Variety (November 1963)

‘ . = ety . . . ee « wee . . oo. a ” ‘Beryl Davis; Davis & ‘Reese, Copa } . Girls (8), Cally. Dodd,. Rene Mar: |’ tell; ‘staged. by Doug Coudy;. Joseph | $6. 50-$7. 50° minimum. and Beryl. Davis, ‘a .trio of comely: ‘. in. Las: Vegas ‘and other western. ., spots. before venturing east.. Prior | . to. that, the. trio. had: attracted: con cordings. . . ‘Dancing Debutantes: (6 V5. : Gage Orch an); See ee ar eT ee TT A 9 A EF ay .. . a ’ 7 ’ : nica aac ~~ " _ . : _. *, : oa i" peer . . . = . 1? — . . ' . 8 . of say , woe . ” . oa ot . , . . woe » a . . . .. “Melaneholy. Baby”, These Days”, | Eyes”: and. Hh -Woman’s “Work Is "Wednesday, November. 65 1963 Copacabana, N.. Ye” ot Jane Russell; Connie. Haines & ‘Mele -Oreh, Frank Marit. Band; New. show’a at jules Podell’s 5 Copa} shapes as one of the most -enter-. ‘taining: -ones ‘put. together: here: in. some months.. Fact that it is-topped. by Jane Russell, Connie Haines. femmes with vocal chords to match,: goes far in -making’ it jell. They | broke in their. act. in ‘California |. early this summer ‘and later worked. siderable * attention with, their re-, . “Threesome had. ‘the ‘Gopa’ -érowd. in, the. palms_of:. their ‘respective: hands shortly after ‘they ‘started | .. their harmonizing. From ‘there they: build with individual ‘numbers, all. ‘well picked and put: over for-maxi-. mum. ‘returns. Miss. Haines; who |originally” sang -with. Harry. James. orch until she branched: out: as. a-} _Single, -tees off ‘these -individual ‘stints like ‘the youthful vet: she is... Perhaps tops is: her. “IBelieve,” .. which ‘projects. ‘her. skill in. ‘putting | “Jover.a tune. Again::with “Good. News Blues,” her fine enunciation |. . and. easyhandling. win her: playdits. ' Beryl Davis, . -willowy. ‘British. ‘blonde, ‘solos with ““Best’ Things. In Life Are Free” and “Make Some |. One Happy” to click’ solidly. :Miss | ‘Russell, who has: sung -in’ pictures |: with: Bob Hope and still ‘has. that |. ‘cinematic presence,. was a hit: with | her “‘Mack the. Knife” ‘and “Joshua Fit. the’ Battle of. .J ericho.”. Her “husky: contralto. ; matches herfab-| ulous. ‘figure. a? ‘These shapély ‘singers do best | ‘as a_ trio. with. “Vaya “Con. Dios, My Darling” and “Accentuate the | “-. Positive.” They finale with. “Do. “Lord: -Oh, DoLord,” ”. to terrific | response. | Pepper Davis & ‘Tony Reese « come. |! -up with several nifty one-lifiers, | -... Sight gags; energetic physical. num-. bers and. conclude ‘with a rousing. ‘gession on ‘the drums; finale’ being a. tapstering . stint . atop the two. drums.: Davis ‘is the more raucous. of the two. while Reese. plays: more ‘or less Straight. Pair are. energetic "workers: ‘and. -elean “up: here.. moe Production. numbers, swith Cally 13 Dodd and ‘Rene. “Martell leading | « “the vocals, are upto Copa standard. . Joseph Mele’ s orch plays the-show: dn’ -easy fashion _.and for . ‘patron. ‘terping, with. Frank Marti’ still the ‘relief. band: a Wear: : Cave. ‘Wanecouver -. -Nancouver, B:-C.; Oct: 29. Pearl Bailey. (Nick: Di. Maio, con-| ductor), ‘Wilda’ Taylor Trio; ‘Cave: Chris |: $2. 50. admission: In “her: first: Vancouver. “ritery | stint, “Pearl Bailey authoritatively oo ‘establishes. herself here as.a: highly: oan talented singer, .a superlative come-. . + dienne-entertainer: and a rare’ hu-|* man being.’ Her performance | over | a prodigious | 70-minute. route-is' vir-| _ one-woman’ -triumph “ of} > | -sheer entertainment. that wows. au-|: --ditors . with its. warmth, ‘versatility oe 7 (mission. ‘tually ‘a: and pure artistry. | Miss © Bailey . dispensés’ with the| tedious warm-up ‘gimmicks’ of’ the |. ‘trade to. get down.:to: work the mo-;{ music . ‘field. The. famed’. ‘Spanish: . Inent -.she. walks..onstage. From. ‘derivative: actually is an ethnic. art: then on. her routine,..often appar| ‘and Sabieas easily: ‘lives up to his *“ently” impromptu; .is: always pain-. billing asthe world’s greatest ex-. _ ‘into: “Matilda,””. interjecting. “Sing a Little Louder,” |. | ‘had a‘ redhot. win streak going for| | about \ four” months, -and judging from Keely Smith’s: jampacked: | opening *. night show. it’ looks’ to. “| continue. for..the: remaining ‘ three | ‘weeks. of :her engagement: .. Talerit. | consultant . Merriel -Abbott. -rates. kudos. for creative booking at’ this ‘spot’ and “Can: takea large part of | the. credit. — ‘number, “New. Shoes", ‘which “evol: | 4 -ves..into a hilariously. philosophic: AE monolog. . ‘such: that -her audience ‘is enthusi | astically. inyolved -all the way but = | active. participation includes. a:clos ing twist number on stage ‘that pulled ‘in local. concert. impresario Hugh ° Pickett : and =: ‘choreographer ‘Dean, .Reagan::on ‘show: caught .to ‘rock their. fellow ringsiders. Star. finally. ‘winds things ‘up: with. her. ‘trademarked ". “Bill Bailey”. : and ‘leaves © ’em . cheering and whistling 7 for more.: with male terp finesse, ‘Trio’s. closing “Let’s ‘Face. The. Music”. is.cleverly. execu| '.. ted, with precision kicking. of. ped: estals. a standout. ~ Dancing Debs’ opening’ produe-| | tion: number: is_brief,. . but:. house |’ line. “hardly. seems necessary: for this. outing: Chris Gage orch,: with} Neil: ‘Longton subbing for’ maestro. a {Gage on -piaho, turns in an “excel: | ‘lent ..backing -job . while Joe Free|: ‘man’s lighting is ‘another’. plus. for |" : the . Bailey package. ‘Show ‘is in fortwo weeks, “wii ‘Kartha‘Kitt. ‘due. Now. 7 .in. her. Vangouver debut. Shaw. ‘Harrah’s, Lake: ‘Tahoe “ v Lake -Tahoe;: Oct.. 25. Harry. Belafonte & Co.; Leighton: i Noble’ Orch (19);. "presented -by. ‘Robert: Vincent; produced by" Phil Stein. The Harry} ‘Belafonte show is off “ on: what looks like.a solid run at. ‘Harrah’s. Tahoe. Bélafonte. and the. men and six women in his company. have Played. to capacity. audiences to. date. Belafonte’ sings Six. ‘songs, includ‘ing his. “familiar “Good : “Morning. : Captain,” , “Kingston Town”. and “Matilda.” There. are. some new. folk’ times ‘and’. ‘ote .is of particular social: significance. Taken from an African. -seene, it ‘depicts: the. squalor | and. Four]. male dancefs,. “Six background late. voices;:. and: ‘Belafonte participate hopelessness’ ‘of . ’ yillagers.. in the number...” >. “The -production.is ‘a ‘complete ‘departure: from Belafonte’s, 1962 _presentation’ ‘at Harrah’s. The. stage is bare. ‘There are few: costume ; changes. The show’ space’ ‘is “ erisp: and: _ | varied in ‘content. Belafonte: ‘ranges | from: foot-stomping ‘Calypso, to.the’. sad folk song that is his trademark. Belafonte’ s wife | dances in the]: ae ‘show, appearing in three scenes.. He: ‘mentions her, .:-but: there is no}. ‘formal introduction’ to showgoers. ‘Audience : participation’ is fitted “with Belafonte “Now Just.the -Chorus,”’ and. “Now everybody. ‘sing with-me.”: = ford due: ‘in. Nov. 18. Troubadour. Las Los _Aigeles, Oct, 31.2 ‘Sobicas, ‘David Bernard, 2. ad stakingly ‘polished: and .she is «in ponent of. the flamenco guitar: ‘Command. ‘at -all: ‘times. straight . -and ~ covers. “Lady. Is: a Tramp”, “‘He’s Gone” ‘and:.“i ‘Left +'‘My.. Heart: in’ S.F.”, tastefully. ar .-Yanged by: batoneer Nick Di-Maio.. ' With “Please Don’t Talk About: Me When: I’m Gone”: comes ° thé: first: ‘touch: of the inimitable Pearlie Mae! comedy. -style” as she. brings: out ‘bassist * ‘Charles “Truck” Parham} and works tO: boffo response: It’s. an. infectious. mood and Miss: Bailey sticks to“it most of the. way, | ‘scoring -with : “Ageravating | Papa”, “Ma, He’ S Making “Never “Done”, parcelled_ out with | liberal. helpings . of “running -com-| ‘mentary and. sparkling ‘ad. libs. . In. ‘between’ ‘she. gets serious;: and * effectively so, to sing “Birth. of ‘the. Blues” and. “Without A Song”, em|-~:bellished by. -Lloyd ‘Phillips vat. the |. -"~ 88° and’ Angelo -Basagas ‘on. flute:: . Headliner. also gets. solid support, throughout from her other’ .side-: _man, brother-in-law ‘Tony Bellson | on... “drums.. Conductor... Di =. Maio doubles on trombone : and. plays}: . siralght man for: her top Jaugh ‘Booking should. prove | highly: Her . opening ‘set of ‘songs’ is; profitable and ‘greatly. Satisfying}. ‘to... the: aficionados: ‘of * -flamenco:: Sabicas* earlier appearances locally at the Casa. -Madrid and: as longtime ‘partner’ of dancer Car-. ‘men Amaya certainly | were. well ‘received.. A. quiet, , mildlooking, ‘little. man,he ‘plays .with ‘innate sensitivity: ‘music, | all ‘of its’ basically’ powerful... And he plays: the difficult-art. with: ease: ‘In. this ‘theatre-styled setting, . ‘Sabicas is. ‘presented as if ‘in con cert, each -of his tunes Jarfnounced. and translated. . ‘They: range : from: @ passionate : “Dance of the Gyp-. ‘sies” toa ‘Cuban: rhythm. flamenco: ‘and “Malaguena.” mo ‘considerable: appal on a group. of light songs. a Show is in. » through ‘Nov. 10: “D Potency. ‘of t the Bailey ‘magic ‘ts. Wilda : Taylor, a ‘Jong. stemmed a ‘blond, is ‘put together : neatly “arid |. ‘so is the. Earl Barton choreography ,* for her song and. dance routine | . partners Jack Harmon | | and ‘Walter Painter. Male .duo| . ‘|. bounces on.to: tune ‘of. “We “Met A: _ Wonderful Girl” and Miss Taylor | . takes it from: there. with. plenty ‘of 1 ‘Soft-sell closer. Also capable. are. her deliveries : ‘of “Sweetest. Sounds” and ““Breezing Along. With The Breeze.’ But ‘|+she seemed. a -bit ‘uneasy on her}: ““Eyeryday” opener’ and phrasing uncertainties. marred. her. ‘rendition | Jimmy ‘Durante and Peter Law: Flamenco: ‘goes: “peyond. ‘the “fork | Serious. His: guitar rings’ with. we -the Hilt. and bright: qualities. of the much .of. it -the.. fluttery. . sounds: that typify the field, yet | On. éarlier -is*. youthful singer | * ‘David: Bernard, who: pleases: with | equally sensitive: -vocal.. ‘delivery: ‘He ‘has.'a.: well trained: voice and ‘handles “himself © with: charm: and. ‘Marty ; ALLEN: ‘and ROSSI” "Guestarring| ED SULLIVAN show.| | ‘CBS-TV.: Sunday, . November 10. Latest . -Reprise_ Comedy “Exclusive Direction. ‘HARRY ADLER ... 8t West. 55th Laan 7283 New. York ~ Dine’s. ‘Lodge, L A. Los. Angeles, Nov.°1. has -returned..to the Dino’s scene ‘fora fortnight aftera four-year ‘absence. Although somewhat. lim-: ited-in vocal. equipment, she uses (what « she -has to advantage and ktiows how to sell a.song and. en-. tertain a. nitery. audience. Wholesome good: looks. and a‘winsome’ -personality: help Miss: Duncan to hurdle the tonal or tim-. ing irregularities ‘that -oceasionally ‘seep. into her: work. -Her set: of. seven selections alternates between showtunes ‘and pop. refrains, .romantic ballads and ditties with. a’ strong beat. Highlights of her. turn are.a. vivacious. “Loads. ‘Of ‘Lovely. Love,” dramatically ~: of “I ‘Believe In You” on. show caught. The customarily high standard of accompaniment and dinner mus ic’.is :maintained™ by. pianist, Jack Elton and. bassist J Jack Dale. 7 é ube. . ‘Palmer House; Chi: “Chicago;. ‘Oct.:.29.. “Keely, Smith, Half: ’ Bros., Ben Arden Orch; $3-$3.5¢ 50 cover. _ a The plush: “Empire ‘Room. ‘has However, ‘it is -also true that the Palmer‘ House: has had clear sail-|-. jing in. the area of signing top acts | sincé the. demise of the Club Gigi in the Sahara’ Inn. early: this. ‘year: ‘Competition: for both acts. and’ customers will get hotter. when the |’ {ren ‘is: ‘repeating itself at Mister Kelly’s—reservations: from as far as’ Cleveland and’. Detroit, a shriekingly . Chez Paree opens next month. | ‘Miss Smith gave.a topflight, per formance in-her Empire Room bow,. land. ‘that: magneticcurrent that ‘makes ‘for an. exciting evening ‘was | very ‘much -in ‘evidence. : However, it was alsoapparent: that she. was: :-a bit ill at ease in her preem show. Her: delivery: was sure-footed,. but’ |-her patter was a little stilted and at. one ‘point she blew up at ‘a ring-. sider. who turned his back: on her ; how: ° To get. another éavil‘out. ‘of the. “several of. : her: orchestral. ‘charts’: ¢and they are’ by some of ‘the best arrangers in the business) : way, are ‘somewhat. over-arranged. and “busy”: ‘and ‘tend to distract: from ‘the. purity’ of. her. voice:. The ‘band. charts. sometimes. sounded. like a concert: ‘going on. behiiid her’ in|. ‘stead © of supporting ‘her’ as. ‘they. | should.” “Towering ‘above. ‘these ‘minor ‘ob |: jections. are’ Miss. ‘Smith’s pungent. -vocalizing. and: charming . stage :de ‘meanor. She | haséhoseén a. first. rate songalog and -lets. her ‘tunes: -spéak for themselves,. minus “vocal. | gimmickry and. with just the: right at ‘amount of stage’ ‘‘business”’.. “While: she scored. with each’ of ‘| Strolters “Theatre-Club, ro We: | Bellwood, Alexandra : ‘Berlin, Fran“Album. | son: Trio: directors, ‘Peter “Cook, ‘| special material : by Kenneth Ty| Nan, Peter. Shaffer; John Brajne; Betsy ‘Duncan, Jack Elton, Jack. Dale; no. cover, no minimum: . Betsy ‘Duncan, who: lists ‘a. “io. | month: “engagement. at. this. spot | among. her performing: ‘credentials, ‘like wit that: makes his’ the personnel of the Establishment expressive “Make. The Man. ‘Love Me”: and!” Brotherhood ‘Of Man” winch is as ‘it ‘should: ‘be. HOF, _ NIGHT cLun REVIEWS 53. the 20 tunes in her 50-minute turn, many are particularly worthy of: mention, among. them her haunt_}ing handling of. “Misty”, .a plain-\tive a cappella rendition of “God. “| Bless This Child,’ abuoyant: ver|: | sion of “Gonna Build ‘A Mountain,”. ‘J a mellow. rendering of -““You're -No-| | body” and a. dramatic: handling of ! “I Wish. You: Love”: ot The Half. Bras:, » a ‘comedy. jug || gling. ‘team, are..engaging. curtain4 | raisers ‘and: ‘provide. the color and. _| action. to. balance off ;this show. | | Their accompanying talk never gets. in ‘the way: of. their deft: handling. of their ‘elubs,. hats and torches, and their stunt with a. participating -ringsider. is: strong. both comedical1 {ly and \in. -derring-do. While. the ‘| torch .toss .in’ a. darkened room is. |a juggling . ‘standard, it’ is“also a. ‘breathtaking routine that still pro: duces gasps. aa Mor. “The: Establishment: ‘with Peter cis: “Bethencoutt, : Roddy. Maude Bill. Francisco: “‘goriter, ‘Cook ‘with songs, . Stephan: Vinaver;: music, | Carl. Davis; costumes, Robert: Lead; | er; $4. 90 top: : Nobody's safe | in thé. 196364. edition. of “The: “Establishment. ”” The Peter Cook-John Krinisky ‘presen} | tation is a free-wheeling affair with | »1'a no-holds barred, nothing sacred attitude that hits. the. funnybone. mark with ‘an extraordinarily high ‘average considering the melange of: material .that’s: poured out™ ‘in the 90-minute romp. -Co-preducer Cook, who. wrote ‘most of the miaterial,; has a rapier‘beefs via: sharp and often: devasting. British Prime Ministers,: American ex-. ‘Presidents, ‘would-be ‘presidents, present. ‘President, brothers _ of President, the Empire’s Queen, the “Dragon. ‘Lady,’””: and even. Conrad ‘Hilton, fall -into| line when Cook,: his. scripting ‘aides, and: his acting troupe take over... Partisans of one’ or more of the ‘aforementioned. could possible take | |-offense. af some of the. ribs but. the -surrounding laughter should quickly. show. them the.: error of their: ways: The four. players in this. ‘tab ‘revue are excellent:in all respects. There is a madcap air about Rod| ay ‘Maude-Roxby © and: Peter Bellwood, a pomposity to: Francis Beth encourt | and. an ingenuousness. .to. ‘Alexandra ‘Berlin. that bring every‘thing -into -focus. for maximum. ef“| fect: The direction by Cook and | Bill. Francisco :is’ paced: for speed ‘and the Sketches, | songs flit by ata ‘happy gait. | of the blues and |: special material: groove, are :niftily | blackouts .and’ The songs, | handled . ‘by ‘€arole Simpson. with = ‘la: light jazz accomp: from Teddy | Wilson and ‘his boys. _ On_ the: “theatre” level, The ‘Strollers is offering tops in revue entertainment, . andKrimsky has ‘seen to it that it’s up there in the. “club”: area, too.:The groceries are. off:the top shelf and the roast beef ‘and Yorkshire. pudding specialty helps make everything very British, Gros. . “Mister Kelly’s,Chi. . Chicago, Oct.. 28: Rusty Warren, John Frigo. ‘Trio; $2. 50: cover. ‘The: -phenoména: of Rusty War responsive © opening night crowd ‘and SRO biz..( Actually; the: ‘standing: room. around the. bar was packed.) Her last gig at. (this spot broke... longstanding. re cords .sét: by. more. stellar-:names, ‘and. her-current engagement looks like-it. ‘will do’ ‘the. ‘same. ‘Miss . Warren’ s .seminar for the .sex-lorn: is’ essentially. unchanged from when.:she -last played here. If. ‘anything, ‘she. is more’ aggres | sively direct in her tales of venery, and her sexophobia. is a little more ‘rampant. While 55 minutes:.on the ‘Same:..very Dbasie. premise might |. ‘seem a little arduous, her. auditors called’. for more.” Miss. Warren is actually. a throw ‘back’ to an earlier school of purple . patter—that’ ‘of. the “-purleycue emcee, There's no: pretense at the ‘cerebral. imagery . of Lenny Bruce or even the sophisticated lechery. of. the -late Dwight: Fiske, no attempt. at. being -sly. and noplay for. the on''and takes. the: bull . ‘by ‘the: a Mor.. | subtlé ‘leer:. or snicker. She ap-}proaches her‘ subject matter head-. | keyed. and Tot’ showcases her as a. belter of t+ The orchestrations Meyers (he’s also musical con of song, gab and dance. ‘drawing enough biz so that “‘word-‘of-mouth should build before’ she ; heads. for New York. ; Zaniacs, which killed -vaude. they switch to brass instruments -and from there on climb to a swell Royal ‘Box, N.Y. . _Diahann Carroll & Co. (3); Enric ‘Madriguera Orch (12); -Al Conte. Trio; $6. preem cover, $455. regular. A lot of hands have pitched in ‘to eréate Diahann Carroll’s new night. club. act.. They’ve given it a ‘highly polished ‘glow that’s. slick and ‘Showmanly in all respects, In fact, ever “Movement and every phrase have been so well “pro-. duced” that. it often becomes too 'eool and calculated and misses the mark in establishing! a warm rapport between performer and audience. Phil Moore, who produced and. wrote the 'act,. doesn’t give her a chance ‘to ‘let. up during the 50 ‘minute tuyn. Everything is high dramatic and although: ‘persuasion. and force, ‘a lessening of tension in some of the numbers would have given the turn” an ‘easier flow... Everything else works though. by Warren ductor and. pianist), Peter Matz | and. Moore offer many opportuni-. ties for Miss Carro!l to display her’: highly-charged__ vacalistics; ‘the gowns by Bill Smith, Erie ‘Lund, Bill. Blass and Norman | Norell (she wears two a performance) drape: her frame wifh class heightens the. visual values. , The. songbag is a well-rounded package. that covers oldies like :“Goody-Goody” and newies like “Sweetest: Sounds,” from the “No Strings’”. Broadway musical in which she ‘starred. In the special material area there is a clever {wrapup of :“Show Me” from “My:: | Fair Lady”: as. it would be done if ‘an: all-Negro company had taken over the musical. Her major show-.‘piece is an Ethel Waters medley ‘which gives her a chancé to knock off.-such nifties as “Chance On Love,’” “Happiness Joe’ “and “Am T. Blue. Her closer was “Sleepin’ Bee;” which she introduced in Harold Arlen-Truman Capote musical “House of Flowers” about i0 years ago and some. warmth -began to seep through. The Enric: Madriguera ‘Orch ‘supplemented. by her own accompanists Paul. Palmieri (guitar) and: Winston Welch (drums) gave her a full-bodied musical support. The Madriguera group also supplied a. ‘Nice lilt for the terpsters as did the Al Conte Trio. Miss Carroll’s engagement isstill part of the booking pattern laid out by Claude ©, Phillipe, the Americana Hotel’s yeepee-managing director who resigned last: week.. ‘Phillipe’s schedule ‘also. ineludes Patachou, Pearl Bailey and -Ella Fitzgerald. Gres. | Chi Chi, Palm Snrings .Palm Springs, Calif., Nov. 2 “Yvonne. de. Carlo, Bramer & Leonard, Duke Art, Bill Alexan | der Orch; $2 cover. The ‘much traveled: Yvonne de | Carlo, with 38 picture credits to her name, settled down. for a nineday run at the Chi Chi Starlite Room with a smocth-running: act She is It is years. since Miss de, Carlo |stepped from Hollywood's Fan chon. & Marco dancing school into |: the late Florentine Gardens, but. | in later becoming an actress, even a comedienne, she has not forgot ten how to hoof. -Her flamenco. looks as if it had come right out. of. Madrid. instead . of Vancouver, -B.C., where she was born.. Hers is an act of. wide variety and nothing longer than’ a _teen ager’s skirt. For such a_ well } known star, she opens rather ‘cold. but gets the audience warmed up at.the end: with her. sexy. Spanish steps and singing of “Babalou.” Duke Art opens the bill with a ‘Sculptural mud-throwing routine. ‘In all, he does seven faces and moulds: his clay so fast one would think he does it by speedup. autoareas Nice novelty .act for a ni ' Art is followed by Bramer & Leonard who bill themselves as They open -with gags: But later finish. With the first half of their act. dumped, they would do okay anywhere, — . ‘Bill Alexander backs the ‘acts in good. form,. even Art’s mudology... Miss de Carlo heads for “To night”. show Ney.-10. BudcLes-. ter .and ‘Patrice ‘Wymore’ llow her..in here. _ Seul.. and the lighting by Feder — Rete