Variety (Dec 1946)

S4 ■OVSB REVIEWS Wednesday, December 11, 1946 AInsie Hall, N. Y. The Ndtiuitv" ntid "Good Ship KoUdny" productd by Leon Lconi- «loff( settmys bu Bruno Maine, cos- tumes hy Marco Montedoro, BtUj/ Liuinoifon, eaiecuted by Florence Kogpe. i'peciol lyrics by Albert StiUnion. With Lucille Cximmings, Brayton Letuis, Music Hall Choral ensemble, Corps de Ballet, Rock- etfes, Nonehnlnnts l3)v Shvrettos (3), *yjnphonH oreh conducted by Charles Previn; ' "Till the Clouds Roll By" (M'G) reviewed in Variety, Novi 13, •46. • The Music HaU!s annual Christ- mas pageant, *-The Nativity" Is by now one of (he standards for the Yule season tourist as well as many locals, who make it a point to catch this, religious spectacle annually, : Proof of its draw is seen in the fact that the rfe.serveci section is sold out weeks in advance of the preseritaT tion. Music Hall takes this pageant cjuite_ seriously in keeping with the theme. No one is seated once "Na- tivity" is on. It's .<ieparate and apart from the rest of the .stagesbow,. and the care given the production in- dicates how Important this project is to the MH staff. Musically and production wise, the pageant is One of ,the most im- portant religious speetacievS in ■ the commercial theatre. Leonidoff's blending of theme, music, narration, settings and enactment ,is striking enough to hush the huge hall. It's now one 'of rtlie irar^ things in , the theatre where applaiise'seems-sacri- le.siouE. However, if aoplause is ^ ir.appro- pi'iate for thepagejinf,.. rest of. the show is worthy of all it gets. There's a riewsreei interve- ing in order to give the stagehands time to strike t" e huge set and permit a change of mood: Staging of "Good Ship Holi-, day" employs a good majority of the tricks the MH stage is capable- of. Spectacle, of the orch being elevated from the pit to the furthermost point back of the stage is a s' DW in itself. There's also a ship moving acrcss the stage: to make the : customers gape.. ^- ■ Between thk. colossal hauling jobs, there's some good entertainment from, the human'elements, The. out- side acts involved are the Non- chalants, comedy aero trio, who sell a fetching line of talk to accompany their acrobatics, and the Shyrettos, who justify their applause with pre- cision bicycle and unicycle work. The Corps de Ballet open in a ski scene for which Florence Rogge has_supplied a sprightly and imagi- native - routine in which the gals pirouette with tonkin poles. Jeanne Devereaux does the solo take with her spins matching the rapidity of the music, Strauss' "Perpetual Mo- tion." The Rockettes, of course, shine with their terp precision in the finale in which their unusual costumes light up for Christmas tree effects. In all, MH has a show to be proud ofj Jose, ■Vespers register nicely in an aero stint, which is smoothly routined, and Jack Parker also garners a nice mitt for his slick ji'ggling. Roy Smeck is oneof the highlights of the parley, with some fancy finger Work on banjo, guitar, uke and harmonica. Guy lias good salesman- ship and knows how to pull new switches of well-worn items like "Honeysuckle Rose," "Sentimental Journey" and a listenable. "Holiday for Strings," Hal Haviland's paper capers get okay reaction but the routine is trifle SDotty and could be smoothed but for better results. Ducat & . Kaye click in same comedy .terpology. Lenny Lane intros the . acts m smooth fashion, but only so-so in his own warbling stint., . Does a "Martha" aria, "Gianina Mia" .and an Irish song. \.. Line still beljw pa,'. Len Howard s orch cuts a fair show. Biz good.- L<i;n. Enrlv, Pliilly Philadclpiiia, Dec. 6. ■ Atidreios-SiStcr.'!, Lcs Paul iSt Trio; Bob Evans, MaCK & Desmond; Vie Schoen House Orch; "Wife Wanted'' (Mono). Bolttmore, Dec. 8. Freddie Jenal, 3 Wells, Freddie Bartholomeio. 3 Make Believes Felice lula House Orch (.12); "Noc- turne" (RKO). Entertaining combo is nicely rou- tined and well selected for variety. Fast starter is provided by the 'Three Wells, dancing aero group of two males and ferame who splice strong tumbling into jitterbug hoofery for a flashy getaway. Deuce is allotted to Freddie Jenal, who gives out with pleasing vocals of "Song in My Heart," 'The Girl That I Marry" and "Beguine," all smoothly sold to good audience response. Freddie Bartholomew, from films scores with parody. "I'm Growing Up" and assorted impressions and oaggery plus a highlighting bit of C. Aubrey Smith singing "Blues in the Night." Three Make Believes close with comedy panto and mouthing of re- cordings and it's a laugh from the tee off. 'Versions of Crosby and Mary Martin in "Wait 'Til Sun Shines, Nellie," Sinatra, Ink Spots, Spike Jones and the Andrews are all smartly worked oUt for maximum comedy. Biz good. Burm. Guyety, ]»l»ntreal . Montreal, Dec. 9. ■ Lili St. Cyri Fields & George 2 Vespers. Jack Parker, Roy Smeck, Hal Haviland, Ducat & Kaye, Lenny Lane, Line (10), Len Howard Orch (9) * With top billing going to the An- drews Sisters and Patty Andrews^ the blonde of the trio, doing the em- ceeirig chores, this week's .stanza ;,at the Earle stacks tip to a brisk hour of . variety. ' Business , 'good «when caught, opening ■ day (li). Looking nifty in blue co.stumes, the Andrews gals start things off dynam- icallv with a .snappy rendition of "Sho'w Business," followed by a con- trasting number, good old-fashioned Jingle .Bells.". These gals, who've been around for years, still pack, plenty, of punch, and put over their stuff in the style that made them top-notchers. Patty han- dles most of the: comedy patter, but sister Laverhe gets laughs with her so-caUed: poetry, While Maxine gets them too with her clever mugging. The trio puts over "South Amer- ica, Take It Away" and "Bum and Coca-Cola" in fine style, but clown- ing up of a medley from "The Jolson Story," with .special emphasis oti their handling of "Sonny Boy" really wows the customers. Tricky costume effect is achieved for this number with the girls donning tuxedo coats, white collars, flowing red ties and white gloves. Les Paul and Trio, with Paul do- ing the honors on the electrical gui- tar, offer a fine instrumental group. Best number is "Rumors Are Fly- ing," with the Andrews Si.sters war- bling : "Begin the Beguine" pleased also. ... .'■ Bob Evans made a big hit with his dummy, red-headed "Jerry O'Leary.'' Evans kids himself and the orcheS' tra throughout the patter,- but his outstanding bit is the singing by him self and "O'Leary." He has nice .sense of comedy, and good timing. Gets over for solid returns. Connie Mack, cute blonde, and Benny Desmond, a deadpan comic, go through a comedy tap routine, in- ciudiP«r De.smond taking a turn at the piano for a bit of boogie-woogie. How this fits into a terp act is some- thing a little beyond this reviewer, but his antics at the piano get laughs^ Schoen handles the house otch. in neat fashion. : Shol. State, N. Y. Bert Wheeler, DoUv Dawn, Eddie Hanley with Ermi'nte Rondotph, Thfnlc-/1-Drinfc Hoffman, Lewis & Von, Konzoioa Trio, Louis Bosil's House Orch; "Gollant Bess" (M-G). reviewed in Variety, iSept; 4, '46, Plenty diversity on current layout at the State; with Bert Wheeler Sparking proceedings with his slick emceeing and tying show into a neat package that gets plenty audience appreciation. He eschews his usual own spot on the bill to parlay his material and funstering throughout. Working in and Out of the other acts, Wheeler achieves balance and adds plenty fun that the outfronters eat "^Kanwwa Trio tee off their stand- ard Oriental gymnastics, with two of the lads juggling other member on feet, punctuated by thrill stunts and clever catches, to merit neat re- turns. Lewis and Van, male team, also click with their neat hoofology. Open with precision tapstering that's plenty okay, follow with stairdance on miniature stairways and finish- with challenge iitufT that sends them off to hefty response. Eddie Hanley, eccentric comic, aided by the nifty-looking Erminie Randolph, add to the funstering with comedy gab and general clownantics. They enlist Wheeler in a burley restaurant bit for walk- off. This could be eliminated with- out being missed- Dolly Dawn, songstresS( is solid in her song stanza, comprismg "Coffee Song," pop medley, "Pigfoot Pete" and "Sorrento" for sock applause. She returns for for foolery with Wheeler on "Embraceable You" for encore. Think - A - Drink Hoffman closes with his familiar . illusion of pour- ing cordials and cocktails from pitcher of water and distributing among audience. Latter names the potion and Hoffman produces- it. Two attractive gals, acting as waitresses, distribute the libations. ' Throughout show Wheeler is plagued by an unbilled deadpan stooge, with garb reminiscent of a funeral director, whose heckling of the comic adds to the merriment. Louis Basil and pitcreiw provide usual goocl biackgrounding for acts. .'.;.-■ ■■ £dba. .: Davis, and look better here than they did in the cafe. Alzira Camar- go's latinairs went more effectively, as did Charley Boy's aero stint. Weakest part of the unit is still Do- rita and some of Rimac's dancing. But on overall, group got over nicely. Odd booking is mentalist Jay Clarke Working in one, after vauders, his answers to aud ques- tions garnered him mild; .'reaction. Stint seems more suited to intimate spots than a big house. Les Rhode and hou.se orch back- ground acts capably. Biz good when Qaught. Lary. Adams, Newark Newark, Dec. 5, Louis Prima Orch icith Jiidi; Lynn, Jack Powers. Jivimy Vincent; Ben fieri, Perry Franks &; Janice; "In- visible Informer" (Rep). Chicago, Chi Chicoeo, Dec. 5. Tony Martin, Sid Coesar, Gil Mot- son^ Sondfa Barrett, Lou Breese Orch; "Thrill of Bra«il" (Col). Fairish layout marks return to Gayety of Lili St. Cyr, stripteuse. Performers do. okay in their own spots but shortage of gal performers results in below par customer re- tion. ' Presence of Miss St. Cyr should guarantee boff biz. She's a big draw here generally but present stint doesn't show her to be.st advantage, as far as the audience is concerned anyway. Her stuff is getting a little too arty. Fields and George are a comedy duo from way back and so is their material. As usual, thi.-! stuff gets nice reaction here. Seine of their fitutt could stand sapolioing. Two Capitol, Wash. Washinflton, Dec. 6. Byrnes Tujins, Ziggy Lnne, Fon- fnines (3). Dave Apollon & Co. (5), Sam Jack Kaufman House Orch; "GOllant Bess" (M-G). Bill at Capitol follows regular house format, with enough variety to make it click. House oreh on stage dresses up show and helps give it revue motif. ' : Dave Apollon, with his trio of Filipino string stcwmmers, and an eye-filling blond pianiste, gets top billing. . Act is Apollon'fi standard combo of comedy and music, with some Of the gags brought up to date. Apollon's dialect routine gets re- turns, but payees go better for musi- cal numbers, with comic doing his stuff on the guitar, Standout is "Hungarian Rhapsody." Vocali.st in group does well with "To Each His Own" and "It Had to Be You." Some of troupe's clowning fell flat, but imitation of Ted Lewis, a la Filipino, singing "Five Minutes More," got plenty laughs. Gal does Okay on the ivories. , Ziggy Lane, back from the wars, has a nice way with a- group of well selected numbers. Voice is easy to take, but tenor appeals to more mature :tastes, rather than bobby- soxers, so reception is warm but restrained. Sings "Coffee in Brazil," "The Whole World IS 'Singing My Song," "Buttermilk Sky" and en- cores with: 'sWhite Christmas'' against an appropri te drop. Fontaines, mixed trio of aero bal- let dancers, canne Close to stopping show. . Team performs with speed, and offers a novel combination of good ballet and neat balancing. Gal., whose good looks and: trim figure make her look anything, but an Amazon, bears the brunt of the stunts, balancing both men in vari- ous feats. Byrnes Twins, in terp routine, fill opening, slot neatly. .Loiue. Nifty stagebill and "Thrill, of Bra- zil" on the screen provide neat package here. The class of the show and a strong headliner, Tony Mar- tin gives the distaffers cause for sighing and dream-spinning with .his baritone. . _ Sondra Barrett, talf and glamor- ous, gets away from the usual "Tea For Two" routine with a whirling tap spin that gets heavy applause. Lou Breese's boys do a medley of something old, something new and something classical with Charles Wagner featured on cymbal and, drum arrangements in the medley. Gil Maison has added a new switch to his animal act by using a Negro boy to hold a dummy as he pretends to do a ventre bit. Maison walks off leaving the kid bewildered as the dummy keeps on chattering. Comic element in act is uncoopera- tive attitudes of the a'himals. Best of the lot is monk in zoot suit which jitterbugs and does a double take every time Maison mentions Frank Buck. Sid Caesar, who was formerly a sax and clarinetist, turned to com- edy in the service show "Tars and Soars" while he was in, the service. The audience goes for him in a big way. iVIartin closes .show and sews it up with "To Each His Own," Sep- tember Song" and other pops. En- cores With "Rumors Are Flying." He could have stayed on indef as far as audience was concerned, but pre- ferred to leave 'em happy. Hunt. Olympia, Miami Miami, Dec. 6. Sjybil Bowan. Ciro Rimac with Al- zira Camargo,.Charlie Boy & Darita, Sonny Sparks, Jay Clarke, Johnson & MiteJc; Fajyne & Foster; Les Rhode House Orch; "Earl Carroll's Sketch Boofc" (Rep). Diverting layout here, this week adds up to well balanced vaude that pleases in most spots. Sybil Bowan, vet vauder, garners plenty applause with top impreshes of a nurse's aide, Hildegarde. Gar- men Miranda, Graeie Fields and Beatrice Lillie. Patter is smooth, all of it adding up to a giggle making session, artfully projected for full values. Erncee Sonny Sparks, new in this area, handles chore in neat fashion and in own spot registers with com- edy songs and dance satires. ' . Johnson and Mitek, pace setters, get nice reception for their acro- antics. Fayne and Foster, glass tin- klers, always go well here. Male half essays some comedy patter for a fair measijre of, laughs. Rfng the bell With "Bells Of St. Mary's." Giro Rimac and his group come over from an engagement at Kitty Louis Prima is again knockmg them off their seats—in spades. The lanky trumpeter-vocalist has a faith- ful following here and they are turning out in droves. For the good reason that Prirtia's shows are known to be among the liveliest on the circuit., ; •: i Prima's showmanship is apparent in every move he inakes, holding the show together with spontaneous clowning,' working, hard and smil- ingly and trading friendly gags with his pals down front. His high spot in the show is reached in a couple of dialect bits—"Angelina," an old favorite of the Primates, and '"Mar- garita," in the same tarantella rhythm and just as lowdown. " 'The bill also marks the first; local shot with his new vocalist, Judy Lynn, Newark girl who began sev- eral years ago at the Blue Mirrqr, a top nitery here. The gal has lots o£ stuff in looks and voice and should go far. Her "Begin the Beguine" was a little off the beaten path and her "Apple Blossom Time" duet, although obscured by Prima's japes, gets over neatly. The other halt of the duet was Jack Powers, good-looking baritone who al.so offers "Sorrento" in Eng- lish and Italian. The band bits are highlighted by Jimmy Vincents' wow drum .solo, "Sing, Sing, Sing," a ter- rific ear battering. Ben Beri, juggler, whoise unerring dexterity is matched only by his sense of the comic, clicks solidly. Perry Franks, and Janice beat out sparkling terp routines with delicacy and charm. . Bran. Apollo, N. V. Eddie Heywood Orch (7) with Reno Collins, Tops Miller Orch (16), Jimmie Leuiis, Al & Billie Richards, 2 Jocks, Jovner & Homtd, iSptder Bruce & Co.; "Posslcey to Danoer" (Rep).. . Mild ofTering at Harlem's vaudfllm flagship this week is sparked by Eddie Heywood's expert pianistics and topdrawer chirping of his femme vocalist, Rena Collins. Also on the podium is Taps Miller's out- fit while balance of iiill hews to the standard Apollo layout comprising a terp team, aero turns, comedy-bit; etc. Miller's 16-man outfit tees off show viiih "Stay On It" where eight brass, three rhythm and live reed are in there Solid with plenty of volume and little finesse. Band also con- tribs "Count Basic," written by Miller, and "There's Nothin' Like a Woman;" Batoner, a versatile maestro, toots a trumpet, does a lit- tle stepping and handles vocals. ■ Jimmie Lewis, lusty-piped guitar- ist with a nice sense of rhythm, strums a pleasing "I Ain't Mad." Garners fair applause. Al & Billie Richards, attractive boy and gal team, prance through some tepid stepping and close with femme tap- ping a tpm-tpm-routine ,to partner's accompaniment on the skinSi Two Jacks, ofay aero balancing turn, execute difficult precision rou- tines. Younger partner handles con- tortion on pole held by mate reach ing climax with a -one-hand horl zontal handstand atop pole balanced on other's noggin. Though a nice change of pace for house, guys drew only mild palm whacks. Joyner & Hamid, soldier comedy skit, though burdened with corny gags, please the payees nevertheless. Switching the locale from domestic trials.to the doctor's office. Spider Bruce & Co ham through the weekly comedy blackout for solid returns. In' ctosirig spot, HeyWbod, an in- gratiating maestro, is a standout on the '88. -Small, combo, con.sistjng of three rhythm and four brass with leader at the ivories, excells with a smartly arranged "What Is This Thing Called Love?" . and "Sunny Side of the Street." Also shines with "Loch Lomond'' which resolves itself into.a medley t'unnirig gamut from "Stars and Stripes Forever" to the "(Sampbell's Are Coming." On this opus drummer contribs a neat bit. of .skin-beating. ■ Rena Collins, whom.: HeywOod In- troed as having "found her up on. 14'0th street," is a dusky miss with an oriental mien who knows how to move her hips as well as her vocal cords. .Shows a dreamy, sugary Style in chanting "Always" and had the wolves in the:hou.'ie baying for more. Heywood has a find in her. . RKO, Boston Boston, Dec. 6. Trances Laiigford, Jon Hall, Clairt Sisters (3), Merry Madcaps, Ladd Lyon, Johnnv Morgan, Larry Flint House Orch; "San Quentin" (RKO). Stage show different each day of "San Quentin" this week on a pro-^ motional basis for world premiere of the film, with Lawrence Tierney guesting first day. Others to follow are Barton MacLane, Frank Moran, Bill : Williams, Barbara Hale, - Ed Gargan, Warden Lawes and . Mike J'Tazurki. Judging by Tierney's routine, the appearances are walk-ons with some chatter and whatever specialties the actors can think up. In Tierney's case this was an impersonation routine involving imitations o( Ed- ward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart. Fans liked him and gave walk off arm-in-arm to sick applause. Frances Langford, first time here in years, goes very big warbling such tunes as "Blue Skies." "I'm In the Mood for Love" and "You Be- long to My Heart," Finishes on up- beat when she introduces her hus.. band, Jon Hall, for brief but amus- , ing patter session and joins him in a duet on "I Like Mike," which goes well despite Hall's not exactly re-: markable vocal attainment. They walk off to sock applause. Acts leading up to tlie ace spot are fast and well contrasted. Three Claire Sisters do nicely in a song and dance routine; Johnny Morgan gives out - with sophisticated patter, . - fools with the band, and does a song or so that go well; the Merry Mad- caps are okay in a harmonica .ses- sion plus comedy, and Ladd Lyon, with audience participation acro- batic act, maintains the high quality of the layout. It's a good show no matter how you figure it with the added interest of the personal ap- pearances throughout the week. Biz considerably under previous week. Elie, Circle, Indpls. Indionopolis, Dec. 7. Gene Krupa Orch, with Carolyn Grey, Charlie Kennedy, Buddy Eonelli, Johnny Woods, James & Beverly Paysee; "Step by Step" (RKO). Gene Krupa's solid jive is satisfy- ing the customers in his current stand at the Circle. The popular tub- thumper offers a well-paced musical program, featuring slick arrange-, ments of several tunes everybody isn't playing these days; The band . gets ample support from Johnny' Woods and the Paysees in a show that's an all-around pleaser. Standout among the band's chores is a smart treatment of Sibelius's "'Valse Triste," with the trumpets carrying the melody while the rest of the band beats a sharp rhythm un- til Krupa takes over personally in A cadenza for kettledrums. The maes- tro as usual alternates between the drummer's mount and emcee spot, serving with equal efficiency in both capacities. The band also stirs ex- citement when it comes to ''Boogie Blues," furnishing a torrid back- ground for Carolyn Grey's sultry singing of the vocals. Miss Grey also impresses with "Tea for Two" and "He's Funny That Way." It's a nice spot for the gal. with no vocal com- petition on the bill. She mJ(kes the most :cf it. , Johnny Woods, making his first local appearance since pre-war days at the Lyric, gets a big reception for his slick takeoffs on radio commer- cials and apt mimicry of screen and network personalities, Corb. Million Hollar, L. A. Los Angeles, Dec. 7. Nick Mrakich Trio, Nat Vito, Jorge & Tete de Ande, Pete Campos, Sophia Revell, Marvin Fulliloue, Doris Carle. Harry La Floihic, Fred-^ dy Hernandez, Jo Ann Redding, Al Lyms^ House Orch (9) ; "The KiU-r ers" (JJ) and "Lady Luqfc" (RKO). This house notice amounts to a New Acts review. Talent on display was all drawn from amatetir conte.'?t- ants of theatre's weekly Amateur night. With few exceptions, the tal- ent is still amateur. • One on this bill, Doris Carle, has drawn a canary pact with the Earle Spencer orch as a result of her vocal- ing on the Million Dollar stage. Gal makes a good appearance and has strong blues voice that clicks on "iGot a Man" and "Vogt Vogt." Nick Mra- kich Trio, a group of hep young.sters infected with rhythm, come through solidly with piano, ijass and drum work on "Boogie" and "The Man I; Love." Also on the musical .side is boogie pianist Sophia Revell. Her touch is good with .strong left hand but some of the merit of her presen- tation at show caught was lost by the off-beat, loud drumming of skin- man in Al Lyon.s' house band. Fa.st tappihg of Marvin .Fullilove. is on the profes.sional side and .he also vocals special ver.'iton of "The Sunny Side of the Street." Nat V-itb, : an uninhibited singer, pleases with workout on "Cement Mixer" and- "Hey Baba Re Bop." Jorge and Tete de Ande, young Mexican dancers; Freddy. Hernandez, prize fighter- singer; Pete Campos, violin; Harry- La Floihic and Jo Ann Redding com- plete turns getting a chance at pro- fessional showing. Bro.y.