Compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff
Bryans Wins Plebescite
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 2
San Diego County attorneys have voted to endorse the candidacy of George E. Bryans for District Attorney at the June 8 primary election. The San Diego County Bar Association has announced that Bryans received the highest number of votes cast for any of the five candidates seeking the office in a recent secret plebiscite.
Bryans, self-made lawyer who is seeking the office of District Attorney on a platform of equal justice for all, was gratified at the results of the plebiscite.
“The lawyers of San Diego County have shown they favor a change of administration in the District Attorney’s office. They demonstrated this by giving me the largest single vote accorded any of the five candidates,” Bryans said.
Supporters of Bryans saw the bar plebiscite as a sign of the times. They said tht the feeling of the lawyers for a change reflects the feeling among the people generally to put new and vigorous blood into the District Attorney’s office.
*
Edmunds Program
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 2
James M. (Jim) Edmunds, Democratic candidate for State Senator, in a statement to the Jewish Press, laid down his program for development of water and industry in San Diego County and promised to make the job of State Senator “a full time job.”
“We must push for development of Feather River project,” he said, “and should encourage Federal aid for research in sea water conversions.” Edmunds also stated he will work for completion of the low-level highway and the creation of a State Commission that would aid in attracting new industry. “With such a Commission and new industry, many of our worst tax problems would be solved. It would give us a more stable and productive tax base” pay our education bills and naturally provide more jobs.
*
Yorty Visits San Diego
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 2
Congressman Sam Yorty, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, said in an interview with the Jewish Press that he “recommended an adjournment of the McCarthy-Stevens ‘circus’ in Washington, at least until the Senate session is over, so the Senators and the Army can get down to face the extremely serious situation occurring in the world today.” He told of “great loss of U.S. prestige abroad because of the spectacle. The United States is the one strong nation in the free world to which people should be able to look. The people’s confidence in their own government is suffering. That’s just one reason why I’m running for the Senate. I just want to have a part in cleaning up the mess in Washington.”
The Senatorial candidate pointed out that during his congressional career, he has “consistently worked for a firm, positive bipartisan foreign policy backed by a strong defense program, “ and has always supported all efforts to strengthen the free world against communist aggression.
*
Holliday Pledges Cooperation as D.A.
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 2
Charles D. Holliday, San Diego Attorney, in announcing his candidacy . has stated that “the future of San Diego is determined by the leaders elected by its citizens. As the county’s chief legal officer, the District Attorney is responsible to the people for the protection of their rights, and welfare.” Holliday pledged closer cooperation between the military and other law enforcement agencies and also stresse the importance of stopping the rackets and narcotics traffic.
*
City of Hope Jr. Aux Holds Dinner-Dance
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 2
Bringing to a close a successful season the City of Hope Junior Auxiliary of San Diego will hold its annual installation Dinner-Dance on June 5 at 7 p.m. at the El Morocco Club on Federal Blvd.
The program will feature Danny Hale’s orchestra for dancing with Don Dorrell, young comedian who has just completed successful Canadian and South American tours, and Norman Dunlap, ho was recently held over for an extended run at Top’s Café.
The installation of new officers will be presided over by Robert Adler, West Coast regional director fo the City of Hope Hospital. Mrs. Preston Hoggard will be installed as president for a second term.
The program for this outstanding affair is under the chairmanship of Mrs. Herman Axelrod, who is taking reservations now at Atwater 2-2333. Donations are $5.00 per person.
*
Y.J.C. Hold Installation Dinner-Dance
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 2
The Y.J.C. will hold its installation dinner-dance on June 26th at the Admiral Kidd Officers Club.
Newly elected officers are as follows: Abe and Esther Sandler, Pres; Lester and Annabelle Epstein, V.P.; Ralph and Betty Kress, Treas,; Bernard and Lottie Garber, Rec. Sec.; Bert and Louise Goldberg, Corr. Sec.
*
Fox Lodge News
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 2
By John Kluchin
The month of May was an active month for members of Samuel I. Fox B’nai B’rith Lodge. Giving a helping hand to the United Jewish Fund Drive, aiding in the various synagogue activities, attending the regular meetings in full force and generally giving President Dave Schloss good cooperation.
Jerry Krakoff and Julius Radding were visitors at our early May meeting. Brother Nathan Raitzas donated his drawing winnings to the Polio Foundation in the name of the Lodge.
We will miss Joseph Gelman the next few meetings as he and the Mrs. are on vacation to the smoky city of Pittsburgh. Congratulations to him on his May 15th birthday. We also want to wish Mr. and Mrs. Joe Gelman the best of health and happiness on their 35th Anniversary which will be on June 15th.
Wish to report that Past Pres. Irving Cohen is expecting but must add tht the expecting means he will be a Grandfather sometime in September.
Our 2nd Vice Pres., Joseph Schloss uses baby sitting for excuses so we wonder why he doesn’t use Bow-tie Prexy Dave Schloss who after all is the proud grand-daddy.
In the Reminder Department, attend the B’nai B’rith Annual Cotton Ball at Beth Jacob Ceeenter, 8:30 tilll ??? on Sunday night, May 30th.
To the community at large the Samuel I Fox Lodge wants to announce that on June 19th we plan to have an affair at Beth Jacob. More details in the next issue.
*
Jewish Center Women ‘Get Acquainted’
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 2
Mrs. Manny Adler, chairman of the Women’s Leage of the Jewish Community Center, wishes to invite all the women in the community to the “Get Acquainted” coffee to be held promptly at 1 p.m. at the Beth Jacob Jewish Center on June 10.
Co-chairmen for the “coffee” are Mrs. Sidney Rose and Mrs. Harold Aved who have arranged an interesting afternoon. Paritcipating in the program will be Ethel Mallinger, Deborah Strauss and a distinguished guest from Los Angeles. Home baked cakes and cookies are to be served by the wives of J.C.C. board members.
The sole purpose of this get-together will be to give the women and mothers of Jewish Community Center members an opportunity to become better acquainted with each other and the pruposes of the newly formed Women’s League.
*
To See or not To See
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 3
By Berenice Soule
The Good Old Days?—This between season lull caught me scanning a copy of a fifteen year old issue of Theatre Arts: it proved amusing but also at times brought on the sadness of nostalgia.
“Leave it to Me” was playing in Philadelphia. “Hamlet” in Baltimore. “Kiss the Girls Goodbye” in London. Chicago was seeing John Barrymore in the twenty-fifth week of his record breaking run of “My Dear Children” and Ethel Waters was packing them in for “Mamba’s Daughters” her first appearance in legit.
The month of December, 1939, on Broadway seemed over-balanced in favor of comedy—probably as a reaction to the war in Europe. We still had two years before our entry into World War II.
“The man Who Came to Dinner” with Alexander Woollcott as the invective tossing Sheridan Whiteside was the new big hit. My leading candidate for the How-Wrong-You-Can-Be Dept. Award goes to Rosemond Gilder, the then critic for Theatre Arts who said, it was “too insular for wide consumption” and “too topical for long survival.” I’m sure every community theatre in the country has produced this comedy and the last showing in San Diego, I believe, less than a year ago.
Helen Hayes and Philip Merivale in “ladies and Gentlemen” received raves while their vehicle didn’t; and Gertrude Lawrence, Glenn Anders and Donald Cook were appearing in “Skylark.” Tallulah was proving herself a dramatic actress in “The Little Foxes;” “Dubarry Was a Lady” was being readied with Ethel Merman and Bert Lahr and the perennial “Tobacco Road” was in its sixth year.
Fifteen years ago, having already had fifteen years of fame as the theatre’s leading acting partnership, Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, who teamed up for the first time in “The Guardsman” in 1924, were leaving on a transcontinental tour with “The Taming of the Shrew.”
And, of course, there was the ever-present Milton Berle. Vaudeville-movie-raido-revue careers behind him, he was appearing in his first “legitimate”, “See My Lawyer,” with Eddie Nugent and directed by George Abbott’s “protégé,” Ezra Stone.
1939 was obviously no different from any other year – Richard Rodgers was represented by the Rodgers and Hart musical, “Too Many Girls.” Remember “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was”? The fresh, unhackneyed style of “youngsters” Eddie Bracken, Hal LeRoy and Desi Arnaz made this a hit in spite of the lack of “internationally famous stars.”
There were other new faces too. Imogene Coca was hailed as “one of the funnier of the younger comics” in “The Straw Hat Revue” which featured dancers Mats and Hari; Beatrice Straight and Hume Cronyn received excellent reviews in plays never heard of again; Carmen Miranda was described as a “spirited newcomer from Brazil;” and Katherine Hepburn, Van Heflin and Joseph Cotton were being frothy in “The Philadelphia Story.”
Like any living institution, the theatre has lost much and gained much in these past years, but we can’t help thinking how may heartaches cold have been prevented if the “promising young actors” of 1939 could have known that in 1954 they would “light up the sky.”
Barbershoppers -Glove activity night on May 31 will feature the very popular Barbershop Quartet. They drew a large audience for their last appearance and have been asked back due to the many requests for their return.
L.J. Playhouse News –Norman Lloyd will return this summer to take up duties as resident director of La Jolla Play House, John Swope, executive producer announces. They’ll also have at least one outside director. Lloyd will remembered at the Playhouse for his excellent direction of such past favorites as “The Cocktail Party,” “The Lady’s Not For Burning,” “I Am A Camera,” and “Dial M for Murder.”
Of particular interest to local theatergoers is the announcement that Bob Corrigan has been retained as set designer and lighting expert. Bob, a former San Diegan, acted as set designer with both Starlight Opera and the Globe. For the past year he’s been teaching at U.S.C. and working on some of Hollywood’s major television programs.
Others who are returning are Barry McGee as technical director, Hank Hilam as properties manager, and Fell Hosmer as assistant stage manager.
Summer’s Coming –The Big Star-Light Opera news of the year is, of course, “Oklahoma” which will usher in the season on July 1. Tina Otero, who created a following for herself in “Up in Central Park,” will be heard as Laurie; the coveted comedy role of Ado Annie will be in the capable hands of Marthat Gene. Other very popular Star-Light stars in the cast are Gene Clarke, Charlie Cannon, John Powell, and Ruby Kisman.
This season will mark some firsts for cast members too. Suzanne Hendrian will play her first Star-Light lead in “My Maryland” and newcomers to San Diego, Kay Zizzis and Dick Dennis will star in “The Lady from Paris.”
The other two musicals scheduled for this summer in Balboa Bowl under the Star-Light Banner are “A Connecticut Yankee” and “the Merry Widow.”
*
La Jolla Playhouse Season Tickets In Big Demand
Southwestern Jewish Press, May 28, 1954, page 3
La Jolla Playhouse begins its eighth season of professional theatre on Tuesday, June 29th. The season will run for ten weeks during which five plays will be presented.
“Season tickets have been on public sale for a little more than two weeks now and already have sold at a rate in excess of any previous year,” {John} Swope revealed. “This is a most gratifying reaction to the announcement that we will run our plays longer than before and at cheaper prices. It also shows that the public recognizes a good bargain when it sees one, namely that for the first time we are offering season tickets at a ten percent discount.
“We urge everyone interested in good theatre to get their season tickets now while they can be sure of obtaining the locations they want on the nights they want and at the same time save ten percent…”
*
“Adventures in Jewish History” is sponsored by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg. Our indexed “Adventures in San Diego Jewish History” series will be a regular feature until we run out of history.