Variety (Jan 1949)

w^jMcgdwy, January 26, 1949 Sinatra, Tucker-MOes-Ricliman, Cab, Grade Fields Sock Over in Miami NMSHT CLVa RBVIKWS 53 W«d|{wo«d Room. V. (HOTEL WALDORF-ASTORIA)) Dorothy Shay, Emit Coleman & Mischa Botr orchs; $1.50-$2 cover after 10 p.m. has One-pfersdM entertainments im- pose a heavy burden on any head- Bv LARY SOLLOWAY i band rates kudoes (or its back- I'ler, and only a many-faceted per- ■ ii<i.»,i noaph Tan 23 grounding. I former can sustain audience in- Miami Beach, Jan. I ^ b jp^.^^^ ^^.^^ ^^.^^^ Dorothy The peak of season, nitery-wise, { „„„„„ I Shay, the Wedgwood Boom's sole hit the area, with practically! BROOK CLUB attraction. ■ - . ■ a- Am nnmiv^a < JNattHar where other comics have had to make a definite appeal to: sophiSti<- cates, Martin and Lewis only rarely rely on tinted topics to derive a laugh. Neatly interlaced is Dean Martin's excellent singing with cur- rent stint giving him more vocaliz- ing time than when pair first I opened here. With some Capitol Mayfair Room, Chi (BLACKlSTONfi HOTEL) Chicago, Jan. 20. ' Florence Desmond, Daoc Kinner,' Dicfc LaSalle Orch ' 9); $3.50 mini- mum,'$1 cover. Recent efforts of this swank room to present current celeb at- T" . In tnwn nr pominB ■ -"-"'"ns IS at the helm of this i Miss Shay, with a repertoire that evm top ^^^^ lowu, ui K.M e swank casino for its current run : still consists largely of hillbilly in within the next week. | and i.s continuing the previous numbers, effectively demonstrates Vvolcal of the mounting pace policy of one or two top acts plus | her specialized talent. She is best Kho Frank Sinatra four-day i good music and a superlative cui-i m her old standbys like "Tennes- ffhJRpaehcomber followed sine. On tap currently is Gracie see," "Feudin , Fightm'," and other ''^^^^X.r ^^rrv ffichman Fields, plus the De Marios. .numbers in this vein, but there is was J!?,%oDhie Tucker, Harry Richman ^Sd Jackie Miles; Gracie Fields plus the De Marios. I , , niri Ti! 11 • i. .. . i, . a. sameness to much of this mate- i" -biect matter and music. fiilLToMt^T"^s^et^'SSa^fn i =ons ^^e ceded in boosting biz- Ms a"^»^'c"e of Lecom?ng ! ^' iltT^JZ'. 'll^^f^TZt attracUoiis' '"""^'^"^ «"roSr"MisfV^^^^ In suDDort are Caroline Grav a return, however, finds "original comely Wonde singer XWef- Mayfairites" at ring-side nodding initely a comer, and the Edwards: "'^ir approval, while the. inter- Sisters. Miss/Gray delivers heri'V^'ona^y "^""wn Bntish impres- numbers easily She's gained a lot' s'onistS'Yes out with charm and of poise and control since she soPj'.'^^^'cated caricatures worked here several months ago,' Miss Desmond, exhibits usual and she scores soUdly. Edwards authenticity in her Impersonations - • . I of femme: celebs and opens with f h,.t -It the swank Brook Club; room, the mixture of Palm Beach , and there are natural 1 mixtion, listers, pair of sepia steppers, win ' ?»fmme coieDs ana oj^^^^^^ wun S the cab Calloway-Gracieland Miami area society types giv-' ?o"ln'ac"?o c^X^e'St ra^^^^^^ 1^^^ "^^it^fc^Cl^ul tTe "c'olK ^?rie.Buday Lester parlay at the mg her a solid patronage. She's .Even with Miss Shay's following, ^,°hic ht^^^^ Bctte Davis and Katharine Hep! Clover Club. i back with an assortment of new : it can't be expected that she sus-'j^j, Jos burn. Voice, gestures and facial songs, both popular and novelty, all i lain a 40-minute show alone with so ; "'Providine the showbaekine is- expressions are" surefire, but chat- delivered m that assured manner much simUarity of material. Her | Dick Stabile, wL's been travllini, ter that accompanies falls flat. Her c■r^^^^c■ c«,.ir tnrtom tho hiiih.ii.oc ,.n„-.«i.. ..I . . • ' use of halmet, scarfs, combs and black lacb, accentuates': each char- acter and -adds subtle touches to Shay departs from her usual style in an ejfort to enlarge the show, as she does in several ballads, an Eng- lish cockney song and a takeoff «n so-minute worked to '^"'"i:"'"";"' In Love." Requests are inevitable point ng patronage Perl^aps d^ \ jj^^^., ..j^^ the inevitable lull fo"owing the, jj^^y^ „ „„j "Pedro, the Fisher- Srand"^ ^" " for the bobbysox trade set up byi«"™'='^- . i the Berlitz school of languages thP hie clubs There's no gainsay- The DeMarlos click with their she loses some of her earlier effec inp the fact however, that Sinatra ' class ballroomology. Fresh-looking tiveness. ♦odav is as assured and capab'e a i Pair of youngsters display an easy | Had she been supported on the .afp nprformer as he is in a pre- grace and intelligent approach to, bill by at least one contrasting act, f;?o«nn hmise Overcoming a bad their carefully staged terps. Smart I she wou d have been shown to ?!i*??""v.„°"'f;»r «H^^^^^ backBrounding plus tricky i greater advantage. In short, through some of the material. His band also keeps the terpers happy between ■performances. Kap. cafe performer n house. uvcrcomiiiB - , . , , , , ... thmaf hf> never stinted, when musical backgrounding plus tricky , ^ , -, aught, sSg up some 14 ' spins and overhead whirls are ! "o fault of her o^^^^^^^ ^ l^'lfl.^dits^"^ ^^^^ Jules Lande and Maximilian Bergere's units handle the show and dance departments respec- tively. • songs, adroitly blended. Outstand- ing was his version of "Soliloquy" from "Carousel," "Night and Day" and "Or Man River.'' Whether one of these, or the assortment of pops he's identified with, he had them all the way, winding into a begoff. Supporting show was strong. CLOVER CLUB Manor and Mignon proved an i The recent breaking of precedent (effective, handsome duo of terpers. i by the Monte Carlo, in booking Easily-achieved spins and lifts j class colored acts, has opened new iaised them to sock class, with i talent fields for the Miami-area their topper, a George M. Cohan, spots, with Jack Goldman taking medley, being Imaginative - and the cue and booking Cab Calloway for his current three-draw-parlay, with TGracie' Barrie and Buddy Lester added, he is liresfentihg possibly the best show ever spotted in this mainland room. ; : The Callow&y booking adds up Glass Hat, V. (HOTEL BELMONT PLAZA) Ames Bros. <4), Violo Lajync ^."r.'^^l^/i^"^^^^^^^^^ ^aS "songs' would^haTe beeS from becoming commonplace.: Amusing story about an English couple from Lancaster displays Miss Desmond's unusual skill as. a dialectician. Gracie Fields' ini- personation is . sharply etched, but patrons' response is featherweight. Perhaps one of Miss Fields' more Orch, Castellano Orch; $3.50 mini- mum. more fitting than the typically English tune presented. Miss Desmond's "Three Girls Go cleverly worked out sesh of foot and-spin work. Offed to hearty Reaction. The Vagabonds, holding over, hit, as usual, with their musi- cal interpolations on instruments and vocally, with their clowning drawing heavy laughs. Production by-June Taylor, with Jack Blair .featured, was tasteful and well staged. The SRO sign went up again Friday, when the Tucker-Richman- Miles ishow came in. That the sell- outs will continue seems virtually assured, based on the tremendous fp'iowing f'e trio commands here- abouts; and. as currently consti- tuted, they should add considerably more to their fan groups-with the best show they've staged yet in this area. The four Ames Brothers, a hold- p^j. ^n Auditibhf proves her - . - , over from the previous show at, ability to warm an audience. "Al- Miss Shay makes a pleasant ap- 'his east side hostelry, once again ^ ^ g j „ j Love," from, " ^■f the driving sparkplugs of the -Brigadoon," finds Miss Desmond Glass Hat ^ layout. Vocalizing of piping Scbkype . love ballad as a this quartet tops off a modest b«t &u„garian gW I LoVed neat bill that also^scwes ^in the | y^u*?. from "Carousel," sung as « comedy and hoofing departnfients. |^iiibilly would do it, is rendered Only recently spotted m lesser Dorothy Shay manner, and un cafes, the brothers have made tre-1 dertonort «HHh*' break iin th« mendous starides m the last year to | house pearance, though at the show j:;aught she could have been more becomingly attired. She wore a very decollete black sequined gown which was unflattering, to her figure. The Emil Coleman and Mischa Borr orchs, as: usual, play tiptop music, Coleman' for the show and straight dancing, and Borr on the Latin beats. Kahn. Hclsings, €hl Chicago, Jan. 18. Georgie Goebel, Phil D'Rey, Lola Amecheet r Frankie Hyle, Billy Chandler Orch (5). dertoned adlibs break up the become one of the top foursomes j ^fter jazzy Intro, blue spot and m the trade. Combo has an in-1 gg^y entre. Miss Desmond next tense, exciting style of delivery en-, la^ndies jnto "Stout Hearted Men." hanced by their, vocal excellence, h^j. byj^ps, rolls and gestures are Georgie Goebel, graduate of to money in the bank. For the | juve hillbilly singers, is making his first time in years, there were i umpteenth appearance at this overflow crowds. And despite the ' lounge. Clean-cut youth, while re- admitted popularity of Miss Barrie, taining some of his adolescent and the remembered click here ^ yodeling specialties,'has tapped a last year of Lester, it was the j growing comic vein. Much of his Negro vet they , came to see. I appeal is deadpan clowning with Miss Barrie is in a tough spot orch members and asides, but he opening, the feature spottings. To her credit, she holds the audience scores heaviest with his singing of "The Prettiest Girl I Ever Saw. With her special material, artfully ?{?f„t*trrRir Jh"1*1^,'S j_i!..«„„.i 4^ - Want JViy kid, ana a warning to delivered, to gam fu 1 comedy |^o^ >^ ^ , l ',, ^ ^^j^^^ » values from the H.J I Billy number p^ii. D'Rey has an unusual ven- uautzianer, ,^^one m^me triloquism act, using two simian ^ , ., , Jewish Idiom and Papa, Won t, ci^^^^ in ,ieu the usual That MissTucker IS one of the I You Dance With Me." Switch to ! man-like dummies. The monkey cafe greats is an established fact.' .straight* on "Maybe You'll Be, gorilla get hefty hands oh AIThat adds to her stature this time i There'', and "My Darlin,'" is effec-i their snide remarks' about the so- . out is the manner in which she not | tive and rounds out an intelligently , called human' race. D'Rey is ex- only wraps up from her walkon, i balanced stint [ pert workman in several instances but the presentation of a com- Lester, foi* some reason, never doing a long whistling number, pletely new set of material. Always I seemed to really get going at the [ while gorilla moves its upper lip. noted for this fiicet of her continu- ' .. Ing popularity, she illustrates for the too-many nitery names content to rest oh the same material, sea- son in and season- out, that new Stuff is a key to continuance of the draw values. From her first num- ber, anent years in show biz, . .through the new twist on her eavalcade of hits; to the topper, ■ Max Fmk, Inc.," the horse-playing -Lothario, she builds steadily. In spots, the material, in other hands, would be too blue; with La Tiicker, however, these lines become yoek comedies that spark heavy mitting. However, it could strengthen im^ pact by more care in selecting repertory. Handle spirituals like "The Work of Lord" and "Who Built Ark" with; refreshing en- Ithusiasm. Some of their pop num- bers, however, are commonplace despite attempts to dress them up. The quartet flashes especially good form on novelty, tunes such as "The Pussy Cat Song" and Spanish rhythm numbers. Good timing, trim appearance and evident deep feeling make the Ames Bros, a solid click. Two other acts, hoofers June and Martin Barrett and . comedy im- pressionist Viola Layne, round out a palatable bill (New Acts). Easy- to-take dansapation rhythms are dished out for customer hoofing by Eddie Stone's and Castellano orchs with, the former doing nice job in cutting the show. Herm. hilarious and bring her back after fast exit. Encore is a fast take-off on Betty Button's "It's Murder," in which Miss Desmond saddle's the mike, musses her hair and prac- tically does flip-flops. Greg. MnrmaitI Room. Y. (HOTEL PARK SHERATON) Dardanelle Trio,, Billy Barnes, Cy Coleman; no minimum. C^iro^s, Hollywoo«l Hollywood, Jan. 19. The Smart Set (6). Chuy Reyes Orch (6)," Victor Vincent Orch (6); 7mmmiim $3-$3.50. This hotel eatery has converted to a new policy of offering straight instrumental music background to Us menu. Result has been the elimination of the 20% excise tax,, slapped on bills where there Is vocal entertainment, and a marked upturn in business. Dardanelle, returning east after a long term at the Hotel Sherman in Chicago, is the musical mainstay, accompanied by Paul Edenfleld on: bass and John. Gray on guitar. Located on a hatbox stand built atop the bar in the-center of the room, the Dardanelle trio dispenses palatable rhythms in modern and nostalgic veins. Dardanelle sparlcs: the trio with firstrate instrumenta-r tion on both the vibraharp and ononinB IJHliyine basic^^^^^^ has monk Whistling j For the second time in three sa'me mateV^l thft clK at Te \ within case as D'Rey moves off thi months a Coast nUery has seen Rpif-hpninhpr lfl«f vp.qr hU wa<s a Stage. [the DOW Ot a new dct DUllt | piano. fiphf for VttPntinn and lai^^^^^ I Lola Amechee, pert young song- : along musicomedy rcvue lines and | Room presents continuous music S bp Pa,wH a fair menM^^^^ has acquired several man-, strongly reminiscent of the Kay throughout the night, with Billy n=n li ,.rpHifpr t^^^ which make her seem af-1 Th9mpson-Williams B r o s. unit Barnes ai.d Cy Coleman, on the giggles can be credited to his fg q , however, has nice set I which achie.ved its first success in organ and piano, relieving Darda- steady punchmg. It's a mixture of of pkies which i4gister she' the late fall of .1947. The first! nelle's combo. Barnes and Cole- comedy songs, clowning and gag- i foreets her over-stvlpd arranep-1 was Jimmi Garland and the Jack | man do a competent job of filling gery with his standard "Africa" S FrankTe Hylflera ffne Bal^^^^^ in. Herm. the closer. job with the intermission piani.s-, ?'^^''^^^H™=.,f?wp I =fT.?i ' That they were waiting for tics, and Billy Ch.,ndler with his I S<^^;,tv unTHi^^^^^^^^^^ Miles also comes back with a gats When They Come To My iresh assortment of gags and House." Followed with a steady] stories tailored to his "average little guy" delivery. Add to these Jiis movie patron bit, containing a .steady series of howls, and the payoff rhythm song for the closer llnb Bagat«ll«, ¥. (FOLLOWUP) been set too high. ■ The Bagatelle, which for several Highly touted as a result of a years was keystoned by the risque weekend tryout at a downcoast i roundelays of Dorothy Ross, is now resort, the act failed to measure! apparently on a Comstockian kick, up to expectations. Neither the ma-; having given Miss Ross a pro- , Dean Martin & Jerry Leiois, Merial nor the talent involved is | tracted Vacation. Club ,is tiOW building of songs he's identified i cnrolwie Gray, Edwards Sisters i outstanding , jind a considerable making the run with standard with, plii-s some new pops that i (2), Dicfc St(fbile's Orc/i (in;$3- amount of work is necessary before ^aude and cafe acts who have brought mounting salvos. There .¥3.50 mi?ii?nu?n. , the unit can be cla.s^ed as even a . gehieved name status. Layout with Calloway w.is obvious in the ova- Benedicts cuts the show neatly and ^''^n iiVihs but t^^^ tion he received on his walkon. | gets mitting for his own numbers, i""^"^" ciuDs put tne signts nave i Working with a four-man musical unit, the hi-de-ho man whammed from his first numben "Everybody Zabe. Siapsy Maxi«% I... A. Los Angeles, .Jan..21. was "Slow Boat To China," done in bouncy tempo: the ballad-type , ^ . I secondary offering.^(?pening, shw^^^^ - „. u„u„^:„ ...Hv. The uninhibited comedy of Dean ; lor example, consisted of SIX g^^yg provide some top- these all reestablish him as one .-one For My Baby and One For Martin and Jerry Lewis is proving | bers,onl> one oiwhicn could tuneful entertainment, .of the better young comics playing I the Road," "St. James Infirmary" , a tonic to this recently reopened classified »^ /,n „n\ ^^^ "^^"'"ge Givot, making his the top spots here every year. "Hi-De-ni Man" and the inevitable i ^Pot. Opening ^Mth ittle opportu-! '^^^^^ ;Y,^/7oSs so much pur " : Y. intimeries, is assigned Richman rounds out the top slots "Minnie The Moocher." Whatever SreVa^amTacUd T*' ^ • " v h , with his slick way about a song I the song, his delivery and person-1''jew a jam-packed^h^^^^ and the y indicated in the event , ^'^ot has been .doing his Hel- .;n_d an audience. Granted that the j ality, plus, that .still-strong, high- ; fe^theninysteVdU;.' Cumif IIol-, ol'any'out-ot^Los Angeles bookings.! fj>jf f»///^r^.I^| lore, ranging voice, still gets 'em. I lywood economics may keep them Other numbers offered by the; "^1'^ ^am^^ .top-^rtoites aren't there 'ahymore, i!iL-uf"*"^''*P ''rive wham I Production numbers by Roche-I from s etti n g a new record at w-ross his. case to, solid returns. I Carlyle are bizarre and eye-catch-| Slapsy's, but they won't be too far bitr^K^i*''t"'*^^*^*''''^''*ben the j i Freddie Lahe tees off proceed-l away frijm a mark. nits he s been associated with, jnp'c vcith » neat sesh of tappings., - , , ■,■ seats himself at the Steinway for a nlup T^W^^ view is reprised from team's familiar li medley of old and new poos then rn^L! =.v oZtn ■ f^st date, it has been embellished I oo schmall winds with his "I Love A Parade" ^^"^ Calloway canto. ■ . ^^^^^ yocklincs and it's sock | ype of act for ^fpnn« k' ...-i ^"^^ ^ Parade _ | ^ . i,e. Dirt for strong bowoff. numbers hold over in the NcW lOOG Cafc Ih OhiO i"PP?rtmg segment, with the quar- mL Tucker, Richman and Area's newest night club is the deliver for 60 full minutes and * screwy finale that Everela'des built at a cost of $100,- then have the customers screaming fn?!,- HE proceedings in zingy' OOO on the Dixie Highway, two, "No, No" when they attempt a fashion Ted Shapiro, per usual, is TiL south of Perrvsburg. begoff. The . humor is slick, sly T'J^.V' a me^'accompanlst ■ ,™'i*enTarrish, Bo^^^ing Green, is • and silly and it produces an almos^ lor Miss Tucker. Prank Linale's the Although some of the materialis often burdened with overly- - .... . 'familiar lines and gags that are schmaltzy for the sophisticated ' act which Smart Set hopes stuff all the time. They romp to be. Direction, by Harold Belfer through an hour-long stint with a is in the precision tradition, per- /e.st that's quickly transferred to' haps overly so, inasmuch as there the check-payers. '■ is httle leeling of heart in the act. - - . . Boniface K. Dj Hover IS personal- ly interested. in the unit and hopes: to send it oiit aroand; thie. nlter^: circuit. Dance choi es at the Sunset Strip nitery now are shared by Chuy troupe are mildly diverting at best., bis billing, pe Greek Ambassa- Producers Sid KuUer and Lee i dor, one of the top Show busine.ss Wainer penned the material, which turns. He s an expert performer. Perrysburg, O., Jan, 25. | Certainly few comedy teams can owner. 1 unending laUgh barrage. In a room Reyes and Victor Vincent. Kap. but comedies are too familiar for the smart spots. His laughs do not have the solid- element of surprise,, but get along primarily becau.'ie of the pleasantness of getting an an- ^ ticipated and reliable ingredient. He's not an eastside turn but still gets laughs because of his ability as a performer. His songs go over nicely. Miss Sullivan and the Delta Rhythm Boys 'are surefire. Both acts have a high degree of accept- ance in: any type «f spot and hit it off well with the crowd. Jose. •