Variety (Jun 1935)

Wednesday, jHne^j,_1935 VABIEIY HOMIE REVIEWS MET, BOSTON (Continued from page 17) that raiae the routine well above the average groove. An unmistak- able click for thl3 smooth-working trio. Jack Seymour adds more dancing In the next spot with his excep- tional classy eccentric number in tux. They liked him. Then Novis and the Ballet, followed ,by Prosper and Merit, acrobats. Latter not just muscle-men, but different in their line. Keynnte of the act is smooth- less and nonchalance. Cleverly rou- tined, with an ancore bit that cinches. Harry Kalis'and house band do their usual good job in the back- ground—and going still further back, Bob Leicester's swell band drop rates a gardenia. Film: 'Lltlle Girl" (Fox), biz very oke. I'ox. CENTURY, BALTO Baltimore, May 31. With 'March of Time' an adjunct to current bill, stageshow ha.s pared to four frames. IDon Costello Co., which has the billed boy acting as intro'er and pacer and which pre- sents quartet of equally mixed midgets, opened strong. The little folk display talent, starting with the four doing a burlesked 'No, 1,000 Times' routine. One gal sprints oft for frock change and remaining trio try dreamy waltz that isn't much on routine, but plenty .novel. Other gal back for song and dance with Costello, then the alternate femme has the spot for a song into mike. Costello inclines the tall instrument down to her level so awkwardly thought susicests Itself it might be well to invest in a special small- size Job. Costello has a solo hoof- ing fling here, then the sawed-offs return en m,T.s3e for excellent shim- sham shake. Deuce. Sammy White, held every- thing. Very ably assisted by Bea Curtis' foiling during portion of act, he bounced out some blithe bandin- age and nailed 'em further when he got golnt^ into his wow solo ec- centric hoofing. One discordance was Introduotion near end of an- other of those mode fan-dance rou- tines that are downright vulgar. Very aged stuff around these parts, and certainly not needed In a turn of this type. Myrt and Marge next, to ovation from radio-reveling citizens. Run- ning quarter-hour, act meanders into all fields but acrobatics. As- aistlng are guys from ether serial. Clarence. Jack Arnold, Charlie and Gene. Boys sport some bizarre clothes. Arnold is much better than when last here as vaud single year ago. Gene aiul Charlie duet at one Jun'eTafe,"Tesult mild. ClarencB'-a bit too nanciflcd, which should be Immediately corrected; on air ha maintains niro b.nlance, but on stage f;ir overboard on wrong—and de- structive—side. Act has fairly thoughtful opening, though stretched to over-lengfh. Core consists of re-enacted bits that highlighted radio serial during past couple of years. Looked a bit silly, but ai)paronlly the large per- centage of audience remembered and liked. in fact, everything clicked i)rotty well regardless of actual merit. Myrt wrote act and .lome songs, nlso carries prime bur- den herself. Marge looks lovely, but has lltlle to do. Closing, IMdie Jackson, Irving & Roeve. Got a few cackles because of Irvlng's flair for ni.adcappery. Nice load of showmanship Injected. Reeve, a lonLi-Iogged lad, kicks ui) some dust with couple of hoofing efCorta, hut it la Irving who carries act, thoiigli .Jafltson is thrown up as beinc tlie kingpin. About all latter dors, aside from swatting Irv- ing Willi his liat <and feeding him chatter, is ti> sing a sob ballad about R'way. In T^allr) that angle has al- ways been bit vague. With plenty bulld-up friini hi.s partners. .Tack- son does t;i'i over with fast 'St. Louis Hhios' bawling. Gral)bed an iinneccssarv limv and worked in n limp iiiiiairi .-piol that didn't pre- rlscly InlUitc aiidionco's final esti- mate. .ScrecT) f.Mliiio. 'Indiscretion' Ci). .Also nrcaiilog l)y Iliuvey tnond Mid usual Metro flips, lild lir-l sliow, (ipcninc da v. Srhnrpcr. EARLE, PHILA. i'liilailolpliia, Jane ). Kirlc's bill tliis week Is notliing to .-ihool '■I'l' (in>worl<s about, with tho inaniii;iiiifMt probably figuring Marlene iJi-jlrich nan\e In 'Devil is a VVonian' will co.ax customers. Vaudovilli> iinrtiim of the tlucc-hour entci'laiiiiiK rit is short on b. o. names. .Sim-o the lilin got rajiiicd by the rrii l<s. nimho isn't likely to attrai t nm. h liiz on the week. \';)i!,b' .i!ic)-.v. entitled 'It's the Tops' in a I copy, opened with a fairly :i 11 i .'n I i\gardLM\ set. with tlie IJfl)'- H.inl Dancers (eleven gils), ih'-ss-.l in fluffy gowns and riii;liir<' h Us. d.iiu inc: to the nunilier '.St.ay .-^s'. .is \r\u Are.' Same ditty 1.1 bl'-d by an iiTii)ro- Ki-.uiitni'd -...ir.cr .and danced by tlic ( lev-f t'.iiri .'f I'l'lrli and Deaii- vllln (niJiri m l u.il). I/ifK^r did an ii' iiiiri iij), v.iili erf'^'''ive < iit- wheels and former a tap aolo. Both clicked nicely. Vic Oliver, m. c. and pianist who hasn't been here for a couple of seasons, on next. His gags went across better than most patter stuff of this kind and he was especially well received when working with blonde Ruth Ray, attractive dumb stooge. Oliver's piano playing, how- ever, done without too much kid- ding, was the highlight of his ap- pearance. Clever stunt was used to work into the next number. Miss Ray had a box, claimed to be television set. Says she wants to see lier favorite vaudeville performer and when asked who that is, replies 'John Fogarty.' . Lights out and Fogarty appears to sing with his rich baritone voice two medley numbers, first a col- lection of populars, including 'When I Grow too Old to Dream,' 'With- out a Song,' 'Life is a Song,' 'One Night of Love' and 'It's Love Alone.' Got a whale of a hand and reprised with a medley of 'dream songs,' also very well received. Accom- panist was Billy Colligan. Oliver then introduced Helen Honan, mimic, in what he an- nounced as her first Philiy appear- ance. She did the old ' standbys, starting with Zasu Pitts, and re- verting to her several times during the act. Also mimicked were Pen- ner, Garbo, Stepin Fetchit, Mae West, Laurel and Hardy and Chap- lin. Miss Honan looked nice and worked hard, but didn't seem to measure up to some of the numer- ous recent imitators here. Her number ended with a short dance. Line gals on next for another dance, working in sequin-studded brassieres and trunks and using ostrich fans at the start. Fair. Large and Morgner appeared next and this pair of one-legged acro- bats had the audience first gasping and then enthusiastic. A jump over four chairs by one of the solo-leg pair to land and balance on his recumbent partner's upraised hands was a corking climax. Oliver then appeared again, this time with a violin. He kidded more than in introducing his piano solo, but finally rendered 'Roses of Plcardy' seriously and well. To conclude, the Babe Barri dancers did a capable Continental, with Petch and Deauville and the in- evitable crooner re-appearing to bring down the final curtain. Overture, direction of Joe Milekof, consisted of selections from 'In Caliente.' Waters. ORPHEUM, MPLS. Minneapolis, May 30. They're trusting to the name and fiddling skill of Rubinoft, but ad- verse factors, including unfavorable weather, tax payment time and sliding general biz, are operating to slap down the gross. Reception for Cantor's ex-fall-guy and his music at each performance makes It ap- parent he's the draw for whatever turn-out is in evidence and that his name has the power to attract. Outside of Rubinoff, the show holds absolutely nothing on stage or screen to pull customers, screen offering, 'Traveling Saleslady,' be- ing just an ordinary programmer, and the other four vaudeville acts rating as undistinguished. So that, even though a tremendous exploita- tion campaign centered on the head- liner as a former Minneapolitan re- turning triumphantly, hasn't spelled lirosperit.v. circumstances certainly are extenuating. The Honey Family, four boys and three girls, catapult up through the air, witli the aid of a spring board, into a chair hold aloft on the shoul- ders of one of the men, who is perched high atop another of the fierformers. .Stiint.s are thrilling, if not all new, and the .let gets away with the opening spot okeh. Dcmarest it .Sibley are mildly ac- ceptable deucers, mixing comedy !uul music. Man, a pianist, uses a comic make-up and, with Miss .Sib- ley's help, essays a bit of gagging and clowning that evoke a few ohucklCM. Miss Sibley, who has a lileasiiig por.sonality and wears a couple of stunning gowns, finishes with a bit of serious singing. Jl.illiooin and too dancing are (lone with class and grace by the ChrisU iis(?ns, two young women and a pair of youths. Act concludes with a series of difficult spins. In tlie next-to-shut spot. Mills, Kirk ,111(1 Howard, trio of male comedians, slap-slick their way to some laughs. Hlueness tinges some of their gags and business and their singing and (lancing are nothing to write home about; but they land pretty hard on tlie funny bone with a group of inijiersonations via Ihe hut route. Rubinoff, working In one as a single. III a smash closing. He aji- parenlly gives the sort of music tliat they cat up, heavy returns .greeliPK each number. He opens with a seml-classlcal 'I'aissian Dance,' then drops Into Jazz tbal inc-cts acclaim. After a bit of gig- ging anent f'anlor, through th'' inilte. he winds up with sure-rire .ariaiiu'i'inonts of 'The Isle of Caiiri' and '.-^wcft Mystery of Life.' In addilion to the f'/alure. Ihe scrof^n jiortion also Inclu'le.s I'ailie Ne ws .md several short siibji c's — ploiily of show, agiin. for 'IC'- !oi). .■\ lir.-.lit crowd at Ihe laie afiTnoon .piM-foiniance c'UJgbl. lt''H. STATE, N. Y. House rarely plays a first run feature. This week It haa one, 'Murder In the Fleet* (MG). To- gether with what's offered from the stage it, provided a three-hour ses- sion here that's a blues-killer of good measure. Show includes a comedy short. 'Treasure Blues' (Roach-MG). Three good laugh acts are on the six-act vaudeville bill, headlined by and including Block and Sully. Two others are the swell comedy act of Cookie Bowers and the slapstick trio of Young, Worth and Wyle. A flash. Youthful Rhythms; the perch-trapeze turn of France and LaPell and Al Stegal's latest song- stress find, Carolyn Marsh (New Acts), fills out what becomes a stronger than average State ros- trum display. The Block and Sully team, a top- notch act, works at something of a disadvantage following Bowers whose Imitations and character pantomimes are something to fol- low. Bowers on Friday night rated the best applause entry, go- ing across with terrific punch virtually all of tho way. His character of a man getting up in the morning Is stout for laughs but panto of a woman undressing to go to bed tops that and closes him powerfully. Bowers' act differs greatly in comedy design to that of Block and Sully but latter fol- lowing him in next to shut, are naturally handicapped with the audience limp from the act ahead. Block-Sully twain Is In fine trim with clickful material and show- manship that has always mtide pair a vital asset. Eve Sully nearly killed one gag but Jesse Block laughed it oft at the Friday night's performance grabbed and nothing serious happened. The gag (about th^ dog lifting his leg to kick) could as well bei dropped; it's old and motheaten. Team la doing a number done In 'Kid Millions' (UA) as a closer. Young-Worth-Wyle slaps and fails trio are spotted No. 2, good slot for the act. Lads can dance but they give the audience only a fiash of their ability in this direc- tion, a mistake since the slapstick stuff is mostly old and by now tiresome to the average audience. They do It up well, however, tak- ing a lotta slick falls. Al Siegal and Carolyn Marsh third, an 11-minute act. Miss Marsh has an appealing voice but diction is not always what might be desired and the efforts to im- prove on 'Lullaby of Broadway' prove abortive^ plus which the or- chestra Friday eve was up eo forte things were made worse. Miss Marsh has personality and looks. Closer, Youthful Rhythms, Is a six-pcoplo dance offering ,ln which a boy and girl tearh Is outstanding in their tap work, runner-up for honors being lad who sings and plays the guitar. Opener, France and LaPell, okay perch-trapeze act but very theatrical and posey. Biz good Friday night Char. FOX, PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia, June 1. Moderate entertainment was the consensus of opinion on this week's stage show at the Fox. 'Pampas Moon' pic bowed in Decoration Day, but the stage show didn't change until Friday. The nine members of the 'Con- tinental Varieties' unit were on a full stage with rising of curtain, setting representing cafe with en- tertainers seated at tables. Set it- self, although a bit garish, got a hand from an audience much more demonstrative than usual Friday afternoon crowds at this house. [Shirley Gordon started things with a dance on roller skates, okay but not notable, Paul Miller fol- lowed with a couple of semi-classi- cal pieces on his mouth-organ, to mild applause. Johnny Convey went through facial and oral con- tortions much on the order of Joe I'cnncr when, consciously or not, he seemed to be Imitating. A fair reception was given his numbers, miked as 'comedy novelty songs' hut liretty flat and silly. Winstead Trio (two men and a i?al) and introduced also as 'thro'; southerner.s' followed with two songs, 'It's An Old Southern Cus- tom' and 'Believe It, Beloved.' A. noisy vocal act, but, Judging by the response, they appeared to get their songs across. Denning Slaters, high- l;icking dancers working in uni.son. .40t as sincere reception as any yet i;lven. Convey then came down to tho foots again, this time working with Kowcena, eccentric comedienne wlio delivered a wild number about a 'Chiropractor's Daughter' and ended with a 'hot' dance which called tor plenty of flesh shaking. 'I'hat ended the 'Continental Varlelie.s' part. Next v/as Robert Wfode, concert baritone, v/ho sam; "I'hine Alone,' scored solidly for Koll on, (,'ovcrpd Wagon,' and ended o.v(.ellenlly with 'Tell Me That Von I.ijvo Me To-night," part of whirli lie was almost crooning. Huddy Rich, one of the many who piay I lines on liie (jack.i <rt <1i>i.Ii.t, i^ot his best returns via a tap danc •vitli some, clog feature,"!. His dance loiitine was smooth. T'lnlh on a bill that wan str.Tnt; in quantity if not quality, was the featured attraction, A^mlda^ This attractive miss, who has had her fling at both legit and screen, started with a Castanet dance and Spanish song, Then she went into the real meat of her offering—imita- tions or, as she insisted on calling them, 'impressions.' She did Del Rio in 'Plying Down to Rio' (not distinguished), Dietrich singing 'Falling in Love' (rather good) and Lupe Velez, Ended her act with what she called 'Bull Fight Dance' and finally 'La Cucaracha," which was about best, Armida, although easy to look at, giggles at her own lines too much and, on the .whole, gave a disconcerting impression of affectation and posing. Show concluded with the Foiir Trojans whose somersaulting and acrobatics were speedy and well presented. Feature of the bill w'as the short- ness of all the contributing num- bers. That was a good thing, as much of the talent was no more than average. Speeding of the tempo helped hide the deficiencies. Waters. ALVIN, PITT. Pittsburgh, May 30. Current layout has been turned almost completely Into one of those hooray-welcome home things for Johnny Perkins, 275-lb. comic who served as Alvln m.c. sixteen weeks last fall. Deluxe movie house his- tory of Pittsburgh seems to be a series of farewells and goody-goody- he's-.home-again apron Interlbcu- ters. No doubt that Perkins has quite a following, but he seems to take unfair advantage, milking the mob dry at every opportunity. Not Just for himself, but for the other turns and even individual members of the pit crew. Too much flag-waving Interferes with what might otherwise have been a brisk and flashy presenta- tion. Perkins is back for only a week, stopping over between vaude hops. Hail-hail for the returning m.c. begins at the end of Bernle Arm- strong's songfest, when organist parodies a chorus of 'There's a Tav- ern in the Town,' with lyrics cheer- ing the 'bundle of sunshine who makes everybody happy and gay' without naming him. At the end, the spot catches Perkins In the ork pit and he makes the usual speech, voices greetings all around and then takes the baton for a Jazz session with the boys. After he's Whitemancd it for 10 minutes, chorus comes on in cute shorts for a number that-winds up- in another of those phosphorescent displays, with gals weaving the bright sticks. They're followed by' Gray ensemble, one boy and four temmes, who warble a bit, but con- centrate chiefly on hoofing. Foot- work okay and a good-looking turn that delivers. Terrell and Fawcett, acros, have some neat tricks that a little more showmanship would improve. Per- kins comes on near the end and in- dulges in some hoke stuff with them that his poundage makes as ludi- crous as It's meant to be. Maxellos started the fad of spinning m.c.'s around and most of tho boys are doing the same thing now when there's a permanent house fixture available. It does 'em a lot of good and doesn't hurt the m.c, either. Production number, featuring Pat Haley and Armida Wardcil, drafted from the line, has Haley warbling Jolson's 'Quarter to Nine' while the gal does a dance bit with the chorus, all of them decked out In tuxes. It's a nice flash and Perkins had the customers bruising their palms as much for the Wardell lass as they would have for Marilyn Miller in her hcy-dey. Kirk antl Lawrence are on next with their rodeo novelty, getting over solidly, and, for closing turn, rerklns brings on his singing pro- tege, Ruth Petty. .She has a swell vocal delivery, sells her numbers in .'\-l fashion, liut stern makc-iip jol) makes her look a bit more h.-irdtned iliaii she should. Rotund m.c. Is on ajraln in the middle of her turn, ex- changing aiicienL gags, and the two f'.nisli In front of the lino. Midway in iiroceedings, I'frkins .'ilso delivers a song on his own, '.My Wife's First Husband,' which he iuis done here before. ricLure Is 'I'amrias Moon' (Kox) .and house was wnW llllcd at early Decoration Day show. Coltr'n. Sundays in Ala, Birmingham, June 4. Sunday shows In towns with a I)(>pula.llon of more than 5,000 may be legalized if the Lusk bill now |)('ii(lirig before llic legi'sl.ature is ''I)as.sed. Last weeic the judici.ary commitloo of the house gave Its ap- Ijiova). I'ncler the present law Kun- d.ny shows arc restricted to town.s of more than 21.000. This Includes only about a half dozen towns. Th'? I>usk bIM provides that where 1 comiriunily dor.'s not want .Sunday shows an'election may be Called by. circul.aling petitions among voters. VARIETY 2i HIP, BALTIMORE I Baltimore, May 31. Brief, fast, tight-webbed four-act llne-up this week. Started with a rapid skating by Earle, Jack & Betty, Not even a momentary let- up all the way, displayed all smart and coiiple of smashing stunts, tops among which could be shunted back from mid-way position It now occu- pies to more sock spotting near finale. Reilly & Comfort deuced and got over o.k. One at p' '.no, other stand- ing for some harmony of current and recent pop songs. Both tenors, they alternate dueling with turn- about soloing. Just a shade of humor occasionally inserted, and some action just when act thirsts tor It badly—near close when they shake the shoes through shore dance. Aren't much at hoofing, but fake and laugh way nicely. Sammy Cohen on next and In- gratiating. Not terrific, but soundly scoring with several sorts of mad- cap maneuvers. He might cut down a bit on repetitive moments early in act. Doris Roache enters on the back stretch, and sings a couple of songs, nicely alternated with few acrobatic capers unlimbered. by Cohen. Sock headllner could have really taken this bill to town had one been on the books to handle spot follow- ing Cohen, but since there was none, the excellent turn of Maurice Col- leano and Family closed with a bang. Two tall brunettes supply diversion 'tween the billed gent'a antics. First does high-kicks, other swims on later and scores with a hip-wave to strains of 'Bolero' and tops It off with few fine contortlve curls of the chassis. Maurice shook 'em off their hands with aero hoofing, monkeyshining with two brothers on teeter-board, and the closer when he steps out In red fright wig and sleazy ballet skirt for a heavily ovatloned burlesk of $. seml-classic balloon dance part- nered by one of the boys. On screen, 'Curious Bride' (WB), Pathe clips, and two-reel Radio comedy. Biz brutal second .show Friday. Scharper, ROME-DURKEE WARFARE GOES ON DESPITE COURT Baltimore, June 4. In Circuit Court here last week Judge J. Frank Supples upheld th» ordinance authorizing erection of an 1,800-scat nabe by Durkee Enter- prises on site out in northwest suburb of burg. Injunction against the muni,etpal;i>rilinance;;-wh{ch was denied by Judge Supplee, had been filed by Gwynn Amusement Co., controlled by Lou Rome interests. Durkee operates largest string of nabes here; Rome organization runs second largest. Fight, in dif- ferent phases, has been waging for 18 months. It is certain Romp will appeal the decision. Virtually as- sured battle will keep going till all courts have been exhausted right up to Supreme Court of State. At rate of usual procedure that would take nearly a year, but would bie well worth-while to the Roma faction. They operate the very succcs.sful Gwynn tlicatre, located right across street from .site upon which Durkee Is prepared to build a house that will have three times seating capacity of the Gwyna. Longer the fight lasts, longer th» Gwynn can sprint along with no nearby opposish. Ground for the contested new theatre has been broken, and Durkee may start building im- mediately. In that event and If hoti.se is erected and a higher court hands down reversal of Circuit Court's decision, building would have to be wrecked. Building *49er Camps For Metro's 'Joaquin* Hollywood, June 4. Metro will construct replicas of several mining camps of gold rush (Lays in .Sonoi-.a County for 'I Am Jo.afjuin,' starting this month. Pic- ture will be under production wing of I'hil GoldsLone, with William Wellman directing. Company lias a crew of 30 car- penters, painters and other workers in Sonora constructing the first mining town location. Downs Lenser Rep Charles Downs- has been n.amed acting business representative of Internation.al Photographers, Local 044, I.A.T.S.l';. and M.P.M.O., tak- ing iilacc left vacant by rcsignatiori (it O. V. .fohnson. Designation made by liresiiii-nl, iJowns will Jiold oifice until ex- ecutive ho.ard meets, probably this Wf-r-k.