The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-06-14

press them. He explained his pur-
pose in the following telegram to
Prof. Paul Douglas, chairman Of
a protest meeting held in Chicago:
"Our pictures of the Chicago
steel riots are not being released
any place in the country for
reasons reached after serious
consideration Of the several
grave factors involved. First,
please remember that whereas
newspapers reach individuals in
the home we show to q public
gathered in groups averaging
1000 or more and therefore sub
ject to crowd hySteria while as
sembled in the theater. Our pic
lures depict a tense and nerve
wracking episode which in GER
tain sections of the country
might very well incite local riot
and perhaps riOtOuS demOnStra.
lions in theaters leading to fur.
ther casualties.
For these reasons Of public
policy which we consider more
important than any profit to
ourselves these pictures are
Shelved and SO far as we are
concerned they will stay Shelved.
We act under editorial rights Of
withholding from the screen pic
lures not fit to be seen. This
parallels the editorial rights ex-
erciSed by newspapers Of with
holding from publication news
not fit to be rea6."
BENNY GOODMAN
Benny Goodman an dhiS band
aided the Earle Theater to collect
$500 plus last week, a June rec
ord for the house and very close
to the all-time high.
Maestro Goodman departed
leaving this corner, and I think
many more, unconverted to swing.
He can take comfort in the fact
that he is the undisputed cham
pion Of the blare and rhythm
devoteeS. Also in the knowledge
he is in such great demand they
are booking him for return en-
gagemeptS a year ahead. You also
get preferred consideration II
other bands are taken from the
Goodman booking agents.
Benny Goodman fooled Variety,
presumed to be expert at guessing
probable crosses. They predicted
$4,000 for the Earle. Variety'S
Washington crystal gazing on
crosses has been so consistently
wrong that one Washington thea
ter manager suggested last week
the Literary Digest ought to sur
render the leather medal decora-
ton won last fall as an election
prophet.
MELCHER GETS CONTRACT
Edward de Selding Melcher, for
mer washington movie critic, has
just had his RKO writing contract
renewed for another six months.
His present assignment is the dia-
logue for a Victor Moore-Helen
Broderick comedy.
On Friday afternoon was wit
ness to some of Herman Bing's
personal contacts, when he is
away from the studio and meeting
his public.
On the way up to the New Ba-
varian Restaurant where the press
delegation awaited, Mr.. Bing
stopped off to say hello" to Bill
Strickland at the Lotus ReStau-
rant, and to have his picture taken
blowing the trumpet.
Imagine the CONSERVATION and
the delight Of two young ladies at
luncheon table, when their waved
salute was rewarded by a visit
from Mr.. Bing, and a chaSte kiss
for both of the fair damSels, on
the back of the hand. tits the
Continental in me-" smiled Her
man Bing.
Comedian Bing rolls his RS"
and makes those gutteral sounds
in ordinary conversation. It has
become a part of his language. At
the Bavarian restaurant he ex-
planned his movie career to Jack
DAILY and other invited guests
while they slipped Muencher.
HERMAN BING
Right now is a good time to
decorate Herman Bing for being
one of the very few Hollywood
celebrities who comes to the stage
for personal appearances with a
real act. It is built around his
tangled language, and, if I may
say so, is so heavily accented
that I am afraid it doesn't reg.
lister in the theater as it should.
Instead I feel that Herman Bing
might concentrate on his sing
ing. He has a baritone bass voice
OF such good quality he could
give an entire vocal act. In
cidentally while he is a son of
distinguished opera star, has
studied with vocal teachers both
here and abroad, he confessed
he learned more about singing
from Nelson Eddy, than all others
put together
Nelson Eddy has the secret of
being an effortleSs singer. Mean.
ing he put lung power and
volume into his top notes with.
out looking as though he might
burst an artery. II is this little