Variety (December 1950)

50 VAIJDEVILIJB P^niEff WedncBday, December 6, 1950 Beaucoup Events Xmas, New Yrs. Wk. Atlantic City, Dec. 5, Christmas lights went on here yesterday afternoon following the arrival of Santa, who was greeted by Mayor Joseph Altman. The expanding Atlantic City Christmas Festival has become an unusual combinatioh Of sports, music, illuminations and decora- tions, a program designed to appeal to he varied tastes of thousands of visitors who come here annually for the holiday season. This year the Boardwalk will be a blaze of lights, with hotels, busi- ness houses, shops, municipal buikljn's and private residences competing to out-do each; other in brilliance and originality of dis^ Georgia’s London Date Georgia Gibbs has been signed for the Astor and Colony Clubs, London, starting June 18. Possibih ity is that she’ll remain in; Britain for sometime after her cafe stands to play vaude dates in the provT inces and possibly in London. William Morris Agency set the deal with the Foster Agency of London. plays. These lights wall go on a few days before Xmas. For the entertainment of the vis- itor thetre will be professional bas- ketball in the Convention hall on Dec. 26, The Atlantic City Festival or- chestra, 30 pieces directed by Wil- liam Madden, will give a children’s concert in the Senior High school on Dec. 27. That evening it vdll move to Conveiilibn hall for an- other concert, which will be a prel- ude to the Eastern Square Dance ! championships. Twelve of the east’s best teams are due here to compete for trophies and cash prizes. As an added attraction a year’s end golf tournament has been ar- ranged at the Atlantic City Coun- try club.- . Concluding the Christmas week with a fittirig climax, all hotels and nightclubs are preparing to make this New Year’s Eve one of the most attractive for visitors ever. Private Car^^ by Joe Laurie, Jr. is another interesting editoriol fcotnre in the upcoming 45th Anniversary Number of P^SmETY Eileen BARTON Currantly ORIENTAL, Chicago 2nd Week Dir.; Music Corp. of America Call Off Strike When Given Compromise Hike A kitchen strike in the major N. Y. niteries was averted last week at a conference between Billy Rose, Diamond Horseshoe operator, and president of the Allied Restau-i rant arid Entertainment Industries of Greater New York, organization of nitery operators, and workers’ union execs. Rose, convaleseing from recent J operation, pacted agreement with Local 89 of the Cooks, Chefs, Pas- try Chefs and Assistants Union, ! calling for a $4 increase retroactive i to the expiration of the previous j contract on Nov. 15, and an addi-i tional $2 weekly increase in a year { when a new two-j^ear pact would be signed. Union originally demanded a 15c hourly hike which would have amounted to $6 weekly. Pattern for union was set when union acceded to $4 weekly increases. jmsAC/Mir/vr; HlllfSIllOftLlS N O W Appuaring "GOOb-EVANS" . Show CNGLAND OTEBVfNCY L 9 tf $ f n N O. HARDI GRAS FLOATS DESTROYED IN lOOC HRR New Orleans, Dec. 5. All floats of Krew of Rex, city’s principal Mardi Gras organization, and its costumes and other proper- ties were destroyed by fire Monday (4). Damage was estimated at $ 100 , 000 . Whether Rex, the king of the city’s fabulous carnival, would pa- rade in the Mardi Gras Feb. 6 is to be decided at a meeting of officials i Wednesday (6). Question facing organization is whether new floats, costumes and other destroyed properties could be rebuilt in time for the celebra- tion. m The Theatres tpf the Stars m MARCUS LOEWf, BIIOHK MBKT ^ CCNOIM M MIX 1(0 w«»t Kinseyesque Audience Turns Out £n Masse For Renault’s N.Y. Recital For the seventh year in a row, the faithful turned out for Francis Renault’s recitals at Carnegie Hall Chambers, N, Y. It’s the only mid- town exhibit of Bohemianism around, and it does seem a long time between shows as evidenced by the manner in which the cult- ists were enraptured by Renault’s offerings. The Stork Club and other gath- ering places of the Chi-chi have nothing On the audience that con- gregates annually for these shin- digs. Most come not only to see, but to be seen. Thei'e’s more ya- hooing and handkerchief waving among the male customers here than any where else. The , "boys” meet their old flames, and eye their successors. It’s just as gay in the audience as it is on stage. Renault hasn’t changed much since he started these affairs. The elegance of costuming and flair for showmanship makes the showing of this femme satirist an annual event that's eagerly, awaited in Kinseyesque circles. He put on a show that had the quality of his previous displays, but unfortunate- ly little of its former vigor. It’s been a bad year for Renault as he’s been hospitalized and his re- covery seemed far from complete. On night caught (3), he seemed a bit fagged out. He didn’t have his usual animation songwise, but his chatter had audience appeal. Nev- ertheless, Renault put everything into this display. He worked as though he had the feeling that if he made good—^^it might mean the 181 club for him. The old standbys such as "Car- men,” "Catherine of Russia,” "Lil- lian Russell” and “Mme. Satan” showed up well and new items, “La Tosca” and "The Goddess^ of Incense” also found audience favor. The emceeing was by Fred Keat- ing, a basically good performer. He rattled a good line of chatter throughout the show, mostly bright and amusing. Surrounding talent comprised three singers. Anna Sanders, a full- throated chirper, attained nice re- turns for operatic offerings. An- other, introduced as Mr. Corday, had a fine lyric tenor that also showed up excellently in classical numbers. The third. John Durye. a handsome chap, made several false starts as his music was misplaced, but audience v'as loyal. Renault always manages to at- tract ciiffo guests. The former Met- opera mezzo, Carniella Ponsolle, i,s still an excellent singer and pur- veyed a couple of middlebrow num- bers that hit the applause jackpot. The ageless Fanny Ward told a story and delivered a tune. House sealed at $3.60 top had a good attendance on second show. The Hall was virtually sold out at his first display Saturday (2), Jose. Modest-Bui^eted Units Planned As B.O. Lure by D.C. Nabe Houses Washington, Dec. 9. What the neighborhood theatre needs is a good, smart, inexpensive unit show of 30 to 45 minutes to bring people back into the flicker houses. This is the opinion of some D. C* exhibitors who feel that a producer or agent who can turn up a smart line of such entertainment will find the nations’ nabe houses/waiting for his talent with open arms, Latest to consider units, espe- cially musical units, is the smart Kogod-Burka chain in and about Washington which is going to ex- periment with the advantages of the biz hypo giyen by an occasional run of live entertainment. Frank Bucher, K-B general manager, is currently dickerihg with New York agents and plans to start occasional live shows shqrtly after the first of the year in the Naylor, Atlas and Flower, three of the circuit’s thea- tres. In this move K-B will be follow- ing the lead of the Sidney Lust; Theatres. Lust has been using oc- casional live entertainment in a:il but his drive-ins. The acts range from a single, or a single and an j animal act, to as many as eight or , i nine persons in a unit. Lust houses i aU have enough stage to handle I capsule unit shows. Past week, ; Cheetah the Chimpanzee and; trainer were booked for a full | week, spending one day in each i theatre and playing a split-day on Saturday, doing the matinee in one house and the evening show in an* other. The regular 50c admission for adults was up to 60c, but the 25c children’s tap remained un- changed. J. H. SlDNEir M. •**•**•** ... ... . .. . ..I Harris Planes Abroad To Aitangc‘Cycles’Tour Pittsburgh, Dec. 5. John H, Harris, head of Arena Managers Assn, and producer of “Ice Capades” and “Iw Cycles,” flew to London over the weekend, to make arrangements there for annual summer engagement In British capital of latter show. This will make the third straight year for V*Cycles” in London. A Paris booking has been in the making for some time now and may take place in 195L * accompanied by musical direc- tor for his twin revues. They’re due back before Xntas. ] . v i • j Memorial Salute To Bill Robinsou Sparks Negro Guild Beuefit A tribute to the late Bill (Bo-' jangles) Robinson sparked the 13th ; annual benefit of the Negro Actors Guild at the Imperial theatre, N. Y., Sunday night (3). It came midway in the proceedings, when Noble Sissle, prex\^ of NAG, asked for a moment of silence as a me- morial to the departed hoofer and honorary prez of the Guild. . To muted strains of "Auld Lang Synne,” a baby spot followed a re- , cording of Bojangles' hoofing and ad libs, while the large audience ■ remained silent. General Sessions Judge Jonah J. Goldstein then re- prised a few of Robin.son’s favorite gags and pi'csented scroll citations in absentia to Ed Sullivan, N. Y, Daily News columnist, and Ethel . WaterS; for their efforts in making j this and previous NAG benefits fi- nancially successful. The affair grossed $13,000. making a possible net of nearly $10,000 for the wel- fare fund of the Guild, In contrast to the solemnity of the Robinson tribute, the show was one of the best lineups of talent in their benefit series. There were a few disappointments, but para- doxically appearance of several topliners not carded more than compensated for the absentees. There was plenty comedy, too, in , the routines of Danny Thomas, Lenny Kent, Joey Adams and' Martha Raye, and Morey Amster- ' dam in a clowning bit with Johnny Johnston. It was a comedian’s field day, with each seemingly topping the other and keeping, the crowd ' in high hilarity. Same goes for Jackie Gleason in * his reprise of the "Poreign Legipn” skit from his former musical, "Along Fifth Avenue,” which grabbed solid applause. Wilton : Clary, W. G. Handy, Fannie Hurst, Lionel Stander, Vlaida Snow, Sarah Vaughan, King Cole & Trio, Archie Savage and dancers, Herbert Cple- man and a host of others rounded out the bill. Leseter and Harry Rose handled ticket sales promo- tion and souvenir journal ads. as out the bill. Edba. ‘Ice Follies’ Okay 90G In 12 at New Haven New Haven, Dec. 5. XU a profitable,' though not record-bi’eaklog, stand at Arena here last week. Gottijig off to a bad break on its gale- swept opening Nov. 25, an advance sellout had to b« 75% made good on subsequent performances. ' "Follies” and "Ice Capades” f have a rotating policy that means they alternate on first crack at the * consumer’s dollar each new sea- son. Thus, current stand Is second months for , the A 1 V.}). t c J -( 1 J > > v:> I s Horror Show Set to Hypo Nabe Biz In an effort to bolster dwindling biz pre-Christmas, several major film theatre circuits along the At- lantic seaboard are booking Bela Lugosi's Horror Show as a special stage attraction. Film menace has patterned his show somewhat along lines of Dr. Neff's spook display and Asylum of Horrors. However, a new departure is that , the Lugosi show has been booked to play starting at 8:30 p.ni. whereas previously such units have been staged at midnight. Both RKO and Warner circuits have ^already set dates for the Lugosi Show, with initial playdate scheduled soon for the Capitol in Trenton, N.. J. It is going into a nhmber of Westchester and Brook- lyn RKO houses. The show, which claims to have the backing of Mike. Todd, legit pro- ducer, is playing on a percentage basis. Other so-called Horror Shows have done well in the past. ROY DOUGLAS and VICKIE "DOUBLE-TALK” Ftaturing EDDIE-ECHO CASINO Theatre Toronto, Canada Moiiagar: Matty Rosen SECOND WEEK OVAL * ROOM COPLEY PLAZA HOTEL BOSTON EILEEN CARVER Grant’s Riviera RESTAURANT AND BAR 158 W. 44 St., New York LU 2-4488 WHERE SHOWBUSINESS MEETS * TALENT CONTEST* MONDAY NIGHTS J . , Prize: Frofessiortdt Engagement (Oupileata Prize^warded in the Case of Tie) Overman GAYETY THEATRE MONTREAL, CANADA WEEK NOV. 27 Mgt.: MATTY ROSEN, N. Y; CREATIVE COMEDY CoMady Routines and Burlesque a laff-riot Vol./$5.40 Bxclustv# Comedy Acts Written $2.00 per minute A. GUY VISK Writing Enterprises 12 Liberty .Street, Troy/ N. Y. BURLESK ACTS STRIP DANCERS fpf Florida, Cuba, So. America Db Caiirp ThRafrical Agency 1370 Wililingtoh Ave.