Variety (November 1954)

ELLA LOGAN Songs 40 Mins. Thunderbird, Las Vegas Ella Logan is at her remarkable, talented best in her cafe return, and ? is- easily as: good as: anything presented in Vegas, even at the. height , of the big summer season when the competition, talent-wise, is most formidable. She goes on from there to rock . ’em with 40 minutes of renditions that prompt yells for. repeated encores. She makes lyrics of any, song believ- able. She can tackle a number, heard a thousand times , and from it transmit such meaning, credibil- ity and feeling; as to vocally daub the number with a brand new coat. The star, exhibits pathos in show biz chronicles leading to a touching “Little - Girl Blue” froi “Jumbo.” From “Finian’s Rainbow” her “Be- gin the Begat” is. a rouser,- and “Only Girl In the World” impels the audience to shout for more. The' little yet is a. masterful per-" former, when it conies to tossing off | ..the lingo at the audience, winsome- i ness being her - biggest weapon. | “Three Lovely Lassies” harkens to; the old country, while a contrast-1 ing “Sunny Side of the Street” is ] socko. The brogue, the range and; the nostalgi are all present in- “Gfoccamprra.” hey. “Finian" hit, arid the encores prove as boffo as the repertoire. Bob. TUNE-UP BOYS Songs, novelty 30 Mins, Chez Paree, Montreal Gaston Tessier and Maurice B.Ougi as the Tune-Up Boys com-; bine to offer one of the most un- inhibited musical-novelty acts to come this way iri some time. Both lads are Montrealers and have worked the circuit around Quebec for some months now, and occa- sional appearance here in town. This is their first engagement in a westend club, and the boys click solidly with , their enthusiasm, vocals and wired musical? inven- tions. Garbed in. immaculate, white dinner jackets.: the Tune-Up Boys start in a wild flurry of song and seldom break pacing. They open with a -standard guitar for ac- conips but soon switch, to their collection (16 in all > of gimmicked instruments, including everything from a zither-type affair .to-a'ham- mer with strings—all amplified. The riotous spirit that prevails during the stint is. at. times too] much, and a change of pace in; both melody and. song would help the general effect without spoiling the original intent. A cinch for any visual medium where the key- note is variety. Newt. FRAN CARROLL Songs 18 Mins. Cliez Paree, Montreal Fran Carroll, as the lone femme, entertainer in the present show, stands out effectively in both the chirp and- appearance, categories; Trimly gowned and with a neat fig- ure, she opens. in her established fast tempo and :.then contrasts for good attention with, a moody ‘‘April In Paris, f> Songalog for the most, part is fairly routine and la&k of any pattern between songs, tends to level off : overall session •Despite manner and piping, Miss Carroll fails to develop during songfest and act needs sharper routining to compete against yack- ing, payees to register with ex- pected .impact. On opening show caught, ner- vousness, etc,, ’as due to lack of rehearsal, but general, polishing would enhance making her a rea- sonable. bet for. niteries and tv shots. Newt. RAY HASTINGS Comedy 20 Mins. Chez Paree; Montreal. Ray Hastings, a. comedian who starts. in a restrained way, only hits his stride midway through his routines and then detours .from his comedy pattern to windup indiffer- ently Without' the expected clincher, . Of medium height and posses- sing, all the . glib patter associated with the usual circuit comic,.Hast-, ings deviates after a few heavy stories, to a solid set of impres- sions, best of which is his ballet sequence. When he stays With his .established material he scores from all sides, but a touch of heck- ling gets him off stride and he throws way his original bits for the obvious. Working a good 20 minutes, he seldom strays irito the blue stuff and his frequent ad libs are sharp and sometimes very funny. Adapt- able approach makes him a cinch for vaude and the flashy cafe trade. Newt.., Pfatmfr •"o ' appeal. They move with the poise and demeanor that’s unusual for Apollo first-timers. Songalog is a pleasant blending of rhythm ahd ballad numbers. They have a nifty opener , in “Margie” and build interest through “Over Rainbow, “Pretty Baby,” “Good Lrird” add “High The Moon.” Once: they get, that hit. disk, vaude, nitery arid .tv outlets should be Wide open for 'em, Gros. GENE JliyiAE Harmonica 8 Mins. Palace, -N.,Y. Gene Jimae is the 11-year-old Columbia recording disker just returned from a tour of Australia, Kid, decked out * short pants, makes a nice appearance, with his harmonica savvy apparent in top- draW execution of pops, and clas- sics. Juve keeps gab down to a nUnimum and only intros one of lour or five numbers played, . Tune that, got the advance spiel was “Peg O’ My Heart,” which kid delivered neatly via use of two rnouth organs, one large and the other regular size. Lad is a natural for. spottings on video varieties. Jess. Wednesday, November 3, 1954 WEEK OF NOVEMBER 3 Numerals in connection with bills below Indicate opening day of show whether full or split week Letter ip parentheses Indicates circuit (I) Independent! (L> Loewi (Mr .Moss; tP) Paramount; .< ) RKO; (SV Stoll;. <T> Tivoli; (W> Warner NEW YORK CITY Music Hall (I) 4 Jacqueline Langee Edward Ruhl Les MarCellis Gloria Ware Chet Clark Rockettes' Corps de Ballet Sym .Ore Palace (R) 5 N Sissle & E Blake Eva. Walker Berk 4c-.HalloW.. Harvey Norman' 4 to fill BROOKLYN . Par (P) 6 only. Fest Mod Am Jazz Stan Kenton Qm Art -Tatum'3 Slam Stewart Everett Parksdale Charlie Ventura 3 Mary Ami McCall S Rogers 4r Giants Shelley Manne Candido Johnny Smith .MIAMI Olympia ( Blackburn : & G Stone Frank Marlowe Harvey' Bell.. Tommy Trent Chai & Somai BRITAIN THE KORDITES Songs 14 Mins. Empire, Glasgow Two males, and two femmes make up this harmony quartet, al- ready w,k, on English radio, pro- grams, Act: is not so good to look at as to hear, ..but partly makes up for this with well-rehearsed roiir tine which conies over slickly in stage appearance. Open with “The Best .Things in Life. Are Free,” then into medley of topical favorites, such as “Friends and Neighbors,” “The Wedding Bells” and “Little Things Mean a Lot.” Wind with novelty tune, “Old MacDonald. Had a Farm,” thd breezy quick type of tune they score most in. Act works throughout at crack- ing highly-rehearsed, pace; Okay for radio and recordings, as well as for general run of English and Commonwealth vauderies. Gord. zig & Vivian baker Violin-Guitar 15 Mins. Hotel Muehlebach, Kansas City Zig and Vivian Baker are one of: the more accomplished and attrac- tive musical turns for cocktail lounges and hotel rooms. More re-, ceritly they have added several facets to their work, and , now emerge as a floor act as well. Thdir long suit continues to be , sirioottf music, with an unusual | amount of personality- and charm tossed in by tallish, brunet Vivian, and . Zig is an apt vis-a-vis. They] combine a good deal of musical talent, Zig fiddling and Vivian strumming, with the personality to register strongly on music alone. To this they have recently added some novelty work and chatter that rounds them, into ah act. There’s a bit of top spinning by Zig, tapping: out rhythms by Vivian oh a toy! /piano,' and comedy chatter inter- j. woven to keep the : pace lively. This i is the couple’s .third . time in the I Muehlebach, and likely'will stay' several weeks, alternating with the i Joe Vera Orch. in the Cafe Picardy. Quin. JOY NICHOLS Songs, Comedy 20 Mins. Empire, Glasgow Australian comedy 'songstress, making British comeback after too-long absence overseas, show? much potential for musical com- edy and film stardom. Properly directed, she’d be a natural foi’ the U. S. market, Current act shows her more re- laxed than previously, but gal, a [ blonde looker with personality, is j inclined to soft-pedal her innate vivacity, with, result her act is. slowed up somewhat. Distaffer, With solid reputation on British radio behind her, tees off with a funny story she picked up in Australia, segues with song about habit-forming, and does travesty of radio thrillers in “Quiet Evening at Home,” For contrast, she offers, the pop tune, “Young at Heart,” the type of number she excels in, and follows this with the oft-requested “Hippopotamus Song,” which garners yocks arid good.miitting. Winds with a bride song, “I Wanna Get Married,” and does begoff with the number “You’re a Dan-Dan-Dandy.Crowd.” Gord. SONNY CURTISS Songs 12 Mins. Chez Paree, Montreal Evident, possibilities as a single' and ' production singer are' over- looked in the current Chez Paree layout as .Sonny Curtiss spends the. major part of his time doing emcee cli6r.Cs foi’ the. show. How- ever, during the short stint, this, yourif* ..and energeLic performer shapes - up nicely. He keeps, show moving, without the usual, vintage gabbing arid uri-! .affected, manner .projects without 1 getting, in anybody’s way. Okay] vocally for a spot in.big revue qf- 1 BILLY BAXTER Comedy 12 Mins; Empire, Glasgow Young English comedian shows premise for future, and talent for impressions, though confined main- ly to 'ell-patterned models. Tilts in travesty at; Eddie Cantor singing “If You, Knew.Susie,” then at lingo Pf cowboy pix. and is a standout as a mriuth-quiveririg Humphrey Bogart iri gangster, guise. Another standard takeoff is of Edward G. Robinson. Highspot of act is rendition of “Sunny Side of Street” as it would be. sung by a Billy Daniels-Frankie Laine- Johnnie Ray threesome. Baxter has an easy style and could develop as a personality if provided with topdrawer gags.. Risks sameness by coricentrating, however' successfully, on standard impressions. For the, record, he’s a brother of Jeannie. Carson, Eng- lish musical comedy singing star, now in America for tv shows, Gord. SHARIDONS (3) Dance 9 Mi Palace,: N, Y.- The Sharidons, Comprised of t\v.. i guys and.a femme;. Offer a pleasant terp turn. Trio gets the Palace bill off- to;,a nice, start with some casual hoofing arid songstering. Act opens with male duo, in tails, tak- ing over stage for an intro tune that brings on shapely femme in abbreviated costume, bathing suit: style. Trio’s footwork is okay. “Gotta Dance,” terp-vocal solo by one pf the male members, is good. Stint also includes dance by other guy and gal and a windup demonstration of the old buck step by all throe. Jess. ferings. Newti THE REGALS (5) Songs 15 Mins, Apollo, N. Y. Current pop. and. rhythm & blues market, is flooded with vocal combos but there’s always ro6m for. a. new outfit to break through if it’s got what it takes. Arid these boys have it. Negro group, fits in easily to both the pop and r&b field and is due to build a hefty following. They’ve got a fresh and interest- ing approach to harmony arid a youthful appearance that'll win fans; especially bobbysoxers, Work- ing in front of two mikes, group stages its numbers for good eye- CIRO RIMAC & CO. (4) Dance-Songs 15 Mins. Palace, N Y, Cirri Rimac has been an ex- ponent of Latino rhythms for quite a few years. This particular com- pany hasn’t been documented in Variety’s New Act file. Comprised of Rimac, another male and two femmes,, group’s south-of-the-bor- der material is colorful and excit- ing. Stint has all the polish of Class,nitery act,. Terp execution is firstrate, with femme chassis movement a sure eyepleaser. A tango danced, by Rimac and one of the distaffers makes other sexy Latin terps look like; a gavotte. Rimac arid other male turn .loose with some*, fancy footwork in an attempt to outdo each plhe'r iri a jitterbug bout; Other dances, including .mambo register 1 solidly. Songs; delivered by one of the femmes in English are okay and have a definite Latino quality, ... Costuming and routining are on the plus side. Jess. ASTON Hippodrome (I) Frasers Harmonica Bd Tanner Sis 5 J’s & June Brooks 4c Harvesy Potter & Carole Jimmy Jeff & June BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome (M> 1 Vic Oliver. Sylvia . Campbell .2 ’ Mazurs Les Traversos Gaston Palmer Bobbie Kimber George Meaton BLACKPOOL Grand (l> 1 Gordon Harker Marorjie Fielding Gladys Henson. Diana King Anthony Sharpe Sydney King . Rosemary - Scott Peter Rosser Joan Harrison' Olive McFarland Palace (I) 1 Max Wall Alma Cogan Fred Atkins.. . G Grossetto & Gaby S Watson 4c Diane Rexanos Mills & Melita Kendor Bros BRADFORD Alhambra (M) 1 Roniiie ROhalde Eddie.Ash Billy Baxter Flapk Sc Lucas Benson Diflay Co Joan Mann Jimmy Edmundson 1 Curzon 3 . BRIGHTON. Hippodrome (MJ 1 Beverley. Sis. Jose Moreno Co Joe Church Ravlc Sc Babj Harry Worth Conway & Day Des O’Connor Yolandos Freddie Har^isOii CHELSEA Palace (S) 1 Dickie Arnold Mickie Warren Earl Sc Elgar Dennis Burrows Cortez & Pam Martians ' Delilah Derek Dixon Margo Scott Piccadilly Models CHISWICK Empire (S) 1 Benny Hill Virginia Somers Jerry Allen 3 Jeremy Hawk . Kirby Sc Hayes Tux 4 Del mars De. Vere Dancers COVENTRY . Hippodrome <0 1 Billy Cotton Bd Derek Roy Helene Cordet C Cairoll & Paul Claarisse Sc Marvin La Bola Misteriosa Ben Alis Arabs Ricardo Paul Waring William Shearer 5 Fisher Girls EDINBURGH Empire (M) 1 Jewel Sc Warriss Sally Barnes Audrey Mann Charles Ancaster Eric Tinsley / Harmony B ' FINSBURY PARK Empire <M) 1 David Whitfield 2 Maxwells Jack Jackson Downey & Day Lorrae Desmond Dog Rev Harry- Bailey . K Sc A .Alexis Nixon Sc Dixon GLASGOW Empire (M) T Joan Regan Tommy Goopef Kordas Dickie Henderson, Del . Cortina Eddie Vitch 1 .Morris. Sc Cowley Louise Pets N Sc . N Grant GRIMSBY Palace (I) 1 BERTY & BORREST Acro-trapeze l0 Mins. Medrano, Paris Two muscled balance men have added a neat fillip to their ct by performing their excellently co- ordinated routine up. in the trapeze section. On a long steel bar they perform their stands, spins of one held by a strap in the teeth of the other, and various eyefilling arbes- Cjues which make this an interest- ing act. Possibility for*. U.S. vaude or high-domed nitery spec reviews. TV can also take a gander. Mosk. 'Jack Haig Harkness Williams Eddie Hart Moria •. Briody Gene Rib Laura Pearson Go («p Girls HACKNEY Empire (S) 1 Roza . Tubby Kaye Dargie 5 Freddie • Sales Arthur Haynes' Keefe Bros Sc A Lingana St Diane De Vere 3 LEEDS • Empire (M) Ray Ellington' Eve. Boswell . Morecambe Sc Wise Marvels Norman Vaughn Les Marthys - Manning Sc Lea . Jackson. Bow & D MANCHESTER Hippodrome: (S) .1 Kenny. Baker Jill . Day Ken Dodd Skyllners. Jeffrey Lennor . Baker & Douglas Joan St Earnest Valento i Dorothy NEWCASTLE Empire (M) l Tony Brent Russmar 2 Eddie Arnol Rusty Geogh Lacy Pharos Sc Marina S Sc P Kaye Max Geldry Lee Youngsters NORTHAMPTON New. (I) 1 Jimmy- Bryant Patricia Morri Paris Lovlies NORWICH Hippodrome <l) T Jimmy • Mac. Ragoldi. Bros Miss Blandish Jess .Raymond Burke Sc Koyac ' Accordianaires A1 Shaw SHEFFIELD . Empire (M) 1 Tommy Trinder Woods Sc Jarrett SaliCi Puppets Flying De Pauls Anpe Hart Harry Money Jimmy 1 Berry 2 Arvings Freddie Dexter Geo Mitchell 4 Dorothy Duval L Gordon Girls SOUTHHAMPTON Grand (I) 1 Fred Ferrari Ford Sc Sheert " Julife Day. . Mark Mansfiel M St J Day Marie. Petr off Anton Petr off Sandra Davies Julie Williams Bail Tabari n Girls SUNDERLAND Empire (M) 1 Teddy Johnson Borar CoJleano J Lay cock. St Maureen Joan Rhodes Joe-- Black Chevalier. Bros : B & B Adams Sterling Sis SWANSEA Empire (M) 1 IsSy. Bonn Copa Cousi Noberti Gladys Morgan Co Ray Alan Sc Steve B Sc A Pearson Nicolettes Archie Glenn WOLVERHAMPTON -. Hippodrome (I) 1 Terry Cantor Keif-^Barnes 4c J .Noble.. 4c Dehester Joy Harris Janette ' Fox Lake. St- Rolls .Nudes ' WOOD GREEN Empire IS) 1 Max ’ Miller Reg Salmon. Co . M Sc B Winters Roy •Stevens. Bunty St Clair • Nbrdios Cabaret BiDs MEW YORK CITY . Bon Solr Tony Sc Eddio : Ciel Cabot Thelma Carpenter Norene Tate Jimmy Daniels Three Flames Bilut Angof Dwight Fiske Susan Johnson Dick Drake Geo Lafaye Bart Howard Jimmy Lyons Trio Chateau Madrid Ernest Bonino Sherri Sheaf Elba Ocampo.. Alonso Dancers Ralph; Font Ore Maya Ore Copacahana Nat (King) Cole Morty Giinty 4 Lada Bob; Sweeney Peter Conlow Jean Stevens M Durso Ore Frank Marti Gale's Alan Gale Jackie Heller Warner 4c McGuire ,Larry Foster Teddy. King Ore No. 1 Fifth Ave Helena BlisS Bob Downey . Harold Fonvllle Haze) Webster : Hotel New Yorker Ralph Flanagan Ore Belmont Plaza Joan Bishop : A1 Castellano John Barney Hotel Pierre Hildegarde- Jack Whiting •Gene. Bone Howard Fenton Stanley Melba Ore Hotel Plaza Genevieve J Sc J Belmont. Ted Straeter Ore Mark Monte Ore • Hotel Pk Sheraton . Irving. Fields Eddie ' Layton •Hotel Roosevelt. Guy Lombardo Ore _ Hotel St Regis Fernanda Montel Milt . Shaw Ore Ray Bari Hotel Statier Vaughn Monroe R Hayman Ore . Hotel Taft Vincent Lopez Or*-. ...La Martinique Rose Marie Lenny Kent Alan Dale ., C. Kaly Dncrs Treniers Pup; Campo Ore Latin Quarter Mae West ’ Louise Beavbra Ashtons Debonair* Anthony Dexter Ralph. Young Piroska Art Waiter Ore B Harlowe Ore Le Ruban Bleu Julius Monk Norman Pari Irwin Corey 1 Dorothy- Louden Melita Marshall Izen Two Guitars Kostya. Poliansky Misha UsdanoS / Marusia Sava versadiee ”Bon : Voyage".- Paul Grey. Louise Hoff •Tommy; Wander Margaret Banks Rosemary.... O'Reilly Carl Conway Betty. Colby Ann Andre Rain Winslow.. Danny Carroll Danny Desmond Don Dellair Jim Sisco Salvatore Gloe Ore Panchito Ore Viennese Lantern-. Helene Aimee Dolores . Perry Bela Bizony Ernest Schoen Paul Mann Charles Albert Village Barn. Hal Graham Jack Wallace Mary Ellen . Tri Rachel Ellen Waldorf-Aftorls Los Chavales : De Espana . Trini Beyee . Nat Brandwynne Mischa Borr • Village Vanguer Robert Clary C - Williams fr 1 ® CHICAGO Black Orchid Tito Guizar.. Nino Nahnl Teddi King Rudy. Kerpays Duo lue Angel "Calypso Festival" Duke of Iron Mary Ann Trinidad Joe Calvin Harigah Victor Manuel D'Lacy Ore Angela San Juan . Blue Note Jerry Vale Chico. O’Farrill Ore . Chez Paree Sam Levenson. Peggy Taylor ;• Ryan Sc. MacDonald Brian Far non Ore Cloister Inn Chris Connor Luriene Hunter Ralph Sharon Conrad Hilton ‘Skating Stars' Margie Lee ' Cathy 4c Blair Shirley Linde Weidemanns Polo Perky Twins Jimmy Caesar - Eileen Carroll Ray McIntosh B Dears. Sc Dona Frankie Masters Ore Edgewater Beach' Ted Lewis 4c Ore. Bert Gordon . Manor Sc Mignon Sue Evans Dewey. Sisters M Sc B Haggett Elroy Peace . Palmer House Jean Carroll Robert Maxwell Empire Right Charlie Fisk Ore LOS ANGELES Ambassador Hotel Estelita Buddy Lester Los' Barrancos (2) Rex Koury Ore Band Box Billy Gray : Leo Diamond Dorothy Claire Nicco 4c‘Barba Larry Green Trio Bar of Music. Wesson Bros (2) Kitt Carson C . Callinicos Eddie Oliver Ore . Tony Martinez Ore . Biltmore HotOl Romo Vincent Tippy Sc Cobina Norton Sc Patricia Hal :Derwin Oro Giro's Joel Grey Dick Stabile Ore Bobby Ramos Ore Charley Fox's Wally Vernon Charley Foy Mary Foy. Sid Hurwitz .Oro Crescendo Perez Prado Ore Mocambo Eileen Barton Paul Herbert Ore Moulin -Rougo Frank Libuse Margot Braiider Szonys (2) Charlivels (3) Miss Malta Sc Co DoUbledaters (4) Mme Ardelty Jery LaZarre Ffolliot Charlton Tony Gentry Gaby Wooldrldgd Luis Urbina. Eileen Christy Bob Snyder Oro Statier Hotel Dorothy Shay Ralph Sc Lorraine Sktiinay Ennig Ore miami-z^iami beach Clover Club Kalantan Luis Torrens Harold 4c Lola Baron Buika Tony Lopez Ore. Selma Marlowe Line ■Woody Woodbury Leon & Eddie's Lois De Fee Lynn Star Rose Ann Rita Marlow Charlotte Waters Nautilus Hotel Jayne Manners Antone 4c Ina Sid Stanley Ore . Black Orchid Jo Thompson v Richard Cannon ' Sans Souc! Hotel ; . Nicholas Bros George Hopkins Sacasas Ore Anri Herman Dcrs Anne Barnett Saxony Hotel Tano Sc Dee Nirva Phil Foster Harold 4c Lola Baron Buika. Freddy Calo Ore Johnny Silvers Or# The. Patio Sammy Walsh Nelida Pat Paulson Bombay Hoteit Phil Brito Lee Johnson Peter, Maok Jennifer Marshall Johnlna Hotel B S Pully Sam Bari Harry Rogers Ore Gloria Hart Columbus Hotel Arthur Warren . Or# Ronfey Plaza Jose Cortez Ore LAS VEGAS. NEVADA Flamingo. Ben-Blue Dehra Paget Les Brbwn Ore Silver Slippor Sally Rand . Buddy Baer Kalantan Hank Henry , Desert Inn Betty Hutton Sahara Marlene Dietrich. Last. Frontier Ed Wynn Step Bros Dagenham Plpere Cl Cortez Rowan 4c Martin Vicki Young Golden Nugget Gas Lights fr pink. Tights - . Sands P U Hayes 4c M Healy Clark Bros El Rancho 1 Vogae Lillian Roth LiII St: Cyr . Jackie Kamiori S Gibson Red Caps Showboat Minsky's Follies ot 1955 , . Thunderbird Ella Logan Don Tannen Catron Bros RENO MapetSkyroom Helen Forrest Dave Barry D Arden Dancers E Fitzpatrick Oro - New Golden S “S" Crothers Yvonne Moray Rich Sc Gibson WIU Osborne Ore Rlvorsldo Moore 4c Lessey Jones Boys Les. Matburlns Starlets - B Clifford Ore