” dominates
first-run setup here this session.
It is soaring to a mighty total at
Loew’s. “Susan Slept Here” shapes
solid at Capitol. “Coins in Foun-
tain” still is big in fourth-week at
Palace.

Estimates for This lVeek

Palace (C.T.) (2,625; 60-$l)— “3
Coins in Fountain” (20th) (4th wk).
Big $14,000 after $15,500 last week.

Capitol (C.T.) (2,412; 45-75) —
“Susan Elept Here” (RKO). Solid
$16,000. Last week, “Her 12 Men”
(M-G), $12,000.

Princess (C.T.) (2,131; 40-65)—
“Wild One” (Col) (2d wk). Fair
$10*000 after $16,000 opener.

Loew’s (C.T.) (2,847; 50-85) —
“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue).
Mighty $32,000. Last week, “Car-
nival Story” (RKO) (2d wk),
$17,000.

Imperial (C.T.) (1,789; 43-68) —
How To Marry Millionaire”' (20th)
and “Silver Lode” (20th). Fancy
$10,500, Last week, “The Robe”
(20th), $10,000.

Orpheum (C.T.) (1,048; 40-65) —
“Lone Gun” (UA) and “Return to
Treasure Island” (UA). Fine $9,000.
Last week, “Heidi” (UA) and
“White Main” (UA), $9,000.

'Brides’ Boffo

Key City Grosses

fistlmated Total Gross
This Week .... $2,978,900

' ( Based on 23 ei ties, and 221
theatres, chiefly first tuns , in-
cluding N. Y.)

Total Gross Sama Week
Last Year ...... $2,679,900.

( Based oil 23 cities and 20q
theatres.)

‘Brides’ Rousing
Frisco; ‘Cinerama’ Wow
34G, ‘Obsession’ Fat 13G

San Francisco, Aug. 24.
City is loaded with holdovers but
most of them are doing well. Top
new entrant is “7 Brides for 7
Brothers,” mighty at Warfield. “On
Waterfront” looks solid in second
round at Paramount. “Magnificent
Obsession” still is strong in second
session at Golden Gate, and stays
a third. “Cinerama” is soaring to
new house record at Orpheum de-
spite being in 34th session. Of 14
regular performances, seven were
sold out and five others were about
90% of capacity.

Estimates for This Week
Golden Gate (RKO) (2,850; 80-$l)
— “Magnificent Obsession” (U) (2d
wk). Good $13,000 or near. Hold-
ing over a third. Last week, $23,-
500.

Fox (FWC) (4,651; $1-$1.80)—
“Broken Lance” (20th) (3d wk).
Mild $12,000 or under. Last week,
$17,000.

Warfield (Loew’s) (2,656; 75-$l)
$1-$1.80> I— “7 Brides for 7 Brothers” (M-G).

Mighty $31,000. Last week, “Valley
Of Kings” (M-G), $12,000.

Paramount (Par) (2,646; 90-$l) —
“On Waterfront” (Col) (2d- wk).
Solid $17,000. Last week, $2£,500.

St. Francis (Par) (1.400; 90-$1.50)
—“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (8th-final
wk). Okay $11,000. Last week,
$13,500.

Orpheum (Cinerama Theatre,
(Continued on page 16)

Baltimore, Aug. 24.

New product is felt in general
better grosses here this week al-
though holdovers are still num-
erous. "Magnificent Obsession”
looks socko at the Century. “Van-
ishing Prairie” shapes great at the
Filmf Centre, latest addition to local
arty ranks. “Robinson Crusoe” is
mild at the Stanley.

Estimates for This Week

Century (Loew’s-UA) (3,000; 25-
60-90) — ■ “Magnificent Obsession”
(U). Fine $12,000 or near. Last
week, “Gone’ With Wind” (reissue)
(5th wk), $5,800.

Cinema (Schwaber) (466; 50-$ 1)
— “Seven Deadly Sins” (Indie) (4th
wk). Slipping to oke $3,000 after
$3,500 for third.

Film Centre . (Rappaport - Me-
chanic) (960; 50-$l) — “Vanishing

Prairie” (Disney). New artie
opened with smash $8,500. House
was formerly the nabe Centre.

Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,100;
50-$l. 25)— “Caine Mutiny” (Col)
(6th wk). Holding nicely at $6,500
after $9,000 in fifth.

Keith’s (Schanb erg er) (2.400; 30-
46-80)— “Mrs. Leslie” (Par). Opens
tomorrow (Wed.) after fifth week
of “Living It Up” (Par) did lean
$5,000.

Little (Rappaport) (310; 50-$l)—
“Mudlark” (20th) (reissue). Starts
tomorrow (Wed. after “Decameron
Nights” (UA) got mild $3,300.

Mayfair (Hicks) (980; 24-44-70)—
“Haste to Live” (U). Begins to-
morrow (Wed.). Second week of
“Francis Joins Wacs” (U) was fair
$2,800.

New (Mechanic) (1.800; 35-$l) —
“Egyptian” (20th). Preeming to-
morrow (Wed.). Last week, “Her
12 Men” (M-G) (2d wk), mild $5,-
000 after $7,000 opener.

Playhouse (Schwaber) (420; 50-
$1)— “Man With Million” (UA)
(6th wk). Potent $3,400. Last
week, $4,000.

Stanley (WB) (3,200; 30-80)—
“Robinson Crusoe” (UA). Mild
$8,000. Last week, “King Richard,
Crusaders” (WB) (2d wk), $7,000.

Town (Rappaport) (1,600; 35-$l)
— “Broken Lance” (20th) (3d wk).
Fine $8,000 after $12,000 in sec-
ond.

Minneapolis, Aug. 24.

With holdovers still hogging
most of the Loop spotlight, famine
of new fare is being only slightly
relieved currently. This week sees
four newcomers, including a twin
bill of smaller, pictures. Chief en-
try is Radio City’s strong “Broken
Lance.” The 19th week of “Cine-
rama” finds little diminuatioh of
patronage. And also continuing
strongly are “Gone With; Wind,”
“Caine Mutiny” and “7 Brides for
7 Brothers,” last-named at State
being wow. “Magnificent Obses-
sion” shapes hefty on moveover to
Lyric.

Estimates for This Week

Century (S-W) (1,140; $1.75-

$2.65)-— “Cinerama” (Indie) (19th
wk). Still amazing. Smash $26,000.
Last week, $28,000, biggest of run

Gopher (Berger) (1.000; ; 85)—
“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue)
(6th wk). Okay $4,000. Last week,
$5,400.

Lyric (Par) (1,000; 85-$D—

“Magnificent. Obsession” (U) . (m.o.).
Here after two gigantic Radio City
weeks and likely to remain for
some time. Hefty $7,000. Last
week, “Living It Up” (Par) (4th
wk),. $4,500 at 65-85c.

Radio City (Par) (4,100; 85-$l)— -
“Broken Lance” (20th). Strong
$15,000. Last week, “Magnificent
Obsession” (U) (2d wk), $12,000.

RKO-Orpheum (RKO) (2.890; 85-
$1.25) — “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (4th
wk). Unanimous approval stimulat-
ing word-of-mouth to help this
one. Big $10,000. Last week,
$ 12 , 000 .

RKO-Pan (RKO) (1,600; 55-75)
—“Saracen Blade” (Col) and
Paris Model” (Col). Neat $4,800.
Last week, "Cat-Women of Moon”
(Indie) and “Monster of Ocean
Floor” (Lip), $5,000.

State (Par) (2,300; 85-$l)—

“7 Brides for 7 Brothers” (M-G)
(2d. wk). One of talks of town.
Giant $13,000. Last week, $20,000.

World (Mann) (400; 85*1.20)—
“Hobson’s Choice” (UA). Crix ap-
plauded but public response is dis-
appointing. Mild $3,000. Last week,
“Man With Million” (U) (2d wk),
$3,200.

Fast 8G, 2d, 'Caine Crisp 11G, 4th

‘Apache’ Robust $14,000,
Port.; ‘Wind’ Giartt 20G

Portland, Ore., Aug. 24.

Cool, weather and strong product
are keeping first-run grosses at
boom level currently. Standout of
newcomers is “Apache” smash at
Liberty. “Gone With Wind” also is
rated socko at larger Paramount,
and unusually big for an oldie on
three - shows per day policy.
“Broken Lance” still is torrid in
second round at the new Fox.
Estimates for This Week
Broadway (Parker) (1.890; 90-
$1.25)— “7 Brides For 7 Brothers’
(Continued on page 16)

Cincinnati, Aug. 24. 1

“7 Brides for 7 Brothers,” a box-
office feast for the Palace, is pa-
rading far ahead of the downtown
pack this week. Another new-
comer, “Outcast,” shapes mod-
erately at the Grand. “Caine
Mutiny” continues robust in fourth
stanza at the Albee. “Apache” still
is fast at Keith’s after sock preem.
“Cinerama” continues smash in'
10th round at the Capitol, same as.
last week.

Estimates for This Week
Albee (RKO) (3,100; 75*1.25)—
“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (4th wk).
Winding up exceptionally long stay
at this flagship with swell $11,000.
Last week, $15,000.

Capitol (Ohio Cinema Corp.)
(1,376; $1.20*2.65) — “Cinerama”
(Indie) (10th wk). Geared to great
$28,200, same as last week. More
boxoffice setups added in tri-state
area to support steady, traffic.

Grand (RKO) (1,400; 50-84)—
“Outcast*’ (Rep) and “Laughing
Anne” (Rep). Moderate $6,500.
Last week “Living It Up” (Par)
(m.o.) (3d wk), $6,600.

Keith’s (Shor) (1,500; 75*1.25)—
“Apache” (UA) (2d wk). Fast;
$8,000 in wake of $17,800 preem.

Palace (RKO) (2,600; 75-90)—
“Seven Brides” (M-GL Smash
$18,000. Will honeymoon another
week at least. Last week, ™Ring
of Fear” (WB), $13,000.

‘Brides’ Big Hub Noise,
$37,500; ‘Lance’ 13G, 3d,
‘Caine’ OK $11,000, 8th

Boston, Aug. 24.

“7 Brides for 7 Brothers” at State
and Orpheum is the big noise
among newcomers here this stanza.
“Susan Slept Here” opened fairly
strong at the Memorial. Balance of
city is holding over. “Broken
Lance” in third week at Paramuont
and Fenway is good while “Caine
Mutiny” in eighth frame at the
Astor looms lusty. “King Richard
and Crusaders” in second round at
the Met is mildish.

Estimates for This Week

Astor (B&Q) (1,500; 85*1.25)—
“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (8th wk).
Strongest on night biz; lusty $11,-
000. Last Week, $13,000.

Beacon Hill (Beacon Hill) (800;
50-$ 1)— “Man With Million” (UA)
(8th wk). Good $4,500. Last week,
$5,000.

Boston (Cinerama Productions)
(1,354; $1.20*2.85) — “Cinerama”

(Indie) (34th wk). Still good at
$16,000 following $18,000 .in previ

miQ

Exeter ’ (Indie) (1,300; 60*1)—
“Holly and Ivy” (Indie) and “Wei
come Queen” (Indie) (3d wk). Okay
$6,000 after $7,000 in second frame.

~ Fenway (NET) (1,373; 50-90)—
“Broken Lance” (20th) and “Heat
Wave” (Lip) (3d wk). Good $3,500.
Last week, $5,500.

Memorial (RKO) (3,000; 50-90)—
“Susan Slept Here” (RKO) and
"Sins of Rome” (RKO). Opened
(Continued on page 16)

Washington, Aug 24
Receipts at the boxoffice picked
IIP considerably last week, with
“Seveii Brides” getting off to J
terrific start at the Capitol “cin
erama” is behaving like a new sock
entry .though in its 42d week at
the Warner, "Caine Mutiny” iS
holding up solidly at Keith’s, “Mae!
nificent Obsession” is great in its
second week at the Palace. “Valiev
of Kings” opened well at the
Columbia. “Duel in Jungle” looks
okay at Met, With American I
Legion convention bringing in aiT
estimated 150,000 visitors next
week, downtown theatre managers
are looking forward optimistically.

Estimates for This Week

Capitol (Loew’s) (3,434; 70-95)-.
“7 Brides for 7 Brothers” (M-G)
Sensational $35,000. Stays. Last
week, “Gone With Wind” (M-G)
(reissue) (5th Wk), $16,000, over
hopes..

Columbia (Loew’s) (1,174; 60-80)
—“Valiev of Kings” (M-G). Strong
$9,000. Last week, “Rocket Man"
(20th) and “Gorilla at Large’’
(20th), $5,000.

Dupont (Lopert) (372; 65*1) —
“Beauties of Night” (UA) (4th wk).
Okay $3,500 after $3,700 last week.

Keith’s (RKO) (1,939; 75-$ 1.25)—
“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (7th wk).
Hefty $16,000 despite rains. Last
week, $18,000. r •.

Metropolitan (SW) (1,200; 70-95)
—“Duel in Jungle” (WB). Okay
$8,000. Last week,- “King Richard
and Crusaders” (WB) (2d wk),
$7,700.

Palace (Loew’s) (2,370; 65-95) —
“Magnificent Osession” (U) (2d
wk). Great $22 t 000 after $30,000
opener. Holds.

Playhouse (Lopert) (435; 55-$l)
— “About Mrs. Leslie” (Par) (5th
Wk). So-so $4,300 after $5,000 last
week. Staying.

Warner (SW) (1,300; $1.2O-$2.40)
— “Cinerama” (Indie) (42d wk).
Unbelievably big $23,500 and best
session since opening. Has been
climbing steadily for seven weeks.
Last week, $21,200.

Trans-Lux (T-L) (600; 70-$l) —
“Man With Million’^ UA) (6th wk).
Holding" oke with $5,500 after
$6,000 last week.

‘Susan’ Oke $8,000, K.C.;
‘Leslie’ Nice 7£G, ‘Lance’
10G, ‘Obsession’ 9G, 5th

Kansas City, Aug. 24.

Holdover rash continues here
with only three new films in nine
first-run situations. “Susan Slept
Here” at the Missouri and “About
Mrs. Leslie” at the Paramount are
both doing pleasing biz as down-
town newcomers. “Final Test” in
the arty Vogue is moderate.
Among holdovers “Magnificent Ob-
session” is outstanding although in
fifth week at Orpheum. “Caine
Mutiny” is strong^ in third round
at the Midland. “Broken Lance” is
oke in second week at the Tower.
Black Shield of Falworth” showed
surprising first week strength to
win a holdover. Weather somewhat
on the moderate side, but warm
enough to help biz here.

Estimates for This Week
Esauire, Uptown, Fairway, Gran-
ada (Fox Midwest) (820; 2,043; 700;
1,217; 65-85)— “Black Shield of

Falworth” (U) (2d wk) with “The
Desperado” (AA) at Esquire and
Granada. Fine $12,000, Last week,
$19,000.

Kimo (Dickinson) (504; 85-$D--
“Gilbert and SulliVan” (UA) '2d
wk). Fine $3,000, and holds. Last
week, $3,300. _ R

Midland (Loew’s) (3,500; 7*

$1.25) — “Caine Mutiny” (Col) <3d
wk). Nifty $9,000 and goes a
fourth. Last week, $14,000.

Missouri (RKO) (2,650; 50-80)-;
“Susan Slept Here”- (RKO) an®
“Champagne Safari” (Indie). Tritf
$8,000. Last week, “Ring of Fear
(WB) and “Texas Bad Man <AAt
(2d wk), $5,500.

Orpheum (Fox Midwest) .il.9n»j
75-$l) — ‘‘Magnificent Obsession
(U) (5th wk). Happy $9,000, bettei
than some first weeks here,
week, $10,000. , , .

Paramount (United^ Par)

Lasl
(1.900

A UK IIUBVUMV \ ^ — — .. n m]

60-80)— “About Mrs. Leslie /Paj
Nice $7,500. Last week. K n
Richard and Crusaders” (WB) i"
wk), $7,000 at 90c_top.

Roxy (Durwood) (879; 65-85
“Garden of Evil” (20th) (6th wW
Good $4,000 and stays. Last wee«

S *Tower (Fox Midwest) (2 100; 65
85) — “Broken Lance” (20th) an
“Rocket Man” (20th) (2d wk). Heft
$10,000; goes • third. Last we
$14,000.

Wetlneiiday, Aagngt 25, 1954

PICTURE CROSSES 9

Hragnet’-Aces Terrif $96,000, Chi;
‘Prairie’ Torrid 20G, ‘Shield’ Hotsy

$21500, “Susan’ 36G, ‘Brides’ 34G, 4 th

Chicago, Aug. 24. ■«
Torrid Main Stem Mce is being
Mistained this round 4s two new
Slls are stirring ^traffic World
oreem °f with Four

ices topping stsgebili and Jack
Webb making appearances last Fri-
day (20), looks giant $96,000. Hit
record opening day *nd new high
for three-day weekend at the Chi-
paeo Loop is plucking a socko
$20 000 for “Vanishing Prairie.”

Second week holdovers all con-
tinue strong. “Susan Slept Here”
is hotsy at Woods as is “Black
Shield of Falworth” at the Grand.
“Ring of I ear” is off sharply at
Roosevelt. Third frame of “Valley
of Kings” looks tidy at the Monroe.

Me Vickers is enjoying a fourth
hangup week with “7 Brides for 7
Brothers” while same round of
“Knock On Wood” is sock at the
Oriental.

Plump take looms for “Magnifi-
cent Obsession” in sixth session at
United Artists. “Caine Mutiny” is
brisk in eighth round at State-
Lake. “Cinerama” is heading for a
mighty total in 56th week at Palace.
Estimates for This Week
Chicago (B&KJ (3,900; 88-$1.25)
^-“Dragnet" (WB) with Four Aces
topping stageshow. Terrif $96,000.
Last week, “Living It Up” (Par)
with Crew Cuts heading vaude (3d
Wk). $57,000.

Grand (Nomikos) (1,200; 98-

$1.25)— “Black Shield of Falworth”
(U> (2d wk) Hotsy $21,500. Last
week, $30,000.

Loop (Telem’t) (600: 90-$1.25) —
“Vanishing Prairie” (Disney). Shap-
ing socko at $20,000. Last week,
“About Mrs. Leslie” (Par) (3d wk),
$7,000.

Me Vickers (JL&S) (2,200; 65-
$1.25) — “7 Brides for 7 Brothers”
(M-G) (4th wk). Boffo $34,000, and
stilt holding. Last week, $31,000.

Monroe (Indie) (1,000; 65-87)—
“Valley of Kings” (M-G) (3d wk).
Nice $6,000. Last week, $10,000.

Oriental (Indie) (3,400; 98-$1.25)
—“Knock On Wood” (Par) (4th
wk). Sharp $23,000. Last 'Week,
same.

Palace (Eitel) (1,484; $1.25-$3.40)
—■“Cinerama” (Indie) (56th wk).
Great $47,000 after $44,000 last

\V66k ,

Roosevelt (B&K) (1,400; 65-98)—
“Ring of Fear” (WB) (2d wk). Lean
$10,000. Last week, $22,000.

State-Lake (B&K) (2,700; 98-

$1.80)— “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (8th
\vk>. Tidy $28,500, and staying two
more weeks. Last week, $30,000.

Surf (H&E Balaban) (685; 95)—
"Earrings Madame De” (Indie) (3d
Wk). Fair $3,700. Last week, $3,400.

1 United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 98-
$1.25) — “Magnificent Obsession”
(U) (6th wk). Sturdy $24,000 after
$28,000 last week.

Woods (Essaness) (T,198; 98-

$1.25)— “Susan Slept Here” (RKQ)
(2d wk). Lively $36,000 after last
week’s $42,000.

World - (Indie) (697; 98)— “La
Ronde” (Indie) (3d wk). Fancy $6,-
000. Last week, $6,000.

‘SUSAN’ SUCK $13,000,
CLEVE; ‘BRIDES’ 16G

Cleveland, Aug. 24.
with holdovers drawing the best
crowds in many h month, . down-
towners are being paced by “Caine
Mutiny,” going into its sixth week.
Broken Lance” is hefty for third
round. “Susan Slept Here” looms
as best newcomer with a lively
session at Palace. “7 Brides for 7
Brothers” still is sock in second
round. “Crossed Swords”’ is rated
fast at Ohio.

Estimates for This Week
..Allen (S-W) (3,000; 70-$1.25) —
Came Mutiny” (Col) (6th wk). Big
$13,000. Last week $14,000.

. Hjpp (Telem’t) (3,700; 60-90) —
Broken Lance” (20th) (3d wk).

•OOo a t ly $14 ’ 000 ‘ Last week, $16,-

Ohio (Loew’s) (1,200; 60-90) —
,Cro ssed Swords” (U) and “Chal-
lenge Wild” (U), Fast $10,000. Last
I*® 1 ?. ‘ Prisoner of Casbah” (Col)
an . d Outlaw Stallion” (Col), $3,500.

Lower Mall (Community) (585;
fin “Seven Deadly Sins”

hnclie) ($d wk). Oke $2,500. Last
' ve ek. $3,500. •

, Palace (RKO) (3,300; 75-$l) —
Slept Here” (RKO). Live-
zl Last week, “Hell Below

Zero (Col), $11,500.

„ state (Loew’s) (3,500; 60-90) —
J^ rides ” (M-G). (2d wk).
8 |r. $ i 16 ’ 000 ' Lwt week. $25,000.

. ^tinman (Loew’s) (2,700; 60-90)—
on Wood” (Par) (m,o.) (3d

$10 000 ncy $7,00 °- ‘ Last week

Estimates Are Net

Film gross estimates as re-
ported herewith from the vari-
ous key cities, are net; 1. 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.

St. Louis, Aug. 24.

Biz has taken a sharp upbeat
here, this session. Standout is “7
Brides For 7 Brothers’’ with smash
total at Loew’s. “Susan Slept Here”
also is a heavy draw at the Fox.
Holdovers also are doing okay, with
“Cinerama” solid in 29th week at
Ambassador. “Broken Lance” is
rated trim at the St. Louis.

Estimates for This Week

Ambassador (Indie) (1,400; $1.20-
$2.40) — “Cinerama” (Indie) (29th
wk). Soiid $17,500 after $19,000

laet nrpalr

Fox (F&M) (5,000; 51-69)— “Su-
san Slept Here” (RKO) and “Out-
cast” (Rep). Hefty $19,000. Last
week, “Living It Up” (Par) and
“Paris Playboys” (AA) (3d wk),
$4,000 in 3 days.

Loew’s (Loew’s) (3,172; 50-75)- —
“7 Brides for 7 Brothers” (M-G).
Smash $25,000. Last week, “Miami
Story” (Col) and “Saracen Blade”
(Col), $15,000. '

Orpheum (Loew’s) (1,400; 50-75)
—“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reis-‘
sue) (4th wk). Neat $5,000; Last
week, $6,000.

Pageant (St. L. Amus.) (1,000;
82)— “About Mrs. Leslie” (Par).
Fine $5,000. Last week, “One Night
of Happiness” (Indie) (3d wk),
$4,000.

Richmond (St. -L. Amus.) (400;
82)— “Young Wives’ Tales” (AA),
Good $3,000, Last week, “Hobson's
Choice” (UA) (2d wk), $2,000.

St. Louis (St, L. Amus.) (4,000;
69) — “Broken Lance” (20th) (2d
wk). Trim $14,000 after $17,000
opening frame.

Shady Oak (St. L. Amus.) (800;
82)— “Young Wives’ Tales” (AA).
Big $3,500. Last week, “Hobson’s
Choice” (UA) (2d wk), $2,500.

‘Lance’ Lively $36,000
In Del; ‘Crusaders’ 22G,
‘Waterfront’ $15,000, 3d

Detroit, Aug. 24.
Biz is holding fairly good this
week. “Broken Lance” looms nice
at the Fox. “King Richard and
Crusaders” shapes good at the
Michigan. “Susan Slept Here”
looks fairly good at the Adams,
Holdovers of “On Waterfront” is
big in third Palms round, “Duel in
Jungle” is rated slow at Broadway-*
Capitol.

Estimates for This Week
Fox (Fox-Detroit) (5,000; $1-

$1.25)— “Broken Lance” (20th).

Nice $36,000. Last week, “Gambler
from. Natchez” (20th) and “River
Beat” (UA), $22,000.

Michigan (United Detroit) (4,000;
$1-$1.25) — “King Richard and
Crusaders” (WB). Good $22,000.
Last week, “Knock in Wood” (Par)
and “The Cowboy” (Lip), $15,000.

Palms (UD) (2,961; 80-$l) —

“On the Waterfront” (Col) and
“Big ’ Chase” (Lip) (3d wk).
Strong $15,000. Last week, $23,000,
Madison (UD) (1,900; $1.25-$1.50)
“Caine Mutiny” (Col) (8th wk).
Sturdy $12,000. Last week, $16,000.

Broadway-Capitol (UD) (3,500;
80-$l)— “Duel in Jungle” (WB) and
“Paid to Kill” (Lip). Slow $10,000.
Last week. “Pushover” (Col) and
“Law Vs. Billy Kid” (Col), $14,000.

United Artists (UA) (1,938; $1-
$1.25)— “Gone With Wind” (M-G)
(reissue) ({5th wk). Swell $18,000.
Last week, $21,800.

Adams (Balaban) (1,700; 80-$l) —
“Susan Slept Here” (RKO). Fair
$9,000. Last week, “Valley of
Kings” (M-G) (3d wk), $6,800.

Music Hall (Cinerama Produc-
tions) (1,194; $1.40-$2.65) — “Cine-
rama” (Indie) (75th wk). Big $21,-
1 000. Last week, $21,500.

TRANCIS’ FANCY 11G,
INDPLS. ACE; TOK’ 5G

Indianapolis, Aug. 24.
Biz is spotty at first-runs here
this stanza, only bigger pix holding
up against outdoor competition.
“Francis Joins Wacs” looks to lead
with a nifty week at Circle.
“Broken Lance” looks stout in half
week holdover at Indiana. “Weak
and Wicked” at. Lyric looms okay.
Estimates for This Week
Circle (Cockrill-Dolle) (2,800; 60-
85)— “Francis Joins Wacs” (U) apd
“Haste to Live” (Rep). Nifty $11,-
000. Last week, “Magnificent Ob-
session (U) (2d wk), $10,000 for
sock $27,000 on 2-week stand.

Indiana (C-D) (3,200; 65-95)—
“Broken Lance” (20th) (2d wk).
Nice $7,000 in three days, and
moved over, to get back to mid-
week opening. Total for 10 days
about $22,00Q.

Loew’s (Loew’s) (2,427; 60-85)—
“Witness to Murder” (UA) and
“Prisoner of War” (M-G). Thin
$5,000. Last week, “7 Brides for 7
Brothers” (M-G) (2d wk), $9,500.

Lyric (C-D) (1,600; 35-70)—

“Weak and Wicked” (Indie) and
“Paid to Kill” (Lip). Oke $5,000.
Last week, “Outcast” (Rep) and
“Untamed Heiress” (Rep), $5,500.

"Window’ Record

Philadelphia, Aug. 24.

“Rear Window” is easily stand-
out here this stanza since it has
broken house highs every day of
first round at the Arcadia, with a
new alltime mark of $26,000 or
near likely on week. Old high was
held by “Mogambo” at $21,500.
“King Richard and Crusaders” at
Mastbaum and “Vanishing Prairie”
at Midtown opened well but more
had been expected. “Pushover”
was helped by personal of Kim
Novak to get a good score at Stan-
ton. “Waterfront” still is at flood
height for third session at Stanley.

Estimates for This Week

Arcadia (S&S) (625; 89-$1.30)—
“Rear Window” (Par). New record
at $26,000 or close. Last week,
“Valley of Kings” (M-G) (4th wk),
$5,000.

Boyd (S-W) (1,430; $1.25-$2!60)
— “Cinerama” (Indie) (46th wk).
Fast $14,700 to top. Last week’s
$13,800.

Fox (20th) (2,250; 7541.49)—

“Broken Lance” (20th) (3d wk).
Good $16,000. Last week, $20,000.

Goldman (Goldman) (1,200; 65-
$1.49)— “Gone With Wind” (M-G)
(reissue) (7th wk). Tidy $11,000.
Last week, $14;000.

Mastbaum (SW) (4,360; 75-$1.30)

} — “King Richard and Crusaders”
(WB). Stout $25,000. Last week,
“Apache” (UA) (4th wk), $11,500. 1

Midtown (Goldman) (1,000; 74-
$1.30)— “Vanishing Prairie” (Dis-
ney), Okay $14,000. Last week,
“Personal Affair” (UA), $9,500.

Randolph (Goldman) (2,500; 99-
$1.80)— “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (8th
wk).. Sturdy $13,000. Last week,

Stanley (SW) (2,900; 74-$1.30)—
“On Waterfront” (Col) (3d wk).
Terrific $24,000. Last week, $31,-
000 .

Stanton (SW) (1,473; 50-99)—
“Pushover” (Col). Solid $11,000.
Last week, “Southwest Passage”
'(UA) and “Capt. John Smith, Poco-
hantas” (UA), $7,000.

Trans-Lux (T-L) (500; 80-$1.50)
—“Mrs. Leslie” (Par) (2d wk). Fine
$7,500. Last week, $11,000.

Viking (Sley) (1,000; 75-$1.30)—
“Student Prince” (M-G) (8th wk).
Loud $8,000. Last week, $8,500.

Trans-Lux World (T-L) (604; 99-
$1.50) — “Adventures Robinson
Crusoe” (UA) (3d wk). Off to fair
$3,800. Last week,. $6,500.

‘Francis’ Great $20,000,
Denver; ‘Prairie’ Hep 8G

Denver, Aug. 24.
“Francis Joins Wacs” is easily
topper here this .week with a sock
session. “Vanishing Prairie” is
rated big at Aladdin, and holds.
Five houses currently are ending
runs of two to five weeks each.
“Magnificent Obsession” still is
fancy in third Paramount round.
“Living It Up” continues very
solid in third stanza at Denham.

Estimates for This Week
Aladdin (Fox) (1,400; 50-85) —
“Vanishing Prairie” (Disney). Big
$8,000, Holds. Last week, “Rocket
Man” (20th) and “On Riviefa”
(20th) (reissued), $2,500.

Broadway (Wolf berg) (1,200; 50-
85)— “Her 12 Men” (M-G) (2d Wk).
Fair $6,000. Last week, $7,000.
Centre (Fox) (1,247; 60-$l) —

(Continued on page 16)

• * >

Launching of some new, strong
product during the last five days
is boosting Broadway film business
this session. This plus some very
big extended-runs makes the cur-
rent week an unusually good one.
The rainy, cool weather of Satur-
day (21) made it a big day whereas
Sunday’s bright, warmish atmos-
phere hurt somewhat.

“King Richard and Crusaders” is
giving the Paramount one of its
best opening weeks in some time,
with a socko $50,000 in prospect.
Preem of “Dragnet” is getting a
great play, with a mighty $45,000
likely on first session at the Vic-
toria. This is near the all-time high
mark for the house and jits biggest
initial week in years.

“The Raid” and vaudeville is
heading for a* trim $21,000 this
week at the Palace. Fourth new
bill, “Weak, and Wicked,” looks
mild $7,500 at the Globe.

“Vanishing Prairie,” playing at
the arty Fine Arts, soared to a new
high opening round, with $22,400.
Prolongation of run for “Mr. Hu-
lot’s Holiday” hit a great $10,500
opening stanza at the Guild.

Biggest coin-getter continues to
be “7 Brides For 7 Brothers” plus
stageshow at the Music' Hall, It is
heading for a terrific $171,000 in
fifth session winding up today
(Wed.). It stays on through Labor
Day, with eight weeks virtually as-
sured.

“Rear Window” continues great
with $57,000 for third round at the
Rivoli. “Magnificent Obsession”
still is sock at $33,000 for third
week at the State.

“Liviiy* It Up” still is wow at the
Criterion With a $24,000 in pros-
pect for the current (5th) stanza.
“On Waterfront” continues great at
$60;000 for fourth frame at the
Astor.

“Caine Mutiny” has caught on
in almost sensational fashion in re-
cent weeks, with a smash $36,000
probable in current (9th) round at
the Capitol. “Apache” also is dis-
playing great stamina with fast
$12,500 likely for seventh week at
the Mayfair.

“Cinerama” picking up to smash
$40,500 in its 63d round at the War-
ner. The fact that it is now in its
second 'year at this house does not
seem to hurt, visitors from out-of-
town continuing to make it a
“must” on their vacation trips to
N. Y.

.Estimates for This Week

Astor (City Inv.) (1,300; $1.25-$2)
—“Waterfront” (Col) (5th wk).
Still sockeroo at $60,000 in fourth
week ended last night (TUes.) as
against $61,500 for third stanza,
probably biggest ever for first five
initial weeks at house.

Baronet (Reade) (430; 90-$1.55) —
“Fallen Idol” (Indie) (reissue). Ini-
tial frame ending today (Wed.)
looks like fairly okay $4,000. Holds.
In ahead, “Cowboy” (Lip) (3d wk-
10 days), $3,800.

Capitol (Loew’s) (4.820; 8542.20)
— “Caine Mutiny” (Col) (9th wk).
Current round winding today
(Wed.) likely will hold with smash
$36,000 or near as "against. $38,000
for eighth week. Continues.

Criterion (Moss) (1,700; 50-$1.85)
— “Living It Up” (Par) (5th wk).
Present stanza ending tomorrow
(Thurs.) is heading for great $24,-
000 or close after $28,800. way over
hopes, for fourth week. Continues
on indef.

Fine Arts ^Da vis) (468; 90-$ 1.80)
— “Vanishing Prairie” (Disney) (2d
wk). First session ended Sunday
(22) sogfed to a new house rec-
ord of $22,400, with long lines
every day. House forced to open
at 10:30 a.m. starting last Friday
to handle crowds. Set for longrun.
In ahead, “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday”
(GBD) (9th wk-5 days), $7,000 for
excellent longrun.

Globe (Brandt) (1,500; 70-$1.50)
— “Weak and Wicked” (AA). Ini-
tial stanza ending tomorrow
(Thurs.) looks only mild $7,500.
Won’t stay very long. In* ahead,
“Gambler From Natchez” (20th)
lasted only one week with $8,000.

Guild (Guild) (450; 8141.80)—
“Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” (GBD) (2d
wk). First frame ended Sunday
(22) hit great $10,500, this being in-
itial Week of continuation of run
started at Fine Arts Theatre. In
ahead, “Malta Story” (UA) (4th wk-
10 days), $5,500.

Holiday (Rose) (950; 90-$1.65)—
“Bullets or Ballots” (WB) and
“St. Louis Kid” (WB) (reissues)
(3d wk). Second round ended Mon-
day (23) held with okay $8,000
after fancy $12,000 opening week,
Not set to hold much longer.

Mayfair (Brandt) (1,736; 79-$1.80)
—“Apache” (UA) (7th wk). This

I*

stanza finishing tomorrow (Thurs.)
is heading for fancy $12,500 after
$17,000 for sixth week.

Normandie (Normandie Theatres)
(592; 95-$1.80) — “Adventures Rob-
inson Crusoe” (UA) (3d wk). Pres-
ent frame ending today (Wed.) is
holding at nice $4,000 or near.
Second week was $5,600.

Palace (RKO) (1,700; 50-$l. 60)—
“The Raid”. (20th) with vaudeville.
This week winding tomorrow
(Thurs.) looks trim $21,000 or close.
Last week, “Gog” (UA) with 8 acts
of vaude, $21,500.

Paramount (ABC-Par) (3,664; 70-
$1.75) — “King Richard and Cru-
saders” (WB). Initial session end-
ing Firday (27) looks to hit socko
$50,000. Holding. In ahead, “Duel*,
in Jungle” (WB) (2d wk), $27,000.

Rivoli (U AT) (2,092; 85-$2) —
“Rear Window” (Par) (3d wk). Cur-
rent stanza winding up today
(Wed.) is holding with terrific $57,-
000, amazing for third week here.
Second week was $60,000.

Paris (Pathe Cinema) (568; 90-
$1.80) — “Hobson’s Choice” (UA)
(11th Wk). The 10th week ended
Sunday (22) held at okay $6,000 af-
ter $6,300 in ninth. “Bread, Love
and Dreams” (Indie) due in next
but opening not set.

Radio City Music Hall (Rocke-
fellers) (6,200; 9542.75)— “7 Brides
For 7 Brothers” (M-G) with stage-
show (5th Wk). Continues at ter-
rific gait with $171,000 likely for
week ending today (Wed.). Fourth
session was $179,500, making $730,-
000 for first four weeks, best ever
for such period at Hall. “Briga-
doori” (M-G) set to follow.

Roxy (Nat’l. Th.) (5,717; 6542.40)
—“The Egyptian” (20th). Opens
regular run today (Wed.) after spe-
cial invitational preem last night
(Tues.) at benefit for March of
Dimes. In ahead, “Broken Lance”
(20th) (4th wk-5 days), mild $22,000
after $37,000 for third full week.

State (Loew’s) (3,450; 7841.75)—
“Magnificent Obsession” (U) (4th
wk). Third round ended last night
(Tues.) was sock $33,000 after $44,-
000 for second week. Stays on.

Sutton (B&B) (581; 90-$ 1.50) —
“Man With Million” (UA) (9th wk).
Eight week ended Sunday (22) was
good $6,700 as against $6,000 for
seventh frame. “High and Dry”
(U) was scheduled to open Aug. 29
but opening likely will be delayed
since “Million” has held lip so well.

Trans-Lux 60th St. (T-L) (453;
($1-$1.50) — “Her' 12 Men” (M-G)
(3d wk). First holdover stanza
ended last night (Tues.) was good
$5,Q00 after $9,000 for opener.

Trans-Lux 52nd St. (T-L) (540;
$1-$1.50)— “Lili” (M-G) (77th wk).
The 76th round ended Monday
(23) held at sock $6,700 after $6,-
800 for 75th week.

Victoria (City Inv.) (1,060; 50-
$1.75) — “Dragnet” (WB). Soaring,
and looks to reach a mighty $45,-
000, near the all-time high for
house and biggest at Vic in years.
Opening week ends tomorrow
(Thurs.). Holds, natch! In ahead,
“Susan Slept Here” (RKO) (3d wk-
8 days), $9,500 after two nice pre-

'vlniiQ u/pplrc

Warner (Cinerama Prod.) (1,600;
$1.20-$3.30) — “Cinerama” (Indie)
(64th wk). The 63d round ended
Sunday (22) edged up to smash
$40,500 after $40,000 for 62d week.
Stays on. Show getting plenty of
vacationeers now in N. Y.

‘living’ Lofty $12,000,
Prov.; ‘Valley’ Neat 11G,
‘Obsession’ Loud 14G, 2d

Providence, Aug, 24.
Sock holdover biz is being done
by RKO Albee’s “Magnificent Ob-
session” and Majestic’s “Broken
Lance.” Also unusually heavy for
summertime are both “Living It
Up” and “Valley of Kings ” “Liv-
ing” is smash newcomer.

Estimates for This Week
Albee (RKO) (2,200; 50-70)—
“Magnificent Obsession” (U) and
“Highway Dragnet” (A A) (2d wk).
Hotsy $14,000. First week was
$18,000.

Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 70-90) —
“Broken Lance” (20th) (2d wk).
Happy $11,000/ Last week, $16,000.

State (Loew’s) (3,200; 50-70 )-^
“Valley of Kings” (M-G) and
“Golden Mask” (UA). Oke $11,000.
Last week, “Long Wait” (UA) and
“John Smith, Pocahontas” (UA),
$ 8 , 000 .

Strand (Silverman) (2,200; '65-90)
—“Living It Up” (Par) and
“Javanese Dagger” (Par). Socko
$12,000. Last week, “Caine
Mutiny” (Col) (5th wk), $6,000.

Wednesday, August 25, 1954*

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Lighter ReVue Touch Is Missed

Vidor Preps Bilingual
‘Devil’s General’ Film

Hollywood, Aug. 24,
Charles Vidor, who last directed
“Rhapsody” for Metro, is negotiat-
ing with three American stars to
appear in “The Devil’s General,”
Carl Zuckmayer’s London stage hit

By GORDON IRVING

Edinburgh, Aug. 24.

With Denmark's Prince Georg
and Princess Anne here to attend
the opening ceremonies and con-
certs, and England’s Princess Mar-
garet due next Friday (31) for the
Old Vic’s Shakespeare opening the
eighth International Festival of
Music ar« Drama has struck quite
a royal note. Fest runs from Aug.
22 to Sept. 11.

Social life is becoming increas-
ingly important at this annual arts
junket, and more emphasis is being
placed on good niteries and eat-
eries. More hotels and restaurants
are opening to cater for the Fesi-
valite; there are more late-night
revues (although : still officially
frowned upon by the Festival top-
pers), and the demand for after*
the-show entertainment fodder con-
tinues.

Absurd licensing laws, the most
outdated in the world, and the in-
fluence of the ancient Scots, church,
with its dour let’s-not-be-gay out-
look, are hampering what could be
the world’s gayest event of the cul-
tural year. The impetus is here,
but Auld Lang Syne tradition cuts
across its full success. If this
Festival were taking place in Paris,
it would draw many thousands

more. .

That criticism apart, dignified
Edinburgh, with its historic castle
set on a rock, its handsome Princes
St. (one of the finest boulevards in
the world) and its hordes and earn-
est, artistically-minded and hos-
pitable citizens, is making another
bold effort to, make this a success.

On the drama side, it’s America’s
year. The main modern offering is
Thornton Wilder’s comedy, “The
Matchmaker,” at the Lyceum The-

(Continued on page 15)

Sadler’s Theatre Terps
Snarled by Wage Hassle;
Dancers Ask $425 Hike

London, Aug. 24.

Unless a pay dispute with Brit-
ish Actors Equity is resolved, the
new season of the Sadler’s Wells
Theatre Ballet, skedded to open
Sept. 9, will have to be postponed.
(This is the junior, but separate
troupe of Sadler’s Wells Ballet.)

Union ordered a stoppage when
the management nixed its demand
for an allround increase of $4.25,
but offered to pay merit money to
soipe of the 30 members of the
troupe.

The management, which gave
the dancers until yesterday (Mon.)
to sign contracts for the remainder
of the season and the company’s
provincial tour, Said it was not a
financial issue but one of principle.

Present Equity minimum is £7
a week, equal to $19.60. Three
members of the company are re-
portedly paid $22.40 weekly.

Each Britisher Visits
Cinema 26 Times Yearly

London, Aug. 24.

A total of 26 cinema visits a
year for each inhabitant of the
United Kingdom; an average of
only 15 a year for each American.
These comparative figures for 1953
were published in London last
week by UNESCO.

The publication (70c. a copy)
“Basic Facts and Figures,” gives
the total of British picture theatres
as 4,595. with a seating capacity of
4,20d,Q00. Paid admissions last
year amounted to 1,312,000,000. In
America, 17,000 theatres have a
combined capacity of 10,200,000
and the annual attendance in 1952
totalled 2,300,000,000.

The statistical comparison re-
veals that in July last year, while
Britain had only 2,900,000 tv re-
ceivers in use, the U. S. total had
topped 25,000,000, equalling the
number of radios fitted in Ameri-
can cars. At the Same time there
were 110,000,000 radio receivers in
use in the U. S. against some
12,000,000 in Britain. This works
out to 701 receivers for every
1,000 U. S. inhabitants against 256
In Britain. i

Financial Recovery For
Odeon Group in Offing

London, Aug. 24.

A, complete financial recovery
by the Odeon Group, together with

a resumption of dividend pay-
ments, is anticipated in financial
circles when the preliminary profit
statement is published next Mon-
day (30). The full report is due
mid-September.

During the past fortnight there
has been considerable activity in
Odeon shares On the exchange
here. Ordinary shares (par value
70c) were being quoted last week
at better than $3.50.

Edinburgh, Aug. 24.

The Eighth International Film
Festival, pix accessory to the major
Edinburgh Festival, is making
valiant efforts to come down to
earth. Choice of product has been
widened to embrace vehicles of
all categories. Also, more visiting
stars are attending. Fearful of the
bogey of “ugly commercialism,”
the organizers have made a serai-
bow to popular taste by including
a British feature pic, "The Young
Lovers,” starring American actor
David Knight and French actress*
Odile Versois. This is sot for a
gala preem at the New Victoria,
Sept. 5, with the two stars and
director Anthony Asquith present.

More than 30 feature pix and
about 200 shorts from 38 nations
are, set. for the three-week cine-
matic junket.

For the first time honor of
launching the fete has • gone to
Greece. Greece' has its “Windfall
in Athens” entered. It has been
breaking records in the Middle
East.

Main American entry is “Little
Fugitive,” with Morris Engel and
Ruth Orkin. It has covered most
of its U. S. playdates already. Pic
was screened today (24) along with
a British semi-documentary “Pow-
ered Flight.” Argentina has “Dark
River,” pic dealing with the days
of semi-slavery, Russia sent
three feature pix, one being “Trio
Ballet,” featuring ballerina Ula-
noya. Another is the juve-audi-
ence film “Cuk and Geg.”

Two late entries to the annual
film junket are Columbia’s “The
Caine Mutiny” and “On the Water-
front.” Date for former, subject
of rave notices by British crix, is
being fixed, and the latter will be
screened Sept. 12.

John Huston is expected in for
the Festival from location lensing
of “Moby Dick” at Fishguard,
Wales. Two other American vis-
itors due in are Walter Wanger
and Joan Bennett, who plan to stay
'for a week. Wanger’s “Riot in Cell
Block ll” is being shown here
Thursday (26) and Friday (27),

From France has come “Avant
Le Deluge,” about the revolt of a
group of young people faced with
a world threatened by atomic de-
struction. Film received the in-
ternational crix award at the 1954
Cannes. Festival. Also from the
Gallic film studios is “Le Ble Eh
Herbe," adapted by Claude Autant-
Lara from a novel by the late
Colette.

Hipp’s 50th Anni

Manchester, Eng., Aug. 17.

Hippodrome Theatre celebrated
the 50th anni here last month.
Built by Sir Osward Stoll, house
opened in July, 1904. With one
short break, has been a music
hall for half : a-century. Originally
known as the Ardwick Empire, it
became the Hippodrome when
Stoll's former Hippodrome in Ox-
ford Street, Manchester, was pulled
down and rebuilt as a cinema.

First „ bill opening night was
headed by the Fred Karne Co, in
“Saturday to Monday.”

based on the. career of Ernst Udet,
German air ace of World War I,
which starred Trevor Howard.

Vidor has just acquired the play
from Richard Gordon, who pur-
chased worldwide film rights from
Zuckmayer last year.

Zuckmayer will collaborate with
Vidor on the American screenplay.
Vidor intends to produce and di-
rect the pic in early 1955 and is
now in Europe to explore the possi-
bility of filming the play there
simultaneously in English and Ger-
man-language versions.

Continued from page 2

copyright protection in foreign I
countries will be actual and not j
merely symbolic.

Provision is made for a mini-
mum term which may be com-
puted either from the date of
publication, as we do under the
.Copyright Act, or be based upon
the life of the author, which is the
system in most other countries. A
comparison of . terms is permitted ]
so that when a work falls into the
public domain in its country of
origin it need not be protected
elsewhere. For this purpose, both
the original term of twenty-eight
years and the renewal term, under .
our statute are given effect.

The change which is most im-
mediate and the impact of which
will be felt directly, involves the
expanded form of copyright notice
and its international effect. For
many years there appeared to be
an irreconcilable ’conflict between
the Berne system of copyright
without “formalities” and- our re-
quirement that copyright be se-
cured by the imprint of a statu-
tory notice. Many countries, even
adherents to the Berne Conven-
tion, • have moreover required
either first or simultaneous publi-
cation in their Own territories or
within the Berne Union for the
protection Of published works, and
we in turn have imposed the man-
ufacturing clause in respect of
English language books arid peri-
odicals of foreign origin. Some
domestic laws have imposed con-
ditions Of registration, deposit or
similar burdensome conditions.
These chaotic prescriptions have
constituted the chief impediment
to adequate international copy-
right protection.

New Copyright System

Under the Universal Convention,
our system of securing copyright
by the imprint of a notice is
adapted as the means of overcom-
ing the divergent local require-
ments. "When the Treaty comes
into force, all of the formalities,
whether they be local publication,
manufacturing provisions, regis-
tration or deposit, will be .satis-
fied if the work bears an imprint
of the symbol © accompanied by
the year of publication and the
name of the copyright proprietor.
With the imprint of this notice it
will no longer be necessary to have
a work published simultaneously
in England, Canada or other Berne
Convention countries in order to
obtain copyright in the important
markets, or to abide by the other
various local formalities.

Congress has in addition taken
the precaution to eliminate an un-
necessary dual requirement. Until
now the use of the symbol © iri the
statutory copyright notice has
been permissible only on photo-
graphs, etchings, engravings, sta-
tuary, and such similar works. 6n
printed material such as. books,
periodicals, sheet music and the
like, it has been essential to use
the full word “Copyright” or the
abbreviation "Copr.” • The new
amendment of the Copyright Act
adopted by Congress to implement
the Universal Convention, will
now permit the use of the symbol
© for the copyright notice on all
works. We can therefore expect to
find this new style of copyright
notice employed uniformly on
sheet music, books, periodicals,
and other printed material to
serve for domestic copyright pur-
poses, as well as a means of se-
curing copyright throughout the
area of the Universal Convention.

Despite Thin B.O., Arg. Film Prods.
Plan Big Lineup of Pix; Widescreen,
Color Vehicles Plus Foreign Stars

20th Plans Showing Of
New C’Scope in Aussie

Sydney, Aug. 17.

Twentieth-Fox, in association
with Hoyts’ circuit, will give dem-
onstrations of the advance in Cine-
mascope technique at. the 2,200-
seat Regent here Aug. 24. Demon-
strations will be along the lines
of those recently concluded in the
U. S. and Britain, which Ernest
Turnbull, Hoyts managing director,
attended.

Demonstrations, strictly for gx-
hibs will be followed by a supper
at the Trocadero. Big tieup is seen
by industry folk as a 20th-Fox
blast against Par’s opposition
Vista Vision.

Dublin, Aug. 17.

With Irish film censor Martin
Brennan already scissoring bru-
tality scenes in pix and ordering
“toning down” in others, critic
Ken Crozier-Shaw talking on Radio
Eireann’s weekly Film Magazine
feature also put in a rap. He al-
leged that in a recent three-month
period^ audiences at first-runs here
saw “550 acts of violence in 70
films, and that only 17 of these
were westerns in which a certain
amount of rutality is expected.”

Shaw claimed that films not only
are getting rougher but that they
are also becoming increasingly
vicious.

“Brutality” topic is being aired
more and more frequently, despite
the censor's “toning down” tactics.
Subject reportedly was discussed
when Roland Thornton, director of
information for the MPAA in Lon-
don, visited’ - here for talks with in-
dustry leaders and civic biggies
last. week.

Aussie B.O. Boff With
‘Genevieve,’ ‘Prince’ Plus
‘Knock’ Longrun Champs

Sydney, Aug. 17.

Solid boxoffice throughout the
Aussie territory is indicative of the
strong product presently marqueed
at the cinemas. Biz should main'
tain a hot pace for balance of the
year.

Toppers here include “Moon Is
Blue” (UA), in 36th week; “River
of No Return” (20th), 3d week;
“Student Prince” M-G), 4th week;
/‘Knock On Wood” (Par), 11th
week; “Hobson’s Choice” (London),
4th week; “French Line” (RKO),
3d week; “Hondo” (WB),«4th week,
and “Red Beret” (Col), 2d week. ’

‘Genevieve’ Tops in Melbourne
Melbourne, Aug. 17.

“Genevieve” (U) is top longrun
here. "Elephant Walk” (Par), 2d
week; “Student Prince” (M-G), 2d
week; “Three Coins, in Fountain”
(20th), 3d week, and “Love Lot-
tery” (Rank), 2d week are the
others. In Brisbane, “Prince Vali-
ant” (20th), “Ma, Pa Kettle at
Home” (U), and “Meet Me To-
night” (Rank)., all in their second
weeks set the longrun pace.

Adelaidie has “Roman Holiday”
(ParlTiri its 5th week; "Genevieve”
(U), in 7th week; “Night People”
(20th), in 3d week, and "Rose
Marie” (M-G), in 2d week.

Vienna - * Brit. Debut

London, Aug. 24. ,
Under Peter Daubeny’s manage-
ment, the Vienna Operetta made its
British debut last week*at the Stoll
Theatre. After three weeks in the
West End, it will embark on a
provincial tour until the end of
the year.

The company opened last Mon-
day (16) with an attractive pres*
entation of “Vienna Blood,” and
subsequently staged.' “Princess
Czardas” and “The Merry Widow."
The east Is headed by. Christine
von Widmann and Karl Terkal.

Buenos Aires, Aug. 17

Outwardly undismayed by the
poor returns obtained with their
pictures, the native , producers are
maintaining activity, with the im-
petus of this year's iriternational
festival at Mar del Plata causing
the recruiting of. considerable
European and Mexican talent to re-
inforce their rosters. " The des-
perate efforts to recover lost; pres-
tige at home and abroad now in-
clude filming in widescreen and
with color, entries at every inter-
national festival, purchase of new
equipment and hiring of European
cameramen, Plans include every-
thing except that essential of good
film production— selection of inter-
esting story material and adequate
direction.

Most of the foreign talent actu-
ally has started work, and some
here express amazement as to why
many of these talented .foreigners
should have accepted local con-
tracts. Most recent arrival is
Spanish actress Ana Mariscal, un-
der contract to Guaranteed Pic-
tures. She will be teamed with
her countryman, Alberto Closas,
and a new screen Arid, Jorge Rivier.,

Mexico’s Carlos Lopez Moctezu-
ma was hurriedly signed by Argen-
tina Sono Film to make up for the
defection of Pedro Armendariz,
who was to be paired with Zully
Moreno in “De Barro Humano” (Of
Human Clay). Moctezuma is de-
scribed as a leading Mexican char-
acter actor. Luis Sandrini is to
make a brief guest appearance in
this. The latter comedian is cur-
rently hard at work directing and
playing' the lead in his Own produc-
tion of the legit hit, “Cuando Los
Duendes Cazan Perdices” (When
Ghosts Hunt Partridges), which
ran six years on the stage.

Another European arrival, Alba
Arnova, has started work in “Pa-
jaros de Cristal”. (Crystal Birds),
which has a ballet theme." Renee
Dumas, an Argentine actress who
has had much experience in Mexi-
can pictures, also was imported for
a role in this.

Vilar Starts on Second Pic

Portuguese actor, Antonio Vilar,
who was hired by Hugo del Carril
for “La Quintrala,” not yet re-
leased, is now working on his sec-
ond Argentine effort, “The Corsi-
can Brothers” (Sono). Many se-
quences of the picture were shot in
the Cordoba hills, which resemble
the rugged Corsican scenry, and
others in the lush Army Club’s re-
ception rooms, which easily pass as
the galleries of the Tuileries in
Napoleon’s day. The Army’s loan-
ing its premises for the purpose
shows the government’s interest in
film production. (Incidentally, the
Army Club was formerly the
Gainza-Pas family mansion, owners
of the great liberal newspaper La
Prenza, which Peron confiscated).
Ariother sign of government coop-
eration has been exemption from
taxation for film producers who use
the city streets for shooting
scenes.

Unable to enilst Yves Montand
for work in local studios because
of his high dollar wage demands.
Ana Maria Lynch (Mrs. Hugo del
Carril) contented herself with sign-
ing Italian actor Massimo Girotti
and Spain’s Enrique Diosdado,
who made pictures here some years
ago. Both have already begun
work on a Spanish version of Emile
Zola’s “La Bete Humainc” in 3-D,
which Daniel Tinayre is directing.
Miss Lynch played her first screen
role in “La Quintrala,” her hus-
band’s unreleased production, and
i§ reported to have been selected
by/ Enteric Pressburger and
Michael Powell for an important
part in “Sun in Blood,” Which they
will roll in Argentina next year.
She also signed Emilio Fernandez
and Gabriel Figueroa of Mexico
for work in local pictures next
year.

' Viviane Romance to Star

Another Italian actor, Raff Va-
lone, due ‘to work with an mde-
pendent producer in “El Puente
(The Bridge), directed by Antonio
Leonviola. Preparations are al so
going forward for “Caranavanto.
in which French Viviane Romance
is to star, French cameraman
Louis Bourel also was signed for it.
Aurora Bautista likewise is due
(Continued on page 15)

. 'VARIITY'r LONDON OPFICI
t W. W«rtlii , > fl«w, Trafalgar Sgunra

Ponder Ability of Brit. Fib Prod.

IXTERXATIOX’AL

By HAROLD MYERS

* • . / *

London, Aug. 24.

Is the motion picture production
industry in Britain capable of
meeting ttte boom which may come
with the introduction of commer-
cial television here? This is an
urgent question which is being
anxiously examined by potential
program packagers,. Who are plan-
ning to swing into activity imme-
diately the bluepririt for the new
network as released by the govern-
ment. .

The postwar production crisis
took a severe toll of many studios,
and the floor space now available
is considerably restricted although
not fully employed by feature and
short film producers. At the last
census in May, 18 out of a total of
54 stages were idle, equalling over
27% of the total area available.

Up to the present, however,
there has only been a modest
amount of British telepix produc-
tion, and little of it-has been ab-
sorbed by the home market. Cre-
ation of the new commercial web,
however, is ekpected to* result in
substantial expansion in this field
and may severely tax the limited
studio resources.

Another legacy of the produc-
tion slump is likely to be. a short-
age of skilled technicians because
more than 2,000 experienced stu-
dio workers have left the industry
during the past few years to find
employment and security in other
jobs. Many, doubtless, could be
tempted back to the studios with a
promise of full and continuous em-
ployment,' but would not be lured
on a picture-to-picture basis.

Eye Other .European trod. Setups

In anticipation of the threatened
studio shortage, some tv producers
are hopeful that floor facilities in
other parts of Europe will be
available to fill the gap. Michael
Brown, tv program director for
Coleman, Prentis & Varley, who
has been here for last fortnight
confabbing with executives at the
agency's London office, is going to
Copenhagen this week to o.o. stu-
dio facilities in the Danish capital.

Among the studios which have-
shuttered since the onset of the
1949 crisis are the GB Studios at
Shepherd’s* Bush, which was taken
over by BBC-TV; Highbury, ac-
quired by Norman Collins’ High
Definition Films; Islington, * Den-
ham, Teddington and Welwyn. The
first four were controlled by the
Rank group, and. the other two by
WB and Associated British Picture
Corp., respectively.

Italo Govt.-Subsidized
Film Cos. Face Shakeup

Borne, Aug. 17.

Two government-subsidized Ital-
ian production-distribution compa-
nies are due for a drastic shakeup
in the next few months, the re-
organization to follow reported
criticism of the outfits’ recent op-
er-tions. Companies are CINES,
which handles productipn, and
ENIC, which takes care of releas-
ing via a larger chain of Italian
showcases.

General revamp of both groups
has been set for early September,
when reorganization presumably
will be discussed and carried out.

Scot Priest Pacted

For U.S. Concert Tour

Glasgow, Aug. 17.

Sydney MacEwan, Scot priest,
has been inked for a U, S. singing
tour. A tenor, now 44^ he will
leaye Sept.*30, and return Nov. 15.
He is set to give concerts in 12
American cities and to appear on
sound and tv programs. Tour has
been arranged by Carleton Smith,
chairman of the Advisory Commit-
tee of the National Arts Founda-
tion of America, here on first leg
of a European tour seeking artists
to appear before U. S. audiences.

MacEwan will undertake his
tour during ' vacation period. “I
have no intention .of faking up
singing as a career/’ he said, “I am
very happy as I am. N He is .parish
priest of Lochgilphead, ’ Argyll-
shire, in the .Wesjt Scottish High-
lands. Singer previously toured
Australia three tinves end New
Zealand twice,

7 Jap Tinters in Prod.

Or Ready for Release

Tokyo, Aug. 17,

Seven feature, films In color are
how before Japanese cameras, com-
pleted or -in the last planning
stages at this time, marking the
biggest tinter splurge by Jap ma-
jors in the history of the industry
here,. Daiei Studios, winners of
more international laurels than any
other local company, has a glitter-
ing Eastman color costumer, “Sen-
hime,” starring sexy Mochiko Kyo
of “Rosharrion” rep, ready for ex-
hibition in the next Cannes Film
Fete. “Road to Hawaii,” a comedy,
is being filmed in Hawaii by Toho
in Eastman color and a version of
the famous Japanese historical
story, “The 47 Ronin,’ is planned
by Shintoho. Four other tinters
are before the cameras or being
planned with one studio, Nikkatsu,
the latest entry into the big pro-
ducer,; Announcing 'that it is now
prepared to make all its future
films in color.

London, Aug. 24.

John Davis, managing director
of the J. Arthur Rank Organiza-
tion, has put an end to the over-
tures from the Cinematograph
Exhitors Assn, prexy, Claude H.
Whincup, who has been- endeavor-
ing ta persuade the group to return
to the fold. In a letter- to the CEA
topper last week, the Rank No. 2
concluded with the comment: “As
far as I am concerned, this cor-
respondence is closed,”

Charging the CEA with action
which was “entirely Unjustified”
and accusing them of a breach of
faith, Davis asserts that the Rank
withdrawal from membership of
the association was due to . their
unilateral action in cutting weekly
contributions to the Eady pool,
instead of waiting for agreement
by the four trade associations, or
for a Board of Trade arbitration
award. Davis insists that failing
agreement, there was no other
course Open to the CEA but to
allow the existing levy, to continue.

In his original letter of 'resigna-
tion a month ago, the Rank aide
argued that there had been a
“flagrant breach of agreements”
and now he holds that the . CEA
has committed a breach of faith by
releasing to the press a report of
confabs at the BOT, after it had
been agreed that only, a brief press
release should* be issued by the
BOT.

SADLER’S, PARIS BALLET
TO INTERCHANGE DATES

London, Aug. 24.

In a two-way switch, the Paris
Opera Ballet will be appearing at
the Covent Garden Opera House
while the SadleFs Wells Ballet will
be performing at the Paris* Opera.
The seasons open on Sept. 28 and
will run to Oct. 11.

The Paris company will have a
repertory of 18 ballets, some, of
which will be performed for the
first “time in London. The French
troupe will include Yvette Chau-
vire, Christiane Vaussard, Miche-
line Bardin and Nina Vyroubova.

‘Cool Place’ Given Slim
Chance for London Run

London. Aug. 24.

The sole new legit entry in Lon-
don’s West End last week was
“Keep in a Cool Place,” a comedy
by William Templeton, which was
presented by' James P. Sherwood at
the Saville Tuesday (17), with
Roger Livesey and Hy Hazell in
the principal roles.

It is a flimsy piece about a Scot-
tish clansman whose sons collect
brides in different parts of the
globe. With a lukewarm press,
it has slender hopes of survival.
Jevan BrandoivThomas has di-
rected in slow, $elibe$ate style.

Ingrid’s ‘Joan’ Set

For Preem in Paris

Rodie, Aug. 17.

“Joan at the Stake,” recently
completed Ingrid Bergman starrer
directed by Roberto Rossellini,
will have its world preem in Paris'
Notre Dame Cathedral Nov. 15, it
was announced here. Film, based
on the oratorio by Paul Claudel
and Arthur Honegger, which has
had successful runs in Naples,
Milan and more recently in Paris,
was shot in Italy with Gevacolor, .
Giorgio Criscuolo ahd Franco*]
Francese produced;

Producers also have announced
they have signed . Richard Conte
for an unnamed film, slated' to
start shooting in Rome soon.

Berlin, Aug. 17.

The Fourth Berlin Cultural Fes-
tival, which opens here next month
is to play host to musical and dra-
matic groups from all. parts of
Europe as well as some from the
U. S. Length of festival has been
reduced from the usual four weeks
to 18 days, running from Sept. 18
through Oct. 5. PrPograms will be
presented in all local leading the-
atres, including the Staedtische
Opera, the Titania Palast, Schiller
Theatre, Schlosspark Theatre and
the foremost privately owned
houses in West Berlin.

As in former years, the most sub-
stantial part of the program will
be operatic. Of the operas, Ros-
sini’s “Cinderella” should be of
special interest as it will be per-
formed by the Glyndebourne
Opera Co. from Ireland. Other
operas include “The Valkyrie,”
“Rhinegold,” “Siegfried,” "Goet-
terdaemmerung,” all by Wagner;
“Salome,” “Arabella” (Strauss);
“Don Giovanni,” “Magic Flute,”
“Nabucco,” “Tales of Hoffmann”
and “Peer Gynt." Staedtische
Opera will have a ballet show
three times, with programs by
Baumann (Pelleas & Melisande),
Luigi Nono (The Red Coat) and
Ravel (Bolero).

In addition to the ballet en-
semble at the Staedtische Opera,
there will— he a Parisian ballet
group (Grand Ballet Du Marquis
’De Cuevas) at the Titania Palast
Sept. . 27-29. To give pantomime
dancing a lift, the Tribuene is ar-
ranging a pantomime cycle which
presents “Die Gaukler’Vfrom Stutt-
gart and Jean SUubeyran’js en-
semble from Duesseldorf.

*

On the concert side, the most im-
portant performances will be
given by the Berlin Philharmonic
conducted by Wilhelm Furt-
waengler.

Thornton Wilder’s “The Match-
maker” is among the top dramatic
attractions. This will be presented
in English by the Edinburgh Fes-
tival. The Teatro delle Novita di
Prosa (Milan) will present “La
Venexiana,” a commedia from the
15th century. The Viennese Kalei-
dqskop comes along with Buech-
ner’s “Leonce and Lena.” John
Patrick’s “Teahouse of the August
Moon,” with Oscar Karlweis in the
lead, will be a special attraction at
the Renaissance Theatre. “Kyritz-
Pyritz,” a song and dance comedy,
will be performed at the Schloss-
park Theatre, Other ensembles,
both domestic and foreign, will
complete the fete program.

West End Biz Big; ‘Caine’ Sockeroo

12G, ‘Susan 5G, Both 3d; living 8G

Mull Irish Drama Festival

Dublin, Aug. 17.

Carleton Smith, chairman of
Advisory Committee of Art Foun-
dation of America, has been talk-
ing here with government officials,
tourist and travel organizations qp
the possibility of setting up Festi-
val of Irish Dramatic .Art as a
gimmick to stimulate U, S. tour-
ist trade. He suggests the Festi-
val should last three or four weeks
during June, July or August.

Project is not new since the
Abbey staged a festival in 1938,
but efforts by the Tourist Board to
promote similar festivals with all
theatres co-operating in recent
years have not materialized.

AA-Assoc. Brit. Pathe
Confab in Monte Carlo

London,' Aug* 24.

• A joint Allied Artists-Associated
British Pathe convention is being
organized in Monte Carlo for next
month to discuss sales , policy and
increased distribution for the out-
put of both companies. In addi-
tion to a strong Anglo-American
contingent; distribs from ‘most Eu
ropean capitals will attend.

The American delegation' will be
headed by Steve Broidy, A A prez,
and will include Harold J. Mirisch,
Morey R. Goldstein, Norton
Ritchey and Terry O’Neill. Walter
Mirisch had to cancel out.

Glasgow, Aug. 17.

Legit season here is livening up
with approach of fall. Scot firm of
Scottishows teed off with produc-
tion of the James Bridie comedy,
“Gog and Magog,” featuring native
actor Duncan Macrae, and staged
by James Crampsey, radio megger.
Piece opened at Perth and is in
Edinburgh for three-weeks’ unof-
ficial season during the Interna-
tional Festival.

Legit fare . y skedded for King’s
Theatre, Glasgow, includes “Simon
and Laura,” new comedy by Alan
Melville and directed by Murray
MacDonald. Lead roles go to Coral
Browne, Roland Culver, Dora
Bryan, Ian Carmichael and Ernest
Thesiger.

John van Druten’s “Bell, Book
and Candle,” with Rex Harrison
and Lilli Palmer in their N. Y.
roles, is also lined up for the
King’s here. Play is directed by
Harrison.

Empress Theatre, city vaudery,
has forsaken variety acts for sea-
son of repertory by the Fraser Neal
Players. Fodder has mainly s.a.,
angle,

Other Foreign News
On Page 15

‘CINERAMA’ PREEM IN
LONDON SET FOR FALL

London, Aug. 17.
“Cinerama” is to make its Brit-
ish bow at the London Casino. A
deal has been closed by Robin In-
ternatonal and Emile Littler and
Tom Arnold, and installation is
being rushed in the hopes of get-
ting an end-of-September preem.

The negotiations, which were
initiated earlier this year by the
late Joseph Bernhard, were con-
cluded by Sydney Murley, financial
executive of Robin International.
A British company will be formed
to operate the venture, Sir David
Griffiths, who has been closely
connected with the confabs, will be
adviser to the new outfit.

The conversion will rob the
Casino of about a quarter of its
1,600-seating capacity. As a pic-
ture theatre, it will have to pay
admission duty at the higher rate
operating for films. An admission
tab of $1.50 will carry with it a tax
of approximately 65c. A similar
legit ticket only 21c tax.

It is intended to operate the thea-
tre on a legit admission with a top
of $2.15 and a minimum of 70c
scale.

London, Aug. 17.

The first weekend of sunshine in
months, failed to make an appreci-
able dent in film theatre receipts.
First-run biz last stanza continued
in a flourishing state, with peak biz
reported by several key houses.
Lead was grabbed by “Caine Muti-
ny” at the Odeon, Leicester Square,
which is heading for smash $19,500.

Close runnerup is “River of No
Return,” which looks great at $17,-
000 'at Odeon, Marble Arch, best at
house since 20th-Fox took over the-
atre for C’Scope pix. Another big
grosser is “Them,”, which broke the
25-year house record at the London
Pavilion in first week and still is
terrific in third round with $12,000.

Among the holdovers, “Dial M
for Murder” has continued a solid
hit at the Warner -Theatre, where
it is holding solid $8,000 in fifth.
“Susan Slept Here” has done
steady biz at the Gaumont, now
being in third week. “Living It Up”
is rated nice with $8,000 or over
in second round at 1,092-seat
Plaza.

Estimates for Last Week

Carlton (20th) (1,128; 55-$1.70)—
“Flight of White Heron” (8th wk).
Fair $5,000 in final (8th) round af-
ter $8,400 for previous week.
“Three Coins in Fountain” (20th),
preems Aug. 20.

.Empire (M-G) (3,099; 55-$1.70)—
“Valley of Kings” (M-G) (2d-final
wk). Slick $11,600 after $14,200
opening week. “Betrayed” (M-G)
tees off Aug, 19.

Gaumont (CMA) (1,500; 50-$1.70)
— “Susan- Slept Here” (RKO) (3d
wk). Looks okay $5,000 or over
after $6,500 for second. “Black
Knight” (Col) bows Aug. 19.

Leicester Square Theatre (CMA)
(1,753; 50-$L70) — “Beachcomber”
(GFD) (2d wk). Initial stanza fin-
ished at good average. Looks neat
$6,500 after $7,700 opener. Stays
a third. “Young Lovers” (GFD)
preems Aug. 26.

London Pavilion (UA) (1,217; 50-
$1.70) — “Them” (WB) (3d wk).
Smashed all-time 25-year house
record with colossal $14,300 open-
ing week and still looks great $12,-
000 in third round. Stays( natch!

Odeon, Leicester Square! CMA)
(2,200; 50-$l. 70)— “Caine Mutiny”
(Col). Opening weekend of four
days shapes $10 v 500 (compares
with top grossers here) and full
session looks great $19,500. Con-
tinues.

Odeon, Marble Arch (20th)
(2,200; 50-$1.70)— “River of No Re-
turn” (20th). Biggest opening
grosser since 20th-Fox leased this
house as a C’Scope. Socko $17,-
000 likely. Holds.

Plaza (Par) (1,092; 70-$1.70)—
“Living It Up” (Par) (2d wk). Cur-
rent round shapes nice $8,000 or
better after $8,500 previous week.
“Green Scarf” (BL) opens Aug. 27,
Ritz (M-G) (432; 30-$2. 15)— “Ex-
ecutive Suite” (M-G) (7th wk).
Sixth frame was neat $2,300. Holds
one more week, to be followed by
“Flame and Flesh” (M-G) Aug.26.

Studio One (APT) (600; 30-$1.20)
— “Living Desert” (Disney) (13th
wk). Holding at handsome $3,900.
Continues indef.

Warner (WB) (1,735; 50-$1.70)—
“Dial M for Murder” (WB) (5th
wk). Solid $8,000 or near looms in
final frame, after $9,100. in previ-
ous Week. “6apt. Horatio Horn-
blower” (WB) opens Aug. 19.

Tushinsky Lens in Brit.

To Be Handled by RKO

London, Aug. 17.

RKOtRadio will distribute the
Tushinsky SuperScope lens in
Great Britain. Joseph and Irving
Tushinsky are due here next month
to attend first British demonstra-
tion.

Robert S. Wolff, RKO managing
director received this news from
Walter E. Branson, company’s for-
eign chief. RKO will be releasing
several SuperScope productions in
the near future.

Howard Keel Scottish
Vaude Preem Sept. 20

Glasgow, Aug. 17,
Howard Keel, Metro star, is Set
to head a vaude bill here the week
of Sept. 20. It will be his Scotland
bow. Keel opens a British tour
at the Empire. Liverpool, Sept. 6.
It’s his first time round as a top
attraction on British music hall
bills. ,

Deep River Boys, currently in
Sweden, are pacted for a Glasgow
Empire week opening Sept. 6.
Other vaude headliners at the No.

1 Scot vaudery include the Ray El-*»
lington Quartet, and Tommy Trin-
der. Cockney comedian recently
from Australia.

Georgia Gibbs makes her Brit-
ish vaude bow^at. the Empire, Glas-
gow, Monday (23).

• •ft?- ,

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

Play it in GENUINE, 4-TRACK HIGH-FIDELITY MAGNETIC-STEREOPHONIC SOUND

*VARI*TY'4' LONDON OFFICI
.• i It. Pliei, Tr«MI«ar Muir*

1 "! ' ' ' i i . .. . i i '■ i i i i *1 ,

INTERNATIONAL' IS

U. S. Year at Edinburgh

SS5SS5S Continued from page 1 Z =ss===

ger and Buth Gordon as one of
the stars. Others in cast are Sam
atre, with Tyrone Guthrie for meg-
Levene and Eileen Herlie, the lat-
ter a Scot making a rare appear*
ance in comedy. Piece is a rewrit-
ten version of ‘‘The Merchant of
Yonkers," farce about N. Y. socie-
ty 70 years ago, done 4n N. Y. in
1939. Tennent Productions Ltd.,
of London, is presenting "The
Matchmaker,” a four-acter with
decor by Tanya Moisewitch.

Opening next Tuesday (31) is
Shakespeai’e’s "A . M id summer
Night’s Dream,” with Robert Help-
mann as Oberon, and ballerina
Moira Shearer playing her first
speaking rode as Titania. Mem-
bers of the London Old Vic are in
support. Stanley Holloway is cast
as the clown, Bottom. Full men-
delssohn score is being used and,
a rare event this, all the ballets
are being given. "Dfeam" is
skedded for U. S. production in
N. Y. in September, immediately
following the Festival here.

A highlight of the opening two
weeks of the Festival is presenta-
tion on a apron stage in the old
assembly Hall, normally a confab
house for churchmen, . of Shake-
speare’s "Macbeth,” also, done by
the London Old Vic. Macbeth is
played by Paul Rogers, who was Sir
Claud Mulhammer in last year’s
Festival play by T. S. Eliot, "The
Confidential Clerk,” and Lady Mac-
beth is Ann Todd.

Apron-Stare ‘Macbeth*

Music for "Macbeth” has been
written by Brian Easdale, who
penned the music for the pic, "The
Red Shoes,” end costumes and
decor are by Audrey Cruddas.
Michael Benthall has handled the
megging chores.

During week of Sept. 6 tjie
Comedie-Francaise, - from Paris,
will present a lavish production of
Moliere’s comedy, "Le Bourgeois
Gentilhomme,” with complete inci-
dental music of Lully, ballet,
chorus and orchestra. Comedie
Francaise was last here in 1946,
but this is their first appearance at
the Edinburgh Festival and the
U. K. bow of the Moliere comedy-
ballet in five acts. _

Orch, ballet and extras for the
current production have been en-
gaged in Edinburgh. Piece was
recently staged by the company in
Moscow.

Another event set for the last
week of the Festival is a Scotch
reveue, "Hail Caledonia,” with
actor Roddy Macmillan linking
choral singing, balladeers, pipers
and Scot dancers. Edinburgh’s
Gateway Theatre Co. have been
given official Festival status this
year, presenting the Robert Kemp
play about Scot poet Robert Burns,.
"The Other Dear Charmer.”

Fringe Events

Fringe events of the Festival,
hot under official sponsorship, in-
clude all manner of sideshows in
the city’s little theatres. Catherine
Lacey. English actress, is playing
Mary Queen of Scots in a new play
staged by the Piccolo Theatre Co.
of Manchester, penned by Joseph
Chiari, a Frenchman. The London
Club Theatre Group is offering two
plays, "Love and Lunacy,” by
Peter Philip, and "Never Get Out,”
by Giles Cooper, with Jack Rodney
and Hilary Liddell as the entire
cast.

The Oxford U. Players are offer-
ing Marlowe’s 1 seldom-presented
Edward the Second” and a 16th-
century frolic, "Ralph Roister
Doister,” for late-night entertain-
ment. There is even a localized
version of the blood-curdling
Maria Marten” by Jack Ronderr
staged by Edinburgh U. Drama So-
ciety.

Late-night revues have blos-
somed forth, being staged at four
balls, including the Palladium
Theatre, where "On the Tiles” is
amusing the stubtiolders nightly.
Rikki Fulton, Madeleine Christie,
Michael Howard and others are
featured, with Billy Dunlop pro-
ducing.

Concerts,., Operas
Concerts and operas galore,’ plus
ballet; add further to the Festi-
yalites* feat of fare, Symphs range"
from the Danish Orch to the Or-
bhestre. National de la Badiolffusion
rrancalse and the Nardwestdeut-
seher Rundfunk Orch under Hans
pchmidt-Isserstedt. British orchs
* n cjude the Halle, Philharmonia
and National Youth Orch, plus the

Scottish National Orch under Karl
Bank!.

On the opera front, there is the
Glyndboiime Opera Co., longtime
Edinburgh favorites, presenting
Rossini’s "Le Conte Ory” and
Strauss’ "Ariadne auf Naxos" in
King’s Theatre. Glyndebourae is
also reviving Stravinsky’s ballet-,
drama, “L’Histoire du Soldat,” in
which Robert Helpmann and Moira
Shearer appear. -

Theme of the ballet offerings is
tribute on the 25th anniversary of
the death of Diaghilev. All three
works in repertoire of the Sadler’s
Wells Ballet were Diaghilev staples
—"The Firebird,” "The Three-Cor-
nered Hat” and "La Boutique Fan-
tasque.” There is also a special
Homage to Diaghilev exhibition.

Main outdoor event, apart from
the initial Highland Games with
pipers and dancers, is the nightly
Military Tattoo staged by search-
light on the Vast esplanade of Edin-
burgh Castle. Massed pipes and
drums of -six Scottish regiments
L thrill the onlooker, though event
has to cope with chilly climate and
frequent rainy conditions.

Leading concert soloists on the
musical side are Claudio Arrau,
Isaac Stern and Arthur Rubinstein.
There are also chamber orchs and
groups from England, France and
Germany.

. Festival visitors are here from
scores of lands, including the usual,
large quota of Americans and
Canadians. The American auto-
mobiles gliding through the streets
are center of much interest along-
side the smaller British car.

Main squawk of tourists is once
again the . lack of somewhere to go
that really lives and jumps after
the show. Late-night revues, mod-
est efforts, are no replacement for
modern Blushy niteries and eater-
ies, with Cabaret fodder' laid on.
Artists of the caliber of Noel Cow-
ard, Bea Lillie, Danny Kaye, Mar-
lene Dietrich and Maurice Cheva- ,
Iier are badly needed in Edinburgh
at Festival time.

One-Third of W. German
Pix Producing- Activity
In W. Berlin Last Year

Berlin, Aug. 17.

Statistics revealed recently in
the West Berlin Senate shows 35%
'to 40% of the all* West. German
film activity was centered in West
Berlin last year. However, this als6
includes the works of the synchro-
nization and printing plants here
which kept running at full capac-
ity in 1953. West Berlin’s share of
all West German film production
in 1953 was about 15%.

Covering the period of 1949
through 1953, there were 65 pix
turned out in West Berlin studios
or about 18%, of the West Ger-
many’s 360 pix made during this
period.

While before the war about.80%
of all German pix were produced
•in Berlin and 20% in other sec-
tions (mainly Munich) of the coun-r
try;" this situation was nearly re-
versed after the war. Berlin’s
geographically handicapped posi-
tion as a Russian-surrounded city
and the fact that most of the for-
mer large studios (particularly
Babelsberg) are in what became
Russian-dominated territory after.
1945, are the two principal reasons
for the tough time experienced by
local film producers.

Since 1945, Berlin producers
made 81 pix and nine other films
in Cooperation with West German
outfits, in all,, local filmites are
satisfied with" 1 the latest develop-
ment. Many ex-Berlin producers
have come back to shoot their films
here! Also there are an increasing
number of foreign outfits which
give orders to dub their pix in
Berlin.

INK ITURBI AT $36,1)00
FOR 18 AUSSIE DATES

Sydney, Aug. 17.

Robert Kerridge, major New
Zealand pic loop operator, and
vaude-revue tycoon David N. Mar-
tin, will pay Jose Iturbi around
$36,000 for 18 concerts here this
month. Pianist will give four
Shows in Sydney, five in Melbourne
and three each in Brisbane and.
Adelaide, with two set for Perth

Four U.S. Reps Named
For Venice Exhibition

Washington, Aug. 24.

• Department of State has des-
ignated four reps for the U.S. at
that portion of the 15th Interna-
tional Exhibition of Cinematog-
raphic Art which convened Sunday
(22) at Venice, Italy, Named as
co-representative was John Crain
Kunkel of Harrisburg, Pa. Alter-
nate reps picked were Frank
Dennis, public affairs officer of
l T . S. Information Agency Tn Rome,
and Joseph D. Ravotto, films offic-
er of tTSIA in Bonn, Germany.
Designated staff assistant was Elica
Calderara, assistant films officer
of USIA in Rome.

f The exhibition, sponsored by the
Italian Government, opened July
6 with Andrew W. Smith as U.S.
Representative. This year’s events
include the Festival of Films for
Children and International Exhibi-
tion of documentary pix and shorts.

Honolulu, Aug. 24.

Filming of Hawaii scenes for
"Sea Chase” (WB), starring John
Wayne, set to begin Sept. 19 off
Kailua, Kona. Tramp steamer Mar-
garet SChafer will be brought here
to double as the German sea raider
ErgenstrasSe.

Studio expects to spend $200,000
getting Isle scenes, with half of
that earmarked for hotel rooms
and meals for approximately 100
persons to be brought from Holly-
wood. Wayne is due this week.

Meanwhile, stars and technical
crew are assembling here, prepar-
atory to flying to Midway Island
to film scenes for "Mister Roberts”
aboard a navy attack transport.
Henry Fonda and William Powell
are vacationing here, with costar
James Cagney and director John
Ford due shortly.

After two weeks in the Midway
area, unit returns for additional
work in Hawaii, probably at Kane-
ohe Marine Corps Air Station and
Pearl Harbor. This is anotheri-War-
ner pic.

Actor Wayne Morris, is here to
look for locations in the Kona area
to film a tv series, "Pacific Adven-
tures.” In town or due soon are
actoys Vincent Price and Van
Heflin; tv producer Cy Howard and
his bride, Gloria Grahame; Jane
Greer and Edward J. Marr, actor
and radio-ty producer. .

Thin Arg. B.0.

Continued from page 12

here to make a film for Sono Film.

In an effort to gain international
recognition, local producers sub-
mitted “Tren International” (Big
Five) at the recent Berlin Fesival
and "El Abuelo” (The Grand-
father), (Sono), at the San Sebastian
(Spain) fete.

Plenty of ballyhoo is attending
the first local tinter, "Lo Que le
Paso a Reynoso” (What Happened
to Reynoso) in Ferrania-color.
There was a previus Argentine
color film which flopped so badly
the industry prefers to pretend it
was never made. A second tinter,
"La Novia del Yeti” is to be made
by new production outfit, called
Rio Pilcomayo.

Auctioneers Busy On Old Dreams

While all $hese grandiose plans
take shape, auctioneers have been
disposing of what is left of equally
grandiose schemes of the past. The
bankrupt . Emelco Studio’s assets
are being sold off, including the
$1,200,000 studio property. The
last picture, "Caballito Criollo,”
was bought by A'doca for $5,000,
while the tinter 'which flopped so
badly, "El Gaucho y el Djablo,”
(cost around $300,000), fell to the
hammer at $1,000. Qh the other
hand, Cinematogra flea Interameri-
cana (Guthmann) is gradually
working out its bankruptcy di/fi?
jculties by dint of careful, admin-
istration. This studio is expected
to resume production shortly, mak-
ing use of its chief asset, comedian
Luis Sandrini.

After tough bargaining SICA,
the Studio Workers’ Union, signed
a new labor contract with the Ar-
gentine Producers Assn, which
calls for a 30% wage increase, re-
trocative to March 1.

One Bin Union to Guard Interests

♦ Rome, Aug, 17.

‘Black Prince’ Distrib

London, Aug. 17.

Twentieth -Fox has acquired
world distribution rights of "The
Black Prince,” the Monogram
C’Scoper, now being lensed at Els-
tree Studios with Errol Flynn,
Joanne Dru , and Peter Finish
starred. ..

This will be the third British
C’Scoper to be handled by the com*
pany, the others being "That
Lady,” now being completed by Sy
Bartlett at the Metro British studio
and “Long John Silver,” now .roll-
ing in the Pacific with Robert New-
ton again portraying the Robert
Louis Stevenson character.

"Lady” after locatloning in
Spain, is being completed at Els-
tree, Metro’s studio in England.
Olivia de Havilland stars with Gil-
bert Roland, Paul Scofield , and
Dennis Price.

In a move to strengthen the ties
between all'segments of the Italian
entertainment industry, all branch-
es of Italo show biz, as repped by
their respective organizations,
AGIS and ANIC A, have united to
form a new union, UNAS, designed
to fight the cause of show biz in
all cases. Current one is the pre-
sent 20% supplementary tax bill,
recently passed by the Italian legis-
lature.* It is this new tax legisla-
ture which spurred final formation
and approval of the new Union.

UNAS represents 11 associa-
. tion£ totaling approximately 120,-
000 workers in the various sectors
of show biz* heretofore principally
grouped under AGIS, the Italian
exhib group, and ANICA* which
represents producers and distribs.
Now integrated are all divisions
of production, distribution and ex-
hibition, plus • legiters, opera
houses, review theatres, traveling
companies, concert outfits, RAI-
Italo radio-tv, circuses and the
gambling casinos at Venice and
San Remo.

Scot Indies Find Most
Patrons Favor U.S. Pix;
Can’t Live Up to Quota

Glasgow, Aug. 17,

Preference of filmgoers for
U. S. pix over the British product
is shown by increasing number of
fines being inflicted here On small
indie houses which can’t maintain
their 30% quota of English films.
This was illustrated when Sheriff
Clarke Reid,- at Ayr Sheriff Court,
decided it is "not commercially
practicable”^ for the Regal Cinema
at Irvine to show its prescribed
quota of British films. . He ac-
quitted the cinema company on a
charge of contravening the law by
failing, to show its prescribed
quota.

It was claimed by owners of the
400-seater that patrons preferred
"western, comedy and adventures”
to "highbrow stuff.” One of them
said that they had lost money on
seven of the eight British films
they showed during the year. To
have shown the other eight re-
quired to bring the number up to
the prescribed total of 16 would
have been "economic suicide,” he
added.

An official of the films section
of the Board of Trade said the
cinema had been allowed to reduce
from 30% to 15%, but despite that
had only shown 7.6% British prod-
uct. The cinema admitted to the
offense of showing only eight in-
stead of 16 British films.

Sheriff Reid said larger cinemas
might be able to sustain a minor
loss in showing British films, but
he was not satisfied ' that this ap-
plied to the smaller pix houses
with a narrower margin between
profit and loss.

halo's High-Salaried
Gina Files $6,000 Suit

Rome, Aug. 17.

Gina Lollobrigida is back in the
headlines here via a $6,000 suit
she recently filed against a Geno-
ese production company, which the
actress claims failed to come
through with payment for her servr
ices on the pic, "Achtung Banditi!”

Company (called The Coopera-
tive of Movie Spectators ajrid Pro-
ducers) she claims promised her
5,000,000 lire ($7,500) for her work
on the picture, which depicted ex-
ploits of Italian partisans near
Genoa in the last war, but came
through with only about $1,500,
claiming poor boxoffice returns
caused the failure of the film out-
fit. In the financial setup of the
company the remaining 4,000,000
lire were to be used to finance
the production and distribution of
•the pic, later to be paid when the
film cashed in at the boxoffice.
Actors, technicians, and director
(Carlo Lizzani) all participated in
the film production op the same
basis, while a small sum was also
gathered by public subscriptions
via a sale of "shares” of about $1
each.

"Achtung Banditi” was made in
1951 when Miss Lollobrigida ’s sal-
ary had not yet started its astro-
nomical climb to the present top
position among local film incomes.
Hearing on the case is set for Nov.
10 in Genoa.

Co-pre^ies of the Union are Ed-
mondo Incisa, head of AGIS, and
Eitel Monaco, head of AGIS. Mo-
naco and Incisa already have called
on the various government officials
closest to the entertainment indus-
try to emphasize the union’s sol-
idarity, and specifically to ask the
government's, reconsideration of
the damaging tax bill. Union is
also slated to handle internal in-
dustry matters, unioh conflicts,
help strengthen the industry, as
well as "seek a more effective dif-
fusion of its traditional artistic
values abroad.”

Jap-Italian ‘Butterfly’

To Be Filmed in Rome;
Nippon Actress’ Lead

Tokyo, Aug. 17.

Toho Studios’ managing director
Iwao Mori announced this week
that shooting of "Madame Butter-
fly,” joint Japanese-Italian produc-
tion of Puccini’s opera, will begin
in Rome next October. Italy's
Garone Productions will team with
Toho for the venture with a budget
of about $500,000, The Japanese
company is bearing a fourth of the
nut.

Toho’s art director Ryotaro Mit-
suhashi has left for Rome* taking
with him costumes and props. He
will supervise construction of a
Japanese home and garden at the
Cinecita Studio. Production staff
and prop men • leave late next
month for Rome, with 16 girls from
the Takarazuka Girls Opera Co. set
to play super roles.

Mitsuhashi also took along
screen tests of two contenders for
the title role. Looking like the
most likely for the spot is Shirley
(“Japanese War Bride”) Yania-
guchi, who has a certain amount of
draw - in the international market.
The other aspirant is Kaoru Yachi-
gusa, popular dramatic actress in
this country.

Meanwhile, a joint Japanese-
Indian film coproduction was an-
nounced ‘ by Toei Studios, which
will make the pic with Films of
India. Entitled "Karm'a,” film
will be based on Hindu and
Buddhist philosophies. About 70%
of it will be shot in Japan, the re-
mainder in India. Geva Color will
be used, with three languages
dubbed in— English, Japanese and
Hindu. Deal was signed last week
in Bombay by Ambalal J, Patel for
FOI and Hiroshi Ohkawa, Tpei
prexy.

NEW CINEMA BUILDING
BOOM DUE IN BRAZIL

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Brazilian filmhouses equipped
for Cinemascope projection are
breaking attendance records, ac-
cording to Ned Seek] or, sales chief
for RKO in that territory. He is in
town to see a rough cut of ’The
Conqueror,” RKO’s first venture
in CinemaScope.

Seckler predicted a boom in the-
atre building down there within a
year. Theatre construction In Bra-
zil has been cramped for several
years, he explained, because ad-
mission prices have been frozen.
He expects this condition will
change this year.

16

PICTURES

San Antonio, Aug, 24.
Annual convention of the Texas
Drive-In Theatre Owners Assn,
opened here yesterday (Mon.)
afternoon with a welcomed address
by Arthur Landsman, followed by
a keynote talk by Preston Smith,
prez of the group.

Highlights of the Monday meet-
ing included the problems of segre-
gation, as they pertain to Texas
ozoners and Irving Mack’s talk on
. “What Drive-In Theatres Are Do-
ing Promotionally,”

Today (Tues), A1 Reynolds was
moderator of a Concession Forum
which included Joe Gaffb, of
Frontier Theatres; Bill Slaughter,
Rowley United Theatres; Irving
Cohn, Jefferson Amusement Co.,
and Kendall Way, of Sterling.
Sales & Service, Inc. Waggoner
Carr, State representative, spoke
on “What Tax Relief Means, to Our
Industry.” Dr. Frank M. Tiller,
of Lamar Tech Research Centre,

. gave his report on “Ten Months’
Study of the Drive-In Industry.”

R, J. O’Donnell, veepee and gen-
eral manager of Interstate Theatre
Circuit, . was principal speaker at
the Tuesday luncheon,' at which
Preston Smith, was toastmaster,
Col. H. A. Cole, Claude C. Eyell
and Harley Sadler were presented
with honorary life memberships in
the organization.

Afternoon sessions were devoted
to “New Processes,” by James
Skinner, which included wide-
screen, Cinemascope, VistaVision
.and Cinerama, as well as other new
projection ideas; Byron Sanders,
Casualty Insurance Commission of
Texas, spoke on “Insurance Prob-
lems and Information”; “New Tax
Depreciation, and Its Benefits” was
the subject of R. B. Phinney, Direc-
tor of , Internal Revenue, Austin;
and A. H. Davis, Texas State High-
way Commissioner, spoke on “New
Highway Regulations Affecting
Drive-In Theatres in Texas.”

Claude C. Ezell was moderator
of a closed session for members
of the association. Col. William
McCraw was toastmaster at the
final event, a banquet tonight
(Tues.) at the Plaza Hotel, with
John Ben Shepperd, Texas Attor-
ney General, as principal speaker.

Top Brit. Legal Brass
In Exhib-Distrib Row

London, Aug. 24.

When the exhibitor-distributor
hassle on break figures goes to ar-
bitration Get. 1, both sides will be
repped by top legal brass. Cyril
Salmon, QC, has been named as
arbitrator.

Decision to be legally repre-
sented was first taken by the
Cinematograph Exhibitors Assn,
after both parties had agreed to go
to arbitration, and it immediately
briefed Sir Hartley Shawcross, QC,
the former Board of Trade prez.
This led to a minor rumpus with
the Kinematograph Renters So-
ciety, but they’ve now decided to
follow suit. At a KRS Council
meeting in London last week, the
Society's solicitor was instructed
to appoint a . leading counsel to
state the case for the distribs.

Bischoff’s ‘Keeper’.

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Sam Bischoff is prepping an in-
die picture, “My Brother’s Keep-
er,” romantic drama which has its
background in San Francisco
around the turn of the century.

Bischoff assigned Jay Ingram to
pen the original and screenplay.
Vehicle may. be lensed in Cinema-
Scope.

Sell Flat or We

Minneapolis, Aug. 24.

Territory’s ozohers are staging
what daunts to a strike against
CinemaScope. They’ve served no-
tice on' 20th-F0x that unless the
latter agrees to sell second and
later runs of G’Scope pictures flat,
they’ll continue to stick to their
old screens and conventional pro-
jection.

Even if the production shortage
begins to pinch - in the ensuing
years, they indicate they’re deter-
mined not to qualify for such re-
leases as “The Robe” until it be-
comes possible to book them other
than on percentage terms.

Since Fox abandoned its stereo
sound requirement and made it
comparatively inexpensive to qual-
ify for C’Scope several months -ago,
only five of the territory’s approxi-
mately 85 have done so. And the
holdouts have made it plain they
have no intention of falling in line
until a new selling policy is prom-
ised.

Most of these drive-in theatres
operate five months or less a year
and encouhter more uncertain
weather conditions than most
areas. Their nut is relatively high,
in part because of their short sea-
sons, and, with few exceptions
these ozoners do not gross suf-
ficiently to warrant percentage, ac-
cording to North Central Allied.
Also, the weather uncertainties
make percentage too much of a
gamble, the organization states, .

It’s known that one Of the five
ozoners which did adopt C’Scope
and which has played five such of-
ferings first-run, including “The
Robe,” to double or more its nor-
mal grosses, actually is in the red
on the 40% to 50% deals. In addi-
tion, it sacrificed much valuable
preferred playing time which might
have brought in a profit if there
had been no deviation from the
regular policy. That policy is sec-
ond runs or still later playing time
and reissues.

Outdoor stand in question ex-
pended approximately $10,000 to
convert to one-track optical sound
C’Scope and sees no chance of re-
covering even that not too heavy
new investment, according-to NCA.

‘Moon’ Skirmish

Continued from page 7 — —

ing to A. J. Stanley Jr., attorney
fpr the censor board. Stanley con-
tends the present law gives the
board sufficient power and expects
to carry the case to the Kansas
Supreme Court. This action awaits
the formal journal entry,- how-
, ever;

Meanwhile, “Moon” continues to
rest in the can, as it has done for
over a year as far as Kansas is
concerned.' Something like $50,000
in film rentals is at stake in the
case. Two other films, including
“The French Line,” also are un-
der bah by the Kansas board of
three women censors.

Cincy Golf Tourney

Cincinnati.

Tent 3 of the Variety Clubs holds
its 20th annual golf tournament
Aug. 30 at Summit Hills Country
Club, nearby Kentucky spot.

It's the biggest stag party of the
year for industry members, notably
distribs and exhibitors from Ohio,
Kentucky, West Virginia and In-
diana, with guests from other film
trade centers.

Huston to India

Ss Continued from page 4

will be done in. Britain, probably
at the Associated British lot at
Elstree. V v

Also skedded for production next
year is the, first Billy • Wilder
project under his AA pact, which
will be a remake of “Ariane,”
originally lensed 20 years back by
Paul Czinner with Elizabeth Berg-
ner starred. This - will be filmed
on location in Parish with studio
Work to follow here. The third of
AA’s “big three” undertakings,
which will be directed by William
Wyler, will go before the cameras
next year. It probably will be a
bigseale western.

These details were revealed last
week by Harold J, and Walter
Mirisch, both of whom made quickie
trips to London in connection with
the Elstree production of “The
Black Prince,” their first venture
in Cinemascope. Harold J. left for
the Salzburg and Venice festivals
last weekend before going on to
Monte Carlo for the joint AA —
Associated British sales conven-
tion. Walter Mirisch returns to
Hollywood tomorrow (Wed.).

VAniEfr

1st U.S.-Yugo Pic, Readied
By Ratoff, Set to Roll In
Belgrade; Stars Fonteyn

First Yugoslav-American copro-
duction deal, involving Gregory
Ratoff and Avala Film, Belgrade,
is reported by Karla Duhar of the
Yugoslav Film office in N, Y. •
Title of the film, which will be
in Technicolor, "is “The Man In
Her Life,” skedded to roll in Bel-
grade in March. Exteriors will be
lensed on the Adriatic, Ballerina*
Margot Fonteyn is set to star in
the pic, which has a ballet theme.

Gerald Severn, Ratoff’s associ-
ate, is currently in Belgrade work-
ing out details of the deal, Ratoff
and Branko Popovic, Avala Film
topper, have left Yugoslavia for
London to attend the ’'preem of
Ratoff 's latest film there.

Good Properties

Smmmmm Continued from page .4

Under the agreement he may do
occasional outside pix. His first for
Par is “White Christmas’ ’which
has been completed in VistaVision
His next is “The Vagabond Kipg,”
After that he’ll start on the re-
make of “The Covered Wagon.” It
rolls next March or April. “I'm
having casting headaches on it al-
ready,” he said.

Experienced as a director with
both CinemaScope and VistaVision,
Curtiz volunteered the observation
that it wasn’t the medium but the
story that counted. However, he
said, “when it comes to intimate j
subjects neither CinemaScope nor
"VistaVision is much help.”

As for “The Egyptian,” Curtiz
saw the completed picture for the
first time when* it opened at the
Roxy last night (Tues.). He noted
that the fiim hadn’t been sneak-pre-
viewed due to 20th’s eagerness to
rush the pic through the laboratory
and to release it before others,
with similar backgrounds, reached
the public. He agreed that this
procedure was “highly unusual”
but observed it was understand-
able in view of cumulative pres-
sures.

Shooting on “The Egyptian” took
two months and 10 days. Film
was brought in at 'around $4,200,-
OOO^Curtiz said. He started work
on the pic three months before
taking it. before the cameras. Most
difficult problem was to condense
the Mika Waltari bestseller and
still retain the flavor of the yarn,
he stated.

Discussing new talent, Curtiz
was asked about the casting of
Bella Darvi in “The Egyptian.” He
replied that the part was difficult
and required a certain quality in
a performer; that there had been
extensive tests before the role was
cast, and that he couldn’t think of
anyone else who fitted the require-
ments of the part of the Babylon-
ian temptress. He commented that,

$22,400 ‘Prairie’ Sets
New Gotham Arty Mark

“Vanishing Prairie,” latest Dis-
ney release, not only broke* the
house record at the Fine Arts The-
atre, N. Y., opening week (16-22)
but house had to begin opening at
10:30 a.m. starting last Friday <20)1
This is unusual for any art theatre
operation. The Richard Davis spot
has a capacity of 468 seats. Policy
will be held, for the first two or
three weeks.

“Prairie” bit $22,400 on the ini-
tial session, ending Sunday (22).
.Capacity houses at virtually every
show made this take possible With
a $1.80 top. ' ; :

IFE Hopes

■S5 Continued from page 4 sssss.

Supported by a ty campaign, the
dubbed production is slated for a
Broadway launching Oct. 12.

Other three for which IFE has
high hopes include “Green Magic,”
an award-winning documentary
lensed in the South American
jungles. It’s in Ferraniacolor;;
“Neapolitan Carousel,” tentatively
retitled “Hurdy Gurdy.” Thjs was
shot in Pathecolor, and “Theodora
Slave Empress.”

Difficulties of IFE Releasing so*
far blamed on an indifferent flow
of Italo product. “Anna,” the ex-
ception, brought gross rentals of
$800,000. Feeling at IFE Releas-
ing is that “Aida” will turn the
tide for the outfit

Wednesday, Angwat 25. W 54

BOSTON

(Continued from page 8)

Saturday (21). Last week, “Mag-
nificent Obsession” (U) (4th wk-8
days) r sock $18,000.

Metropolitan (NET) (4,367; 50-90)
—“King Richard and Crusaders”
(WB) and “The Cowbay” (Lip) (2d
wk). Mild $10,000. Last week,
$15,000.

■ Orpheum (Loew’s) (3,000; 50-90)
—“7 Brides for 7 Brothers” (M-G).
Nifty $23,500. Last week, “Gone
With Wind” (M-G) (4th wk-4 days),
$9 500

Paramount (NET) (1,700; 50-90)
— “Broken Lance” (20th) and
“Heat Wave” (Lip) (3d wk), Oke
$9,500 after $13,500 for second.

State (Loew’s) (3,500: 50-90)—
“Seven Brides” (M-G). Big $14,000.
Last week, “Gone With Wind”
(M-G) (4th wk-4days),_ $4,000.

‘Francis’ Fast $10,000,
Seattle; ‘Karamoja’ 12G

Seattle, Aug. 24.

. Sensational biz continues at Lib-
erty, with house record-smasher
“Karamoja” holding for a great
second week. Tbp newcomer is
“Francis Joins Wacs” which’ looms
big at Music Hall. - Coliseum is
solid with “On Waterfront” on
initial holdover Week. ■ “Broken
Lance” also, is great in second ses-
sion at Fifth. Avenue. “Susan Slept
Here” is- rated terrific in second
stanza at Music Box.

Estimates for This. Week
; Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (800; 90-
$1.25)— “Hobson’s Choice” (UA).
Okay $3,500. Last week, “Justice
Done” (Indie), yanked after 5 days
and only $2,000.

Coliseum (Evergreen) (1,829; 65-
90) — “On Waterfront” (Col) and
“Vigilante Territory” (AA) (2d wk).
SWell $8,500. Last week, $13,700.

. Fifth Avenue (Evergreen) (2,500;
$1-$1.25)— “Broken Lance” (20th)
(2d wk). Great $9,000. Last week,
$11,300.

Liberty (Hamrick) (1,650; $1)—
“Karamoja” (Lip). (2d.wk). Smash
$12,000 for postwar record. Last
week, $15,400.

Music Box (Hamrick) (850; 90-
$1.25)— “Susan Slept Here” (RKO).
(2d wk). Socko $8,000. Last week,
$9,800. . > ,•

Music Hall (Hamrick) (2,300; 90-
$1) — “Francis Joins Wacs” (U) and
“Always A Bride” (U). Big $10,000.
Last' Week, “High and Mighty”
(WB), (5th wk), $7,800. ..

Paramount (Evergreen) (3,039;
$1-$1 ,25)— “Caine Mutiny” (Col).
(7th wk)*. Smash $9,500. After $10,-
200 last week.

DENVER

(Continued from page 8)

.“High and Mighty” (WB) (5th wk)v
Good $11,000. Last week, $10,000.

Denham (Cockrill) (1,750; 50-85)
—“Living It Up” (Par) (3d Wk).
Big $8,000. Last week, $9,000.

Denver (Fox) (2,525; 50-85) —
“Francis Joins Wacs” (U) arid
“Bowery Boys Meet Monsters”
(AA).” Big $20,000. Last week,
“Blade Shield of Falw'orth” (U),
$12,500.

Orpheum (RKO) (2,600; 50-85)—
“Valley of Kings” (M-G) and
“Operation Diplomat” (Indie) (3d
wk). . Poor $6,000. Last week,
$7,000.

Paramount (Wolfberg) (2,200;
50-85) — “Magnificent Obsession”
(U) (3d wk). Fancy $12,000. Last
week, $15,000.

Tabor (Fox) (1,967; 30-50) —
“Gorilla at Large” (20th) and
“Heat Wave” (Lip).. Thin $1,500.
Last week, “Highway Dragnet”
(AA) and “Return from Sea” (Aa),
$3,500. .

SAN FRANCISCO

(Continued from page. 8)

Calif.) (1,458; $1.75-$2.65)— "Ciner-<
ama” (Indie) (34th wk).. Smash
$34,000. Last week, $31,000.

United Artists (No, Coast) (1,207;
70-$l)— “Haste To Live” (Rep) and
‘The Outcast” (Rep). Fairish $7,-
000. Last week, “Hans Christian
Andersen” (RKO) and “Geraldine”
(Rep), $5,000 in 6 days.

Stagedoor (A-R) (400; $1-$1.25)—
“Hobsoh’s Choice” (UA) (4th wk).
Good $3,500. Last week, $3,700.

Larkin (Rosener) • (400; $1) —
“Turn Key Softly” (Indie). Okay
$2;900. Last week, “Captain’s Para-
dise”. (U) and “Kind Hearts, Coro-
nets” (U) (reissues) (2d wk), $2,200.

Clay (Rosener) (400-$l) — “Le
Plaisir” (Indie) (2d wk). Solid $4,-
000. Last week, $5,300 and new
house record.

Vogue (§. F. Theatres) (377; $1)
—“Barefoot Battalion” (Indie) (2d
wk). Slim $2,200* Last week, $3,-
600.

BRANDO BOFF $20,000,
BUFF.; ‘CAINE’ DITTO

Buffalo, Aug. 24.

‘‘On Waterfront” and “Caine
Mutiny” are getting the biggest
coin here currently* Latter at
Lafayette is rated lofty while
“Waterfront” shapes socle at the
Century, “Broken Lance” looms
sharp at Center while “Seven
Bodes” looks fine in second round
at the Buffalo,

Estimates for This Week

Buffalo (Loew’s) (3, 000; 50-80)—
“7 Brides for 7 Brothers” (M-G)
J2d wk). Fast $13,000, Last week,
$22,500.

Paramount (Par) (3,000; 50-80)—
“Duel in Jungle” (WB) and “Se-
curity Risk” (Indie). Fairish $10 -
000. Last week, “Mrs. Leslie” '(Par)
and “River Beat” (Indie), $12,000.

Center. (Par) (2,000; 50-80) —
“Broken Lance” (20th). Sharp $13 -
000. Last week, “Richard and
Crusaders” (WB) (2d wk) (5 days),
$ 6 , 000 .

Lafayette (Basil) (3,000; 50-$1.25)
—“Caine Mutiny” (Col). Lofty $20,-
000. Last week, .“Magnificent Ob-
session” (U) (4th wk), at $1 top,
got $11,500. ‘ .■■■■■ *

Century (Buhawk) (3,000; 50-$l)
—“On Waterfront” .(Col).. Smash
$20,000 fqr Marlon Brando starrer.
Last Week, “Pushover” . (Col) and
“Bowery . Boys Meet Moristers”
(AA), $12,000.

. Toronto; ‘Valley’ 12|G

Toronto, Aug* 24.

With vacation season nearly
over, biz is perking. “High arid
Mighty” shapes w.ow. at -Imperial to
lead the town.. “Valley of the
Kings” also is nifty but' “Hell Be-
low Zero” looks light. Other top
revenue is going to such holdovers
as “Gone With Wind” in fifth
frame, “Mari with Million” in sec-
ond; and “The Maggie” still hold-
ing near-capacity in fourth Stanza*
Estimates for This Week

Downtown, Glendale, {Scarboro,
State (Taylor) (1,050; 955; 694; 698;
40-70)— “Gypsy Colt” (MrG) and
‘.‘Desperado” (AA).* Light $11,000.
Last week, “Sins of Rome” (IFD)
and “Massacre Canyon” (Col),
$13,000.

Hyland (Rank)- (1,354; 60-80)—
“The Maggie” (Rank) (4th wk).
Holding . at near capacity $10,000.
Last week, same;

Imperial (FP) (3,373; 60-$l)—
“High arid Mighty” (WB). Wham
$22,000.. Last week, “Demetrius
and Gladiators” (20th) (2d wk),
$14,000.

Loew’s (Loew’s) (2,096; 60-80)—
“Gone With Wind” (M-G) (reissue)
5th wk). Fine $13,000. Last week,
$18,000.

Odeon (Rank) (2,318; 70-$l)—
“Man With Million” (Rank) (2d
wk). Hefty $12,000. Last week,
$15,000.

Shea’s (FP) (2,386; 50-85)—

“Hell Below Zero” Col). Light
$10,000. Last week, “Living It Up”
(Par) (2d wk), $10,500.

Uptown (Loew) (2,745; 65-80)—
“Valley of Kings” (M-G). Okay
$12,500. Last week, “Her 12 Men”
(M-G) (2d wk>; $9,000.

PORTLAND, ORE.

(Continued fyom page 8)

(M-G) (3d wk). Lusty $9,500. Last
week, $12,300.

Fox (Eyergreen) (1,538; $1-$1.50)
—“Broken Lance” (20th) (2d wk).
Torrid $15,500: Last week, $20,000.

Guild (Indie) (40Q; $1)— ‘‘Fanfan
Tulip” (Indie); Nifty $3,000. Last
week, “Adventures Robinson Cru-
soe” (UA) (2d wk), $1,900.

Liberty (Hamrick) (1,875; 65-90)
— “Apache” (UA) and “Captain
Kidd, Slave Girl” (UA). Smash
$14,000 or near. Last week, valley
of Kings” (M-G) and “Outlaw Stal-.
lion” (Col), $9,300.

Oriental (Evergreen) (2,000; $1-
$1*25)— “High and Mighty” (WB)
(6th wk). Okay $3,000. Last week,
$3, 400.

Orpheum (Evergreen) (1.600;
$1.25)— ‘Garden of Evil” (20th) (3d
wk). Good $6,d00. Last week, $6,-
800*. •

Paramount (Port-Par) (3,400; 75-
$1)— “Gone With Wind” (M-G) (re-
issue). Giant $20,000 with only
three shows daily. Last week,
“Knock On Wood” (Par) (3d wk),
$7 300

United v Artists (Parker) (890; 65-
90)—' “Mrs. Leslie” (Par) (2d wk).

$ 1 Ai AAA

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

LETTE R

M-G-M presents the year's
TOP suspense drama filmed
in Holland in COLOR!

Starring

CLARK GABLE
LANA TURNER
VICTOR MATURE

"BETRAYED"

LOUIS CALHERN

Screen Play by

RONALD MILLAR and GEORGE FROESCHEl

^Photographed In

EASTMAN COLOR

Directed by

GOTTFRIED REINHARDT

Available in Perspecta Stereophonic
or Optical I- Channel

i

20

PICTCnES

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

Clips From Film Row

r 44 4 M 4 44 MM » 44 444 444 444 + 4- * 4 4 4 444 444 4 444 44+4~M~H»

N. D„ theatre will have “Student
Prince’' as its opening pic Sept. 2.

Mike Lee and Abbott Swartz*
United Artists’ district and branch
managers respectively, attended
world preem' of “Sitting Bull” at
Rapid City, S. D„ lftst week. Pic-
ture’s producer, W. R. Frank, is
local theatre circuit owner.

WB’s exploiteer Don Walker in
from K. C. to work on “Dragnet”
set* for Minneapolis and St. Paul
RKO Orpheum theatres in Sep-
tember.. : , ■

Bennie Berger, North Central
Allied prexy and Allied States’
director, attended latter’s board
meeting at White Sulphur Springs,
W. Va., but S. D. Kane, NCA
executive counel, did not attend
because busy campaigning for state
legislature.

Marion Walker, manager of
■ State, Minot, N. D., which will be
closed, named to same post at
United Paramount’s new Empire to
be opened there next month.

“French Line” finished four-day
run at four W. R. Frank local nabe
houses, its only local conventional
theatre showing so far, following
its first-run in two ozoners. RKO.
claims there were no squawks.

Kenneth Dodson, author of
‘Away All Boats,” forthcoming
Universal film, here for talks and
interviews to promote it.

First territory showing of “Van-
ishing Prairie” held at Hot Springs,
S. D., in region where much of it
was filmed...

Mrs. Betty Lou Pawlicki, daugh-
ter of RKO office manager A1
Stern, off to Germany to join her
Army officer husband stationed
there.

NEW YORK

Steve Forrest, one of Metro’s
new stars, in N. Y. . brieflly last
week on way to Paris where he
will costar with Anne Baxter .in
“Paris Story,”

Bob Shapiro, N. Y. Paramount
Theatre managing director, had a
struggle getting his vacation this
year. Just started his first week
at Grossinger’s when he was hur-
riedly called back to launch a new
pic at the Par flagship, ahead of
originally set date, Shapiro finally
got in his two weeks and got back
in time to preem “King Richard
last Week.

Julie Harris leaves N. Y. late
this month for London to play lead
in “I Am a Camera,” which ^goes
befoie cameras in Berlin, probably
in October.

VUgetsu,” Japanese pic which
was co-winner at last year’s Venice
Film Festival, is set to go into, the
Plaza Theatre after current film
has finished its run.

The 52d St. Trans-Lux is re-
building its whole front, with i re-
sult that some wags describe it as
regilding the “Lili,” since Lili is
the pic currently in its 77th week
at this house.

ALBANY

Participation by 54 ozoners ol
the Albany exchange district in the
fundraising campaign for vvilt
Rogers Memorial Hospital at
Saranac Lake requested by Chair-,
man Harry Lamont. Suggested that
midnight shows for each before
peak season ends on Labor Day.

C’ Scope installations in Albany
exchange district now total about
100 out of 225 theatres or better
than the national average, 20th-
Fox branch manager Nat Rosen
claims. Most of current installa-
tions are for single-track optical
sound system.

Johnny Wilhelm, head booker for
20th-Fox here for last three years,
elevated to salesman, replacing
Fred G. Sliter, pensioned after 22
years with the company. Sliter,
who started as an advance man
with a circus in Buffalo 50 years
ago. has been in the picture biz for
more than four decades. Wilhelm,
a vet of the last world war, has
been with 20th-Fox in Buffalo,
Pittsburgh .and Albany for 11 years;
he’s succeeded as booker by Harold
Ironfeld, Jr.

Seymour L. Morris, ad-publicity
director for Schine Circuit, of
Gloversville, N. Y., and* Mrs. Morris
marked their 24th wedding anm
last, week. Celebrated it with
daughter Jean, a student at State
Teachers College in Albany.

PHILADELPHIA

William Goldman will serve as
chairman of the Motion Pictures
Committee for Pennsylvania Week,
Oct. 10-17.

William 1. Greenfield, who. op-
erates Carman Theatre, in North
Philly, dickering for midtown Er-
langer for burlesque film policy.

Sam Silverman, drugstore owner,
purchased the Capitol Theatre,
Lebanon, Pa., for conversion into
a drugstore.

Shapiro Bros, reopened Liberty,
northeast Philly nabe, formerly
operated by Stanley Warner.

Robert Lynch, Metro district
manager of Philadelphia and as-
sociated with the company for 37
years, will retire Sept. 1.

Jack Engel, of Screen Guild,
handling reissue of “Duel in Sun”
in this territory.

Chelten Theatre, East German-
town. sold by Boro Theatre Corp;
to Christian Youth Cinema for
$42,500. Property will be used for
showing of evangelical Christian
films.

New Screen for N.Y. Roxy
, 'Egyptian' Bow; 6G Tab

. A new and wider screen has been,
installed by the Roxy Theatre.
N. Y., for the preem of 20th-Fox’s
“The Egyptian,” which bowed
there last night (Tues.L
The new screen measures 70x28
ft. compared with the old screen,
which was 68 ft. wide and 25 ft.
high. Surface is now set back
17 ft. to provide more comfortable!
viewing from the front seats, In-
stallation and screen costs. ran to
more than $6,00Q,

The screen is of Miracle Mirror
make and has seams. However,
it's been improved so that the
panels are much less visible.

CHICAGO

“Gone With Wind” opens at
United Artists Sept. 1,

Ivan Fuldauer, division publicity
manager for Metro, to Europe on
vacation.

Van Nomiikos and wife to' Pitts-
burgh last week, repping Chicago
Greeks at annual conclave of
AHEPA. John Manta, indie thea-
tre operator, likewise attended.

Woods Theatre installing new
signboards and planning to hoist
new marquee in the fall, with
house reportedly to spend $50,000.

World preems of “Country Girl”
and “Human Jungle” set for fall in
Chicago, latter pegged for Roose-
velt Theatre Oct. 6.

Continued from page 9

arrived, from -Europe yesterday
morning to attend the preem. Dar-
ryl F. Zaniick, who is also in
Europe, was unable to make it in
time.

Use of tv spots for “The Egyp-
tian,” ‘preceding all of the 200
first engagements of the spectacle,
is said to be one of the most in-
tensive ever undertaken by a film
outfit, with 20th saturating the air
with 60- and 20 second plugs on
both a network arid local level.
Same pattern was followed on ra-
dio. Roxy lobby activities were
carried to foreign listeners by
both the Voice of America and
Armed Forces Radio.

Coast Newsreel Coverage

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Most extensive newsreel cover-
age in 20th-Fox history will be
given the premiere of “The Egyp-
tian” Sept. 1 at Grauman’s Chi-
nese Theatre, Hollywood.

Movietonews Inc. will send full
camera crews frojri San Francisco
and Seattle to assist photographers
from Los Angeles, making a total
of more than 20 cameramen and
assistants covering the preem. In
addition, it will get wide television
and radio coverage.

"Conquest of Space” David Miller
and Philip Waxman readying an
indie production, “Pistolero.” ■

Charlton Heaton wUl star in
“The Private War of MajorRen-
son, with Howard Pine produdmz
and Jerry Hopper directing at Ul

jpw* staled Evelyn
Varden and Peter Graves for his
indie, “Night of the Hunter’? , . .
Tom Dugan drew a role in Hal
Jeter's “Crashout” ... Robert
Middleton will play one of the
gangsters in “Hie Desperate Hours”
at Paramount . . . Gordon Douglas
drew a new contract at Warners,
where he is directing “Young at
Heart . . . Vincent M. Fennelly
will produce “John Brown’s Raid-
ers,” starting-Sept. 14 . . . Anthony
Eustrel gets a feature role in UI’s
“Lady Godiva of Coventry.”

. N * .Peter Rathvon's next produc-
tion m Germany wiR be “Embassy
Baby,” with Eva. Bartok as femme
lead . . . Kathryn Grant, Hollywood
correspondent for Texas papers,
signed a player contract with ‘Co-
lumbia . , . Ralph Sanford drew a
role in John Chapman's indie,
“Shotgun” . . . David Rose returns
to Metro as musical conductor and
arranger for “Jupiter’s Darling”
. . .. Eva LeGallienne, signed as
technical advisor on 20th-Fox’s
“Prince of Players,” will double as
a Shakespearean actress . . . Plne-
Thomas handed Fran Bennett a
role in “Lucy Gallant” ... Victor
McLaglen will play Jeff Chandler’s
servant in UI’s “Lady Godiva of
Coventry” AnAe Francis signed a
term contract at Metro.

ST. LOUIS

Arinual meeting of Missouri-
Illinois Theatre Owners set for
Nov, 8-9' at Hotel Chase here, Prez
Lester R. Kropp appointed Louis
K. Ansell and John Meinardi as
general chairmen for the powwow.

A move to change zoning laws in
a section of ' St. Louis County to
expedite construction of another
ozoner was nixed by St. Louis
county council which has upheld
the county planning commission.
Carl G, Swanson, owner of the
property, hoped to make the land
available Tor a drive-in to be
owned and operated by Fanchon &
Marco-St. Louis Amus. Co.

Jimmy Frisina, buyer Jior the
Frisina Amus. Co., Springfield, 111.,
participated in recent Tom O’Shan-
j ter golf tourney in Chicago as an
amateur.

I

MINNEAPOLIS

Local fine arts nabe Suburban
World set in “Beauties of Night”
to take advantage of Gina Lollo:
bridga, its <• 1 a r, grabbing off the'
Time cover.

“Cinerama” in its 19th week here
not showing indications of any
slowdown yet.

Six of the Loop’s eight first- runs
were charging upped admission
prices- last week, ranging from $1
and $1.25, latter for “Caine Mu-
tiny,” to “Cinerama’s” $2.65.

Jack Hey wood, pioneer New
Richmond, Wis., exhibitor and a
long-ago . local film salesriian, in
Miller hospital, St. Paul.

Top grossers out-in territory now
Include “Magnificerit . Obsession,”
“7 Brides for 7 Brothers” and
“High and Mighty.”

United Paramount’s, new Minot,

DALLAS

Interstate Theatres chain expects
to be on closed circuit telecast of
return heavyweight prize fight
between Marciano and Charles.
Tower Theatre here is one of few
houses in state equipped to handle
closed circuit telecasts.

J. D. Heximer named new office
manager here at United Artists ex-
change.

Conley Cox of Ezell & Associates
promoted to supervisor of houses
on the ozoner circuit; was in book-
ing department for 18 months;
Hugo Plath has named in charge
of purchasing and advertising for
circuit.

Fred Ball joined Manley, Inc.,
local office as West Texas rep for
the group.

Lakewood, Interstate nabe
house, pitching “Question Night”
each Wednesday. Patrons can win
merchanside donated by adjacent
merchants, as well as a cash jack-
pot award.

Francis H. Barr, veteran city
publicist for Interstate Theatres
here, promoted to assistant ad-pub
director for the chain. Barr, who
started as ari usher here, is a 21-
year Interstate employee; succeeds
Robert B. Kelley, who resigned
after 30 years wiU circuit.

Par Earnings

Continued from page 4

portion of its stock in the Famous
Players Canadian Theatre chain.

The first six months in 1953
brought earnings of $2,991,000, or
$1.29 per share. Excluding the
profit from the Canadian stock
sale, Par’s earriings for the first
half of 1954 would equal $1.41 per
share.

The second quarter of the cur-
rent year brought an estimated
$2,558,000 in earnings. This is the
quarter to which the extra Cana-
dian profit was credited. This
period’s earnings, including the
extra profit, represent $1.16 per
common share and, excluding the
profit, 78c per share on 2,217,036
shares outstanding.-

Earnings for 1953’s second quar-
ter were listed at $1,617,000, or
70c per share on 2,325,465 shares
outstanding at the end of that
period.

Along with the report on earn-
ings, Par president Barney Bala-
ban touched upon allied interests.
He said the Lawrence color tele-
vision tube has progressed to the
point where sets now using it are
ready for mass production. Par
controls Chromatic Laboratories,
which turns out the tube. He also
underlined cost-saving factors for
set manufacturers using the Law-
rence tube principles.

Lack of Single

I Continued, from page 7 ;

changeable. Under, the provisions
of the current deal, they cannot be
transferred from one U. S. distrib
to the. other.

Present license allocation, based
on last year’s division minus two
permits, gives Metro 30, 20th-Fox
28, Columbia 25, Warner Bros. 24,
Paramount 22, RKO 22, Universal
20 and Republic 18. Allied Artists
and United Artists are taken care
of with 35 additional licenses.

There is widespread agreement
that, due to changing income and
production patterns, this split isn’t
fair to a company like Universal.
At the same time, dislribs hang on
to their licenses for the much-
needed foreign revenue. If all
attempts, to reach a solution fail,
the final divvying up may have to
J be done by the- Italians themselves.

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Yvonne de Carlo will costar, with
Sterling Hayden and. Zachary
Scott in .“Shotgun,” John Chap-
man’s indie Tor Allied Artists , . .
Charles Bickford plays a theatrical
impresario in “Prince of Players”
at 20th-Fox . . Raymond Massey
plays Junius Brutus Booth in the
same picture . , i Andre Previn
composing 12 tunes for Metro’s
“It’s Always Fair Weather,” with
lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph
Green ... Otto Preminger optioned
James M. Cain’s novel, “Galatea,”
for indie production . , .. Wallace
Ford will portray Thelma Ritter’s
husband in Pine-Thomas’ “Lucy
Gallant” at Paramount , . . Metro
assigned Keenan Wynn to a top
role in “The Marauders,” to be
produced by Arthur Loew Jr., with
Gerald Mayer directing.

Richard Anderson’ first rdle un-
der his new Metro contract will
be in “Hit the Deck” . . , Frederick
Brisson borrowed. Mai Bert from
Warners as art director on “The
Girl Rush” at RKO . . . National
League of Decency handed the
Japanese film,“Ugetsu,” a “B” rat-
ing because of “suggestive sequen-
ces” . . . UI signed Paul Picerni
to costar with Audio Murphy in
the Aaron Rosenberg production,
“To Hell and' Back” . . . Guy Pres-
cott snagged a featured part in
Allied Artists’ “Shotgun,” current-
ly filming on location with . Lesley
Selander directing . . , David Brian
joined Vera Ralston, Sterling Hay-
den and Adolphe Menjou in the
cast of “Timberjack,” to be filmed
in British Columbia . . : Darryl F.
Zanuck bought film rights to Wil-
liam L. Heath’s novel, “Violent
Saturday” . . . Pine-Thomas’ “Lucy
Gallant” is the 10th film to be shot
in Paramount’s VistaVision.

Rudy Vallee will play the father
of Jane Russell and Jeanne Crain
in “Gentlemen Marry Brunettes,”
to be produced jointly by Russ-
Field and Voyager in England , . .
Shelley Winters snagged the role
of Natalia in the film version of
John van Druten’s “I Am a Cam-
era’’ . . .' Henry Hathaway leaving
20th-Fox on completion of his cur-
rent . picture, “The Racers,” to 'go
into indie production . . . Ernest
Heller draws the .camera assign-
ment on Republic’s “Magic Fire”
Metro assigned Cyd Charisse as
one of the stars in the Arthur
Freed production, “It’s Always Fair
Weather” . . . Helene Stanton
slated for second femme lqad in
Sam Katzman’s “Riot on Pier Six”
at Columbia.

* Alan Ladd bought screen rights
to “The Darkest Hour,” a novel by
William P. McGivern . . . George
Garver signed for roles in Allied
Artists’ “The Annapolis Story” and
Metro's “Hit the Deck” ... John
Sturges completed Metro’s “Bad
Day at Black Rock” five days
ahead of schedule . . . Robert
Roark plays a sailor in Warners’
“Mister Roberts” . . , Pine-Thomas
added William - Walker, Herbert
Hayes and Lester Matthews to the
cast of “Blue Horizons” . . . John
Champion signed Angela Greene
for his indie, “Shotgun” . . . Fred
Wilcox assigned to direct “Forbid-
den Planet,” Metro's first science-
fiction film ... Collier Young
signed Leith Stevens to score
Filmakers’ “Mad At the World.”

Ross Elliott snagged the male
lead opposite Judy Canova in
“Carolina Cannonball,” a Sidney
Picker production at Republic . . .
Gene -Darcy withdrew from Wil-
liam Dieterle’s “Magic Fire” be-
cause of an assignment in “The
Racers” at 20th-Fox . . . Fritz
Apking, stuntman, drew his first
speaking role in “Mister Roberts”
and promptly changed his name
to Frederick Ford . . . Robin Ray-
mond drew a featured role in
“Young at Heart” at Warners . . .
Clayton Randolph signed for a spot
in “Untamed” at 20th-Fox . . .
Jack Pepper joined the cast of
“Eddie Foy and the Seven Little
Foys” at Paramount . . . 20th-Fox
bought an untitled original by
Harry Kleiner and turned it over
to Buddy Adler for production.

Stuart Holmes celebrated his
45th anniversary in films by taking
a role in Paramount’s “Eddie Foy
and the Seven Little Foys.” . . .
Lemuel Ayers signed as produc-
tion designer on Independent Art-
ists’ “The Girl Rush” . . . Willard
Sage snagged a role in Republic’s
“Timberjack” ... Rhys Williams
and Douglas Spencer joined the
cast of Hecht-Lancaster’s “The
Gabriel Horn” . . . Emil Sitka
signed for “Carolina Cannonball”
at Republic . . . Marlin Skiles, mu-
sic director on “The Annapolis
Story” at Ailed Artists, wrote the
theme song, “With This Ring” . . ,
1 Paramount signed Maurice Hart to
i do the narration for George Pal’s

Goldman-Gregory

Continued from page 5

through the actor-director's con-
tract with Gregory, but Laughton
is not in on the ownership.

Now company will operate some-
what along .the* lines of Wallis-.
Hazen Productions . with Gregory
(like Hal Wallis) handling the pro-
duction side and Goldman (like
Joseph Hazen) supervising the
business end, including financing.
As yet there’s no tieup with any
distributor. Officer will be main-
tained in both N. Y. and Philly:

Key film on the sked is an adap-
tation of Norman Mailer’s best-
selling “Naked and the Dead.”
Gregory owns thq rights to the
novel. Possibly preceding this,
though, on the program will be
“My Beloved,” a real-life story of
a romantic triangle involving
American Indians. The stage en-
terprise hasn’t been set yet.

Goldman owns 20 houses In the
Philly area, including three key
firstruns. He’s represented as de-
sirous of showing hts confidence in
the future of the industry, par-
ticularly indie filmmaking, via the
teamup with Gregory.

Gregory, who’s 33, has a string
Of legit clicks to his credit, includ-
ing “Don Juan in Hell,” “John
Brown’s Body” and the current
“Caine Mutiny Court Martial.”

FWC Mgrs.

Continued from page 5

absorbing any shortages, FWC is
eliminating the popcorn breakage
for theatremen. This had amount-
ed to approximately three 10c
boxes of popcorn in every large
bag furnished theatres. However,
Skouras assured the managers that
where the elimination of the pop-
corn breakage- worked to the dis-
advantage of the managers’ salary,
adjustments Were' being made.
With this assurance, most of the
committee meihbers expressed sat-
isfaction.

Not entirely clear at Tuesday’s
meeting, nor at one held last Fri-
day morning (20), was the fact that
concession policies were being
changed to bririg the varied mer-
chandising commissions in the dif-
ferent divisions of National The-
atres into a single policy. The
change had been explained to the
Northern California division by
Edwin F. Zabel, FWC general
manager, at a meeting in San
Francisco last Thursday and he re-
ported no misunderstanding or re-
sentment on the part of the man-
agers. v

Managers on the committee that
met here with Skouras were: Jack
Case and Jim Richardson, Los An-
geles; Joseph D. Busath, Anaheim;
John G. Poulos, Redondo Beach;
Asher Shaw, Sail Luis Obispo;
William P. Mauck, Calexico, and
Frank Hollis, Globe, Ariz.

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

21

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22

PICTURES

‘Finding & Financing’ Films

Continue* from paco 1

DCA is that Schwartz’s theatre,
company drew the plans and ac-
tually got underway with one pic
in production and set up other
deals before the other theatremen
were invited to join. Not only did
they see a blueprint of the opera-
tion but also how it was develop-
ing.

Schwartz cited the key motivat-
ing fatcors for DCA’s coming into
being as: (1), “Theatremen feel
that the product shortage is more
acute than ever and a new nutlet
such as DCA can help alleviate
this shortage” and (2), “We wanted
to expand within the industry — it's
the only business many of us
know — and since we can’t expand
with theatres we are engaging in
production and distribution.”

‘ The chief exec stressed that he
and all other exhib stockholders
have only the status of investors
so far as the availability of DCA
product is concerned. They guar-
antee no playing time and receive
no advantages over non-stockhold-
ers in bargaining for the DCA pic-
tures.

Schwartz indicated departures
from the usual industry distribu-
tion pattern will be introduced by
DCA- "We have several plans in
mind,” he added.

Company will have branch of-
fices, each with permanent person-
nel, in N. Y., Chicago, Atlanta,
Dallas and San Francisco. Main
offices will be at 1560 Broadway,
N. Y. Shifting from Century The-
atres to work at DCA on a full-
time basis are Martin Newman,
who will be comptroller; Sol Shrif-
fin, as master print booker; Milton
Shapiro, who will concentrate on
pic budgets and exchange opera-
tions, and William- O’Hare, co-
ordinator of advertising.

Distrib Activities

As a means of keeping overhead
down, DCA will employ its ad-pub
personnel on a per pic basis in-
stead of keeping a full department
continually on hand. A1 Margolies
has been assigned to the promo-
tion job on “Long John.”

Distribution activities will be
confined to the. Western Hemi-
sphere. This, commented Schwartz,
will be compatible with foreign
producers (in instances of copro-
duction deals with DCA) who want
to retain distribution rights to
their films outside of North and
South America. The prez noted
DCA’s financing program, will be
extended to cover indie filmmak-
ers- abroad.

“Long John” was produced on
location in Australia by Joseph
. Kaufman and directed by Byron
Haskin, with Robert Newton in the
title role. Release is set for next
Christmas, with the C’Scope ver-
sion to be licensed first, followed
by the standard edition to exhibs
unequipped for the widescreen
process.

Also completed is “Hunters of
the Deep,” an underwater docu-
mentary in color which was select-
ed for showing at the current Edin-
burgh Festival. Alan Dowling pro-
duced. This is followed by the re-
lease of “L’elia,” which Bernard
Luber is to produce from the
Andre Maurois novel.

Fact that DCA has acquired
rights to “Finian’s Rainbow,” as
revealed by Schwartz, especially
came as a surprise, there having
been no previous hints of a pic-
ture deal involving the musical. It
Was produced on , Broadway in
January, 1947, by Lee Sabinson
and William R. Katzell. E. Y. Har-
burg and Fred Saidy, who did the
book (Harburg also wrote the

lyrics), and Burton Lane, who
penned the music, all have been
pacted by DCA to adapt the pic.

The 10-film program also in-
cludes: “The Viking,” from the
Edison Marshall novel, to be
lensed in C’Scope on location in
Norway; “Pistolero in C’Scope,
to be produced by Philip Waxman;
an original screenplay by Bella
and Sam Spewack.to be ready in
90 days and for which a contract
is now being drawn, and three pix
from the British director-producer
team of John and Roy Boulting.
These will be “The Survivors,” a
science, fiction entry; ‘'Heather
Mary,” from a novel by James
Scott, with one or. two American
stars, and “The Jacarand Tree,”
from the H. E. Bates novel, to be
lecationed in Burma.

Continued from page 4

New York Theatres

is fleeting; others who emerge with
increased stature as a result of the
tours. The latter category, of
course, applies to performers with
secondary roles in the pictures be-
ing plugged.

Metro, for example, recently
toured five “brides” from “Seven
Brides for Seven Brothers.” The
girls — Ruta Lee, Betty Carr, Vir-
ginia Gibson, Julie Newmeyer, and
Norma Doggett — each covered dif-
ferent sectional territories. They
were out .for a period of two weeks
and the space they achieved “just
couldn’t be bought,” according to
an M-G exec

Twentieth-Fox is building up
ber.ucoup pre-opening publicity for
“The Egyptian” by touring two ex-
hibits of costumes and props from
the picture. A model, appropriately
garbed in an ancient costume, is
to accompany each of the trailer-
t .uck exhibits. The trucks started
out on July 6 and will be out until
the end of September, hitting sev-
eral hundred cities. In addition,
20th has arranged a speaking tour
for Charles LeMaire, who designed
the femme wardrobe for “The
Egyptian.” Another lecture tour is
that of Bert Lytell, who will cover
the U. S. and Canada talking about
the making of the picture.

Columbia has adopted a policy
of “introductory tours,” which has
its purpose the buildup of young
players; Aim is not only to acquaint
the public with these players, but
also to give the performers a
chance to learn how to handle
themselves with the press and pub-
lic. Currently making the -rounds
of various cities are May Wynn
and Bob Francis for “The Caine
Mutiny” and Kim Novak and Phil
Carey for “Pushover.”

Universal is touring a “Miss
Magnificent Obsession” queen and
Bill Thomas, the picture’s costume
t designer. Jane Wyman, star of the
; pic, made some key city appear-
ances. For the recent “Glenn Mil-
ler Story/’ U sent out Joe Yukl,
who played the trombone in the
■film. For “Johnny Dark,” an auto
racing film, it hired a, woman sports
car racer to make appearances.

United Artists is on' an Indian
kick, sending Out the descendants
of various tribes for “Apache” and
“Sitting Bull.” Paramount, for
Danny Kaye’s “Knock on Wood,”
sent out a press agent accompanied
by the ventriloquist’s dummy used
in the picture. Kaye also made sev-
eral key appearances, as did Mar-
tin & Lewis for “Living It Up.”
For “Rear Window,” Par is plan-
ning to send out Georgina Darcy,
who is seen as “MisS Torso” in
the film. RKO has employed pro-
ducer Harriet Parsons to speak for
her own “Susan Slept Here.”

— RADIO CITY MUSIC UUL

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Continued from page 7

uct that would meet the needs of
American theatres and alleviate
the So-called shortage in the U. S.
Full information on these films
would provide them with a wider
and more profitable playoff, said
the circuit operator.

Exec would like to see an inter-
national theatre oganization em-
bracing TOA, Allied States Assn,
and England’s Cinematograph Ex-
hibitors Assn. He’s been plugging
for an amalgamation of TOA and
Allied for the past couple of
years, as have other TOA leaders,
but Allied so far hasn't been
amenable to the idea.

Exhib Trade Associations
To Have Role in Selling
DCA Product: Schwartz

Exhibitor trade associations, it’s
anticipated, will have a role in the
sale of product to theatremen by
Distributors Corp. of America, new
production-financing and distribu-
tion outfit.

Ered J. Schwartz, president, in
discussing the operation, stated in
N.Y. yesterday ’ (Tues.l: “DCA will
handle only authentically ‘A’ pic-
tures, and each of them will be
sold arid exploited in strictly cus-
tom-made fashion. ■

“We plan to custom-sell in this
manner the first 3,000 or 4,000 sit-
uations. After these accounts have
been sold, we will then aim at a
saturation of the entire market by
‘secondary’ selling. In this we plan
methods both old and new. Among
the latter will be the probable use
of exhibitor trade associations for
direct dealing between DCA and
groups of exhibitors. In this way
we will be able to squeeze some
of the water out of distribution
and make the usually expensive
secondary selling less costly. It
will mean more money to both the
producer and the exhibitor,”

Schwartz to Give Most Of
Time to New Distrib Corp.

Fred J. Schwartz will give 75%
to 80% of his time to the newly-
formed Distributors Corp. of
America, of which he is president.
He’ll devote the balance to Century
Theatres, extensive chain in Long
Island - and Brooklyn, N. Y., of
which he’s also chief exec.

In his absence, the circuit will
be helmed by Leslie Schwartz, a
.brother, who is v.p. of Century.

Exhibs Renewing

Continued from page 7 sss

t

boycott and ask our loyal patrons
to support us.”

Shor centered his fire against
terms asked by Universal for its
“Magnificent Obsession” and by
Columbia for “Caine Mutiny.” He
urged exbibs not to buy either film
“yet." Terms for “Obsession” he
said are 50%, with an adjustment
possible down to 40%. “There may
be large grossing situations that
can gamble on these terms, but
there doesn’t exist a suburban or
smalltown theatre that can stand
this risk,” Shor wrote. He repeated
the assertion that the distribs or
producers have “by collusion” cre-
ated a short market in. an effort
to enforce their rental policies.

Attack against U is significant,
since this is one company which
prides itself On its grassroots pol-
icy and in the past has very largely
escaped exhib criticism. However,
U has switched its emphasis to
“big” pix and is selling according
to the values it sees in them.

Cozy Barns

— — Continued from page 1

frau, Martha, who operate the
Somerset (Mass.) Playhouse, also
appear in the productions there.
Another Mr.-Mrs. operating duo
are Lewis and Charlotte Harmon,
at the Cinton (Conn.) Country
Playhouse, with the latter also
functioning as director.

Mary Martin and her daughter,
Heller Halliday, are also appear-
ing together, but not on the straw-
hat circuit. They’re in the touring
“Peter Pan,” starring Miss Martin.

Also . Joan Bennett and her
daughter, Melinda Markey,” were
spotted together two years ago in
“Susan and God” and Sidney
Blackmer and his wife, Susan
Kaaren, played together in “Glad
Tidings.” Howard Lindsay and
Dorothy Stickney played a guest
date last week at the Falmouth
Playhouse, in “Life With Father,”
in which they were the costars of
the original Broadway production.

A number of lesser-known hus-
band-wife teams are also working
the barn loop, such as A1 Checco
and Jean Bradley, in a touring
“Boys from Syracuse” package.

Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy
played a silo tour several seasons
ago in “Fourposter” before bring-
ing it to Broadway. But the hay-
mow stages have yet to coax Alfred
Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, Lau-
rence O.ivier and Vivien Leigh or
Rex Harrison and Lilli Palmer into
the hills professionally.*

WtdnwJay, Aatsmt 25. 1954.

uremia .viiiimf HinniK

The U S. and Canada may he hands-acroM-the-berder In many re-
spects but Alex Barns, film critic and columnist of the Toronto Globe
& Mail, has divergent views as regards Red China. This is from hi*
Aug. 10 column:

“A complaint about a recent newsreel has come in and I think it
is worth passing along: >

“The scene to which I refer was one showing the landing of that
plane which had ‘recently been shot up by Chinese fighters. What
astonished me was the statement (by the narrator!, made after a shot
of a little girl, possibly about five or six, . who had lost her father
and was being carried down the ramp from the plane, to the effect
that we should *ask this little girl, who had just lost her father, whether
Bed China should be admitted to the UN/ ” t
“Editorializing in newsreels isn’t new of course, but it does seem
a bit too much that Canadian movie audiences, should be expected
to share the particular view of one U.S. newsreel company (Movie-
tone, in this case) on a notoriously controversial issue.”

Fox Denver Theatres are amassing beaucoup space in' the local
newspapers by offering editors feature story ideas. Rocky Mountain
News, for example, devoted a half-page of a tabloid rize pajp6r to a
story about a display at the Tabor Theatre. House was built" by H. A. W.
Tabor, storied silver king. Display featured historical portraits of
Tabor and his family. Said the News: “The display, which has been
hung on all walls of the theatre’s mezzanine, touches Upon the high-
lights of the rags-to-riches, riches-to-rags story which made Tabor the
most colorful man in a spectacular era/’ Another story touches on
the giveaway of a parrot in a contest run by the newspaper in cooper-
ation with the Aladdin Theatre. United Artists was also involved
in the project, since the picture being plugged was "Robinson Crusoe.”
Murry Lafayette, UA’s local press rep, went out to deliver the parrot
to the winner, but found her away on a two-week vacation. None of
the neighbors would accept the bird. Said the News’ headline: “Den-
verite Wins Parrot, But Murry Got the Bird.”

Grim echoes of the $1,000,000 shakedown in the 1940s by the (George)
Browne-( Willie) Bioff mob, in control of the International Assn, of
Theatrical Stage Employees, cropped up last week with the Chicago
gangland murder of A1 Capone’s brother-in-law, Frank Maritojte, four
days after Charles (Cherry Nose) Gioe met a similar fate, Maritote
(alias Frank Diamond) was more recently in the trucking business
in Chicago. Only two days before his gangland assassination, Maritote
had been questioned by the police in connection with the Gioe killing.

Both were among the seven men convicted in 1944 for using the
IATSE as a threat to shut down picture theatre booths, resulting in
the extortion of $1,000,000 from the industry. All got Federal . prison
terms of 10 years, but were paroled after serving a third of their
time. Westbrook Pegler’s campaign was prominent in exposing and
convicting the Browne-Bioff gang, , and the late Arthur Ungar, editor
of Daily Variety, was* also potent, on a local level, intra-industry,
towards the same end.

Doug Helgeson, general manager for “Cinerama” in Chicago, points
out that the pic is grossing as well m its 56th week as it did in its
fifth and sixth frames last year. Pic has had a rise to the $40,000
brackets since its anniversary week, after having tapered off in the
30G’s in the latter part of its first year. Partly a hypo in promotion
for the anni accounts for the increase, and partly also the fact that
convention and„ tourist influx in Chicago is terrific this time of year.
Additionally, Helgeson has been quick to add extra shows to the
weekly * slate on days when pressure is most intense at b.o. Case in
point is the new 11 a.m. matinee on Wednesdays, which like the show
at 2:30 p.m. is nearly a sellout every week.

Metro put on a demonstration ot Perspecta- Stereophonic sound for
more than 10 J exhibitors in the Hollywood area last week, using two
reels from “Knights of the Round Table” and two musical shorts. New
system consist of directional sound on a single, standard-width optical
track. It is equipped with ah integrator unit which causes the sound
to emanate from the point on the screen from which the dialog or music
appears to come. Royalty payments for its use were eliminated last
week to stimulate its use by film studio.

Judge Phiibrick McCoy eliminated RKO as a defendant in Harold
Lloyd’s $750,000 damage suit in L.A. Superior Court last week. Plain-
tiff’s action involved the film titled “The Sin of Harold Diddlebock,”
later retitled “Mad Wednesday/’ He claimed he did not get the
proper billing required by his contract. Original defendants included
not only RKO but California Pictures and the Hughes Tool Co. as well.
Latter two are still defendants.

North Jersey circuit of Stanley Warner Theatres is spotlighting the
role of the theatre manager “as a staunch citizen and member of his
community” in a series of managers’ tributes and appreciation nights.
Purpose of these special community salutes is “to highlight the sig-
nificant service of the local theater manager to the public and to
show that he really is a neighbor and friend of his patrons and com-
munity.”

Writers’ Annex at Paramount, one of the oldest studio buildings in
Hollywood, was sold to General Film Lab to provide that company
with additional office space. Structure will be cut in two and moved
several blocks to its new site. Annex, formerly used by scripters and
secretaries, has been unoccupied for 18 months. Paramount will use
the space as a parking lot.

Waning Nitrate Prints

Continued from page 7 ^ J

law makes specific provisions only
covering the use of nitrate stock.

Ly don said this week that, dur-
ing a recent survey of Boston ex-
changes* he had found less than
one-half of 1% nitrate film in theii
vaults, and that even this small
amount was not a true figure, since
some of these non-safety films were
old and not in release.

At the hearing* last week, Lydon
put the number of one-man booths
In New England at 150. However,
this figure was disputed by the
labor spokesmen. The Commission-
er has now Undertaken to make a
survey of his own,

Lydon said that reissues occa-
sionally used nitrate prints. Metro,
for instance, put out “Gone With
the Wind” 35% on nitrate and
65% on acetate. “Duel in the Sun”
is about 50-50. Even so, Lydon
doesn't think there’s any need for
state legislation to do away with

whatever nitrate prints are left.
“In another year or so— -with no
nitrate stock being produced— ni-
trate film will die' its own death,”
he said.

Some N. Y. execs aren’t of the
same opinion. They take the view
that there must be a cutoff point
somewhere and that the stage has
now been reached where it can
and should be determined, even at
the risk of hurting the occasional
little fellow with an old print on
his hands. ,

At the Motion Picture Assn, of
America, it’s pointed out that de-
spite the slow switch to acetate the
industry’s safety record is excel-
lent. Authorities in both the Gov-
ernment and insurance field take
the position that, regardless of this
recoird no ma jar changes can be
effected until and unless they nave
the assurance that*no nitrate prints
are in circulation any more.

Wednesday, August 25* 1954

P'SrIETy

RADIO-TELEVISION

( Aug . 25 « Sept. 4 )

WED., AUG. 25

Cake Time (Eddie Fisher). Music, NBC, 7:30-7:45 p m.. Wed.
Sc Fri., Coca-Cola, via D’Arcy.

* THURS., AUG. 26

Dragnet (film). Drama, NEC, 9-9:30 p.m., Chesterfield, via Cun-
ningham Sc Walsh.

Lux Video Theatre. Drama, NBC, 10-11 p.m., Lever Bros., via
J. Walter Thompson.

SAT., AUG. 28

Canadian Football. NBC, 1:45 p.m. to concl., sustaining.

Mickey Rooney Show. (film). Situation comedy, NBC, 8:30-9 p.m.,
Pillsbury, Green Giant (alt. weeks), both via Leo Burnett.

• SUN., AUG. 29

You Are There. Hist, drama, CBS, 6:30-7 p.m., Electric Cosi
Advertising Program via N. W. Ayer, Prudential, via Calkins Sc
Holden (alt. weeks).

Loretta Young Show (film). Drama, NBC, 10-10:30 p.m., Procter
Sc Gamble, via Benton & Bowles.

TUBS., AUG. 31

Jo Stafford Show. Music, CBS, 7:45-8 p;m., Gold. Seal Co., via
Campbell-Mithun.'

Fireside Theatre (film). Drama, NBC, 9-9:30 p.m., Procter Sit
Gamble, via Compton.

Armstrong , Circle Theatre. Drama, NBC, 9:30-10 p.m., Arm-
strong Cork Co., via BBD&Q.

See It Now (Ed Murrow). Commentary, CBS, 10:30-11 p.m.,

Alcoa, via Fuller &. Smith St Ross.

THURS., SEPT. 2

Name That Tune. Music-quiz, CBS, 10:3041 p.m., American
Home Products, Carter Products (alt. weeks), both via SSC&B.

FRI., SEPT. 3

Mama. Situation comedy; CBS, 8-8:30 p.m., General Foods, via
Benton. & Bowles.

Person to Person (Ed Murrow). Interviews, CBS, 10:30-11 p.m.,
Noxzema via SSC&B, (alt. weeks) with Hamm Brewing (midwest)
via Campbell-Mithun, American Oil (east) via Joseph Katz Co.

SAT., SEPT.. 4

Captain Midnight (film). Adventure, CBS, 11-11:30 a.m., Oval-
tine, General Mills (alt. weeks), both via Tatham-Laird.

Space Patrol. Adventure, ABC, 11-11:30 a.m., Ralston-Purlna
via Gardner, Nestle via Cecil & Presbrey (alt. weeks).

Ethel Sc Albert. Comedy, NBC, 7:30-8 p.m., Sunbeam, via Perrin
Sc Paus.

Color TV Schedule

CBS

Big Payoff — Wed., Aug. 25, 3 p.m.

Danger— Tues., Aug. 31, 9:30 p.m.

NBC

Home (remote pickup from Milwaukee of Wisconsin State Fair
and pickup from Associated American Galleries in N.Y.) — Thurs.,
Aug. 26, 11 a.m.

Skinner Boasts a 93 Tally Through Simple
Expedient of Using Parakeets

The gobbledygook by which
some audience measurements are
allegedly ^arrived at reached its
zenith last , week when George
Skinner offered “proof positive”
that his 9 to 10 a.m. crossboarder
on WCBS-TV, N. Y., drew a 93 rat-
ing on Thursday (19). That, of
course, Would be the highest ever
attained by any tv’er.

Assumption 1: That 2% of the
4,000,000 tv homes in the N. Y.
area own parakeets, or 80,000 fami-
lies.

Assumption 2: That approximate-
ly 50% of these families own blue
parakeets.

Assumption 3: That one-quarter
of these own the light blue variety,
or 10,000 homes.

Assumption 4: That parakeet

(Continued on page 28)

Kaye Ballard’s NBC Deal

Kaye Ballard has been pacted
to an exclusive NBC deal for ra-
dio and tv as result of her sum-
mer duty on ‘.‘Colgate Comedy
Hour.”

Miss Ballard, it’s understood,
will do at least two of the upcom-
ing fall series under the Ted Bates
agency production aegis. Reported
radio show is being mulled for
the comedienne.

By GEORGE ROSEN

Some 17 shows will premiere for
the ’54-’.55 season on the major
television networks within the next
10 days. And this is pre-post time
for the official launching of the
fall semester. Come Labor Day
and the balance of September and
into October, the roster will be
stepped up to encompass, in all,
some 100 tv program premieres be-
tween tonight’s (Wed.) Eddie
Fisher return on NBC-TV end the
late October teeoft of the one-a-
month Leland Hayward spectacu-
lars on the same network.

While, for the most part, the 100
shows, representing for the bank-
rollers an investment pf several
hundred million dollars in time
and talent, can be. labelled “re-
turn engagements” of familiar
faces and formats, there is, none-
theless, an excitement and an an-
ticipation over new program con-
cepts and new properties that
hasn’t been rivalled since tv in-
itially came into the bigtime.

The anticipation stems from a
variety of factors. This, for one, is
the season when color will burst
forth- on the spectrum, no longer
as an experiment, but as a full-
blown 21-inch reality to give the
medium an added dimension on
which, even now, more than
$25,000,000 in sponsor coin is rid-
ing. Upwards of 100 hours of
major tinted programming will hit
the coaxial network circuits dur-
ing the ’54-’55 semester, encom-
passing the star-spangled rosters
of 'Max Liebman-Leland Hayward
specs on NBC (costing up to $300,-
000 per one-shot) and the am-
bitious Chrysler and Westinghouse
series on Columbia, as well as the
CBS formula to expose (as NBC
did last season) every major net-
work entry to the rainbow treat-
ment.

‘Pat and Bog’ Formula Teeoff

For NBC in particular the stakes
are high indeed, for this is the st v
son on which the “Pat and Bob”
(Weaver and Sarnoff) high com-
mand are.staking practically every-
thing with a “go for broke” formula
of big-big-big shows designed to
vest the medium with a new kind
of excitement. The pre-season
sponsor acceptance is only half the
battle. The Nielsens* the Trendex,
U. S. public reaction and the
ability to whittle down the com-
petition will tell the rest of the
story. One thing’s for sure, at
those prices anything short of a
hit is bound to invite sponsor
repercussions.

It’s a season that will determine
| whether the sponsor who spends
(Continued on page 30)

Counsel Choice in Bricker Probe;

. Judith’s Lady Macbeth

Judith Anderson has been
pacted for the role of Lady Mac-
beth to play opposite Maurice
Evans in the two-hour Hallmark
presentation of the Shakespearean
tragedy when it takes over the Sun-
day afternoon 4 to. 6 p.m. segment
on NBC-TV on Nov. 28. Miss An-
derson had played the role on
Broadway,

“Macbeth,” which will originate
from the Brooklyn Color studios
of NBC, will be done in compati-
ble color. It’s the third in the
Hallmark cycle of Bard specs,
Evans previously having done
“Hamlet” and “Richard II”

CBS’ 45% Stake

CBS’ 45% ownership stake in
WTOP, Washington (Washington
Post owns the other 55%), is on
the block. With the lucrative radio-
tv. operation in the nation’s capital
now housed in its new $2,000,000
plant, the Columbia franchise has
an estimated valuation of between
$3,000,000 and $4,000,000. It’s re-
ported that Leon Levy (ex-WCAU,
Philadelphia, and for years iden-
tified with the Columbia Broad-
casting System as a big stockholder
and' director ) is interested as . a
possible purchaser of the minority
holdings. Station is one of the
more affluent in the D. C. area,
particularly the tv adjunct.

After CBS disposes of its WTOP
holdings, it will also shed its 45%
ownership of WCCO in Minne-
apolis — another instance where
both the radio and tv billings make
it one of the juiciest morsels in the
midwest. The CBS minority in-
terest here is said to exceed in
value even 1 That of WTOP.

With WTOP and WCCO out of
the way, it will leave Columbia
clear for acquisition of two more
wholly-owned tv stations. Appli-
cations are pending both in St.
Louis and Boston, where,- in both
instances, the mad scrambles for
a VHF forced them into hearings.

Same Voices , Other Rooms

David O. Selznick has apparently
been won over to tv after talking
a deal with Pat Weaver on the
Coast last week just before the
NBC prez planed back to New
York. Further discussions are
scheduled with Weaver in Gotham
and Fred Wile, program v.p. in
Hollywood.

It’s not clear when Selznick
would take hold as executive pro-
ducer on the web’s color spectacu-
lars, but there’s speculation that
the film figure might step in to do
some of the 13 hurrahs listed for
Leland Hayward, who is ill on the
Coast. Chances are that Selznick
could not devote his time to NBC
before November since he’s pro-
ducing the four-network, two-hour
Lights Diamond Jubilee” on
Oct. 24.

The trappings will be the same
but not so the auspices for nu-
merous major nighttime tv stanzas
girding for the new season. In sev-
eral instances the time slots are
identical but the webs different.
Foremost in this category are
“Voice of Firestone,” which al-
ready has crossed over to ABC
from NBC in the Monday at 8:30
slot, and “T-Men In Action,” in a
ditto National-to- American march
in the Thursday 8:30 setting.

“Name That Tune,” the 8 o’clock
precede to the Firestone show un-
der the NBC banner (with both
ousted to make room for Sid Cae-
sar’s new program), is another
Thursday entry, but on CBS at
10:30. Red Buttons will “Ho Ho”
it for Pontiac on Fridays at 8 after
a couple of semesters in CBS’ 9:30
Monday spot that’s gone to the
“December Bride” vidpix series.
Jan Murray’s “Dollar a Second”
transfers from DuMont’S Monday
at 8 to ABC’s Friday at 9 berth
after summer pinchhitting duty for
Loretta Young on NBC Sundays
at 10. Another DuMont casualty is
“20 Questions,” formerly Sunday

at 10 there and set for 8:30 Tues-
day on ABC.

“Operation Shift” also has an
intra-network look on Tuesday
with CBS in the leading role. Red
Skelton is pushed up to 8 as his
8:30 slot goes to the Ronald Col-
man-Benita Hume "Halls of Ivy”
film series; (Skelton will have Gene
Autry's time.) “Danger” goes from
10 o’clock to 9:30 (where “Sus-
pense” marked its R.I.P.) with the
former time going to “Life With
Father” (switched from Sunday at
7, the same spot that proved an
ashcan for Paul Winchell, who’s
being displaced by Art Linkletter’s
“People Are Funny” on NBC while
the "Father” berth goes to the
“Lassie” celluloid).

Lots of CBS Changes

Likewise, Columbia looms large
in the Thursday changeovers.
"Four Star Playhouse” drops from
8:30 to 9:30 to pave the way for
the hourlong Chrysler show alter-
nating musicals (“Shower of Stars”)
and dramas (“Climax”) on a one-
three basis. “Public Defender” vid-
films will be the Chrysler segue,
switching from its Monday at 9
summertime subbing (for “I Love
Lucy”) after starting the regular

season on its own in the selfsame
10 p.m. anchor that went to Philip
Morris’ other show, "Telltale Clue,”
in the hot weather-period. "Public”
Will be defending itself for- the
first half-hour against NBC’s 60-
minute "Lux Video Theatre,” ex-
tended from its Thursday at 9:-
9:30 framework at CBS last season.

As far as the shifting scene is
concerned, one of its principal
characters will be NBC’s Martha
Raye, With, the comedienne moving
from her familiar one-a-month 90-
minuter on Saturday to Tuesday
8-9, where she’ll work out in 10
shows for Hazel Bishop (to Milton
Berle’s 20 for Buick and Bob
Hope’s six of nine slots earmarked
by General Foods, with one of
GF’s three open spaces reportedly
earmarked for Ray Bolger).

It’ll be same starting time, same
network” for Imogene Coca— Sat-
urday at 9; a familiar setting for
Jimmy Durante at 9:30 (consider-
ing that the Schnoz once operated
as a Saturday nighter) in alterna-
tion with Donald O’Connor for
Texaco and not an unknown slot
(10 o’clock) for George Gobel in
his new show,, since the comic was
a Saturday night, summertime en-
try a couple of seasons back.

Washington, Aug. 24.
Scope of the Senate Interstate
Commerce Committee network in-
vestigation, staff work on which
is to begin next w'eek, may hinge
on selection of minority counsel,
appointment of Harry 'Plotkin, for-
mer FCC Assistant General Coun-
sel, it was learned yesterday
(^Mon.) was to have been an-
nounced simultaneously' with that
of former FCC Comr. Robert
Jones.

Sen. Edwin C. Johnson ( D-
Colo,), ranking Democrat on com-
mittee, it is understood, has been
given assignment of selecting coun-
sel for the Democrats and had ad-
vised Chairman John W. Bricker
(R-O.) that Plotkin was his choice.
However, Bricker has made no
commitment, saying appointment
would be announced in the "near
future.”

Team of Plotkin and Jones is
regarded here by industry observ-
ers, as a somewhat strange com-
bination; The two were on oppo-
site sides of the fence on the FCC,
plotkin, a New Deal Democrat, hav-
ing worked closely with former
FCC Chairman Wayne Coy. Plot-
kin left the FCC to join the law
firm of Arnold,. Fortas St Porter,
whose principals have been identi-
fied with the New DeaL Former
FCC Chairman Paul Porter was at
one time associated with CBS.
Thurman Arnold is a former As-
sistant Attorney General in charge
of anti-trust. Abe Fortas was un-
der Secretary of Interior late
Harold Ickes.

Jones, who served in the House
of Representatives for eight years,
is ah Ohio Republican who has
been close to the Taft, wing of the
party. He left the FCC two years
ago to become a partner in the
firm of Scharfeld, Jones & Baron.

In announcing Jones’ appoint-
ment last week, Bricker said the
committee will study "the feasi-
bility and practically of pending
legislation to place radio and tv
networks under jurisdiction of the
FCC, as well as the whole UHF-
VFH problem on which the com-
mittee’s subcommittee an commu-
nications held extensive prelimi-
nary hearings in the past session.”

It V Dog Eat Dog

The competitive tv network sit-
uation being what it is, it’s not too
surprising that the new Screen
Gems’ Rin Tin Tin half-hour spon-
sored by National Biscuit Co. is
now winding up on ABC-TV for the
fall, going into the Friday night
7:30 slot until now occupied by
the Stu Erwin Show. Latter pro-
gram shifts to Wednesday night
following "Disneyland.”

Rin Tin Tin series was originally
slated for CBS-TV Sunday after-
noon. By an ironic twist, the Fri-
day time Qn ABC had already been
signed-sealed-delivered to General
Mills for the new June Havoc tele-
film series, but GM had a change
of heart, cancelled out and gave
the show to CBS. Now it’s all even.

RCA PACTS MONROE
FOR TINTPIX COML’S

RCA’s first color tv commercial
will feature Vaughn Monroe and
will be filmed both on the Coast
and N: Y. Group of Kenyon &
Eckhardt execs and Gross-Krasn'tf
commercials veep Hampton How-
ard planed to the Coast over the
weekend to start shooting on the
blurb, which is slated for Leland
Hayward’s first spectacular on
NBC-TV Oct. 18.

Blurb will be shot at the Gross-
Krasne California Studios, . using
the single-strip 35m Eastman Color

nmfess.

24 RABIO-TELE VISION

Wednegd«y, Anyuet 25 . 1954

$15,000,000 RADIO-TV C0ME-0N

TONI, CARTER COIN
FOR AM ‘CORLISS’

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Hardiest of the radio adolescents,
“Corliss Archer,” will be back in.
the commercial column in the fall
i for her 12th year. • She’s still frisky
enough to satisfy Toni and Carter
Products, who share the tab on
CBS in the Monday time formerly
filled by “My Friend Irma.”

James Saphier, who made every
sale since the first of the F. Hugh
Herbert creation, has assigned
Stefan Hatos to direct. Returning
in their old roles are Janet Waldo,
Sam Edwards, Irene Tedrow and
Fred Shields.

Ziv Television is color-filming
"Corliss” with a different cast for
syndication.

Coe’s 40,000 Lux
Bucks; Duff Tops

Fred Coe’s moveout as head pro-
ducer of the Philco-Goodyear "TV
Playhouse,” which he’s master-
minded since its inception on NBC,
will find him inheriting a bundle
of $40,000 from Lever Bros. That’s
Coe’s per-season fee to function as
production supervisor and general
adviser on the soap outfit’s "Lux
Video Theatre” which preems on
the web tomorrow (Thurs.) in the
hourlong 10 p.m. slot. Coe will
be stationed on both coasts for the
chore, with his New York base
devoted mainly to looking over’
scripts sent him from the Coast'
where show originates. Agreement
on Coe’s coin was worked out to
tween the client and its agency,
J. Walter Thompson.

Coe won’t be entirely lost to
"Playhouse” as he’s earmarked for
six shows. His replacement is
Gordon Duff, with five years on
the job as associate reiner of the
Sunday dramatic series and re-
garded in the trade as the logical
Successor to his erstwhile mentor.
Taking over Duff’s post is top
scripter Robert Alan Aurthur,
who’ll also serve as editor of the
year-round skein,, with Bill Nichols
tapped as assistant producer.

i iVri'min *

SAMMY KAYE

Two Sammys at Goodall Round
Robin Tourney Slamin’ Sammy
Snead and Swinging and Swaying.
Sammy Kaye. Fellow on left is
Golfer, Now playing for BRII/LQ
over ABC -TV Thurs<, at 9. A Par-
Breaker over ABC -Radio with
"Sunday Serenade" and “Serenade
Room.”

•

Columbia Records Exclusively

W0V, WHOM Team Up
For N.Y. City Center

Two N. Y. radio stations, WOV
and WHOM, have teamed with City
Center and II Progresso Italo-
Americano, the Italian language
daily, to promote City Center as "a
seat of Italian Grand Opera.” In-
tention is to bring New York
Italians opera at pop prices on a
permanent basis.

Both Italian language stations
(as well as other tongues), WOV
and WHOM will sked daily and
weekly stanzas to keep Italo opera
at City Center in the foreground.
A, contest, "City Center Opera
Talent Search,” will run for 11
weeks via WHOM with winners ap-
pearing on WOV for awards. For-
tune Pope, boss of the daily and
WHOM, was named Monday (23)
as chairman of the working com-
mittee to implement the Italo
opera plan initiated by Arnold
Hartley and Ralph Weill of WOV
and Henry Morgenthau of CC.

Chicago, Aug. 24.

Use of radio and television, es-
pecially the latter, to stimulate mi-
lady’s vanity will hit a crescendo
this fall with the Hardslugging ven-
dors of femme paint and varnish
and coiffure specialties out in
force. And leading the contingent
will be Gillette’s Toni adjunct
which, it’s estimated, will pump
out over $15,000,000 into the radio-
tv channels before the final 1954-55
tally is written.,

Toni, long dominant in the home
permanent field and a major fac-
tor in the shampoo trade, boasts
one of the most fabulous success
stories ini merchandising history,
with skillful use of radio-tv play-
ing a big part. Prexy Wilson Har-
ris, who remained at . the helm
when he and his brother Irving
sold the skyrocketing firm to Gil-
lette some years back for $20,000,-
000,* has come to be regarded as
one of the real experts in electron-
ic advertising.

Viv’s $5,000,000 Budget

That’s why Toni's entry into the
lipstick arena with its Viv paint
which is debuting with a $5,000,-
000 ad splash, was greeted with so
much anticipation by the NBC and
CBS sales crowd, who at the mom-
ent, have the Toni radio-tv billings
all to themselves. The "here comes
Toni” alarms that were ringing
through the highly competitive and
closely espiionaged cosmetic indus-
try long before the Viv unveiling
are recognized as contributing
sparks to the stepped up tv
spreads by such as Hazel Bishop,
Warner-Hudnut and Consolidated
Cosmetics.

Toni’s triphammer approach
which this next season will
spreadeagle both NBC and CBS
radio and tv webs has long since
earned trie respect of its competi-
tors in the wave set, shampoo and
lotion sweepstakes. It’s not lost
on the network boys that Toni’s
continually mushrooming splurges
have had a certain amount of “self-
defense” effect on other big spend-
ers like Procter & Gamble, with its
Lilt home waver, Colgate with its
Halo shampoo, and Armour with
its Dial shampoo. With Toni keep-
ing the pressure on for the gals’
beauty bucks, the others have to do
likewise.

As an indication of how competi-
tive this cosmetic biz is, a Toni
homeoffice spokesman refused to
6ay which shows will plug Viv. or
even to confirm that the account is
being handled by Leo Burnett,
which, along w'ith Weiss & Geller,
Tatham-Laird and Clinton E. Frank
book the firm’s advertising. How-

( Continued on page 26)

Lotsa Action For
Grid-Happy Philly

Philadelphia, Aug. 24.
Local living-room football fol-
lowers will get plenty of air cov-
erage during the coming grid sea-
son. WFIL will cover the U. of P.
games; KYW will broadcast the
Princeton schedule and in addition
. to its normal coverage of the Vil-
lanova team, WIP will air the
Notre Dame games.

Along with the NCAA college
schedule local tv fans will see six
of the away games of the Philadel-
phia Eagles-Chicago Cardinals,
Oct. 3; Washington Redskins, Oct.
17: Pittsburgh Steelers, Oct. 23
(night game); New York Giants,
Nov. 14; Cleveland Browns, Nov.
21, and Detroit Lions, Dec. 5. The
(Continued on page 30)

Cunningham & Walsh
Opening Chi Offices

Chicago, Aug. 24.

Chicago’s topline ad agency line-
up is due for an addition in Octo-
ber with Cunningham & Walsh
establishing its first office here.
It.’s been learned. Although he re-
fused to confirm, it’s understood
Ivan Hill will head up the C&W
adjunct as veepee.

Hill has been operating his own
agency and tv packaging firm. He
recently checked out of the packag-
ing biz with sale of "Creative ,
Cookery” to ABC for $200,000/

Talent. Associates, which pack-
ages "Playhouse,” will handle the
overall Supervision, „as usual. TA’s
other NBC show, "Mr. Peepers,” is
not affected in Coe’s exit since
the latter’s credit reads "executive
producer” with Hal Keith bring-
ing in the Wally Cox starrer in the
dual producer, stager role.

CANADA’S ‘ON-STAGE’
TV’ER TO LEVER BROS.

Ottawa, Aug. 24.

First of an expected string of
sponsored Canadian tv shows this
fall is Lever Bros.’ 52-week "On-
Stage,” with a 13-week extra
stretch next summer to try out a
format for the following fall. Most
sponsored shows in Canada so far
have been from the U.S-.

George Murray, a Canadian
Broadcasting Corp. "Big Revue”
vet, Will emcee the weekly 30-
minute package, starting Sept. 8,
which headlines Peppiatt & Ayles-
w.orth, Canada's No. 2 comics
(toppers, Wayne & Shuster, go tv
for first time this fall, also for
Lever, once a month to start.) Al-
fie Scopp will be their straight
man, with an orch led by Jack
Kane, vocalist Terry 'Dale and a
choral group, Norman Jewison pro-
duces (he did "The Big Revue”)
with Rudi Dorn of "Haunted Stu-
dio” on sets.

Hamilton's WNBC-T Job

Arthur Hamilton has been named
to the newly-created post of man-
ager of production and business
affairs of WNBC and WNBT, N. Y.
flagships of NBC.

He’s upped from controller of
the web’s Gotham o&o’s, a berth
he retains.

Bob Adams, Don Davis
Into Own Package Setup

Robert K. Adams and Don A.
Davis have formed the radio-tv
packaging firm of Adams & Davis
in New York. They’ll also rep tal-
ent and other companies* product,
Rockhill Productions being their
initial client. Davis, who left Rock-
hill early this month, was. formerly
head of the Jaffe agency on the
Coast and was previously with Mu-
sic Corp. of America. Among his
credits are the "Errol Flynn
Show,” "Star of the Family,” with
Morton Downey, and "Keep Up,
With the Kids.” Adams was with
NBC for several years, at one time
in charge of that web’s radio pro-
grams. He held the production
reins on the NBC-TV "Star Play-
house.”

New outfit produces "Time Will
Tell,” starring Ernie Kovach on
DuMont (comic having replaced
Denise Darcel in. show formerly
titled "Gamble On Love”). Among
other properties are "My Son
Jeep” and "Fredric March Thea-
tre.”,

Saunders’ New Post

Elliott Saunders Was named this
week as director of the newly-es-
tablished New York offices of Per-
rin-Paus ad agency whose Home
office is. berthed in Chicago,
Saunders, ex-CBS and Kenyon &
Eckhardt (he was director of tv
production at the latter) will pro-
duce and direct the live commer-
cials ori the "Ethel & Albert” NBC-
TV show, the Max Liebman specs
and the NBC-TV "Home” show on
behalf of the agency's Sunbeam
Appliances client.

Chicago, Aug 24

Now that Toni has burst into the lipstick skirmish, /the time
peddlers are hopeful that another long-range competitive chain
reaction has been' set off that will siphon millions of dollars into
the radio-tv coffers, as the various components fight it put. Thev
point to Hazel Bishop which has announced it’s shelling out
$7,000,000 in the next yepr, much of it going into NBC-TV’s "Thio
Is Your Life,” the Suriday night Max Liebman Specs and the
Tuesday night Martha Raye series. Then there’s Warner-Hudnut
which has bought into the same web’s Saturday night "Hit Parade”
to showcase its new Quick lipper. And there’s Consolidated Cos-
metics who has ordered DuMont’s "They Stand Accused,” sud-
* posedly to plug its new Lanolin Plus stick. Still to be heard from
is the Revlon enterprise which has revealed that it plans to soenH
$8,500,000 for its products.

The radio-tv sales masterminders don’t attribute this flurry of
buying solely to Toni’s lipstick debut. They just know from ex-
perience that in such a tightly competitive situation, retreat is
difficult and with Neisort Harris in the picture with his "mass
distribution-mass exposure” philosophy, the heat is on.

Guild’s ‘You Can’t Do
That’ on Liberace Tag

Guild Films, new in the radio
open-end business via its entry of
Liberace in the AM sweepstakes,
is running into a problem that’s
plagued the networks many times
in the past. It’s the disk ' jockey
habit of compiling a few records:,
by an artist and airing them un-
der the composite title of the art-
ist’s name. In this case, the dee-
jays are calling their compendiums
"The Liberace Show,”* which is the
name of Guild’s transcribed series.

Firm is considering sending out
warnings to the miscreant sta-
tions, warning them that the title
is registered. Guild execs say the
deejays can call their shows
"Records by Liberace,” etc., but
to use the registered title is un-
fair competition subject to litiga-
tion.

ABC little Web’ j

For ‘Kukla’ Spread

Chicago, Aug. 24.

ABC-TV’s network within a net-
work embracing its Chi and New
York o&o’s scored its biggest coup

last week with a fast wrapup of
Gordon Baking Co; to sponsor Burr
Tillstrom’s "Kukla, Fran & Ollie”
on WBKB here and WABC-TV
New York. Sale of the 15-minute
strip which bows Sept. 6 in the
6 p.m. (CDT) spot came only a
couple of days after Tillstrbm and
Chi ABC veep Sterling (Red)
Quinlan finalized a deal to bring
the show to ABC when Tillstrom
and NBC-TV came to the end of
the trail.

Definite berthing of KFO along
the Quinlan-John Mitchell (WABC-
TV veepee) axis means that just
under two hours daily will be pro-
grammed from Chi on the intra^
family web. The "Garfield Goose”
kid show started its Chi-to-N. Y.
ride in the 4:40 to 5 p.m. strip
yesterday (Mon.) and the 55-min-
ute “Creative Cookery” dittos next
Monday (30) at 10 a.m, Upcoming
is the moppet-targeted "Santa
Claus Revue” which is slated to

(Continued on page 31)

*

Bealle Shifts to K&E

Jim Bealle, chief of BBD&O
talent and new programs depart-
ment for seven years, has quit to
join Kenyon & Eckhardt Sept. 1.
He’ll again work with Wick Crider,
K&E’s radio-tv veepee. Both were
allied at BBD&O in developing
many of the agency’s top shows
until Crider left a couple of years
ago for his current berth.

Bealle’s successor at BBD&O
will be tapped by Bob Foreman,
radio-tv chieftain, and the man re-
portedly sjet for the job is Johnny
Hoagland, who exited Campbell
Soup several months ago to join
the agency as Its head of daytime
activities. Decision will be made
upon prexy Ben Duffy’s return
next week*

Washington, Aug. 24.

FCC hearings on the hot contest
for channel 11 in St. Louis started
off with fireworks Friday (20) when
Examiner Thomas Donahue ruled
the application of St. Louis Amuse-
ment Co. (Fanchon & Marco) in de-
fault after counsel for, the latter in-
sisted the proceedings Were illegal
as long as CBS is allowed to com-
pete.

Russel Hardy, counsel for F & M
wanted the hearings postponed un-
til the Supreme Court acts on a
petition to review 'a lower court
ruling upholding the web’s right
to apply for the channel. Exarne?
Donahue denied the request,
where-upon Hardy said there was
no point in participating. Dona-
hue then held F & M in default.

Hardy said he felt it was useless
to compete against CBS for the
channel. "This proceeding,” he ar-
gued, "is like a race with only one
thoroughbred race horse against
four good sturdy percherpns.”

"Suppose the race horse becomes
spavined?” Donahue asked.

“It wont’ happen unless you
shoot him while he’s running,” re-
plied Hardy.

Hardy has challenged the net-
work’s application because of an
FCC order which limits any com-
pany or individual to five tv sta-
tion interests. This order, in a
footnote, made an exception to pre-
vious policy by permitting CBS to
pursue its applications for St.
Louis and Boston despite its hold-
ings in five stations (New York,
Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington
and Minneapolis). Hardy contends
that FCC acted illegally in making
the exception.

Donahue’s action ldaves four ap-
plicants in the contest: CBS, St
Louis University (a Jesuit school),
(Continued on page 31)

Armv TV Seminar

The Army’s five-day tv seminar
in Long Island City, N. Y.. last
week lured some of the medium’s
major production and technical
personnel to the Signal Corps Pic-
torial Center. Sessions which con-
cluded Friday (20) were ring-
mastered by Lt. Col. Albert Mo
Cleery, Coast-based boss of NBC-
TV’s "Hall of Fame,” and he shot
right back to California to ready
"Fame's” season starting Sept. 5,.
Attendance consisted of video per-
sonnel from the Army, Navy, Air
Force and Marines with speakers
from the services and educational
sources including those froitn
George Washington U. and its
Homan Relations Research Coun-
cil; Col. Lindsay, commanding _ot-
ficer of the Center, and Lt. Cou
Scheiber, who heads the tv divi-

sion there. ,.

From the tv Industry came di-
rectors Clark Jones ("Hit Pj^
rade”), Hal Keith ("Mr Peepers >,
Ralph Nelson ("Mama”), William.
Hodapp ("Frontiers of Faith J.
John Goetz ("Background ),
Charles Polachek ("NBC Opera );
Norman Grant, designer ( Rich-
ard II”); Robert Wade, sets ( Jus-
tice”); Lee Carlton, lighting di-
rector; Robert Long, tech director
("The Marriage”); Dennis (Pat)
McBride, cameraman; Laurence
(Continued on page 31)

From . Variety of July 22, 1953:

Variety and Understanding— Newsmen outside the industry ad* *
mit that there's no lack of hard news or discussion in television.
That, they say, is tele's strongpoint week in and week out. What'
responsible newspapermen are saying, when they're not crowing
about the superiority of their medium, is that television, in the
news field, is not providing enough variety or depth of under-
standing in its coverage of world events.

All-Network Participation— What’s needed . . . is not docu-
mentaries oh an occasional basis- but on a regular weekly basis,
with all the networks participating.

Fuller Treatment — Recent stories that could use fuller treat-
ment prf television . . . are the experiments on mass iiwocUlation
against polio, the excess-profits tax battle and the whole problem
of the U.S. budget, the "dust bowl” drought in the southwest, and
an informational profile on the headline-making activities of Sen.
Joseph McCarthy. " < v •• • .

Reevaluation — Beyond the few exceptions, newsmen say there’s
little new or exciting industrywise in the coverage of news. There's
a great need , . . for television to reevaluate its news, setup,
because at the moment the industry seems to be standing still
when it should be exploring new ways and means of doing its
biggest job, that of Informing the American: people.

And then from Variety of March 17, 1954:

The "Reality” Program— A new type of tv programming is on
the horizon that may in time make the "pure” entertainment
stanzas as oldhat as the local opera house. Long in the making,
it got its biggest shot in the arm last week when Edward R. Murrow
went to bat against Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy. With this single
half-hour, Murrow & CBS-TV had formulated the "reality” pro-
gram in its most provocative form.

U p-to-the-Minute — It was this “reality” that gave television its
golden opportunity as the. originator of national and even world
news, much the same as NBC-TV’s "Meet the Press” is watched
regularly by newspapers for Page 1 leads. It was entertainment
of the sort that can't be concocted and whose sole basis for being
is its up-to-the-minute values.

The Peg — A McCarthy as subject doesn't happen every day, but
all down the line there's a trend toward latching on to the hottest
topics of the day for video exposure. These segments take many
forms^-hard news, discussion and interview programs, panel shows,
documentaries, "think” analyses of the news, -etc. Through them,
newsmen , are starting to emerge as personalities with as much on
the show biz ball as performers who’ve spent a lifetime perfecting
their styles.

"Entertainment” — The performer needs a new joke, a new cho-
reographic pattern, a new script. All the "reality” pusher needs
is a slant on the national and world scene that will give his pro-
gram that "entertainment” quality. The "reality’! program . . . not
only supplies the theatrical facets but gives the television industry
its biggest stake in the educational-public affairs-informational
firmament. It's a two-pronged approach to programming that may
well dominate the livingrooms from here in.

Strange sponsorship situation
pertains to "Meet the Press” on
NBC-TV, which is co-bankrolled by

Revere Copper and Pan American
Airlines. Because the program is
slotted in station time (Sunday at
6 p.m.) it only has a limited pick-
up, and therein lies the problem,
which actually is a hangover front
last season.

Revere and PanAm both have
specific markets they’d like to
reach, and they don’t necessarily
jell. Some of the cities that
PanAm is anxious to penetrate
can't be cleared. Revere isn’t par-
ticularly anxious to get into mar-
kets PanAm wants, and vice versa.
So far the network hasn’t been
able to do anything but sit tight.

In the beginning Revere had the
show to itself Sunday afternoons
in network time.> Program caught
on at such a clip that more and
more stations asked in, with result
that it became too expensive for
Revere’s pocketbook. Hence it was
moved to the 6 o’clock station time
period.

Revere was later forced into an-
other cutback and agreed to a co-
sponsorship deal. That’s when it
all. started. .

BUTTONS SETS BRADY
TO PRODUCE TV’ER

Hollywood, Aug. 24./
Red Buttons, currently on the
Coast whipping together the crea-
tive elements of his new show
which bows Oct, 1 on NBC-TV in
the Friday night at 8 slot for Pon-
tiac, has chosen Ben Brady as his
producer. Previously Julie Oshins
wast i designated to direct the three-
weeks-out-of-four comedy series.

Buttons leaves here early next
week to ^tart an engagement at
the Sands, Las Vegas, before re-
turning to New York to put the
tv show into rehearsal.

‘North’ Goes Strip

"Mr. and Mrs. North,? dropped
by Colgate some time back, will be
launched as a sustaining quarter-
hour radio strip at 9:15 p.m., start-
ing Oct. 4 on CBS.

Meantime, however, the who-
dunit will do a four-week fill for
Hallmark’s “Hall of Fame” on the
web in the 6:30 to 7 p.m. slot.

WCBS-TV Aug. Biz Now
Tops Million Mark As
Flagship Record Looms

, WCBS-TV went well past the
$1,000,000 mark in sales bookings
during the first three weeks Jn
August when the CBS flagship in
New York wrote over $400,000 in
contracts for the week ending last,
Friday (20). First frame of the
month started off powerfully with
a $500,000 coup, followed by $250,-
000 in sponsor pacts applying to
the fall-winter season. According
to general sales manager Frank
Shakespeare Jr., the total of $1,-
150,000 wrapped up under new
business posted for the first 15
working days may well have set a
record when the final tallies and
comparisons are made.

The over-a-millidn upbeat coin-
cided with the tapping of Sam
Cook Digges as general manager
of the, o&o, succeeding Craig
Lawrence, who’s become director
of station administration of CBS-
TV. Digges was upped from gen-
eral sales chief of the. web’s Spot
Sales division, with that berth
going to eastern SS manager Clark
George.

Involved in the $400,000 bundle
(a net figure, as is the $1,150,000)
are Bromo Quinine, Kiwi, Max
Factor, Viceroy Cigs, Mystik Tape,
Cott Beverage, G. Washington
Coffee, Chase & Sanborn, Anahist
and American Chicle. Exposures
include the "12 Plan,” crossboard
daytime plugs, "Early,” "Date” and
"Sunday Afternoon” pix and frac-
tional spots.

’IS

TV

*

By LEONARD TRAUfcE

When NBC-TV "sneaked ,in” its
Monday night "Background” last
week to general kudos, it married
off entertainment and news on a
global, altar. Though gaited.for
only four outings in the middle of
the slot earmarked for the new
Sid Caesar show (with a fifth stanza
on the agenda for a possible spon-
sor; nibble), the web already is op
the lookout to spot it elsewhere
while “Background” is still hot. j

. Some observers saw at least two
significant aspects in the filmed
and narration documentary of
French Premier Pierre Mendes-
France as given on "Background.”
First, that the show’s producer,
Ted Mills, has heretofore been
more identified with "show biz
shows”— his old "Garroway at
Large” out of Chicago, is but one
example. That puts an entertain-
ment man on the news firing line,
whereas in the case of, say, CBS’
Edward R. Murrow it's in reverse
in that he’s a newsman-analyst em-
ploying theatrical values in his two
television programs. Second, that
the translation of news to the "cov-
erage in depth” concept was sug-*
gested— at least in part — by two
instances in Variety, In the July
22, 1953, issue the then staffer
John Horn (now with Murrow’s
“Person to person”) took off on
the "depth coverage” aspect which
has served as a ready "tipoff manu-
al” to tv news departments all
over. (See accompanying box for
highlights of article.) Eight months
later (March 17, 1954) another
mugg treated of the "Reality”
show, of the ushering in of the
"Lifesize Era” in telenewsmanship
as reflected in Murrow’s takeout on
Joe McCarthy. (See box for quotes.)

Second Depth Charge

"Background’s” second depth
charge on Monday (23) in the NBC
Feature Production series gave the
story of a 19-year-old Philadel-
phian headed for the draft, citing
his problems, personal life, fears,
decisions and hopes as set against
U. S. commitments throughout the
world with overtones of the "mas-
sive retaliation” pronunciamento of
Secretary of State Dulles and the
"co-existehce pitch of the Soviet
Union. (The lad, Joseph Patrick
Diamond, entered the Army the
next day.) Third in the package
next Monday (30) is expected to be
a next-to-closing wallop in its ap-
proach to the sizzling situation in
southeast Asia, with Indochina,
Malaya and the Philippines as the
immediate principal points of in-
terest.

NBC news and public affairs
chieftain Davidson Taylor sent
camera-spondent Gene Jones, to
Asia a couple of months ago to get
intimate closeups of Vietnam vs.
Vietminh, and French, Chinese,
Russian, Britishers and Americans

(Continued on page 2$)’

U&V Package Rate

Charleston, W. Va., Aug. 24.

A unique consolidation of a
UHF and a VHF station has
been made by the owner of
WKNA-TV, channel 49 here,
and the boss of WOAY-TV,
Channel 4, in Oak Hill,'W. Va.
On Sept. 20, when the latter
begins commercial operations,
the two stations will be sold
on a combined rate based on a
$300 prime time hour.

Neither WKNA-TV or
WOAY-TV will be sold sepa-
rately, according to the double
operation’s national spot rep,
Wefid. A local loop will be
used between the two stations
which will carry simultaneous
programming. WKNA-TV has
been airwise since Sept., '53.

Sets 3G Ceiling

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

After appointing the Hollywood
star system for years, “Lux Video
Theatre,” beginning a new season
on NBC-TV Thursday (26) is
switching emphasis from the per-
sonality to the story. Lux frankly
wants to avoid a tv talent price
war, thus has clamped a rigid $3,-
000 top on any name per show, exr
plains Cornwell Jackson, v.p. of
J. Walter Thompson, and exec
producer of the show.

Lux retains its Hollywood fla-
vor, but JWT intends to shy away
from any name-happy bidding.
Referring to prices being asked for
w.k. names, Jackson commented,
"they want money which is fan-
tastic as far as our budget is con-
cerned.”

Consequently Lux is shifting its
emphasis to stories, seeking to
enhance the upcoming season’s of-
ferings with a number of adapta-
tions of motion pictures, While
conceding names hypo ratings, the
exec said "audiences have become
more discriminatii^g, and are more
and more inclined to watch shows
with good stories.”

Jackson deplored a tendency to
grab a star without the proper
showcase, saying "stars have unique
abilities, but these abilities are dis-
sipated if they don’t have material
suitable to their talents.”

While trying to land pix proper-
ties from the majors, Lux thus far
has broken the doors only at
Paramount, which has okayed

(Continued on page 30)

Those spiralling television costs,
have struck home in a new quarter
^-the hour-long dramatic show—
but the problem Is still the same,
the high prices demanded by stars.
Up to now, the prestige afforded
by a top dramatic show and a good
script has kept the prices down
even for top Hollywood and Broad-
way names,, but the emergence of
those high-priced spectaculars has
driven fees for top talent upward
on other dramatic shows.

Stars whose asking price was
$3,000 last winter are now asking
$5,000 and $6,000 for an hour-long
stint, and some names new to the
medium are going as high as $25,-
000 for a dramatic one-shot. Drama
producers trace the upbeat in ask-
ing price to the fabulous fees af-
forded by those spectaculars slated
for the fall. Thus far, they’ve been
resisting the increases— they cant
afford to shell out $8,000 and $10,-
000 for a star on a play when the
overall production budget . runs
only $35,000.

But the pressure is mounting,
and it’s due in the main from the
Madison Ave. gossip about the pay-
checks being handed out for the
Leland Hayward,. Max Liebman
and "Best of Broadway” specs.
Talk is, for example, that Fredric
March, Helen Hayes, 6 Claudette
Colbert and Charles Coburn for
their "Royal Family” turn on "Best
of Broadway” is $7,500 each, which
means a $22,500 nut for the three
principals alone. That’s as much
as the entire budget of some 60r
minuters. Other fees and asking
prices are reportedly much higher
-r-Ginger Rogers is understood to
be demanding $15,000 for a one-
shot, Gene Tierney’s asking price
is put at $12,000 and Mary Martin
was asking $25,000 for a go at the
biggies.

While such top names aren’t es-
sential to “ the hour-long dramatic
show, their prices have had the
effect of driving up the rates for
lesser names. How long these stars
will hold out for their new price
is a matter of conjecture, but the
programmers have decided they’re
going to hold the price line. Also
important in any consideration of
price is the program itself and the
script. Some of those $5,000 names
will go down to as low as $500 to
appear ori a show like "Kraft
Theatre” or "Philco Playhouse,”
for reasons of prestjge or the right
type of. vehicle. And others have
been known to turn down offers
for as much as $10,000 for a one-
shot when .they felt the script
wasn’t right.

StiD a Judy TV
Gleam in GF Eye

Although Judy Garland was re-
ported recently as having nixed a
$100,000 offer from General Foods
to take one of its three open Tues-
day night slots on NBC-TV, cur-
rent reports are that the star (“Is
Born”) is not entirely out of the
running. GF is still . hopeful of
landing the actress-singer.

Sponsor’s kickoff show will .be
Oct. 12 (Milton Berie is down for
20 shows for Buick and Martha
Raye 10 for Hazel Bishop in the
8 to 9 time) in the first of its nine
slots. Bob Hope is skedded for
six of these and Ray Bolger was
reported last week as heading up
the GF preemer, with Victor Borge
and Liberace as other possibilities
to appear ‘with Bolger. Young &
Rubicam, GF’s agency, is repre-
sented as denying that Bolger will
usher in their season, and re-
ported in this connection was that
Hope hit the ceiling when he
heard that someone other than
himself was being pushed for the
preemer spot. If they can land
Miss Garland for the opener, it’s
felt that any such Hope com-
plaints would be "unacceptable” to
, client and agency.

CBS’ On-the-Air Editorial

Something of a precedent will be established tomorrow night
(Thurs.) Wheh CBS prexy Frank Stanton goes on his own tv net-
work to take up the editorial cudgels on behalf of tile entire radio-
television industry. He will take to the American public the case
of broadcasting vs. Congress in the refusal to permit a tv pickup
of the six-man Senatorial sifting of censure charges against. Joe
McCarthy, slated to begin Aug. 30.

This will mark the first time that a tv network has made use
of its own facilities for an out-arid-out editorialization in carrying
the torch for the industry. Following immediately in the steps of
the wholesale revamp of the news-public affairs division with its
"let’s-cast-off-our-timidity” overtones, the Stanton editorial tomor-
row is expected to be but the first in the new pattern "to permit
us to realize our own independence and stature.”

Stanton will take over the 8 to 8:15 segment on tv, with a taped
. playback on the radio network later in the evening.

Meanwhile it’s been confirmed in Washington that despite strong
pressures by the broadcasting industry, there’ll be no running radio
or tv coverage of the inquiry by the Senate Select Committee.

Reaffirmation of the Committee’s decision to bar the microphone
and camera from the proceedings was made'last week by Chairman
Arthur V. Watkins in a letter to Joseph McCaffrey, secretary of
the executive committee of the Radio-TV Correspondents Assn.
Watkins said the Committee is unanimously of the view that "a
judicial or quasi-judicial atmosphere” is required far the inquiry.

Since CBS had invited rebuttal, Federal Judge Harold Medina
will set forth the. case against radio-tv hearings the following week
(Sept. 2) in the ‘same slots.

Wednesday, Aiagmt 25 ,' 19S4

CBS' Tinted Toast* Triple Treat

CBS has come a long way in the f -
compatible tint sweepstakes as was
sharply and visually evidenced on
Sunday’s (22) “Toast of the Town.”
This was the teeoff of Columbia’s
*54-'55 “Operations Rainbow” in
which the network will give all of
its major tv attractions a prismatic
whirl <76 shows in all) with the
upcoming CBS tint season high-
lighted by the series of Chrysler
and Westinghouse musicomedies
and “Best of Broadway.

If “Toast” is a harbinger of things
to come, the new season shapes
up as something of a revelation.
For Sunday’s display was a-treat*
perhaps less so as a black-and-
white frolic but certainly in the
additional color dimension. As tne
first color offering out of the just-
completed CBS Television Studio
72 on upper Broadway, N. * •»
“Toast” had a threefold^ impact:
from a transmission standpoint, it
marked a notable advance over the
somewhat hesitant “New Revue
weekly displays of the experi-
mental fall-winter period; recep-
tion-wise, and as viewed on the
new 19-inch CBS-Coliimbia color
set, practically all of the shadings
and color tones were focussed into
proper definition; show-wise, Ed
Sullivan & Co. vested the j hour-
long display with some production
and marquee values that may not
have been outstanding but certain-
ly set the color season off with

flying colors. Overall, the CBS
tube & sets boys and the program,
dept, maneuvered a hurry-up job
(to keep pace with the competition)
into a highly satisfactory this-is-lt
premiere showcase.

Kitt, Raitt, Paige Toprate Kids
With Earths Kitt, John Raitt and
Janis Paige as the major name
lure, “Toast” was geared for top
Values. There’s no denying the ad-
ditional plusses accruing to ^ the
viewer (and to the trio of stars)
from the tint-up process, particu-
larly in the case of Miss Kitt,
whose merry-go-round background-
ed “Monotonous” number (from
her “New Faces”* legiter) was a
standout. Earlier in the display she
vocalled “What Have You Got If
You Haven’t Got Love” amid a
bevy of bejeweled and befurred
femmes (representing, says the
press release, a $2,000,000 valua-
tion, including the Harry Winston-
loaned $1,000,000 Brazilian dia-
mond, all calculated to draw some
awesome space-grabbing in the
dailies but just so much hogwash
as video showmanship). Register as
a decided color plus, too, both of
the Raitt turns, notably his “Solilo
quy” number from his ex-“Carou-
sel” musical legiter. and the “Hey
There” click from his current “Pa-
jama Game,” with the Raitt-on-
Raitt double vocalization (although
for reasons known only to the pro-
ducers, set in a dungeon). Miss
Paige, also doubling from “Pajama
Game,” scored with “Hernando’s
Hideaway” from the same "musical
with the star and the setting en-
joying maximum benefits from the
rainbow treatment. Not new to the
tinted spectrum, Nanei Crompton
delivered as surefire as ever.

The Andrea Dancers and the in-
evitable aero turn (this time by
the Bogdadis and spotted after the
half-way commercial) are essen-
tially sight acts more attuned to
the monochrome circuit, but in
slotting Miss Malta & Co., “Toast”
offered up one of the cleverest
and delightful canine sequences yet
to emerge in the medium.

There was no camera pickup of
Ray Bloch and his orch this time
up, but the maestro and his clef
dwellers were, per usual, in sound
harmony.

Those Lincoln-Mercury live dis-
plays, incidentally, never had it so.
good, and that Lincoln Capri con-
vertible was never so eye-appeal-
ing as huckstered through the
color cameras. Rose.

MELODY MAGAZINE
With Wed Howard, Hollis Burke,
Etta Moten
Producer: John Brookman
Director: Bill Healion
30 Mins.; Mon.-thru-Frh, 11:30 j.m,
Sustaining
WNBQ, Chicago

The attempts to transplant the
AM deejay format on tv continues
apace. Wed Howard, who for the
past couple of years has helmed a
late-afternoon “Melody Magazine”
platter-chatter session on WMAQ,
has been given visual exposure
under the same tag on WNBQ, the
sister tele station. While as yet not
particularity facile with the video
adlibs, he’s a handsome gent who
projects an easy-going personality
that fits well the low-throttled pac-
ing of the show that’s obviously
designed as much for the haus-
fraus’ ears and their eyes. This
you don’t have too look at «me
if you don’t want to” approach
should find favor with the ladies
seeking a half hour of pleasant
music and gab. But it’s not liable
to much excite the advertisers who
use tv for its visual impact.

Per the title, the format is laid
out along mag lines with the tunes
and the chitchat goirfg in as depart-
mental features. Records used
generally bypass the Hit Paraders
with stress on easy-listening stand-
ards. Editor Howard is -assisted
regularly by Hollis Burke who
works off-screen as his gal' Friday
at the other end of his intercom.
On Tuesdays singer-actress Etta
Moten sits in as woman’s ed. She
reported, on the current World.
Council of Churehes assembly from
the femme angle on edition watch-
ed (17). Gal throws off a lot of
charm and her . presence adds a
welcome dimension.

There’s still the problem of what
to do with the cameras while the
disks are spinning. The device
this time is to focus on various off-
beat shopping conversation pieces'
such as exotic hors d’oeuvre serv
ers and things of that ilk. The
WNBQ sales department is prob-
ably reconciled to these cuffo dis-
plays by the argument that the
bizarre items shown aren't included
in the client prospect list:

Dave.

PERRY COMO SHOW . _
With Ray Charles Singers, Mitchell
Ayres Orch \ ■ ■ '

Producer-Director: Lee Cooley
15 Mins,; Mon.-Wed.-Fri., 7:45 p.m.
.LIGGETT. & MYERS .
!CBS-TV, from N. Y.

( Cunningham & Walsh)

That Perry Como is a natural
click before the tv cameras is now
an old story. Returning iot. Hie
fifth consecutive year on CBS-TV
for Chesterfield cigs, Como is once
more displaying that casualness
and charm, on top of his excellent
pipes, which has made the series
the best, along with Dinah Shore s
show, of the personality song
shows,

As usual, these 15-minute stan-
zas run off with unusual swiftness.
There’s time for three numbers,
some easy gab by the stars and
a couple of plugs, with everything
paced with absolute smoothness.
Como kicked off his preem show
of this season Monday (23) with
a crack about his being a winter
replacement for Ray Anthony. He
happened to use the same gag a
couple of years ago about Eddy
Arnold, but the way Como delivers
it, it bears the repetition. ,

Tunewise, Como came on for two
songs, “It’s A Good Day” and/Tf
You Love Me, Really Love Me,
both handled in his trademarked
style with ace results. Ray Charles
Singers, a mixed quintet, back up
sharply and contributed “This Old
House” snappily. Mitchell Ayres
orch cut the show brightly.

Stanza had two hardhitting plugs
for the cigs, plus a briefie mention
by Como at the finale. Herm ,

Presidential Address

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
Producer! - director: Robert
. Montgomery

Writers: Various (Montgomery,

Bryce Harlow, et Si.)

30 Mins., Tues., 9 p.m.

ALL NETWORKS, from Den-
ver

The opening four pr five
minutes of the President’s
videoration to the nation
should have been titled “Rob-
ert Montgomery Presents Ike
Eisenhower,” It was strictly a
cold warmup since Ike was not
relaxed, had a case of the fidg-
ets and wouldn’t seem to de*
cide on a proper stance in a
pitch entirely standup in front
of a desk in Denver. He was
more in the groove when,
dropping the Montgomery
coaching system with its severe
rigidity, he went into a bit of
mobility, employing his hands
more effectively while reading
the chapter & verse statistics.

The President seemed to be
having trouble during his
opening salvo deciding on how
to angle himself vis-a-vis the
camera. 'But he got into full
stride near the halfway, mark
when the Q-eards with their
tipoffs on the topics seemed to
encase him in an aura of ex-
tempore speechifying that rep-
resented the “real Ike.” Dur-
ing the final 10 minutes or so
the Chief Exec was at the top
of his game and finished on the
winning side! Trdu.

GARFIELD GOOSE AND

FRIENDS

With Frazier Thomas

30 Mins.; Mon.rthru-Fri., 5:30 p.m

ABC-TV, from Chicago

After a two-year airing in Chi-
cago, “Garfield Goose and Friends”
has finally gotten a New York out-
let. ABC-TV gave the show its ini-
tial Gotham outing Monday (23).
Program looks like a good bet to
please the short pants set. Airer
employs Frazier Thomas as gabber,
a chimpanzee for color and a pup-
pet goose who thinks he’s king of
the U. S. as title character.

Thomas handles the chitchat
affably and should have little trou-
ble ingratiating himself with the
kids. The chimp has very little to
do blit should draw favorable re-
sponse from the tykes. The puppet
character is handled in a likeable
manner and kept mute.

Format of the show has Thomas
addressing remarks to the moppet
audience, the goose, and the chimp.
Gab is strictly for juve consump-
tion. Program also features car-
toon and silent film clips. Jess.

:: Tele Follow-Up Comment !.

Streibert’s Jap Tribute

Washington, Aug. 24,

Tribute to the Japanese Televi-
sion Network on the occasion of
its first anniversary observance
was expressed by Theodore C.
Streibert, director of the U. S. In-
formation Agency, in a vidfilm
message dispatched for use at
ceremonies Sunday (22) in Tokyo.

Streibert expressed hope that
tv “will make it possible for every
nation to become next-door neigh-
bors ... who can live and work
together in a world of peace.”

Nippon network established the
first commercial tv service in' the
Orient.

“The Shining Hour,” the Keith
Winter legiter first presented on
Broadway in 1934, was revived
for the Kraft show on ABC-TV
last week (19) with highly uneven
results. The play belongs in a
different era, and the Kraft adap-
tation didn’t help any in bring-
ing it up-to-date.

Apart from that, the show suf-
fered from a case of summer-cast-
ing, with several parts acted much
in the manner of an oldtime
movie. Fred Carney’s direction
lacked imagination and made the
drab proceedings even drabber.

Story had Alan Hewitt bring-
ing his new wife, Valerie Bettis,
home to the farm where they meet
Richard Waring and his wife, Anne
Meacham; Waring’s- sister, Mar-
garet Barker, and his brother, Dick
Moore. Since neither Waring nor
Miss Bettis are happily married,
the plot is fairly obvious. Miss
Meacham commits suicide to allow
her husband and Miss Bettis to get
together but she only succeeds in
Standing between them,

Due to a combination of overact-
ing and over-dialoging, the emor
tiohal impact of the play — if it
ever had one — was lost and at
times it teetered on the brink of
farce. Miss Bettis gave the best
performance as the tortured and
unhappy wife. Like everyone else
fin the play, her character, too, had
' a strong philosophical streak which
required considerable talking out.
However, she was at least half-way
convincing.

Miss Meacham as the fair Judy
who married a man she knew
didn’t love her also did quite well,
but remained colorless throughout.
Waring acted his part in 1934 fash-
ion, which made his character hard
to swallow. He was also guilty of
consistent overemphasis. Moore
wasn’t much of an asset as the
younger brother. His scene with
Miss Bettis was almost embarras-
sing. Miss Barker was properly un-

pleasant as the spinster-sister, and
Hewitt contributed a quiet bit as
Miss Bettis’ husband. Hift .

In her first appearance on NBC-
TV’s “Philco TV Playhouse” (22)
Lili Darvas took over with a sock
emotional performance. Here was
tender, touching stuff by a virtu
oso pretender in the grand dame
groove, but histrionics alone could
not offset the near-plotless “Star
in the Summer Night” script by
Tad Mosel. It came closer to be
ing a series of overextended inci-
dents — none of them containing
any particular surprise or depth —
concerning an aging, ex-toast of
the town thrushing at a seedy
Greenwich Village nitery, living
strictly in the past, unaware of the
realities of life, but withal a gra-
cious great lady with crinoline
class amid her pompous poverty.

Miss Darvas moved through the
hour in a kind of wistful, detached
loftiness that deserved a better
vehicle to showcase her obvious
skill in the handling of low-key
pyrotechnics. The other casting
was likewise excellent on all
counts in the performances of
Ralph Stantley, Michael Gorrin,
Janine Manatais, Robert Blackman
and Byron Russell, with a particu-
larly deft display by Katherine
Squire as Miss Darvas’ harried
maid.

Arthur Penn’s direction was a
valiant try at moving along a story
that basically lacked action poten-
tials. He succeeded in sustaining
an even keel in a depressing mood-
piece that begged for more lyrical
dualities necessary to bring home
the point. David Susskind’s pro-
duction was first-rate within the
limitation imposed by this saga of
a hasbeen that’s as old as show biz
itself. But familiar situations
themselves might have been hy-
poed by a less ponderous, and
lachrymal script. Story was ap-
parently inspired by the latter-day
life of the late Fritzi Scheff.)

Trau.

CARNIVAL CLOWN

With Daryl Lamb

Producer-director: Don Neff
Writer: Laub

30 Mins.; Mon. thruFri.,8 a.m.
Participating
WTCN-TV, Minneapolis

It seems like a happy idea to
have Daryl Laub disport as a
clown and to recruit “Scratch,”
a midget, stump-tailed macaque
chimpanzee, for an early morning
kiddies’ show. They* both do a
boff job in embellishing the usual
assortment of cartoon film comedy
briefies which they punctuate.
Through their presence youngster
entertainment value is raised Sub-
stantially.

As a Result, “Carnival Clown”
has attained exceptionally high lo-
cal ARB ratings. It should soar to
even greater popularity heights
because of the added surefire in-
gredients that Laub and the
chimpanzee provide.’

Laub is the typical circus and
carnival clown, fitting into the role
perfectly. In narrating the silent
films, cutting up or making his
commercials points, he has a way,
too, that undoubtedly wins and re-
tains juvenile attention and ap-
proval. The monkey, of course', is
good for laughs. Laub also utilizes
several dummy figures for fun or
selling purposes.

Show seems calculated to get
the smallfry out of bed in time
for a short and pleasant tv ses-
sions while breakfasting or before
setting out for school, and it's
likely to do well for its sponsors.

Rees.

TIME WILL TELL
With Entfe Kovaks, guest* "
Producer: Bob Adams
Director: Harry Coyle
30 Mlns. t FrL, 10:30 p.m.

DuMont, from New York

An eight-year old boy with a
mental assist from Slapsie Maxie
Rosenbloom was the top scorer on
the preem of DuMont’s new
qulfczer, “Time Will Tell,” last
Friday (20). That was a pretty fair
indication of the grey ibatter prow-
ess needed to walk off summa cum
laude with the flock of prizes (all
plugged neatly by announcer Bob
Russell). - . ' v ■ .

■It’s obvious, however, that Du-
Mont hasn’t put this stanza to-
gether on the basis of the q. & a.’s
alone. Net has slotted Its zany late-
hour-show comic, Ernie Kovaks, in
the emcee role figuring his niad-
cappery would brighten the routine
format of the quizzer. It was a
good try but Kovaks needs more
room to move around to get his
stuff across with impact. Here, he’s
limited to testing the cunning of
the contestants and brief interview
shots. It's in the latter department
that some of the Kovaks’ capering
came throughout on the Opening
stanza much of it seemed loaded
and the studio aud yock response
seemed prompted.

Format of this quiz stanza is a
variation on a theme. Three con-
testants are pitted against each
other and a king-size hour glass.
Kovaks belts out a stream of ques-
tions, usually requiring a one-word
answer, for ninety seconds (hour
glass slows the tempus fugiting) and
the guest coming up with the most
correct answers gets a Crack at the
extra-added prize. There are also
prizes for 10 correct answers, 20
correct answers, etc.

If DuMont wants to build
Kovaks into a high-slotted Nielsen
property, it had better look around
for something else for him to do.

Gros.

Toiai Budget

HERE’S HOW

With Phil Lewis, Dinny Bruce
Producer: Red Gardner '

Director: Charles Marquis
15 Mins.;* Sunday, 10:45 p.m.
OWENS-CORNING
WBBM-TV, Chicago

( McCann-Erickson )

Biggest handicap for this how-
to tidbit, is its late* Sunday evening
berth when the fix-it urge is prob-
ably at its lowest ebb. Confined
as it is to 15 minutes, with time
out for commercials, there’s hardly
time to more than scratch the sur-
face on any given project. Affair
is staffed by Phil Lewis, who strikes
as a handy man with the tools
and the chatter, and Dinny Bruce
who foils for the distaff side.

Demonstration on chapter seen
(15) had to do with the' laying of
asphalt floor tile. It was pretty
much a quickie lesson that left a
good many questions unanswered.
One good touch was the use of
sketches, for a visual assist. More
of the same could help the time
hurdle. Although Lewis and Miss.
Bruce work together 4 nicely as a
team, their conversational byplay
adds up to a heavy budget of pat-
ter.

Qwens-Cornirtg’s Fiberglass in-
sulation came in for an effective
midway demonstration blurb that
neatly fit the format. Dave .

Continued from page 24

ever, it’s been learned that the
Burnett shop is readying Vjv
blurbs for the new Saturday night
7:30 half-hour on NBC-TV, for
which Toni and the network are
seeking a show. The Viv plugs will
also be used on Toni’s many other
NBC and CBS properties.

Partly because of an edict hand-
ed down -by the parent Gillette
company, the fast-stepping Toni
operation has drawn down the “no
comment” curtain on its spending,
and is reluctant to even give out
with a current rundown of its. ra-
dio-tv stable on the grounds that it
changes so fast. It’s no secret that
prexy Harris and his crew are con-
stantly probing for stragetic buys,
or that, at the moment, his one
seemingly missing link in his day-
time-nighttime coverage is the
absence of any NBC-TV daytime
exposure.

As of now the Toni September
radio-tv lineup reads like this:
NBC-TV has the Monday night
“Tony Martin” quarter-hour; the
Saturday night half-hour, and the
Sunday night “People Are Funny”
half-hour which replaces the sum-
mertime “College of Musical
Knowledge”; the “Dollar a Sec-
ond” quizzer also checks off Sun-
day nights to move to ABC-TV for
Mogen-David wines.

On CBS-TV there’s the first half
hour of the Wednesday night Ar-
thur Godfrey show; quarter-hours
of Godfrey’s morning simulcast on
Tuesdays and Thursdays; Garry
Moore’s daytimer for 15 minutes
on alternate Thursdays; quarter
hour of Bob Crosby’s afternooner
on Tuesday, and the “Valiant
Lady” soaper on Tuesdays and
Thursdays.

On NBC radio its “People Are
Funny” going in Tuesday nights;
“One Man’s Family” on Mondays
and Thursdays; Frank Sinatra is
slated to get the nod to fill the
Wednesday and Friday night 15
minutes at 7:15; “Stella Dallas”
and “Young Widder Brown” will
Carry the Toni daytime banner
Tuesdays and Thursdays.

On CBS radio its “Corliss Ar-
cher” due* to replace “My Friend
Irma” Monday nights; Tennessee
Ernie Fords’ cross-the-board quar-
ter-hour; and the share-the-ride

Faust’s Flint TV Post

Detroit, Aug. 24.

A Donovan Faust, formerly co-
manager of WENS-TV, Pittsburgh,
has been appointed manager of
WJRT-TV, Flint’s proposed tv sta-
tion, it was announced by John F.
Patt, president of WJRT and
WJR, Detroit.

WJRT has been granted a con-
struction permit by the FCC.

with Bristol Myers on

‘Nora

Drake” for its afternoon identity.

Fact that this is the first season
that NBC radio and tv lias lured
aboard loads of Toni coin which
heretofore had pretty much all

gone CBS’ way rates as one, of the
big accomplishments of the year.
And it goes without saying that
the next push aimed by the NBC
boys toward their Merchandise
Mart neighbors will be for some
daytime billings.

The sudden rash of transfers, promotions and resignations in
New York’s top radio-tv echelons once again points up the short
job-expectancy in station managerial ranks. Turnover is especially
rapid in television, with the senior member Df the : fraternity
(next , to WATV’s Irving Rosenhaus, and he’s an - owner) being
WPIX’s Fred Thrower, who’s been at the job since May of 1953.
Radio isn't so acute, but there have been some widespread changes
. here - too. ■ ■.

List of personnel switches follows:

WNBT — Ham- Shea succeeded Ted Cott (now NBC Radio opera-
tions veep) last August.

WCBS-TVV-Sam Cook Digges succeeded Craig Lawrence (now
CBS-TV director of station administration) last week,

W ABC-TV— John Mitchell succeeded Paul Mowrey (now a con-
sultant) in July of 1953.

WARD— • Norman Knight succeeded Dick Jones (now managing
a Portland, Ore., tv outlet) in July of 1953, ’

WOR-TV— Gordon Gray succeeded Jim 'Gaines (now v.p.-g.m.
of.WOAI AM&TV in San Antonio) last January,

WPIX — ’Fred Thrower succeeded J. Bennett Larson (now topper
~pf~KDYL AM&TV in Salt Lake City) in May of 1953.

On the radio side:

WNBC — Shea succeeded Cott last September.

WOR — Gray succeeded Gaines last January.

WINS — Bob Leder succeeded Harry Folts (now with ABC Radio)
last March.

WNEW — Dick Buckley succeeded Bernice Judis & Ira Herbert
(now in semi-retirement) last May. ,

WMGM — Arthur Tolchin succeeded Bertram Lebhar Jr. (now
with WATV as a veep) last week.

While the brand new Writers
Guild of America is scramming the
Authors League, the divorcement
will not be complete. WGA is
bringing into a single organization
Radio Writers .Guild, Screen Writ-
ers Guild and Television Writers
Group — apart from' the Authors
and Dramatists in AL. However,
the two outfits will reunite later
in an “umbrella-type” organization.

As it shapes up neither AL nor
WGA is making the proposed re-
alliance a corporate one. Instead,
according to parties involved, these
plans — long in the making — “will
give all writers greater strength”
where there are overlapping prob-
lems that can “be solved together.”

Basically, division of the screen,
radio and video writers from AL is
due to a marked difference in the
way each is paid for services.
WGA, comprised of wage earners,
comes under NLRB jurisdiction.
The Authors arid Dramatists of the
old AL deal separately with pro-
ducers and publishers for coin,
having no set wages or hours to
puzzle out.

The WGA-AL bridge or "urn-
(Continued on page 30)

Merrick Casting ‘Studio 1’

Jim Merrick has beep tapped as
casting director of CBS-TV’s “Stu-
dio One,” succeeding (Miss) Alixe
Gordon, who has become c.d. of
Norby Productions. Latter is head-
ed by David Wayne and David
Swift, who are making a vidpix
series under Eastman Kodak spon-
sorship.

Merrick was formerly with the
Liebling-Wood office and later be-
came casting chief fob Fr^d Coe’s
NBC-TV stanzas.

Who’s Listening To
What & Where Basis
Of New Mutual Study

Three audience factors are be-
ing scrutinized by Mutual. Where
there has long been, through audi-
ence composition and rating re-
ports, use of the “who” and the
“how many” of radio and tv audi-
ences there never was a formal-
ized study by research authorities
of the “where,” “how*’ and “doing
what While listening’* of radio and
tv. Mutual . hired J. A. Ward Co.
several months ago to do such a
study on a national basis, and the
results which should be ready any
day now are expected to provide
new safes angles for video as w e H
as radio, taking the consideration
of selling air time away from au-
dience volume alone.

Aside from volume measure-
ment, the only measurement re-
finement-used so far by nearly all
the ratings services— is whether
that volume is male, female — child
or adult. On the other, hand, the
Ward report, according to Mutual
execs, will supply the web with a
fairly g°°d idea of “how intensive”
listening is by enabling it to weigh
what listeners are doing, in the
Presence of whom and where.

There’s expected to be a chance
and some error, but it is still the
nrst measure, per Mutual and
others, that avoids near total
guesswork in acquainting the ad-
l ertl ?er and agency with what
should be sold, and when.

Cleve. to Reprise
TV Blackout’ On

Cleveland, Aug. 24.

Telecasting only out-of-town ball
games has been judged highly suc-
cessful by the Cleveland Indians’
management with plans for next
year to continue to be a blackout of
home stays.

Not only has .home attendance
skyrocketed as a result of Indians’
away-from-home telecasting, but
viewer interest has been stimulated
with baseball ratings soaring into
stratosphere.

George Medinger, Indian veep in
charge of broadcasting, readily
recognizes Tribe’s pennant-ball as
a cardinal factor in attendance that
is 20% better than a year ago, but
he also maintains “attendance
would be up anyway because- of our
policy of telecasting only away-
from-home games.”

Success of the Indian venture
might see all other one-club towns
following Tribe procedure. Base-
ball officials have been experi-
menting more and more along
Cleveland lines with only New
York and Chicago refraining from
the away-from-home move because
of complications arising with Na-
tional League team at home.

Although other club officials

(Continued on page 23)

‘Chance’s’ 2d Client

“Chance of a Lifetime” via Du-
Mont on Fridays at 10 p.m. takes
on Lentheric as alternate Week
bankroller with Old Gold ciggies
as of Sept. 17.

Deal for perfumery was made
through Cunningham & Walsh.
Produced by Bob Jennings, show
goes into its second year on Du-
Mont.

E

Despite its recent loss of the lu-
crative RCA account (with its ap-
proximate $12,000,000 billings) J.
Walter Thompson tees off the new
fall broadcasting season with a
$30,000,000 stake in tv program-
ming. That’s tops to date for the
agency and puts JWT right up in
the “Big Five” tv leadership class
among agencies, with some of the
clients siphoning in excess of 50%
of their overall media billings into
video next season.

Eastman Kodak’s projected color
telepix series starring David
Wayne, which on a time and pro-
gram basis represents an approxi-
mate $4,000,000 investment, is the
latest of' the JWT acquisitions
which will put the agency over
the $30,000,000 tv billings mark.

Topping the JWT parade of
clients in terms of coin outlay is
Kraft, which is spending $4,000,-
000 . ( time and .talent > for each of
its hour long* weekly dramatic
series on NBC and - ABC. In the
No. 2 spot is Lever Bros., with
$5,000,000 earmarked for the full
hour of NBC-TV time and ambi-
tious program schedule for “Lux
Video Theatre,” which tees off
this week.

Scott Paper Go., with its two-way
“Omnibus” and “My Little Mar-
gie” program parlay, will be
spending $3,250,000 for time and
talent. The “Ford Theatre” series
on' a 52-week commitment runs in
excess of $2,000,000. Ballantine,
which sponsors “Foreign In-
trigue” in 26 markets in addition
to its N. Y. Yankees sponsorship,
is spending $2,000,000. Parker
Pen’s stake in “Four Star Play-
house” is $1,500,000. Pond’s Cold
Cream spends $1,500,000 on a soot
basis. Ward Bread bankrolls kid
shows in 30 markets to the tune of
$1,000,000. Same amount is spent
by Swift, which sponsors Garry
Moore on CBS-TV. Florida Citrus
has a $750,000 annual sponsorship
stake in “Twenty Questions’’ on
ABC-TV and a 1 like amount is
spent by Brillo for its Sammy
Kaye show on ABC-TV and spon-
sorship of “Racket Squad” in New
York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
About $500,000 is spent by Pan
American Airlines for its co-spon-
sorship of “Meet the Press” on
NBC-TV.

Veteran among agency radio-tv
factotums, JWT’s John Reber con-
tinues to chart patterns for the
medium. Reber’s Standard Brands’
show for Chase & Sanborn, which
occupied a Thursday night niche
on NBC back in May, ’46, was the
first .full hour variety show for
tv. A year later he inaugurated
video’s first full hour dramatic
stanza with “Kraft Television
Theatre” (now has two going, also
a precedent). His upcoming “Lux
Video Theatre” is the first full
hour live dramatic series originat-
ing from the Coast with film studio
tie-ins for adaptation of pix prop-
erties (a la “Lux Radio Theatre”).

‘Action’ for Sterling

Sterling Drug some . time ago
moved in on the ABC-TV 9:30 to
10 p.m. Friday time with type of
show unspecified. This week that
phase of it was resolved with the
scheduling of “Action” for the
slot.

“Action” Is described as ah ad*
venture-mysterioso package.

Sylvania to JWT

J. Walter Thompson is all
blit set to acquire the Syl-
vania billings. They’re now di-
vided chiefly between Cecil
& Presbrey and Roy Durstine
agencies. JWT has been minus
a radio-tv account since losing
the RCA billings some months
back.

Sylvania, incidentally, has
been one of the few if not the
only in the tv appliance field
to register financial gains dur-
ing ’54. Most of them were
caught in the net earnings
squeeze during the first six
. months.

Sylvania tv billings are
represented by “Beat the
Clock” on CBS-TV.

A&C’s Dilemma:
‘Who’s on First?’

Two New York tv stations were
sitting on commitments for the
same show as of yesterday (T-ues.)
in one of the queerest cases in
the annals of the channels. WCBS-
TV claimed a hard-and- fast verbal
pact from Peck advertising agency
for the “Abbott & Costello” vidpix
series. . It was to be slotted
5:30 p.m: Saturday with Chunky
Chocolates sponsoring. Then it
developed that Campbell Soup,
with a daytime exclusive (up to 6
o’clock) on other chapters of the
series which it rides on the CBS
web Saturday mornings at 11:30,
Would not sit still for the pre-
6 p.m. beat from non-competing
Chunky. The Columbia flagship,
however, managed to persuade the j
soupery to permit the 5:30 show, f
case. Meantime fearing a shuhwrt s -
Peck went into negotiatlotT'^ftb
WNBT, key of NBC-TV, which
cleared the 6' o’clock Saturday
time. At this point, the Columbia
local hit the ceiling, but, though
armed with what it described as a
“definite commitment,” seemed to
be resigned to its loss to WNBT.

The limited number of trade-
sters who are privy to the hot af-
fair, were betting that WNBT
would start the series on Oct. 2 on
a 13-week paper that would give it
an all-film bloc from 5:45 to 7:30,
with “Short Story Theatre” to 6,
then “A&C,” with “Range Rider”
at 6:30 and “A&P Playhouse” at
7. Up ahead of “Story” would be
the live “Junior Champions” at 5.

Before-the hassle developed with
the Peck agency as the chief char-
acter in the now-we-have-now-we-
don’t sweepstakes, WCBS-TV was
to have N. Y. firstruns of “A&C”
since the Campbell web package is
on subsequent runs. Of 52 films
in the can, 26 of them, although
made several years ago, have not
had a Gotham showcase. The re-
runs come lots cheaper, of- course.
But the “who’s on first (run)” has
given way to the larger question
—who gets Abbott & Costello, and
it looks like WNBT.

♦ Liggett & Myers late last week
invested about $125,250 in what is
perhaps the most revolutionary
buy in local television-— and the
move has marked implication for
every indie video operation in
N. Y. and L.A. and for the ABC
and DuMont flags in some in-
stances also. The fact that a blue-
chipper with a reputation as one
of the most shrewd time buyers
would confirm the value of pur-
chasing a single film for 16 ex-
posures weekly via WOR-TV, N. Y. f
gives rise to new programming and
advertising concepts in “living
with” the NBC and CBS o&o’s. .

On the heels of L&M, Piet’s
Beer moved in to purchase another
eighth.

With the underwriting of one-
fourth of WOR’TV’s 30 feature
films (from General Teleradio
Film Division) on such an inten-
sive saturation basis the movement
toward greater multiple exposure
has begun. Evidently smelling out
the importance of the L & M buy
at WOR - TV, WPIX, N. Y., has
made definite plans to air its popu-
lar juve vidpix series, “Ramar of
the Jungle” six times weekly.
(That station has a popular multi-
exposure deal for features too. ) In-
die programmers feel that a good
film product will bear considerably
more than the originally conceived
one-time first run, and still give
plenty of audience to justify the
arrangement. (Should L&M and
Piel’s be right in confirmation of
the WOR setup and other adver-
tisers follow suit both at this N. Y.
station and elsewhere, it would
prove a boon for distribs every-
where since there would no longer
be need to look for residuals to
capture heavier coin. Stations that
use pix on multiple exposure,
whether feature films or half-hour
shows, pay commensurately
more for same, and dollars roll in
faster at distributor offices.)

WOR went about making its ex-
tensive multiple exposure plans
carefully. First, no station ever
tried showing any kind of program
• ^Continued on page 28)

TV Personalities Parlay
Chi Engagements Into
Lotsa Summer Lineage

Chicago, Aug. 24.

Influx of tv personalities in Chi-
cago this summer for strawhat,
nitery and personal appearance
dates has paid off big in terms of
local newspaper space, especially
from the celebrity-hungry radio-tv
columnists. Thanks to the enter-
prise of the silo pressagents work-
ing* with the local network pub-
licity staffs, such video stars as
Wally Cox (NBC-TV’s “Mister
Peepers”), Marie Wilson (CBS-
TV’s “My Friend Irma”) and Lois
Collier and Kent Taylor (Ziv’s
“Boston Blackie”) all garnered '
plenty of attention via the per-
sonal interview route. Ditto Ann
Sothern (NBC-TV’s “Private Sec-
retary”) currently- headlining at
the Chez Paree and George Gobel
(NBC-TV’s new Saturday night
comic) currently at the Palmer
House’s Emplre^Room.

Jack Webb, in the Windy City
last week to plug his Warners re-
lease of “Dragnet,” got both col-
umnar and city desk coverage with
the copy angled as much to his
NBC-TV vidpix series of the same
name as to the new theatrical pic.
Another star always good for plen-
ty of press scrutiny is Liberace,
who made the rounds last week in
conjunction with his appearance
at the Chi Tribune’s annual music
festival Saturday night (21). Sharp
showman never misses an oppor-
tunity to work in a plug for his
Guild Films tv property.

Besides the actual linage there’s
the chance to cement personal re-
lations with the Windy City tv
scribes that can’t be done so ef-
fectively through the “conference
call” trick or the en masse quickie
meet-the-press sessions. -

There’s a brand new look at the advertising agencies these
days— and it’s all designed to make living (and working conditions)
more comfortable for the boys in the tv department. Walk into
any commission house that has a major stake in the video program
sweepstakes and the chances are they’re in process of repainting,
redecorating and expanding the tv quarters.

It’s a far cry from the “early tv” and radio era when broadcast-
ing billings represented but a small fraction of the overall media
biz. Those were the days when the tv and radio crew were rele-
gated to obscure quarters; when the account exec and the copy-
writer shared the plushy layouts. But it’s all been changed today
and is part of the new-found respect for a medium that, in many
cases, represents more than 50% of the client's overall billings.
The tv man at the ad agency has come into his own.

BABIO-TELEVISION

Vednegday, Auguat 25, 1954

You Name It, We’ Sell It

e Wuz rirst

. Chicago, Aug. 24.
R?<dio’s “sell ’em in any size”
flexibility is exam pled anew' in
Murine’s fall sales push which i
finds the eye balm aboard all fourj
networks via the short-term and

New York. -4 ‘ ■■■ 1 ' ■■ : — — participation route.

Editor, Variety: a j i\ /1 »j p • Quickie rides include six quar-

Your roundup on the fabulous LSIKlQd J/fV llHQ vOlIl tier-hours on AM version of ABC’s
reception to the telecast of “Bits Wo : ci< * n oH tV, i.nHpr ‘'Breakfast Club” and four seg-

From the Hits” needs a footnote Canada Dry has signed to under ments 0 f Mutual’s “Queen for a

and. a current events note, too. write play-by-players of West Point Day » Participations include a

Way back in the dark years of football, games via WNBC, N. Y. dozen insertions on NBC’s “Fibber

1950, Demby Productions began ^ey of NBC Radio. Joe HaSel is McGee & Molly” and 13' in CBS’s

building a show that would use M t0 do the gabbing {or th e se .

scenes from new films on television. . f 9 = thfoiurh

Wo woro tniri wp wprp “auts”— -be- ries, running from Sept. 2o through

scenes from new films on television.
We were told we were “nuts” — be-

“ a mo's- ’n’
BBD&O.

Andy.” Agency is

cause the movie industry hated tv Nov. 13.

and tv was just waiting for the Fizz firm has also pacted for the
movie industry to fall into its lap. 10-minute pregame warm-

Having worked in both, we felt it

'wasn’t so. So for six months we
khockcd on doors and received va-

up stanzas, half-time programming
arid the five-minute wrapups. Deal

^ Continued from page 27
more than six times in one week.

rious kinds of encouragement arid was handled through J. M. Mathes. g u t WOR thinking as drawn by

advice from a lot of nice people _ _ . ’ ' ..

x, ..fl isj , . , Gordon Gray, topper, and his corps

who thought the same as we did,
among them Max Youngstein, A1
Mendelson, A1 Tamarin, George
Etlinger arid others “too numerous
to mention.”

Show Biz-News Biz

Continued from page 2Vss

of salesmen, programmers and re^
searchers, is that a good show will
draw near all of the N. Y. tele-
vision audience over the span of
seven days. WOR-TV is willing

Finally, Teddy Bergman of Du- at work and at play— to get their . wow tv i*

Mont— with whom we’d fought the "story." . seven days. WOR-TV is willing

late and unlamerited war in Paris — The result was 10,000 feet oJ film to g * ve a CUm iilatlve rating 6f 70
braved it and gave us the green- shot by Jones, along with covering over that period for 16 showings

If wL .1 1 . . I.Sux. A ILam . _ 0 . v# • • _ J* i 1 _ 1 > ,1 _

light to cut a kine. A then-un
known; Allen Swift (now hiding Un

information. (Jones, a twin who’s of one of the prized features,
worked as an NBC team with his Scheduling calls for show to be

der a multiple of aliases as a mil- brother Charlie, now separated seen at 7:30 p.m. and again, at
lion voices and puppets rind charac- f ro jri him professionally to return 10 p.m. seven nights^ weekly. The
ters on Howdy Doody) — played me. to the newspaper field, has been in additional two placements fall at
Between kine and the first tele- fi ve “postwar wars” in Asia.) Jones 4:30 Saturdays and Sundays (Sat-
cast, many things happened. The ex- returned f :om the Pacific last week urday afternoon, by the way,
Igencies of the business were such an( j sa id that “any part” of his against .what WOR-TV considers
that Trevor Adams, who moved f 00 t a ge would serve to give Ameri- network pub service shows of
from DuMont to take the reins as cans a n ^entirely hew view of the limited popularity).* Set up thusly,
the-then general manager of WABC- situation, and alert them to the in- Bob Hoffman, WOR-TV researph-
TV, telephoned us on AUg. 17, 1951, hererit dangers of haphazard lobby advertising-promotion chief, felt
while we were in Washington on a talk and misinformation emanating that New Yorkers had plenty of
film job for the Indonesian Govt ou t of Washington daily and fan- time to catch the Godfreys, Berles
ernment, and risked us if we could n i n g out from there to the rest and Monday night specs and still
go on the air with “What’s Play- of . the country and the world’s find room once a week to see tops
ing?” right after Labor Day. We, chancellories^ in motion picture entertainment,

said yes. He Said Maggi McNellis , wh ■ **Ti ap ],p rmin ,i'» run In short, no one night will be “Mil-

would be me and we approved-^ through its four half-hour doci- Bon Dollar Movie” night, but many

he V wInt U «i^ P hlSS; NBC will follow it with '?****% tim * d<? ™ nds and de:

J5&. one-shot nuclear -stanza .pro- ° f a11 video viewmg

® uster menage In duced by Henry Salomon Jr., but Gothamites.

D At dy i a iJ i-ho it will 'be an hour show in the WOR-TV, calling the 30-week

8 to; 9 spot. Titled . “Three, Two, series “Million Dollar Movie,”
regular tV show de- One-Zero!”, this show is also in launches it on Sept. 21, arid hopes
1 the two-pronged news feature-show before then to have most of the

Oui associate, Mike Broun, -labored biz groove, with an assist from the other three-fourths sewed up

J 1 rnnm 1 a i Atomic Energy Commission. The sponsorwise,

three* L* fi vT-minut^com^lete dra- timing is deliberate - In the segue Even should WOR-TV fail to sell
matic scenesfroin^th^newmovies at 9 p.m. that night (Sept. 13), NBC another eighth of the 30 General
^th»*chnw Slfli 1 !! c^^Tir 8 wil1 P reem the Tony Miner- James Teleradio feature films beyond
tain men? We produced * an audf Moser “Medic” vidpix series which, that sold to Liggett & Myers, which
enee The show wen? from seventh judged off a closed circuit screen- the N. Y. station’s braintrust as-
to second Dlace in ra«Stf It the ing last week (one fuU show and sures is not likely, the outlet stands
6 45 D m time We Dlea S cd Charles several excer P ts from othe P ) * to clean up through sale of ad-
o*f the Ritz who bought into the should become established as the jacent spots and programs. Gray

most power-laden public service” recently withheld returning several
•ii drama package to date. Here, too, half-hour vidpix series to NBC

When Maeei suddenl^aniLunced the “ COVerage in de P th ' ! a PP lies in Film Division because the start of
—a surprised few weeks liefor? the part since each script treats of “Million Dollar Movie” seemed
event— that she was Drecnant (and rea1, com P elIin 8 situations in the imminent. Now, between showings
did alhow on the verv ^i^ht she lives of people and groups translat- of the pix r from 9-10 p.m., he's
-J ? t „_y® ry 1 "J?? 1 .®,!?,® ed into dramatic terms. placed “Paragon Playhouse.” “Cao-

gave birth), we replaced her with
“Handsome” John Conte.

In the meantime, the Instiute for
Research in Mass Motivations, Inc.,
conducted a study . on the relation-
ship between tv and motion pic-
tures,. using our show for experi-
mental purposes. They came up

(Sieve. ‘Blackout’

= Continued from page 27 si

placed. “Paragon Playhouse,” “Cap-
tured,” “Dick Tracy,” “Dangerous
Assignment,” “Inner Sanctum”
and “Captured” as well as the
and easily saleable “Badge 714.”
Expectations are that pix will be
sold through added inducement of
nearness to feature films, 17 of

Continue^ from page 23

mental DUmoses Thev came ud won’t comment, baseball spokes- nearness to feature films, 17 of
with some interesting findings, the ma " say that Detroit, Baltimore, wh£h have Oscar winners attacked
most important of which, to the and . pos f lbls ; Louis w-ill tele- in some way.

movie industry, proved that the cas ^ only 1955 away-from-home Though it’s not definite, WOR-
movie-going of the sample inter- £ ame s- Tb e one serious obstacle is TV might even make a pitch, for
Viewed by the researches increased threat of the Athletics moving double exposirig in that time cur-

Since the show went on. the air. ^ franchise to a point in the rent network sponsored vidpix as

' Last year, we played WTTG in ^ es ^. ^bus complicating cost and vvell or instead of the aforemen-
Washington and recently signed a coax * a I problems. tioried residuals. To round out the

contract with Atlas Television for So far, the Indians have drawn scene surrounding the feature
the syndication of 52 films of the over 1.000,000 paid attendance at films, the station is readying for
show under a new title, “Holly- The Stadium. eight seperate advertisers a group

wood to Broadway,” 13 of which Rating-wise the video games e ifiht spots weekly at $1,000.

are in the can and another series have brought nothing but smiles »■■■ ■ — — — p — — —

ready for camera sometime in Sep- from tv operators. Recently, when- '
tember. The format is the same the Indians, played a critical se- A^linire flip
as our previous show — complete ri.es in New Yorks, polls showed . IKIII 11^9 lOk DIlQS

dramatic scenes* (sans music) from that eight out of every 10 sets >, _

new Hollywood motion pictures and followed the Tribe over WXEL. ■ ^ontinuea from page 23 — , »
interviews with Hollywood and ARB surveys also have given the owners are "conscientious, and
Broadway personalities. Indians a commanding lead over henefe less than 1% of them lose

Now — the reason for our letter: the best entertainment Shows in their birds or allow therii to escape
MPA, COMPO and others have competition for nighttime audi- (After serious scientific research,
done a lot of constructive thinking ences \vhen the Tribe played un- the percentage was dropped to 3/4
ribout how to get movies and tv der the lights. of 1%. so that at any given time no

working for each other. We’d like An interesting and unexpected more than 75 light blue parakeets
to say this happy event has already result has been noted among sport are on the loose in the designated
arrived. “Bits From Hits” followed fans who have set up preference area.)

orir format and naturally made it. in coverage from the different QED: Last Thursday, Skinner
By September, “Hollywood to parks. According to Stan Ander- announced on his- show that A1
Broadway” should be on 20 to 40 son, Press radio-tv editor who con- Brown, cameraman on the pro-
stations. We proved that this for- ducted a survey, fans prefer cov- gram, had found a light blue para-
mat is a successful one during the erage from Yankee Stadium above keet on the balcony of his 11th
last four years. ^ that from any other park. Chicago floor apartment in Forest Hills.

The marriage of the industries was a close second, followed by Before the day was over 70 per-
has been through the trial stage Boston. The other cities drifted sons called to find out if the bird
and the wedding, ring is on for far behind. was theirs. Thus 70 out of a pos-

j?ood. As the marriage brokers and Particular points of barber shop sible 75 persons called in response
close observers of the results, we conversation center on how effec- to the announcement. That’s a rat-
can tell you. there has been and lively home-plate camera coverage ing of 93, or 3,720,000 homes
will be many blessed events— ^coin is engineered in the cities involved, reached.

for sponsors and boxoffic* re- The changing scene appears to P.S.: The bird died that night,
ceipts for theatres. be on the baseball horizon for ownership unknown. (Must have

Emanuel Demby , Indian fans for many years to been the property of one of the

(Pres., Demby Productions). |come. five persons who didn’t phone.)

IN NEW YORK , . . ;

Val Adams getting nod as successor to Jack Gould as radio-tv ed of
N, Y. Times? Execs of daily silent on confirmation . . . Mother of
George (The Real) McCoy, radio vet, died last week in New York
at 83 .. . . WCBS’ Martin Weldon has. become film .narrator via Louis
de Rqchemont’s “Cinerama Holiday” in which he’ll be the “voice" . ,
WNBC newscaster Bob Wilson celebrates 35th birthday Friday (27)
Tyree Glenn, trombonist on Jack Sterling’s early ayemer, is on vacation
with Don Elliott subbing . ; . WCBS g.m. Carl Ward back from West-
port soiourn, while sales mgr. Henry Untermeyer is spending his holi-
day on Nantucket . . . WNBC’s Stan Freeman back from Cape Cod .
Herman Hickman off on a ouickie to leading colleges to gather grid
material for his WCBS’er and Sports Illustrated ... John Henry Faulk
held ud on ,his way back from Texas and missed his WCBS Monday
show, first time he’s muffed a stanza on the station in his three years of
airing.

Eddie Fisher to guest on Bill Silbert WMGM show Aug. 30 from
Palisades . . . Phil Goulding, WMGM announcer, vacationing in New
England . . . ABC commentator Henry J. Taylor named a trustee of
the Bank of Manhattan . . . Broadcast . Advertising has lined up judges
for its “Best Radio Salesman of the Month” contest, with Stanley
Pujver, media manager of Lever Bros, radio-tv setup, Frank Silvernail,
veep at BBD&O. and Arthur J. Kemp, McCann-Erickson veep, among
judges , .'. Hal Howard to WOV sales staff . . . Rosalie Allen hack into
her “Prairie Stars” stanza via same station after three-week respite
... Henny Youngman and Jan Bart booked for -‘American-Jewish
Caravan of Stars” Sun, (29) ... Paul S. O’Brien to WLIB* as salesman.

David B. Graham, mgr. of Dancer-Fitzgerald-Sample radio-tv opera-
tions dept., to Nantucket for fortnight i . , Warren Cromwell, ex-NBC
Press, to Northwest Airlines’ publicity division , . . Bill Stern to do
quarter-hour pre- and post-game Mutual airings on World Series.

IN CHICAGO ...

Joe Wilson v/ill do the play-by-play ; on MW AQ's college football
broadcasts which kick off Sept. 25 for 10 weeks. Mission Dry ,Corp. is
in as bankroller for a half of., each game. Jimmy Evans will do the
post-gaihe scoreboard for the Pure Milk Assn. . . . Commentator Frank
Kirkpatrick returns to his Monday night slot on WGN Sept. 13 with
Grob, Inc., picking up the bill . . . Gospel singer Mahalla Jackson is
slated to make her CBS bow Sept. 26 in a Sunday night period, with
the Jack Halloran Quartet backing. Chi office of the Louis G. Cowari
firm will handle production . . . John Keys, WMAQ-WNBQ ad-promo-
tion chief, vacationing . . ^ Boyer Labs to sponsor WGN’s pro football
scoreboard 'following station’s airing of the Chi Bears games which
start Sept. 12 . . . Judith Waller, Chi NBC public affairs and education
director, off to Green Bay, Wis., next week to attend the r%dio-tv work-
shop of the National Council of Churches’ education . division . . ,
WBBM newsman Fahey Flynn and John Harrington joined the: out-of-
town Vacationers. Former is visiting relatives, in Wisconsin and latter
is matching wits with Upper Michigan fish . . . Pure ’Milk Assn, bought
WMAQ’s 7:25 a.m. newscasts . . . Wheatena Corp. has bought into Bill
Evan’s WGN eye-opener disk show.

liV PHILADELPHIA . . .

Sherman J>. Gregory, former manager of Philadelphia edition of
TV Guide, has been named sales manager of WFIL-TV . ? . Paul G.
Ross, Jr: succeeds Louis Vassalottl in KYW’s accounting office. Vassa-
lotti has entered military service . . Tom Moorehead, sportscaster

and variety show emcee for WFIL-TV, celebrated his 15th year with
the WFIL stations, Aug. 23 . . . Mary Doyle, merchandising director
of KYW’s feature foods Staff, was injured when a^car driven by her
husband collided with another auto in Cynwyd, “Pa. ... Margaret
Truman, appearing at Playhouse in the Park in “Autumn Crocus,”
held special reception for radio and tv. reps at Belmont Mansion (20)

. . . Approxiiriately 125 delegates will attend the State conference of
American Women in Radio and Television to be held at the Warwick,
Oct. 15-17, according to -Mrs. Alma Cramer, of Station WARD, Johns-
town, Pa., state chairman of AWRT.

IN CLEVELAND ...

Rita Bates, WTAM Bandwagon secretary, named “best actress ‘of
year” at Lakewood Little Theatre . . . Maurice Van Metre, Cleveland
News radio-tv editor, plans Iowa trip to celebrate 60th birthday with
twin brother.. . . WTAM staffers in new prograrinming setup include
Jay Miltner emcee “Tops in Pops” and Karl Bates in “Gramps.” Both
are half-hour Saturday ayemers . . . WXEL reinstituted “Quarterback
Club” half-hour Browns’ film review with Ken Coleman, although
John Fitzgerald will do first three games, with Fisher Foods picking
up the tab . . . TV Guide’s family day at Chippewa, featuring Gail
Davis drew over 20.000 . . . Walt Kay rounded out five years on WXEL’a
hour-long kiddie show . . . Glenn Rowell and Ford Rush are doing
15-minute daily 6:45 p.m. stint on WHK and hour-long Saturday
stanza . . . WJW’s Tod Purse will spin disks at Lakewood Little Theatre
opening.

IN SAN FRANCISCO . .1

Lucille Bliss received an anonymous threatening phone call last
week from a man who warned her not to do her regular KGO “Happy
Birthday to You” show. She did it and nothing happened except some
good publicity in the local press . . . Hildy Clark subbing for vacation-
ing Jane Todd on KCBS . . . Joy Frlzze, writer on the Jane Todd show,
has returned from Paris w'ith an on-the-spot report on the Dior fash-
ions . . . Bert Solitaire, KRE disk jockey, gave; away 1.200 records
from his'personal collection last week on his afternoon “Open House”
show. One listener. Dave Toppolis, wort 345 platters . . . Russ Coglin
is previewing the Bing Crosby Life Story album an hour a day on
KROW . . . Bill Lriws, KLX sportsgabber, Will do the commentary on
the 49ers and the Chicago Bears clash Oct. 31 . . . Bill Gavin has opened
a production agency specializing in radio and tv for small agencies
and small sponsors , . . Students from Stanford U. Radio-TV Institute
scooped everybody with films of the new San Francisco International
Airport. KPIX showed them last week.. . . KNBC’s Farmer’s Digest
with Henry Schacht has been . renewed for the 10th consecutive ybor
by Standard Oil of California.

IN MINNEAPOLIS . . .

Approximately 120,000 families within Twin Cities tv stations’ range
will buy. tv receivers this year and by end of 1954 one half of area s
homes will be equipped with tv sets, according to a Westinghouse
Electric survey ... WGCO radio distributing 18-page brochure ex-
plaining its “Radio Positive Plus Merchandising” plan, a cooperative
point-of-sale between station and 115 chain stores group in its listen-
ing area . . . KSTP-TV using Cessna 180 plane, piloted by Dick Hance,
its chief photographer, to cover outstate news . . . BeBe Shopp, localite
and onetime Atlantic .City “Miss America” winner, abandoning her
WTCN-TV shows to become a housewife . . . Sfg Mickelson, recently
named a CBS vice-president in charge of news and public
is ex-Minneapolitan and former longtime local radio station WCCO
news director. He' also onee was U, of Minnesota assistant journalism
professor . . , Cal Karnstedt, KSTP staffer, again jnked to emcee
Minnesota State Fair grandstand show .

«. 9

iTcTMiEi

Your Lucky Strike Hit Parade says:

\t

//

And presents a special summer service

During its 12-week

. e •

hiatus Your Hit Parade
will list in this space
the seven top tunes from
Your Hit Parade Survey

Here are your Lucky 7 tunes that

/

you would have heard last Saturday
night, as determined by Your Hit
Parade . Survey, which checks the
best sellers in sheet music and
phonograph records, the songs most
heard on the air and most played
on the automatic coin machines.

fs,

' ■ ■'V A ...

, / s's .. -<V

W^.W.^.W,, ^

-A

V. <

yXJ*

po^

■■( 4 - . ■ » ;

SH/k

v t y*

1. Li

ings Mean a Let

2. Hey, There

3. Sh-Boom

4. The Little Shoemaker

5. The High and the Mighty

6. Hernando’s Hideaway

7. Three Coins in the Fountain

s : *

(■

% t *

H •

A $m

BE
HA ppy
$o

LUCK/

*4

f J

*

Be sure to watch Your Hit Parade’s summer replacement

lT r OCPDCTIDV’ 1 111 || CAT II CD II Saturday! at 10:30 P.M. (N.Y.T.)

1IC dtuRCIAII I STARRING A 11 II DUI nCnn NBC Television Network

80

RADIO REVIEWS

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

STOP THE MUSIC w . .

With Bill Cullen, Jaclz Haskett, Jill
Corey, Ray Bloch orch; Richard
Hayman, fuest; Ha) Simms, an-

nouncer

Producer-director: Lou Melamed
Writer: Johanna Johnston
60 Mins., Tues., 8:30 *p.m,
QUALITY GOODS, EXQUISITE
FORM, WHITEHALL PHARMA-

. CAL -

CBS, from New York

(Grey, John F. Murray )

The old grey mare she ain’t what
she used to be, and you wanna
know somethin’?— neither is “Stop
the Music.” The warhorse of give-
aways has had it in radio and it’s
not the same circa 1954 CBS. 4 The
old aura is missing; the heartiness
and air of vicarious thrill are gone,
unless Bert Parks can do it again
in tv where it’s slotted for a half-
hour at 10:30' p.m. on ABC next
month in another Tuesday entry,
like the current radio edition (ex-
cept that the latter is twice the
length).

Let’s face it, Bill Cullen is no
Parks, and it’s the ringmaster-tele-
phoner upon which the likes . of
’‘Stop” must sink or swim. Another
thing, the “Mystery Melody” jack-
pot is down to a slow walk, starting
at a mere $1,000 savings bond plus
a fortnight in Paris, In the absence
of the multiplicity of plugs for loot
that used to be on the old airer,
Cullen kept droning away dully, at
the N. Y.-to-Paris lift by Scandina-
vian Airlines plus an incessancy of
verbiage on Lanvin Arpege Per-
fume. The listener largesse is a
$50 bond for identifying the tune
with a CBS-Columbia radio going
to a studio attendee scoring on a
listener missout. It ain’t hay, but
it isn’t the old “Operation Give-
away,” so the big weapon (lotsa
moola and merchandise) is missing
from the fray.

Despite some okay entertainment
values, the whole affair sounded as
if they were trying to bring back
the A & P Gypsies (which wouldn’t
be a bad idea). Handling the songs
are Jill Corey, a cute trick but no
heavyweight in the thrush sweep*
stakes despite her tv springboard
via the axed Dave GarrOway night-
timer on NBC, and Jack Haskell,
who can belt ’em. Guest was Rich-
ard Hayman with his harmonica
that sings. Ray Bloch backstops in
his ever lovin’ fashion. .

On the coin side, Quality Jewel-
ry pays the freight for the 8:45-9
segment alternating With Exquisite
Form Bra . starting last night
(Tues.) and Whitehall Pharmacal
takes the 9:15-9:30 portion starting
Sept. 7. / Trau.

Admiral's Biz Dip

Chicago, Aug. 24.

Admiral ttorp. sales during the
first half of the year were $105,-
201,498 bringing net earnings Of
$2,558,850, equal , to $1.09 a share;
Last year first half sales hit $131,-
222,438 and net profit of $4,762;-
152, or $2.02 a share.

Second quarter net this year fell
to $1,054,806, at 45 cents a share,
compared with $1,705,274, or 72
cents a share for the same period
last year.

INVESTMENT

OPPORTUNITY

m VHF television station

If you hovo a streak of showman-
ship and some cash, I may be
able to help you make some
money. You see, I own a com-
pany with fine new VHP facilities
but short of working capital. Just
anyone won't do, but if you're the
right guy, I'll sell you 10% at
the same cost as applied to me
(which is favorable) if you'll lend
working capital on a five year
note at 6%. The whole deal will
cost you $60,000 and should make
you a neat profit in five years,
the same as I expect to. In reply-
ing, please 'tell me enough so I'll
know Who you are. Confidential,
of course. Write Alger Court, West-"
bourne Apt. 4-B, Branxyille, N. Y.

•• • "JINGLES • • • • •••

• that don’t.

: JANGLE!”

; LANNV , .moat 6.1V

e ; - 4 Writ# for Brochnro J)

• 70 E. 96 ST.. New York 28

• • • • • ENrlght 9-7777 • • • •

CLEVELAND INDIANS
With Jimmy Dudley, Ed Edwards
120 Mins.; all scheduled fames
STANDARD BREWING CO.,

CHEVROLET
WERE, Cleveland.

If the Cleveland Indians don’t

win the pennant, it won’t be be-
cause of the lack of Jimmy Dudley
—Ed Edwards backing. The two
men, handling the play-by-play ac-
counts of the Indians ball games,
are as staunch supporters of the
Tribe as you’ll find in anyone’s
ballyard. Yet, they handle their
mike chores with the grace of

gentlemen and, although firmly in
the camp of the Redskins, are able
to temper their factual reports. :

Dudley, the veteran sportscaster
who has been calling the Indians’
plays since 1947, has developed a
vast following. His delivery is
pleasant and his intimate knowl-
edge of so many of the players
makes for cheerful side notes.

Edwards, making his debut this
year, has moved quickly into the
pro league of spielers. He ' still
drops a fast play every now and
then, yet there is no question but
that his overall ability and mike
technique will see him on play-by-
play for years to come. The two
men split the games, commercials,
etc. Both sponsors employ easy-to-
hear commercials with sudser turn-
ing Sunday time over to civic
plugs. Mark.

Radio Followup

When the head of one network
guest-shots on another, that’s some-
thing of a man-bites-dog in broad-,
casting Circles so when Frank M.
Folsom, prez of RCA, “did a_ Mr. &
Mrs.” as Pegeen (& Ed) Fitzger-
ald’s a m. vis-a-vis last week, it bad
an unusual tycoon-type listener-
ship. With the male of the Fitz-
geralds on a European trip, Fol-
som spoke on “merchandising and
the general success story” pattern
in a manner which was not subjec-
tive. Mrs. Pegeen Fitzgerald skil-
fully dodged the Horatio Alger of
Folsom’s real-life career, segueing
from her own department store
background, where she was a vee-
pee in charge of advertising and
merchandising, and paralleling it
with Folsom’s latterday job as one:
of the nation’s top merchandisers,
and so recognized nationally. His
credo for success was “the ability
to get along with people,” and he
put the accent on the great north-
west merchants, Meyer & Frank
(Portland, Ore.), who made it a
habit to personally wait on custom-.,
ers from behind the counter. In
spanning the broad pattern of what
makes good merchants and mer-
chandise, Folsom rah the gamut
from Adam and Bernard Gimbel to
Campbell’s Soups — and the Ripley
is that the chief of the personnel
department of Macy’s called WABC,
N. Y., for a transcription which they
want to use as a model in intra-
company department store school-
ing. Probably by design both' Mrs.
Fitzgerald and Folsom stayed away
from radio and tv, color or other-
wise, anid it made for an unusual
offbeat a.m. discourse of a type not
usually identified with the break-
fast idea of chitchat. Folsom, in-
cidentally,, displayed a well-bal-
anced and authoritative mike voice.

Abel.

Grid-Happy Philly

Continued from, page 24

pro football games will be carried
by the DuMont network.

Gene Kelly, who does the base-
ball play-by-play for the Philadel-
phia Phillies, and Tom Moorehead,
WFIL’s sports director, will team
on the Penn games which kick off
Sept, 25, against Diike U. Other
Penn opponents Include William &
Mary, Princeton, George Washing-
ton, Navy* Penn State, Notre Dame,
Army and Cornell.

Herb Cameal, KYW’s sports di-
r|ctor, will handle the play-by-play
and Mark Olds will do the halftime
color and commentary for the
Princeton schedule which starts
Sept. 25 against Rutgers and fol-
lows on successive Saturdays with
Columbia, Pennsylvania, Brown,
Cornell, Colgate, Harvard, Yale
and Dartmouth.

Jim Learning, WIP’s sports di-
rector, will handle the play-by-play
on the seven Villanova games for
the fourth consecutive year. WIP
has been able to work the Notre
Dame schedule into its airtime
due to the fact that six of the Vil-
lanova series are night games. In
addition to carrying nine games of
the “Fighting Irish,” station will
also broadcast the Wisconsin-Ohlo
State meeting, Oct. 23/

STAN RICHARDS SHOW
180 Mins., Sat. 12 (noon)
Participating
WORL, Boston

Figuring that many of his youth-
ful listeners are unaware, that
many of the current crop of plat-
ters are tunes that have been
recorded by various artists over
the years, WORL deejay Stan
Richards introed an interesting
gimmick on his Saturday afternoon
show recently. Picking some recent
releases he played them back-to-
back, with older versions and in-
vited his listeners to phone in their
choices and reactions. The kids
reacted almost immediately, wast-
ing no time to phone in and the
result was that the older versions
of the tunes nabbed nearly 90%
of the favorable vote, according to
tabulations aired by Richards.

Among the platters compared
were “Bumblo Boogie,” by Freddie
Martin and Ralph Marterie; “In
the Mood,” by Glepn Miller and
the Bulawayo Band; “12th St.
Rag,” by Peewee Hunt and Lib-
erace with the older platters on
top in each case.

Reaction was so immediate and
Strong that Richards plans to set
aside an hour segment of future
Saturday shows to showcase the
oldies. Elie.

New TV Season

Contiifn»d from page 23

from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 a sea-
son in embracing the traditional
half-hour weekly show on tv will
be content to. play second fiddle
with a normal-rating-as-usual as
the networks’ .big promotional-
publicity-exploitation guns are
trained on the specs and the major
tint attractions.

It’s a season that will find NBC
emerging from its Monday night
program strait jacket end estab-
lishing a program sequence (built
primarily around the full-hour Sid
Caesar show and the new “Medic”
dramatic series) that at long last
threatens to depose the longtime
Columbia supremacy on that
night. For perhaps of all the in-
ter-network program rivalry, it’s
the No. 1 rated “I Love Lucy” 9
o’clock smash on CBS vs. the new
Worthington Miner - produced
“Medic” that’s whetted the . appe-
tite in anticipation of an allout
battle of the ratings.

It’s a season which finds ABC-!
TV going to the post with a near
SRO status as the “third major
television network” and challeng-
ing its two rivals for Wednesday
night dominance built around its
top-budgeted “Disneyland.” .

It’s a season that has already
cued such questions as: “How Will
Sid Caesar do without Imogene
Coca?” - Or conversely, “How will
Imogene Coca do without Sid
Caesar?” A study of the night-by-
night rosters Invites a multiplicity
of other tantalizing questions —
most of which will be answered by
renewal time. '

I -Big Writer Org

5 SS Continued from page 27

brella,” while not corporate, will
allow top execs in either group to
huddle on matters such as inter-
national copyright, the only ex-
ample given.

As for WGA Slone at present,
the outfit hasn’t even got the ink
dry yet on incorporating into simi-
lar groups on both coasts: RWG
and TWG were officially dissolved
July 31. SWG comes into the line-
up as an entity shortly, the entity
being for legal and financial rea-
sons; the outfit has much cash in
the coffers arid wants to retain
same to mete out as seen fit later
by the screen scribblers who origi-
nally put it there.

Concurrent meeting of WGA’s
eastern and western groups will be
held tonight (Wed.) to vote on the
constitution of the new organiza-
tion. In N. Y. the meet will be
held at Wendell Willkie Auditori-
um, and in Hollywood at the Bev
Hills Hotel. With WGA’s consoli-
dation of formerly separate unions
within AL, membership of whole
is expected to be around 2,000.

The fate of only one element —
Television Writers of America — is
still not clear. Whether the org
Will decide to dissolve is not, and
won't be, known for at least a
week. Then tally will be concluded
on the desires of the west coast
arm of TWA, where referendum
was. taken on whether dissolution
vote should be made. N. Y. TWA
is standing pat so far on holding
a similar referendum.

<n . v 9

If the energy and imagination accorded the production of “Let’s
Pretend” at its 25-year milestone on the air were equalled' in other
spheres of qptwork radio, the industry might be in less of a plight
today. The granddaddy of all children’s programs, which entered
its 25th year of broadcasting last Saturday (21) on CBS, still retains
that freshness and vigor that it had when it started — there’s no
concern here about media research, ratings, sets in use, costrper-
thousand. Instead, the idea, as it has always been, is to entertain,
and the show still succeeds admirably.

An adult listening to the program will probably recall the* thrill
he or his children (depending on which: generation he belongs to)
got out of it years ago, and in listening must perceive that it still
must have the same effect on the kids of today. The ingredients
are the same — the fairy tale, written simply and with charm, a cast
of topnotch actors dedicated to the story and most important, fen
approach that has no trace of condescension but is designed Strictly
to give pleasure;

CBS and the kids are fortunate in having Jean Hight as/ the
successor to the late Nila Mack, who until her death about a year
ago was the guiding spirit of the program, Miss Hight has retained
the same approach and the same spirit and the changeover is un-
noticeable. Of the original crew, , there are only two holdovers.
Maurice Brown, who started with the original orchestra, is now
conductor, and Gwen Davies, who started before she could read,
still plays the roles of princesses (or Indian maidens, as in Satur-
day’s program). While there’s been a considerable cast turnover, .
the voices sound the same— gentle, trusting and 4 designed to give
the kiddies the feeling that goodness and good people do exist.
Johanna Johnston’s adaptation of the “Dun Horse,” the story last
.week, was right in the “Let’s Pretend” groove of good entertain-
ment trimmed with good taste. Chan.

Inside Stuff— Radio-TV

Janet Blair was “Mrs. America” in her imagination for a. brief
period last week, arid then her billing was summarily upped to “Mrs.
Universe.” The actress will open . Armstrong’s “Circle Theatre” season
on NBC-TV next Tuesday (31) in “The Beautiful Wife,” an original
by David Shaw. Shaw’s principal character is Mrs. Marilyn Wilson,
played by Miss Blair, who originally was slated to win the “Mrs. A.’*
title But, whether because a royalty fee was not forthcoming for the
use of the title or because the comedy script contained possible down-
beat content reflecting:. on -the fair ..name .connoted '-by the “Mrs; A.”
title, the owners of the latter stepped in and prevented such appli-
cation.

Mrs. America, Inc., is headed by veteran publicist Bert Nevins, who
has been running the “Mrs. America” tournament for a number of
years and who zealously guards the name from promiscuous usage.
Confronted by this horrendous hurdle, Talent Associates, packagers
of the show (its first season for “Circle Theatre”), switched to the
“Universe” tag. Not known whether the promoters of “Miss Universe”
receive a fee.

Ohrbach’s Department Store, long a sponsor of Tex and Jinx
McCrary on WNBC, N.Y. key for NBC Radio, is sponsoring the hus-
band-wife duo in a one-shot hour-long video show from its new N.Y.
store tomorrow (Thurs.). Telecast will be via sister WNBT from
2-3 p.m„ the last half hour being time regularly consumed by the
distaffer's video show.

NBC: is reshaping its merchandising department in an effort to
extend the advances it has made on such participating programs as
“Today” and “Home” and which.it hopes to repeat with the upcoming
“Tonight” fronting Steve Allen. The “magazine concept” will be
extended to other shows, with the merchandising machinery headed
by Murray HeilWeil. Latter replaced the former director, Fred Dbdge,
with Heilweil moving up from the managerial- post. Manager’s berth
is currently vacant.

Heilweil will report to, Matthew J. (Joe) Culligan, sales manager of
participating programs.

Radio-TV Executives Society is giving a course on time buying and
selling and, characteristically, .has slotted a cycle of 13 Tuesday
luncheon seminars starting Oct. 26 at Toots Shor’s in -New York.
Course is also open to non-members at a fee of $3.50 per feed.
Schedule of speakers and topics is cuirently in preparation.

Lux TV

SSS Continued flrbrii page 25

three pix for series adaptations.
United Artists has also offered
some of its releases to Lux. Jack-
son estimates there are 200 indie
pix properties available for his

show, but adds a good many mo-
tion pictures do not lend them-
selves to tv adaptation.

“I am very pessimistic about the
number of motion picture proper-
ties we will get for next season,
and I will be very pleased if we
have 20 pictures adaptations on
the 39 shows,” Jackson said.
Other than Paramount, studios
have hedged with a “let’s see how
the Paramount shows work out”
attitude, he saidl Okay for use of
the Paramount properties, “To
Each His Own,” “Welcome,
Stranger,” and “Christinas in
July” was obtained In N. Y.

Jackson said majors apparently
still feel exhibs may react unfa-
vorably to tele adaptations of
their pix, but contended such
showings will actually* help the
b.o. by promoting studio product.

Since he doesn’t feel studios will
provide Sufficient properties.
Jackson is shopping for original
stories, with most of the buying
being done in N. Y. “This isn’t
because there isn’t a wealth of
good writers here, but there is a
weakness among Hollywood wri-
ters — too few know how to write
for live tv,” said Jackson.

Xv.v>.y.X

'-x

& + , - a

Eileen BARTON

LATEST CORAL RELEASE

Dir. » William Morris Agoncjf

STARTING OCT. 2

TEXACO STAR THEATRE

SATURDAY NlftHT— M.I.C.
Mtofct William Morris Agancy

Wednesday? August 25, 1954 ''

New York

Dick Maney, the legit press
agent; Who until now has scorned
any invasions into the tv end of
the flackery biz, has finally suc-
cumbed. Along with his associate,
Frank Goodman, Maney will carry
the torch, for the new Imogens
Coca ; NBC-TV series ... Mike
Dann . back .at NBC-TV desk Mon-

d Ar?Sfttel , former Variety mugg
and daily cprrespondent in' Europe
and Middle East and ex-NBC Press,
now on .publicity for CBS-TV’s re-
vised “Motning Show” hosted by
Jack Paar \ . . Marian Russell set
for a lead 1 Oh “The Web” Sunday
(29) . . . Bill Colleran taking over
director's chore .on “Hit Parade,”
vice Clark Jones who’s working on
NBC spectaculars . . .Evelyn Ellis
to the Coast -for Metro’s -biopic on
Marjorie Lawrence after appearing
on ‘‘Studio One” a n d off-B’way
“Salvation On a String” ... Alan
Dinehart to direct ABC-TV’s Sat-
urday night “Dance Party” hour.

H. V. Kaltenborh back from tour
of U. S. air bases in Germany,
France and Spain . . . Tex & Jinx
‘ doing WNBT reihote from Orbach’s
new 34th St. store opening tomcov
row (Thurs,) and will use all the
escalators ... Eydie Gorme and
Steve Lawrence and Steve Allen
show judging prelims for Miss
Rodeo at Green Valley Dude Ranch
in Middletown, Conn. . . .John P..
Altemus now WABC-TV account
exec . . . WPIX's educationaler
“The i Living Blackboard” returns
Oct. S for fifth yeah "

Jane Moultrie gets role of the
mafd in Geite Lockhart’s liew vid-
pix series, “His Honor, Homer
Bell.”, . WNBT news and* special
events chief Bill Berns and wife
leaving this week C27) for a vaca-
tion in New England . . . David
Winters on NBC “TV Playhouse”
Sunday (29) . . . Rod Serlfng, who
has peddled a number of scripts
from his Cincy homebase, is cele-
brating his move to N. Y. on Labor
Day With two hour shows— -“Worthy
Opponent' ’ on ABC’s “Center
Stage” yesterday (Tues.) and
“U.F.O.” (unidentified flying ob-
ject) on . Westinghouse “Summer
Theatre” Sept. 6. Talking of scripts,
there’s been no' warm weather
hiatus- in the Blanche Gaines of-
fice^ with 12 originals on hour
shows by> her stable of writers this
summer . . . Cynthia . Chauncey,
secr’y to- Lee LeBlang, asst, ad
and sales promotion mgr. of-WCBS-
TV, named Miss Tamarack at lodge
of same name in Ellenville, N. Y. :
. . . Juves Joey Fallon and Phyllis
Goodklnd alternating Saturdays oh
“Joe Palooka” series . . . Kenny
Sharpe doing one-shot as child
magico on “Pantomime Quiz.”

Chicago

Ralph Andrews, ex-WCAN-TV,
Milwaukee, is WBKB’s new direc-
tor of film programming vice
George Rice who took over the film
director post at WABC-TV, New
York . . . Jim Conway subbing for
Irv Kupcinet for three weeks while
latter vacations from his nightly
WBBM-TV gossip session . . . Elton
Rule, sales jnanagpr of KABC-TV,
Holly wood, a n d assistant Don
Quinn here next week, showcasing
the station’s avails.. . . American
Chicle ordered the Wednesday seg-
ments of Alex Dreier’s five-minute

• Radio Registry •

CVIRV OAY .

ONIVIRY CHANNEL

BROOKS

COSTUMES

* Ww*44»lN„N.Y.C.-J*(, W.MM#

'newcasts oiyWNBQ for Sept. 1 de-
livery . , . Jerrold Merritt upped
tp assistant chief engineer status I
at WICS, Springfield . . . Cole-Fin-
der. Chi Mercury dealer, is bank-
rolling “Boston Blaclde” Thursday
nights on WGN-TV and adds “For-
eign Intrigue” Friday nights on
Sept, 17 ... v Ed Stockmar and Bob
McKee of the Chi NBC-TV sales
crew checked out on their vaca-
tions . . . Sentinel Radio bought
Ulmer Turner’s 11 p.m. WBKB
newscasts cross-the-board starting
Sept. 6 .... Half-hour version of
the Chi-based “Out on the Farm”
is logged in for the Sunday 2 p.m.
slot on NBC-TV as of Oct. 3 . . .
Burr Tillstrom and his “Kukla.
Fran & Ollie” company moved out
of their charters a t NBC, going
into new space at WBKB’s Daily
News Bldg, layout.

• ■ : r

Army Seminar

Continued from pace 24

Lockwood, tech director (“TV Re-
cital Hall”>, and Olivia Granito, as-
sistant stager of “Fame.” Each
described his job and functions^
after which the speakers were bom-
barded With questions from the
group of about 40 tv technicians of
the Armed Forces ranging from
pfc’s to full Colonels.

On the windup day an actual' tv
show on “Leadership” was cast,
blocked directed and produced
via the Pictorial Center’s three-
camera unit. McCleery went
through every step of pre-produc-
tion, laid out the ‘floor plan,
tuned up the actors, blocked the
shots, had technical rehearsals
and finally put the show “on the
air.” It was kinnied, and then the
kine was run and show discussed
from every angle.

Every evening to Thursday the
group went out into the field to
see a runthrough or dress of a
sponsored show, watching from the
control room or sponsor’s booth,
and afterward engaged in chit-
chats with director and crew. Cov-
ered were NBC stanzas — “Robert
Montgomery Presents,” “Arthur
Murray Show*” Kraft “TV Thea-
tre” and “The Marriage/’ Color
video was also under study.

ABC ‘Kukla’ Coin

— — ^ Continued from page 24 S5SSS'

take Over the 5 to 5:15 period
Sept. 27.

The Chi anchoring of the WBKB-
WABC-TV programming spool. is a
switch from last year when Mitchell
piped out the Jerry Lester day-
timer and the “Bok & Ray” show to
WBKB. One of the reasons the
two-city exchange is feasible is the
fact that the parent web leases
the co-ax from 2 to 10 p.m., so
there’s no additional line charges
except for the morning “Cookery”
show.

On its deal for “Kukla,” the
bakery firm has an option to* ex-
parfti the show to other markets.
And the web is. working on the
possibility of offering it on a co-
op basis to the ABC-TV outlets
bypassed by Gordon. The 13-week
firm Sale earned a $5,000 bonus
for WABC-TV salesman' Harold
Day who set the dear through the
D’Arcy agency in New York.
Since Tillstrom’s, pact with the
ABC stations hinged on sponsor-
ship of the show as a strip, Quinlan
arid Mitchell tossed out the bonus
lur„e for prompt action.

More WOR Promotions

There has been a flurry of fur-
ther promotions at WOR and WOR-
TV, the N. Y. General Teleradio-
owned stations helmed by Gordon
Gray. Recently it was the adver-
tising and promotion and research
execs who were realigned, and
now sales is affected.

Jack Mohler becomes assistant
sales chief under Bill Dix at WOR,
while Bill Gorman is upped to a
similar post under Charlie Philips
at WOR-TV. Bill McCormick is the
regional sales manager for both
stations since the promotions this
week, and Jack Mulvihill becomes
program sales manager of WOR-
TV.

Cincinnati— Patti O’Hara, pop-
singer, exited from Crosley staff
last week upon expiration of her
one-year contract, which was not
renewed. - She was featured on
shows on WLW radio und WLW-T.,

WPIX’s Sports Bundle

4 WPIX, N. Y. tele station, has
itemized coverage of its 100 fall
and winter sports efents, and has
fixed Oct. 5 as the starting date:
Coverage continues until April of
next year. .

' Type of events covered include
college basketball, the Westminster
Kennel Club Show, Golden Gloves,
pro boxing, pro basketball and
hockey, etc. Sixty-nine events will
come from Madison Square Gar-
den. About two and a half months
ago, WMGM set a similarly large
schedule for N. Y. radio. .

— . e i ■ ‘ i i n .

CKLW DPS CAMPBELL,
PREPS FOR TV BOW

Detroit, Aug. 24.

S. Campbell Ritchie has been ap-
pointed director of operations in
charge of both radio and tv pro-
duction and planning at CKLW, it
was announced by J. E. (Ted)
Campeau, prexy; Ritchie formerly
was program director of CKLW.

: Campeau said the appointment
and others he announced at the
same time were in preparation for
the beginning of telecasts . by
CKLW-TV on or about Sept. 9.
The station and tower are located
across the Detroit • River in
Windsor," Ont., but will give the
Detroit metropolitan area its
fourth tv outfit.

SI. Louis Channel

Continued from page 24 ^ssm

which operates radio statioh WEW,
Broadcast House, which recently
folded its UHF station (KSTM-TV),
and 220 Television, Inc., owned by
hotel and. theatre interests.

If CBS gets the channel it will
be required to dispose of one of its
holdings. Since the web has only

minority interests in Washington
and Minneapolis, one of these
Would be sold. Should CBS also
win out in the coming hearings for
channel 5 in Boston, it would sell
the other.

Hearings on the St. Louis contest
resumed yesterday, with WEW pre-

F&M Fights Decision

Washington, Aug. 24..

Fanchon & Marco-St. Louis
Amus. Co. today (Tues.) peti-
tioned the FCC to reverse the
decision of examiner Thomas
Donahue in refusing to post-
pone a hearing pending F&M's
appeal to the Supreme Court.
The St. Loo outfit told the
Commission that the “logic of
these proceedings” is that CBS
will get the channel (ID— that
it will be impossible for any
applicant to prevail against
CBS, “except on the incredible
assumption that a decision will
not be based on fact.”

E&M said it will file petition
with the Supreme Coiirt with-
in 10 days to review a lower
court's decision which permits
CBS to apply for the channel
despite FCC’s five-station limi-
tation.

senting its case, under direction of
its counsel, Paul Segal. Testimony
on the CBS application will be di-
rected by Judge Samuel Rosenman,
former White House aide. Counsel
for KSTM are Frank 1 Salisbury and
Vernon Wilkinson; Counsel for 220
Television is Bernard ' KoWen.

An intervenbr iii'the proceedings
is KACY-TV which, has suspended
operations of its. UHE station in
Festus (St.- Louis; area) but has re-
tained its construction permit. The
station was made a party in inter-
est, although it is not an applicant
for channel 11, on the basis of its
contention that a grant to CBS
would result in restraint of compe-
tion in the St, Louis area in view
of the web’s affiliation with ultra
high station WTVLTV in Belle-
ville, 111.

Cliff Mandell to CBS-TV

Cliff Mandell has joined CBS-
TV on colorvision publicity. He’s
from WQXR, which is owned by
the New York Times.

Mandell became -the second
Times-employed scribe to. hook up
with Columbia. Jack Gould, the
newspaper’s veteran radio-tv edi-
tor, was retained as information
adviser* for parent company CBS,
Inc., early this month.

DuMOAO Confab

DuMont’s owned-operated sta-
tions are going to powwow in N. Y.
tomorrow (Thurs.) and Friday. The
general, program and sales man-
agers of WABD, N. Y.; WTTG,
Washington,- and WDTV, Pitts-
burgh, will all attend the meeting.
Move is being made to give the
outlets’ biz interests the, o.o*

In addition to station exec lineup
the network topper, Ted Bergmann
and Donn McGannon, in charge of
the o&o’s, will be on hand.

Lamb’s 'Show Me

Washington, Aug. 24.

Edward . Lamb, Toledo broad-
caster-publisher, petitioned the
FCC today (Tues.) to furnish him
with a more definite statement of
the charges against him re. leftwing
sympathies. He wants the names
and charges of his accusers and
asked that the hearings scheduled
for Sept. 15 be deferred to enable
him to prepare his defense on the
basis of that information. He de-
clared that the “resume of basic
! allegations” which the FCC has
furnished him is “utterly dev.oid
of basic facts” and contains only
“vague generalities” of little value
to him in propping a defense.

In view of the fact that all com-
missioners except one (Robert E.
Lee) are currently on vacation
and little likelihood of the agency
acting until next week or later,
suck postponement looks good.

Ben Stott to WCKN

Kansas City, Aug. 24.

Position of program director at
Station KCKN, the Arthur Capper
property here, has been filled with
the appointment of Ben Stott to
the job, according to Joe Storey,
manager. Stott comes over from
WDAF where he was in sales.

KCKN wiU continue its long
established policy of popular music,
news and weather information, ac-
cording to Stott. Station has been
on that kick for about 20 years.

Detroit — WJR will again broad-
cast all of the exhibition and regu-
lar games of the Detroit Lions, pro
football champions for the past
two yea^s. Van Patrick will han-
dle the play-by-play, with Bob
Reynolds doing the color. Spon-
sors are the Goebel Brewing Co.
and Speedway Petroleum Corp. :

Cincinnati, Aug. 24.
Cro«ley Broadcasting’s group ad-
vertising plan was drilled into the
men who will sell it for the past
six days at meetings in Miami
Beach. In the Florida roundup
were more than 50 top execs and
sales reps, headed by Robert E,
Dunville, president.

Plan’s basic group outlets are
WLWrT, Cincy; WLW-C, Columbus,
and WLW-Dj Dayton, O., with
WLW-A, Atlanta, and WLW radio,
Cincy, as optional.

Sales force was directed to ac-
quaint the client with the advan-
tages of the package plan before
the broadcast budget is given to
the time buyer. Also to enter into
competition for all mass media
budget dollars.

The advertiser, under the Cros-
ley group, purchases time simul-
taneously on all the component
supplements and rates embody a
discount for quantity buying. The
group is promoted and sold as ail
individual entity offering one mar-
ket, and one rate.

Harry Mason Smith, vice-presi-
dent of sales said the program
“will be the biggest independent
advertising campaign ever directed
at the client level. We look for it
to stir up real interest and accept-
ance among the nation’s clients.”

The Crosley group story is being
spread in a series of ads on the
theme of “Wantmanship,” empha-
sizing the movement of products.

Participating in the conferences
besides Dunville and Smith were
Kieran TT Murphy, v.p. <ad treas-
urer; John T. Murphy, v.p. in
charge of television operations;
James Leonard, v.p. of WLW-D;
William P. Robinson, v.p. of WLW-
A; Harry P. Albrecht, v.p. of cen-
tral division; Bernard Musnik, v.p*
of eastern division.

George Henderson, general sales
manager, Crosley tv outlets; Carlos
Franco, general sales manager for
radio; Richard K. Jones, director,
client service department; Janies
E. Allen, director of publicity and
television promotion; Bernie Barth,
program director for tv and radio;
Robert H. Boulware, manager,
WLW-T; John K. Frazier, director
of merchandising; William Me*
Cluskey, tv sales service manager,

Barney Ochs, Charles Dodsworth,
James Burgess, Jim Anderson,
George Moore, Dick McCarthy,
Andy Niedenthal, Lou Hummel,
Dale Smith, Greg Lincoln, Harry
Mulford, Frank Mathews, Elden
Roxburgh, Bill Johnson, John Shel-
don, Fred Bauman, Dick Wittweiy
Bill MacRae, Gene Sumher, Scott
McLean, Don Donahue, Tom Toye,
Bill Stark, George Gray, Dick Os-
borne, all Crosley staffers, and
Rod Shearer of the A. C. Nielsen
Co., N.Y.C., arid Tom McFadden
of NBC Spot Sales.

r si

(w

SUPER POWER

WGALTV

LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA

m

r

316,000 WATTS

'•• vT '////yy.v

'<• - s, ,, , .

Covers a vast, prosperous

iet for

dollar

Steinman Station

Clair McCollough, President

Reprewnlcd h/

MEEKER TV, Inc.

N p A ' " s K ' C m

■- M 'j o : : A N G E L E , ‘.AN ' R i N '. ! 5 C O

Wednesda y, August 25 , 1954

NBC opens the Year of Excitement on television

when “MAX LIEBMAN PRESENTS

On Sunday, September 12, 1954, at 7:30 pm NYT
. . . some 50,000,000 people will stop what they’re
doing and tune in their NBC Television station.

■V

EACH

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

P&RIETT

T

Even people who have come to take their:
sets for granted ... the “sometimes” view--
ers, will behave as they did in the early
days of television. Dates will be cancelled.
Families will gather. Sets will be moved
into the dining room. Or dinner will be
finished in the living room.

And here’s why.

On September 12, America will see a Pre-
miere of Broadway calibre. A 90-minute,
all “live” Musical*, starring wonderful.

explosive Betty Hutton, in her TV debut!
And thus will begin a series of super-
shows master-minded by the originator and
producer of “Your Show of Shows”. Writ-
ten and directed by the theatre’s topmost
talent. Performed by the illustrious stars
below. And every show will be “live”.

Anyone within range of one of the thou-
sands of color sets now in use, will have
the extra thrill of brilliant rca Compatible
Color Television!

The nbc Spectaculars “max liebmaN

presents”, will be marveled at every

•

fourth Sunday and every fourth Saturday
. . . and talked about right through The
Year of Excitement on Television!

“LIVE" NBC SPECTACULARS

TELEVISION

A SERVICE OF RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA

x-Tf '

VARIETY’S weekly chart of city-by-city ratings of syndicated and no*
tional spot film covers 40 to 60 cities reported by American Research Bureau
on a monthly basis . Cities will be rotated each week, with the 10 top-rated
film shows listed in each case, and their competition shown opposite • All
ratings are furnished by ARB, based on the latest reports .

This VARIETY chart represents a gathering of all pertinent inform th
tion about film in each market, which can be used by distributors, agencies,
stations and clients as ah aid in determining the effectiveness of a filmed
show in the specific market . Attention should be paid to time — day and

time factors, since sets-in-use and audience composition vary according to
time slot, i.e., a Saturday afternoon children *s show, with a low rating* may
have a large share and an audience compose# largely of children, with cor-
responding results for the sponsor aiming at the children's market * Abbre-
viations and symbols are as follows: (Adv»), adventuret (Ch), children's;
(Co), comedy; (Dr), drama; (Doc), documentary; (Hus), musical $
(Myst), mystery; (Q), <juh; (Sp), sports; (W), western; (Worn),
women**- Numbered Symbols next to station cedi letters represent the sta-
tion’s channel ; all channels above 13 are VHF. Those ad agencies listed as

o . .

distributors rep the national spot sponsor for whom the film is aired.

TOP 10 PROGRAMS
AND TYPE

LOS ANGELES

STATION

DISTRII.

PAY AND
TIME

JULY

RATING

Approx. Set Count - — 1,730,000

SHARI USE TOP COMPETING PROGRAM

(•/•I SETS IN PROGRAM STA. RATING

0 . KNXT (2), KNBH (4), KTLA (5), KABC (7),

Stations- — KHJ (9), KTTV (11), KCOP (13)

2. Waterfront (Dr)

6. Superman (Adv) — . ,

7. My Hero (Com) ......

8. Heart of the City (Dr!
9- City Detective (Myst) .

. . . 20.9

45. ..../...

46.7 Hometown Jamboree. . .

....KCOP

.'. .20.3, /. .... . .

43 , ....

47.4 Name’s the Same

...KABC

8.8

. . . 19.6

3ft. ..... . . .

51.8 Spade Cooley ,/♦..

. . . KTLA

. . .18.7 ...... ...

38..

49.9 Favorite Story.

....KTTV

...... .12.9

. . . 18.7 . ■

27.........

51.1 < Spade Cooley. .........

....KTLA

,,.....10.3

.18.4. ...... ...

28.,

64.6 Voice of Firestone ......

./..KABC

,,..,..12.9

• «■« 15«3.«

25. ....... /

61.7 Kraft TV Theatre......

....KNBH

. . .14.4

36... ... ...

40.1 The Web. ......

.//.KNXT

....... 13.3

. . ,13.9 . . . ;

37.........

37.4 Roller Derby. . . ........

KTLA

♦ 13*5 «*#♦••*••

40......../

33.8 Range llider.

....KNXT

* • ■ • * • v 6.3

BOSTON Approx. Set Count— 1,15c), 1

1. I Led Three Lives (Dr) . WNAC ......... Ziv.. , .... .... ... , . Mon. 7:00-7:30 ........ .23.9. . ... , . . .

2. Foreign Intrigue (Dr) ...WBZ Sheldon Reynolds. .Thurs. 10:30-11:00 ......23.4

3. Range Rider (W) ...WBZ.. ....... ..CBS .Sun. 7:00-7:30 ...... ..18.7

4. Mr. District Attorney (Adv). . .WNAC .Ziv. .Tues. 10:30-11:00 . ..... .17.4.

5. City Detective (Myst), WBZ MCA ....... .Tues. 10:30-11:00 ..... .17.0. . .......

6. Superman (Adv) WNAC Flamingo Fri. *6:30-7:00 15.2

WBZ

CBS

.... Sat, 6:00-6:30 ...

.......13.2

59

WBZ

Guild

.... Tues. 8:00-8:30 . .

• ••».»•• 11 i r i » » » > < •

40

WNAC

. . . . Ziv

Fri. *10:45-11:15

55

WNAC

, . . . . Ziv. . . .

. . Thurs. 6:00-6:30 .

65

Stations — WBZ (4), WNAG (7)

91 . , . ....... 26.3 Frontier Playhouse . . WBZ ^ ....... 1.9

Nightly Newsletter. ..WBZ 2.9

62 37.6 Place the Face ............. WNAC ..... .13.9

71 26.4 Center Stage WNAC ...... 7.7

49 . ... 35.4 City Detective , \ .'. .WBZ ...» .17.0

48 .. ...... . *35;4 Mr. District Attorney ...... .WNAC 17.4

81 .. ...... . 18,6 News— Victor Best ......... WBZ 3.2

’frontier Playhouse. .. ..... .WBZ . 3.5

59 22.3 Badge 714. ........WNAC ...... 9.1

40 289 The Goldbergs........... ..WNAC ......16.0

55 19 71 FUm Short. .....> WBZ 5.2

News; Waterfront. . . .WBZ .11.0

65. 14.4 News— Victor Best. . . .... . . WBZ 5.8

Hopalong Cassidy. . . . .. , .WBZ 4.2

1. Racket Squad (Adv) ........

. . WSB

. . . ABC ............

..Sun. 10:00-10:30 ,

««•»»«, 24,5 ••• •*••••

70

2. Superman (Adv)

. . WSB

, . . Flamingo .

..Wed. 7:00-7:30 ..

17.7

48.........

3. Mr, District Attorney (Adv).

...WSB. .......

. . . Ziv. . . . '.

. . .Fri. 7:00-7:30 . . .

55

4. Lone Wolf (Adv) ...........

r. WSB. ...

...UTP

..Mon. 10:30-11:00

75..

5. Death Valley Days (W)

, WAGA

. . .'McCann-Erickson

...Mon. 10:00-10:30

54....

6. Badge 714 (Myst)

. .WLW-A. .....

.. NBC.

. . Wed. 8:30-9:00 . .

14 0. . . ....

2R . .

7. Annie Oakley (W) . .

..WSB ...... .

. . . CBS

. . Sat. 6:00-6:30 .. .

86.

8. Liberace (Mus)

..WLW-A..,..

. . . Guild. ....

. . Mon, 7:00-7:30 ..

13,0

49

9. Boston Blackie (Myst)

..WLW-A. .. .

.../Ziv. . /./..;...

. . .Wed. 8:00-8:30 . .

29..

10. Ramar of the Jungle (Adv) .

. . WSB

. . . TP A'.

..Fri. 5:30-6:00 ...

56...

DAYTON Approx. Set Count — 300,000

1. Mr. District Attorney (Adv) ... WLW-D Ziv ...Wed. 9:30-10:00 ........2

2. Boston Blackie (Myst) /; . WLW-D Ziv. ... Tues. 9:30-10:00... ....... 2

3. Badge 714 (Myst)..... WLW-D NBC... Mon. 9:30-10:00 ....... .1

4. I Led Three Lives (Dr).. WHIO. ........ .Ziv Tues. 8:00-8:30 .... 1

5. Life With Elizabeth (Com) WLW-D .Guild Thurs. 9:30-10:00 ....... 1

6. Kit Carson (W) WLW-D MCA Sun. 5:00-5:30 . . 1

7. City Detective (Myst) . WLW-D. ... . r. . , MCA Fri. 8:30-9:00 \

8. Waterfront (Dr) WHIO .......... UTP ............. ./At. 9:30-10:00 1

9. Annie Oakley <W> ........... . WLW-D ........ .CBS Sun. 2:00-2:30 ......... . 1

10. Wild Bill Hickok (W)., WLW-D. ....... Flamingo. ........ .Wed, 6:00-6:30

35.2 Favorite Story. .WAGA 9.2

36.7 Godfrey and Friends. ...... . WAGA .17.7

29.4 Ozzie and Harriet. ... 7; ... . WLW-A 8.5

19.8 Sky Theatre , WLW-A 3.4

26.2 Newsroom /WSB 8.5

50.1 I’ve Got A Secret WAGA 23.8

15.4 World News.. ............ .WAGA 1.7

Suppefr Club . . . . : WLW-A . ., . 1.3

26.4 Bprns and Allen. .......... .WAGA 12.9

42.7 Strike It Rich .... i WAGA 18.5

21.7 Lucky 11 Ranch....*, .WLW-A 89

■<*

Stations — WLW-D (2), WHIO (7)

Wednesday, Angus! 25, 1954

PiSidEfr

TV-FILMS

85

TIME A VIDPIX TOUGHIE

»_ 104 n:_ r:.- 1

• »

Q

Of WCBS-TV’s 124 upcoming proem pix In New York, the 13
made especially for video by Princess; Pictures in 1953-54. (with
Vitaplx distributing- and 13 additional being shot) line up as follows
on titles and cast principals:

Black Forest — Peggy Ann Garner, Akim Tamiroff ; Double-Barrel
Miracle— Lee Bowman; Fire One— Don Ameche, Ian Hunter; The
Sergeant A The Spy— Richard Ney, Janis Carter; Doorway to Sus-
picion— Jeffrey Lynn, Linda Carroll; Eight Witnesses — Peggy Ann
Garner, Dennis Price; The Lie— Lee Bowman; Phantom Caravan-
Don Ameche; Amiable Lady— Richard Ney; The Venusian— Helmut
Dantine; Checkmate — Jeffrey Lynn; Double Profile — Janis Carter;
Diplomatic Passport— Don Taylor, Marsha Hunt.

General Pix

Of 61 general pix, nine are distribbed by Nat Gassman (Atlantic
Pictures) and date from 1949-54. Among them are:

The Great Dan Patch— Dennis O’Keefe, Gail Russell, Henry Hull;
Cat Women of Moon— Sonny Tufts, Marie Windsor, Victor. Jory;
Capt. Scarface — Barton MacLane, Virginia Grey, Leif Erickson;
3 Stops to' Murder— Tom Conway; Contraband Cargo— Philip Reed;
Born to the Saddle— Donald Woods, Leif Erickson; Love Island—
Eva Gabor, Paul Valentine; Return of Plainsman— Chips Rafferty.
Latter is also in “Fighting Rats of Tobruk,” one of two Sereen-
craft-distribbed pix produced in 1950-51; othey is ‘’Flying Saucer”
with Mikel Conrad. -

Twentyeight titles are from ARC-TV (1942-54), of which the
marquee leaders are:

Murder Will Out— Valerie Hobson; Miss Robin Hood— Margaret
Rutherford, Richard Hearne; Scotch on the Rocks— Raymond Hunt-
ley, Ronald Squire; The Bells Go Down— James Mason, Tommy
Trinder; Big Blockade— MichaeU* Redgrave, John Mills, Robert
Morley; Edge of Divorce— Valerie Hobson; Runaway Bus— Marga-
ret .Rutherford; Brandy for the Parson — James Donald, Kenneth
More; Black Sheep of Whitehall — John Mills, Basil Sydney, Felix
Aylmer; Fiddlers Three— Tommy Trinder; Judgment Deferred—
Hugh Sinclair. Other feature players are better known abroad
than here, but familiar faces in the U.S. nevertheless. One pic
is a documentary. The Vikings.

Major TV has three on the list and these were made in 1950-53.
One is “South Sea Adventure,” a documentary type with western
writer Zane Grey in the cast as an angler.

Cherly TV has five in the lot of 1952-53 dating. They are:

Battles of Chief Pontiac— Lex Barker, Lon Chaney Jr.; Break-
down — Bill Bishop; Run for the Hills — Sonny Tufts, Barbara Pay-
ton; Hell Is Sold Out— Mai Zetterling; Death Is A Mockery —
Donald Huston. , v

Four from Quality (1950-52) are:

My Outlaw Brother — Mickey Rooney, Robert Preston, Wanda
Hendrix, Robert Stack; Eye Witness — Robert Montgomery; Istan-
bul— Virginia Bruce; Unknown World — Marilyn Nash. I

Telfe Pictures (Official Films) has supplied seven made in 1953
as follows:

Tall Lie — Paul Henreid, Kathleen Hughes; Tall Texan — Lloyd
Bridges, Marie Windsor; The Jungle — Rod Cameron, Cesar' Romero,
Marie Windsor; Limping Man — Lloyd Bridges; Hellgate— Sterling
Hayden, Joan Leslie, Ward Bond; Bad Blonde— Barbara Payton;
Hollywood Thrillmakers— James Gleason. .

Cardinal’s lone entry (1951) is The Well, with Richard Rober,
Barry Kelly, Henry Morgan. Another loner, from Commonwealth
(’51), Is House of Dr. Belhomme, with Mary Stone and Berisford
Egan. , ’ '

British

British-made features total 17, with Tele -Pictures handling
the ’52-’53 product of which the marquee leaders arc:

Gambler & Lady — Dane Clark; I’ll Get You— George Raft;
Spaceways-^-Howard Duff; Terror Street — Dan Duryea; Shadow
Man— Cesar Romero; Norman Conquest— Tom Conway; White
Fire— Scott Brady, Mary Castle; Man From Cairo — George Raft;
Black Glove— Alex Nicol; Fangs of the Wild— Charles Chaplin
Jr., Onslow Stqvens; Heat Wave — Alex Nicol, Hillary Brooke;
Blackout — Dane Clark; Paid to Kill — Dane Clark; Bandit Island— ^
Lon Chaney Jr.

Mysteries

Associated Artists Productions has a dozen in the Sherlock
Holmes 1942-46 series starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce,
and Governor TV is distrib for eight pix in the Bulldog Drummond
package, making a bundle of 20 in the mysterioso category. The
supporting players in the individual Rathbone-Bruce sleuthers
are Patricia Morison; Hillary Brooke (two pix); Lionel Atwill,
Alan Mowbray, John Abbott, Evelyn Ankers, Kay Harding, Mar-
jorie Lord; Dennis Hoey (two pix) and Aubrey Mather. Gover-
nor’s Bulldog Drummond octet includes three John Barrymores
supported by John Howard and Louise Campbell in all and Regi-
nald Denny in one. Howard himself is starred, in four with Heather
Angel in all, H. B. Warner in three and Anthony Quinn and Leo
Carroll in one each. Eighth is a Ray Milland starrer with Sir
Guy Standing and Miss Angel in support. '

Sagebrush Heroes Lament New Tabus in Cleanup

Of Oater Vidpix

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

There are more tabus then either
horses or heavies riding the tv
range in sagebrush sagas, accord-
ing to the Screen Writers Guild
Bulletin, which says a hero can’t
even kiss his hoss on video.

Cautioning scribes to hitch up
their typewriters for the vidpix
cprys, the article says: “Those who
have ridden through the tabu
range in movies find that cantering
in tv is even more jolting. You’re
saddled with virtues. “Lone
Ranger,” for instance, cannot
drink, smoke, kiss a lady, or even
nis horse. He may never be seen
without his mask. He speaks good
English always, never shoots to
*111, merely to disarm.

“Annie Oakley” is famous for
being a deadshot. She can shoot
cigaret butts out of a Varmint’s
mouth, or neck off a whisky bottle
while it’s being poured, but never
kills any critter.

“Wild Bill Hickok” can’t drink,
smoke, or indulge in serious flirta-
tion. “Oakley” is all-business too.
But Dick West, Range Rider’s as-
sistant, falls in love all the time.
Tabus are the same for Gene Autry
and Roy Rogers: no drinking, no
cruelty except those well-dubbed
fistfights which would smash nor-
mal men to pulp; no lovemaking
which again would involve them
with normalcy. Kit Carson has
more leeway and his friend, El
| Toro Is a positive Casanova.

r That sizable upbeat in national
sifot buying of telefilms that was
forecast as a result of the SRO
status of the three major networks
now seems highly unlikely to ma-
terialize. If there is any expansion
in national spot buying, it will oc-
cur in the area it. already domi-
nates, namely the purchase of nfop-
pet series, particularly westerns
and adventure shows.

Paradoxically, the network SRO,
which would be the reason for
greater national spot buying since
potential national clients would
have no other means of getting
national , exposure, is at the same
time responsible for the limited
potential for national spot sales,
It boils down to a problem of time
clearances. That SRO situation
means that 1 prime time in individ-
ual markets is virtually unavail-
able, and few bankrollers are go-
ing to pour $25,000 a week into a
filmed show only to have it spotted
on a third-rate station in fringe
time.

As far as the kidpix go, they’re
a natural for the .. Class B time
areas. The weekday and Saturday
periods between 5 and 7 p.m. is
flooded with the kidfilms bank-
rolled by national sponsors (Kel-
logg with “Superman” and “Wild
Bill Hickok,” for example, and
Coca-Cola with “Kit Carson”) . But
as for adult series, there's virtu-
ally no prime evening time open
in the major markets and only few.
segments available in the smaller
cities. That’s why every effort
was made to secure a network
berth for “Halls of Ivy,” even after
it was sold on a basis that per-
mitted national spot exposure.

Even in the case where a deal
has gone through, a semi-network
deal had to be worked out to get
exposure in the keys. This was
the case of H. J. Heinz’s “Studio
57,” which Revue Productions is
turning out for the food outfit.
Maxon agency made a deal for
about 20 stations via the DuMont
web for good evening time, cer-
tainly something Heinz wouldn’t
have settled for had it gone net-
work in the first place. And such
is the SRO situation among NBC,
CBS and ABC that the last-named
reportedly turned Maxon down on
the same type of deal, although it
had given a similar-type setup to
Kellogg for 25 minor markets on
“Superman” and “Wild Bill” in its
“Super CircUs” time.

What with NBC and CBS gradu-
ally eliminating the weeknight
10:30-11 period as station time and
moving into other fringe periods
on the weekend, that time problem
is getting tougher. New York sit-
uation is an example, with two top
national spot shows still without a
home for the fall. They are
“Foreign Intrigue,” which ha? been
forced out of its WNBT (NBC flag-
ship) Thursday at 10:30 slot (now
network time, for “Lux Video
Theatre”), and “The Star and the
Story,” for which Rheingold still
hasn’t found a spot.

Probability is that both will end
up on WABC-TV, the ABC flag-
ship, but even there the time prob-
lem increasingly tough, with the
10:30-11 period on Tuesday , a net-
work province and few nighttime
holes open other than that 10:30-
11 time. There's Tuesday at 8,
Wednesday at 10 and Friday at 10,
plus some weekend holes. But the
station has already committed
much of that open time. And the
outlet is still a hesitant choice
for many bankrollers, since while
the web has been doing well rat-
ing-wise, the N. Y. outlet hasn't*

' 'Touchdown's' 39 Markets

MCA TV Ltd., has sold its
“Touchdown” half-hour vidpix
series in 30 markets since releas-
ing it for syndication less than a
month ago. <

Series is produced for MCA by
Tel JEta, Philly.

‘Late’ Does It Again

In July, WCBS-TV’s “Late
Show” in New York beat Steve
Allen (WNBT), Ernie Kovacs
(WABD) and Jerry Lester
(WABC) combined on the
ARB scoreboard, “Late Show”
is doing it again this month,
with Allen posting a 4.6
Kovacs a 1.4 and Lester an 0.5
for a 6.5 total to a 7.6 average
for the feature filmery in the
11:30 to midnight reckoning
where all four shows compete.
As a footnote to what NBC
i prexy Pat Weaver calls “senile
celluloid,” Pulse gave “Pyg-
malion” a 7.7 on Thursday,
Aug. 5, for the highest Thurs-
day night rating on “Late
Show” since January, 1953.
ARB delivered an 8.2. It was
the 10th time that the Leslie
Howard-Wendy Hiller film had
been shown on N. Y. tv, with
the CBS flagship giving it
half a dozen and the other
exposures coming from WOR-
TV and WPIX.

By MPTV Exec

Erwin (Ez) Ezzes, v.p. and sales
chief of Motion Pictures for Tele-
vision, quickly countered NBC
prexy Pat Weaver’s claims about
the declining value of feature film
stock used for tv. “Could it be
that Pat Weaver took off on films
because the networks are trying to
devour the times now controlled
by the affiliates?” the MPTV exec
asked. He was discussing the pop-
ularity of feature films at hours op-
posite NBC-TV’s upcoming “To-
night” stanza.

Weaver recently in Hollywood
roasted “senile celluloid.” The net-
work topper referred to stations
preferring anything live the webs
could offer rather than take “old
pictures.”

Ezzes said that he didn’t think
Weaver was referring to “old pic-
tures,” because the NBC Film
Division has been one of the
pioneers in promoting use of reruns
on films they distribute, and have
proven, along with the rest of the
industry, that reruns often will
earn a higher rating on the second
(Continued on page 36)

Charlotte Greenwood’s
‘Tugboat Annie’ Vidpix

Hollywood, Auug. 24.

Edward Small has signed Char-
lotte Greenwood for the lead in
“Tugboat Annie,” the next item on
Small’s Television Programs of
America agenda. Series won’t go
before the cameras for several
weeks, with a winter , release prob-
able.

Small had previously dickered
with Marjorie Main to take the
role originated by Marie Dressier,
but the deal fell through.

Donna Reed Changes

Mind About Telepix

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Donna Reed, who’s been shying
away from all tv offers, has finally
agreed to make her teledebut, in
“Portrait, of Lydia,” a Ford tele-
pic being churned out by Screen
Gems.

Vidpic starring the thesp who
won an Oscar for her performance
in “From Here to Eternity” rolls
Sept. *7, with Irving Starr pro-
ducing.

“ NBC prexy Pat Weaver’s crack
‘ last week on the Coast about
“Senile celluloid” - — accompanied
by the quip heard ’round the local
ty world, “Old pictures never die,
their audience slowly fades away”
—may get a postscript in short
order. The. burning question is,
how will strong feature films fare
against a late night show starring
Steve Allen on the Weaver web..
With NBC aiming to cut into local
nightowl programming — and par-
ticularly with its sights set on the
New York market where the CBS
web’s WCBS-TV has enjoyed a
stranglehold for the past couple
years — firstrun product may well
supply part of the answer. Allen’s
“Tonight” show gets going on NBC
next month on a zonal basis origi-
nating from N. Y. at 11:30 p.m.
(with preceding quarter-hour a
local show for his Knickerbocker
Beer mainstay).

Though some observers see “To-
night” as upsetting programming
schedules throughout the country,
the Gotham flagship of CBS insists
that its steady buyihg up of first-
run-in-N. Y. product will prevail
against the extended Allen display,
while theorizing that Allen will
bring new stay-up viewers into
play ( as he’s done on his local
camaraderie from 11:20 to mid-
night, without, however, beating
the Columbia flagship’s “Late
Show” on the rating charts).

WCBS-TV has been building up
its premiere product arsenal to the
point where it currently has 124
pictures ready 'for homescreen ac-
tion starting in the fall. Of the
lot, 26 were made especially for
tv via Vitapix distribution of the
Princess Pictures shootings. (There
are 13 in the can and another 13
(Continued on page 3tf)

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Humphrey Bogart has decided to
take the tele plunge after reject-
ing attractive offers from Chrysler
and various .vidfilmeries. He’s
mapping an anthology series which
he will host and will be presented
along the lines of the Robert
Montgomery show. Star will pro-
duce Under the banner of his San-
tana Productions.

His wife, Lauren Bacall, will be
in some of the telefilms if suitable
scripts can be found. Bogart hasn’t
fixed production date. He does
not think that with this format
he’ll be in competish with him-
self at the film b.o. “Regardless
of whether I’m on tv or not, they’ll
still go see a ‘Caine Mutiny’,” he
reasons and, he adds, “If a minute
or so of me a week is too much
I’d better quit.”

Sam Jaffe is confabbing with
Bogart on details of venture, and
plans are to seek a national spon-
sor.

12-MARKET SALE )N
ALDA’S ‘SECRET FILE’

Official Films is off to a quick
sales start on its Robert Alda-
starring espionage series, “Secret
File, U.S.A.,” with a 12-market
deal with Ohio Oil setting the pace.
Ohio, which, recently changed
agencies (signing with N.W. Ayer),
picked up the series as a replace-
ment for “Life With Elizabeth,”
which it dropped in its midwest
m&rkctSf

Including the Ohio Oil deal, Of-
ficial has the series sold in 48
markets, including sales to WABD,
N. Y„ and to KTTV in Los An-
geles. Series, being produced ip
Amsterdam by Arthur Dreyfuss’
Triangle Productions, shas a Sept.
1 air date.

36

TV-FILMS

Wednesday, August 25 , 1954

Its Bigtime Status at N.Y. Powwow

Three-day sales-production meet-
ing of -ABC Film Syndication at
Paramount Theatres headquarters
in N, Y; f starting today (Wed.) will
mark the end of American Broad-
casting-Paramount Theatre sub-
side “feeling out” phase and its
first real bid for major status . in
the syndication industry. A year
old this month, the operation u£ to
now has' been feeling its way cau-
tiously, having operated only in
the rerun and quarter-hour sphere,
buying its properties outright and
staying completely out of produc-
tion.

Following the meeting, however,
an expanded sales staff will take
to the road with audition prints of
two completely new series, and the
subsid is currently negotiating for
a third. Whereas for the past year
the sales boys have been peddling
proven properties (‘‘Racket Squad” |
and ‘‘Schlitz Playhouse” reruns), j
they must now go into the higher-
priced market with untested prod-
uct, and in an era where price-
cutting is the norm. It’s not unlike-
ly that the firm's sales success on
"Passport to Danger” and ‘‘Man-
drake the Magician,” its two new
properties, will prove the acid test
as to the firm’s future, if for no
other reason than that its moves
are subject to close scrutiny and
approval by the AB-PT board.

Meeting will have all the ABC
sales and executive personnel pres-
ent, along with Hal Roach Jr.,
who’s producing the “Passport” se-
ries, and Bob Mann, John Gibbs
and John Allen, all repping the
"Mandrake” production end. AB-
PT prexy Leonard Goldenson and
ABC exec v.p. Bob O’Brien will 1
sit in on part of the meetings.

Ziv ‘3 Lives At

A double-pronged sales drive by
Ziv on its “I Led Three Lives”
has landed the series in a total of
178 market* Dual nature of the
campaign is due to the fact that
Ziv is selling the first yearls films
in new markets as well as concen-
trating on renewals and new mar-
kets for the second year’s produc-
tion, currently shooting on the
Coast.

Renewal rate on the series, ac-
cording to Ziv, is now at 97 %,
with the series set for the second j
cycle in 133 markets in which it j
played last season. Topping the
latest buys is a nine-market re-
newal by Pfeiffer Brewing for De-
troit, Toledo and seven other mid-
west markets, via Maxon of De- 1
troit. On sales of the first cycle, ‘
Griesedeck Brewing bought two !
midwest markets while Phillips
Petroleum picked up two small
midwesterh markets.

Flo Muller Exits Disney

Florence Muller has quit Walt
Disney Productions, for whose
Character Merchandising Division
she’s been handling xadio-tv bally
1 hoo.

Miss Muller was previously asso-
ciated with the Lou Cowan packag-
ing agency as merchandise chief of
the old "Stop the Music.”

Banks Warm Up To
Vidoix Properties
With Stars as Owners

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Increased use of syndicated tele-
vision by stars as a means to ob-
tain stock ownership of a business
has been predicted by Phil Krasne,
prexy of United Television Pro-
grams, and partnered with Jack
Gross in Gross-Krasne, Inc.

Krasne declared banks now ap-
preciate the soundness of such ven-
tures, averring "a pattern now ex-
ists where an independent tele-
vision operation, properly estab-
lished with a sound property and
a star, can borrow money based
on the distributor’s guarantee of
ultimate grosses.” He said the con-
vincer to banks has been fact that
distribs now can make firm pacts
with stations for 52 weeks, adding
"This kind of a deal is tantamount
to an account receivable, and most
bankers realize it.”

Krasne, who made his remarks at
a meeting of pix and tv account-
ants, said "even if the show is not
sponsored for the entire 52-week
period, the bank’s position is still
sound, because the station has
guaranteed payment.”

He cited the Louis Hayward
series, “Lone Wolf,” a UTP show,
as an example, since Hayward is
partnered in Um venture. He ex-
plained a corporate setup had been
worked out to produce "Wolf” with
Hayward and. G-K each holding
substantial shares. Corporation
obtained a commitment from
Chemical Bank & Trust Co, of be-
tween $750,000 and $1,000,000 for
production, balance of the cost to
be supplied by the company.

"Before this company drew on
its bank loan for the second 13
pictures of the series, ITP already
had contracts in existence to cover
the total bank loan.

Chewy’s ‘Lone Wolf’

Chevrolet Dealers of N. Y. has j
signed as sponsor of “The Lone •
Wolf,” half-hour telefilm series :
starring Louis Hayward. Deal was ;
made with WNBT sales manager;
Jay Heitin for a Saturday aL
11:15 p.m. exposure of the Gross-
Krasne production distributed by !
United Television Programs.

Pact was placed throi^gh Comp- ,
ton agency.

OF SETS CANADIAN
DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS

Official Films this week set
deals for Canadian distribution
rights to do network series, Jack
Chertok’s Ann Sothern-starring
“Private Secretary” and Roland
Reed’s Stu Erwin starrer, “Trouble
With Father.” In each case, the
producers are filming the series
for tobacco sponsors (“Secretary”
for American Tobacco and “Father”
for Chesterfield) but they retain
foreign and residual rights.

Official has also started a Ca-
nadian drive on its new syndicated
Robert Alda starrer, “Secret File,
U.S.A.”

KORLA PANDIT

In % and hour musical shows
presented on film by
LOUIS D, SNADER
(First with-Libera.ee on, TV Film)
*9130 Sunset Hollywood 46

TAP WILL PRICE TO
DIRECT ’HOMER BELL’

Hi Brown’s Galahad Productions
last week signed Will Price to di-
rect its upcoming Gene Lockhart
starrer, "His Honor, Homer Bell,”
which went into production Mon-
day (23) at the Warner Studios
in Brooklyn. Brown is producing
for winter release via the NBC
Film Division.

foiee, although a Coast motion
picture producer - director - writer,
has been active in television, with
his latest project having .been di-
rection of a number of documen-
taries in CBS : TV’s upcoming Sun-
day afternoon series, "The Search.”
Incidentally, he broke into films as
technical advisorelialog director of
"Gone With the Wind,” currently
in one of its periodic rereleases.

*

Vidpix Chatter

New York *

Actress Karen Lindgren has
joined Film Creations as asst, to
producer Ed Carroll and asst, di-
rector on commercials currently
shooting . . . Doreen Lang, whose
last N. Y. tv’er was as Art Carney’s
costar on "Studio One,” in H’wood
for video appearances • . . .Busby
Berkeley signed, by Gross-Krasne
to direct next two in Lever’s "Big
Town” series.” . . . Dorothy Patrick
set for lead opposite Guy Madison
in "Wild Bill Hickok” skein . , .
UTP has sold "Rocky* Jones, Space
Ranger” to WNCT-TV, Greenville,
N. C., and Ken Murray’s “Where
Were You” to WJTV, Jackson,
Miss. . . . Jack J. Gross and Eddie
Sutherland planed in from Coast
for huddles with Lever Bros, on
new "Big Town” series.

Dick Donner. of George Blake
Enterprises is in Louisville for
week of shooting film commercials
for BBD&O agency.

Actress Mary Sinclair just back
from Europe, where she did two
telefilms, for a three-week visit, at
the end of which she returns for
two more pix . . . Wilfred Jackson
stopped over briefly on his return
i from Europe en route to the Coast,
| where he’ll direct several cartoon
| subjects for ABC-TV’s upcoming
“Disneyland” series .

Rockhiil’s Heart Blurbs

Rockhill Productions * started
shooting last Thursday ;( 19) on 3
series of announcements for the
American Heart Assn., , with Jack
Webb, Kirk Douglas, Martha Scott,
Burgess Meredith . and Basil Bath-
bone delivering the pitches.

.Blurbs, running from 30 sec-
onds to two and one-half minutes,
will be presented on 350 tv stations,
and in 400 theatres during the
AHA’s campaign.

Steve Allen Vs. Pix

Continued from pace 35

to come from Princess’ production
line.)

Of the other features, 61 are in
the general category, most of them
postwar productions and heavily
laden with stars and .good support.
Biggest output is from American-
British TV, amounting to 28 titles
and a flock of names. British-
made pix total 17, With Tele Pic-
tures (Official Films) distributing,
and date from 1952. Of 20 mys-
teriosos in . the bundle, .they’re

divided between a dozen from As-
sociated Artists Productions star- 1
ring Basil Rathbone and Nigel
Bruce in the Sherlock Holmes
series and eight from Governor
TV with the Bulldog Drummond'
titles fronting John Barrymore,
John Howard and Ray Milland
separately.

(There’s one curiosity item in.
the lot, James A. Fitzpatrick’S
“Livingstone, Man of Africa.” In
name role was Percy Marmont, a
bigwig of the silents who crossed
over into the talker era briefly'.
There’s no date of production listed
and a check of principal sources
does not reveal that it ever went
into theatrical release in this coun-
try. Apparently it was withdrawn
from domestic distribution in favor
of 20th-Fox’s identically themed
“Stanley and Livingstone” starring
Spencer Tracy (1939). However,
there’s a listing of “Livingstone
of Africa,” a British-made pic of
1929.)

WCBS-TV has telecast 137 N. Y.
firstruns so far this year, and for
the upcoming preems has set an
elaborate sales promotion based
on a pocket brochure with the
theme, “We’re piling ’em up.”

‘Old Fix’

Continued from pa Re 35

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PRODUCERS

Now Available for Your New
Seasons Production Schedules

FILM

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* Fully Equipped 35 MM Sound Studio

* 60x60 Clear Shooting Space 22 Hi£h

* 10 Minutes From Mid-Manhattan

For Added Information Call

CARL RITCHIE

’ > Phoite RAic. Sivbod 8-8988 .■

FAVORITE STORY
(The Empty Holster)

It’s a cinch that color tv, much
as color theatrical films,' cart’t by
itself uplift a. flagging story, but it
makes the viewing' much more
pleasant. That’s the general im-
pression gleaned from the first tint
showing (via WNBT. N. Y.) Of Ziv’s
“Favorite Story” series. Film
chosen, a western titled '“The
Empty Holster,” was a routine
oatec somewhat on the dull side,
but it w a s well-picked in terms of
its suitability for tint transmission.

Color quality was topnotch, with
a low contrast range but clear de-
tails and outdoor' shots stressed.
While others in the all-tint “Favor-
ite Story” series haven’t been
screened yet in Color, it’s virtually
certain that "Holster” is technical-
ly one of the best in the lot. along
with the fact that as a western, it
lends itself better to tint than :
others in the series/ ■ . . .

As of the moment, it’s a novelty i

and one that Ziv will be sure to
make the most of. But it points up
the sure-as-taxes fact that in five
or 10 years, when tintfilm is the
rule rather than the exception, col-
or alone won’t make a show. "Fa-
vorite Story” has come up witli
some pretty good episodes in the
past, but this wasn’t one of them.

Story of an outlaw determined to
get revenge on a .sheriff lacked
pace and excitement, except for a
tense closing scene. This was one
of those 10-minute stories expand-
ed into a half-hour, with most of
the time spent setting the stage for
the final gun duel. But- the devices
used to set this up were so trans-
parently filler methods that the
film as a whole was on the dull
side.

Robert Wilke did a slick job as
the outlaw, while Clark Ho wat and
Nan Leslie were okay as the sheriff
and his frau. Scribbling and direc-
tion 1 on this edition were- - g,

Charii

time around.” Ezzes felt that a
good pic. feature or otherwise, had-
definite repeat value in all mar-
kets.

He pointed to the fact that
MPTV has done substantially the
same in sales of features among.
the 108 "pre-freeze” stations during
the past two years as was done by
the distrib outfit in ’52. Where all
current tele ops are concerned,
MPTV sales — and this" was just an
example by Ezzes — are "easily
100% better” now than in 1952.
(The company is currently In about
180 markets with feature films.)

"There are only two reasons why
a program plays a market/’ Ezzes
observed. "One, to. get an audience
and, parenthetically an advertiser,
and, two, because of the cost.”

Decrying the Weaver “old
picture” creed, Ezzes said that
features can be exposed sometimes
as much as 12 times in some large
markets. He felt the number would
depend on how intelligently pix
were scheduled. Unlike features
for theatrical use, video product
can hit any of five or six audience
groups, and still pull ratings.
According to Ezzes feature film
times on the -local .tele op range
from 11 p.m. or thereabouts, to 3
or 4 p.m., to noon or even morning
sign-on, so that the life of a film
in a given, town doesn’t depend
only on the actual number of times
shown but also when in the day.
One time it’ll hit kids, another the
housefrau .and another the -bread
winnej. The MPTV sales topper
felt that features were the lowest
cost per' thousand program avail-
able to stations and that they were
valuable for placement of national
spot commercials.

• 'While '^inerlcan-jmade vidmV
"will play an' important part i n the
development and expansion” 0 f
Bntisfc video, it doesn’t imply that
either BBC or the new commercla
channel will permit oversaturation
of celluloid &om American shores.
It’s the belief of Dave Sutton
veepee in charge of MCA TV Ltd’
who just returned from England
and the Continent, that if such
were to happen there would be
hard feelings by British producers.

Already; however, MCA has sold
BBC 'Tm the Law” and "Famous
Playhouse.” And Sutton, of his
London trip, indicated that a deal
to air “Dragnet” via English video
looks promising, Aside from the
immediate sales aspects of his
jurikeV Sutton said that it was
made to expand MCA TV distribu-
tion operations abroad.

Sutton noted that with the pas-
sage of the bill for commercial
video by Parliament, creating also
the possibility for a second tv chan-
nel, the importance of England’s
vidpix potential "becomes ap-
parent.” He said he intends ask-
ing for enlarging the present for-
eign branches; in England and
elsewhere, as soon as there is any
demand in ant area.

Employment of a second tv
channel, SuttOn found through dis-
cussions with various British tele
authorities, is facing several dif-
ficulties but her asserted that inter-
est in the plan was strong. The
second channel would be limited
to operating three to five hours
daily starting in the fall of ’55.
"This widening of the television
scope is so eageriy looked forward
to that the technical drawbacks in
the establishment of the second
channel are not being given too
much weight.” Sutton repeated
three objections to a second chan-
nel, saying - that its proponents have
strong arguments also. ’ On the
con side he said there is (1) per-
haps inadequate supply of priority
materials, particularly ’steel, to
build another channel: (2) none of
Great Britain’s 3,500,000 video re-
ceivers could handle another chan-
nel without conversion, and (3i a
change in political parties in the
1956 elections might negate com-
mercial video.

However, proponents of the sec-
ond channel felt that "the building
delay will not seriously, effect the
progress of negotiations; that the
cost of conversion, which. will run
between $15 and $50, is not a seri-’ 1
ous handicap, considering the Eng-
lishman’s desire to. have more and
better hpme entertainment. As for
the Dossibility of a Labor victory,
by^ the' time of eleciion public
opinion may exert a positive ef-
fect on the solution.” 4

•Sutton said that Britain’s big
biz sees the second, channel as ob-
vious and that many firms are
"jockeying to secure a good posi-
tion when and if the race begins,
irrespective of initial costs.” A
startling fact pointed out by Sut-
ton;’ and one strong in creation of
commercial video in England, is
that many of that country’s cor-
poration ad budgets are as much
as 35% underspent. This because
present media have not sufficiently
grown to equal post-war British
product sales.

Sutton reiterated the consensus
of English authorities, he said,
when he observed that the two or
perhaps three "program brokers”
(producers), responsible to the new
commercial Television Authority,
will program horizontally. For ex-
ample, broker number one on
three nights; broker number two
on three nights, with a possibility
of both sharing Sabbath program
chores.

V White Owl Cigars, is currently
rounding out plans, through agency
Young & Rubicam, to sponsor a
sportfr series owned by Station
Distributors. • Services of gabber
Mel Allen are being sought to star
in the once-a-week 15-minute vid-
pic. ' : -■

Sponsor contract .with Station
Distributors^, calls\ for slotting in
five market^,: stations, as yet
unknown. There are no restrictions
on the series owner to* syndicate
in all other markets 1 , ’format is a
.quizzer using. <iootage o£ various

airante

Wednesday, Avgust 25, 1954

WeAne*d»y, Au*n.t 25, 1954

Best British Sheet Sellers

By HERM ECHOENFE

Frankie Laine & The Four Lads:
“Rain, Rain, Rain”-“Your Hcart-
My Heart*’ (Columbia), “Rain” is
a modern-day - spiritual with the
type of driving beat that Frankie
Laine can ride for maximum
results. It's in the “Dry Bones”
genre and should get plenty . of
juke spins. Four Lads give snappy
chofal back-grounding. Flip is a
fine ballad adaptation of an old
German waltz and could build into
the top side for the long pull. Paul
Weston’s orch and chorus give an
important assist to Laine’s straight
vocal.

Tony Martin: “Let’s Try Again”-
“Uno” (Victor). Why Tony Martin
isn’t a more consistent producer
of click disks is one of those show
biz bafflers, but his lightly swing-
ing workover of the oldie, “Let’s
Try Again,’’ has the ingredients of
a top commercial side. Ditto for
his slice of “Uno,” a fine number
in the Latin groove where Martin

lists. “Fortune In Dreams” is a
good ballad with a bluesy quality
okay for Miss Starr’s jazz attack.

Frank Weir Orch: “The Bandit”-
“By Candlelight” (London). Still
riding with “The Happy Wander-
er,” Frank Weir should gamer
some attention with this coupling.
Weir gives the same prominent
spotting to the soprano sax in “The
Bandit,” a number which failed to
make the grade here about six
months ago via a lyric version.
Reverse is a pretty ballad lushly
arranged with a choral treatment.

-Ethel Merman-Jimmy Duranfte-
Ray Bqlger: “A Husband, A Wife”-
“The Lake Song” (Decca). On one
side of this disk, Ethel Merman
teams with Jimmy Durante on
“Husband,” a novelty duet with
some laughs but not getting the
maximum comedy potential out of
this duo. Flip teams Miss Merman
with Ray Bolger on another novel-
ty that strains for the gag effect.

FRANKIE LANE-4 LADS ; RAIN, RAIN, RAIN

( Columbia ) . ..i .You r Heart — My Heart

TONY MARTIN LET’S TRY AGAIN

(RCA Victor) . .....Uno

GEORGIE SHAW . , . GIVE ME THE RIGHT

(Decca) .'. ; . . . .Yearning'

JIMMIE KOMACK . . .

(Coral) ! .

THE NICKNAME SONG

, . Cold Summer Blues

generally excels. He belts this one
with his usual romantic wallop
with Henri Rene’s orch and chorus
lending topflight atmospheric sup-
port. .

Georgie Shaw: “Give Me The
Right”-“Yearning” (Decca). Decca’s
bright new wax name, Georgle
Shaw, comes up with another
potent contender in “Give Me The
Right,” cleffed by the same team
(Marty Gold & Tom Glazer) which
launched him on “Till We Two Are
One.” This is another lilting num-
ber with an appealing lyric tailored
for Shaw’s unaffected, onen-voiced
vocalizing. Shaw’s pleasing job on
the flip standard, “Yearning,” also
rates attention.

Jimmie Komack: “The Nic-
Name Song”-“Cold Summer Blues”
(Coral). Jimmie Komack, a ver-
satile singing comedian in niteries
and legit musicals, shows another
bright facet of his talent in this
wax debut on a couple of his own
tunes. “Ni c-Na me” is a clever and
catching nqvelty with flash** hit
potential. . Komack delivers the
tongue-twisting lyric with dex-
terity. Bottom deck is a firstrate
oldfashioned blues number and
Komack does it with high-pitched
pipes but with a lowdown feel.

Kay Starr: “Am I A Toy Or A
Treasure”-“Fortune In Dreams”
(Capitol). Kay Starr can do no
wrong on wax.. “Toy” is in a solid
commercial pattern and the Starr
interpretation gives this side
strength for the jock and juke

7YRIETY

It loses in the abstract, i.e. sans
their visual personalities.

Band Of The Bull Ring Madrid:
“La Giralda”-“El Gato Montes”
(Decca). Two interesting sides
etched in Spain with the authentic
ring of bullfight music. One side
denicts the entry of the matador
and the other, the bull. Both* are
colorful instrumentals valuable for
any library.

Perez Prado Orch: “Skokiaan”-
“The High And The Mighty”
(Victor). “Skokiaan” shaoes up as
solid mambo fare for the Perez
Prado outfit. This tune, by way of
South Africa, is g ; ven a light hip-
swinging beat without destroying
the spirit Of the original. Prado is
not so successful with his handling
of the pic theme, “High And The
Mighty,” as a mambo piece.

Lawrence Welk Orch: “The
Greatest Feeling In The World”-
“Luxembourg Polka” (Coral). Law-
rence Welk’s crew has carved a
payoff formula out of an accordion
plus a simple beat and these sides
are typical of their output. “Great-
est Feeling” is a simple, appealing
ballad which never deviates from
the beat. Flip is in the straight
polka genre for which this band
is noted on the Coast.

Johnny Holiday: “Julie Is Her
Name”-"She Doesn’t Laugh Like
You” (Pacific Jazz). Johnny Holi-
day, a Chicago crooner, registers
as a promising newcomer on his
initial sides for this indie label,
which ' generally specializes in

( Week ending Aug, 14)
London. Aug. 17.
Things Mean a Lot. . .Robbins

Cara Mia . - .Robbins

Coins in Fountain. ..... .Feist

Little Shoemaker Bourne

Happy Wanderer. ... .Bosworth

Wanted Harms-Connelly

Never Land. . ..Keith Prowse

Idle Gossip Bron

Secret Love.. .Harms-Connelly

My Friend . . .Chappell

Gaily Osserifeffer ..... .'.‘Spier
Heart of My Heart. . .F.D.&H.

Second 12

Friends, Neighbors . . . .Reine
Story of Tina. . . .Macmelodies
I Get So Lonely. .... .Maddox
Young at Heart. . . .. .Victoria
Don’t Laugh At Me,. . . . .Toff
The Book ... Kassner

Someone Else’s Roses. Fields

Smile . ...... ..Bourne

West of Zanzibar Bluebird

Cross Over Bridge New World
Midnight ..... ...... .Wood

D’dw’d Stage...Harms-Connelly

modem jazz. Holiday has sensitive
pipes somewhat reminiscent of
Frank Sinatra, and shows con-
siderable savvy in ballad phrasing.
“Julie” is a slow-tempoed number
which he handles prettily. Flip is
another good piece of material but
not a sufficient change of pace for
this coupling.

Brother Lee Roy Orch: “Am I A
Toy Or A Treasure”-“Belleve Me”
(Epic). This orch, headed by Ray
Anthony’s brother, Leroy, comes
up with a fair dance version of
“Toy Or Treasure.” Vocal by a
male ensemble is commonplace as
is the instrumental arrangement.
Crew’s workover of “Believe Me”
is more Spirited.

Les Elgart Orch: “The Little
White Duck”-“Zing! Went The
Strings Of My Heart” (Columbia).
Les Elgart’s orch, which winds up
its stand at the Hotel Astor’s Roof,
N. Y„ this week, has cut an amus-
ing side in “White Duck” with a
swinging . beat and lots of instru-
mental color. Crew gives a com-
petent" rendition of the great,
standard on the reverse.

%

i i ■ . -■ ■ . ■— N

JACK ROBBINS’ BAND
FOLIOS FOR SCHOOLS

Jack Robbins is going after the.
high school and college music biz
in a big way. His latest broad-
side is a band folio for 30 instru-
ments tagged “Here Comes the
Band,”

The band book will include the
pop hits from Robbins’s Words &
Music catalog, a section of Sousa’s
marches, a section of Victor Her-
bert melodies and classic composi-
tions from MacDowell,. Puccini and
Tschaikowsky . As an added fillip,
Robbins is adding band arrange-
ments of such old time hits as
“Sweet Rosie O’Grady,” “After the
Ball” and “East Side, West Side.”

Artur Rodzinski, onetime con-
ductor of the N. Y. Philharmonic,
has signed a contract with West-
minister Recording Co. HeTl con-
duct various orchestras.

Brahms: Violin Concerto (Capi-
tol; $5.70). Excellent performance

of the fiddle staple, done with
spirit and bravura. Nathan Mil-
stein displays a bold, singing tone,
warmth of feeling and technical
command of his instrument, while
assist by the Pitt Symph under
William Steinberg is choice.

Haydn: String Trios & C. . H,
Wilton: String Trios (Westminster;
$5.95). Fine coupling here. Three
Haydn trios (in G, B Flat and D)
are little-heard but. changing,
sturdy works, with varied, beguil-
ing themes and syncopated melo-
dies. Three works by Wilton, rela-
tively . unknown 18th-century com-
poser, are in Mozartean vein,, light,
graceful and very pleasant to the
ear. Jean Pougnet, violin; Fred-
erick Riddle, viola, and Anthony
Pini, cello, play them with distinc-
tion, in fine ensemble work.

Orff: Catulli Carolina (Vox;
$5.95). Another Orff novelty, and
just as intriguing as his others.!
Choral work, based on , ancient!
love poems, is strongly rhythmic, i
theatrical fare, fiery and impas*
sioned at times, and repetitive for ,
effect. If not great music, it’s cer-
tainly provocative stuff.. Viennese
soloists, chorus and orch under
Hollreiser in a worthy perform-
ance.

Guitar Recital (Epic; $5.95).
Some fine classical guitar playing
introduces Luise Walker, a gifted
as well as sensitive performer, who
offers charming works by Sor, Al-
beniz and others, with. Santorsola’s
Concertina for Guitar & Orch as
chef d’oeuvre. This is an inter-
esting contemporary work in neo-
classic style, with orch (Vienna
Symph under Sacher) in proper
restrained focus.’ Sor’s Variations

standout 0 ** 1 * ^* m ® * s ?*««r

Koussevittky Album iRCA Vic,
tor; $5.95). Distinct novelty here
as well jas prize souvenir. The late
Serge Koussevitzky as soloist on
the double-bass in several pieces
(including some of his own), dis-
playing the silken tone of a cello
in his masterful exhibition. Re-
issue also contains a memorable
performance by Koussy and his
Boston Symph of the Tchaikovsky
“Romeo & Juliet” Overture.

Stravinsky: Mass & Les Noces
(Vox; $5.95), Two sharply-contrast-
ed choral works, both effective.
The Mass, though modern in style,
is simple arid devout. “Les Noces/’
a cantata-ballet, about a Russian
peasant wedding, is lean, tight,'
strongly pagan and rhythmic. The
N. Y, Concert Choir and Orchestra,
under Margaret Hillis, presents
both with feeling, assurance and
skill.

Brahms: Variations on Themes
by Handel dr Paganini (Epic; $5.95).
Young pianist Abbey Simon in two
impressive jobs, showing technical
Skill, imagination and solid tone
equally, whether in the flashy
Paganini or sedate Handel sets of
variations.

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
(Capitol; $5.70). Worthy perform-
ance by the St. Louis Symph Under
Golschmann (a little on the serious
side). But Shosty’s most popular
symph comes off lusty, dramatic
and vivid. Bron.

FAITH BACK TO N. Y.

Percy Faith, Coluhibia Records*
musical director, returned to his
New York desk last week after a
two-month stay in Europe.

Faith resumes his recording ac-
tivities this week.

The top 30 songs of week ( more in case of ties), based on
copyrighted Audience Coverage Index it Audience Trend Index .
Published by Office of Research, Inc., Qr. John Gray Peatman ,
Director, alphabetically listed.

Survey Week of August 13-19, 1954

Cara Mia «. ; Feist

Don’t Worry ’Bout Me . Mills

Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight ..Arc

Green Years . Harms

Happy Days And Lonely Nights.. . , . Advanced

Happy Wanderer ... Fox’

Heaven Was Never Like This . . . Famous

Hernando’s Hideaway — ♦“Pajama Game” ..Frank

Hey There — ♦“Pajama Game” Frank

High And The Mighty— t“High' And The Mighty” ..Witmark

I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me Mills

I Could Have Told You ........ United

I Understand Just How You Feel . . ..Jubilee

If I Give My Heart To You Miller

I’m A Fool To Care Peer

In The Chapel In The Moonlight ; . .Shapiro-B

Joey Lowell

Bourne
Feist
Chappell
BVC
Harwin
H&R

, Shapiro-B
Bourne
, Famous
Peer
Chappell
. Broadcast
Mayfair
.Robbins

1. SH-BOOM (6)

2. HIGH AND THE MIGHTY (2)

3. LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT (17)

4. HEY THERE (5)

5. LITTLE SHOEMAKER (8)

6. IN THE CHAPEL IN THE MOONLIGHT (6)

7. THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN (14) . . .

8. GOODNIGHT, SWEETHEART^ GOODNIGHT (1)

9. HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY (12)

10. I’M A FOOL TO CARE (6) . . /, . . .

f Crew Cuts Mercury

} Chords ; . Cat

'Johnny Desmond Coral

LeRoy Holmes M-G-M

Victor ' Young Decca

. Les Baxter Capitol

Kilty Kallen ... 9 Decca

Rosemary Clooney ... .Columbia

( Gaylords ..... Mercury

\ Hugo Winterhalter > Victor

Kitty Kallen Decca

Four Aces Decca

( McGuire Sisters ... . . . . . Coral

l Sunny Gale . . , Victor

( Archie Bleyer ......... Cadence

\ Johnnie Ray Columbia

Les PaubMary Ford . , . . Capitol

Little Shoemaker

Little Things Mean A .Lot

Magic Tango

Make Her Mine

Man That Got Away

Sh-Boom

Skokiaan •

Smile

Some -Day ! . .

Sway

That’s What I Like— t“Living It Up” * .

There Never Was A Night So Beautiful ...........

They Were Doing The Mambo

Three Coins In Fountain-t “Three Coins In Fountain”

Top 30 Songs on TV

( More In Case of Ties )

THIS OLE HOUSE

THEY WERE DOING THE MAMBO

CRAZY ’BOUT YOU, BABY

MAGIC TANGO

Second Croup

HAPPY WANDERER

CINNAMON SINNER

I UNDERSTAND JUST HOW YOU FEEL

SKOKIAAN .

I CRIED
DREAM

(Figures in parentheses indicate number of weeks song

R,osemary Clooney .... Columbia

Vaughn Monroe .Victor

Crew Cuts Mercury

Hugo Winterhalter Victor

( Frank Weir London

l Henri Rene . . Victor

Tony Bennett ........ Columbia

i Four Tunes ... .Jubilee

) June Valli Victor

( Ralph Marterie ....... Mercury

l Bulawayo Band . London

Patti Page Mercury

Four Aces Decca

has been in the Top 10)

Answer Me, My Love

Baseball, Baseball

Baubles, Bangles And Beads —

Crazy ’Bout You Baby

Cross Over The Bridge

Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight

Green Years ’. .......... .

Happy Wanderer

Hernando’s Hideaway — *“Pajama Game” .... . . . . . .

Hey There— ♦“Pajama Game”

High And The Mighty— t“High And The Mighty*’ . .
Hold My Hand^-t“Susan Slept Here”

If I Give My Heart To You .........

If You LoVe Me (Really Love Me)

I’m A Fool To Care

Joey .... ......

Lazy Afternoon— +“G61den Apple”

Little Shoemaker

Little Things Mean A^ Lot

Love, Tears And Kisses

Man -That Got Away

Man Upstairs

Say Hey

Say Hey, Willie Mays

Sh-Boom

Skokiaan

Sway. .’.

Three Coins In Fountain-t “Three Coins In Fountain”.

Vacationtime Is Here

Why Should I Love You

Bourne

Garland

Frank

Sunbeam

Laurel

Arc

Harms

Fox

Frank

Frank

Witmark

Raphael

Minor

Duchess

Peer

Lowell

Chappell

Bourne

Feist

BVC

Harwin .

Vesta

Tulla

Pace

H&R

Shapiro-B

Peer

Robbins

Russell

Nu Way

t Filmusical.

Legit musical.

Blowing the Whistle on a “Taker’

♦

♦

Variety’s current editorial focus on the payola situation in the
music biz in recent issues sparked a novel press conference in New
York last week. Art Freeman, head of Benart Distributing in:
Cleveland, called the meeting to blow the whistle on a Cleveland
disk jockey who allegedly has made a tieup with a rival Cleveland
distrib.

According to Freeman, this deejay put pressure on several disk-
ers to switch their distribution affiliation from Benart to the com-
petitive company. Bait was that, the jockey would give them spins
and the threat was that' if they didn’t switch this jockey would ban
spins of their releases. Freeman also produced a letter from this
jockey in* which he* frankly asks the distrib for a regular monthly
stipend to plug certain disks. “ .

Freeman raised the issue in New York because this Cleveland
jockey is launching a show on a N. Y. indie outlet. Reps of this
station were present at the conference and squawked at not being
notified in time to straighten out any differences. Freeman stated
that the differences between himself and the jockey have resulted
in a $100,000 loss to him and hinted that he would take legal action
to clip this jock’s operations.

It looks like everybody is digging
the mambo but the publishers. Al-
though the new Latino beat has
made hefty inroads in record com-
pany output, the pubs are proceed-
ing with caution in prowling new
mambo material. > •

Reasoning behind the pubs’ hes-
itancy in hopping' on the mambo
bandwagon is that this style . of
chile rhythm has seldom sold well
in the sheet market. Big payoff
for the publishers still comes from
sheet copies sold and not from me-
chanical royalties, and in most
cases the mambo copies move only
upon requests for arrangements
from bands. This action isnJt
strong enough to put the pub in
the black.

The majority of the top publish-
ing firms with mambo items in
their catalog aren’t getting too ex-
cited about the new terp and disk
kick, either. The major pubs’ lack
of enthusiasm is attributed to con-
tinued trouble they’ve had collect-
ing royalty money from the small
Latino labels. The indie record
companies still dominate the mam-
bo field and the pubs claim it’s
still difficult to collect coin de-
spite the upbeat in their biz.

Mambo movein by the major,
diskeries has stirred some publish-
er activity in scouting' new mambo
material and pacting Latino writers,
because the pubs figure the big
companies always pay off. How-
ever, the pubs are moving slowly
and trying to figure a way to get
the mambo moving in the sheet
field.

Some are trying to follow the
(Continued on page 46)

A.F.N. Diskery Claims
Glenn Miller’s Service
Are in P.D.

Problem of whether an artist
can capitalize on performances
made while a member of the Arm-
ed Forces is being thrashed out in
N. Y. Federal District Court in
suits between Helen D. Miller,
widow of orch leader Glenn Miller,
and Joe Krug, A.F.N. Records
prexy.

Action involves the mechanical
reproduction rights to a series of
Miller propaganda broadcasts made
while he was a major in the Air
Force. The broadcasts were beamed
to Germany and consisted of old
Miller faves but with lyrics and
commentary in German.

Krug acquired the acetates sev-
eral years ago and issued them as
a two-platter long-play package
under the A.F.N. banner. Mrs.
Miller slapped a suit on Krug
claiming the exclusive rights to li-
cense the reproduction of all Mil-
ler performances and notified dis-
tributors and retailers that the
A.F.N. disks infringed upon her
rights.

. Krug subsequently sued for
$75,000 for business lost by rea-
sons of Mrs. Miller’s claim of in-
fringement. Krug is basing his
case on the stand that a perform-
ance for the Armed Forces auto-
matically becomes public domain.

The Playola ,

Philadelphia, Aug. 24,
Bill Haley and his Cometh,
recording combo, have come
up with a new disk jockey va-
cation lure that might well be
called the "playola.” Haley has
rented entire ground floor of
Sunset' Lodge, in Wildwood*
South Jersey resort.

Haley’s play retreat holds
15 beds, complete with li§ht
housekeeping facilities. This
haven is being made available
to cuffo jocks and their
families, along with a small
motor launch that one of the
Comets takes out daily for
ocean fishing.

When Mills Music won the rights
to the tune, "Tzena, Tzena, Tzena”
in the windup of a court battle
with Cromwell Music last week,
the publishing firm won, a kitty of
over $70,000 representing disk
royalties and sheet music revenue
on the tune. The coin was being
held in escrow until the Federal
court decided the suit and it’s pos-
sible that the money may continue
in escrow since Cromwell may ap-
peal the Judge Vincent Leibell de-
cision.

Tune was a hit about four years
ago via the Decca version by The
Weavers and Gordon Jenkins.- An
important part of its disk royal-
ties, however, was accrued because
it happened to be the back side of
an even bigger hit, "Goodnight,
Irene, Goodnight.” Latter number
was indisputably owned by Howie
Richmond, Cromwell Music top-
per.

ED WELKER UPPED INTO
ZEITUNG’S SPOT AT RCA

RCA Victor has ' gone to the
grassroots to choose its new chief
of pop album repertoire. Ed Wel-
ker, field rep for the diskery in
the Washington, D. C., area, is
moving into the homeoffice to fill
the vacancy left by the resignation
of Bill Zeitung. Welker will be
given added responsibilities in
creating and planning pop pack-
aged merchandise and will work
under the overall direction of Joe
Carlton, pop artists & repertoire

chief. >A1

Welker is a career man with
Victor. He joined the company
several years ago in the homeoffice
and asked to be assigned to the
field to learn the business from
the bottom up.

Mew Cap Band

San Antonio, Aug. 24.
Rudy Grayzell orch are sched-
uled to cut their first side for
Capitol Records late this month.

This is the first waxing date for
the local band.

AS SELLING BUT

i

The struggle fbr thfe packaged
goods market is now dominating
the disk industry. While the pop
single market still hinges on who
has the big hit, the turnover of
albums is now dependent on the
hardest kind of selling with each
company offering sundry and mul- 1
tiple deals to get favored treat-
ment on the counters.

The competition among the ma-
jor labels has grown so fierce that
retailers are sitting back and wait-
ing for the best deal before buying.
One major company exec stated
the industry is now giving the re-
tailer a "built-in insurance plan
against any losses” by themselves
assuming all the -risks of the busi-
ness. He said it was laying an un-
sound basis for the future growth
of the industry.

Aside from special discounts on
top of the regular discounts, some
companies provide free racks and
deferred payment plans for mini-
mum purchases. And if the dealer
agrees to give prominent display to
a line, he can virtually call his
own shots with the salesman. The
album display, in fact, is probably
the most single important factor in
sales. . ^

All of the major companies are
now putting maximum stress on
their ' packaged lines. Planning
chiefs, such as George Avakian at
Columbia* and the newly-appointed
Ed Welker at RCA Victor, now
have to. work from six months to a
year in advance in setting up their
packaged lines. Unlike the relative
overnight jobs on pop singles, the
alburn^. Whether on LP or EP, re-
quire time for gathering . of reper-
toire, album covers and liners and
the coordination of the manufac-
ture and promotion operations.

The packaged goods market now
amounts to a $50,000,000 gross at
the retail level, or about 25% of
the total gross. This is one area of
the business, however, where the
payoff can be upped by sound plan-
ning and the right kind of mer-
chandising .approach.

Federal Agents Arrest
Anita O’Day, Accomper
On Dope Rap in K.C.

Kansas City, Aug. 24.
Vocalist Anita O’Day and accom-
panist John Thomas Poole were ar-
rested here Saturday (21) by Fed-
eral narcotics agents and police.
Pair had been performing here at
the Orchid Room and were booked'
to play the Mayfair Club last week-
end out in Jackson County, Mis-
souri. They came to K. C. Aug. 15
after completing a date in Detroit.

Miss O’Day was released Monday
.(23) when no Federal or state nar-
cotic charges were filed. She was
released on a writ of habeas corpus
after Los Angeles county authori-
ties also refused to start probation
violation proceedings against her.
Poole was charged with possession
of a narcotic and held over for ar-
raignment Friday (27).

Poole and Miss O’Day were ar-
rested in a second-floor room On
East 12th street, and both were
said to be in a drugged condition.
Found in the room were hypoder-
mic needles, syringes and "burned”
spoons, along with some codeine
capsules. The room had been fre-
quented by known drug addicts
during the week, agents said, and
Miss O’Day had been purchasing
heroin since her arrival here. Both
singer and accompanist were regis-
tered at a downtown hotel, and ap-
parently were using the east side
room for taking narcotics. She de-
nied using narcotics and said she
had taken a sedative to induce
sleep.

The engagement at the Orchid
Room began Monday (16) and at-
tendance records for the week
were broken according to Buddy J.
O’Neill, owner. Following the date
here the singer and accompanist
were to have opened in Philadel-
phia tomorrow (Wed.).

• Block’s Brickbats

Martin Block, , who has been
outspoken in his opinions of
"dirty” records and "the lousy
recordings they (the disk-
eries) foist on the public”
quoted form Variety’s "pay-
ola” editorial over WABC,

N. Y.y last week.

He, too, fingerpointed at the
a&r men, and observed, "You
can’t blame any disk jockey
if somebody gives him a pair
to ‘Pajama Game’, but oh
those a&r men! The disk
jockeys are not to blame; they
play the* best records obtain-
able, excepting that, too Often,
they’re not obtainable.”

HMV, Col Bow
Tapes in Brit.

London, Aug. 24. <

High fidelity tape recordings are
to be released here next month by
His Master’s Voice and Columbia.
They claim it is the first time ac-
tual copies of the original master
tapes as made in the recording
studio will be available to the
public.

First released- will be available
through HMV and Columbia deal-
ers On Sept. 3, and these will be in
their "celebrity” and "standard”
series, with maximum playing
times of 60 and 40 minutes. The
tapes require to be played on high
quality dual-track reproducers with
a tape speed of 7Vfe inches per
second.

The new recordings will be a
major exhibit at the annual Radio
show, which opens at Earl’s Court
toniori’ow (Wed,).

BING CROSBY’S $27.50
BIODISKS SELLING BIG

Initial pace of Decca Records’
five-platter wax biog of Bing
Crosby, retailing at $27.50, may
turn the package into the Industry’s
alltime top grosser. Decca had
order for 35,000 the first week
and it’s expected that 100,000 will

be shipped or ordered the first
month. At the retail level, that
will mean a gross of $2,750,000.

Decca issued a single LP extract
from the "Bing” package for disk
jockeys and now the diskery has
received a considerable number of
orders from stations for the whole
set to be used on various program-
ming segments.

Nix McPartland For *
London Jazz Concert

London, Aug. 24.

U. S. trumpet-player Jimmy Mc-
Partland was hauled off the bill of
a big concert at the Royal Albert

Hall Sunday (22) by the British
Home Office. Due to appear with
his pianist Wife, Marian, on a bill
headed by Georgia Gibbs, he. was
informed by the authorities that
he could not play, as he had no
working permit.

Apparently, McPartland thought
his permission to work was okay,
since he had been here in 1949
and had played with British bands
without let or hindrance. Further-
more, on this trip, he had been
contracted for broadcasts without
any trouble. However, the Home
Office had different ideas; they
classed him as a "visitor” so he
couldn’t play.

His wife Marian was also in-
formed at the last moment that,
unless she joined the Musicians’
Union, ho MU members would be
allowed to play on the same bill
as her at the Royal Albert Hall
concert. She enrolled.

♦ Reflecting the steadily expand-
ing sales for the disk industry
since the end of the war, the Mu-
sicians Performance Trust Fund
collected a peak $1,901,000 in roy-
alties from disk companies last
year. The Fund was created in
1948, and renewed for another five
years early this year, as a mecha-
nism to allevi’ate unemployment in
the American Federation of Mu-
sicians by underwriting cuffo con-
certs in parks, hospitals, etc.
Samuel R. Rosenbaum is industry
trustee for the Fund.

Meantime, collections of the
Trust Fund from the television
film producers skyrocketed last
. year to $709,500, for a total of
some $2,600,000 from both the
disk and tv fields. Although for
purposes of collection, the disk
and tv coin are separated into dif-
ferent funds, the new agreements
permit Rosenbaum to mingle the
receipts in allocating the money
for the various concerts.

According to the Fund’s figures,
its signatories sold a total of 183,-

600.000 disks in 1953 with a total
retail value of $172,000,000. That
does not take into account sales
of disks, mostly from Europe,
made with non-AFM musicians.

During the first half of this
year, the Fund underwrote 7,089
performances which represented

67.000 job dates. Except for deduc-
tions for administrative expenses,
the Fund disburses all money col-
lected within any given year on
its employment projects.

At the present time, the Fund t . r:
has 1,595 disk companies arid 155
transcription Companies as signa-
tory members. Of these totals, how-
ever, 1.246 companies reported no
sales in the last half of 1953,
leaving only about 400 active com-
panies in the field.

In his negotiations for a new
pact with the disk companies

early this year, Petri llo laid spe-

cial stress on building up the
Fund as the chief way to combat
looter joblessness. The Fund was
originally created in 1945 after
Petrillo imposed a three-year re-
cording ban. Until 1948, it was ad-
ministered directly by the union.

At that time, however, the Taft-.
Hartley Law illegal ized such roy-
alty payments to unions, and Pe-
trillo called another strike. Late
in 1948, an agreement was made
under which the industry would
set up a Fund to be administered
by a trustee with cooperation from
the AFM locals.

Burke & Van Heusen End
Cleffing Collaboration;

Duo Retains Pub Setup

Tunesmiths Johnny Burke and
Jimmy Van Heusen are expanding
their spheres of activity. Long-
time collaborators gave each other
the okay last week to take on sep-
arate assignments with different

writers. Burke plans to headquar-
ter in New York while Van Heusen
will operate from the Coast.

Duo, who had been collaborating
for the past 15 years mostly for
Bing Crosby pix, plan to publish
their separate efforts via their Own
Burke 6c Van HeUsen ASCAP
firm. This move doesn’t mark the
first time the writers have tackled
tunes without each other. In re-
cent years Burke has penned words
and music under the nom de clef
of K. C. Rogan and Van Heusen
has written melodies under the
Arthur Williams tag.

Meantime, George Simon, who
manages the Burke & Van Heusen
firm, is due in from the Coast to-
day (Wed.) for a several eeks’ stay.

Turoff Joins Bourne

Mel Turoff has joined the
contactman staff of ABC Music,
Bourne subsid.

Turoff previously had been a
plugger with the Warner Bros,
firm, Advanced' Music.

Wednesday, Aagut 25, 1954

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Wednesday, August 25, 1954

Diskers Move

Although the * disk speed battle
between the diskeries and the dee-
jays seems to be cooling in most
areas, the record companies still
are working on plans to get the
reluctant platter spinners and
radio stations on the 45 rpm band-
wagon. Most of the companies
have turned to their engineering
department to help pull them out
of the hassle.

The companies aren’t swerving
from the 45 rpm cuffo d.j. disks,
but they’ve alerted their engineers
to develop a new grooving system
to make the 45 disk as easy to cue
as the 78 platter. The engineers
have been experimenting with new
groove ideas and are devoting es-
pecial concentration to the lead-
in groove but as yet nothing work-
able has been perfected.

Mean while, the publishers are
taking the brunt of the battle.
They’re interested in getting their
tunes played no matter what the
speed so they’ve been lapping up
all the 78$ they can get hold of for
distribution to the deejays. They
are forced to purchase the 78s from
the dtskery’s distributor at about
55c a copy or from a retailer at
89c each. Tab for the 78 rpm plat-
ter used to be only about 25c.

YANK DRUMMER GOES
BRITISH IN AUSTRALIA

Sydney, Aug. 24.

First thing Gene Krupa did
when he hit these shores for a
Quick playdate with Aztec Services
at the local Stadium was to get
himself a valet, otherwise known
here as a “Gentleman’s Gentle-
man.’’ Krupa is probably the first
Yank to go all-British in quicktime
here.

Drummer said he didn’t know
What h i would do with the guy
<an un-oritish statement) assigned
to bathe, shave and dress him.
But Krupa’s gentleman's gentle-
man pulled a lot of nifty press
breaks here. Local show biz folk
say it will be hard to keep pace
with the plush Yanks coming this
way for quick Down Under dates.
The last guy to tag on a valet here
was the late Waltef J. Hutchin-
son.

Col on Contest Kick
To Push Fall Platters

Columbia Records is going on a
contest kick to promote its fall
disk program. Diskery is pegging
its contests at the dealers and
deejays around the country.

The dealer contest is pegged at
pushing Col's “Priceless Editions”
consumer campaign. (The “Price-
less Editions” are 25 heretofore
unreleased waxings available cuffo
to anyone purchasing a Col long-
play disk, extended play platter or
needle.) Col has assigned “mystery
shoppers” to call on its dealers for

Wednesday, August 25. 1954

RETAIL DISK BEST SELLERS

Survey of retail disk best
sellers based on reports ob»
tained fromdeading stores in
22 cities and showing com-
parative sales rating for this
and last week .

National
Rating
This Last
wk. wk.

Artist, Label, Title

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8 6

9 11

10 7

11 9

12 A 16

12B 17

15A 13

15B 21

15C 15

18 18

19 23

20A 20

20B ..

20C 19

23 12

24 14

CREW CUTS (Mercury)
“Sh-Boom” ........... 1

GAYLORDS (Mercury)

“Little Shoemaker”..... 2

ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Col)
“Hey There”.. 3

KITTY K ALLEN (Decca)

“Little Things Mean a Lot”., 4

ARCHIE BLEYER (Cadence)
“Hernando’s Hideaway” ...... 6

McGUIRE SISTERS (Coral)
“Goodnight, Sweetheart” .... 8

VICTOR YOUNG (Decca)

“High and the Mighty” 9

KITTY KALLEN (Decca)

“Chapel in the Moonlight” ... 5

LeROY HOLMES (M-G-M)
“High and the Mighty”

FOUR ACES (Decca)

“Three Coins in the Fountain”. 7

FRANK WEIR (London)

“Happy Wanderer” ...

FOUR TUNES (Jubilee)

“I Understand How You. Feel”. .

CREW CUTS (Mercury)

“Crazy ’Bout You, Baby”

RALPH MARTERIE (Mercury)
“Skokiaah” . .

PAUL-FORD (Capitol)

“I’m a Fool to Care” 10

2 3 1 8 2 2 1 1 6 1

1 4 1 5 2 1 .. , 7 2 5 164

4 2 3 1 4 5

3 2

1 5 4 5 4 3 9 2 2 4 1 5

2 2 4 4 2 3^ 2 3 -1 149

5 1 10 3 6 3 10 2 143

3 2. .... 6

5 ... 7 2

3 7 4 3

6 2

8 ..

.. 1

7 ..

5 7

8 9 6

1 6

5 2

6 1 8

8 4 86

9 68

..10 3

8 8

10 7 3

8 2

7 5 .

10 10 .. ,.

10 .. 9 5 8 64

4 9 . . . . 3 62

9 7 .. 6 7 48

: , 40

7 5 .. ... 38

8 8 4 ..10 24

6 .

9 .,

ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Col.)
“This Ole House”. .... ....

CHORDS (Cat)

“Sh-Boom” ...

VAUGHN MONROE (Victor)
“They Were Doing the Mambo”

DAVID WHITFIELD (London)
“Cara Mia”. .

8 ..

PATTI PAGE (Mercury)

“I Cried”

EDDIE FISHER (Victor)

“I Need You Now”

HUGO WINTERHALTER (Vic)
“Little Shoemaker”; . . . ......

LES BAXTER (Capitol)

“High and the Mighty”

DEAN MARTIN (Capitol)
“Sway”

FRANKIE LAINE (Columbia)
“Some Day” ...

10 ,. 4

.5 . . .. 22

1 10

6 1

10 3

4 1

6 17

. . 17

4 9

7 3

..10

9 10 7

1 .. 11

10 .... 8

SIX TOP STUDENT PRINCE PAJAMA GAME

ALBUMS

Mario Lanza

Victor
LM 1837

Broadway Cast
Columbia
ML 4840

GLENN MILLER
MEMORIAL
Glonn Millar
Victor
LPT 3057

MUSIC FOR
LOVERS ONLY
Jackio Gleason

GLENN MILLER
STORY

Film Soundtrack

Decca
DL 5519

SWING EASY
Frank Sinatra
Capitol
H 528

progress^ reports on the Priceless the dealers who are judged as do- Bell & Howell tape recorder. top Col platters. The deejay who
nioiii < !. n «{«,;r Campaig ?‘ *^u er j. eaC j job in promoting the The deejay contest revolves turns up with the puzzle complet-

«frfi. C Ei,^ 1S i; t .i a rep ° rt be turned Priceless Editions” will receive around a specially conceived cross- ed correctly will receive a Col 360
over the d iskery headquarters .and prizes. First prize will be a Col- word puzzle based on about five phonograph.

i

44

MUSIC

VS&mr

Wednesday, Angmt 25, 1.954

Victors Billy Murray Dies at 77;

Had Peak Phono Audience in His Era

By JIM WALSH

By a sad coincidence, on the
night that the Aug. 18 Variety,
containing a review of Decca’s new
Bing Crosby album was printed,
an oldtimer who rated as the Cros-
by of his day died suddenly at
Jones Beach, N.Y.

Decca claims Der Bingle’s voice
''has been heard by more people
than the voice of any other human
being,” but in the pre-radio-video
days Victor trumpeted that the late
Billy Murray entertained through
his records “a larger audience than
any other singer who has ever
lived,” For more than 20 years, up
to the advent of electric recording
in 1925, Murray was top artist. Fig-
ures to back up the statement can-
not be cited, but it was generally
assumed that during most of the
1910-1920 period, records in which
Murray took part— solos; duets
with Ada Jones and other artists,
and male quartets in which he sang
the lead— sold more than the plat-
ters of all other pop artists com-
bined. Those whose knowledge of
record history goes all the way
back, through personal experience
or research, to the ’90’s generally
agree that Murray is the all-time
top record maker. This, inspite of
the fact that he outlived his popu-
larity and that his name is little
known today except by the many
thousands of record collectors who
seek his disks and cylinders with
with something like regligious fer- f
vor.

In many respects, short, stocky
Billy Murray Was the most remark-
able of all pop singers. Sometimes
called ‘‘The Caruso of the Comic
Song,” just as Crosby has been I
termed "The Caruso of Crooners,”
Murray had much in common with
Caruso and Bing. A1 had strong
senses of humor; all were instinc-
tively singers, though Murray and
Crosby lacked Caruso’s formal
training, and all had unusually long
careers. Chief difference is, Car-
uso and Crosby’s records are still
in the catalogs, but Murray’s (most i

of them recorded by the old hem
method) are not. In view of his
death, Victor might do well to mar-
ket an album or at least an LP of
some of Murray's oldtimers.

William Thomas Murray was
born in Philadelphia May 25, 1877,
the year Edison produced his first
tinfoil phonograph, making him 77
when he died Aug. 17. He was the
son of a blacksmith, Patrick Mur-
ray,' and Julia Kelleher Murray,
both from County Kerry, Ireland.
When he was an infant his parents
moved to Denver. He felt the tug
of show biz as a playmate of Fred
and Ed Stone, who practiced danc-
ing on a barn floor before getting
their first theatrical experience
with Black’s Wagon Show. Then
Billy’s brother-in-law, Jim Tabor,
became electrician at the Tabor
Grand Opera House, and the young-
ster had his show biz instincts fur
ther stirred by seeing many visiting
celebs. He and a chum, Jimmy
Mackin, felt the yen to go on .the
stage and practiced a "rube song
and-dance act,”

Then came a barnstorming troup
per, Harry Leavitt, with his "Lea-
vitt’s High Roller’s Show,” and 16-
year-old Billy met the impresario,
was. offered a job, went home, grab-
bed his. overcoat while the family
was at supper, blurted "I’m gonna
join a show!” and hot-footed
through the front door. .

Leavitt was a smooth promoter
whose technique didn’t include
handing out money. From Salt
Lake City to the Coast, the troupe
"bummed” its way to one-night
stands, hoofing it or sneaking rides
in freight trains or on top of bag-
gage cars. Arriving in San Fran-
cisco, Murray and Matt Keefe, a
skilled jmdeler, left Leavitt and be-
gan singing in cheap vaude houses
and honky-tonks, One day in 1897
Murray and Keefe dropped in. at
the headquarters of Bacigalupi
Bros., E.dison cylinder phonograph
distributors in Frisco, and saw Ed-
ward M. Favor, then appearing at
the Orpheum, making records.

Favor, said to have been the first

SHIRLEY HARRIER

sings

NOBODY’S
LONESOME
FOR ME

MG'M 11786
K 11786

78 RPM
45 RPM

M G M RECORDS

^,the GREATEST name IN ENTERTAINMENT

I - 701 SEVENTH AVE NEW Y Q R « 3 6 N Y.

RETAIL SHEET BEST SELLERS

-t^ARlETY

Survey of retail sheet music
best sellers based on reports
obtained from leading stores in
13 cities and showing com-
parative sales rating for this
and last weeK
* ASCAP t BMI

National

Rating

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professional phono artist, was 'sing-
ing by the "round.” His voice went
into several machines, each spin-
ning a blank wax cylinder. The
boys given a trial, sang a duet, Ray-
mond A. Browne’s "The Lass from
the County Mayo.” They made
many other "rollers,” their reper-
toire including everything from
"coon songs” to "The Holy City,”
The records were sold on the West
Coast and. some went to Hawaii,
China and Japan, but they were not
catalogued as regular Edison pro-
ductions and were unknown in the
east.

Join A1 G. Field Minstrels
Murray got a break when he
joined the AI G. Field Minstrels as
a "blackface singer and eccentric
dancer.” At first his name ap-
peared on the show posters as "Mr.
Wm. Murray,” but Field snorted:
"That’s one hell of a name for a
comedian! From now on you’re
Billy Murray!” And Billy Murray
he remained. The late comic who
never learned to read music said
he learned more about pop singing

„ (Continued on page 55)

OLMAN AND SCOPP
BACK FROM EUROPE

Abe Olman, general manager of
the Big Three (Robbins, Feist &
Miller), arrived back in the U. S.
yesterday (Tues.) after a six-week
trip to Europe. He .was preceded
back home by Mickey Scopp, com-
pany’s administrative exec, who
arrived in the U. S. last week.

Both Olman and Scopp huddled
with Big Three affiliates m Europe
and probed into a project., of form-
ing a company subsid in Germany.

Frank Ward the Winnah
Of RCA’s Deejay Pitch

Frank Ward, WKBW, Buffalo,
disk jockey, copped the color-tv
set prize from RCA Victor for most
concentrated plugs of the com-
pany’s disks.

Company is planning to give*
away another color-tv set dn con-
sumer contests to be conducted in
the Atlantic Monthly and Harper’s
mag on the readers* favorite To-
scanini recordings.

Dick LaSalle Back At
Shamrock, Edgewater Next

Houston, Aug. 24.

Dick LaSalle orch, just returned
to the Shamrock Hotel here after
exiting two months ago, now stays
oh here until mid-December.

He shifts then to the Edgewater
Beach Hotel, Chicago, for an in-
definite stay. The Shamrock is now
a Hilton operation and for two
seasons LaSalle batoned at the
Persian Room of the Hotel Plaza,
N.Y, , also a Hilton hostel.

Razing Toledo Terper

Toledo, Aug. 24.

The Trianon Ballroom, recently
acquired, by the Toledo Club for
a parking facility, will be razed,
to accommodate up to 160 cars of
members. The club had originally
considered using the large one*
story structure for inside parking.

The Toledo Club paid a reported
$125,000 for the ballroom, which
housed many famous dance bands
over the years.

DINAH HITS THE ROAD
TO LAND THAT DISCLICK

In a move to come up with a
new hit for Dinah Shore, RCA
Victor execs are conducting the
songstress on a tour of disk jockeys
'to plug her newest entry, "If I
Give My Heart To You.”

Joe Carlton, pop artists &
repertoire head, escorted Miss
Shore through, the Cleveland,
Detroit and , Chicago areas last
week and same team, accomped
by sales chief Larry Kanaga, are
hitting the road this week to cover
the eastern jockeys in Baltimore,
Philadelphia and Boston. .

Jack Mills Back to N.Y.
After European Deals

Vet music publisher Jack Mills
returned to his New York head-
quarters last week after a two-
months business trek through Eu-
rope. During .his stay there, Mills
tied up Edicions Curd's, Milan
firm, standard catalog for repre-
sentation in the U.S. as well as the
English number, "Get Well Soon.”
Tune is published in England by
Lawrence Wright.

Mills also added Griff Lewis and
Max Diamond to his London plug-
ging staff.

GARY CROSBY SLICES
FIRST TWO FOR DECCA

Hollywood, Aug. 24.

Gary Crosby, Bing Crosby’s 21-
year-old son, sliced his first sides
for Decca records yesterday (Mon.)
under his new, separate pact with
the diskery. Gary cut his first
sides with his father four years
ago and their initial effort together,
"Play A Simple Melody” and
"Sam’s Song;” was a two-sided hit
which sold over 1,000,000 platters.

Milt Gabler, Decca artists &
repertoire head, came here from
New York to supervise the sessions.
Young Crosby is slated to make a
disk jockey tour shortly with Mike
Conner, Decca’s publicity chief.

New Band Sound

Ottawa, Aug. 24*^
First steel band from Trinidad
to perform in Canada passed
through Montreal and Ottawa en
route to Canadian National Exhibi-
tion in Toronto, where it will top
the Imperial Oil exhibit, starting
Aug. 27.'

Discarded oil drums, cut at Vari-
ous heights and padded here and
there with lead, are the sole in-
struments, using the . chromatic
scale plus an unclassified range of
tone. Effect is said to resemble
that of a Woodwind-drum combo.
With the band is a Trinidad danc-
ing girl.

Elgart Set for Road

Bob Levine has joined the Les
Elgart orch as road manager. Le-
vine formerly was with Columbia
Records’ Newark distributor. El-
gart hits the road this week after
winding at the Hotel Astor Roof,
N. Y.

Orch also took ort the Schriber,
Mumford & Scrimshaw org to han-
dle publicity and promotion. Bill
Simon continues as personal man-
ager.

ANDTHE

iiiliij

If

IP*

M. WITMARK.
& SONS

BIG
RECORDS

fins

Lcfa to Cadillac

Barbara Lea, daughter of Martin
Leacock, assistant attorney gen-
eral of Michigan, has been inked
to a longterm pact by the indie
Cadillac label.

America's - Fastest
^Selling^Records!

klKHniil

Wednesday* August 25 * 1954

RE HO W N

A R O U ,N Dl l T H E/ WIO R L D

w, <

S i;

S" ■>>!

yC# *>'

. . v „ . .*<$£!

•v&&es^ ^

S? o’-yy^

I

4s

Just Concluded — 5 GREAT WEEKS

COPACABANA

New York

. . . and proud to be resigned
by MR. JULES PODELL for 1955!

BOOKED SOLID

(and we mean SOUP)

until April, 1955

>' ? *
Vs . ....

// '

W5fP*pJ r «frV«V,V.y

f r S E R A l ARTISTS CORPORATION

• C » I * » * • lei I H I • ■ 0 • » I »

Person*! Management 1

PAUL kapp

Hob to Bounce

:up

Boston, Aug. 24.
The importance of the Hub along
the jazz concert circuit becomes
more important each year, with
this season’s lineup currently set
to include five major concerts with-
in a five-week span.

Set to tee off the season on Sept. c
19 is Norman Granz’s “Jazz at the
Philharmonic,” followed on Sept.
26 with a concert showcasing
Count Basie, Sarah Vaughan, Les-
ter Young, Billie Holliday and
Charlie Parker. .On Oct, 16, local
impresario George Wein will pre-
sent “Festival 6f Modern Jazz,”

. featuring Stan Kentoii, Art Tatum
and Charlie Ventura. On Oct. 17
Granz returns with Dave Brubeck,
Gerry Mulligan and Duke Elling-
ton, and slated for Oct. 24 is a re-
peat of last season’s highly suc-
cessful “Mambo Festival.” '

All the concerts will be held at
Symphony Hall with the exception
of the Sept. 26 shindig, which is
slated for the Boston Arena.

e

HONOR HARBACH AT
CHI MUSIC FESTIVAL

Chicago, Aug. 24,

Otto A. Harbach, 81-year-old past
president of ASCAP and a director
of the Society, received a tribute
from 80,000 people in Soldiers’
Field last Saturday (21) at the
25th annual Chicago Musicland
Festival.

While the orchestra played
“Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,”
“Every Little Moverrtent Has a
Meaning All Its Own,” and other of
his well known h ts, Harbach and
his wife entered Soldiers’ Field in
a limousine which circled the en-
tire field to the applause cf the
vast audience.. He was then set-
tled at the Stage in the center of «
the field where he later was a
judge in a voice competition.

At a festival luncheon on Friday,
preceding the program at Soldiers'
Field, Stanley Adams, ASCAP
president, paid tribute to his pre-
decessor as “one of the visionaries
who converted a dream into a re-
ality and an intangible tapestry
into an economic umbrella.”
Adams presented a hand-lettered
scroll from ASCAP honoring Har-
bach for his distinguished service
to the musical theatre and his
achievements in protecting the
rights of authors and composers.

Betty Johnson Joins

Csida-Grean Stable

Joe Csida and Charlie Grean
have added thrush Betty Johnson
to their management operation.

Miss Johnson is now etching for
the indie Bell and New Disc labels
and is featured on Galen Drake’s
CBS-Radio show.

SONG FROM

MUTINY

I Can’t Believe

That You’re In Love With Me

by JIMMY McHUGH and CLARENCE GASKILL

MILLS MUSIC, INC.

IRtt&LcCcd Ok s4ti JJndcCx

Bongos Is Music '

Washington, Aug. 24,
Maracas, bongos, castanets
and claves are musical instru-
ments within the meaning of
Sec. 3,404 (d) of the Internal
Revenue Code, the Internal
Revenue Service has ruled.

Hence they are subject to
the manufacturers’ excise tax
the same as radio receivers,
television sets, phonographs,
records and musical instru-
ments.

WNEW’S ABOUT-FACE:
HALF-HR. LIVE SHOW

■While 'the, trend in radio for the
past few years has been increasing-
ly away from live music, WNEW,
N. Y. indie, will give the spotlight
to live footers and other .talent on
a new across-the-board show being
readied for Art Ford’s emceeing
early next month. Show will be
titled, “One-Week Stand.” and will
be a showcase for musical combos,
vocalists and comics.

A1 Trilling, station's chief librar-
ian, will handle the" talent audi-
tions. Show is slated for the 7:35
to 8 p.m. slot from Monday through
Saturday and will feature each
name for a week. Bill Kaland,
WNEW «chief , will produce.

MUSIC IN THE MORGAN MANNER

RUSS MORGAN

Currently

FLAMINGO' HOTEL, IAS VEGAS

Western Tour Following and Then
ROOSEVELT HOTEL, New Orleans, Starting Oct. 7
Dacca Records Exclusively

■ ■

i i
m i
9

■ ■

Wednesday, Anpm 25 . 1954

Scoreboard

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 a statistical system . comprising each of the three major sales outlets enu-
merated above. These findings are correlated wiht data from' under 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 (disks coin machines)
and three Ways irrthe case of tunes ( disks coin machines sheet music),

TALENT

POSITIONS
This Last
Week Week

ARTIST AND LABEL

San Fernando Valley’s

Burbank, Cal., Aug. >24.

First annual (San Fernando) Val-
ley Rhythm and Blues Jubilee was
staged at the Starlight Theatre
here last week (17) by one-niter
promoter Van Tonkins, It’s the
first time the 3.,300-seat ozoner,
normally used for light opera pro-
ductions, has beeft .used in an r&b
bash.

Big Jay McNeeley headlined
with the Robbins, Flairs, Jimmy
Witherspoon, Richard Lewis and
his band and the Midnighters
rounding out the bill.

MGM Back to Longhair
After Summer Hiatus

After a summer hiatus, MGM
Records will resume releasing its
longhair line on a regular sched-
ule beginning with the Sept. 3 re-
lease. The fall kickoff will consist
of four 12-inch longplay' platters.

Featured in the September re-
lease are Izler Solomon conducting
the MGM' String Orchestra, duo-
pianists Ethel Bartlett and Rae
Robertson, The Guilet String
Quartet and pianist Menahem
Pressler.

Things’ Tops Scot Disks

Glasgow, Aug. 17. .

“Little Things Mean a Lot,”
sung by Kitty Kallen on Bruns-
wick label, tops the hit parade
here, with David Whitfield’s “Cara
Mia” (Decca) a close second and
“Three Coins ,in the Fountain”
(The Four Aces, Brunswick) in
third slotting. A1 Martino is in
fourth place on Capitol with
“Wanted.”

Top Scot disk is Bobby McLeod’s
waxing of “Peter McLeod” on
Parlophone.

Vet Rejoins Philly Orch

Philadelphia, Aug. 24.

Carlton Cooley, composer and
violist, will return to the roster of
the Philadelphia Orchestra after
an interlude of 35 years with other
major symphonies.

CHEW CUTS

(Mercury) ; . . — j

TUNE

Sh-Boom

Crazy ’Bout You, Baby

ROSEMARY CLOONEY (Columbia) ...... ' )Thfs CH^House

KITTY KALLEN (Decca) |£ittle Things Mean a Lot

/Chapel in the Moonlight

GAYLORDS (Mercury) Little Shoemaker

ARCHIE BLEYER (Cadence) ..." Hernando’s Hideaway

McGUlRE SISTERS (Coral) Goodnight* Sweetheart

VICTOR YOUNG (Decca)

v FOUR ACES (Decca)

LE ROY HOLMES (M-G-M)

LES PAUL-MARY FORD (Capitol)

High and the Mighty

(Three Coins in the Fountain
] Dream

High and the Mighty
I’m a Fool to Care

POSITIONS
This Last
Week Week

TUNES

(♦ASCAP. fBMI)

I •’

TUNE PUBLISHER

i

fSH-BOOM ..... Hill & Range

♦HEY THERE ; , / Frank

*HIGH AND THE MIGHTY. . . . , , ! , , Witmark

♦LITTLE SHOEMAKER ............ .. Bourne

♦LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT ....... . Feist

♦HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY ........... > . .... . . Frank

♦IN THE CHAPEL IN THE MOONLIGHT . „ .... Shapiro-B

♦THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN ...... Robbins

+ GOODNIGHT, SWEETHEART, GOODNIGHT. . . ...... . Arc

♦THEY WERE DOING THE MAMBO .............. Morris

ASSOCIATED BOOKING CORPORATION

JOE GLASER, Pres.
New York I Chicago

A-.e Pi. 9-4600

203 No. AVabash

Hollywood
361 9 Sunset Blvd.

PRICE UPPED BY COL TO
GENERAL SALES MGR.

Columbia Records has upped
Forrest Price to the post of general
sales manager. For the past year,
Price had been regional sales man-
ager, covering the northwest and
mid-Atlantic area.

Price, who’ll report to Paul Wex-
ler, Col’s veepee-sales chief, will
supervise activities of the *0 Col
distributors arbund the country as
well as firm’s nationwide field
staff. Price joined Col in 1951.

U.S. Decca’s English Folk
Album Via Jean Ritchie

Decca Records has bought the
tapes of an English folk tune
repertory compiled by Jean Rit-
chie, herself a folk singer who re-
cently toured through England to
annex a collection by British balla-
deers. Decca will likely package
the tapes in an album.

Pete Kameron, repping Miss
Ritchie, wrapped up the deal with
Decca last week.

Danny Kessler Combo

Joins Epic’s Roster

Epic Records has tapped The
Four Coins, newly formed vocal
combo to a longterm deal Combo’s
debut platter, a coupling of “We’11
Be Married” and “Once More,”
hits the market this week. ,
Group is being managed, by
Danny Kessler. 1

Mambo

Continued from page 39 ^

pattern set by E. H. Morris with
“They Were Doing the Mambo.”
It’s moving into the hit brackets
on wax via Vaughn Monroe’s RCA
Victor etching, as well as selling
sheet copies. One vet pub points
out, though, .that the tune is not
really in the mambo groove but
just an old-fashioned shuffle beatr

“The trick," he says, “is to get
something that can pass as a mam-
bo but really isn’t. ‘

Another BMI "Pin ty* Hit

THIS OLE HOUSE

RECORDS

ROSEMARY - CLOONEY. .
STOARY HAMBLEN ......

HERB AND KAY

— Columbia

IMBLEN VMof

jKAV

/ King

..... Published by

STUART HAMBLEN MUSIC CO.

Wednesday* August £5, 1954

HIT

By HARRY REGENSBERG
London, Aug. 24.

Now that the London Palladium
is playing a revue for the season,
and has temporarily stopped the
importation of big American
names, incoming Broadway and
Hollywood toppers have suffered
very little, except in prestige, by
playing the London suburbs and
touring the provinces.

Admission prices for visiting
stars are upped substantially and
as the capacity of the houses in
most cases is bigger than the Lon-
don theatres, it is easy • for the
artists to garner a Weekly intake
of around $18,000 on an average.
This can be hiked to $21,000 when
Sunday concerts are included.

Biggest provincial moneymaker
js Liverpool, with , $24,000 weekly.
Glasgow, with $21,000, is next, fol-
lowed closely by Birmingham, with
$21,000. Edinburgh take is $18,000
for the act.

In Manchester both the Palace
and Hippodrome egch can do a
sweet $21,000, while Brighton's
$18,000 is not chicken feed. Coven-
try is not. only famous for its last
war effort, but also is not shuhned
for $15,000 per. Even the popular
resort of Bournemouth, despite big
summer seasonal opposition, comes
out with $18,000 at its missive
Winter Garden theatre. With an
added Sundhy concert, the intake
exceeds the $21,000 mark. Nearer
London the suburban Finsbury
Park and Empire, Chiswick, can
each top $15,000.

Hence, it is no wonder that Guy
Mitchell' is already in his 16th
week, and has not yet exhausted
his money-earning capacity while
Al Martino is still adding to his
regular intake despite having been
here nearly four months. Roy
Rogers, after experimenting for six
weeks, is already planning a longer
stay next year. Same applies to
Lena Horne, who played a five-
week stanza, and Johnnie Ray, who
cleaned up on seven one-night
stands. Billy Daniels has mopped

(Continued on page 50)

i[i7r

iTTTirr

DESIGNER OF
CUSTOM ORIGINALS

specialising In
towns for
stago • formats „
glamorous loungo

wosr

calls 9-10:30 P.M.
COlumbus S-7400
Extension 409

WHEN IN BOSTON

Ift »•

HOTEL AVERY

The Heme of Show Folk

Avery | Washington Sts*

Wh«n In Igffuto Stop at Hit

ROANOKE

apartment hotel

An Apartment for tho pries of a Room
Compfata Caokhig Fadlhitt
u "e|ipiar, Mgr., 206 So. Elmwood Av.

London Mayfair Hotel
To Revive Floor Shows

London, Aug. 24.

Although London nlteries are
having a lean time, Leonard F.
Jackson, head of Gordon Hotels, is
to reintroduce floor shows at the
Mayfair Hotel, the company’s top
property, for the first time since
the war. ,

New policy is skedded for early
fall, with Jackson’s primary object
to popularize this hotel, which was
once one of the West End aces.
Show will comprise one name act,
plus troupe of dancing and show
gals. a

U.S. Singers Prep

i:UW

First details of the 1955 “inva-
sion” of Britain by U. S. singing-
stars indicates that Perry Como,
Frankie Laine, Nat (King) Cole,
Fyank Sinatra, Kay Starr, Eddie
Fisher, Johnnie Ray, Billy Daniels,
Patti Page and Georgia Gibbs are
all being lined up.

It is likely that most of them
will make their initial bow at the
London Palladium, Of this list,
Como and Miss Page are the' only
stars who have not been to Britain
before. Miss Gibbs played a Lon-
don concert on Sunday (22) and is
now playing a week of variety at
Glasgow Empire.

Patti Page, Nat Cole -
Head Disk Name Sked
At Mich. State Fair

Detroit, Aug. 24.

The trend to recording stars to
hypo interest in apple pie and
livestock judging, which the Michi-
gan State Pair inaugurated three
seasons ago, will be continued
when the 105th annual fair is held
Sept. 3-12 in Detroit. Patti Page
and Nat (King) Cole are the head-
line attractions this year for the
$43,000 show in the 6,400-seat
Coliseum. There will „ he three
shows daily.

Miss Page will appear Sept. 3-6.*<
This show will feature the Four
Lads, the Three Suns, Billy Ward’s
Dominoes, the Clark Bros., Georgie
Shaw and the Salt City Five. The
Coliseum will be turned over to
livestock judging Sept. 7-9. The
closing v weekend’s entertainment
will be provided by Cole, Bill
Darnell, the. Four Ace's, Bunny
Paul, the Goofers, Billy Ward’s
Dominoes, the Trenlers and Terry
Gibbs Combo.

In the grandstand, the Cisco Kid
and Pancho will appear with the
Col. Selby Rodeo, matinee and
■evening, Sept. 5-11.

BRIT. AGENT LINES UP
U S. NAMES FOR EUROPE

London, Aug. 24.
London ^gent Harold Davison is
lining up several American name
singers and bands for series of
Continental one-nite stands. He’s
already signed Sarah Vaughan for
a feature which he has titled
“Harold Davison Jazz Parade” due
to open Oct. 2 at Copenhagen,
and then going onto Oslo, Stock-
holm, 'Rottenburg, Berlin, Amster-
dam, Brussels, Paris and Vienna in
a four weeks tour.

Besides Miss Vaughan, the unit
.Mil include Illinois Jacquet and his
band, Charlie Parker and Jay Jay
Johnson. Davison is also negotiat-
ing with the' Musicians Union to
bring the entire aggregation to
England for further one niters af-
ter they have completed their Con-
tinental tour.

Bennett’s Frisco Stand

San Francisco, Aug. 24.

Tony Bennett opens at the Fair-
mont Hotel Oct. 19 in a reshuffling,
of the spot’s fall line-up caused by
Billy Eckstine’s cancellation.

Lisa Kirk, originally skedded for
the October spot, moved up to a
Sept. 7 .opening, replacing Eck-
stine.

Allan King Subs For
Ailing (Martin &) Lewis

Hollywood, Aug. 24.
Ciro’s has set Allan King and the
Skylarks through Thursday (26),
following the cancellation Martin
& Lewis because of latter’s illness.
Lewis was floored with high tem-
perature and flu and couldnt make
last Thursday’s (19) opening, so
.Martin went on with assists from
ringsiders.

Lewis is reported as somewhat

improved and is going to Palm
Springs this week to recupe.
Team will play Ciro’s later this
year. ■ ■■■■■

VAUDEVILLE

Dick Jones Spearheads Chilly

Philadelphia, Aug. 24. :

Revolt of the rank-and-file in the
American Guild of Variety Artists
flared up here over the weekend
with open repudiation of the poli-
cies of the union’s parent body—
the Associated Actors and Artists
of America — and charges of “be-
trayal” levelled against top AGVA
officers, prexy Jack Bright and
Jack Irving, national administra-
tive secretary.

In a lengthy telegram sent from
the Philadelphia branch, Four A’s
president Paul Dulzell was told to
drop the charges filed against the
American Federation of. Musicians
and appoint a, committee to take
over the affairs of AGVA until
Bright and Irving are investigated.
Dulzell was informed pointedly
“hundreds of AGVA members are
preparing to resign and look for
(Continued on page 48)

Just Concluded —

Weeks at the BLACK ORCHID, Chicago

followed by

3 Weeks at the CHICAGO THEATRE

(VERSATILITY, ANYONE ?)

PAUL

GRAY

At the BLACK ORCHID, they said:

“Comic slot is Paul Gray’s and
the sophisticated standup gagster,
playing this room for the first time,
proves a choice item before the
smart-set pdtrons. Suave fellow’s
random-running patter travels at a
quick gait, dipping from erudite
wit to whimsical nonsense and
back again. He banters with the
payees, is hilarious in deriding his
talents, tosses good natured barbs
at contemporary figures, and winds
up with an olio of quickie tunes.
His overall impact is sock.”

Billboard

“Paul Gray, who last played here
at the Chez Paree, displayed an
entirely new act. He has paced
his material a little slower and has
added much more of the chic hu-
mor which goes over so well in
this house. His comedy grabbed
plenty of belly laughs and dis-
played a quality which lends itself
to good TV fare.”

And at the CHICAGO THEATRE:

P'AHIETY

“Urbane monologist Paul Gray
contributes the comedy relief with
a fast-paced string of gags that
builds into plenty of yocks. His
mimicry of the Ink Spots and his
song-&-dance man takeoff are
classics of * their kind. Polished
gent makes his work look easy and
has no trouble holding attention.”

Billboard

“Paul Gray came over real well
with the kids and his usually sharp
material found . its mark in an
equally sharp audience. His rou-
tines concerning his bad voice are
especially accepted by the crowd.
Gray won himself a well deserved
double call back.”

Currently: PARK LANE HOTEL, Denver

Personal Manager:

GUAY GORDON

667 Madison Avt.
Naw York

Direction:

GAG

Club Dates:

LARRY LUX

Foul Marr Agancfy
Chicago

'Wednesday, August 25, 1954

PfiniEfr

THE ORIGINAL LATIN BOMBSHELL

EXPLODES AGAIN

WITH HER NEW EXCITING MUSICAL REVUE

DWSA COSTELO

and her CABALLEROS

(MARIO and PHIL)

50 VAUDEVILLE

AGVA, Agents
In Port Muddle

Portland, Ore., Aug. 19.

The American Guild of Variety
Artists' situation here is rough and
getting rougher by the day. Dean
M. Jennings, rep for AGVA here,
resigned his position earlier this
week after taking over the office
the first of the year. It seems as
though reps come and go handily.

The hassle with the local book-
ing agents have a great bearing on
the .layout, Norman Anderson at
one time was here. When things
got rough he joined forces with
Johnny Walker. Last month Walk-
er bought out Anderson, who has
retired from the field.

The Consuella Agency is also in
hot water. Jack Partin, Republic
Pictures salesman, and Jerry Owen,
comic, were booking for Consuella
without an associate license. After
plenty Of warning by Jennings, the
board took action. Consuella har
her franchise revoked and Partin
and Owens were blacklisted. Both
have left and. the office now has a
temporary franchise ♦with an on-
trial status. Monte Brooks never
had an AGVA franchise but booked
acts under his musicians setup
after having an understanding with
some AGVA brass years ago. Status
now under check for clarification.

Local bookers and AGVA' have
more or less always been in a has-,
sle. Dave Sobol, top Spokane agent,
is set to open an office in town
this next week with Jennings in
charge.

Joe Daniels of Seattle has done
a job as house booker for Amato’s
Supper Club here. He has booked
the ace showcase for years and
from all indications will continue,
Other Seattle and California agents
have been booking the Portland
club dates and shows, leaving the
local agents talking to themselves.

Peggy Taylor to Dallas

Dallas, Aug. 24.

Peggy Taylor is skedded to open
here at the Mural Room of the
Baker Hotel On Sept. 13.

She will follow Martha Wright
Into the spot.

W<n I nettUy, August 25. 1954

Banks to Do Publicity
For Kaycee Muny Aud.

~ Kansas City, Aug. 24.

Municipal Auditorium, city-
owned site of exposition, legit
shows, ice-shows, athletic events
and others, now has its own pro-
motion and publicity man in Ver-
non Banks, who was appointed last
week to the new post there by
Clarence B. Hoff, director of the
auditorium.

Banks formerly was general
manager of. the Pla-Mor Ice
Hockey Team, and was recently
with the Midwest Agency, advertis-
ing and booking setup for fairs and
auditoriums. -

Claire Back in Pitt To
Handle Booking Accts.
Tho Red to Vagabonds

Pittsburgh, Aug. 24.

George Claire, yet local booker
who recently left Pittsburgh for
Miami Beach to go in business
with The Vagabonds, is back here
again and in active charge of his
own office once more. Claire
moved his entire family south af-
ter making a deal with the Vaga-
bonds to book their cafe and rep i
resent them on one-nighters, but
discovered that the biz he was los-
ing in the Claire operation here
wasn’t being compensated for by
his other venture.

He’s still, connected with The
Vagabonds, but figures an oc-
casional trip to Miami will be
enough to take care # of that end.
His wife and children are back
with him now and Claire is at his
old stand here, repping Horizon
Room, Vogue Terrace, fcopa and a
flock of other clubs. During his
absence in Florida, his Pitt office
was looked after by a sister, Lu
Claire (Mrs. Vife Powell, wife of a
local musician).

Laine’s Peak 11G Gross

Frankie Laine set a new record
at the Frolics, Salisbury Beach,
Mass.,' last week with an $11,000
take.

He went over the old mark held
by Johnnie Ray by $1,000.

ERT

n

Thank You DIOSA COSTELLO

— — FOR A WONDERFUL TOUR OF-

SAXONY HOTEL, CHEZ PAREE, Montreal

Miami Beach CHICAGO THEATRE,

CHEZ PAREE. Chicago Chicago

11 111 . . ' y ■■■■■■ iii i i

and NOW

COPACABANA

New York

Management; GENERAL ARTISTS CORPORATION

Spanish Gypsy Dancers

Anti-Fluff Insurance

Chicago, Aug. 24.

For his six personal appear-
ances on the Chicago Theatre J
, stage last Friday (20), Jack
Webb brought along one of the
tricks of the television trade,
to wit, a Teleprompter. In-
strument and its operator
. functioned in the. orches.tra pit
(house orch has Been working
onstage). It's believed to be
the first time a Teleprompter
has been used in v^ude.

Webb’s message to the stub-
holders, who had come to see
his "Dragnet” film, was deliv-
ered trippingly on the tongue,
as if memorized, Actually, it
was not. Much of Webb's
< spiel centered on. data and
statistics about Chicago 4 which -
he was able to read, without
audience awareness, from the
illuminated Teleprompter be-
low him.

t

Cugat Orch, Abbe Lane
Grossed $52,500 in Rome

Rome, Aug.^17,

Xavier Cugat's recent* Foro Ital-
ico series of one nighters grossed
about $52,500, with the final show
here topping all previous marks.
.The Trinca organization, which im-
ported the Cugat-Abbe Lane pack-
age, has s *announced that the orch
leader will soon return to Italy for
three repeat shows in Rome’s Sis-
tina Theatre. While in Rome, Cugat
and his wife (Abbe Lane) were
also signed for a pic stint by pro-
ducer Giuseppe Amato.

Cugat followed up is Rome dates
with a series of shows in Naples,
after' which he flew to Barcelona,
where he opened Sunday (15).

Cugat Conquers Barcelona
Barcelona, Aug. 24.

Xavier Cugat and his outfit of 45
landed here last week for an eight-
day stint at the large local bullring,
Le Monumental. : Outdoor house
holds 24,000 and hep publicity
should insure a stay off sellout pro-
portions judging from the welcome
and .first night turnout accorded
the return of the prodigal son.
Cugat was born here and left some
20 odd years ago.

This is his professional return
and Spanish chauvinism plus his
knowledge of the sectional lingo,
Catalan, quickly eased him into the
graces of his ex-countrymen. Pedro
Balana, his manager, showed some
of the shrewdest public relations
sense seen on the Continent. The
Cugat phizz adorned every kiosk
in town, rode on the front of all
trams and taxis; filled the news-
papers and graced the fronts of
the two top bullrings.

Balana had the press meet Cugat
on arrival from Rome in a specially
chartered plane. Also to see him
l' at the local Vespa Club. Cuggie
fired first by taking' films of the
assembled cheering, fans. Then the
appearance of bombastic Abbe
Lane clinched it for the group.
Ducats sold briskly at a $3 top, ani
first show was a lesson in sustained
entertainment and pacing. The.
Latins Went for the Latino licks."
Cugat has been besieged to do pix
here by Spanish producers. One
enterprising gent would like to
film his life story, with Abbe Lane
playing an important part in the
story. Cugat has made no plans
in this direction and still has Euro-
pean dates to fill.

U.S. Name Acts

Continued from page 47

up in his several months’ stay, and
is due back for more next year.

A newcomer is Howard Keel,
who made hit here at the Drury
Lane as male star of "Oklahoma.”

He is due here for five weeks,
With options, opening soon in Glas-
gow. Georgia Gibbs also is . due
in shortly for a week in Glasgow
and one concert in London, wijh
other dates pending. Frankie
Laine, who opens in Glasgow Sept.
19 for one week, with five more
weeks to follow, is most likely to
extend his stay to nearer 12 weeks.

In fact, most of the American
stars prefer to run around over
the provinces rather than have a
lengthy stay in London. They claim
that a provincial jaunt adds to their
prestige because they make so
many more friends, thereby ex-,
tending their popularity.

Bernard Bros,, who wind up At
the Latin Quarter, N. Y., Sept. 4,
resume at the Cocoanut Grove of
the Hotel Ambassador, Los Ange-
les, Sept. 15.

- _ 9 .

Panama City, Fla., Voters
Nix Setup for Dog Races

Panama City, Fla., Aug. 24.

With a thin majority, voters
turned down a referendum on the
question of establishing a grey-
hound racing track in the beach
area here, most popular beach re-
sort for Alabamians.

The Florida State Racing Com-
mission granted a permit for a
track here, subject to approval of
the voters. Pensacola is' the only
Northwest Florida city Which has
dog races at present.

Landmark in Saratoga
Disappears in Blaze

Saratoga, N.Y., Aug. 24.

Piping Rock, where stars enter-
tained, name hands played, no-
tables frolicked and gambling
games ran high during the racing
season from . the 1920s through
1949, burned to the ground last
week. Building had been shuttered
recently.

Adolph Englert, . Schenectady
automobile dealer, who purchased
the property and furnishings at an
auction last year for $19,650, said
the building was insured for $20,-
000. He bad considered a sale im-
minent, one of three prospective
purchasers being the operator of a
recently burned, out night club in
the Albany area.

Spot was sold by the Bureau of
Internal Revenue after its seizure
by the Government to satisfy un-
paid income taxes of $1,058,000,
alleged to have been owed by per-
sons associated with Flat Rock
Holding. Corp., the titular owner.
Piping Rock figured prominently
in testimony before the Kefauver
Senate Grime Investigating Com-
mittee and in the subsequent probe
of Saratoga County gambling and
political corruption which Gover-
nor Thomas E. ‘ Dewey ordered.

With the leveling- of the swank
after-dark spot, where Joe E.
Lewis, Sophie Tucker, Morton
Downey, Hildegarde and other
headliners appeared, another link
to the high life of Saratoga's fabu-
lous past was snapped. Tearing
down last- year of the Grand Union
Hotel, in the heart of the city, and
erection on the site of a shopping
center, was in keeping with the
movement to a different look for
this resort.

i

Vaude, Cafe Dates

Chicago

Deejay Howard Miller bringing
package of June Valli, Four Tunes;
Leo De Lyon and Jerry Vale onto
Chicago Theatre stage Sept. 3 for
two weeks with option . . . Olsen &
Johnson topping weeklong show at
Electrical Workers Union here
Aug. 30, following with 10 days at
Lake Club, Springfield, Sept, 13.

Orson Bean replacing George
. Gobel for two weeks at Palmer
House beginning Sept. 9 while
sGobels answers tv commitment;
Helen Gallagher follows info
Palmer House on Sept. 23 with
Goofers also on bill . . . Gaylords
to Rancho Don Carlos, Winnipeg,
Sept. 25 for week . . . Denise Dar-
cel playing week at Brbwn Palace,
Denver, starting Sept, 15 . . . Yma
Sumac set for fortnight at Adol-
phus, Dallas, on Sept. 24 . . . George
Jessel into- Elmwood, Windsor,
Sept. 16 . for 10 days . . . Rusty
Draper in four-weeker at Roose-
velt Hotel, New Orleans, Sept. 14.

Helen Gallagher set for Sept. 26
date at Palmer House on bill with
Goofers . . . Johnny Conrad Danc-
ers back to Chez Paree yesterday.
(Tues.) on Dick Contino two-week.-
er . . . Helen O’Connell to Eddys’
Kansas City, through Sept. 2.

Baker Hotel, Dallas, starting,
new policy of record artist against
name .hand, with Ann Crowley set
for late September . . . Alan Dale
to Shamrock, Houston, Sept. 16 for
two weeks . . . Rusty Draper play-
ing four weeks at Roosevelt Hotel,
New Orleans, beginning Sept 9,
following with two weeks at
Fazio’s, Milwaukee, beginning Oct.
15 .

I * . .

j Omaha

Jack Marshall opened Friday (20)
at Don Hammond's Seven Seas.
He 11 be followed by Ronalds Bros.
Sept. 3 and Jack Durant Sept. 17.
• v: , ? oart & Stanley Kayne set for
Eddys in Kansas City Sept. 3
along with Karl Wayne ... Jerry
Murad’s Harmonicats due at Offutt
Air Force Base NCO Club Sept.
13 . . , Andrinl Bros, opened at
that spot Friday (20), to be fol-
lowed by Johnny O’Leary and Gin-
ger Kenny. ^

Chicago, Aug. 24.

Supplying the growing demand
fdr femme cocktail pianists is a
problem that long has had small
f^WWtely in search!
With the gala on hand constantly
dropping out of the field for mar-
riage or other reasons, the shortage
is growing more and more critical.

Pinpointing the scantness is a
booking antic that, arose recently
in Chicago. In an emergency, need-
ing a pianist to fill an order, a
local agent . assigned an unem-
ployed chirper to immediate piano
lessons. In two lessons gal learned
how to fake self-accompaniment
with stock chords.

Booker explained the gal’s defi-
ciency truthfully to the cocktail
lounge op, who said he’d give her
a one-night trial. She clicked, got
booked for 10. weeks, and now has
foqr jobs booked ahead.

Omaha Olitb Returns

To Shows After Fire

* Omaha, Aug. 24.

’ Art Smith’s Colony *ciub has
returned to ’ floor Shows Friday
(20) after being shuttered by a
fire. ’V

New setup has one act a month
in 'for .two weeks,' with Pat Hamil-
ton Trio on tap for daheing other
two weeks. Nino Nanni opened
last Friday, with Cross and Dunn
set for Sept. 17 and Eddie Peabody
coming in October.

Don. Romeo of local Paul Moor-
head agency is handling the room’s
booking. ;

Currently 5th Week'

RADIO CITY MUSIC, HALL
New .York 1

1812 Second Ave., Cedar Rapid*, Iowa

(RALPH AND'. MARY)

Currently

STEEL PIER

Atlantic City. N. J.

*

Dir.: Jimmie Husson Agency
119 W. 57th St./ New York

VIRGINIA

Tha Star at tka
SfEINWAY

The NEPTUNE ROOM

WASHINGTON. D. C.

31 it WEEK

KUMAR
of India

OLYMPIC PARK

IRVINGTON, N. J.

Opening Sept. ^3-29

CASINO ROYAL

WASHINGTON. D. C.
Management: ROBBINS BROS.
67 West 44th St. New York

SI

. . Socko are The Lancers, who've hit the big
time * . • They've got a topdrawer comedy tech-
nique and know how to pace their repertoire
for maximum impact . . . Clean-cut appear-
ance and tiptop stage demeanor are their
other plusses." — PfisztftTY

AMERICA'S FASTEST RISING QUARTET!

"May I say that In my 30
yoars of show business,
having playtd ovary big
timo act, I havo novor

an act that I

» have gotten so oxcltod
aboutl"

•HARRY ALTMAN,
Ownor,

Town Casino,
Buffalo*

Currently Appearing

HOTEL LAST FRONTIER

LAS VEGAS

“ SWEET MAMA, TREE TOP TALL”
“SO HIGH, SO LOW, SO WIDE”

Management:

CLIFF ARONSON

MILTON DEUTSCH AGENCY

H57 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood 46

Pattern Representation:
SHAW ARTISTS CORE.

135 Fifth Avmm N*w York

52

NIGHT CLUB MS VIEWS

Desert Inn, las Vegas

Las Vegas, Aug. 17,
Hildegarde, Johnny Johnston t
Sheets Minton , Art Johnson, Donn
Arden Dancers ( 16') , Carlton
Hayes Orch (14); no cover or
minimum.

Top honors in current layout,
which rates superlatives, must go
to Donn Arden for staging and di-
recting a trio of breathtaking pro-
duction numbers that evoke ter-
rific* palm-slapping. The head-
liners are Hildegarde partnered
with Johnny Johnston, both clicks
in combo and solo-
A study in blue satin, Hilde-
garde, with the laughing eyes and
waving arms and audience savvy
and the inevitable “Good Evening,
ladies and gentlemen," opens with
her familiar vocalistics in “Live
and Let Live." The Milwaukee
chanteuse works from the 88’s and
after bubbling about with some
minor key humor, she essays med-
ley of her faves that includes
“The Last Time I Saw Paris" and
“I’ll Be Seeing You." In “Merrily,
Merrily,” the headliner entices a
male ringsider to dance with her
in a sprightly bit

Johnston is introed to open with
a vibrant “Gonna Live ’Til I Die."
He is still a socko deliveryman and
a heavy scorer with “My Beloved”
from “Kismet." Impeccably at-
tired in tails, the singer takes to
a guitar for his topper, a lusty
“My Guitar," in which the audi-
ence vocally blends in the right
places. Johnston kids and charms
during his stint.

Hildegarde returns to deliver
“Wunderbar,” and Johnston Comes
back to waltz and whistle with
her, . dueting “Why Shouldn’t It
Happen To Us?" and “I’ve Told
Every Little Star," a bit saccharine
for Johnston but Hildegarde does
very well by it. The gar seems to
blossom out working with her
partner as she never has before.
They tackle “Old Soft Shoe” to-
gether vocally and afoot and are
cute performing it.

Skeets Minton, young ventrilo-
quist, returns to this room in the
opening slot. His singing impres-
sions of vocal stars through the
dummy go over big, With DOwney
and Lanza standouts. The jokes, as
delivered by the blonde ventro, are
good and the act pleases all the
way. -

Arden's three production num-
bers may be said to' be the solid
hit of the show. The sets, cos-
tumes and lighting are the near-
est thing to a Broadway show he
has displayed here yet. With pro-
duction singer Art Johnson (he
also plays the violin) doing a big
job on the vocals, dancing illu-
sions are deftly executed by the
line.

Robert Norris, who conducts
the Carlton Hayes orch for the
pair of stars, is also' a capable art-
ist with the violin. The already
tight show runs 85 minutes and
further cuts may prove to be a
tough chore. It plays here four
weeks. Bob.

Conrad Hilton, Chi

Chicago, Aug. 17.

*' Skating Stars ” -until Margie Lee,
Shirley Linde, Perky Twins, Jim-
my Caesar, Polo, Cathy & Blair,
Lothar Weidemann & Lola, Eileen
Carroll, Ray McIntosh, Boulevar-
Dears & Dons (12), Frankie Mas-
ters Orch (11); $2 cover.

Kickoff show of the newly refur-
bished Boulevard Room is as hand-
some and fresh as the decor. Shorn
of its gingerbread, this posh inn
now is easily the slickest looking
one in town. Updated furnishings,
wall drapes, mirrored pillars, low-
ered ceiling, and color scheme all
have been done in the peak of taste
and modernity. Service remains
customarily genial and attentive,’
with headwaiter Phil Itta as the
ever-ubiquitous host,

On the ice rink, the well-popu-
lated spread spurts neatly through
50 minutes on the nose with plenty
of snap and symmetry. Layout is
based on an imaginative star theme
which has each of the performers
representing a sign of the zodiac.
Eleven solid tunes were Written to
order by Hessie Smith,' and the
house’s new lighting apparatus
hypos the Bob Frellson staging.

Margie Lee, returning from, pre-
vious show as topliner, is spotlight-
ed in two scenes. First is as the
femme bait in a lighthearted caper
between Virgo, Taurus, and Capri-
corn. and clincher is her sultry
portrayal of Blue Flame in a sump-
tuous fine scene. Gal is catlike
both In appearance and movement,
and her anasterful terp on the
blades never ceases to charm. She’s
assisted handily by Fred Hirschfeld
arid Fred Napier In her first turn
and by the chorus In the latter. *
Shirley Linde, comely figure-
skating. champion maxing ner first
professional appearance, spins and
flourishes with polish m a solo

stint at show’s outset. She’s fob

> ■» ,

lowed by the Perky Twins, identi-
cal gals who execute affine mirror
bit with precision and credibility.

European brother-sister juggling
team of Weidemann & Lola amazes
with swift and showmanly manipu-
lations on ice, with male member
juggling such unlikely items at one
point as hat, umbrella, and bottle.
In tramp comic guise, Polo unloads
a brace of hat tricks before attack-
ing his nifty plate-spinning special-
ty which erupts a flush of applause.
Barrel jumping of Jimmy Caesar is
similarly received. He broadjumps
tall keg stacks and climaxes with
plunge through a flaming hoop.

One of the show’s loftiest mo-
ments is the change-of-pace water
ballet executed, by sock adagio
team of Cathy & Blair. Attractive
couple works in fantasy mood
with flawless grace.

Boulevar-Dears & Dons, six gals
and six guys, form a capital chqrus
line that adds fullness and verve to
half a dozen scenes. Group sets
glad mood in leading off and re-
sumes it in bright finale. Vocals
behind scenes by Eileen Carroll
and Ray McIntosh are fine, as is
the showbacking of Frankie Mas-
ters orch. This unit is one fixture
that hasn’t been scrapped in the
remodelling; orch is cutting its
tenth annual Hilton ice revue with
this show. Les.

Hotel Bradford, Boston

Boston, AUg. 18.
Rudy Vallee, Danii & Genii
Prior, Moe Solomon's Orch (5);
no cover or minimum.

Interrupting his strawhat tour
of “Jenny Kissed Me," Rudy Vallee
is making his second appeararice
at the Bradford Roof in less than
two months, and as on previous oc-
casion, is luring slick biz into this
attractive rooftop room?

On for nearly an hour, Vallee
dishes out a solid sesh of enter-
tainment which includes his trade-
marks. “Whiffenpoof,” “Stein
Song/' the aud participation
clincher, and “Allouette,” all tied
together with bits of chitchat,
nostalgic byplay with the band-
boys and assorted gags. He bows
on to “As Time Goes By," which
sets the tempo for a few quips
about his age, segueing into his
saxajfionc playing bit via bandiri-
age with bandsman, Barney Mould.

Also included in the session are
jokes of Irish genre, an Irish
dHnking song, a medley of oldies
which he popularized; such as
“Honey," “If You Were the Only
Girl,” “Kitty From Kansas City,"
etc., and a stint with a cleverly-
constructed dummy that arches its
eyebrows, wiggles its ears and
squirts water • through its teeth
while Vallee makes like Edgar Ber-
gen. Ventro bit gives Mrs. Vallee,
a red-haired looker/an opportunity
to make a brief appearance lugging
the dummy onstage.

Lone supporting act is the youth-
ful dance duo, Danii & Genii Prior r
who register nicely with three
nifty routines, the best applause
getter a jazz version of Oriental
stepping. Moe Solomon’s band
showbacks capably with the maes-
tro especially solid accompanying
Vallee at the ’88 Elie.

Hotel Del Mar, Cal.

Del Mar, Cal., Aug. 21.
Dave Barry, Kathy Janis, How-
ard Everett Orch; no cover,, mini-
mum'.

Starting its semi-name entertain-
ment surprisingly late in ttye rac-
ing season, this trackside hostelry
has . a winner by several lengths in
comic Dave Barry. •

A smart pro, Barry has bobtail-
ered his material for the horse-
conscious clientele and offers some
easj'-paced patter. It’s a standup
routine with Barry firing shafts at
such vulnerable targets as slow
horses, marriage, women drivers
and diction of English actors,

Barry also has a standard but
well-handled batch of carbons, in-
cluding Godfrey, Parsons, Church-
ill and Liberace. Save for Liberace,
they could all be strengthened ma^
terial-wise. But the Liberace is a
showstopper, even in this era of
Liberace waggery from all sides.
Barry uses no props rind no exag-
geration but' his impresh of the
gentle-voiced pianist is astonishing-
ly real. It goes beyond caricature
into realm of superb mimicry. In
sum, Barry’s comedy is delivered
in a deceptively simple style for
sock appeal.

Kathy Janis, singer, comes up
with an exceptionally good songa-
log, “Taking a Chance on Love/'
“More Than You Know," “All the
Things You Are/* but weakens im-
pact by curiously aloof air. Latter
interferes strongly with a good
voice and intelligent phrasing.

Howard Everett’s house crew
handles the. 'showbacking and ter-
pology iii okay fashion. ' Don.

Walilorf-AstorUi, N. Y.

(FOLLOWUP)

Booking of the Perez Prado orch
into the chic Starlight Roof of the
Waldorf sparked a lot of intra-
trade gab along the lines that “it
was a bad showcase for the mambo
orch*’*' “room’s biz will fall off,"
etc.

Ari o.o. of the room during the
last weeks of Prado’s run (he
wound up Monday (23) after four
frames) by the music biz Cassan-
dras would have dispelled much of
the talk. On a rainy night last
week (19), for example, room was
jammed at the first show and the
tablers received Prado’s pyrotech-
nics appreciatively and the mam-
bo-happy terpsters crowded the
floor at every opportunity. It’s a
tribute to any maestro, in the
sweet or chile school, when he can.
drag the crowd away from its chow
oTTibatlons for a floor twirl. It’s
hard to resist Prado’s bead and not
many of the Starlight select* held
back.

Prado broke no records during
his month’s stay, but the manage-
ment isn’t complaining. It gambled
on the mambo and an Afro-Cuban
maestro and the payoff was in a
biz rackup way above expectations
for one of the slowest four-week
periods in Gotham, The Prado
booking may also pave the Way for
the room to ease up its color-line
barriers on performers.

The mambo maestro’s stint is
split up for listening and hoofing.
It’s in the former department,
with a half-hour show, that -he’s at
his. loudest, most progressive and
most imaginative. His mambo ar-
rangements of originals and pop
standards, such as “Young At
Heart," place the rhythm section
in a secondary position to the
saxes which carry the beat. The
melody is carried by the brass sec-
tion and it’s here^that the boys hit
hardest. To tone down the brass
would probably take the edge off
the Prado style. It’s loud, all
right, but it’s always interesting
and exciting. Lead trumpeter Bill
Regis rates a special nod for his
solo licks. - '

It’s when Prado plays for terp-
ing that the crowd here really goes
for him. It seems that everybody
is doing the mambo and Prado’s
repertoire is what they want. He
plays a couple of 15-minute: sets
and one half-hour set before the
second show and from the way the
mamboniks packed the floor,, he
could probably stay on all night.

During the show portion, .Prado
features two specialty acts’, The
Montoya . Sisters, thrashing trio,
and the Alva Bros., terping duo.
Both turns are just routine fillers.

Mischa Borr, ' who alternates
with Prado on the podium, pro-
vides a change of pace. Gros.

New Golden, Reno

Reno, Aug. 12.

Woody Herman Orch ( 17 ) with
Lea Mathews, Lenny Colyer, Gold-
en Girls; no cover or minimum.

This is an experiment for both the
New Golden and Woody Herman. )
The cooperative laboratory test
will end up as a “go ahead" for
the Golden to book more head-
lining orchs and for Herman to
sign in more niteries.

Moving cautiously Herman held
liis men in check opening night,
especially for the first show at 10.
His policy here is smart. Though
the band is known as a driving ve-
hicle, it could .easily drive diners
away from their entrees.

So at 10, the first show of the
evening, the crew works pretty
quietly. However, “Mambo the
Most,” placed toward the last,
catches fire and spreads through
the diners as the most appreciated
number.

Appearance of this group is
worth special note. The young,
mostly crewcut, serious-looking as-
semblage marks a vast change from
the big band brashness of the past.
Dressed in conservative charcoal
gray with white ties, it is a little
surprising when one of these young
men steps out in front to blow a
raging chorus.

Herman’s second and third
shows grow naturally to their in-
evitable climax. As the late crowds
gather, . so do the number of blar-
< ing brass passages.

Maestro has a pleasant moment
occasionally when he climbs a
stool and holds a mike to sing a
medley of standard things, like
“Laura." It’s fine relief and gets
good results.

Lea Mathews, is a small, sweet-
voiced chirp who does well on this
assignment. Up to now, a band
; vocalist who was another member
of the group, she now becomes a
feature of the show instead of the
band. This leaves her with the job
of making like a stylist. And hav-
ing viewed hundreds of these in
the past years, patrons are happy
to accept her straight note-for-note
singing.

‘ The band

• WgjneMtov Aiiwh 25- I mu

bass trumpet, two trombones, four
sax, bass, dirums, piano — and Her-
man. Highlights amount to nothing
more than a standing section at
times, Music is the feature — not
display gimmicks. i

Comic Lenny Colyer gives the)
band a rest except when he )
marches on a long line of singing
impressions. Material is well-
stocked with laughs, an<| he builds
heavy demand for an encore. -

Mark, i

Roosevelt; Hotel, N. O-

New Orleans, Aug, 20.
Ted Weems Orch ( 15 ) , with Red
Ingle, Bonnie Ann Shaw, Les Char-
livels Trio, Louis D’Amico Danc-
ers; $2 cover.

Seymour. Weiss has come up
with another topnotch stanza that’s
a bellringer in every "department.
New layout in his swank Blue
Room provides an exciting hour of
entertainment.

Weems and his musical-crew, re-
peating favorable impresh made in
previous visits, dispense the beat
for dancing and background the
acts. Vet maestro keeps tunes well
mixed to satisfy all tastes. For the
•most part . the music played is
sweet and mellow, deviating only
when the bahd opened up with the
frantic “Gambler’s Blues." Crew
highlights times recorded over the-
years, among them “My Cutie’s
Due At Two to Two," “Somebody*
Stole My Gal/’ “Piccolo Pete," “I
Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now"
and “Heartaches.” •

Les Charlivels, a trio of diminu-
tive Frenchmen click big with
repertoire that ranges from musi-
cal instruments to flying about the
stage as if jet-propelled. Each is
an agile performer and their
speedy turn is a masterpiece of
coordination

Weem’s chanteuse Bonnie Ann
Shaw, working as an act as well
-as on the. bandstand during the
ankle-bending sessions, is a win-
some thrash who clicks heavily lb
her songalog. The platinum-haired
blonde whistles and sings such
tunes as “Temptation,” “Stardust"
and “Heartaches."

Spelling her in the lyrics depart-
ment is Red Ingle. With some help
from the other Weems sidemen he
gets a big hand for “Cigarettes and
Whiskey and Wild, Wild Women"
and other novelty, numbers.

The sleek Louis D’Amico Danc-
ers, six eye-appealing youngsters,
interpret various terps in the
. Latin idiom 4 in. tantalizing style.
They fit in nicely in the show and
garner nice hand for their artistry.

Liu *

Unit Review

BarnesXfirruthers Rev.

Omaha, Aug. 19.

Barnes Carruthers’ “ Varieties
of 1954," with Willie West & Mc-
Ginty, Adria,na~& Charley, Craig’s
Chimps, Bokara Trouple, Julihdas
(5 ),EgOny Bros n Three Goetschis,
Maxonis, Evelyn Colby & William
Ferguson, Line (16), Randolph
Avery Orch (12). At Ak-Sar-Ben
Grandstand, Omaha, Neb., Aug.
16-18.

Barnes & Carruthers employ
their time-tested formula in the
“Varieties of 1954" unit that is
heading for the fair dates after a
three-day stint as Ak-Sar-Ben’s
midsummer revue & family show.
The ingredients, per usual, are
three production numbers inter-
spersed with topnotch vaude and
cirrnc Ante -

The 16-gal line has life and
clever costume gimmicks on the
“Snow White” and “Southland"
bits help sell the numbers. Wil-
liam' Ferguson, who doubles as
emcee, and Evelyn Colby are the
singers and have stage to them-
selves J or . one standout piece,
“Let’s Do It Again.”

Willie West & McGinty are the
headliners and close first half of
show with their vet building rou-
tine for big returns. Adriana &
Charley click with their trampo-
line act in. which gal is under-
stander for male’s gymnastics. Lat-
ter also is a boffo comic;

Craig’s Chimps (3) is one of the
top acts in its field and is helped
on this show because it’s the only
animal turn. Three Goetschis wind
up their unicycle turn with man
playing fiddle while standing on
top of cyclist’s head for big send-
off.

anchor rigging then close with
breakway. Julindas are stanc
balancing turn with three girl
6, and 3, in on most of tri
Bokara Troupe (8) offers expe
teeter board tricks and four of I
double as “The Maxonis” to (
show with comedy acros that
just fairish.

At ( Ak-Sar-Ben,* Omaha P
technic Co. supplied fireworks
program closer. p rum

mmgo stc

minimum ♦

4* .

''.-II ■

Alone Pearl Bailey and Russ
Morgan have done well here. Pack-
aged in a three-framer they should
emerge a turnstile bonanza.

The show as a whole needs con-
siderable tightening, especially in
the maestro’s department. It runs
8fi minutes due mainly to Morgan’s
penchant for gab. He’s a great
showman but addicted to dragging
valuable stage ttma with needless
chatter. Once it’s cut and show
trimmed it will be genuinely socko
Watching Pearl Bailey here must
remind of the saying: “Race horses
for race courses." The songstress
is a click m this room everytime
she appears. Backed now by the
full-bodied Morgan crew, she per-
forms in slick fashion. Her innu-
endos, doubletalk and her low-
toned jocularities which emphasize
the last lines of her songs all hut
break up the house. As it is, she
concludes 30 minutes to a solid re-
ception.

ivu9s oauvys laminar loose-arm
motions are in evidence in the
spicy “A Girl’s Gotta Get Married."
“I Wouldn’t Walk Across the
Street" clicks. “It Ain’t Necessa-
rily So" is delivered with fine feel-
ing. Her “Mink Song" is hilarious.
Faves are “I Get It When I Want
It," “He’s Gone" -and “Laziest Gal
In Town."

The Morgan portion of the show
features the leader* his trombone
and vocals, with a vocal assist from
his slush- purrip sidekick, A1 Jen-
nings. The brass section gets a
workout in “Dark Town Strutters
Ball," Morgan reeds his muted in-
strument in a familiar medley
sparked by “Linger Awhile” and
“Stumbling," and the ovation
proves he’s still right there in his
particular brand of music. “John-
son Rag" is a rouser. Pianist Eddie
Wiltser gimmicks “Tea For Two,"
playing the piano with one hand,
while accompanying himself on the
cornet. Then Wiltser trots out a
unique slide cornet for a pair of
numbers . that evoke accolades.
“Hangin’ Around" has Jennings on
vodals for laughs and “Small Fry’’
is the maestro’s owh big vocal mo*
ment.

The Hightowers are a standout
adagio team. The femme Is tops in
precarious stunts in which her con-
tortionist abilities get full play
while the male is a .solid under-
stander and pivot to lift, whirl and
toss his partner about in an act
tailored for thrills.

The Flamingo. Starlets shine in a
pair of production numbers backed
by the fine tenor vocal§ of Don Mc-
Kay. Bob.

Savoy Hotel, London

London, Aug, 19.

, Peiro Bros. (2), Florence &
Frederic, Ted A George Durante,
Sydney Simone Francisco Ca-
ve z Orchs; $5 minimum.

Essentially, there has been no
major chapge in cabaret policy at
this No. 1 hotel since Frederick
Lloyd assumed the mantle of en-
tertainments director from the
late Carroll Gibbons, and the only
variation has been the elimination
of the dancing line which used to
do quickie routines between the
acts. In other respects the format
remains the same: a trio of acts,
usually dependent on sight appeal.

The current layout, booked for a
fortnight, is a typical specimen
bill. The headliners are the Peiro
Bros., a South American juggling
duo who are 'being featured in the
Palladium revue, with a strong
comedy appeal in a slick routine.
Their act is hallmarked by a
shrewd combination of adroit tim-
ing- and skillful manipulation to
ensure appreciative reaction.

In their third return engage-
ment this year at this swank hotel,
Florence & Frederic (also in the
current Palladium show) register
with their polished terping in
which they blend classical ball-,
roomology with graceful acro-
batics. This is a high-speed rou-
tine in which four numbers are
crowded irito 12 minutes, all ol
which feature fancy lifts ana
twirls, with an accomplished de-
gree of precision timing.

Third act in the bill, Ted &
George Durante, have a big local
following and they, too, are .fea-
tured in a \yest End revue. Their
standard comedy acrobatics are al-
ways surefire and never fail to gai-
ner. strong ringside mittings.

Entire layout is smoothly show-
cased by the Sydney Simone ag-
gregation, with the Latin- Arne li-
can rhythm, music contributed
the Francisco Cavez combo.

. . Myro.

I f, » ,e * y • * '

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

NIGHT CLUB REVIEWS 53

Edgewuter Beach* Chi

Chicago, Aug, 13.

Freddy Martin Orch (15) with
Martin Men (4), BillCurtis, John-
n y Cochran, Abe Siegel, Manola
■Mera, Sid Krofft, Dorothy Hild
Dancers (10); $1 cover, $3.50 mini-
mum.

Freddy Martin is here for his
annual outing on the Beachwalk,
this time on a four-weeker which
wraps up the season for this
cabaret ozoher. Business is auto-
matic.

As usual, .Martin and his line
orch comprise the nucleus for an
original production,, or musical-
ette, devised by house producer
Dorothy Hild; Current display,
however, is slightly . under. . sock
standard of Martin's previous ap-
pearances, Format is not so well
conceived as productions of other
years, haViAg in general less
splash, balance and imagination.
Still, it's a fairly diverting time-
passer and one whose variety val-
ues can still keep a crowd engaged
for 45 minutes.;

Titled "Stage Door,” the spread
evolves as a matter of casting and
rehearsing a Broadway show, which
the affable maestro is presumably
producing. Performers who occu-
py the fore thenceforth are taken
to be principals of the cast going
through their routines. Accord-
ingly, Bill Curtis sings a medley of
Bing Crosby identities, with spe-
cial lyrics, in an amazingly close
carbon of the crooner i . Johnny
Cochran, another member of .the
Martin vocal’ staff, assists Curtis in
this tidbit

Manola Mera, Cuban chanter
with a rich legit tenor, essays an
appealing brace of Spanish tunes
like “Granada” and “Estrellita”
before capping with a well-lauded
“Vesti la Giubba.” Abe Siegel,
bass player in the orch, fills in
time with . a snappy version of
“Holiday for Strings.”

Other than the house line, sole
member of the lineup who is not
in the regular Freddy Martin pack-
age is marionette manipulator Sid
Krofft, Krofft has a regular vaude
segment wherein he brings forth a
line Of three Balinese dolls, a de-
tachable skeleton in a macabre
dance, a stripteuse and two sepia
dolls in jitterbug finish. Execution
is smooth and convincing, and the
turn’s varied moods brings ap-
proval.

Sprightly Dorothy Hild Dancers,
eight gals and two guys, give the
show its only dash in three fine
terp sessions, Very imaginative
one is that which is a ballet sup-
posedly seen by the audience from
behind stage.

Neither the Martin orch nor
Martin Men participate in the pro-
ceedings except oh bandstand in
showbacking. Show score is no
easy one, ranging from jive, to
operatic. Unit is very danceable |
between shows. Owing to the five-
day or so-called “Petrillo” week.
Jack Cavan relief orch comes in
for two days with same program,
Martin’s vocalists being permitted
to work the full seven days. Les.

to

Hold Radisson, Mplfl.

Minneapolis. Aug. 21.

Gisele MacKenzie, Don McGrane
Orch (8); $2.50 minimum .

Thrush Gisele MacKenzie re-
turns a second time to this tony
boite to convince again that she’s
a topdrawer swanky supper club
entertainer. They had the ropes
up opening night and she departed
to ovations.

Singing comedienne seems the
correct designation for Miss Mac-
Kenzie in her present surround-
ings. She sells several amusing
numbers with deftness. Actress as
well as singer, she's equally pro-
ficient in handling the less gay.
vocal assignments. The infusions
of graciousness and exuberance add
up to boff vocalistic merchandis-
ing.

„ Miss MacKenzie’s present rou-
tine embraces “The Coach,” a
French ditty, “The Right Singer
for the Right Song” and a lampoon
01 “Little Things Mean a Lot.” A
reprise of past favorites also
scores. She winds up with a very
well done session on the fiddle.
The verbal intros to her offerings
ore smart and polished.

Don McGrane and his musicians
back up Miss MacKenzie excellent-
ly. also suppling customer dansapa-
tion. Rees.

Black Hawk, Frisco

San Francisco, Aug. 5.

E rroll Garner Trio, Buddy ‘Mot-
si tiger; $i admission.

One of the most engaging per-
sonalities In the jazz world, and
one with a strong local following,
Erroll Garner in his fourth straight
year at? this bistro continues to
show that you can satisfy both the
302Z fans and the general public if
you want to.

Garner belts out a pleasing ,

Assortment of ballads and swing
tunes, ranging from “I Can't Get
Started” to “Red Top,” all the
while so obviously enjoying him-
self that it takes a hardbitten
rounder not to break down and
enjoy himself too. The Garner
piano style, with its flourishes,
solid beat and devotion to melody,
bypasses the dissonance and much
of the obscureness of most modern
jazz pianists, with the result that
a great deal more of the act gets
across to the public.

Supported’ by Bull Reuther,
bass, and Fats Heard, drums,
Garner puts on quite a show while
playing. He muggs, hums to
himself and smiles at his own
pianistics and the interplay be-
tween the musicians provides plen-
ty of kicks to: the ringsiders. .

Pianist Buddy Motsinger, while
a solid intermission 88er, is spotted
badly, as Garner is q tough man
to follow on his own instrument.

uu/e,

Gatineau. Ottawa

Ottawa, Aug. 21.
Fran Warren, The Hubbells (2),
Lindsay Sapphire Dancers (6 )
with Gene Griffin, Harry Pozy
Orch (8); $1 admission.

Expert tune selection, strong
staging and . routining and top
pipes give, the current Fran War-
ren session in the Gatineau Club's
Carnival Room a sleekness that
brings persistent mitting. Chirper,
backed by effective arrangements
by the Harry Pozy house band,
holds the customers with her fresh-
ness and savvy, and she handles
this big. room with ease.. Standout
tunes include “Sunday Kind of
Love,” “Man That Got Away,”
“Making Whoopee,” “Lover Come
Back to Me”«and a collection Of
other oldies.

.Joan - & Tip Hubbell work a
zingy chore with accordions, taps
and some chanting to good re-
sponse. Introduction of a couple
of novelty Items would improve
the act and give it a touch ofr com-
edy.

Lindsay Sapphire Dancers, with
chirper Gene ‘ Griffin, hold over
three impressive routines. Harry
Pozy band plays for. both dancing
and. show. A1 Cost! .is singing at
the lounge 88s. ' Gorm.

Nautilus, Miami Reach

• Miami Beach, Aug. 21.

. Barry > Sisters, Antone & Ina.
Melodairs, Syd Stanley Orch; $2.50
minimum. .

The Barry Sisters, since last ap-
pearance here several months ago,
have beeh playing the plushier
cabarets and fully evidence the
polishing and confidence such ex-
perience brings to the intelligent
performer. . •

Handsomely gowned,, attractive
and well poised, they work their
harmonics in a style tailored to
their talents with accent on the
rhythmics. Items such as “Make
Love To Me,” “Side By Side,”
“Send Me A Man,” with comic
undertones interwoven, and special
lyrics on “Whoopee” reflect careful
preparation and adaption to their
needs. For the change in tempo
“I Believe” and “My Sister” serve
as display for aptitude on ballads.
Encore segment is outstanding
with Italian, English and Yiddish
version of “Darktown Strutters
Ball” the topper. They keep tablers
enthusiasm mounting all the way,
to wind into a wrapup.

House dance team Antone & Ina
purvey their ballrbomology in
smooth fashion, while Syd Stanley
and his orch are apt, per usual,
on the showbacks and for dansapa-
tion. The Melodairs trio round out
matters with instrumental-vocal
essayings. Lary.

Yacht. Gluli, A.C.

Atlantic City, Aug. 11.
Bobby Escoto & Band (8), Fa-
bian Dancers (5), Mambo Apes
(2), Olga, Lao & La Minerva; $3
minimum.

Since he bought Babette’s from
Dan and Babette Stebbins several
years ago, Nat Goldberg has been
seeking a formula to lure more
trade, Latching onto the mambo
vogue, he has brought in Bobby
Escoto and -his Cuban Carnival
from Miami to whoop things up for
the summer customers, with cui-
sine to match,

“Cuban Carnival” twice nightly,
three time's weekends, is an hour-
long, Latin-American show featur-
ing Escoto’s singing. Bandleader
emcees and keeps the pace fast.

Stars, of “Cuban Carnival” are
Lao & La Minerva in three Latin,
terps. Mambo Aces score with
their vocal interpretations, work-
ing as singles and duo.

Olga (Mrs. Bobby Escoto) regis-
ters strongly in her “Fire Dance,”
given with support of Fabian
Dancers, mixed quintet.

Escoto offers three vocals, with
billing credits to Decca and Mer-
cury for whom he waxed. Walk. ,

Blue Angela CHI

. Chicago, Aug. 16.

Calypso Follies n with The
Charmer, Qigi, Lord Templar,
Lady Eva, Louis Naylor, Al D’Lacy
Gypsy Orch (4); $3.50 minimum
weekends, $2.50 weeknights.

Jean Fardulli has assembled a
youthful Calypso, display for his
intimate underground bistro that
stands out over previous shows for
flash, balance, and sex appeal.
Present edition, in for eight weeks*
is an eyefilling romp employing a
front and a rear stage which
brings the show into the aisles with
minimum craning of the neck.

The Charmer, while not a very,
modest namepiece for the head-
liner (Gene Walcojtt), still is no
misnomer. Lad’s potentialities- are
good. He has warmth, a hep stage
manner, and the vocal wherewithal
to develop into a performer of high
order in a rather limited field,
Calypso being what it is. Fine
lilting phrasing puts across the
jest lines of the lyrics, and it’s en-
tirely to his credit that he gets
laughs out of ditties like “Matil-
da,” “Hold ’Em Joe,” and “Man
Smart, Women Smarter,” which
have been, heard again and again
during the 18 months of Calypso
revues in this room. In general,
show has need for sock new num-
bers, like those essayed by Lord
Templar. 1

Templar, a sensitive looking gui-
tar player who introduces and ac-
comps each of the performers,
sings a clever entendre piece “I
Left Her Behind tor You” with
such contagion that community
singing on the choruses come easy.
Also departs from the dominant
West Indian mood to deliver sock
Version of “Roumania, Roumania”
in Yiddish.

Two femmes in the cast hypo
the' bill with spunk and pulchri-
tude. Lady Eva’s peppery primi-
tive. dances in scant costumes are
sexy and brightly received. Gigi,
an attractive chirper, has a good
way with song and coauetry as she
demonstrates on “Panama ’M
Tombe” in French. Two gals dash
in q. hen-fight on “Better Woman”
duet which affords a good comedy
moment.

Louis Naylor is a muscular Afro
dancer whose speed terp is punc-
tuated with splits, leaps and fre-
netic head rolls. Dance antics are
repetitive but probably because
stage is confining for a bounding
dancer. Finale is colorful with all
hands returning in a buoyant car-
nival production.

Al D’Lacy's gypsy string orch
backs the show nicely and plays
dance sets. Victor Manuel, Ar-
gentinan tenor, delivers excellent
south-of-border ballads in in-
terims. Les.

Cliandlerc* Ottawa

Ottawa, Aug. 20.
Trudy Richards, Marvellos (3),
Marc Bollero, Miriam Sage Danc-
ers (5), Jimmy Garrett Orch (8);
$1 admission.

Trudy Richards, blond looker
with good pipes and effective stage
savvy, works the Chaudiere Club
Rose Room to begoffs. Even with
fair band backing, gal lures solid
mitting all the way with nice han-
dling of “Rea Ridingg Hood” and
“Lady Is a Tramp.”

Marc Bollero, who also emcees,
registers strongly in a fast string
of impressions ranging from Cros-
by to harbor noises, many on
suggestions from customers, clos-
ing with an okay panto ball game
routine. .

I Marvellos’ offbeat offering effec-
tively mixes magic, music and
comedy. Two males and a femme
operate at a fast pace to produce
musical instruments from the air,
switch gal's gown-color several
times before tablesitters’ eyes and
make themselves appear and dis-
appear. Precisely-timed act is ex-
pertly staged.

Miriam Sage Dancers, preeming
here this week, are on three times.
Jimmy Garrett band showbacks
and plays for dancing.

Gorm.

Amato’s, Portland, Ore.

Portland, Ore.* Aug. 4.

Arthur Lee Simpkins with Felix
OeCoda, The Glenns (3), Spark-
letts (5), Wyn Walker Orch (5)
with Rene Weiss; no min.; cover,
$1.50.

Arthur Lee Simpkins opened a
three-week date at this plush show-
case for the sixth consecutive year,
and as usual he's loaded with
talent and showmanship, Which he
displays to the hilt. Singer’s selec-
tions are varied and there is a
tune to please every single payee
before he signs off. His change of
pace, sprinkled with comedy in
good taste, makes this one of the
best acts to appear here. He has
to beg <017 after 45 minutes. Felix
DeCoda takes over the 88s and
batons the house band during the

stint.

The Glenns wow the audience
with their smart acro-dancing. Two
guys and one femme go through
some better . than standard aero
stuff with gal holding down the
middle spot. Trio have set diffi-
cult tricks into a routine filled
with dance, and beg off after a
neat audience participation stunt,
■ The Sparkletts are on for two
production numbers. Florence
Pickett choreography and costum-
ing make the five lohgstem beau-
ties more than something to look
at. Wyn Walker and his boys play
a nifty show and set the tempo
for dancing. Orb-filling Rene Weiss
knocks out some neat chirping dur-
ing the dancing seshes. Feve.

Charley Foy 9 s, l. A.

_ -Los Angeles, Aug. 18.
Dick & Gene Wesson, Johnny &
George, Charley & Mari/ Foy,
Johnny Black’s Trio; $2-$2.50
cover. „

The Wessons, Dick and Gene,
are reunited after six years and
their antics, mostly impressionistic,
should set well with this valley
trade. .They’ll have to make up

with performance for the lack of
name draw and lip service in these
precincts can change the bookkeep-
ing fr^m red to black. , ;

, Charley Foy bemoaned the fact
that he was opening against Martin
& Lewis at Giro’s, but lack of
marquee draft despite the billing
“fabulous comedians,” was more
than a mite responsible for the
sparse opening night turnout. The
Wessons may catch on despite
material that stays in One groove
too long. Impersonations in their
idiom are quite amusing but they
seem capable of tapping other
veins of comedy. If the response
seemed cold, it cbuld be charged
Off to the sameness of their
routine.

To “break* them down,” Gene
does the straight work and Dick
is the comic and they complement
each other well but they should
get a few new comedy situations
and jokes. Not that their carboning
of famous figures, carboned so
many times before it now belongs
in parlor games, isn’t good fun but
how much can the payees take.
This reviewer counted 17 imper-
sonations.

To break the monotony, Johnny
and George are back with their
finger - snapping songology and
Whoever is the one away from the
piano is a real-gone performer
who. works with skilled ease. The
dancing Foy, who is Charley, and
the singing one, Mary, team up for
a few turns of the nostalgia, faucet
and Johnny Black’s trio does a
good job of backstopping the acts.

Helm.

Beverly Hills* Newport

Newport, Ky„ Aug. 18.

Betty & Jane Kean, Bill Hayes,
Del Ray, Earl Lindisay Dancers
(10), t Vince Massey, Gardner
Benedict Orch (12); $3 minimum,
$4 Saturdays.

There’s rollicking cafe entertain-
ment this fortnight. The zany Kean
Sisters blow a fuse on a return
visit after several years, leaving
’em plenty hungry after a whiz-
bang 35 minutes. Blond Betty is
the bellringer with solid takeoffs
of a string of stage, screen and tv
celebs after a great cigar-smoking
intro. Rocky Cole is their con-
ductor.

Del Ray is one of the smoothest
hocus pocus artists to hit here hi
many a year. Bag of tricks in-
cludes manipulating of cards, cig-
arets, canaries and handkerchief
knots.

Bill Hayes, dapper young bari-
tone in tux, finishes to a big hand
on “Hernando’s Hideaway,” done
with a straw hat and a matador’s
scarlet cape, after so-so returns on
three vocals and a bit of softshoe
dancing.

Vince Massey, newcomer, works
nicely with the Earl Lindsay line
which contributes two dandy num-
bers in “Merry Widow” and
“Ravel’s Bolero,” Koll.

Eddys% K. C.

Kansas City, Aug. 20,
Helen O’Connell, Bobby Winters,
Tony DiPardo Orch (8); $1 cover.

The three Eddy brothers know
a good show when they have had
One, and made certain to repeat
on these performers. Helen O’Con-
nell, in the top spot With«Bobby
Winters, makes as good a combina-
tion as has played here in many
months. The two put on a topnotch
show in 42 minutes,

It’s a bare six months since Bob-
by Winters showed here, and lie
repeats throughout on. his comedy
juggling. The unpredictable, gum-
chewing, nonchalant manner ih
which he tosses balls, Indian clubs
and gags puts a sharpness on the
turn for the patrons who give him
enthusiastic response every mo-
ment.

Following her recent chores on
tv and radio, Helen O’Connell
again is taking a fling at the p.a.
circuit and makes this deluxe club
her first stop, a little more than
a year 1 after her first stand here.
She whams over half a dozen um-
bers in her lively pop singing style
and proves personable with the
mike chatter. From “You’re the
Only One I Adore” through “Ebb-
tide,” her new “Whistle Song,” a
medley of her Capitol record hits,
“Joseph, Joseph,” and “It’s , Won-
derful, Marvellous,” pace is swift
and singing tops. Quin.

New Acts

LOU FOLDS
Juggler
10 Mins.

Pdlstcc N* Y.

Lou Folds registers with a neat
routine of juggling stunts. Garbed
in full dress with cape, Folds
spices his turn with a couple of
magico bits, but seems to throw
these away to accent the juggling.

He works a wide variety of ob-
jects, from Indian -clubs to cock-
tail shakers, and gets a different
twist with each one. Best is his
Mexican hat trick in which he uses
the headgear as boomerangs while
tossing four of them in the air. He
also does some juggling impres-
sions with rubberbails and could
sharpen this bit into a more im-
portant sector of his act. He’s
ready to fill any spot for a jug-
gler; Herm.

CHARLES JONES & RAYMOND
Songs
7 Mins,

Apollo, N. Y.

Sepia team of Charles Jones &
Raymond, fresh out of amateur
ranks, sell a distinctive brand of
thrushing, but boys force upon
themselves such broad restrictions
that in present state they are good
in the flesh only for niteries with
special clientele. Limp wrists and
slinky dance bit, as well as gen-
eral swishy demeanor, seem inten-
tional. If Jones, doubling at piano,
and Raymond, could limit imper-
sonative actions to perhaps one
tune, it would enhance instead of
detract.

Vocalizing Ls a fresh version of
the “do-de-doo” school, sure to be
a smash for one of the labels,, since
act is better heard than seen. At-
tired in male evening clothes,
Adams sounds at all times like a
contralto while Raymond, even
When not fluttering his eyes, em-
ploys a cross twixt falsetto and so-
prano. Art .

BILL & DABS ADAMS

Comedy

10 Mins.

Empire* Edinburgh

Youthful mixed pair are fairl;
new to the U. K. vaude loop, but-
already loom as possessing much
natural comedy talent, tuned to
English audiences.

Pace is fast, attitude friendly
and warm, and script good, but
couple score mainly through un-
inhibited approach to their comedy
chores* with result that they actu-
ally seem to be enjoying the busi-
ness of trying to put over comedy.
Male, has specially confident ap-
proach in a cheeky English style.
Femme’s hairdo is a bit off the
mark and could be softened down
somewhat to give her a homelier
touch. Act is well-routined and
timed, and is put over at . a pace
which never lets it flag.

Worthwhile booking for U. K.
and Commonwealth vauderies, and
worth attention as it progresses.

Gord.

RUDDY BOLLY
Wire Juggling'

8 Mins.

Empire, Edinburgh
Male performer shows nifty foot-
work and hand agility on the slack
wire. Opens with standard routine
of juggling with hoops, cones, flags
and balls, which brings warm mit-
ting, and then demonstrates with
balancing footwork on the wire.

Most hand-to-hand music for his
one-hand balance on the slack
wire. Follows by balancing an or-
dinary chair diagonally on the wire
and proceeding to stand atop it.
For versatility, brings on a uni-
cycle and rides it competently to
and fro on wire. ■*'

Okay act for most visual vaude
situations, though stronger finish -
could be evolved. NCeds sharpeh-
ing for U. S. market. Cord,

54

Tahoe's Big Potential

S5S5SSS Continued front past 2 SSS5SS

casino and resort is Cal-Neva
• Lodge, a massive rustic structure
with the California-Nevada state
line running across ijts dance floor.
On the Nevada side is one of the
biggest casinos in the state, operat-
ing 15 tables and enough action
to warrant five more. Charles
Itesnik, one of the operators of the
casino, estimates an average of
over $100,000 a day is bet there.

The theatre-restaurant, which
seats 300, is a hunting lodge motif
with high, exposed beams, and
moose and deer head looking down
on the diners.

Dressing Rooms in Calif,

Once the stateline ran through
the centre of the dining room.
Those seated on the California side
found a sales tax on their dinner
checks. Nobody knows how the line
got up on the stage, 25 yards away.
Now entertainers wait offstage in
California and do their routines a
few feet inside Nevada.

Cal-Neva was the first casino in
Nevada to employ big name attrac-
tions. Judy Garland first sang, here
as part of the Gumm sisters. The
late 1930s had a star roster as im-
pressive as most niteries in Nevada
today.

Bob Miiler, w.k. Nevada hotel
man and manager of the Cal-Neva
Biltmore for the season, was the
first to bring big talent to Reno,
and that wasn't until 1943 at El
Cortez TrocoderO.

The Qal-Neva Lodge, and re-
cently the addition of the Cal-Neva
Biltmore, accommodate close to
500. The season, measured during
the time of full scale casino and
floorshow ooeration, is only 10
weeks long.

Doug Ross and Sanford Adler

“We have an employee for every
guest,” says Doug Ross, manager
of the combined operation. “This
makes the Cal-Neva about the most
unusual resort in the world.
Imagine hiring 500 people for 10
weeks, most of Whom have never
seen the resort before.”

Ross is an accented Englishman
with a mustache who organizes
each season in a few weeks. Except
for an accident early this season
when he locked himself in a deep-
freeze locker, Ross has carried out
the Cal-Neva’s tradition of clicking
efficiency without incident.

Owner of the Cal-N'eva is San-
ford Adler, who once owned the
Flamingo and El* Rancho in Las
Vegas. Adler introduced 24-hour
-.gaming to Nevada, and the Chuck-
wagon, a buffet which is now a
tradition in most Nevada niteries.

Adler bought Cal-Neva in 1948
from gamblers James McKay and
William Graham. He inspected the
premises , by candlelight early one
year, and bought it the next day.

The Cal-Neva as it stands today
was built in 1937— in 32 days. This
extraordinary feat was accom-
plished because the lodge burned
down just as a season was about
to begin, so 500 workmen were
put on the job in round-the-clock
shifts. The fire destroyed the lodge
on May 27, 1937. The lodge opened
again on July 2.

The Cal-Neva Biltmore is a
strange, out-of-place hotel, which
sits across the highway from the
Cal-Neva proper and the lake! It is
too slick to look like a mountain
resort and too misplaced to catch
much action. Its history is short
but complicated.

Opened in 1948 it was bankrupt
in 1949. The Reconstruction
Finance Corp. sold it for $225,000,
taking a $190,000. loss. It was
bought by Joe Greenbach at an
auction in September of 1952, al-
though Sanford Adler outbid
Greenbach. The RFC didn’t like
the arrangement for. payment
which Adler offered. So Adler
bought the Biltmore from Green-
bach in October of 1952 for $350,-
000 and named it the Cal-Neva
Biltmore.

The Biltmore’s 210 accommoda-
tions are kept full during the sea-
son but the gambling still takes
place in the lodge. A combination
of various orchestras (currently
Chuy Reyes), name attractions, and
free buffets have failed to create
any significant action at the step-
child. It is doubtful, anyway, that
there is now enough gambling to
support another big casino. I

The Cal-Neva, as the lake's old-
est casino, has always catered to
San Francisco clientele. Most of
its play still comes from this ele-
ment, who maintain big homes on
the California side of Tahoe. Every
effort has been made to create a I

sort of Post-at-Powell-iiitersection
for the San Francisco vacationers.
Pictures of the . city are prominent
throughout, and a perfect replica
of a cable car shuttles between the
lodge and the Biltmore all day and
night.

Joby Lewis' Showmanship

Only other real competition for
the Cal-Neva is a smaller, class
spot called the Cal-Vada* about a.
football field 1 away from the lodge.
Operated by Joby Lewis for the
past several seasons, it is struggling
into prominence with some first-
rate shows. It is a much smaller
nitery and casino and has only a
few room accommodations, but it
is grabbing a lot of play off the
Cal-Neva doorstep, and vice-versa.

Lewis has a Las Vegas point of
view regarding this. “A good show
anywhere on the lake means busi-
ness for everyone,” he thinks.

His lineup this, season has in-
cluded the Mills Bros., Nat (King)
Cole, Joni James, Mel Torme and
Dorothy Shay.

His nextdoor neighbor has had
Frankie Laine, Eartha Kitt and
Sophie Tucker.

A Lewis innovation for Tahoe is
the introduction of a name attrac-
tion for after-hours. Carmen Caval-
laro plays at the piano bar from
2 a.m. This is an obvious pitch to
late rounders and gamblers and is
keeping the place in a fair hum to
the dawn.

Between the north and south
ends of Tahoe, on the Nevada side,
there are only two filling stations.
This pretty well makes up the com-
mercial part of the lake on the
Nevada side, except, of course, the
two booming borders. Otherwise
there are only secluded resorts,
beach cottages and homes.

The California side of Tahoe is
quite different. Surprisingly, this
is definitely the commercial part
of the lake. Extending from the
Nevada border into California, at
both ends, are hundreds of motels,
stores and business places.

This commercialism is most
prevalent at the southern tip of
Tahoe, where a speed limit of 25
miles an, hour exists through most
of a 10-mile stretch of motels and
resorts.

Tourists Important Now

Tourism is the most important
phase of Tahoe’s new activity. This
tourist tide has not only been
ignored at the north, but in fact
discouraged by resort prices and
the size of the bets.

The teeming tourist activity be-
gins just inside Nevada at State-
line. A half dozen gambling clubs
are operating here, catching a daily
pass-through traffic which Tahoe
estimates at 5,000. These are trav-
elers who do not even stay at the
lake overnight. Many of them make
the north end of the lake too, but
the easy route over Highway 50
through Stateline gets the biggest
percentage.

Most of these clubs have enter-
tainment, but only Stateline books
a floorshow of any dimensions.
Xavier Cugat, Duke Ellington, Ted
Lewis and the Ames Bros, have
shown there this year,

Geroge’s Gateway Club., owned
by George Cannon and Phillip
Musso, and Harvey Gross’ Wagon
Wheel, both across the road from
Stateline, enjoy big and consistent
action from this new Tahoe tourist
trade. The Gateway books un-
known musical groups for its 150-
seat dining room. Right now, an
eastern combo, The Four Horse-
men, packing four shows a night.
The Horsemen are spelled by an-
other group, The Three Of Us.

The Wagon Wheel next door
does the same size entertainment
business with well known singing
and instrumental groups, The Ink
Spots closed recently, and The
Joker? are the current headliners,
trading off with The Eastman Trio,
Delta Rhythm Boys are scheduled.

The Wagon Wheel keeps nine
tables busy in its rustic room. The
atmosphere, as it is everywhere at
this end of Tahoe, is informal. Em-
ployees in this community are usu-
ally year-to-year, whereas at the
north, they are mostly new each
year.

Stateline and the south part of
the lake are more concerned with
making Tahoe a year-round opera-
tion than up north, too. Both the
Gateway and Wagon Wheel are
open through the winter, without
shows. The Redwood Room of
Stateline keeps it tables uncovered,
too.

According to .George Cannon of

Wednesday, Anpiit 25« 1954

the Gateway, the only real bottle-
neck in a year-round operation is
the road around Emerald Bay*

This is one of the most scenic
parts of Tahoe but -the road is
winding and narrow. An average
snowfall closes it almost immedi-
ately, This would be the route
most northern Californians would
use.

The Highway 50 Association, a
group dedicated tp making this
route more popular than Highway
40 over Donner, which bypasses the
Lake, is working on the problem.
A bridge across the narrow inlet of
Emerald Bay has a third priority
rating in California’s Esmeralda
County,

Stateline Club, in the throes of
licensing problems and a perpetu-
al change of hands, has npt been
able to do its best business for a
few years. As of two weeks ago,
there were six owners.

Its 250-seat restaurant, which
plays top names, is responsible for
Turing plenty of business from
other parts of the Lake. Its gam-
bling Operation is big and goes full
tilt until 4 or 5 each morning.

Year-Round Horizons

But Tahoe, with all its individual
problems and overall headaches,
such as weather and divided action
and short seasons, is growing stead-
ily to what cotild become Nevada’s
most important summer gaming
and entertainment biz. It can also
lengthen its season, eventually to
become a year-round playground.

Although the number of busi-,
nesses and motels continue to
grow, there are np immediate plans
for new casinos ~ or niteries. A
mile inside Nevada from Stateline
is the Casino de Paris, formerly
Tahoe Tavern. Operators around
Stateline see a growth, over the
next 5-10 years, which will fill up
the roadside all the way to this bad
luck spot; As Lou Walters’ Casino,
it failed in two tries in “1952 and
1953. Here again the influence of
children was felt. Observers say
one of the main reasons the Casino
folded was because families
couldn’t attend the semi-nude
floorshows with their kids.

But the balance of power is grad-
ually shifting from these summer
cottages and home families to the
increasing flock of tourists. As
with anything that gains in popu-
larity, a certain amount of seclu-
sion and natural beauty disappears.

The Shangri-la accessibility and
beauty of Lake Tahoe remains.
Any approach over the surrounding
mountains reveals suddenly an in-
spiring sight of this second largest
lake in the world at this elevation.
The stretches of commercialism at
its shore are sometimes glaring in
contrast. •

This very contrast seems to be
Tahoe’s greatest potential. Suc-
cess depends on a proper balance
between nature and a natural.

VARIETY BILLS

WEEK OF AVGUST 25

Numerals In .connection with bills below Indicate opening day ot Miow
whether full or spilt week

Letter In parentheses Indicate* circuit. <l> Independent; <u Loewi <M) juu...
»P> Paramount; <R) RKO; it) Stoll; <T> Tlvolli <W> Warner *'

NEW YORK CITY
«Muslc- Hall (I) 26
Marilyn Murphy
Corps da Ballet
Larry Griswold
Glee Club
Rockettes
Sym Ore
Milan Tlraotich
Palace (R> 27
Mr Ballantine
Ceil Cabot
V A G Haydock

Michael Chimes
Flying Berrys

CHICAGO
Chicago (P) 27

Betty C Madigan
Bob Monahan
Mayo Bros

MIAMI

Olympia <P) 25
C Alonzo Span Rev
George Hopkins
Peop-ettes

AUSTRALIA

COLAC -
Regent (T) 23

Vienna ‘Boys Choir
MELBOURNE
Tivoli (T) 23
Allan Jones
Roy Barbour
Harry Jacobs
Kerry Vaughn
Margaret Brown
Julian Somers
Chadells
Bouna
Max Blake
David Edle
John Bluthal
Tivoli Choir
Dancing Boys
Adorables

ST. KILDA

Palais (T) 23

Jose Iturbi

SYDNEY
TIvoH (T) 23
Buck Warren Co
Warren Latona
Sparks

Edith Crocker Co
Dagenham Girl
Pipers
2 Maxwells
O’Hagan A Stead
Ron Parry
G Brox A Myrna
Johnnie “Rubber*
face” Craig
Gloria Dawn
Dancing Boys
BaUet Girls

Tap S-W

Continued from page 3

with Thomas and Merian C. Coop-
er in the making of “This Is Cin-
erama,” will be associate producer
on “Seven Wonders,” with Ted
Tetzlaff as the director.* According
to current plans, Thompson isolat-
ed to move into the vacancy cre-
ated by the death of Joseph Bern-
hard, Stanley-Warner v.p. in charge
of Cinerama theatre activities.

“Seven Wonders” will be the
third Cinerama pic to be com-
pleted. It was started by . Cooper
and suspended when Stanley-War-
ner purchased Cinerama control.
Since then, S. H. Fabian has green-
lighted plans for completing the
film by constructing a plot that
would fit the pattern of the foot-
age already shot. The new footage
would be taken in various capitals,
including — if that’s possible— Mos-
cow and Peiping.

Next Cinerama 1 film due for re-
lease is “Cinerama Holiday,” made
by Louis de Rochemont. Also set
for Cinerama treatment is the!
Lewis & Clark expedition picture
to be made by Warner Bros. It’s
understood that the film will also
be CinemaScoped, Thompson is
currently on the Coast repping
Cinerama in confabs with WB on
the production.

Reversion of Cinerama Produc-
tions to an active production status
is not seen as setting a new pat-
tern in the overall relationship of
the Cinerama companies. Cinerama
Productions has passed on its li-
cense to Stanley-Warner, In the
case of “Seven Wonders,” it does
have a say-so in the script, budget,
etc. However, it’s emphasized that
this holds true for this one picture
only.

BRITAIN

ASTON

Hippodrome <l) 23
Roy Rollands
Jimmy Grant
A Bega A Joy
Diana Chapman
C W Ingrams
Janet Carel
Andree Dancers.

BIRMINGHAM
Hlppodromo (M) 23
Harroitt & Evans
Dr Crock & C
Pierre Bel
Jon Pertwee
Pharos & Marina
Yolandas
Canfield Smith
Lee Youngsters
BLACKPOOL
Opera House. (I) 23
Jimmy Edwards
Tony Hancock
Joan Turner
Bassl 3
Lucienne
Bob & Astor
'Eliane A Rodolphe
Kathryn Moore
Monte Norman
Corps de Ballet
20 Tiller Girls
Palace (I) 23
E & D Waters
Billy Russell
Donald B Stuart
Lizzet A Eddie
Swan & Leigh
Slim Rhyder
Alain Diagora
E A Collins
Merle A Marie
Tessa

Tower Circus (I) 23
C CairOli A Paul
Knies Animals
August Natsch

3 Craddocks .

Vivian A Tassi
Knies R Horses

2 Cherks

Harold Gautier Co
Fattini

4 Ramses

Douglas Kossmaycr

3 Petroffs
George Ruzsa

7 Eagles

2 Russos

10 Ceer Barrel P
Little Jimmy
Jimmy Scott
W G Pavillion (1) 23
Terry Thomas
David Whitfield
Stella Moray
Freddie Frlnton

3 Najas

Cycling Brockways
F Langford Co
Herbart Walton
Sonnie Willis
12 Holidaymakers

BOSCOMBE
Hippodrome (I) 23

Jack Haig
Musical Elliotts
Harkness A W
Earl Darney
Patricia Solsll
Leslie Lowsey
Eddie Hart

5 Fisher Girls

BRISTOL

Hippodrome <S) 23

Lita Roza
Max Bacon
Dargie 5
Fayne A Evans
B Wareham & B
Arthur Haynes
Dennis Bros A J
Darlys Dogs
BRIXTON
Empress (I) 23
Ike Hatch

4 Tune Tellers
Jacqueline McV.ee

8 G Lawrence Girls
CHELSEA

Palace (I) 23
Clarkson Ross
Olive Fox
Ctewart A Mathew
Billy Burden

6 Clarksbn R
CHISWICK

Empire (S) 23
Alan Alan
T Jabonson Co
Sensational Garcias
Cycling Mikowskis

5 Speedmacs
Denvers
Delly Kin
Ladd West
Sam Rogers
Reggie Dennis.

DERBY

Hippodrome <S) 23
David Hughes
Len Marten
Manley A Austin
Morris A Savage
Scott A Foster
Ken Wilson
3 Lees
Carozells

EAST HAM
Grenada <l) 23
Rayros 3
Rolf Hansen
Frances Duncan

Duncan Gray
Metropolitan (I) 23
Danny O’Dea
Conrad Vince
Franklyns
BAR Rema
Juanita

J & A Howard
8 Glamourettes
FINSBURY PARK
Empire (M) 23
A1 Martirto
Dot A Maureen
Des O’Connor
Jose Moreno
Bill Waddington
R Remar A Eilene
L3 HeUos

GLASGOW
Empire (M) 23
Georgia Gibbs
RAJ Penn
Sandow Sis
Dave King
Renee Strange
Lowe A Ladd
Dassie Co
Tex James Co
LEEDS

Empire (M) 23
Clayton A Ward
Teddy Johnson
Joe Crosbie
Benny Hill
3 Indriksons
Pearl Carr
3 Rubies

LEICESTER
Palace (S) 23
Diana Decker
David Berglas
Jimmy Peal 3
Winters A Fielding
Wonder Wheelers
Silva A Audrey
Tommy Dee
MANCHESTER
Hippodrome (S) 23
Alma Cogan
Peter Cavangh
Suzette Tarri
Royal Kiltie - Jrs
Owen McGiveney
Jolly Co
Billy Maxam
Mills A' Melita
3 Henrys

Palace (M) 23
Jewel A Warriss
Geraldo Ore
Sally Barnes
DAD Remy
Boyer A Ravel
Rayros 3
Audrey Mann .

NEWCASTLE
Empire (M) 23
Joan A Ernest
Issy Bonn
Kelroys
Ray Alan
G H Elliott
Copa Cousins
Avril Angers
Billy Danvers
Nicolettes

NORWICH
Hippodrome (I) 23
Sandy Dew
Marie Joy
Vic Sanderson
Margaret Hayes
Gordon Webster
Milo Models
Jimmy Stacey
Marda

Luscious Lovlies
PORTSMOUTH
Royal (M) 23
Rex A Bessie
Gary Miller
Rolf Hansen
Peter Sellers
Allen Bros A J
Michael Bentine
Frances Duncan
Joan Rhodea
SHEFFIELD
_ Empire <M> 23 *
Dickie Valentine
J Bow A Darnell
Richman A Jackson
N Mongadors A A
Joe Church
E Gordon A Nancy
R Russell A Susie
Chas Warren A J

SOUTHAMPTON
Grand (I) 23

Harry Rowson
Dickie Bird
Len Aster
Paerl Rivers
Maureen Comfort
10 Valentine Girls
SUNDERLAND
.. Empire (M) 23
Frankie Vaughn
Mprecamhe A Wise
Radio Revellers
Tobas 3

Shane A Lamar
Valento A Dorothy
Keefe Bros A A
Manning A Lea
_ SWANSEA
.. Empire (M) 23
Morgan A Manning
Frank Preston
Cynthia A Gladys
B Wright A Marion
Betty Driver
Chris Sahds

George Martin
Tommy Dale
Archie ■ Lewis

York

„ Empire (I) 23
Harry Shlels

raws—

R*ma°Fe*rl Ciatl€7
3 Toledos
Paris Lovlies

NEW YORK CITY

. Basin St
Louis Armstrong
Blue Anget
Mickey Deems
Martha Davis
Calvin Ponder
Orson Bean
Trude Adams
Bart Howard
Jimmy Lyons Trio
£opuautni
A1 Bernie
Dolores Hawkins
Delta Rhythm Boys
Ramona Lang
M Durso Ore
Frank Marti Ore
No. 1 Fifth Ave
Cedrone A Mitchell
Bob Downey
Harold FonvUle
Hazel Webster

Hot it Roosevelt
Lenny Herman Ore
Hotel Taft
Vincent Lope7 Ore
Latin Quarter
Bernard Bros
Szonys

Jane Morgan
7 Ashtons

Ralph .Young
Piroska

Art Wane* Ore
B Harlowe Ore
.... Versailles
Nice To See You*
Fay DeWltt
Don Liberto
Lou Nelson
Dorothy Keller
Patti Ross
Linda Lombard
Margy'Duncan
Paula Stewart
Carol Ohmart
Salvatore Gloe Ore
Panrhlto Ore
Village Barn
Vickie Barry
Joel Shaw. Ore
Dale A . Mullen
Joe Furst
Piute Pete
Rachel Ellen
Waldorf-Astoria
Betty Clooney
Andrea Trio
H King Ore
Mtacha Borr Ore
Village Vanguard
Robert Clary
C Williams Trio

CHICAGO

Black Orchid

Burl Ives
June Carroll
Dr Arthur Ellen
R Kerpays Duo

. Blue Angel

■The Charmer
Gigi

Lord Templar
Lady Eva
Louis Naylor
A1 . dTLacy Quartet
Blue Note
Gerry Mulligan
Sugar Chile •
Robinson

Chez Paree

Dick Contino
Shecky Greene
J Conrad Dcrs
B Farnon Ore

Conrad Hilton

'Skating Stars’

Margie Lee
Cathy A Blair
Shirley Linde
Wcidemanns
Polo

Perky Twins
Jimmy Caesar
Eileen Carroll
Ray McIntosh \ ‘ —
B Dears A Dons
Frankie Masters Ore
Edgewater Beach .
Freddy Martin Ore
Dave Leonard
Bill Curtis
Johnny Cochran
Martin Men
Sid Krofft
D Hild Dcrs
Palmer House
George Gobel
Maureen Cannon
Double Daters
Three Houcks
Charlie Fisk Ore

IOS ANGELES

Ambassador Hotel

Los Chavalcs de
Espana

N Brandwynne Ore
Band Box
Billy Gray
Leo Diamond
Dorothy Claire
Nlcco A Barba
Larry Green Trio

Bar of Music
Rose Murphy
Allen A DeWood
Gene Garf Ore
Biltmore Hotel
Weire Bros (3)

Allan A Ashton
Bob Douglas
Hal Derwin Ore
Ciro's
Pearl Bailey

Dick Stabile Ore
Bobby Ramos Ore
Charley Fpy's
Dave Barry
Ann McCormack
J Black Ore

Moeambo

Eartha Kitt
Paul Hebert Ore

Moulin Rouge

Chiquita A Johnson
Rudy Cardenas
DeCastro Sis (3)

B Minevitch H R
Tony Gentry Circus
Barbettes (5)

Gina Genardi
Fluff Charlton
Bob Snyder Ore
Staffer Hotel
Ted Lewis Ore

MIAMI-MIAMI BEACH

Bar of Music

Bill Jordan
Hal Fisher
Harvey Bell
‘Beth Challis
Gina Valenta
Ethel Davis
Fred Thompson
Clover. Club
Ralph Slater
Ted LaWrie
Marilyn Hightower
Tony Lopez Ore
Selma Marlowe Line
Woody Woodbury
Five O'Cteck
Belle Barth
Dick Hall
Don Ostro Ore
La Vie En Rose
Pat Morrissey
Tommy Miles Ore
Leon & Eddie's
Lois De Fee
Lynn Star
Rose Ann
Rita Marlow
Charlotte Waters
Nautilus Hotel
Barry Sisters

Eddie Snyder
Antone A Ina
Sid Stanley Ore
Sans Soucl Hotel
Redheads 3
Sacasas Ore
Ann Herman Dcrs
Anne Barnett
Saxony Hotel
Marshall A Farrell
Grade Barrie
Bobby Dae A Mae
Tano A Dee
Nirva

Mandy Campo Ore
Johnny Silvers Ore
Roney Plaza
Johnny Pineapple
Hawaian Rev *

The Patio
Sonny Walsh
Harry Rogers
Lee Johnson

Bombay. Hotel

Patty Lynn
Link Andrews
Peter Mack
Dorothy Vincent

IAS VE6AS, NEVADA

. Flamingo

Pearl Bailey
Russ Morgan
Silver Slipper
Sally Rand
Hank Henry
The Appletons
Eve Marley .
Sparky Kaye
Bill Willard
Jimmie Cavanaugb
Desert Inn
Hildegafde A
Johnny Johnston
Sahara
Vagabonds
Dunhills

Lest Frontier
Marilyn Maxwell ,

Lancers
Will Jordan
El Cortez
Four Tubes
Tommy Conine
Golden Nugget
Mercer Bros
Michael Foster
- Sands
Milton Berle
Sid Gary
Lednard Sues*
Mountaineers
New Yorkers
El Rancho Vegas
Joe E Lewis
Gloria De Haven
Thunderblrd
Margaret Whiting
Arthur Blake

RENO

Mapes Skyroont
Billy Eckstine .

Jack Carter
Ddnn Arden Dcrs
E Fitzpatrick Ore
New Golden '
Woody Herman Ore
Lenny Colyer
Golden Girls

Riverside .
Dennis Day
Marcellls

Riverside Starlets

Bill Clifford Ore ,
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Cal-Neva
Eartha Kitt
Donn Arden Dcrs
Matty Malneck Ore
Cal-Vada
Nat Cole
Rowen A Martin
Ikd Carpenter Ore
Stateline
Ames Bros

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

HOUSE REVIEWS

Chicago, Chi

Chicago, Aug, 2Q,
Four Aces, Betty Madigan, Bob-
by Monahan , Mayo Bros. (2),
Louis Basil House Orch (12):
"Dragnet” (WB),

Lines wrapping around two cor-
ners for morning shows of opening

dav (20) were clearly for Jack
Webb’s p.a., though the ropes
should be up often during this
two-weeker largely for the pic’s
pull, * Four Aces have played the
B&K flagship twice before during
the past year, when their disks
were really hot, and -they never
brought biz like this.

With Webb mi bill opening day,
each turn was clipped to barest
minimum; and even with the
thesp’s personable lift-up-your-
hearts recitation about Chicago,
the whole thing barely spanned 45
minutes. Crowd was so enthusi-
astic for the slightest niorsel of en-
tertainment, it was a pushover for
all acts.

Four Aces send ’em with what
is identically the act they brought
last January, except that at show
caught they were limited to four
numbers. Teenagers in the house
dig that shuffle beat to the extent
of clapping out the rhythms on
group numbers like “Honey in the
Horn.” This is a sock, showmanly
offering. Rest of the tunes are
pretty much a showcase for lead
chanter Al Alberts, with trio back-
ing vocally; and while his bariton-
ing excites some squealing from
the frontrows, there gets to be too
much Alberts and not enough Aces
in the performance.

Stubholders are equally re-
sponsive to chirper Betty Madigan,
who essays three solid tunes and
leaves them wanting more. Looker
has a good way with a song, a
lilting set of pipes, and hep stage,
deportment. Opener and closer
are bounce numbers, “Gypsy in
My Soul” and “ ‘Deed I Do,” each
nicely projected. In between is
her M-G-M click, “Joey,” which
she sells to a hefty mitt,

There’s a song in every act.
Comic Bobby Monahan toasts his
own physique with “Nobody Loves
a Fat Man” and later gets off a
very funny special version of
“These Foolish Things Remind Me
of Her.” With no time allowed for
warmup he wrings a fair degree of
laughter out of two caricature
monologs, those of a frizzy old sot
and her likewise saturated hus-
band. Getaway is an acceptable
impresh of Charles Lauehton as
the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Mayo Bros, open with singing of
“I Can’t Give You Anything But
Love,” which is punctuated with
their fine brand of flash terp.
Working on platform, duo dishes
up fast tap antics in synch before
taking solo riffs. They’re a slick
pair of hoofers who shape as a
- sock opening act with some yock-
worthy capers in the yield.

Louis Basil emcees cordially and
cuts a fine show in fronting house
orch. Les.

Empire* Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Aug. 17.

Al Martino, Rey Overhury with
Suzette, George Doonan, Anne
Doonan, Yolandas (2), Ruddy Bob
ly. Bill A Babs Adams. The May-
fairs (2), Gordon Rolfe Orch.

Al Martino, backed by a fairly
good company of vaude acts, keeps
the customers in satisfied mood
here. U. S. singer, lacking stage
presence and looks of other male
singers, impresses with sincere and
talented rendition of current hits,
exiting to nice mitting. He’s not a
wow but passes muster to pleasure
of all who know his voice through
disks.

Opens with “Got My Love to
Keep Me Warm,” then into
“Rachel,” which garners solid re-
ception. Segues, into “Wanted,”
then does “As Time Goes By,”
“Get a Kick Out of You,” “Shoot-
ing High” and “She’s Funny That
Way,” winding with “Here in My
Heart.”

The Mayfairs are attractive
openers, two. girls in tights with
agile terping. Bill & Babs Adams,
youthful duo, offer comedy act
that clicks with outfronters, and
are followed by Ruddy Bolly, jug-
gler on the high wire.

George Doonan, vet English co-
median, works hard to establish
friendly feeling with customers,
and mainly succeeds. Some of his
gag material is familiar, and
there’s an indigo flavor to part of
his act. In first segment of bill,
comedian works solo, and in sec-
ond is joined by his attractive
daughter Anne.

First half of layout is wound by
Key Overbury, His clowning mu-
sicianship is near the top grade,
and his Gary Cooper impresh sing-
ing High Noon” a standout item.
JJances while seated on moving
chair, and is aided for prop

55

changes by a pert looker nhmed
Suzette.

The Yolandas have unusual act
of clowning aero work, twistihg
and twining among themselves to
confusion of the customers. Gord.

Palace, X. Y.

Russ & Joy Sobey, Lou Folds,
Milt Douglas, Los Romeros & Lo-
lita, Rpwena Rollins, The Chariot-
eers (5), W ally Vernon, Berna-
dette Phelan Dancers (3 )•; Jo
Lombardi Orch, “ The Raid ”
(20th), reviewed in Variety,
June 2; 1954.

The current Palace bill shapes
up as one of the best in recent
weeks, packing plenty of entertain-
ment value right down the line.
Most of the turns in this layout
are returnees to the Palace and
the professional savvy is evident.
Only New Act on the bill is . Lou
Folds and he’s okay. also.

Russ & Joy Sobey, hoofing duo,
get the show off to a good start
with their tap-terping display.
Team opens in unison but each
does best in solo bits, the male
partner clicking strongest with a
snappy variety of steps and splits.

Milt Douglas, vet emcee and
Vaude comic, comes back to these
boards with a routine that has an
acceptable laugh layoff. Working
with an unbilled straight woman,
he sets up a running series of gags
interspliced with some light hoof-
ing and singing bits. He works
smoothly and, even though his
script isn’t the strongest, he knows
how to punch across a gag without
milking it.

One of the high spots of the
bill are Los Romeros & Lolita,
flamenco turn executed by two men
and a girl. Trio works with dash
and. flash in their native
heel-clicking genre. Open-
ing number is excellent and after
a slight dip in pace, trio winds
in high gear for a begoff hand.

AnothA* vet performer, Rowena
Rollins, adds comedy spice* to this
package. She opens with an okay
special material number and
switches to a series of takeoffs
on Mrs, Roosevelt, a femme com-
mentator on TV, and girls of the
flapper era. Uses her long limbs
and double-jointed, arms for laugh
effect in an overall good act.

The Charioteers are ah excellent
followup act. Negro vocal quartet
and piano accompanist are on for
a fast three numbers, doing “Sunny
Side Of The Street,” “I Believe”
and “Dry Bones,” off too soon.
Combo could easily have done one
more tune.

In next-to-closing, Wally Vernon
comes back to this vaudery for
more good returns. Except for a
slow and schmaltzy tribute to such
show biz immortals as Cohan^.and
Jolson, he hits solidly. One of his
best bits is his slow-motion take-
off bn a punch-drunk pug. He also
scores with some eccentric hoofing
and miniature harmonica instru-
mental.

Bernadette Phelan Dancers have
also played this house before and
close the show with a Classy adagio
routine. Two males toss Miss Phe-
lan around in graceful acroballet
leaps. Herm.

Olympia, Miami

Miami, Aug. 20.

Bob Eberly, Bobby Sargent. Ba-
ron Buika, Holly Warren, Wally
Wanger Girls ( 6 ) , Les Rhode
House Orch; “ Battle of Rogue
River ” (Col).

Casino, Toronto

Toronto, Aug. 2Q.
Jivimy Boyd, Michael Chimes A
Family (6), Frances Foster, Harold
Barry , Massive Twins (2), Archie
Stone’s House Orch ; “China Ven-
ture” (Col).

Billy Murray Dies at 77

Continued from page 44

With Jimmy Boyd in for a hefty
draw, surrounding 75-minute stage
stint is sock, The youngster, with
his studied infectious style, com-
plete with- hillbilly getup and nasal
.well-timed delivery, opens with his
standard “I Saw Mommy Kissing
Santa Claus,” a vocal that, in mid-
August, seems incongruous but had
the customers pounding. On his
guitar self-accompaniment, . young-
ster switches from hillbilly laments
to yodelling, with such sure-fire
oldies as “Bimbo,” “Doggie in the
Window,” and “Ma, I Miss Your
Apple Pie,” with whammo finish
in “Man With a Banjo,”

Stage stanza opens with The
Massive Twins in their golden
gladiator costumes for a show-
manly job that includes the old-
time tableau poses interspersed
with nifty balancing and hand-
stands, all done in slow motion for
dramatic effects.

Hefty audience returns also went
to Michael Chimes & Family for
their harmonica act, with the
father bringing on his four sons,
in descending ages from 12 to
seven years, for solo stepouts in
a swing arrangement of “Poet and
Peasant,” a hot “Bumble Boogie,”
“Hungarian Rhapsody” and a wham
begoff with the father and the
youngsters whipping out “Twelfth
Street Rag.”

Frances Foster, poured into a
pink gown, had no trouble getting
over in her bouncy opening “Lover
Come Back,” seguing into her
shout style and a Billy Daniels’
blend for her “Talk to the Man
Upstairs”;. “Down by the River”
and “Row, Row, Row.” Harold
Barry, in and out as emcee, is also
over big on his own stint of patter,
song parodies, and a bit of eccen-
tric dancing. Much of his. material
was oldfashioned rhyming monolog.

McStay.

Empire, Glasgow

. Glasgow, Aug. 20.

Dr. Crock A His Crackpots (12),
Pharos A Marina, Max A Harry
Nesbitt, Aly Wilson with Jimmy
Plant, Gold, A Cordell ; Bobby
Dowds Orch.

There’s pleasant summer fare
in the lineup showcase here this
week, in most cases a cut above
what can usually be expected dur-
ing the dog days.

Bob Eberly makes this vauder an
annual stop and per usual works
out his songalog in easy, listenable
style. Works up the mitting with
revival of Tommy Dorsey days’
familiars such as “Green Rye.”
“Maria Elena” et al. Off to hearty
plaudits.

Comedy spot is held down by
Bobby Sargent who racks up goodly
portion of laughs with his dialec-
tics and carbonings. Guy’s smooth
approach and shownianly handling
of material add to overall impact.

Songstess Holly Warren is an
attractive soprano who wins them
all the way with smart blend of
Latin and American tunes. Taste-
fully gowned she keeps interest
building with her assortment,
topped by rousing version of
“Granada”.

The novelty violining of Baron
Buika is a standout. Utilization of
trick stuff such as playing with in-
strument in odd positions, doesn’t
obscure virtuosity, the stubholders
reacting enthusiastically to his
winder "Hot- Canary.”

Wally Wangers troupe of dancers
set up' pair of routines to frame
the layout, with the most elaborate
a French-angled concert. Les
Rhode and house orch are fa’* on
the showbackings. Lary.

Lineup showcased at this top
Scot vaudery is an average bill
minus any topline acts but contain-
ing just enough worthwhile acts to
make for fairly attractive b.o. lure.

Dr. Crock & His Crackpots, en-
tertaining British band combo,
head up the contingent. This is a
complete vaude entertainment in
itself, being a. bunch of crazy-style
musicians who indulge in all man-
ner of antics. Garbing is zany,
members being attired in Scotch
kilt, bowler hats, checked outfits,
academic robes, etc. Much comedy
business, even to descent of one
guy into auditorium to pour out
beer for customers. Musicians use
orange-boxes for music stands.
Combo contrasts with recent
straight bandshows on the vaude
stage. Charlie Rossi, comedian,
garners nice mitting for his “Don’t
Laugh At Me” number.

Gold & Cordell, mixed terping
duo, tee off the layout, scoring par-
ticularly in their second-half offer-
ing of dancing-in-miniature fol-
j lowed by their, own “Costei's’
Swing,” a London Cockney dance.

Aly Wilson, Scot comedian, tilts
strongly at American singers and
their microphone gimmicks, earn-
ing solid mitting. Wilson’s other
routine, with foil Jimmy Plant, is
n.s.g. Livelier pace would improve
his patter spot. Max & Harry Nes-
bitt, singing comedians, please in
song and comedy, and are best in
goofy-style songs. Wind with med-
ley of pops, some of their own com-
position.

Intriguing act of the layout is
the mental telepathy, as it’s billed,
of Pharos & Marina, duo w.k. on
British radio shows. This is male-
and-femme twosome, both tall and
graceful, and the femme a looker.
Male simply moves around the
auditorium asking customers to
hand him articles which his distaff
partner, on - stage, immediately
identifies, even to initials on cards
and wallets.

Okay showbacking by the Bobby
Dowds house orch. Gord.

Apollo, X. Y.

Billy Ward's Dominoes (5), Jim-
my Valentine A Rita, Charles
Jones A Raymond, Albenice . Clark
Bros. (2), Earl Hines Band (12);
“The Lone Hand” (U-l).

The headlining Billy Ward's
Dominoes let pewsters down at
current Apollo sesh, but Earl Hines
and his sidemen, sharing top of the
marquee, are okay. There are also

from Field than from anyone else.

The troupe came east in 1903,
and Murray tried his voice again at

record making. He had. ho trouble
getting an Edison engagement and
his first cylinders marketed on a na-
tionwide basis appeared in the Au-
gust list. Both were "coon songs”
— “I ? m Thinkin’ of You All the
While” and “Alex Busby, Don’t Go
Away.” (Can anybody living sing
either from memory?). They made
a hit because of the strong, pene-
trating quality of his boyish tenor
voice and the extreme clarity of
his enunciation. Years later, Ce-
sare Sodero (Edison’s recording
director before he became conduc-
tor of the Metropolitan Opera Or-
chestra) said Billy Murray had the
finest enunciation and breath con-
trol of any singer he had ever
heard. Murray said the knack of
proper breathing was taught him
by a retired opera singer, making
it possible for him to sing all the
way through some of George M.
Cohan’s rapid-fire comedy composi-
tions without ever seeming to take
breath.

The young comic’s Victor debut
came in November, 1903. He was
described as a “new singer of coon
songs, whose records are unusually
clear; every word can be distinctly
heard.” The titles of his first four
Victors are worth quoting: “I
Never Could Love Like That,” “My
Little ’Rang Outang,” “Under a
Panama” and “Up in a Cocoanut
Tree.”

That was the beginning of an
amazing career. Murray was soon
known not only as the clearest
singer but as the funniest man on
records. Even topical songs that
would have sounded banal or stu-
pid from other lips were trans-
formed into gems of ironic com-
mentary when he cracked down.
The Victor catalog editor, Sam
Rous, tagged Murray as “The Den-
ver Nightingale” (a complimentary
variant of “Rocky Mountain Ca-
nary”). It was a sobriquet which
stuck for years.

. Held Many ‘Firsts’

Murray probably has more
“firsts” and million copy records
to his credit than any other per-
foimer. In 1907 his became the
first recorded voice heard on radio
when Dr. Lee De Forrest played
his Victor record of “College Life”
as part of his wireless experiments.
That same year the tenor struck
up a duet partnership with Ada
Jones, a soprano whose records
were among the sensations of the
time, and the' popularity of both
singers zoomed. A couple of years
later Murray became the lead in
the male foursome known as the
American Quartet on Victor wax-
ings, and the Premier Four on
Edison. Other members were John
Bieling, first tenor; Steve Porter,
baritone, and William F. Hooley,
bass. This was usually considered
the best quartet specializing in rag-
time and comedy work. He Was

four other acts, three of them dis-
tinctive and fresh.

Dominoes do a couple of their
regular tunalog — “60 Minute Man,”
“Have Mercy Baby’’ and most re-
cent “Three Coins” in reasonable
vocal fashion. Accompanying body
gyrations, however, grow annoying
after a few seconds. Music by quin-
tet is loud, with individual voices
often lost.

The second act, Jimmy Valentine
& Rita, is socko., Ofay brace of
terpers, he with one leg, slide neat-
ly through tango, Charleston, soft-
shoe and even jitterbug to earn
big mitt for intricate routines. In
trey are Charles Jones & Raymond,
reportedly fresh out of the Apollo’s
amateur contests but showing cus-
tomers pro talent. They get New
Acts o.o.

Following is Albenice, magico,
who wdrks embroidered shell game,
using live chicks instead of peas,
for diverting TO minutes. Light
banter helps as he draws two from
seats to aid feats of prestidigita-
tion.

After a full band opener (12),
Earl Hines follows the magician
back on stage with seven-man com-
bo (two sax, trumpet and trom-
bone plus guitar, drums and him-
self at keys). Group’s versatility
clicks. Brand of tooting in “The
Web” and the tin-roof edition of
( “Make Love To Me” are especially
[good. Group also does some better-
than-average vocalling.

Clark Bros.’ terping provides par
; entertainment. DuO does some pre-
cision as well as energetic chal-
lenge stuff, but both could find less
awkward use for hands. Art.

also on occasion the duet partner
of virtually every pop recording
star — .Ada Jones, Elizabeth Spen-
cer, Gladys Rice, Elsie Baker,
Helen Clark, Irving Kaufman, Will
Oakland, Ed Smalle, Elida Morris,
Henry Burr, Billy Jones and Wal-
ter Van Brunt— to name a few out
of possibly 100.

After years of freelancing, Mur-
ray became exclusive to Victor in
1920 and was star comedian and
master of ceremonies of the Eight
Famous Victor Artists troupe,
which drew packed houses through-
out the U. S. and Canada. On
Broadway or in tank towns the
groups’ appeal was the same. Hen-
ry Burr was manager and top bal-
lad singer. At one time or another
the troupe included such show biz
notables as Albert Campbell,
Arthur Collins, Byron G. Harlan,
Frank Croxton, Rudy Wiedoeft,
Monroe Silver, Vess L. Ossman,
and Theodore Morse — all dead
now— and the still living Fred Vah
Eps, Frank Banta, Sam Herman
and Carl Mathieu. Murray believed
he was the first emcee on radio,
having served in that capacity on
a two^hour show by the Eight when
WEAF was first established at 195
Broadway, N. Y. City.

Victim of Electronics

Murray’s popularity hit the skids
when electric recording was intro-
duced in 1925. He found it hard to
change his intense, . forceful style,
which he called “hammering,” for
the “relaxed,” casual quality called
for by the mike. The early electric
process murdered his voice, giving
it a hard, ro«gh sound it didn’t
really possess. " When his Victor
contract expired in 1928 it wasn’t
renewed, but he and Walter Scan-
lan formed a partnership and were
moderately successful on records
and in radio for several years. In
1940 Mhrray managed a brief
comeback as a singer for Victor’s
Bluebird records, and also made a
number of appearances on the Na-
tional Barn Dance and other radio
programs. He then developed a
heart condition and was ordered by
his doctor to quit work.

A modest, clean-living man who
didn’t smoke and was a teetotaler
throughout his active career (al-
though he probably sang more
comic songs than anyone else con-
cerning the alleged joys of booze-
h’isting), Murray, would never put
on a front, “go Broadway” or have
a press agent. It’s safe to say no
other recordiag .artist has ever had
more fanatical admirers.

These idolators range from his
most intimate friend, James V.
Martindale of Brooklyn, publisher
of the Martindale-Hubbell Law Di-
rectory, who probably has the
largest collection of Murray rec-
ords, to a man in Chicago whose
recorded treasures contain prac-
tically nothing but Murray disks.

Also typical are a 16-year-old
boy in Portland, Ore., whose great-
est longing, destined to remain un-
gratified, has been to meet Billy
Murray, to a Massachusetts woman
past 80 who spends hours every
day playing Murray cylinders. A
man in Detroit who had collected
nothing but classical records heard
his first Murray platters a couple
of years ago and began trying to
trade six Carusos for one Murray.
This musicologist has been an ar-
dent admirer of “The Denver
Nightingale” since the age of six.
I have more than 1,500 Murray
recordings — only a small percent-
age, at that, of the 6,000 or more
platters and rollers in which Billy
took part.

Murray shunned night clubs and
preferred watching big league
baseball to any other diversion.
Until he was around 50 he was
himself a skilled amateur ball
player, ■frequently, in his earlier
days he slipped off from his re-
cording engagements to join the
N. Y. Yankees (then the Ilighland-
er s) on their spring training trips,
and occasionally he played right
! field in exhibition games. For years
he prided himself on knowing per-
sonally every player in the Amer-
■ ican and National leagues and he
was always a welcome visitor on
any club’s bench. But show biz was
always the biggest thing in Mur-
ray’s life, so perhaps it was only
appropriate that he should suc-
cumb to a heart attack while wait-
ing at Jones Beach to see an out-
door presentation of “The Arabian
Nights.” After all, there was some-
thing of an “Arabian Nights” qual-
ity to “The Denver Nightingale's”
life story.

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

Perks East Hampton; Other Barns

East Hampton, N.Y., Aug. 24.

High at the ends and low in the
middle is the way Ron Rawson
slanted admish rates to his John
Drew Theatre here this year. The
policy, surprisingly, has kept the
400-seat strawhat near capacity all
summer.

Monday, Friday and Saturday
evenings have the same scale, with
a top of $3.85. Tuesday, Wednes-
day and Thursday nights top at
$3.30, and a Wednesday matinee at
$ 2 . 20 .

House-filling gimmick Mondays
is a post-show reception in the
theatre gardens, where subscribers
can meet the guest stars of the
week. The First Nighter subscrip-
tions go for $28.80 for the eight-
show season as against $23.76 for
regular, subscriptions to the mid-
week performances. Subscriptions
are invalid Fridays and Saturdays.

Receptions draw a sizeable num-
ber of the old families, and Mon-
day night audiences are a picture
gallery of socialites. Non-subscrib-
ers pay the upped opening night
tariff almost as much to mingle
with the upper crust, as to see the
show, though they're not eligible
for the social aftermath.

The John Drew boxofflce func-
tions almost without an advance
sale. East Hamptpnites are con-
ditioned theatregoers who drop in
at the Drew much as they would
at a neighborhood film house.

Rawson, now in his second year
at the Drew, operated the house
last season as a split-week deal in
combo with a silo in Westhampton.
The Westhampton kick abandoned,
Rawson figures the Drew’s success
is due about equally to growing
acceptance by regular East Hamp-
tonites and to increasing numbers
of weekenders.

Theatre this week is staging the
American preem of Noel Coward’s
“This Happy Breed." This “subur-
ban ‘Cavalcade,”’ as it’s been
called, costars Martha Scott and
Tom Hellmore.

played 11 performances at a $2.20
top. .

“Stalag 17,” current and final
show of the local theatre-in-the-
round’s eight- week summer season,
shows signs of being the season’s
best grosser, thanks in part to an
unusual publicity break.

'Charley'^ $5,500, Stockbridge
Stockbridge, Mass., Aug. 24.

Brandon Thomas' perpetual
“Charley’s Aunt,” starring William
Roerick, brought a satisfactory $5,-
500 gross last week at the Berk-
shire Playhouse here. Management
noted a strong moppet and teener
draw. Betty Field is starring this

(Continued on page 60)

Conditional Passes

Servicemen are checking
their wardrobes these days be-
fore pitching for the cuffo
legit tickets alloted them by
Broadway managements.

In an attempt to camouflage
papered houses, several man-
agements have ' a sked. that
uniformed personnel using the
free seats appear in civvies.
Idea isn’t new, but has never
been as prevalent as during
the recent b.o. slump.

erf

Inside Stuff-Legit

‘Sabrina* $14,400, Philly
Philadelphia, Aug. ?4.

Playhouse in. the Park, Philly’s
municipally operated tent theatre,
smashed a three-season record last
week with a $14,400 gross for
“Sabrina Fair." Previous high was
last summer’s “Moon Is Blue,’’
starring localite Grace Kelly.

Record-breaking gross of “Sa-
brina” was a sleeper to the man-
agement, which had been figuring J
on something of the sort with the!
current show. Margaret Truman in
“Autumn Crocus.” However. “Sa-
brina.” which tried out in Philly
last fall with Margaret Sullavan,
Joseph Cotten, was an immediate
click under canvas, having the best
cash Monday opening of the season.
The critics were unanimously en-
thusiastic and the cast, with John
Baragrey, Paul McGrath and
Georgiann Johnson top-billed, was
favorably received.

For the first time in Playhouse
history, the Wednesday matinee
went clean, with several hundred
turned away, and the Saturday mat,
despite adverse weather, was al-
most as big.

From indications, the Truman
vehicle. "Autumn Crocus,” will
duplicate “Sabrina,” with only a
matter of standees and extra chairs
establishing a margin. "Crocus”
has been extended a second week.

I

‘Kate* $18,200, Toronto

Toronto, Aug. 24.

Rave reviews boosted Leighton
K. Brill’s production of “Kiss Me,
Kate” to hefty attendance and a
big $ 18:200 gross last week as the
Melody Fair’s ninth theatre-in-the-
round presentation this season,
with midtown Arena Gardens (5,-
300-seater) scaled at $2.50 top.
Piece marked personal triumphs
for Kathryn Albertson and Andrew
Gainey, while Teddy Hart, Betty
O’Neil and Iggie Wolfington also
drew praise.

Advance on the current “Show

“Sabrina Fair,” which closed
last Saturday (21) at the Royale
Theatre, N. Y., has been a multiple
boxofflce hit. The Broadway pro-
duction made a profit of about
$45,000. and the comedy has been
cleaning up on the strawhat cir-
cuit.

Play was released to stock at the
start of the season while still run-
ning on Broadway. Unique move
Was made by the Playwrights’ Co.
because of the improbability of a
tour.* Road trek considered a
doubtful boxoff ice bet not only be-
cause of the film version, skedded
for. release next week, but also her
cause of the poor reception accord-
ed a Coast company last spring.

Stock release of the Samuel
Taylor play has given the silos one
of the hottest entries of the sea-
son. Show broke a three-yea^ rec-
ord at Philadelphia’s Playhouse-in-
the-Park last week, pulling in
$14,400 with a no-name cast. A
package production, starring Con-
stance Bennett, has also been do-
ing solid biz. Of several dates
played this season, two have been
standout engagements.

Miss Bennett set a record at the
Lakes Region Playhouse, Laconia-
Gilford, N. H., with an $8,300 take
and pulled in $6,900, top for the
season, at the Clinton (Conn.)
Playhouse, Play has also been
done this summer at the La Jolla
i Cal.) Playhouse and elsewhere.

“Sabrina,” capitalized at $50,000,
had a Broadway run of 317 per-
formances. It racked up solid
grosses in its first 28 weeks, with
Margaret Sullavan and Joseph
Cotten co-starring. However, profit
during that period was dented con-
siderably by the payment of 10%
of the gross to each of the stars.

Following the takeover of the
leading roles by Leora Dana and
Tod Andrews the first week in
June, receipts dropped to around
the break-even point, failing to
pick up for the remainder of the
run. Coast company, which had a
brief run in Los Angeles and San
Francisco, was headed by Diana
Lynn and Wendell Corey. Another
production is current in London.

Paramount’s screen edition of
the comedy, costarring Audrey
Hepburn. Humphrey Bogart and
William Holden, opens next week,
at the Criterion Theatre, N. Y.,
following the current feature,
“Living It Up.” Film rights to the
script were acquired prior to the
stage production.

Bennett-Pleasant Tout
No ‘Obligatory Press’

At McCarter, Princeton

Princeton, N. J., Aug. 24.

New move to bring legit tryouts
back to Princeton's McCarter The-
atre has been announced by New
York publicists Isadora Bennett
and Richard Pleasant. In four-page
meimo to Broadway producers, the
new team notes the ^advantages”
of opening in Nassau rather than
such standard tryout towns as New
Haven, Boston, Philadelphia, Wil-
mington, etc.

Among alleged benefits are high-
scaled house, proximity to New
York, savings in transfer, no pen-
alty musicians, reasonable union
rates and ad costs, discriminating
gentry and “absence of an obliga-
tory press.” It’s indicated the lat-
ter point means exclusion of critics
from “first (or all) performances,”
This in spite of the promise that
the house will have local press and
radio cooperation.

Bennett — Pleasant have also
circulated queries to local civic
groups as to what type of shows,
prices, subscription rates, etc.,
would tying response.

This is not the. first try by the
University to make a go of the Mc-
Carter. The house, opening in
1928, has been dark much of the
time. Despite ample storage and
production space backstage and in
the basement, the auditorium is
regarded as too large for straight
plays, and has poor heating and
accoustics, and no air conditioning.

In recent years, a star -system
summer stock organization quit af-
ter a few lacklustre seasons. Last
spring, Richard Skinner took over
booking for the University, but
failed to get shows, and took a job
as general manager for Coast the-
atre owner-producer Huntington
Hartford.

Ex-B’way Detroiters
In Musical ‘Rehearsal’

Detroit, Aug. 24.

Detroit Theatre Club, newly-
formed legit group, will preem a
new musical, “Dress Rehearsal,” at
the 1,200-seat Art Instiute here
Oct. 1-2. Music and lyrics for the
tuner were written by Pierre La-
Marre, who also contributed
sketches along with Dan Smith and
Robert Coughlin. Sets are by Jo-
anne Mozer and choreography is by
Dar Knight. Annette Link is cos-
tume designer and James Altman
is musical arranger..

Production will be directed by
LaMarre. Group is comprised of
performers who’ve returned to De-
troit after trying to hit paydirt in
New York.

Backers of ‘‘All Summer Long,” Playwrights Co. production of a
drama by Robert Anderson due Sept. 23 at the Coronet, N.Y., include
producers Rita Allen and Archie Thomson, $1,300; literary agent Max-
milian Becker, $650; orchestra conductor-contractor Meyer Davis, $650;
lyricist and Metro ad-pub v.p. Howard Dietz, $1,300; realtor-theatre
owner Robert W. Dowling, $1,300; Sylvia DrUcker, of Theatregoers,
Inc., a ticket subscription group, $325; William Fields, playwright-
pressagent, $650; producer Mary K, Frank, associate with the Play-
wrights in the presentation of Anderson’s current “Tea and Sympathy,’*
$1,300; producer James W. Gardiner, $650; Leonard Goldenson, presi-
dent of American Broadcasting-Paramount Theatres, $1,300; off-
Broadway producer David Graham, $650; producer Huntington Hart-
ford, $1,300; Theresa Helburn and Lawrence Langner, co-administrators
of the Theatre Guild, $650 each; Armina Marshall (Mrs. Langner),
$650; talent agent William Liebling, $1,300; tv producer Max Liebman,
$1,300; attorney Herman Meltzer, representing a client, $1,300; attorney
Myer D. Mermin, representing the Limited Angels syndicate, $650;
attorney Morris Schrier, representing Music Corp. of America, Ander-
son’s agent, $6,500; theatrical accountant J. S. Seidman, $1,300; Actor’s 1
Fund prez Walter Vincent, $3,900; Malcolm Wells, assistant to Play-
wrights general manager Victor Samrock, representing the firm, $488;
Irwin D. Wolf, president of the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, $1,300;
Edward Hahn, of the 45th St. Theatre Ticket Office, $650; Thomas
Legate, representing Broadway Angels, a syndicate, $2,600, and Robert
Weiner, assistant to pressagent Arthur Cantor, representing a group
of friends, $325. Production is Capitalized at $65,000, with provision
for 20% Overcall, and the general partners are producer-realtor Roger
L. Stev ens, a Playwrights member, and Samrock and Fields. ’

Dick Maney .is frustrated. As pressagent for “The Moon Is Blue”
during its long BroadWay run, he amassed a sizable collection of feature
material on Barbara Bel Geddes, its femme star. Over the last two
summers, however, when the actress was playing Strawhat dates in
the F. Hugh Herbert comedy and in “The Little Hut,” anguished pleas
from bam pressagents for material on Miss Bel Geddes depleted
Maney’s file. Now, as p.a. for Gilbert Miller’s upcoming production
of Graham Greene’s “The Living Room,” to star Miss Bel Geddes,
Maney has no bio or feature stuff on the actress. He wonders, plain-
tively, if some of the silo reps won’t please return the material he
lent them.

Jefferson Hotel in Washington is making a strong bid for show biz
trade with a series of extra services. Recently facelifted, the hostel
teed off on theatrical biz when Helen Hayes and Julie Harris discovered
the advantages of its sultes-with-kitche’n services. Latest stunt was
a party hosted by manager Jeanne Sweetland to say “farewell to
‘South Pacific’ and welcome to ‘Golden Apple’.” Besides the casts
of both musicals, reps from every segment of local show biz including
niteries, Arena Stage, National Symphony, Olney strawhat and even
films, showed up for the midnight-to-dawh affair.

After local papers reported that the Arena Theatre, Rochester,
needed German uniforms for its current production of “Stalag 17,”
an offer came from Edgar VanValkenberg, an actual former inmate
of the German P.O.W. camp where co-authors Donald Bevan and Ed-
mund Trzcinskl were confined during World War II. The ex-G.I. was
invited to o.o. the technical aspects of the production, and the in-
cident drew considerable space in the Rochester press. “Stalag,” in-
cidentally, is the windup summer production at the year-round stock
outlet. Biz for the season has been fair.

Lucille Lortel’s White Bam strawhat showcase in Westport, Conn.,
recently had a tryout of British playwright Norman Hudis’ “Here Is
the News,” a play about an editor of an unidentified country who
fights suppression by a totalitarian government. Drama was based, on
the well-publicized La Prensa case in Argentina. One of the White
Barn visitors was the actual anti-Peron editor of La Prensa, Alberto
Gainza Paz, now living in New York. Paz, who came to Westport with
a group of fellow exiles from Argentina, had never known a play had
been inspired by his epic until he got an invite from Miss Lortel.

Cheryl Maxwell, producer of the Quarterdeck Theatre, Atlantic City,
N. J., is making public relations pitch by inviting mayors of various
Jersey towns to Friday and Sunday evening performances at the spot.
Officials already hosted include Joseph Altman (Atlantic City), Eugene
A. Tighe (Margate), Leon Leopardi (Longport), W. Scott Ireland
(Pleasantvville), Joseph Spero (Brigantine), George Frances .(Linwood)
and Fred Chapman (Somers Point). Mayor Titus (Ventnor)- will attend
the barn’s final performance next Sunday (29).

‘Wing’ Revue Grounded;
Seek Coin for B’ way

Plans for a strawhat tryout of
the American Theatre Wing revue,
“On the Wing,” have been dropped.
Tuner, which was auditioning in
New York several months ago, had
been set to tryout this week at
the Ivy Tower Playhouse, Spring
j Lake, N. J. High cost of mount-
ing the presentation prompted the
Wing to eliminate any barn show-
ings, however.

A Broadway production is still
contemplated, with the Wing cur-
rently trying to raise the necessary
capital. Replacement bill at Spring
_ , . Lake is “Put Them All Together,”

Dorothy Chernuck-Omar K. Ler- by Theodore Hirsch and Jeanette
man production of “Androcles and j Patton, a pre-Broadway tryout
the Lion” last week. Comedy J starring Fay Bainter.

Boat,” with Kaye Connor, Donald
Clarke, Stanley Carlson and Wil-
liam C. Smith, was $7,500.

‘Androcles* $3,200, Rochester
Rochester, N. Y., Aug, 24.

G. B. Shaw, an Arena stalwart,
grossed a sturdy $3,200 for the j Lake is

Current Road Shows

(Aug. 23-Sept. 4)

Caine Mutiny Court Martial
(Paul Douglas, Wendell Corey,
Steve Brodie) — Opera House, CCm
tral City, Col. (23-28); H. S. Aud.,
Pocatello, Ida. (30); Civic Center
Aud,, Helena, Mont.. (31); Fax,
Spokane (1-2); Georgian Aud., Van-
couver (3-4).

King and I (Yul Brynner, Pa-
tricia Morison) — Capitol, Salt Lake
City (23-28); Aud., Denver (30-4)..

Peter Pan (Mary Martin) (tryout)
—Philharmonic Aud.. L. A. (23-4)
(Reviewed in Variety, July 21,
’54).

Picnic (Ralph Meeker) — Pabst,
Milwaukee (23-28); Cass) Detroit
(30-4).

Porgy and Bess— Shubert, Bos-
ton (23-28); Royal Alexandra, To-
ronto (31-4).

Seven Year Itch (Eddie Bracken)
—Geary, S. F. (23-4).

South Pacific (Iva Withers, Webb
Tilton) — Royal Alexandra, Toronto
(23-28); Her Majesty’s, Montreal
(30-4). “

Time Out for Ginger (Melvyh
Douglas)— Harris, Chi (23-4).

Wonderful Town (Carol Chan-
ning)— Shubert, Chi (23-4). *

Paul Vroom, co-producer of “The Fragile Fox,” denies a statement
in last week’s Variety that the Norman Brooks play is a grim drama.
He notes that it is not localed in a prison camp, but in various spots
in Northern France during the Battle of the Bulge. “Fox” is primarily
an action play, he claims, with considerable broad comedy. He has
already booked 16 theatre parties, and more are being set. Show
opens Oct. 12 at the Belasco, N.Y.

Shows in Rehearsal

Keys: C (Comedy), D (Drama),
CD (Comedy -Drama), R (Revue),
MC (MusicaJ-Comedy), MD (Musi-
cal-Drama), O (Opera), OP ( Op-
eretta ).

All Summer Long (D) — Play-
wrights’ Co., prod.; Alan Schneider,
diri

Boy Friend (MC) — Cy Feuer &
Ernest H. Martin, prods.; Vida
Hope, dir.

Faiiny (MC) — David Merrick-
Joshua Logan, prods.; Logan, dir.;
Ezio Pinza, Walter Slezak, stars.

Fifth Season <C) (Reopening) —
George Kondolf-Sherman S. Krell-
berg, prods.; Gregory Ratoff, dir.;
Chester Morris, Joseph Buloff,
stars.

Moon Is Blue (C) (Road)— George
Brandt, prod.

On Your Toes (MC)— George Ab-
bott, prod.; Abbott, dir.; Vera Zo-
rina, Bobby Van, stars.

Reclining Figure (C) — Martin
Gabel-Henry M. M&rgolis, prods.;
Abe Burrows, dir.; Mike Wallace,
star.

St. Joan (D) (Road) — Producers’
Theatre, prod.; Harold Clurman,
dir,; Jean Arthur, star.

‘Dish’ Picks Up, London;
Cast Back on Full Pay

London, Aug. 24.

After the cast had accepted sal-
ary cuts to the Equity minimum
for two weeks, “The Wooden Dish”
played to improved business at the
Phoenix Theatre last week and the
company is now back on full pay,

- The production, presented by
E. P. Clift, by arrangement with
Aldrich & Myers and Julius
Fleischmann, preemed on July 27,
with Wilfred Lawson and Joan
Miller as leads.

Late Start This Season
For Shubert, New Haven

New Haven, Aug. 24.

Shubert Theatre here gets off to
a late start this Season, first book-
ing being Sept. 15. House opened
in late-August in the last several
years.

Opener is preem of “Reclining
Figure,” due for a five-perform-
ance breakin Sept. 15-18. Only
other announced booking is tryout
of the “On ‘Your Toes” revival.
Sept. 25-Oct. 2, following a week
of final rehearsals here.

Wednesday* August 25* 1954

' **.

LEGITIMATE 57

By ARTHUR BRONSON

The six-year-old N. Y. City
Ballet, now America’s No. 1 ballet
company, opens a fall season of
four weeks at City .Center, N. Y.,
next Tuesday night (31), in less
than its usual aura of pomp and
glitter.- For one thing, the troupe
Ish’t as strong as it was, talent-
wise, last season and before. For
another, the losses in previous
seasons and a new economic re-
trenchment policy are holding
down new productions— always the
lifeblood and raison d’etre of a
major company — to make the rep-
ertoire seem skimpy.

Actually, this isn’t quite the
case. Company is planning two
premieres, ‘‘Western Symphony”
on Sept. 7 and “Ivesiaha” Sept. 14.
(Larger number of preems are
usually skedded in a season).
Elaborate sets or costumes will be
eschewed, to save money, but on
the other hand some of the best
works in the NYCB repertoire are
sceneryless, practice-clothes bal-
lets. Both new works are dance
creations of George Balanchine,
troupe’s artistic director.

. “ivesiana” is set to five sym-
phonic pieces by the late U. S.
composer, Charles Ives. “Western
Symphony, ■’-.with music by Hershy
Kay (who arranged the music for
the NYCB’s “Cakewalk” hit), is
also based on traditional American
themes. This one has costumes
by Karinska and scenery by John
Boyt.

Maria Tallchief, lead ballerina
since the troupe’s founding, is
absent this year, being “on loan”
to. Columbia Artists Mgt. for its
reactivated, touring Ballet Russe
de Monte Carlo. Nora Kaye has
left, to return to Ballet Theatre.
On the other hand, Diana Adams,
who was out most of last season
on loan to films, is back. Tallchief’s
roles will likely be distributed
among Miss Adams, Tanaquil Le-
Clerq and Patricia Wilde.

Troupe plans two and possibly
three short seasons in N. Y., and
then will take off to Europe again,
in March, Four-week early-fall
season will be followed by another
run in November, with perhaps
another engagement in January-
February, European tour, as be-
fore, will be managed by Parisian
impresario Leon Leonidoff.

“Nutcracker,” the NYCB’s big-
gest hit and its only full-evening-
length ballet, which preemed last
season, won’t be given during the.
upcoming four-weeker. It's being
held out for the November-Decem-
ber run, to take advantage of the
pre-Xmas children’s trade. Man-
agement doesn’t want to take the
edge off it in September.

Ownership of 200G Stock
At Issue in Latest Suit
Over Shubert Holdings

Struggle over control of the
Shubert financial holdings has
erupted into a suit in N. Y. Sur-
rogate’s Court between executors
of the estate of the late Mrs. Dora
Shubert Wolf and Jacob J. Shu-
bert. At immediate issue is own-
ership of over $200,000 in securi-
ties allegedly belonging to Mrs.
Wolfe but held by the late Lee
Shubert and how in the possession
of his brother and sole remaining
partner, J. J. Shubert.

Mrs. Wolf was a sister of Lee
and J. J. Shubert. The executors of
her estate and plaintiffs in the
court action are her husband, Mil-
ton Wolfe, and their daughter, Mrs.
Sylvia Wolf Golde. Will of Mrs.
Wolf left $379,415, of which $328,-
914 is in cash and preferred stocks
and bonds.

It’s alleged that Mrs. Wolf, at her
death, owed $202,807 to the Shu-
bert .firm, but that J. J. Shubert
now holds securities worth $202,016
belonging to Mrs. W61f. Return ot
these assets and liquidation of the
account are sought. Shubert
claims, through attorneys William
Klein and Adolph Lund,' that the
$202,016 belonged to the partner-
ship and should not be included
among the Wolf estate assets.

An angle of the situation is un-
derstood to be that Lee Shubert
represented Mrs. Wolf in stock
market dealings and that at least
part of the $200, 000-plus securities
he held actually belonged to her.

Man of Parts

Newport, N. H., Aug. 24.

Former co-workers at the
Newport post office held a
testimonial dinnen last week
at the Holland House in East
Lempster, for Charles . L.
Jobes, who retired recently
after 34 years as a mail car-
rier.

Guest of honor was no or-
dinary postman, however. Dur-
ing his long service for Uncle
Sam he doubled for more than
20 years as a professional ac-
tor with the New London
Players, a summer stock com-
pany in this area. He has also
frequently been pianist and
master of ceremonies.

'Charles’ Share

Tallulah Bankhead’s 25% share
of the profits of the “Dear Charles”
production will be absorbed
equally by the management and
backers. Latter have agreed to the
arrangement as suggested by pro-
ducers Richard Aldrich and Rich-
ard Myers and their associates,
John Wildberg and Julius Fleisch-
mann.

Although it’s customary for
management and backers to split
equally any share-of-the-profits
paid to stars, director, author, etc.,
there was a complicating factor in
the case of “Dear Charles,” since
the production had been capital-
ized last year under a different
partnership agreement, with no
such deduction involved. The play,
previously a hit in London with
Yvonne Arnaud as star, was tried
out on the road last spring by
Aldrich & Myers,

When it got a tepid reaction out
of town, the producers withdrew it
and announced that it would be re-
cast and redirected, opening Sept.
15 on Broadway without a tryout.
r It was stated at the time that no
additional financing (beyond the
original $75,000) would be re-
quired, and that the same Donald
Oenslager set would be used.
When Aldrich & Myers succeeded
in persuading Miss Bankhead to
star in the show, first for a straw-
hat tour and then on Broadway,
they approached the backers to .ac-
cept a revised splitup on the show.

Miss Bankhead’s terms for sev-
eral years have been a straight
15% of the gross, plus 25% of the
net. If and when “Dear Charles”
pays off, the star will get her usual
25% of the profits, , with the man-
agement and backers getting
37V£ % each. In accepting the re-
duced slice, the backers presum-
ably figured that it was preferable ,
to take a smaller share of a hit
than half pf a flop.

“Charles” opens Sept. 15, as an-
nounced last spring, at the Moros-
co, N. Y. Whether it can remain
there indefinitely isn’t certain. The
house is operated by Producers
Theatre, Inc., which has booked its
own production of “The Flowering
Peach,” by Clifford Odets, to open
there Qct. 27.

HAYWARD ILLNESS K.O.’S
2D TEAHOUSE’ COMPANY

Touring company of “Teahouse
of the August Moon,” which was
set for production by Leland Hay-
ward, is now off, at least before the
end bf the year.

Rights for a touring edition of
the Pulitzer and Critics Circle
prize-winner were dropped when
Hayward became ill recently:

Producers Maurice Evans and
George Schaefer have received sev-
eral other bids for the road rights
but have no immediate plans 'for
leasing out the John Patrick- Vern
Sneider comedy.

Show, with David Wayne and
John Forsythe co-starring, is cur-
rently in its 46th sellout week at
the Martin Beck Theatre, N. Y. A
British edition, with Eli Wallach,
is having A successful run at,.Her
Majesty’s Theatre, London,

Stewart to Stage ‘Sins’

For Phoenix Opener

Paul Stewart will stage “Sing
Me No Lullaby,” Robert Ardrey
drama to be produced by T, Ed-
ward Hambleton and Norris Hough-
ton as the season opener at the
Phoenix Theatre, N.Y. It will open |
Oct. 5 for a six-week run. Ben
Edwards will design the scenery,
but no one is set for the three
major leads or six other roles.
Stewart is an actpr-director in
legit, films, tele and radio.

“Sandhog,” a musical by Earl
Robinson and Waldo Salt, will be
co-presented with Rachel Produc-
tions as the second : offering of the
Phoenix season.

‘Adult’ to Sked

“A for Adult,” comedy by film
and tv writer Robert Soderberg,
has been optioned by George Ab-
bott and the firm of Frederick
Brisson, Robert Griffith and Harold
Prince for production on Broad-
way this season. Further plans for
the show depend, however, on
script revisions.

Abbott will not only stage the
play, as he did the current “Pa-
jama Game” for Brisson-Griffith-
Prince but will be partnered in the
production. At the moment, the
1 director-producer is readying his
own revival of “On Your Toes,”
with Richard Rodgers as silent
partner.

Already listed as a prospect for
this season is a musical to be writ-
ten by Abbott and William
Saroyan, with songs by a composer
to be selected. It will also be pre-
sented by the Brisson-Griffith*
Prince combo, but whether it will
precede “A for Adult” depends on
which script is ready first.

‘Champagne Toot’ Treks
Mapped by Producer On
Future Legit Tryout

Success of the “Champagne
Toot” expedition to the premiere
Monday night « 23) of “Champagne
Complex” at New Hope, Pa., has
convinced producer Alexander H.
Cohen that the idea can be used
for legit tryouts at regular spots
like New Haven, Philly, etc.

Jaunts along somewhat similar
lines, but minus the free cham-
pagne, gifts and exploitation
hoopla, are tentatively planned by
Cohen for future out-of-town open-
ings of productions of other man-
agements. He figures . there’s a
large following for such trips,
which would involve a price of
about $12 per person for twoway
bus fare, dinner and theatre tickets.

Cohen, who arranged the “Cham-
pagne Toot” primarily as a nation-
al publicity-exploitation stunt, was
well satisfied with the way it
worked out. It drew 112 patrons,
who occupied two buses (45 pas-
sengers each) and two station wag-
ons for those who missed the buses.
Charge was $8.95 per person for
the roundtrip, drinks, dinner and
gifts.

Stunt cost about $1,250 ahd the
income was about $900. Free
champagne (60 quarts) was sup-
plied by Heidsieck Dry Monopole
(Park & Tilfprd). Dinner was
served at Monte Proser’s Playhouse
Inn, adjacent to the Bucks County
Playhouse, New Hope, where
Cohen’s production of the Leslie
Stevens comedy is trying out this
week and next.

Gifts included small bottles of
perfume for the femmes and cigars
for the men. Detailed question-
naire was given the patrons, to be
filled out on the trip back to New
York. Cohen plans to pattern fu-
ture such jaunts along lines sug-
gested by the replies,

A sort of hair-of-the-dog trek of
the same kind will be run by Cohen
for next Monday night’s (30) per-
formances of “Complex,” with an
added gimmic of a few selected pa-
trons making the trip by helicopter.
He may also repeat it for the open-
ing nights of the pre-Broadway
tour of Hartford and Boston. In
any case, there will be free cham-
pagne for the entire audience for
the openers, including the prem-
iere Oct. 26 at a Broadway theatre
to be booked.

Pro Theatre Mushrooms in Canada;

Diplomacy

Saratoga, N.Y.,„ Avig,- 21.

If you can’t lick ’em, enlist
’em, is apparently the revised
policy of John Huntington,
operator of the Spa Summer
Theatre here. For his revival
next \veek of “Pygmalion,”
with Estelle Winwood as star,
the producer has engaged
Barara Searle, legit-film critic
of the Schenectady Gazette,
as a member of the cast.
She occasionally writes rather
tough reviews, of Spa shows.

Bob Stone, former vaude
performer who conducts a
daily interview and comment
series on WRGB-TV, Sche-
nectady, will cover the “Pyg-
malion” opening for the Ga-
zette.

‘Pan’ Due in N.Y.
Despite Vamp
Of Hayward

Although Leland Hayward has
withdrawn from the project be-
cause of illness, “Peter Pan” will
be brought to Broadway this fall
by Richard Halliday, manager-
husband of Mary Martin, star of
the show. Backers, who have al-
ready invested $125,000 in the
venture, are being urged to go
along with the revised setup.

“Pan,” a musicalized version of
the James M. Barrie classic, is
currently playing a tryout engage-
ment in Los Angeles as part of>the
Civic Light Opera subscription
season. The date was originally
set for five weeks, but has been
extended an additional three weeks
to permit extensive revisions on
the show. Business has been sell-
out, as it was for the break-in
stand in San Francisco.

Following the Los Angeles clos-
ing, Oct. 8, the production will be
brought east and is set to open at
the Winter Garden, N.Y., during
the week of Oct. 18, probably Oct.
20. Halliday will be billed as pre-
senter of the Edwin Lester produc-
tion, with Abe Cohen as company
manager and Michel Mok as press-'
agent.

Besides the general cutting,
tightening and redirection, several
new songs are being written by
Betty Comden and Adolph Green,
and by Jule Styne. Cyril Ritchard
is continuing as featured player
and no other major cast changes
are in prospect.

Meanwhile, Hayward is to leave
today (Wed.) for Honolulu, where
he has taken a three-month lease
on a house. Except for occasionally
viewing rushes of his film edition
of “Mister Roberts,” which is being
shot in and around the Hawaiian
Islands, he will take a complete
rest.

WAYNE, FORSYTHE SET
FOR JOINT VACATIONS

“Teahouse of the August Moon”
costars David Wayne and John
Forsythe will take concurrent vaca-
tion’s starting Sept. 20, with Scott
McKay replacing the latter. Sub
for Wayne hasn’t been decided on
yet. Layoff of the two stars will be
for eight-to-10 weeks:

Wayne had originally put in a
bid for a 10-week getaway to start
Sept, 13, but Forsythe subsequent-
ly pitched for an eight-week leave
of absence to begin Sept. 20. Latter
will make a picture, “The Trouble
With Harvey,” for Alfred Hitch-
cock during his absence, while
Wayne is set to appear in a series
of vidpix for Eastman Kodak.

Their contracts originally stipu-
lated that both could not be away
at the. same time and each could
lay off only with the other’s okay.
Producers Maurice Evans and
George Schaefer, however, decided
to let both vacation simultaneous-
ly after receiving the conflicting
request.

Professional legit in Canada is
booming. Surge of recent years is
continuing, with tv rated as a
major impetus. Dramatic offerings
on video have been largely credited
with whetting performer appetites
for a broader display of their
talents in stage produtions.

Typical of legit upbeat are the
number of pro theatres that have
been opening in the Toronto, Qnt.,
area. Up until four years ago there
were no professional companies
there. Since then three theatres,
working on a regular basis, have
been formed. .Half-dozen others
function spasmodically. Count is
made up primarily of summer the-
atres, of which there are approx-
imately 20 operating in Ontario.

The three regular Toronto out-
lets are the Crest Theatre, the
Jupiter Theatre and the New Play
Society. Kingston, Ont., has a per-
manent company and there’s a full
pro British outfit performing in
Niagara Falls, Ont.

Also, Vancouver, has a year-
round star operation, the Avon
Theatre, and several barn outlets
including the Totem Playhouse and
Pacific Playhouse. Major legit
operation, however, is the Strat-
ford (Ont:) Shakespearean Festival,
established as a potent grosser.

Approximately 90% of profes-
sional theatre in the Dominion is
unorganized, Growth of Canadian
legit and the lack of organization
’in that field recently spurred
Actors Equity to move in on the
territory. Until now the union has
never fully exercized its jurisdic-
tion there.

. Equity has established a joint
office in Toronto with the Assn,
of Canadian Television & Radio
Artists. Latter’s business admin-
istrator, Dennis Sweeting, will
serve as Equity’s Dominion rep.

Most of Canada’s legit perform-
ers belong to ACTRA. Members
of that association, who appear in
legit in Canada, will not have to
pay the $100 Equity initiation fee
but will only be subject to pay
regular Equity monthly dues.

ACTRA members appearing in
legit in the U. S., however, will
have to pay an initiation fee of $50.
Future ACTRA members who per-
form in Dominion legit will have
to pay a $50 Equity initiation fee
in addition to regular monthly
dues.

D.C.’s Arena Stage Ends
4th Year in the Black; *
Preemed ‘Summer Long’

Washington, Aug. 24.

Arena Stage, Capital’s robust
theatre-in-the-round, last week
wound up its fourth year of opera-
tion pf no-star, resident company
policy, firmly in the black. In the
midst of a long run of “Room
Service,” second biggest b.o. click
in the troupe’s history, Arena also
marked a continuous 52 weeks’
operation.

The last year has been partic-
ularly solid for the 247-seat ven-
ture, with a new record of long
runs helping to keep it firmly on
credit side of the b.o. ledger. Of
its nine productions this year (45
during four years’ operation),
three were new scripts. None of
these has thus far made the big
time, though each added at local
prestige to the group.

One of the tryouts, Robinson
Jeffers’ “The Cretan Woman,”
which had its world preem here
last spring, has had a good run
on the barn circuit this summer
and is having an off-Broadway pro-
duction in New York currently,
with a prospect of moving to
Broadway this fall. The other two,
Joel Hammil’s "Bad Angel” and
American debut of Jean Anouhil’s
“Thieves’ Carnival,” received
thumbs down verdicts here.

Greatest laurel in show biz
cap of managing director Zelda
Fiehandler and her staff was the
Arena tryout two seasons ago of
“All Summer Long,” by Robert
playwright’s click with “Tea and
Sympathy,” Critical acclaim and
b.o. success of the drama brought
it Broadway attention and a forth-
coming production under Play-
wrights’ Co. aegis, with a Washing-
ton preem at the National Theatre
skedded for Sept, 6. Alan Schnei-
der, who directed the Anderson
(Continued on page 59)

58

LEGITIMATE

Strawhat Reviews

Champagne Complex

New Hope, Pa., Aug, 23.

Miohael Ellis production* by arrange*
ment with Alexander H. Cohen and Gayle
Stine, of comedy by Leslie Stevens. Stars
Frank 'Albertson, Patricia Smith,' Elliott
Reid, Directed by John Gerstad: setting.
Ralph Alswang; lighting, W. Broderick
Hackett; costumes. Jocelyn. At Bucks
County Playhouse* New Hope, Pa., Aug.
23 '54

Carter Bowen , .Frank Albertson

AUyn Macy .... ...... Patrlcla^Smlth

Helms Cooper Elliott .Reid

First-nighters at the Bucks Coun-
ty Playhouse, liberally spiked with
free champagne, may possibly have
been in on the birth of a new hit.
Brit's only a gleam in the author's
(and producer’s) eye, at the mo-
ment*

For stock purposes, “Champagne
Complex,” written by Leslie Stev-
ens, needs no - more than routine
tightening up and the injection of
a few more gags to prove success-
ful. Broadway, however, is some-
thing else again. ’

“Complex” may dick or miss
largely on the production values.
It badlv needs rewriting after the
middle of the second act, hut most
of all, it needs proper casting.
The right people in this three-
character tliree-acter could spell
the difference, all other things
being equal.

The story line is negligible: A
middle-aged budding political pow-
er calls on his nephew, a psychi-
atrist* to cure his young financee
of an unnatural affinity for drink-
ing champagne- — too much and at
the wrong times. As per formula,
the psychiatrist fails to achieve a
cure, but gets the girl, and the
rejected suitor then pulls A fast
faae.

As the fiancee, Patricia Smith
is the only one who makes nearly
enough fun of this lightweight ma-
terial. She could perhaps, even
stand a little toning down.

Frank Albertson, as the suitor, is
adequate in a part that requires
considerably more tha* that. El-
liott Reid grimaces his way un-
comfortably through the role of
the psychiatrist.

In its obviously unpolished pres-
ent form, “Champagne Complex;”
is a dubious bet for Broadway.
But it can’t be ruled out entirely.
Properly brought along, it could
ring the bell. Alexander H. Cohen,
who has scheduled it for an Oct.
26 opening in New York, has his
work cut out for him. Heny.

Brother Cain

Spring Lake. N. J.. Aug. 19.

Rea John Powers production of drama
in three acts, by Jerome Chodorov. Di-
rected by Terese Hayden; set, Marshall
"Yokelson, At Ivy Tower Playhouse, Spring
Lake. N. J., Aug. 16, *34; $3.30 top.

Edna Forst Frances Heflin

Al Forst ..Stephen Elliott

Mrs. '‘orst Grace Powers

Joe Wells Michael Strong

Walsh Milton Selzer

Malkowsky Rudy Bond

Officers . . Tony Spalding, Frank Barrett

stereotype, but remains threaten-
ingly forceful. As a fellow detec-
tive who hasn’t let life on the force
rob him of the human touch.
Ruddy Bond's performance is un-
commonly perceptive, the scene in
which he warns that the escapee
may return to kill being quietly
barrowing.

Tony Spalding and Frank Barrett
appear briefly as cops. Designer
Marshall Yokelson has placed on
the small stage a remarkably au-
thentic cross-section of a Stuy-
vesant town apartment.

“Cain” is a problem play dealing
fn adult terms with the question of
individual responsibility, Chodorov
says that man has not yet found a
good answer to the ancient ques-
tion, “Am I my brother’s keeper.”
but “Cain” seems a baffling reso-
lution. • Geor.

Ten O’Cloek Call

Laguna, Cal., Aug. 17.

Brltton-Paul production of comedy in
three acts, by Finlay McDermld. Stars.
Maury Hill, Sandra Stohe; features Eliza-
beth Paul. Glen Wells, Georgia Horvath,
Stephen Colt. Howard “Hap" Graham,
Kenneth Britton. Directed by Demetrios
Vilan: settings* Paul Rodgers. At Laguna
Summer Theatre, Aug. 17, *a4; $2.75 top.

Slim . • ....... Horace Crltchlow

Elllngwood Elrich Maury Hill

Claire Dennis
Robert Schofield
Harold Brewster*
Iris Butterworth
Polly Elrich . . . .
Zephyr Clum
Ben Clum

. . . .Berenda Culllns
....... Scott Ross

Stephen Coit

.Elizabeth Paul

Sandra Stone ]

. . , . Georgia Horvath
Glen Wells

Alsted Stargate Kenneth Britton

Maude Gately's Niece .... . • Ann Allen

Rav Branston . . . Howard “Hap" Graham

Accustomed to writing in har-
ness, Jerome Chodorov soles with
“Brother Cain,” an introspective
drama, large in concept and theme.

It is. however, insufficiently com-
pelling to rate good commercial
prospects.

Given a thoroughly professional
production at the Ivy Tower Play- „
housfc. it has some of the aspects of ; Annie *T!.
a sociological tract, for which its j X,'?™*
acres of good intent do not com-
pensate.

The simple story tells of a young
couple whose serene family exist-
ence is interrupted by the intru-
sion of the husband’s former Air
Force buddy now on the lam from
a hold-up and jailbreak. Having
saved the younger man’s life dur-
ing the war, the husband feels
compelled to help again, ^despite
the risk to his family.

Chodorov builds with merciless
precision to an inescapably poig-
nant climax. He gets an assist of
a high order from Terese Hayden’s
painstaking slice-of-life direction,
which gives scrupulous regard to
each detail. If there is a fault it
is that the staging accentuates,
rather than mimimizes, the script’s
slowness.

is .2° od - As the wife.

Fiances Heflin is touching, first as

rhMH r e ; S t0 S m ield her h usband and
thpir h from }u e Physical threat to
iuA 1 l , hen , t0 understand and

Farce potential is apparght here,
but as this new play by Finlay
McDerraid comes off the elements
are lost in an unprofessional and
frantic talking piece, “Ten O’clock
Call” stands little chance in its
present form.

Taking the subject of a strawhat
troupe forced to put on a hammy
play by a budding author or dish
out $1,500, the comedy has the
standard characters. It’s badly in
need of a rewriting job, offering
the actors little they cari sink their
teeth into or make themselves
farcically believable.

The basic premise twirls around
the efforts of an ambitious young
stage director to shape something
out of an awful script, after his
naive partner, under the influence
of a willful sister, has pledged its
production, or else. His wife, a
Hollywood actress, unexpectedly
arrives on the scene and he enlists
her aid in a star role.

Maury Hill and Sandra Stone
top the cast as the director and his
battling spouse, but it’s too much
for them. Outstanding portrayal
is contributed by Kenneth Britton,
Laguna Theatre co-producer, in
the brief but funny role of the
bewildered playwright.

Play isn’t one of Demetrios
Vilan’s better directorial excur-
sions, but the two settings by Paul
Rodgers are atmospheric. Whit.

er Day role which she played for
five years, seems as expert and
lovable as ever. Her Vinme is
more brittle than that of others
who have, played the role. She is
never wishy-washy, and always
gi es the impression of being able
to handle the sometimes irascible
Father with one pretty hand tied
behind her back.

Lindsay’s portrayal is also a
memorable one. Plague by laryn-
gitis during the latter part of his
Falmouth engagement, Lindsay has
to tone down Father’s bellowing,
which robs the lines of some of
their effect, but his timing is good,
and his understanding of this
domestic tyrant with a fundament-
ally soft heart shines through.

William Roberts’ handsome set
contributes admirably to the
period-piece quality of the produc-
tion. Director William Lanteau
has managed to obtain some first-
rate performances from the rest of
his cast. Miss Hammond, for ex-
ample, is as solid as ever, Andrew
Ford does an engaging, bit as
Clarence. Jr., and ames Mac-
Arthur (Helen Hayejs’ dopted„son),
Richard M. Kelly, and Billy Quinn
are delightful as the rest of the
Day menage.

In minor roles, Sue Randall
makes an attractive and provoca-
tive Mary Skinner, Georgia Harvey
is good as the long-suffering
Margaret, and Vincent Rourke
scores as the rector.

From the. results at Falmouth, it
seems likely there’ll always be a
spot for a revival of “Father.”
Originally produced for $25,000,
the comedy, according to “Show
Biz,” has grossed $9,908,000 in its
Broadway and road engagements.
There’s obviously more to come.

Dias*

The Stronger Sex

Hyde Park, N, Y., Aug. 18.

Polly Jq McCulloch and George Quick
production of comedy in three acts, bv
Laslo, Vadnay. Stars Charles “guddy”
Rogers. Directed by Ray Boyle: sets.
George Dembo. At Hvde Park (N. Y.)
Playhouse, Aug. 17. *54.

•Tane Richardson Carol Gustafson

Waiter Michael Lewis

Irving Burnside James Maloney

Ronnie Rivers. .. .Charles “Buddy" Rogers

April Blake Elizabeth Zobor

John Balog Laslo Vadnay

Blanca Valenti Dorothy Jolliffe

Rick AUen Ray Boyle

Diana Lord Virginia Lafayette

abet her husband as he tries to re-
deem his former buddy. Her small,

fni? toucbes as she struggles in a
lost cause are deeply felt.

fiho«£ ien S 1110 ^ plays with less
\ be h i! sban . d - but with
e ^ e ?t. as he tries to recon
^science.

Michael Strong is the pariah who
dpIfpnf.V 31 !! 40 society, and whose

dementia threatens even his
friends. Although his pantomime
seems excessive at times, he is be-
lievable as. he shifts mood with
dangerous rapidity.

Grace Powers plays with amus-
ing truth as the husband’s mysti-
fied and meddling mother. Milton
Selzer’s detective leans toward the i

Life With Father

Coonamessett, Mass., Aug. 19.

Richard Aldrich production of comedy
in three acts, by Howard Lindsay and
Russel Crouse. Stars Lindsay and Dor-
othy Stickney. Directed by William Lan-
teau; setting. William Roberts. At Fal-
mouth Plavhouse. Coonamessett, Mass.,
Aug. 19, *54; $3.83 top.

Mary Ridcliffe

Dorothy Sticknev

Clarence Andrew Ford

John James MacArthvir

Whitney Richard M. Kelly

Harlan Billy Quinn

Father Howard Lindsay

Margaret Georgia Harvey

Cora Ruth Hammond

Mary Skinner Sue Randall

Kiev. Lloyd Vincent Rourke

Delia Lida Hamilton

Dr. Humphreys .James Van WaTt

Dr. Somers William Lanteau

Maggie Eleanor Ann Moynihan j

Richard Aldrich and Patricia
Butler, his associate producer at
the . Falmouth Playhouse, have
come up with another prize pack-
age to follow the success of their
Helen Hayes Festival, This time.
Miss Butler persuaded the original
stars of “Life with Father,”
Howard Lindsay and his w'ife,
Dorothy Stickney, to re-create
their Broadway roles for a week
at the strawhat.

The Falmouth production, aside
from its top-notch presentation,
also has interesting sentimental
overtones. First of all, Lindsay and
Miss Stickney are celebrating their
27th wedding anniversary. Second,
besides the original Father and
Mother Day, the cast includes
Ruth Hammond, who played Cora
the entire record-breaking 3,224-
performance Broadway run.

Lindsay and Miss Stickney have
a logical explanation for Fair
mouth's being able to offer an ex-
clusive week of “Life with Father”
with its two original stars “Nobody
else asked us,” Lindsay says, “It
was as simple as that. We love
the play. We wanted to see how
the: lines and laughs stood up,”

The comedy stands up very well.
All the familiar episodes which
delighted Broadway still get

Sex is a come-on in any language
and much of Laslo Vadnay ’s new
comedy at the Hyde Park Play-
house is good for that kind of
chuckle. Starring Charles “Buddy”
Rogers as a middle-aged matinee
idol who resents reaching the male
change of life, “The Stronger Sex”
has enough ingredients to titillate
the matinee trade. It is improbable
as a potential Broadway bonanza,
however, lacking the spontaneity
of payoff comedy.

Having lived with his fetching
manageress for five years, the gray-
ing Lothario yens to prove himself
with youth. Piqued at being
bounced, the gal realizes she loves
the guy, and also the coin he earns.
Gritting her teeth, she feeds him
personally selected chicks, vowing
them to chastity, and sticks around
herself until he’s ready to act his
age.

“Buddy” Rogers is a good bet
for the star part, being handsome
enough to send the ladies with
his winning smile, and revealing
easy charm. Unhappily, after a long
vacation from the stage his acting
technique is rusty. For breathers,
he frequently sits down at the
piano, and there’s no doubt that he
can play and sing.

Carol Gustafson is the tolerant
organizer of the actor’s affairs. She
gives a performance that would
challenge any leading man, getting
laughs by the fistful, and garner-
ing repeated exit hands. As a neat
trick whom she employs to keep
the idol on the qui vive, Dorothy
Jolliffe is pretty and pert. Her
attempts to maintain a purely busi-
ness relationship reduce her to
cold baths and the actor to a mar-
riage proposal.

Ray Boyle is ingratiating as a
young architect who falls in love
with the hired girl, rescuing her
from a compromising position of
false virtue. James Maloney dons
horn-rimmed glasses to play a
ubiquitous Hollywood mogul, Eliza-
bath Zobor tosses a mean torso as
the first in a series of young things,
and the author appears briefly as
her indignant and somewhat lech-
erous father. Virginia Lafayette as
a rich redhead and Michael Lewis
as a waiter complete the cast.

Ray Boyle's direction is snappy,
| The production suffers, however,
from over-long scene shifts .which
are made more bearable by • the
p.a.-ing of popular Rogers platters.
George Dembo’s unit set is in-
tended, by slight changes, to rep-
resent three hotel suites, but It is
difficult tb differentiate without
reference to the program.

Vadnay comes to the 9iIos from
Hungary via M-G-M. Before the
war a dozen of his plays were done
abroad and he has since achieved

uvnsiiuru uiuauway sun get aoroaa ana ne nas since achieved
laughs. Miss Stickney in the Moth- an impressive list of film credits

Wednesday, August 25^ 1954

in the U, S. Despite his talent for
the risque, however, and even with
Rogers as the debonair star, “Sex"
seems unlikely to survive beyond
Its barn tryout. Geor.

The Private Affaire
of the Grand Duchess

Westport, Conn., Aug. 22.

White Barn Theatre production -of
operetta in two acta, with music- by
Jacques Offenbach, based on “La Grande
Duchess De Gerolstein,'* by H. Meilhac
and L. Halevy, English adaptation and
lyrics by Ruth and Thomas Martin. Staged
by Charles Friedman; settings and light-
ing, Doris JL Einstein; choreography, Paul
Szilard and ’Joan Morton; costumes. Hazel
Roy: musical director. Thomas Martin.
At White Barn Theatre. Westport, Conn.,
Aug. 21. *54.

Grand Duchess. ... .Ethel Barrymore Colt
Peasant Girl ............ Jeanette Scovotti

Fritz ......' Robert Barry

Oen. ' Boom . David Aiken

Puck .Maurice Mandell

Prince Paul .. Don Blackey

Baron Grog .............. Sydney Smith

Atd-de-Camp Gerry Matthews

Ladies-in-walting Ceclle Daigneault,

Joyce Jarvis, Eugene
Tanner. Daphne Vane

As adapted Into English by Ruth
and Thomas Martin, Offenbach’s
“The Private Affairs - of the Grand
Duchess” operetta is too quaint in
its plot and too hokey in Its humor
to nave any Broadway future, but
with a star In the name role it
might be successful in civic opera
summer productions and musical
tents..

The book and lyrics do not often
reflect the lightness, style and wit
of Offenbach’s music, nor does the
Charles Friedman staging catch
the spirit of the composition.
Friedman, however, has performed
a minor miracle in achieving any
kind of staging at all, since he had
only five days to work on the pro-
duction. Also missing is the “mu-
sical satire” angle of the work, re-
flected in such numbers as the
Wagnerian-type “Song of the
Sabre/’

In the role of the Grand Duchess
too attentive to a lowly private who
really loves a peasant girl, Ethel
Barrymore Colt displays an attrac-
tive stage presence, though her
singing voice is somewhat thin. Her
vocalizing and thesping in the
“Send My Love” aria are enchant-
ing.

Highlight of the evening is the
standout comic trio of Don Blackey,
David Aiken, and Maurice Mandell.
Their song and dance rendition of
“Tonight's the Night,” their plot
against the hero, is a show-stopper.

Ingenue Jeanette Scovotti is ac-
ceptable as the peasant girl, while
Gerry Matthews brings style to
the role of a harrassed aid-de-
camp. and Eugene Tanner con-
tributes bright moments with his
dancing. As the romantic lead,
Robert Barry is unconvincing.

White Barn Theatre has given
the work a good production, which
shows to advantage on theatre’s
newly enlarged stage. Doris S. Ein-
stein’s airy settings, using back
projection Skillfully, and Hazel
Roy’s tasteful costumes for the
principals, are assets.

Musical direction by Thomas
Martin, with an assist in the chorus
vocalizing by John-Charles Miller,
is tops, and William Tarrasch and
Franz Bibo at the pianos provide
an excellent rendering of the Of-
fenbach score. Gilb.

Yiddish Actors Union
Preps Getaway Oct. 7

Miriam Kressyn, Edmund Zay-
enda, Michal Michalesko, Max and
Rose Bozik will head a cooperative
troupe of Jewish actors whom the
Hebrew Actors Unipn will present
in its first production, “Will They
Remember?.” a new Yiddish com-
edy^drama by Harry Kalmanowitz,
directed by Nathan Goldberg,
which will open on Oct. 7 at the
Parkway Theatre, Brooklyn, N. Y,

The union, in a current drive
to reactivate the Yiddish-language
theatre and create employment for
its members, will also present
other groups there in a complete
change of productions every month
or so, throughout the 1954-1955
season.

Her Majesty’s, Montreal,
Looks for Good Season

Montreal, Aug. 24.

New legit season at Her Maj-
esty’s Theatre here is shaping up
as best in recent years. Touring
“South Pacific,” with Iva Withers
and Webb Tilton, opens Aug. 30
for two weeks. That will be fol-
lowed Sept. 13 by “Porgy and
Bess” for one week with a possible
second being negotiated. j
' Dates are in the offing for the
touring edition of “Caine Mutiny
Court Martial,” “Seven Year Jtch”
and “Mrs. Patterson.”

All bookings are being handled
by Phil Maurice, general manager
of Consolidated Theatres, owner of
the house.

Legit Followup

Deter Pan

(PHILHARMONIC* L, A.)

Los Angeles, Aug. 17.

Not even Mary Martin’s abun-
dant stage magic can save this mu-
sical version of “Peter Pan” from
tediousness. An uninspired score
and unimaginative treatment of the '
James M. Barrie classic doom this
expensive production to a limited
Broadway run, if and when it opens
there.

Without Miss Martin, it's doubt-
ful that this L. A. Civic Light
Opera Assn, presentation of Ed-
win Lester’s production could last
more than a few weeks in Gotham.
Miss Martin's personal draw alone
might carry it for a moderate run.
But ‘ this overly.precious musical
adaptation is a waste of both a fine
property and Miss Martin’s talent.

“Peter Pan” opened in San Fran-
cisco four weeks ago and it doesn’t
appear as though much in the way
of effective . repairs has been
achieved. Certainly the score con-
tains nothing of distinction or com-
mercial calibre. The second and
third acts are slow and ponderous,
and practically all that jazzes up
the first act is the mechanical
trick of flying Miss Martin and
the kids for the first time.

As a play, “Peter Pan” is an ac-
tress’s tour de force, and that it
retains that single dimension in
the musical version is not in its
favor. Nothing distinctive is pro-
vided for Cyril Rkchard, English
comedy star playing the dual role
of Mr. Darling and Captain Hook
With a mincing manner.

Miss Martin’s daughter, Heller
Halliday, playing Liza the house-
maid; Kathy Nolan, as Wendy;
Margalo Gillmore, as Mrs. Darling;
Sondra Lee, as Tiger Lily, and
Norman Shelly playing both the
shaggy dog Nana and the clock-
ticking crocodile, have the most
to do and do it well.

Lyricist Carolyn Leigh and com-
poser Mark Charlap, unknown in
the legit musical field, have failed
to provide a single outstanding
song. Since the Frisco opening,
other songwriters have been called
in and Betty Comden and Adolph
Green have contributed “Never
Land,” while Nancy Hamilton and
Morgan Lewis are getting credit
for “The Old Gavotte.” Other new
tunes, it's understood, are being
written and will be inserted in the
show during its run here.

A major disappointment is
Jerome Robbins* direction and
staging* Besides its static quality,
there isn’t anything in the show in
the way of a dance number that
has any relation to Robbins' top
name in the choreography field.

This musical fantasy’s only
bright moments are principally in
the second half of the first act,
when Miss Martin makes her first
entrance a captivating Peter Pan
m the traditional costume of the
character. As a minor variation of
her “South Pacific” bob, this time
she has a boy’s shingled haircut
and, of course, also the opportun-
ity to show her gams in opera
lengths.

Star puts more into “I’ve Got to
Crow/ “Never Land” and “I’m
Flying” than is on the sheet music,
but later on Ritchard can’t do as
much for “Pirate Song,” “A
Princely Scheme” , and “The Old
Gavotte,” the latter running much
longer than an audience should be
forced to bear. Scho.

Current London Shows

London, Aug. 25.
(Figures denote premiere dates)
After the Bell, Globe (6-10-54).

Airs Shoestring, Royal Ct. (4-22-53).
Angels In Love, Savoy (2-11-54).

Both Ends Meet* Apollo (6-9-54).

Boy Friend, Wyndham's (12-1-53).
Cockles A Champagne, Pic'dllly (5-28-54).
Dark Light Enough; Aldwych (4-30-54).
Day By The Sea, Haymarket (11-26*53).
Duenna, Westminster (7-28-54).

Folios Bergere, Pr. Wales (9-24-53).

Guys and Dolls, Colliseum (5-28-53).
Hippo Dancing, Lyric (4-7-54).

I Am a Camara, New (3-12-54).

Intimacy At 8:30, Criterion (4-29-54).
Joyce Grenfell, Fortune (6-2-34).

Keep In Cool ' Place, Snvillc (8-16-54).
King and I, Drury Lane (10-8-53)

Love Match, Viet Palace (11-10-53).
Manor of Northstead, Duchess (4*28-54).
Moot a Body, Duke York (7*31-54).
Mousetrap,. Ambas. (11-25*52).

Murder Story, Cambridge (7-22-54).
Never Too Late, Strand (6-3-54).

Pal Joey, Princes (3-31-54).

Relations Apart, Garrick (8-3-54).
Sabrina Fair, Palace (8-4-54).

Salad Days, Vaudeville (8-5-54).
Teahouse Aug. Moon, Her Maj. (4-22-54).
Vienna Operetta, Stoll (8-16-54).
Weddlng^in=Raris) Hipp. (4-3-54).
Witness Prosecution, W- Gard. (10-28-53).
Wooden Dish, Phoenix (7-27-54).

You'll Be Lucky, Adelpbf (2-25-54).

SCHEDULED OPENINGS
Dry Rot, Whitehall (8-31-54).

Dlery of a Nobody, Arts (9-1-54).
Conscience Desire, Lindsey (9r2-54).
Witch Errant, “Q" (9-7-54).
Macbeth, Old Vic (9-9-54).

CLOSED LAST WEEK ■

Salome & Prostitute, St. Mart. (7-20-54).
Six Characters; St. Jas. (7-20-54).

Your Entertainment, Lindsey (7*27-54).

«

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

LEGITIMATE

59

Patricia Better, associate produc-
er this summer at Richard Aldrich's
Falmouth Playhouse, Coonames-
sett, Mass., will he production as-
sociate for Miry K. Frank's pres-
entations of "Abracadabra" and
"America, With Love . . . Charles
Strakosch will be company man-
ager, Marfan Graham pressagent,
Irving Buchman .stage manager,
Jill McAnney assistant and Edwin
Gifford assistant producer for I. B.
Joselow’s presentation of "The
Pony Cart,” by Roger Garis, open-
ing Sept. 14 at the Theatre de Lys,
Greenwich Village, N. Y., . with
Louisa Horton and Lamont John-
son costarred.

Elaine Perry has finally cleared
up the legal wrinkles and is plan-
ning a Broadway production this
season of "Tatiana,” Marcelle
Maurette-Guy Bolton drama done
in London last year as “Anastasia”

, . . Nina Vance, producer of the
Alley Theatre, Houston, is the sub-
ject of an article in the September
issue of Charm mag . . . Ben Rosen-
berg, who was company manager
for “Sabrina Fair,” will have a
similar assignment with the Play-
wrights Co. production of “All
Summer Long.”

Jennifer Jones will make her
Broadway debut in the Lyn Austin-
Thomas Noyes production of “Por-
trait of a Lady,” William Archi-
bald's adaptation of the Henry
James novel, to be staged by Jose
Quintero . . . The William Morris
agency and producer Rita. Allen
have donated two of the four new
scholarships in the American The-
atre Wing training program . . .
Nancy Andrews, who returned last
week from Europe, is playing Sis-
ter Bessie in John Carradine’s pro-
duction of "Tobacco Road” next
week at the Grist Mill Playhouse,
Andover, N* J., and is writing a
new cabaret act for herself.

Elliot Silverstein will direct the
Arena Stage, Washington, produc-
tion of “The Crucible,” skedded
to open Sept. 8 . . . Irving Schlein
will compose the music, for “Blue
Grass,” skedded for Broadway pro-
duction by Floyd Worthington and
William Kaye . . Milton Lyon due
back in New York around Labor
Day after directing the Sacramento
(Cal.) Light Opera season, June
14-Aug. .29. He also doubled as
conductor on windup show, “Okla-
homa.”

Eva Rubinstein, - 21 - year - old
daughter of pianist Artur Rubin-
stein, will appear in the off-Broad-
way 4th Street Theatre’s produc-
tion of “The Dybbuk” . . . Produc-
tion rights to Ann Wilson's “Do
You Remember?” have been ac-
quired by Walter Wiqclair Produc-
tions, with a Coast opening
skedded for the fall . . . Don Taylor
replaces John Ireland as Dane
Clark's co-star in the Paul Vroom-
Bernard Straus upcoming Broad-
w .'tv production, “Fragile Fox.”

Director and co-producer Shep-
ard Traube in Chicago to rehearse
Albert Dekker, who took oven
Monday (23) as star of “Time Out
for Ginger,” at Harris, while Mel-
vyn Douglas takes a three-week va-
cation . . . Legit-tv actress Patricia
Jenkins, who returned to her
native Philly for an appearance in
“Sabrina Fair” at the Playhouse in
the Park, has been signed for a
role in “Fifth Season” on Broad-
way . . . Georgiann Johnson, also
in “Sabrina” at the municipal tent,
pets the sole femme part in “Re-
clining Figure,” due Oct. 7 on
Broadway after a Philly tryout.

“The Vintage Years” is the new
title of the F. Hugh Herbert adap-
tation of Eduardo de Filippo's com-
edy, a success in Italy as “Filu-
mena,” to be produced and directed
by Otto Preminger . . . Comedi-
enne-sketch writer Ronny Graham
will have his first non-revue part
on Broadway in “.The Tender Trap”
. . . Paul Stewart will stage Robert
Ardrey's “Sing Me No Lullaby” as
the first production of the season
for the Phoenix Theatre.

James Thurber’s what’s-it piece
headed “Get THREE to a Monas-
tery,” in the Theatre coluipn of
last week’s New Yorker mag; has
the trade guessing . . . Actress
Renee Gadd, w.k. on the London
stage before coming to New York,
has received her final U. S< citizen-
ship papers . . . Fallowing news
item, in full, appeared in the Aug.
5 issue of The Stage, British theat-
rical publication, “Although to
comply with union regulations Abe
Fcder and Robert Mackintosh have
• been engaged to supervise the
scenery and costumes of the Broad-
way production of 'The Boy Friend,’
the original designs by Reginald
Wooley will be used again.”

Ruth Gordon and Sam Levene,
Playing leads in Thornton Wilder’s

The Matchmaker” (originally done
on Broadway in 1938 as “The Mer-
chant of Yonkers,” drew personal
Click notices in Newcastle, Eng-
land, where the comedy was break-
lrt S in prior to its • presentation at

the Edinburgh Festival . . * "That's
Life," this Coast revue, is due on
Broadway in November, with a sec-
ond company to be formed to con-
tinue the run in Los Angeles.

"The Pony Cart," penned by
Roger Garis, son of Howard R.
Garis, who recently retired after
50 years as a Newark (N.J.) Eve-
ning News staffer and editor,
preems Sept. 15 at the off-Broad-
way Theatre de Lys..

Arena Guild Steps Up
Drive for Affiliates

Stage & Arena Guild of America
is pushing expansion of its summer
and winter circuits. Alexander'
White, former producer-director of
the Town and Country Playhouse,
Indianapolis, will be SAGA rep in
the establishment of affiliate the-
atres in cities not on the 'Guild’s
circuit His initial target is New
Orleans, where a star stock tent
theatre is contemplated. ..

White sold his interest in tlie
Indianapolis strawhat, a SAGA cir-
cuit member, to Town and Country
Playhouse, Inc., which put the
backing for the operation. Spot,
financed at $10,000, will continue
functioning with a star policy. Sea-
son is slated to wind up the week
of Sept. 14 with Edward Everett
Horton and Marta linden in
“Nina.”

Strawhat Tryouts

(Aug. 23-Sept. 5)

Champagne Complex, by Leslie
Stevens— Bucks County Playhouse,
New Hope, Pa. (23-4). (Reviewed
in Variety this week).

Champagne for Two, by Thomas
Barbour: — Hilltop Theatre, Luther-
ville, Md. (24-29).

Darling, Darling, adapted by
Anita Loss from French of Pierre
Barillet and : Jean-Pierre Gredy —
Pocono Playhouse, Mountainhoffie,
Pa. (23-28). (Reviewed in Variety,
Aug. 18, ’54).

Derfr Charles, by Alan Melville
from Marc-Gilbert Sauvajon-Fred-
erick Jackson — Lakes Region Play-
house, Laconia-Gilford, N. H. (23-
28); Ogunquit (Me.) Playhouse (30-

4) (Reviewed in Variety, July 14,
’54).

Home Is the Hero, by Walter
Macken — Westport (Conn.) Coun-
try Playhouse (30-4).

It Takes a Miracle — Gateway
Theatre, Bellport, L. I. (25-29).

. Kittywake Island, musical com-
edy, by Arnold Sundgaard and Alec
Wilder— Pleasant Mill Playhouse,
Hammonton, N. J. (24-29).

Last Tycoon, Hy Kraft dramati-
zation of F. Scott Fitzgerald novel
— Woodstock (N. Y.) Playhouse (31-

5) . .

Maid to Order, by Alfred L.
Golden — Ramsdell Summer Thea-
tre, Manistee, Mich. (1-5).

Michael and Lavinia, by John
Matthews — Theatre-by-the-Sea,
Matunuck, R. I. (30-4).

My Aunt Daisy, by Albert Halper
and Joseph C. Schrank — Westport
(Conn.) Country Playhouse (23-28)
(Reviewed in Variety this Week).

On Stage, hiusieql comedy —
Timberland Theatre, Pottersville,
N. Y. (23-28).

On the Wing, revue- — Ivy Tower
Playhouse, Spring Lake, N. J. (23-
28).

Other Devil, by Jacques Fink
and Louis Pelletier — Pocono Play-
house, Mountainhome, Pa. (30-4).

Out of the Blue, musical, by
Bryan Turner and Edward Ochsen
— Windemere Summer Playhouse,
Seal Harbor, Me. (24-28).

Put Them All Together, by Theo-
dore Hirsch and Jeanette Patton —
Ivy Tower Playhouse, Spring Lake,
N. J. (23.-28) (Reviewed in Variety,
Aug. 4, ’54).

Strictly French, revue — Cecil-
wood Theatre, Fishkill, N. Y. (31-
5).

Taste of Sherry, by A. B. Shif-
frin — Litchfield (Conn.) Summer
Theatre (23-28).

Temple Is a Town, musical
comedy by Frederick Lansing Day
and Gail Gould — Peterborough
(N. H.) Playhouse (24-28).

This Happy Breed, by Noel Cow-
ard — John Drew Theatre, East
Hampton, L. I. (23-28) (Original
London production reviewed in
Variety, June 16, ’43):

Unfinished Portrait, by Madeline
Davidson — Hedgerow Theatre,
Moylan, Pa. (24).

While the Cat’s Away, musical —
Boothbay (Me.) Playhouse (24-28).

White Sheep of the Family, by
L. du Garde Peach and lan Hay —
Triple Cities Playhouse, Bingham-
ton, N. Y. (30-4) (Reviewed in
Variety, July 7, ’54).

Ticnic’ $13,760, Mpls.

Minneapolis, Aug. 24.

In hot weather in the non-air
conditioned, 1,860-seat Lyceum at
$3.85 top, ’Ticnic" was helped by
glowing notices and favorable
word-of-mouth, building to just
under $13,700 for five nights and
two matinees. William Inge prize-
winner was traveling from Seattle
here the previous weekend and
missed the Sunday and Monday
night performances (15-16).

Theatre Guild-Joshua Logan pro-
duction opened the local legit sea-
son much earlier than usual and
was the first of six promised Guild-
ATS subscription offerings.

‘Pan’ Record 6(6,
life’ $9,000, LA.

Los Angeles, Aug. 24.

. Mary Martin, starring in the mu-
sicalized “Peter .Pan” as the clos-
ing bill of the^ Civic Light Opera
Assn, subscription season, is the
Assn, subscription season, drew the
best opening week take in CLO’s
History. Despite mixed notices,
the show is doing big business and
the scheduled five-week engage-
ment has already been extended
an extra three weeks, during which
revisions will be made for the
transfer to Broadway in the fall.

Estimates for Last Week

Peter Pan, Philharmonic Aud (1st
wk) (2,670, $5.50) (Mary Martin).
Final offering of the CLO subscrip-
tion season got away to an SRO
$66,000; run has been extended
three more weeks for a total of
eight.

Jose Greco, Greek Theatre (1st
wk) (4,407, $3.60). Caught a neat
$53,000; despite cool foggy nights.

That’s Life, Las Palmas (9th wk)
(400; $3.30). Jumped to $9,000.

‘APPLE’ GOLDEN $70,000
FOR AL FRESCO 9, DX.

Washington, Aug. 24.

Carter Barron Amphitheatre,
4,000-seat stadium in Rock Creek
Park, took in a smashing 5570,0.00
for nine performances of “Golden
Apple” closing last Wednesday
(18). Musical played to standees
last three nights and would have
been held another week if not for
rink installations for the preem
next Thursday (26) of “Ice Cycles
of 1955.” for an 18-day run.

Feld Bros., who took over the
Amphitheatre this, summer, report
an “excellent” season.

Shirley $29,380, 'Cadillac $24,800,

, ‘Hearts $11,

‘Pacific’ Placid $25,000,

Toronto, Aug. 24. ~
"South Pacific,” with Iva Withers
and Webb Tilton,, grossed a disap-
pointing $25,000 at the 1,525-seat
Royal Alexandra here last week,
at hefty $5 top. J

Piece is continuing a second
week and, in spite of public’s price
squawks, had a $12,000 advance
on the holdover.

Chicago, Aug. 24/
Loop’s two shows continued to
perk last week with the mid-August
convention trade a possible factor.
Wednesday matinees continued
strong, as do Saturday niehts.

Estimates for Last Week
Time Out for Ginger, Harris (32d
wk) ($4.15; 1,000) (Melvyn Doug-
las). Over $12,400 (previous week,
$ 12 , 200 ).

Wonderful Town, Shubert (7th
wk) ($4.60; 2,100) (Carol Channing).
Over $38,200 (previous week,
$36,900).

D.C. Arena Stage

Continued from page 57

Anderson. That was before the
play at the Arena, repeats his
chores for the Broadway-bound
version, and 13-year-old Clay Hall,
juve featured player of the origi-
nal production, repeats his role.
Another Arena graduate, George
Grizzard, will understudy John
Kerr, the male lead.

With the relatively high weekly
nut of $2,200, or two-thirds of its
$3,581 potential gross, it’s fre-
quently been touch-and-go for the
Arena. Despite this, the house has
not only been self-sustaining, but
has garnered an unusual amount
of civic support from this voteless
town. In addition, Embassy Row
patronage has not only brought
prestige, but has paid off in actual
biz.

Except for Schneider, a Catholic
U. grad who went from Arena
Stage to his directorial click last
season with “The Remarkable Mr.
Pennypacker,” the group has not
yet spawned a Broadway name. It
did catapult 26-year-old Frances
Sternhagen into local fame, how-
ever, as leading lady of the Olney
Theatre strawhat troupe. And now
Miss Sternhagen and Marian Rear-
don, another Arena favorite, ate
Broadway bound this fall to try
their luck in the big league.

‘Volpone’ Closes Season
For Margo’s Theatre ’54

Dallas, Aug. 24,

Margo Jones will . stage Ben
Jonson’s “Volpone” as the fifth and
closing production of Theatre ’54’s
first summer season. Three-week
run, next Monday (30) through
Sept. 19, will star John Denny.
Local stage will then shutter until
Miss Jones starts her ninth regular
season in November.

Arena stage currently offers
“Sea-Change,” farce by William
Case.

‘NANETTE' MILD $45,000
AT STARLIGHT, KAYCEE

Kansas City, Aug. 24.

“No, No, Nanette,” ninth entry
in the Starlight Theatre >1 fresco
season* in Swope Park proved a
lightweight, winging the week!s
run Sunday l ght (22) to a moder-
ate, $45,000. Ann Crowley. Rudy*
Tone, Bob Smith. Romo Vincent.
Xenia Bank, Gillian Grey, Joan
Mann, Mildred Hughes and Marion
Weeks song leads, with Helene and
Howard as a specialty entry.

Finale of the season is “Okla-
homa” which opened last night
(Mon.) for a two-week run, only
musical among the season of 10 to
play a fortnight. In line, with
show's succpss in other summer
outdoor ventures it’s expected to
gross about $75,000 for the first
week and perhaps as much for the
holdover. Cast includes Miss Crow-
ley, Jim Hawthorne, David Burns,
Joan Kibrig, Walter Donahue,
Michael Kermoyan, Muriel O’Mal-
ley and Joseph Macaulay, with
Maggi Nelson and Robert DeVoye
as dancing leads. It closes the 80-
night season Sept. 5.

‘Hattie’ Smart $37,500,
Holdover Week, Dallas

Dallas, Aug. 24.

“Panama Hattie,” Slate Fair Mu-
sicals’ fifth production, grossed
$37,900 for its second and closing
week through Sunday’s matinee
(22). That brought the show’s two-
week total to $75,100.

Vivian Blaine, Buddy Ebsen and
Arthur Treacher starred in the
Cole Porter revival, supported by
Beverly Bozeman, Karin Wolfe and
Billy Van.

Final offering of the season,
“Wonderful Town,” opened last
night (Mon.) in. its first stock pro-
duction, to run through Sept. 5.
Starring are Imogene Coca, Edith
Adams, John Tyers and Arny Free-
man, supported by Margaret Irv-
ing, Norbert Winkler and Dody
Goodman.

Biz on Broadway continued its
comeback climb last week. Up-
ward trend is expected to hold
this session, with a traditional pre-
Labor Day dip forecast for next
Week.

Hike in receipts for five shows
topped $1,000 each, and one
straight, play, soared $8,100. B.o.
takes remained sparce at only a
few shows. “Caine Mutiny Court
Martial,” “Pajama Game” and
"Teahouse of the August Moon”
did standee business.

There was one closing last week,
“Sabrina Fair,” which bowed out
Saturday (21).

Estimates for Last Week

Keys: C ( Comedy ) , D ( Drama) ,
CD ( Comedy-Drama ), R (Revue),
MC (Musical-Comedy), MD (Musi-
cal-Drama), O (Opera), OP (Op-
eretta). .

Other parenthetic designations
refer, respectively, to weeks played,
number of performances through
last Saturday, top prices, number
of seats, capacity gross and stars.
Price includes 10% Federal and
5% City tax . hv* nrosses are v et :
i.e.. exclusive of tax.

Anniversary Waltz, Broadhurst
(C) (20th wk; 155; $4.60; 1,160;
$28,000) (Macdonald Carey, Kitty
Carlisle). Over $16,200 (previous
week, $13,400). *

By The Beautiful Sea, Majestic
(MC) (20th wk; 156; $6.90; 1.510;
$58,000) (Shirley Booth). Over $29,-
300 (previous week, $27,000).

Caine Mutiny Court Martial,
Plymouth (D) (31st wlc; 244; $5.75-
$4.60; 1,062: $33,331) (Lloyd Nolan,
John Hodiak. Barry Sullivan). Held
at over $23,500, with sterdees.

Can-Can, Shubert (MC) (63th
wk; 540; $6.90; 1,361; $50,160).
Just $48,700 (previous week, *48,-
000 ).

? >ing of Hearts, Lvceum (C) (21st
wk; 162; $5.75-$4.60; 9S5; $23,389)
(Donald Cook, Jackie Cooner).
Over $11,800 (previous week. $11,-
OChk

’kismet, Ziegfeld <Q) (38th wk;
300: $6.90: 1.528- $57.P0O> (Alfred
Drake). Over $56,400 (previous
week. $56,600).

Oh Men, Oh Women, Miller <C)
(38‘h wk: 294; S5.75-S4.60; 920;
$23,248) (Lloyd Bridges'. Over $9,-
600 f previous week, $8,900 ).

Pajama Game. St. James (MC)
(15th v-k; 11G; $690: 1.571; $51.-
717) 'John Raitt. Janis Pai f e. Ed-
d> Fcv JdJ. Clean again at over
951.700.

Sabrina Fair. Rovale <C> (40th
wk: 317: $4 60; 1.172; S24.000).

Nearly $11,600 (previous week,
$11,000); closed Saturday (21 > at
a profit of about $45,000 on a
$50,000 investment.

Seven Year Itch. Fulton 1 C)
(92nd wk: 733: $5.75-$4.60: 1.063;
$24,000) (Tom Ewell >. Over $18,200.
'previous week, $17,000); Elliott
Nugent replaces Ewell tonight
<\Vrd.) for indefinite period.

Solid Gold Cadillac, Music Box

(C) (42nd wk; 333; $5.75-.$4.60; 1,-
077; $27,811) (Josephine Hull). Al-
most $24,800 (previous week. $16,-
700); star out of the cast again,
with understudy Ruth McDevitt
back as sub.

Tea and Sympathy, Barrymore

(D) (47th wk; 373; $5.75-$4.60;

1.060; $28,300) (Joan Fontaine).
Almost $22,200 (previous week,
$20,700). • *

Teahouse of the August Moon,
Beck <C> (45th wk; 364; $6.22-$4.60;
1,214; $33,608) (David Wayne, John
Forsythe). Capacity as usual at
nearly $34,100.

‘Okla’ Boffola $63,000
In First Week* St. Louis

St, Louis, Aug. 24.

“Oklahoma” racked up about
$63,000 last week in the initial
frame of a fortnight’s stand at the
Municipal Theatre Assn, playhouse
in Forest Park. Rodgers & Ham-
merstein tuner drew 71,000 payees,
with a season record of 12,027 for
a single performance registered
Saturday (21). Show, with William
Johnson, Pamela Britton, Jerry
Mann, Elsie Rhodes and Hal LeRoy
heading the cast, is the windup
bill of the al fresco season.

Johnson, incidentally, was
wounded in the leg by a blank
cartridge at the opening perform-
ances Monday (16) but played
through the week.

‘KING’ MAJESTIC $76,785
IN 10 SHOWS, SEATTLE

* Seattle, Aug. 24.
“King and I" hit the roof here
last week, -grossing $76,7785 in 10
performances (three matinees)
Monday-Sunday (16-22) at a $5 top
in- the 2,700-seat Orpheum.

Anticipating the huge public
turnout, Hugh Beckett Attractions
booked the larger Ijouse instead of
its own regular legiter, the Met-
ropolitan.

- — » -

‘Itch’ $26,700, Frisco

San Francisco, Aug. 24.
San Francisco’s hottest legit sea-
son in years cooled off last week
with only one house running. Busi-
ness there picked up over the pre-
vious week, however.

Estimate for Last Week
Seven Year Itch, Geary (3d wk)
($3.85; 1,550) (Eddie Bracken).

Solid $26,700. (Previous week,
$27,000).

LEGITIMATE

East Hampton’s Other Barns

^====sX^XSS2SSm~ Continued from page 5$

week In "Ethan Frome," with under sponsorship of Alexander H.

Thomas Coley featured. ■ ' Cohen, in association with Gayle I

Producer-director William Miles Stine,
has added an extra week to his _■ _ 0

original 11-week schedule. Muriel Syracuse BosUm^Aug 24

Sefcd' 0 ? *in The whodunit, -TU* Following the°rMLshing
Sept. 6 in th ^ «iaa 7 i t/rnespri two weeks ago by

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

Operating Statements

THE GOLDEN APPLE

(As of July 3, ’54)

Gross, last four weeks, -$87,731.
Loss, last four weeks, $8,023.

r * m i i « i _ *nn nrvO

Shows Abroad

Keep lit a Cool Place

London, Aug. 19.

James P. Sherwood's production of

happy* pere will only return to
give his okay.

Hokum is stretched to great

« ,ii i * j_i- _ii _ it °

TT° SS '^,n.d ^t trrI a t/s87 893 comedy in three acts (six scenes) TyWU- lengths when, with mother the only
Unrecouped cost, to date, $o7,oyo. llam Templeton, stars Roger Livesey jmd occupant of the room, the scientist-

capital available, $14,413. waikl ta'behMWrUalr

ffP'r ® “.“L'm Denham 1 $14,471 grossed two weeks ago by Loss, last five weeks. $1', 229.
° { . B » ttels \, RfSma'd Denham Truman in "Autumn Operating profit to date, $24

w d r 3 ^i^ Smith Margaret Truman in "Autumn

and Conrad Sutton . Crocus" the Boston Summer Thea-

tre returned to normalcy last week

‘Kate’ 19G, Wallingford with near $9,500. for “Boys From

Wallingford, Conn., Aug. 24. Syracuse.” “Stalag 17” was not too
Top gross of its initial season to staunch at the Marblehead Sum-
date was clicked off last week by mer Theatre, winding with slightly
the Oakdale Musical Theatre (< here under $7,500. Both spots operate
with seven performances of “Kiss with a $3 top.

Me Kate,” which ran close to On tap at the BST is “The Vege-
capacity. Figures hit just under table,” starring Wally Cox with Joe
$19,000 in this sixth week of a 12- e. Brown in “Show-Off” at the
week season. . Marblehead silo.

— ir-HSr «: 2 5 top: w „ 1#l - foliage, calmly regrets his 10-year

ANNIVERSARY WALTZ MqLeod , Ro Hy HaSi absence, apologizes for lateness,

(As of July 31, ’541 Angus McDonald V.. ... . , . .James Gibsou and asks: “What’s *pr dinner?”

rrnca inct five weeks $5^885 Polly Biair -JK SSSffi Casual wisecracking characteriza-

?5?f S i35f t ft^ e .i^£o S ’4:r‘)9Q ’ i e ? n , Lindsay rw^n RiSards tion is skillfully handled by Bra-

oSSflHn e nrofit e to k date ‘ $24 370 ESS? ^'^’^‘^.‘.‘.V.'/.V.’.’Ppame^Wright den, with laffs arising from his

Operating profit to date, W! , cl1 y c«ihv ....Kenneth Connor ornrtrnns rii.cnnsit.inn and hie dn.

Unrecouped cost, $4,546.
Repaid to investors, $15,000.
Cash available, $41,556.

Basil Seiby Kenneth Connor amorous disposition and his de-

pSwd Crom s?rip«?5 Of love-live among the

Hamish McLeod

uasn avauaoie. *ti,m,o. {.“u.ISf’te&od John stone VaBahnnd sotontist >mw«

Gavin McLeod Jeremy Dempster pQse as jj, Roberts, explorer-

n IVII 111 — ! friend of her husband. Fun perks

Korn K 17 HdoItHiT By stretching a single situation up when he meets up with the

Ddrll IJlL llvdllllYy over three acts, William Temple- suitbr, who tells him he plans to

■ ton has conjured up some creaking marry his wife “to legalize existing

* « yi W"l 1 1 comedy in “Keep in a Cool Place.” conditions.”

I In 1*7 h LjtM The overall result is a Contrived Braden is a click in the Ipad,

rtS If 111 V II 1 If 111 play which limps along with little his Transatlantic accent giving vim

w v surprise and which has hardly been to role that has humor-packed

_ . helped by the slow, delibei> v di- bravado. Miss Summerfield copes

Only six lEquity.-bonded straw- rec ^ on 0 f Jevan Brandon-Tuomas. well with a role not easy to por-

hats have folded thnv summer. Pr0( j U ction has slim prospects of tray. Robin Bailey, tall, suave ac-

fPL WjvI 1 A17A/1 f A Ka Vi A 1 AlITOCr -J _1— 2 — V « m. LL. A iLiddJ _ 1_ • 1 _

' * ‘ . John Downing Eskimos!

, .John Stone
....Jeremy Dempster Vfgaim

$19,000 in this sixth week of a 12-
week season.

House is staging an abbreviated
campaign for subscription biz on.
the last four weeks of the season,
ending Sept. 26.

Joe E; $7,100, Spa
Saratoga, N. Y., Aug. 24.

Saratoga, n,y Aug f That’s be lfe ve d to be the lowest survival to^ shines as the third' man while

JoeR. Biown in The Show-Off, numb er iq years and is regarded as in the Scottish Gerald Harper is particularly good

^ reW (;i mod , er c e ^7 further indication of the generally jjjf th p central figure as the younger suitor in the al-

&•«!!-**& Summer Theatrc healthy biz on the barn circuit this “J Lt*fc fSSSl Si **■■. ««e. . ..

season.

‘Charley’ at Fort Wayne here at a $3 tip. neauny oiz on me oarn cucuu cm, (R - g ^ r Lives ey) is a /proud, arro- -. bouncer Norman

Fort Wavne, Ind., Aug. 24. Producer John Huntington an- se ~ s °"‘ ... iiroi¥ia $ liril i v chnttprpH gant clansman who lives alone in p. scores in ah episode with

SStMSI different gSSS

as i s e t e j,e w ittr ,ion ” star - s H S

here at a $3 top.

Producer Jcnn Huntington an-
nounced last night (Mon.) that the

Final fortnight, including a burg, Pa. July bo wouts included a cop at Scotland Yard, a third ■ JL - n 4 overcrowded stvle

leduled “Dark of the Moon,” the Westhampton (L. I.) Playhouse; is in the navy and the fourth is in nlav is nruned threes

in the Frahke ne Xt weeK Wiin rygmauon, slut- paris 0 i me worm, me nuwi h Warrpn Tonkins is adent with

S ring Estelle Winwood. the Deer Lake Theatre, Orwigs- a diplomat in Hungary, another is t hSJw alley’s apartment set S

Pa rk _ Outdoor Theatre next Thur P i n a i fortnight, including a burg, Pa. July bo wouts included a cop at Scotland Yard, a third inan ovBrcrowded style

day-Sunday (26-29). A ne ^ . _ scheduled “Dark of the Moon,” the Westhampton (L. I.) Playhouse; is in the navy and the fourth is in 0n g e Ai e 'Dlav is nruned three^

system, costing $3,500, .hag be with . Jack Palance, the week of Strand Theatre, Wilmington, Del., the army. All is comparatively acte - s hanes ud as lightweight

installed in the . outdoor theatre, as Sept 6 has beea cance n e d. and the Musi-carnival, Lake quiet until the arrival of a daugh- l ghter contribution to British

a further gift of the News Publish- George, N. Y. Initial hayloft to ter-in-law from Budapest. In quick iegit would be worthv of viewing

ing Co., which donated the $135,- Wally Cox 24G, Salt Creek call it quits was the Hunterdon succession, there follows the sail- asa possible film subject.

000 playhouse to the city m 1949. Hinsdale, 111., Aug. 24. Hills pi ay house, Jutland, N. J., or’s bride (a soubrette in a touring ■ Gord>

v t Damnolr »7arn npifl f»P. Alfla ai inli thn cnAur uroc l*ftnn/llv .. . A \ J iL n

installed in the outdoor theatre, as ger)^ 6 ( has been, cancelled,
a further gift of the News Publish- _ — —

ing Co., which donated the $135*- Wally Cox 24G, Salt Creek
000 playhouse to the city in 1949. Hinsdale, 111., Aug. 24.

Leo L. Beranek, Cambridge, Although the show was ]

Mass., who was in charge of the panned by the Chicago critics, " Gounterinff the silo closings is (daughter of a forger). Finally, the .

sound system for the concerts in Wally Cox, starring in “The VBge- grow th of Equity’s barn roster, soldier son returns from the Far f 5 nG Tin Name Lecturers

Aspin, Colo., the Tanglewoo4 Mu- table/’ seCa two-week record at “hi chnTw tot aU142 t heatr w«H East - His br ! de is a local tt* al ‘ „ ® V.?. ™ L ’ et '‘ Urer!>

sie P Festival in the Berkshires, and Salt Creek Theatre with just under ‘ddlfi/nV/tHrMilfo/S ^e already harrassed papa For Wing Thesp Courses

other major entertammenteentere, * ^00^ D Rjva (PaJ P i ayhouse . outfit switched ento in Japanese cortbrne^ Top theatre names are being

devised dhe improved sound plan ^ Jtamd in .. eountry G irl" as from an amateur policy to pro L little Mot ™.h San™ and Mtod- up for the American Theatre

for the Outdooi lheetre. th#, Qnnt’« mrrpni anH final chnw ‘vtandine for the last two weeks With little plot substance and .

— oftheseason ^ Sh °'‘ of Us seasom Another plus factor »ver weigh ted with pedestrian dia- Wing’s fall actmg courses Arthur

‘Mice’ $6,800, New Hope - — — is the report that sever.* 1 summer Hanna, Who s supervising the class

/^New Hope, Aug. 24. Terry Monre 8G, Drury theatres contemplate ; • lending °S T ^ s r^vaU- in Comprehensive Review of Styles

Bucks County Playhou' e here Chicago, Aug. 24. their seasons, such as tne Bucks ab j e 0 f Acting, has already snared Sir

grossed slightly better than $6,800 ffiL 0 O0™St week With C ?V n ‘»' New Hope, Pa., ’ h appearance since iU . Cedric Hardwicke, Joseph Kramm.

l or eig ^ Mi°i" l«t Ter?y Moore s?a,Ting rn "s/o“ which Plans runmng through No- ne s s ?o m peUed PP mm“o ankl/ the Eva LeGallienue Cyril Ritchard

Spewack s Two _ Blmd Mic _ st p Qr a g undav Evening .” 0 Current ' Broadway production of “Esoa- a«d Margaret Webster.

week. Take was down slightly fi om j s p a ^ O’Brien in “Front page.” pade,” Roger Livesey, kilted and Alfred Lunt will participate in

the weekly average for barn. DrUry operator Tony De Santis <1 « J„> C:i~ bearded, holds the stage most of the course following the Broadway

“Mice” was the final play of the and P roducer Phil Tyrrell plan to EtDlclSOIl* LBQY ullO IlY the time with a creditable per- opening Nov. 3 of Noel Cbward’s

Bucks season for resident Jerome extend their season for at least an- n • n 1 n> formance. Hy Hazelly a blonde “Quadrille,” in which he and his
Cowan, who leaves fdr star role in other two weeks beyond the origi- Kgjnff Krniignf In K WR V looker who has made a name as wife, Lynn Fontanne, will star.
George Brandt’s . road production nal Sept. 5 finale. 5 5 J principal boy in panto, is restricted Maurice Evans may also lecture

of “Mooq Is Blue.” “The Lady Chooses,” comedy by by a psuedo Hungarian accent, during the semester.

“Champagne Complex,” current- ‘Heaven' $5,700, Ivoryton William McCleery, is being brought Doreen Richards is over-fexuberant Hanna is currently in London

. . , . . ., , 11 AAUIO JL mjuvuow, VUIIHUU^ V»» — . J— 7 • ' — ^

Although the show was roundly which threw in the towel in June> revue and the policeman’s wife

are starred in “Country Girl” as
the spot’s current and final show
of the season.

Terry Monre 8G, Drury

Chicago, Aug. 24.

devised the improved sound plan
for the Outdoor Theatre.

‘Mice’ $6,800, New Hope

New Hope, Aug. 24.
Bucks County Playhou' e here

grossed slightly better than $6,800 Drury Lane Summer Theatre County Playhouse, New' Hope, Pa., T * , . „ . . ...

for pieht Derformances of Sam grossed over $8,000 last week with wb i cb p i a ns running through No- ^ ^

for eight performances of Sam ^rrv Moore starring in “Storv whl( ? F
Spewack’s “Two Blind Mice”, last Jeny te«. 1 5 0 S2' wmber.

week. Take was down slightly from
the weekly average for barn.

For a Sunday Evening.’ Current
is Pat O’Brien in “Front Page.”
Drury operator Tony De Santis

“Mice” was the final play of the and P roducer Phil Tyrrell plan to
Bucks season for resident Jerome extend their season for at least an-
Cowan, who leaves for star role in other two weeks beyond the origi-
George Brandt’s . road production nal Sept. 5 finale.

Emerson-’Lady’ Silo Try

of “Mooq Is Blue.”

“Champagne Complex,” current-
ly at Bucks, has been extended a

* . «* -w 1 • _ oi—

‘Heaven' $5,700, Ivoryton
Ivorytown, Conn.. Aug. 24.

ly at Bucks, has been extended a Ivorytown, Conn.. Aug. 24. to Broadway this fall, probably by as the showgirl while Pamela conferring with Stanley Holloway
second week. New Leslie Stevens Heaven Can Wait,’ ^starring the Theatre Guild and George Wright has little scope as the forg- and Robert Helpmann, of the Old
comedys due Oct. 26 on Broadway Steve Cochran, grossed $5,700 at Kondolf. Faye Emerson, who er’s daughter. Jean Cadell contrib- Vic’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream”

htOi appeared In tryout engagements at utes a neat cameo as a dour house- company, about their participation
• ■ I in mo tnv ZJL, T^, !?*«.,*?! Westport (ConnJ Country Play- keeper and Margaret Dickie in- in another professional course. Act-

be an angel

HERE’S YOUR
CHANCE TO BACK
A BROADWAY
SHOW!

isISo fo r r CV MarvTster in "S the Westport (Conn.) Country Play- ***>^7* ^ ^

Love” Week befor^that -"sabrfna hou9e and . Newport (RL) Casino ’ ing is A Business. The actors are

. I. yeeK DeiOre mat, oabrina vx/ill rpmain ac cfar anrl Ffivv avH the local girl. Other patts are ade- ^ ’ i. ’ ^..a. a.u

Fair.” co-starring June Lockhart Tem ™ a l star and f dward
and Paul McGrath, pulled in $8,200. Andrews has been asked to con-

“Mamba’s Daughters,” with tin T ue as featured male lead.

Ethel Waters, is current, Luther Kennett, who stag

the local girl. 1
quately filled.

p'Stts are ade-
Myro.

Luther Kennett, who staged the

tryout production, will also have

■Heartbreak’ $6 300, Olney the i .same assignment for the Hubert Wooaw Sf g T k Aug.^17.^

Olney, Md M Aug. 24. Broadway presentation. behalf of Poseidon Productions Ltd>

Second week of Shaw’s “Heart- — presentation of new comedy in three

hrpnk Hmisp ” starrintr TV/Tarcrtirot acts by Leonhard Huizinga, adapted from

? ga . r ^ 1 Bolide/ Qof the Dutch by thd author in collaboration

. Phillips, bl ought in $6,200 for the JjRlietS riSpEfi[110lS OCl with Donald Bull; Stars Bernard Braden;

At last, the Broadway theatre isan in- Olney’s best stanza of the season 171 - XT L ril features Eleanor Summerfield, Robin

vestment within your reach. lor only * hpin ‘ | 1p ,j f “ For November Oil B Way Bailey. Directed by Warren Jenkins.

5Q#a share, you can buy . in a cor Flay IS being held for a third . . , , Setting, Anthony Waller. At King’s The-

poration that invests regularly in week, to be followed by the sum- David Llbldins has booked the atre, Glasgow; $1,20 top.

S’ “S?d radTo 8, °“ pic mer finale, “Male Animal,” with Ballets Espagnols, headed by Tere- M a ™ H unt e r jm Dixon

vision and radio. ... a M n n#U.iAr.m io „ iLn» 5i' n .® st ,Y er .y Gerald Harper

IV o Nows From Failior

By ■•pooling" tne capital of many Invest- John Dali; tO run throught Sept. 12. sa and Luisillo, into the Hellinger Stella Hunter .Eleanor Summerfield

ors. BROADWAY ANGELS, INC., creates

a fund large enough to back entire shows ‘Flarlino-’ 191/.*^ U r ocfnm.i v

and to acquire broad interests in the en- Darling Westport gagement limited to

tertainment field by diversifying not Westport, Conn., Aug. 24. oDenine Oct 31 ar

more than 409b of its capital. A board “Darline Darline ” Anita Lons -ki u 1 '

ot experienced, professional advisers, T j U ? 8, Yl“ ua lj0 °" through November,

many of them famous, all of them re- comedy adapted fi om the French European comDanv

.maaIaJ h n m Ar- •*$ HlA thAafPA. TT1 SlfP t.ll^ Ul Am*A D OVI 1 1 rti 1 am/I Tai\M‘ Til /\M^n P P V

Theatre, N. Y., for a Broadway en-

Jack Hokinshaw Robin. Bailey

Mr. Roberts .Bernard Braden

gagement limited to one month, MoTome w ' Beli 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 PiTrcS

opening Oct. 31 and running

hpinp Comedy-fantasy adapted from

UCIHg thp Tllltph nrm/fle o ucafnl loiirtfi

spected names in the theatre, make the 0 f Pierre Barillet and Jean-Pierre br^ht 1 tn J US for it, fi the Dutch proves a useful laugh
selection of shows worthy of investment. rj r p^i v Hrp.w a nrnfitablo i%nh brougnt tO tne . ® r . first vehicle for Danarlian actnr anrf

initial b ^- .Capacity for the house is

camouflaged in fiery mop of red

pahLoft 5 to” i; "Harvey" paid off $40 to about $15,000. Gypsy Rose Lee was Bork ? n < head of Les Productions hair and lengthy red beard, plays
$50 for every $i invested starred in the production, which is Parisiennes Arts et Spectacles, a callous young scientist who

turns 6 o a n thf a^rlge successfm shows playing this week at the Pocono troupe’s European manager. The leaves his wife and daughter in

turns on the average successful snows uus ween, ai me jrugono

are not that high and many shows are a Playhouse, Mountainhome, Pa.

srgss^ras? fe m,*. h An ^ er . try £, u V " My

by applying profit igaiast loss, we be- by Albert Halper and Joseph
lieve that we are offering the safest. Schrank, is this week’s offering at
most down-to-earth theatre investment 4.u A . t auiron^o T manor- B r*

yet devised — and the Investment with the Lawrence Langner-John C.

best ^^surahee of tein^g Mbstantiai ^ Wilson .strawhat here. ..

turns. — : “Book of the Month,” by Basil plaved bv Eleanor Summcrfipld

BROADWAY ANGELS, INC. Is offering or w Thomas is beinff Droduced hv 'nI. LhLj t ° i-< ■ rl fli

at this time 570,000 shares at 50c a share, Angels 2G, Reading . ' v 1**1 -lu produced Dy has reshaped her life, and has

if an established ^securities firm is em- Reading, Pa., Aug. 24. r* w> ■ - a J ca 5! : landed a lover into the bargain,

ployed to distribute these securities, Berks Plavers at Green Hills by Hugh Williams, Judy Campbell, But she still maintains a belief in -
there is an allowance ofc $71,250. broker- ’ 1 V • ■ , U1 ? Mare-arotta fimfi and fane Ylrlf IL Y -Ci 1 I ^ ainia “ 1 S a Deiiei in

age commissions and $12,000 for ex- Theatre near here, took in almost S rffar ® wa ® cow 4 and o jane Grit- the possible return of her husband,
penses ieaving $2 01 ,75° working capital. $2,00Q last week for the second “ ths - 'It opens Aug. 30 at Folk- to the chagrin of her new lawyer-

woi’kins'capuai’is 'estimated S' «60.ooo. |t.ja of a fortnight’s run of "My • .«tog«.t ndwqi ptor » sbe-weektow suitor .and hidden grief of her
a Letter of Notification under Regulation 3 Angels. Previous sessions take b®Tdr e coming to the West End... eligible young daughter Crisis

4cha S ng b e ec coSm d issTin h was nearly $2,200, with two-week ^ a ™ e ® P ; S c h u® r -.°l d ' S tS P n ductl ^ ^ arises through daughter’s wish to

mean that the Commission has either ap- run registering as season’s best, by William Chet- marry and mother’s . hope of ap-

proved or disapproved these securities or Theatre, which usually plays Tues- ha,n otrode, currently touring the proving the suitor if the Eskimo-
passed upon the completeness or accur- dav-Satnrdav niphts addoH an «v_ provinces. Opens Sept. 7 at the St.

company is now in South America. London to carry on tribal research

: among the Eskimos.

I J I London apartment of the scien-

Lonaon LCSlt DltS tist is shown almost 10 years after

' 7 . he left on his polar trip. The wife,

if u?: il*,i delicately if not too confidently

due in New York next month when
“Dream” begins a limited run Sept.
21 at the Metropolitan Opera
House. Helpmann will lecture on
the dancer’s transition to drama.

ADVANCE AGENTS!
COMPANY MANAGERS !

We have been serving theatrical
shows for over 42 yeers. Ours is
the oldest, most reliable and ex-
perienced transfer company on the
West Coast!

* Railroad privileges for handling
shows and theatrical luggage.

* Complete warehouse facilities I

* Authorised in California, equipped
to transfer and haul anywhere in

U. 5.1

* RATES ON REQUEST I

Atlantic Transfer Company

GEORGE CONANT
1100 East 5th Street
Los Angeles 13, Calif.

MUtual 0121 or OXford 0-4764

NED ARMSTRONG

Theatrical Publicity
Staff Account Executive
S. RICHARD STERN ASSOCIATES
5 East 47th Street, New York, N. Y.
PLaia 9-6460

« ?5- ESf iK! Scpt 7 st

cular issued in connection therewith

tra performance Monday (16) be- Martin’s theatre,
cause of heavy demand and pur-

{ BROADWAY ANGELS, INC., DEPT. V4 | JarfiPQ ° f the house fot theatre
29 West 65th St. N. Y» 23, N. Y. J Brutus „ is current ^

; 29 West 65th St. N. Y. 23, N. Y. •
I TR 4-1815 J

t Send Offering Circular without cost ,
■ or obligation. i

Marijan Maricle will make her
400th appearance in “Paint Your
Wagon” at the Neptune Music Cir-
cus, Asbury Park, N. J., next week
in the role she originated on

or obligation. j Jean Stapleton, who drew criti- in the role she originated on

name • cal attention on Broadway last sea- Broadway . . . Jerry Mann, cur-

i J son in a character-comedy role in rently appearing in “Oklahoma” at

i address i 4, in the Summer House,” will have the Municipal Theatre Assn.’s For-?

J city zone . . ' a principal singing part next week est Park playhouse, St. Louis, will

i , J in a revue, “Strictly French,” at appear as Ali Hakim in the upcom-

i state .. , the Cecil wood Theatre, Fishkill, ing bus-and-truck tour of the Rodg-

i state

i phone Number J N. Y. Susan Reed and Mary Lou ers & Hajnmerstein tuner k marking

I Taylor will also be in the show . . his sixth year in the role.

After TWO YEARS as 'Sportin' Lift'
in "PORGY AND BESS"

GONE FI SHIN'

Gab

62

0

Wednesday, August 25, 1954

CHATTER

Broadway

Clarabelle Wfllsh back from sum-
m mering with the John Charles
Thomases at their Hollywood home.

Ed (& Pegeen) Fitzgerald in
Paris this week on the last lap
of his European quickie, returning
oh the S. S. United States.

Songsmith Abner Silver has a
gag song he plans placing with mu-
sic publisher Ben Bloom, and if it
turns out to be a “confidential” hit
he’ll call it “Sh’Bloom!” .

Jan and Syd Silverman, Variety,
aboard the S. S. Queen Elizabeth,
arriving next Tuesday (31), follow-
ing their six-week honeymoon trip
which took them, by Jaguar, from
London through Germany, Italy
and France.

George Maurer, head of Metro
sales development in N. Y„ to wed
Joan Walden, ice-skater who re-
cently starred at the New Yorker,
Hotel and on Arthur Godfrey’s ice-
show. Marriage will take place
Sept. 25, in Buffalo.

N. Y. Sunday News had a fea-
ture on Gareth Hughes, former
Broadway and Hollywood star, dis-
closing his activities as Brother
David, a Protestant Episcopal mis-
sionary, devoting his life to the
welfare of a group of Indians near
Reno, Nev.

Julie Wilson, just back from
studying voice for a year in Europe,
shifts her nitery base to the Per-
sian Room of the Hotel Plaza in
September. It's her first cafe date
since September ’52 when she was
at the St. Regis' Maisonette, long
her key Gotham stand.

Gene Cavallero Jr. is now 50-50
owner With his father Of the Col-
ony, having bought out George
Fierentino, longtime partner of
Cavallero Sr. Fierentino, now in
his 70s, retiring to divide his time
between realty holdings in Mont-
real and his Malta, L. I., home.

Bandleader - composer Leonard
Sues departs Las Vegas for Holly-
wood for possible film backing on
“Brooklyn Bridge,” the musical
comedy he plans producing on
Broadway this fall; book and lyrics
by Thomas Del Vecchio, score by
Sues. Latter is rounding out a
stint with Milton Berle at The
Sands.

Rev. Malcolm (Mai) Boyd, former
producer and partner of Mary
Pickford in radio and tv, visits N.Y.
Monday (30) for the first time in
four, years, since he left the indus-
try to become an Episcopal clergy-
man. He’s on his way to England
for an additional year of advanced
theological study at Oxford. Until
he sails Sept. 8, he’ll stay with the
Marry Wayne McMahans (McCann-
Erickson agency veep).

Scotland

By Gordon Irving

A1 Martino' topped bill at Em-
pire, Edinburgh.

“People Are Funny” series re-
corded for Radio Luxembourg at
Playhouse, Glasgow.

Princess Margaret to attend
preem of Old Vic’s “A Midsummer
Night’s Dream” at Edinburgh Fes-
tival.

John A. Service bowed out as
manager at Gaumont Theatre, Ayr,
after 35 years with the Gaumont
group.

John Huston accepted invitation
to become honorary prexy of 1954
International Film Festival at
Edinburgh.

& “Half-Past Eight,” with Jack
Radcliffe and Stanley Baxter,
notching up solid coin at the Al-
.h&mbra, Glasgow.

Albert Mackie, Scot freelance,
penning words and lyrics of late-
night revue, “On the Tiles,” set for
the Edinburgh Festival nightly.

Harry Gordon and Jimmy Logan
switching north from King’s The-
atre, Edinburgh, to His Majesty’s,
Aberdeen, in strawhat revue,
“Half-Past Eight.”

Paris

By Gene Moskowitz
(28 Rue Huchette — Odeon 49-44)

Benny Goodman orch slated for
a concert at Salle Pleyel in Decem-
ber. '

George Guetarv an* Bourvll
back into the longrun musical hit,
“La Route Fleurie” (The Flowered
Way) at the ABC.

Mouloudji jn for three-week
stint as topper at the Olympia
Music Hall in September; will be
followed by Georges Brassens.

Charles Boyer here for star
chore opposite Martine Carol in
the Christian-Jaque filmization of
Emile Zola's “Nana.” This is the
third French version.

Sugar Ray Robinson signed for a
role in a French pic starting this
Week in Marseilles. Film is direct-
ed by Edmond Greville and stars
Jean Gabin ahd Henri Vidal.

Mitchell Leisen here readying
sites for his- forthcoming pic, “The
Paris Story” (M-G). This will be
the first major studio film to be

made entirely In France; even
scenes with an American locale
will he Bhot here.

Next King Bros, pic on the Con-
tinent will be “Backfire” (RKO),
with Gary Cooper, Ava Gardner,
Maria Schell and Michele Morgan,
according to Herman King. Film
will be made in London, Berlin
and Paris next season.

Helen Partello, 16-year-old Hol-
lywood starlet, made the cover of
Paris-Match this week, and heads
for Rome to start her first impor-
tant film role. She is also up for
a top spot in the new Jacques
Deval play for . next season,
“Noumona.”

Suzy Delair back into full swing,
after a temporary show biz hiatus,
as star of pic, “Un Fil a La Patte”
(A Fly in the Ointment). Then she
has a straight legit lined up, a top-
line stint at the Bobino Musichall
and possibly the lead in the Lon-
don version of “Cancan” next
spring.

Jacques Becker’s “Touchez Pas
Au Grisbi” (“Don’t Touch the
Coin”) is one of the French entries
at the Venice Film Fest. v Film got
special dispensation, for, techni-
cally, it is not qualified because it
already has played in other coun-
tries. Other French picture in
fete is Marcel Came’s “L’ Air De
Paris,” also stars Jean Gabin, who
thus will be the star of two p'ix.

Maurice Chevalier happy at get-
ting his U. S. visa, but feels he
won’t be able to go to the U. S.
until 1955 due to commitments
here. In October he does 55 per-
formances at the Theatre Des
Champs-Elysees to commemorate
his 55 years in show biz and is then
open to offers. His new status will
probably put the proposed film on
his life, starring Danny Kaye, back
on the agenda.

Fire Island

By Mike Gross

The Ira Steiners celebrated their
14th anni with a big bash Saturday
( 21 ).

Fredd Wayne readying a trek to
Egypt on a pic assignment for
Boulting Bros.

Rube Dorin weekending at Ocean
Beach between his column chores
for Morning Telegraph.

Arnold Perl, author of last sea-
son’s off-Broadway click “Sholem
Aleichem,” penning a new play.

Selma Tarnber, Lem Ayres’ aide,
to the Coast Sept. 7 fo assist the.
designer on his chores for the Ros-
alind Russell starrer, “The Girl
Rush.”

Among the weekenders: MGM
Records’ artists & repertoire staffer
Dick Lyons, gag writer Coleman
Jacoby and legit pressagent Merle
Debuskey.

Cape Cod

By Earl X. Dias I

Rudy Vallee at Dennis in “Jenny
Kissed Me.”

Bil and Cora Baird vacationing
at Chilmark, sans puppets.

Barbara Bel Geddes appearing
in “The Little Hut” at Falmouth
Playhouse.

Apprentices at Cape Playhouse,
Dennis, offering their annual pro-
duction, several of Noel Coward’s
one-acters.

John O. Crane, of Woods Hole,
announced programs for Coona-
messett Summer Music Festival, to
begin Sept. x 10 at Falmouth Play-
house.

John Cecil Holm at his North
Chatam home to do rewriting on
his new play, “The Southwest
Corner,” recently strawfcat-tested
and due for Broadway in De-
cember*

Charles Mooney, associate pro-
ducer at Cape Playhouse, Dennis,
will be company manager for
“Dear Charles,” scheduled for
Broadway opening Sept. 15, with
Tallulah Bankhead starred.

Philadelphia

By Jerry Gaghan

Violinist Ludy Van Love named
to membership in ASCAP.

Harry Carroll’s West Philly
show spot, Carroll’s, celebrated its
21st anni last week.

Madeline Davidson’s “Unfinished
Portrait” given world preem at
Hedgerow Theatre, Rose Valley,
Pa., Aug. 24.

Cumberland Music Bar has
changed hands with Songwriter
Billy Uhr, Sam Fishman and Sid
Brooks as new owners.

George Goldner, of Tico Rec-
ords, signed Bobby Escoto for
eight-week tour at windup of his
run at Atlantic City’s Yacht Club.

Accordionist Andy Arcari enr
gaged as soloist for summer con-
certs of Ocean City (N. J.) Sym-
phony, Clarence Fuhrman conduct-
ing.

'Anne Thomson, daughter of a
former president of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad, left $100,000 to the
Philadelphia Orchestra’s endow-
ment fund.

London

Harold Mirlsch, Allied Aftlsta
exec, to Fishguard to gander loca-
tion lensing on “Moby Dick.”

Larry Adler inked for a tele re-
cital next Sunday (29), with a pro-,
gram of classical and contemporary
music.

Charles Vidor in town prepping
his upcoming biopic of Nijinsky
which he plans to lens in London
next year.

Rudolf Friml, composer of “Rose
Marie,” due here for the London
preem, which is set for the Em-
pire, Leicester Square, Sept, 2.

Ciss and Ben Henry entertaining
his oldtime boss at Universal, the
Joe (Rose) Seidelmans, following
the latters’ leisurely European trip.

Sir Michael Balcon, Ealing Stu-
dios boss, signed Michael Redgrave
for lead in “The Night My Number
Came Up,” Air Marshall Goddards’
story.

Sailing on the Mary to N. Y.:
Carmen Mathews, producer of
Kraft Television Theatre, and Alis-
tair Cooke, journalist and broad-
caster.

Herman King here for confabs
with Robert S. Wolff, RKO topper,
on the release of “Carnival Story.”
He is scheduled to plane back to
the U. S. Sept. 3.

Irene Worth, the American ac-
tress now appearing in the Hay-
market hit, “A Day by the Sea,” to
star in a radio production of “All’s
Well that Ends Well.”

A closeup of Sir Carol Reed, to
be aired by the BBC tonight (Wed.)
will feature Phyllis Calvert, Trevor
Howard, Margaret Lockwood, Wolf
Mankowitz and Michele Morgan.

By Glenn Trump

Nino Nanni opened at the Col-
ony Club Friday (20).

Morris E. Jacobs, 58, boss of
Bozell & Jacobs ad agency here,
elected to State Board of Educa-
tion.

“King and I,” with Yul Brynner
and Patricia Morrison, scheduled
for Paramount Theatre Sept. 6-11,
will be first legit offering here in
more than a year. : .

■ Jimmy Stewart here to attend
Air Force Assn, reunion. Actor is
a colonel in the Air Force Reserve
and has just completed “Strategic
Air Command” film.

Camila Ashland, tv vlllainess,
named to play role of underworld
qUeen in Omaha Centennial his-
toric spec, “Omaha: Chuck Wagon
of America!” at Ak-Sar-Ben Field
opening this week.

Acts booked for the Iowa Cen-
tennial State Fair, Aug. 28-Bept. 6,
include Will Mahoney, Hollywood
Sky Ballet, Elly Ardelty, Great
Beckett, Baudy’s, Goetschis, Ol-i
veras, and Oranto Duo.

Cleveland

By Sanford Markey

Esther Williams skedded to top
Palace Theatre stageshow.

Fletcher Peck and Ray Malone
opening at the Cabin Club.

Wendell Tracy and Starlight
Roof Trio scheduled for Alpiiie
Village.

Susan Johnson signed to do fea-
ture role in Musicarnival’s “Annie
Oakley.”

Ray Anthony due at Crystal
Beach Aug. 29; Tex Beneke comes
in Sept. 5.

Mello-Larks, eating Custom Inn,
will move into the Sky-Way Lounge
for week-end stints.

Hotel Hollenden room, closed
for summer, will reopen in mid-
September with manager Bob
Joyce booking George Duffy and
floor show.

Rome

By Robert F. Hawkins

Silvana Pampanini here from
Spain; then to Paris via plane.

U.S. Air Force Band giving free
concert at Basilica di Massenzio.

Niagara Follies, aquashow tour-
ing Europe, played the Foro Italico,

Josephine Baker did three-night
stand at Belvedere delle Rose
nitery.

Nine first-run film houses shut-
tered for summer; more to follow
as Romans head for resorts.

(149 Via Archimede; tel. 877443)

Xavier Cugat ‘and Abbe Lane to
Barcelona by air, after series of
Italo dates.

Mel Ferrer, making an Italian
pic in Sardegna, planed to Zurich
for quick visit to his sister; then
returns to island location.

Chicago

Kim Novak, ‘native Chicagoan,
here to plug “Pushover.”

Dinah Shore circling town last
week for deejay roundup.

Will Jordan .visiting jocks last
week for Jubilee disk of “Roast
of Town.”

Liberace feted by Lane Bryant,

women’s stores with dedication of
new Liberace Room.

Johnny Ambrosia, personal man*
ager to singer Tommy Leonetti, set
up offices on State St.

Maria Riva and Brian Donlevy
in lead roles of “Country Girl’
at Salt Creek Summer Theatre.

Terry Moore appearing in “Story
for Sunday Evening” at Drury
Lane Summer Theatre for one

week.

Nat Hale, Columbia Records con-
tact man here, resigning , from
Sampson Distributing Co. to join
promotional staff of Liberace.

Playwrights Theatre Club wrap-
ping up summer Shakespearean
festival with “Romeo and Juliet,”
kicking off this week under Henry
Weinstein direction.

By Lary Solloway

Ava Gardner in town briefly, as
was Howard Hughes, both heading
Havana way.

Ralph Stolkln, who (with associ-
ates) briefly controlled RKO, here
setting up new 10,000-home project
which he will head.

Harry D. Smith, former road
company treasurer for “Great
Waltz,” in charge of Beach Civic
Auditorium boxoff ice. He’s only
theatrical treasurer in the country
on civil service.

Martha Raye and husband Ed
Begley off to Bimini for several
days before heading north ! for At-
lantic City 500 Club date. Beach-
comber, unable to book topliner as
replacement for her, shuttered .un-
til winter season.

Lavish new Fontainebleu, largest
modern resort hotel in U. S. had
“roof -raising” party Friday (20)
with local "luminaries in attendance.
It will feature a 500-seat nitery as
well as smaller cafes when com-
pleted near end Of year.

Bucks County, Pa.

Gordon Jenkins here to discuss
trying out “Seven Dreams” at
Playhouse in October.' *

Bob Caldwell, long stage man-
ager at Bucks, leaving Sept. 1 to
stage manage Helen Hayes’ new
production of “What Every Woman
Knows.”

Bucks-Music Circus -■ co-op ex-
tends to the boxoffice. Young Len-
nie Mulhern mans the Playhouse
cage with Fran Curley while his
parents occupy the Lambertville
booth.

Jerome Cowan, resident main-
stay at Bucks, departed over week-
end to take touring spot in “Moon
Is Blue.” Sent off with warm cur-
tain, speech and program blurb by
producer Mike Ellis.

Portland, Ore.

Dean Jennings, Northwest rep
for AGVA, resigned last week.

Herb Larson, Oregonian Drama
Editor, seriously ill with pneumo-
nia.

Arthur Lee Simpkins sang a spe-
cial two-hour concert at Amato’s
Supper Club last Sunday (22), and
then left for date at Latin Quarter
in N. Y. He packed Amato’s for
three weeks.

The Mirisky Follies with Happy
Gestures, Ben Wrigley & Co., Ilona
Adams, Lottie Brunn, Maxine Fur-
man, Charley Gray and Minsky
Girls at Amato’s Supper Club for
21 days, Sophie Tucker inked to
follow.

Kansas City

By John Quinn

Les Brown orch did one-nigh
Saturday (21) to . nearly sellout
at Pla-Mor Ballroom.

Eddie Clark, WHB platter jo
ey, and his wife celebrating th
anni with a brief vacation jai
to Chi.

Ann Crowley brought in to p
lead in “No, No, Nanette” at St
light Theatre stays over to appi
in “Oklahoma.”

City’s first Do-It-Yourself Sh
set for Exhibition Hall Sept.
Oct. 3 under sponsorship of Jun
Chamber of Commerce.

Harry Hamburg, Paramount -
change manager, received Wi
that his daughter Geraldine is h;
at work on vocal training in B
lin.

By Fred Woodress

. DeJohn Sisters finished at the
Lotus.

Betty Riley returned to Mirror
Room of Tutwiler after week in
New York.

Stanley Malotte back at organ
of Alabama Theatre after two
years in Atlanta.

Zero Mostel here in “My Three
Angels” at Pickwick Theatre. Signe
Hasso in for “Candlelight,” last
show of season.

Ja<jk Palance laid up by poison
oak.

Frank Lloyd hospitalized with
virus. • f. • •

Lew- Ayres home after trin
around world, *

Mary Shipp signed with the Wil-
liam Morris office.

Cecil B. DeMilles celebrated
their 53d wedding anni.

Frank. Whitbecks celebrated
their 41st wedding anni.

Leland Hayward returned to
work after serious illness.

Maggie Ettinger back
two weeks of N. Y. huddles/

Stephen McNally signed
the William Morris agency.

Rex Allen signed for the
Antonio Rodeo next February.

Alfred E. Daff in from N. Y. for
UI huddles with Edawrd Muhl.

Rosemary Clooney spearheading
a March of Dimes fund drive.

Ozzie and Harriet Nelson in
town after vacation in Europe,

Bob Schwartz closed his agency
and joined MCA’s film department

TV singer Mae Williams serious-
ly injured in a fall down a flight
Of stairs.

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans in
Toronto for the) Canadian National
Exhibition.

HoDywood

after

with

San.

Benny Rubin bought a home in
Temple City, new development 19
miles from Hollywood.

Edward Arnold is a special dele-
gate to California - AFL Conven-
tion in Santa Barbara.

Ned Seckler here from Rio de
Janeiro for RKO huddles with
prexy James R. Grainger. .

Mary Pickford gave a bust of
Douglas Fairbanks Sr., to the Mo-
tion Picture Country House.

NUnnally Johnson postponed his
vacation because his wife was
called for 30 days of jury duty.

Nobert Schiller burned his right
hand with a flashgun while playing
a photographer in “The Racers*’’

Stephen Donhanos in town to
make sketches of Paramount’s
“White Christmas” for the SateVe-
post.

Vienna

By Emil W. Maass

Cosmopol plans a Hitler film
adapted from Eric Remarque’s
manuscript. G. W. Pabst is to di-
rect.

French director Julien Duvivier
shooting part of “Marianne of My
Youth” in Bad Fuschl, Salzburg
province,

Neusser-Hope working on film
musical at the Salzburg-Parsch
studios. Working title is “Lovely
Summer.”

Robert Stolz and American con-
ductor Carl W. Costenbader gave
concert in City Hall Square for
flood victims.

Austrian film actor Gustav Wal-
dau honored by city council of his
hometown of Pif las in Bavaria by :
having a street named after him.

The first showings of the three
condensed film versions of Mozart
operas, made in color by the Mun-
dus Co. will be at the next Venice
Film festival.

Ireland

By Maxwell Sweeney
(22 Farney Pk., Dublin: 64506)

Carl Clopet Productions in for
strawhat season at Cork Opera
House.

Charles J. Breenan, chairman of
Irish Radio Council, currently in
France.

Organist Tommy Dando to Lis-
bon for five-week stint at Odeon
Cinema there.

“Knights of Round Table” (M-G)
preemed for Army Benevolent
Fund at Adelphi, Dublin.

Dennis Johnston pacted to pro-
duce updated version of Sheridan’s
“The Critic” for Radio Eireann.

Liam Redmond signed for role
in„Rex Harrison’s London produc-
tion of “Bell, Book and Candle.”

Jimmy Pattison, 20th-Fox gen-
eral sales manager, In from Lon-
don to host Irish exhibs and talks
on Cinemascope.

Comedian Joe Linnane pacted.as
deejay for Bird’s Custard; it’s his
first for sponsor after “Question
Time” stint for Radio Eireann.

Memphis

By Matty Brescia
Tony Pastor crew to Hotel Pea-
body’s Plantation Roof for two

WC6kS*

King Bros, circus booked here
for two shows Oct, 18 under Za-
man Grotto banner.

FCC commish may render an
early decision on long heated bat-
tle between WREC and WMPS over
VHF Channel 3 here. „ _

John Nutting, topper of Dee
Rivers stations, otit of Atlanta, in
here to check KWEM, local opera-
tions and greet new manager boo
W ay.

VeJpegdayy August 25 r 1954

63

BILLY MURRAY

Billy Murray, IT, comedian and
ballad singer known in the early
days , of the phonograph as The
Denver Nightingale, died Aug. 17
at Jones Beach, L. I„ N. Y,
Details In Musip Section.

TERRY RAMSAYE

Terry Ramsay e, 68, reporter, edi-
tor and motion picture authority,
died Aug. 19 at Norwalk (Cpnn.)
General Hospital. At the time of
his death he was . consulting editor
for Quigley Publications and had
been editor of that company’s
Motion Picture Herald from 1931-
1949. He was the author of “A
Million and One Nights,” a two-
volume history of the film industry..

Ramsaye became a Kansas City
Star staffer in 1905 and later
worked as a reporter, feature
writer and editor for several mid-
western papers including the
-Leavenworth (Kas.) Times, the
Omaha Bee, the St. Paul Pioneer
Press and the St. Paul Dispatch.
He also worked for the Associated
Press, In 1907 he became a re-
porter and rewrite .man for the
Chicago Evening American and
two years later moved to the Chi-
cago Tribune where he did circula-
tion work besides reporting and
editing.

While with the Tribune he came
into contact , with the newborn film
industry and . was responsible for
the paper running serial stories in
conjunction with pic serials. Ram-
saye became publicity and advertis-
ing director of Mutual Film Corp.
in 1915 and while there founded
the Screen Telegram, a newsreel.
During World War I, he produced
and edited patriotic subjects for
the U. S. Treasury Dept, and the
feature film, “Pride of Peace.” He
subsequently joined Samuel L.
Rothafel’s staff at the Rialto and
Rivoli Theatres, N. Y., arid in 1919,
as editor, launched the newsreel
Kinograms.

In 1920, he exited the Broad-
way scene to work on mag articles
and the completion of his two-
volume history of the film industry,
which was approximately five years
in work. He wrote and produced
a number of adventure and scenic
pictures for Associated Screen
News' Ltd,, of Canada, and edited
several feature productions, mostly
of an expeditionary and adventure
nature such as Paramount’s “The
Cruise of the Spee jacks” and
“Grass,” Metro’s “Martin Johnson’s
African Hunt” and the roadshow
“Simba.”

In 1928 he joined Pathe Ex-
change Inc., as editor-in-chief of
Pathe News and Pathe Audio
Review. He also produced various
adventure and topical films. Ram-
saye was active in the development
of sound techniques and also in
the origination of ‘ typographical
treatments of films. From 1920-
1940, he was also consultant for
Associated Screeji News Ltd.

Ramsaye also lectured on film
topics. Since May 2, 1949, he had
been consulting editor of Quigley
Publications and also wrote a
weekly column, “Terry Ramsaye
Says” for the Herald. For many
years he contributed the motion
picture article for the Encyclope-
dia Britannica and wrote articles
for other year books and annuals.
He recently completed the manu-
script of a book on motion pictures
for publication by Harvard U.
Press in a project sponsored by
the Library of Congress.

Wife and his mother* survive.

SAMUEL EDWIN MORRIS

Samuel Edwin . Morris, 72, died
in Beverly Hills, Cal., Aug. 22 fol-
lowing a long illness. One of the
veterans .of the film distribution
business, Morris had been with
Warner Brjs. for 25 years when he
retired in 1945 and movedhto the
Coast from N. Y. He had been WB
v.p. and general manager. In
earlier, years, he had also taken
care of the company’s foreign sales.

Born in Oil City, Pa., he oper-
ated theatres before- becoming as-
sociated with Lewis O; Selznick. In
1920, he moved over to WB. In
1932, he took an active part in a
bitter battle by the Warner man-
agement to maintain control of the
company. The struggle was suc-
cessful and Morris joined the WB
hoard. In the '30s, he went to
Germany to wind up WB’s affairs
there.

Survived by his wife, Lida, and
a son, Edwin II. (Buddy) Morris, a
music publisher.

EDWARD H. DEIS

Edward H: Deis, 44, concert pian-
ist and commercial photographer,
died Aug. 18 in Dallsfc after a

three-month illness. Son of com-
poser-arranger Carl Deis, now edi-
tor-in-chief of G. Schirmer & Co.,
music publishers, he followed a
double career after graduating
from the N. Y. Institute of Photog-
raphy and also studying piano un-
der Albert von Doenhof and Leo-
pold Godowsky.

With his wife, Jeanne Rucker,
duo concertized as a two-piano
team throughout the southwest
since 1949, played in State Fail*
Musicals’ productions of “Roberta”
and “Cat and the Fiddle” and also
appeared on WFAA-TV. Team last
appeared as accompanists for Mar-
go Jones’ Theatre ’54 preem of
“Horatio” last March.

Surviving are his wife, daughter,
two sons, father and two brothers.

MRS. SUE SNYDER

Mrs. Sue Snyder, 84, who with
her husband, the late Jack Ross
Snyder, Were Sue & Jack (“The
Yankee Doddle Duo”), in vaude-
ville, died Aug. 15 at Put-in-Bay,
Q. She played a violin in a stage
show at the age of.,- 4, and Was in
show business all her life.

She and her husband performed
in Europe from 1904 to 1918, and
when World War I started they
entertained U. S. troops overseas.
Both came to Put-in-Bay in 1918,
where they settled in the actors’
colony at Peach Point. For 14
years, Mrs. Snyder entertained at
the Crescent Hotel in Put-in-Bay,
retiring in 1951. A son, Claude
Stace, Los Angeles; a sister, Mrs.
Virginia Volk, Columbus, O., and
five grandchildren survive.

LANSING HATFIELD

Lansing Hatfield, 44, a bass-bari-
tone who appeared in legit, on
radio and at the Metropolitan Op-
era, N. Y., died Aug. 22 in Ashe-
ville, ,N. C. Hatfield made his Met
debut in 1941 and toured the coun-
try in operatic roles. He had ap-
peared at the Center Theatre, N.Y.,
in “Virginia” and on Broadway in
“RiO Rita,” “Show Boat,” “Apple
Blossom Time,” “Rose Marie,” “Su-
sanna, Don’t You Cry” and “The
Devil and Daniel Webster.”

In 1944. he appeared in {he mu-
sical version of “Rain” at the Alvin
Theatre. He performed on radio
on “The Telephone Hour” and
other network shows. During World
War II, he made a tour of the
Southwest Pacific for the U. S.O.
He was music director of the
Groye Park Inn, Asheville, at the
time of his death.

Wife .survives.

FLORENCE HACKETT

Mrs. Florence Hackett, 72, for-
mer stage and silent screen actress,
died Aug. 21 in New York. After
the death of her first husband,
Maurice Hackett, in 1905 she con-
tinued using the name of Hackett.
Subsequently she married Arthur
Johnson while both were appearing
With the late Jim Corbett in “The
Burglar and the Lady.”

Miss Hackett also played in the
stock company of Lubin. Films,
whose studio and films were de-
stroyed in a fire in 1914.

Surviving are two sons, Albert
Hackett and Raymond Hackett,
stage and screen ‘ authors’ and a
daughter, Jeanette Hackett, one-
time vaudevillian.

SIDNEY JACOBS
Sidney Jacobs, . 60, veteran dis-
trict manager for -Stanley Warner
Theatres in the Pittsburgh Zone,
died Aug. 17 t at his home in Pitts-
burgh after ah extended illness.

Jacobs began his theatre Career
in Philadelphia Where he was a
manager and later a district man-
ager for the Stanley Co, of Ameri-
ca, and for a short while operated
independent theatres in New Jer-
sey. He later was a manager in
Pittsburgh and was West Virginia
district . manager for Warner Bros.
Theatres from 1936 until promoted
to district manager of the circuit
Pittsburgh neighborhood and met-
ropolitan first run theatres in 1952.

Surviving are his wife, daugh-
ter, two sons, his parents, and five
brothers.

LOUIS SCHNITZER
Louis Schnitzer, 68, founder of
the original Jewish Art Theatre
in the old Madison Square Garden,
in 1918, died Aug. 18 in New York.
He was aided by his wife, Henriet-
ta, Rudolf Schildkraut and Jacob
Ben Ami in establishing a theatre
in which Yiddish versions of
Shakespeare’s plays and current
productions were presented.

Schnitzer left the Art Theatre
to take part in forming his Rand-
force Circuit of film theatres, in-

cluding the TJarroU Theatre, of
which he became the manager.

Surviving besides Ws wife are
a daughter and. two grandchildren.

HARALD PAULSEN
Harald Paulsen,. 59, German
stage and screen actor, died Aug. 5
in Hamburg of a heart attack. He
began at 16 and belonged in the
’20s to Max Reinhardt’s Deutsche
Theatre in Berlin. He later man-
aged the Theatre anr Nollendorf
Platz (Berlin). After the war, he
was with the Schauspielhaus in
Hamburg.

Paulsen appeared in more than
160 German pix. He also appeared
in Operas, operettas, revues and
numerous stage plays which he oc-
casionally also, directed.

Wife (Hilla Hof er, a former solo
dancer) and a son survive.

JOHN YOUNG

John, (Jock) Young, 36, South
Africa vauder, died recently in
Durban. A native of Glasgow, he
joined the “South African Enter-
tainments Unit in 1941 and toured
the Middle East and Italy. After
the war he joined African Theatres
and later started his own show,
“Hollywood Rogues,” in Johannes-
burg. With this production he
toured the Rhodesias and many
larger centers in South Africa.

He ran beach shows for the Dur-
ban* Municipal Entertainments
Dept, and produced the Mermaid
Lido shows until January this year,

WM. DOUGLAS McADAMS

William Douglas McAdams, £8,
former employee of the St. Louis
Post-Dispatch artd the old N. Y.
World, died of a heart ailment
Aug. 14 at his home in Winnetka,
111. After serving on several news-
papers McAdams entered the ad-
vertising field in New York and in
1925 founded the advertising firm
bearing his name that specialized
in nutritional and pharmaceutical
advertising.

He was a brother of the late
Clark McAdams, former editor of
the editorial page ,of the Post-Dis-
patch.

HARRY E. EHRHART

Harry E. Ehrhart, 58, pioneer
radio announcer, died (19) at his
home in Richboro,- Bucks County,
Pa.

A wireless operator for the U. S.
Navy in World War I, Ehrhart
came to Philadelphia in 1922 and
was employed as a story-teller for
juves on Gimbel Bros, new station
WIP, becoming first holder of the
title “Uncle WIP.”

He was later associated with
'Stations. WLIT and WCAU, in
Philadelphia, and WCAM, Cam-
den, N. J. His Widow, mother and
a sister survive.

BILL MCDONNELL
Bill McDonnell, 48, vaude and
radio script and songwriter, died
suddenly at Greenock, Scotland,
Aug. 16. He had penned material
for leading stage and radio per-
formers in Britain and Canada,
mainly with an Auld Lang Syne
angle.

McDonnell was a schoolteacher by
profession, but devoted much time
to show biz material. His father,
81 -year-old Michael McDonnell,
former comedian, survives him, as
do a widow and four children.

PAT PATRICK

Pat Patrick, 40, comedian who
originated the role of Ercil Twing
on the Edgar Bergen radio show,
was found dead Aug. 19 in his
parked station wagon in North Hol-
lywood. Police said a vacuum
cleaner hose led from the exhaust
pipe in the vehicle. For the last
eight years he had. performed in a
night club near North Hollywood.

Wife and two sons survive.

Wife, 53, of C. E. Artley Jr.,
secretary-treasurer of the National
Assn, of Radio & Television Broad-
casters, died Aug. 13 in Washing-
ton. Surviving, in addition to her
husband, are two sisters, -a niece
and nephew.

Herbert Hartley, .78, owner of
cinemas in Lancashire, died at Nel-
son, Lancs., Eng., Aug. 8. He con-
trolled the Olympia and Hippo-
drome Theatresfi Todmorden, and
Queen’s, Palace and Grand the-
atres, Nelson.

Elsie R. Douglas, 65, for three
decades a monologist on the old
Keith vaudeville circuit, died Aug.
20 in Toledo. She also did dramatic
sketches in vaudeville. Her. mother,
Mrs. Mattie Douglas, survives.

Mrs. Mary Ingham, 60, mother
of actress Jean Wallace, was
killed Aug. 18 by a hit-run driver
in Hollywood.

Charles Nowell, manager and
licensee of the Library Theatre,
Manchester, Eng., died in that city
Aug. 9. He helped to pioneer the

•9

Library Theatre and support its
experiment of running a repertory
company.

Leslie Stafford, .31, motion pic-
ture technician, died Aug. 20 in
Santa Monica as result of an auto
accident.

Mother, 66, of Anne Bren ton
Bronneck, head of music clearance
in Hollywood for CBS-Radio, died
suddenly Aug. 14 in Los Angeles.

Harold Herond, 69, executive
veepee of H. M. H. Theatres, Inc.,
died Aug. 17 in Hollywood follow-
ing a heart attack. His widow sur-
vives.

Mother, 86, of Harry. Marsh,
English vaude agent, died at South-
port, Erig., Aug. 7.

Mother of Clarence Brown,
screen director, died Aug. 18 m
Hollywood.

James P. Taylor, 52, manager of
the Gaumont cinema, Barnsley,
Eng., di^ed at Barnsley Aug. 9.

Neil John McCallum, 49, w.k.
Gaelic singer? died at Oban, Scot.,
Aug. 11.

Father, 96, of bandleader Abe
Lyman and restaurateur Mike Ly-
man,. died Aug. 23 in Los Angeles,

Father of announcer ‘ Buckley
Kozlow died in Buffalo Aug. 16.

MARRIAGES

Marcelle Martin to Jean Louis,
Santa Barbara, Aug. 14. He’s fash-
ion designer at Columbia Pictures.

Mildred Pierson to Jack Zaiman,
Hartford, Aug. 12. He’s commen-
tator on WDRC and WDRC-FM’s
“Needle Club.”

Susan Mirfin to Derek Dene,
Sheffield, England, Aug. 7. Both
are members of a juggling act,

Edna Sedgwick Maceo to Henry
G. Plitt at Bay Saint Louis, Miss.,
Aug. 14. Widow of Sam Maceo is a
former New York showgirl; groom
is an executive with Paramount-
Gulf Pictures.

Mary Jane Allen to Danny Fer-
guson, Corpus Christi, recently.
Groom is orch leader currently at
the Discoll Hotel, there.

Dora Pulizzi to Pete Terdichi,
San Francisco, Aug. 21. He’s KCBS
music librarian.

Barbara Woods to Bartlett Brad-
ford Heard Jr., Berkeley, Calif..
Aug. 21. Bride is secretary at
KCBS; groom is Botsford, Constan-
tine & Gardner account exec.

BIRTHS

Dr. and Mrs, Charles E. Pugh,
son, Fort Worth, Aug. 13. Mother
is Ann Alden, who has her own
show on WBAP-TV, Fort Worth,

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Freeman,
daughter, Hollywood, Aug. 15.
Mother is Joan Taylor, screen ac-
tress; father is an actor-writer.

Mr. and Mrs. Max Glenn, daugh-
ter, New York, Aug. 11. Father’s
a freelance cameraman.

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cassidy, son,
Los Angeles, Aug. 16. Father is
announcer at station KFAC.

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Flood, daugh-
ter, Aug, 18, in New York. Father
is a publicist with the Rogers &
Cowan office.

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Clairmonl,
son, Hollywood, Aug. 17. Parents
are Hollywood correspondents -for
Swedish newspapers.

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Geray,
daughter, Hollywood, Aug. 19. Fa-
ther is a screen actor.

Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Lee, son,
Philadelphia, Aug. 20. Father is a
morning personality on station
KYW.

Mr. and Mrs. Irving H. Levin,
daughter, Santa Monica, Cal., Aug.
18. Father is prexy of Filmmakers
Releasing. .

Mr. and Mrs. John Rose, daugh-
ter,* Cleveland, Aug. 14. Father is
With Lang, Fisher & Stashower;
mother does tv.

Mr. arid Mrs; Rodney Arnaleau,
daughter, Hollywood, Aug. 21.
Mother is former Joan Andre, ac-
tress; father is screen director.

* Mr. and Mrs. Arlie Patton, son,
San Antonio. Father is a technician
on staff of WOAI-TV.

Mr. and Mrs. Manning Slater,
son, New Haven, Conn., Aug. 23.
Father is. veepee in charge of sales
and sportscaster at WICC and
WICC-TV, Bridgeport, Conn.

Mr. and Mrs. Gil Williams,
daughter, New York, Aug. 21.
Father is production manager for
Van Praag Productions, producers
of tv, theatrical and commercial
films.

Mr. and Mrs. John Gerstad,
daughter, Aug. 23, N. Y. Father is
legit director, mother is th'e form-
er actress, Lee Nugent, daughter
of Elliott Nugent.

Pix Code

a Continued from page 1 sssa

outlived their usefulness. There
its no reason on earth why this
kind of thing could not be changed.
Lastly, the Code clause govern-
ing the exploitation of narcotics
theme is an item of prudence and
experience alone. It can be changed
if those who are responsible for
the Code think it should be.

“The problem, however, is not
quite as simple as appears on the
surface, and there is much room
for discussion pro and con. Idea
that the Code should be allowed
to fluctuate upwards or downwards
with the general pattern of con-
duct of a given time is not a salu-
tary norm to follow and takes issue
with those who point to the find-
ings of a book like Dr. Kinsey’s,
then argue that standards of sexual
relationships are vastly different'
from yesteryear. They use this
contention to further .argue that
the Code therefore should adjust
itself to ‘reality’ and allow for
more leeway in exploitation of
stories of fornication and adultery.
The fallacy of this argument lies
in the common presumption that
what is ‘ought to be ’ when the ex-
act opposite is sometimes true.”

In the same issue other indus-
tryites give their views on the
Code, with Samuel Goldwyn’s in-
vitation to Eric Johnston for sig-
natories to the Code to meet for a
reexamination and updating of
the Code; Columbia exec produc-
er Jerry Wald contending- that the
Code never prevented the making
of good pix or showmanship;
Screen Writers Guild prexy F.
Hugh Herbert advocating amend-
ing or “streamlining” the Code,

Wald, in his article, said Darryl
F. Zanuck, studying the Code and
its delation to the b.o. had written
him: “I have been associated, as
you know, with many controver-
sial pictures and I have had many
fights with the Breen Office and
other outside censorship groups. It
is my belief that the Code pro-
tected me far more than it ever
harmed me. I defy anyone to name
me 10 bestselling novels or 10
successful stage plays in the last
10 years that could not be put on
the screen because of Breen Office
refusal. Frankly, I do not believe
there were five in 10 years. When
you can make 'From Here to Eter-
nity’ and ‘Streetcar Named Desire’
and have them both turn out to
be boxoffice, hits, then I fail to see
what all the furor is about.”

Soviet Germany

Continued from page 1

its foundation in 1946. At first,
company mainly produced anti-
cropped up in 10 pictures and 27
features dedicated themselves to
the “reconstruction program” and
demonstrated the. Communist way
of “new life.” In eight films the
“working class” played a dominat-
ing role. “Social criticism” could
be found in 19 pix.

It is understood that such a
production program makes it al-
most impossible for West German
distribs to guarantee a free West-
East film exchange program as
asked fOr by the DEFA. EVen.in
East Germany, these films have a
difficult time because the custom-
ers there show an open dislike for
them by staying away from the
cinemas. Showing of West German
pix mostly fills cinemas there to
capacity. Some DEFA pix are con-
sidered “must” films with the pub-
lic. Employees, for instance, get
tickets via the payrolls, school kids
are “encouraged” by their teach-
ers to see certain pix, and. there
are still other ways to get the pub-
lic to the boxoffice.

Fascist pix. .Tiien, it gradually
turned to making' filths with anti-
western (anti-Capilalist anti-Amer-
ican etc.) tendencies. Last stage
sees an obvious decrease in these
pix which western observers think
as part of the Communists’ “New
Course.” DEFA seemingly has be-
come aware of the fact that it bad-
ly needs western (in particular
West German) outlets. This, how-
ever, is a hard job for the DEFA
people since there are only very
few customers in W-Germany who
are interested in seeing propa-
ganda pix.

This survey reveals that 53 out
of 58 DEFA pix had one or more
certain propaganda ingredients to
offer. Anti-Capitalist ingredients
were found in 14 films, anti-west-
ern propaganda played a major
part in 12 pix, anti-Fascist themes

Vodncgday, Annual 25. I954

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.