Variety (Apr 1949)

S2 VAITDEVILLB VcJiMapdily, April 1949 N^ht Club Reviews (HOTEL WALDORF-ASTORIA) | ^^^^^^.^ ^ack with him ' Cotillion Room, IV, V. " (HOTEL MEBKE) Clifford Guest, Manor & Mifnum, Stanley Melba Orch, Ralph Lane ^cH; minimum $3, $4t 1 Stanley Melba's knack of cut- i ting the formal Cotillion room down to Informal proportions is best illustrated with the current display comprisirtg Clifford Guest and Manor and Mignon. This pair of acts combine speed and variety plus a novelty note designed to. "Creanvin My Conee," "Only Gii-l | get successful reaction from upper- ^ in the World;v'mre Than You j bracket spenders. , ' can play the Wedgwood Room of Know," etc. It all adds up to nearly 1 The first time in a New York the Hotel Waldorf-Astoria, alter . 30 songs, and even at that; he had cafe, Guest, an import Irom Austra- Morton Downey, Eddy Duchin Orch (121, Mischa Borr Orch \1 >; S2 cover (iter 10. A nightclub reviewer can go on catching Morton Downey for years, and there's hardly anything new that can be said of the still-youth- ful Irishman. When a performer if he ever lost them at all Downey, accompanying himself at the piano, throws the book at 'em, all the way from "Put Your Arms Around Me," through "Peg O' My Heart," "Who," Irish folk tunes, "Made Me Love You all these years in the cafes, what more can be said of him? The voice may be a little shrill somethimes, the girth more ample, but there's no doubt that Morton Downey can still hold an audience, And he did this with plenty to spare at the chi-chi opening last Thursday night. Opening with him, and no doubt sharing in the draw, was Eddy Duchin. , Old songs, new songs, Irish songs songs, . songs, songs. Downey could go on for hours if the man- agement would let him. ; At the opening he was on close to an,hour, and seldom did interest .lag.. A couple of those sentimental ballads have a tendency to drag his pace trouble getting away. I Ha, i| prime fodder for this spot. Duchin, who, like Downey, is a ; He's a technically proficient ven- Wedgwood Room repeater,- still! triloquiSt with some unusual vocal plavs the danceable "society" mu- 1 effects. He does a series of crowd sic'for which he's become known I noises, echoes, anilnal sounds as for so many years. Sporting his usual deep tan, the pianist-maestro retains his standing as one of the few real personality batoneers, considering his wide following in the "smart" crowd. In short, part of his "performjince" is in his constant table-hopping to say hello, and it remains, incidentally, a distinct showmanship touch for a suppcr-club performer to have acr quired a circle of friendships that could ens.ure for any management the booking of such a talent. Dow- somewhat, but when Downey lets j ney has that sort of following, too I ■»««»-»^—■«■—-jMBega ! and between them they should I keep the Wedgwood Room waiters on the 'hustle through their engage- meht.":, ■■ i . Mischa Borr's alternate band neatly plays the Latin music, . Kolin. Announcing Th* Blue Angel Sunday Night Auditions ATTENTION! Ageniti Managtn & Talent Scouts Btginni'ng Sunday, April 10th, and eviry Sunday night-^n addition to our ragular tiiow—^tlit BLUE ANGEL will proient 3 now and unusual oetf of promita, 152 E. 55th Si. • PL 3-5998 Chez Faroe, Clil Chicago, April 1. ' Joe E. Lewis, with Austin Mack; \ Barry Sisters (2), Blair & Dean, I Geneve Dorn, Chez Paree Ador- I ablcs (10), Cee Davidson Orch \ with Hal Wallis, Rodriguez Rhum- '. ba Orch; $3.50 minimum.. well a usual line of patter with the dummy. He gives these varied bits a smooth tieup. for excellent overall results. Manor and Mignon have re- vamped their act considerably. This ballroom twain now rely less ortT acrobatics and more on straight terp passages. They've also inter- polated a line of chatter to height- en Interest in their efforts. They're not yet too proficient in the gab dept., but they'll get along. Manor also does one song as a background for a number and it comes off nicely. They do a brace of en- cores and exit to neat returns; Melba* who is entertainment di- rector for this room as well as maestro, has an excellent society outfit that does yeoman service in keeping the dancers interested. Ralph Lane provides the rhumba relief. Jose, SI* Regis, Toronto Toronto, March 30. Frojicis Renault, Stewart & Bar- bour, Barry Townley Orch (7); |2.80 cover. With Otto Day in as managing director. Hotel St. Regis is latest entry in the nitery field here; with new floorshow policy clicking. Francis Renault, femme Imper- sonator, is the draw and packing them in. Stewart and Barbour (New Acts) are also, pleasing the customers. In his standard act, but first time here, Renault scoi-es with imper- sonations of Lillian Russell, Cath- erine of Russia, Eva' Tanguay, Madam du Barry, and his South American belle in which he tosses artificial bananas to the customers. His candor in opening announce- ment that he is 57 and'"the voice is gone but the spirit is still there," won good reception. The contrast between his deep speaking voice and his freak soprano singing style also adds to the comedy effects that had him begging off: when caughtv . Stewart and Barbour fill in pleasingly for Renault's costume changes* with Barry Townley's orch giving commendable support.: McStay, Venetian Room, S.!*. (FAIRMONT HOTEL) San Francisco, March 31. Wierc Bros., Rosalind Cotirf- risfht, Ernie HeclcscHer Orch (10); cover $1.50-?2, HEENE and HOWARD Currently HIPPODROME BALTIMORE. MD. Manny Opper ihar naiv comadian 99th Wok Hollywood^Show loung* ClilcaH Pm: Mlt.i IRV ISVIN Return of Joe E.,Lewis finds el- bow space at minimum, with Chez regulars and spenders in audience. His following and popularity should keep ropes up during Chi' appearance. Lewis's uninhibited, relaxed chatter and novelty tunes, with Austin Mack at piano, find payees hanging oh his every word and Lewis doesn't fail. There is always a. socko punch line, indigo innuen- dos and smattering of bookmaker and race track anecdotes, the lat- ter being his chief stock in trade. Comic's routines kept.aud in rapt attention for over :50'minutes, for a solid Jilt. Barry Sisters, two brnnet look- ers, found going bit tough on slow tunes for first night crowd, but "Cuanto La Gusta," "Pull Down the Shade," and ''Italian Medley" gar- ner generous returns. Blair & Dean, terpteam, depart from traditional danceables with modern undertones and bits of dra- ma. Pair tell stories, via routines, usually boy meets girl stuff. ''Danc- ing In the Dark" and "Dance to Tlie Wedding March" rated plau-. dits. , Exotic aero dancing of Geneve Dorn to "Jealousy" wins the ring- siders. Chez Paree Adorables offer neat routines, with Hal Wallis handling the vocals. Cee Davidson's Orch does excellent job of backing show and on dance sets, with Rodriguez in on the rhumba rhythms. Greg. . The zany routines of the Wiere Bros., long clickers in vaude, have hurdled the problem of the in- timacy of a night club floor in their first hotel supper room engage- ment, to contrive a punchy com- pote of their hokum. Result is a laugh-punctuated half-hour of sea- soned nonsense which tickles the customers. Stint includes hat- manipulation, piano stuff and tra- vesty fiddling to' draw sock re- sponse. Trio fits in well with piano accompaniment of petite Virginia Thomas. Songfest by Rosalind Courtright i aJong the streeT r.in<.i„ r<„„„r...„u„ oi^c ,jhe lush costuming of the look Latin Quarter. N. Y. (FOLLOWUP) Lou Walters Tias buttressed his Latin Quartcj' revue with the in- clusion of Georgie Price, comedian- singer, with a wealth of yockpro- ducing- material. ' He provides al- ternate touches of nostalgia and modernity. , Price's discourse on the tax' situ- ation, his biting . lampoons of George Jessel, Eddie Cantor and Harry Richman are surefire for this Broadway spot. In addition. Price reprises some of 'the tunes he's been associated with through the years for an excellent overall, impression. Another new turn in the current edition is Tanyi and Biagi (New Acts).. ■ Frank Libuse, another of the prime comedy elements in the lay- out, continues his zany antics for top results, while the Florida Trio's golliwog act, Don Saxon's tunes, Steffen-Martell dtincers rou- tines by Jack Cole, along with Ernestine Mercer, Penny Caldwell, and Elissa Jayne round out one of the better entertainment buys Coeoaaiit Grove, L. A. (AMBASSADOR HOTEL) „ ^ Angeles, March 30, Rutfi; Vallee, with Walter Gros?- Del CouHney's Orch (15): cower $1.50-$2, ' Maintaining its careful policy of booking entertainment- that will appeal to a mature audience, the Ambassador Hotel has come ud with another winner In the combi- nation of Rudy 'Vallee and Del' Courtney, It has been 11 years since "The Vagabond Lover" set feminine hearts to fluttering at this spot but the nostalgic lure of the first, and only, megaphone crooner still is strong. They turned out by the hundreds for hi.s opening and many a femme wore a soulful, pen. siye look as Vallee rehashed some of his old faves. Maybe some of the escorts weren't as impressed but the hand that rocks the cradle still governs where the entertain- raent portion of the budget (and all other portions, too) will be spent, so Valleo will be playing to good'Sized audiences during his stay. Actually, many males who came to appease remained to applaud for Valleu offers a topnotch eve- ning's entertainment. It's all in the mellow, reminiscent mood, de- livered in shownianly fashion. He (Continued on page 53) COMEDY MATERIAL For All Branchai of Thtatricob FUN-MASTER "Tho ORIOINAl ShbvihBii Oog nW Not. I to 22 @ $1.00 oocb (Order In 'S««|iionco Only) SPECIAL: The First 13 KIm for $8.00 ! !i . 3 DIFFERENT BOOKS OF PARODIES (10 in Eseh Book) SIO ptr Book . Semi leno for listn of other comedy mutorlnl. mnit!), piirodlm, wiliiHtn>l patter, Mnclt-oatti etc. NO C.CD.'S. PAULA SMITH too W. M St., N. Y. 19. CIrviK 1-llSt '-rKverjr Dajr, liicludbi( HundnriH.. is nicely received. Community sing encore of oldtime tunes wins rounds of applause. Music for show and dancing is expertly handled by Ernie Heek- schet orch. Ted. ; Slapsy Maxie's, L. A. Los Angeles, March 30. Joey Adams, Tony Canzoneri Si Mark Plant, Franklin D'Amore & Anita, Ice Classics (7), starring Buddy Schroff, Van Alexander Orch (9); $1 od?7m,'!iow; no couer or minirnurn. ^ World Famous Photographers to ARTISTS of STAGE...SCREEN...RADIO REPRINTS We are now equipped to make quantity original reprints at reproduction rates. CARNEGIE HALL STUDIO :154 W. S7th ST, N.Y.C. Phone Circle 7-3505 [15 BOSTON STUDIO : Hotel Lenox : Kcnmore 5 300 The laughter that echoes along Los Angeles' Miracle Mile these nights marli:s the return of com- edy to Slapsy Maxie's. And with; Joey Adams, Tony Canzoneri and Mark Plant .supplying the. material the humor Is fast, fresh and un- inhibited. Adams, an engaging wit. has made an immediate impression in the bow here. He's completely at home on the floor, socking over some tremendously funny lines and swapping repartee with ring- siders, A personable comic, he knows ho\. to get and hold an audi- ence and switches his tack as rapidly as he detects audience preference. Adams has eannily built the ' role played by ex-pug Tony Canzoneri so that the two are able to work together for top returns. Later, baritone Mark I Plant gets into the act with laugh- lines and vocalizing. It's all good stuff and well-handled. Plant scpres solo with a fine voice that shows off to good advantage, par- ticularly on musicomedy numbers. One of the highlights of the over- all routine is the aping of such personalities as Richman and Can- tor with Plant supplying the voice and both Adams and Canzoneri the gestures. < Holding over irom the previous layout are Franklyn D'Amore and Anita and the Ice Classics. D'Amore still amazes with difficult acrobatics performed with seeming j ease to win salvosi It's an exciting \ stint throughout. Ice Classics' rou- tining has been sharpened consid- erably to provide a fast 30 minutes of topnotch skating. Star Buddy Schroff's work particularly is ef- fective as: he combines difficult leaps - and twists with graceful skate-dancing on the tiny rink, Val Alexander J»atons the house band. As an overall entertainment package, this is one of the best layouts Slapsy's has booked in some time. Kajp.. ers and the slick Mme. Kamerova production is one of the salient, parts of the Walters display. Jose. Cops Nab Bandits In Chi Cafe Stickup Chicago, April 8. Villa Moderne, swank north suburban, bistro, was held up and robbed of $8,000 early yesterday (4) morning by six bandits who eluded police in wild chase into Chicago. Robbers, however, aban- doned two cars and two of the men were traced through auto license and arrested. Frank Hutchins, head ^f : the club, identiffed the bandits, who had $1,000 of the loot oh them. CARDINI Currently, CAPITOL, N. Y. "Cardini, Easily the Best of the SI*ight-of«Handers." A%ll. Vi4RIETr MARCH fth, 1949 WM. MORRIS AGENCY MCA Gene Baylos pacted for the Chez Paree, Chicago, May 13. HELP WANTED MEN and WOMEN with Show Butinati bockground or eontcieti. Exeallant opportunity for ptrmanaiit attoeiotlon with Import- ant Tbaotrieol Publication in connection with national lalot and promotion campaigns. Soltetiva torrlteriei availablt. Exp. UnnccM Good Comm.—drawing and salary when qHallfitd. Writ* lox V.«1. Variety. 154 W. 46th St,. Now York 19 LOEW BOOKING AGENCY «fNfMi fXfcunvi orn«ii lOIW lUllDING ANNEX ) W.4M N. Y.t. • Mymt f-TMO