Variety (Jul 1936)

40 VARIETY NIGHT CLUBS Night Club Reviews WALDORF-ASTORIA (NEW YORK) The Hotel "Waldorf-Astoria's neat t>ut. not too gaudy Starlight roof is open, for the eummer season with Wayne King, the so-called waltz kins, making his New York debut. Despite that waltz billing. King dishes. up sprightly dansapatlon,; with the usual quota, of three-: quarter tempos, although some feared that the. radio waltz rep would prove a big detractor. The negative asffect is not without foun- dation*,- as Witness Abe Lyman's so-so season at a roadhouseIn N. T. last summer when the gross was spotty due to publlO mislmpression that Lyman's 'Waltz Time' pro- grams,for Phillips' Milk of Magne- sia was ditto on the dance floor. Ac- tually Lyman has always been given to sweetrhot music. " 1 IClng, however, seems to be bur- dened with no such economic mis- apprehensions because, business has been good. Of course the conserva- tive environment of a- Waldorf- Astoria is' an asset, for hotel and the cool and engaging roof garden ■ are natural aids. As a dance band, King's terp . music is much different from his waltzes- for the Lady Esther cos- metic programs on the ahv Essen-' tially King is a dance maestro, hav- ing dished up for Andrew Karzas at his Trianon and Aragon ball- rooms in Chicago for many years, before the' big radio break, . "The radio, however, has had an ameliorating effect King's sax- style dansapatlon Is sweet;, smooth, suave. It's reedy rather than brassy, yet can inspire to hoof.- It's essentially dulcet; and as such it's . a natch in a room like the Waldorf wherfr the diners may. talk through . t!ie music, rather than be. compelled to shout above it.. The Waldorf,' which usually fea turcs a name ballroom team and other specialists, has gone'.conserv- ative and Is keeping the nut down Ivtng niufcL draw or else. 1 There's, a relief band.- Basil Fo- moeh'$ which, however, doesn't start relieving until .10 p. m. That's a mistake, rurtlcularly on broadcast nights when King , hies down to a fourth floor studio within the Wal : dorf for his half hour on the. air. It stftrts at 8:30, which means King must leave the bandstand at 8:15, He's back on the stand, at 9:05 That's a lull of 60. minutes, Bans music. It's a mistake on. the part of the hotel not to. impress Fomeeh or'some other combo into substitute service. Otherwise, Rene Black, the maitre, hosts proficiently and..efficiently as ever. The- Waldorf has.added Gen- eral Lodljensky, of Hollywood- and recently back in N. Y.at the Rus. sian Eagle. room' of the Sherry " Netherlands as host during the . summer . season. Also from the- Sherry-Netherlands Russian room comes.-Raphael;, the; roly-poly con- .. certlna. playerwtiohi'Lucienne^Boyer- brought over.'- HeV .In the 'Palm room, - yclept ■;• a cocktail-. lounge, where no cc-uvert otftainsj. It might be a good idea-to bring forth. M. Raphael for a little concertinaizlng - just to break things up, and for a change of pace. Couvert $1.50. .and $2, latter on'Saturdays. * Abel. MAYFAIR CASINO (CLEVELAND) . Cleveland, June 80.. Dropping their policy of ; glrl-and nude "shows, Harry Propper and Mike Speclale are - shrewdly shoot- ing for top-notch name acts. Con- sidering . the 4,000,000 visitors ex - peijted to attend expo, backers of Mayfair Casino are confident of a gold-rush business that will gup ran tee some. record-high profits after : paying . off • high-priced : names like Harry Richman, . Promoters guessed right on Rich man.' It's the Broadway singer's : first visit in' six years since he played in 'Ziegfeld Follies* at legit • Ohio. There's a coincidence in.thet fact that the' Ohio wasY remodeled into the swank Mayfair theatre- casino; in fact, Richman sings from the same stage, but now to diners at terraced- tables. . Though somewhat of a stranger hereabouts,, he packed the 900 seated spot from the start. Audi ences of heavy-spenders are more responsive to him than anybody previous-this season. At the first show the Richman- personality, eWlngy voice and wit were in the greatest form, so much.,so that crowd wouldn't let him break away. • Natives are puritanical blue-noses In some respects, but star gets nvvay with murder very, gracefully as he ■ opens with a string of indigo cags. He has the art of cracking them with a tjisarmlng casual air. In one of the later performances, after having d minor spat wlt'i the management, Richman prove.d> he can be biting and prima-donnish at times. It seems that he was isked if he would mix around a bit be- tween shows for the.sake of .good- will. Singer showed,he was peeved by request by smart-cracking from stage about having to'- act as a hostess and once cutting a couple of his songs short. Argument was smoothed over later. Disregarding his off-night, he gave first-nighters more than their money's worth when he warmed up to his .piano-clowning bit.' His imitation of a ham pianist is a corker, seconded only by his sizzling parodies of 1 Can't Give Tou Any- thing But Love.' For a wind-up, his Cavalcade of Hits' is something to emember along with such finales as Ted Lewis' and Paul White- man's. It's a mystery why they have a line of 14 chorines put on a single dance, at the outset, although it 'does break the' Ice nicely besides giving the necesary femme touch. Florence Hln Low is an Oriental dance contortionist with plenty of double joints. Rodrigo and Frariclne follow up with a classy turn of ball- room-adagio work. In comparison with Richman, they are merely flU- 1ns who aren't.as conspicuous as Maury Cross' foand in the back- ground. For a.successor to Richman, Prop- per has ; George Olsen and Ethel Shutta tentatively signed for July 2, jumping here from the Coast. Backers' new policy that big names make big shows, during expo season Is also evidenced in-booking of Sophie Tucker for July 17 and Helen Morgan on July 31. With them on tap, for a $1.50 minimum week-days and a special $1 Sunday supper, the. Mayfair should do a landslide biz this summer. LARCHMONT CASINO . (LARCHMONT, N. Y.) The New Larchmont Casino on the Boston Post Road, at Larch mon£, N. Y„ is the old Casino rebuilt and enlarged. Capacity is some 700 inside and another 100 on the ter- races. It's a Unique roadhouse In that It's self-owned and operated by Jimmy Lunceford, heading, his crack colored band, in association with Harold Oxley. It parallels the sys tern when Ed Kirkeby and Arthur Hand controlled the California Ramblers- inn, also .in the Pelbam belt, some years ago, as a.perma nent.home for the then California Ramblers orchestra. ' A couple of years ago* when Glen Grey and the Casa Loma orchestra were coming along, Ed Doran controlled both the Glen Island Casino lease and had a piece of the band. The Lunceford- band at the Larchmont Casino not " only is mopping up the road in that neck of the woods, even cutting into Glen Island, but is doing that under un- usual circumstances. Apart from the bad weather breaks which all roa'dhouses around N. Y. have been experiencing, the Casino is Btill In complete. The opening night saw probably the most peculiar sight of any nitery opening: the customers Bitting around until the carpenters got- out and some of the debris was cleaned. VP-. The roof, in its third •Week, Is still incomplete. The win- dows aren't finished. ■ There isn't :a. dancefloor - down; just. the ordl nary pine flooring... , But that hasn't deterred business .nor-the kids' enthusiasm for the ; heated.. Lunceford rhythmolOgy, Those hoys, 'sure' give out. that dansapatlon, working 'em up into' a fever' with 'Star Dust' and 'Naga- saki' for the ...heated blow-off. The Luncefordltes' version of 'Old Nagi Is a classic in heated tempos, as orchestrated and as . performed They stop traffic, the kids just watching the musicians steam-it- iPUt- No other entertainment, just the .band; with Oxley as major domo and Peppy, who has been around in many a nitery and roadhouse, as the. maitre.. Dinner $2 and slow, the kids preferring to show up after 10 p.m. and pay their $1.50'• minimum just-to dance. It's ?2.50 minimum Saturdays. Abel. COLONY (PHILADELPHIA) Philadelphia,; June 26 ' Maybe it's a trend, maybe only passing fancy, but Phllly seems to be going for smaller, classier, more intimate spots these days. One of the newest tohang out the* shingle is Colony Club, on. 20th street, just Off Chestnut. • Location is trifle off center of town and undoubtedly misses some business on that score but 1 it is quieter and offers Jess raucous atmosphere for. those seek ing if. Adolph Marks,' vet nitery man about 'town, has the spot, which occupies-building once operated by Jack.Lynch.' In those days it was the Friars Club and, thinks to' pome juicy front-page raids. It was per haps the. most notorious of town's ■swank speaks of prohibition era. Colony, completely and hand somely done over, is a two-floor layout. Little to ground floor, but entry hall, check rooms and exceed- inly tasteful waiting, and reception room. Curving stauvway-mount's to center of, three rooms, where some form of entertainment is nearly al- ways going oh. Occasionally girl sinking or plunking casual'tune's on Swing Background More than two years ago, the Harlem musicians would exclaim, 'Swing! Gate!,' whenever enthused by an un- usual jazz rhapsody,' Or. the phrase, .'Listen to those cats swing!' was common parlance among the muslkers. - Jimmy Lunceford has an old Victor record called 'Swinging Uptown' which he made a couple of years ago, probably the first titular hookup of swing with a dance tune. ivories, or an Instrumental trio. Music is in mood of place. In front is dining room, done in cream color, wltft fireplace at one wall. That's' where they can grab a few drinks away from the bar or collect a tasty meal for $1:50 top. Rear room, done in black and red, with mirrors lining walls and sr..all tables around side, is mostly taken up by large bar. It's real center of Interest of place and, as Colony Is a lats spot, very active. ' ..- Having opened without ostenta- tion and not trying to crash popu- larity overnight, nitery is building following more slowly., than some. But It should arrive because It is attractive. Show, which is informal, Includes Lillian Dell, Bert ■■ Clemoux, Carol McKay, Barbara King, Rita Mannix and Rhythm Jesters,. . Hole. HOTEL ASTOR (NEW YORK) Hal Kemp's swell" dansapatlon, succeeding Rudy Vallee as the name band draw on the Hotel Astor's new Belvedere Roof, also Is sur rounded -by a much ^better show. For obvious reasons, the manage ment presumably hod to cheat on the trimmings during the Vallee engagement. Not that , Kemp's crack dance music Isn't' as satis factory. It has the further ad- vantage of an essential personality equation which was lacking dur ing Vallee's limited stay, due to the latter's personal bias against the idea of mixing wlth.the customers, Surrounding the Kemp band, in addition to Maxine Gray, vocalist, Bob Allen, barytone soloist, and Sadie Dowell, singing comedian, ail from within the orchestra organ! zation, are three acts. They are frank vaudeville t-ansplanted onto a hotel floor. Deucer is Selma Marlow, who opens 'Doln! the Prom' and then into a rumba taps. Roy Campbell's Royalists is. an NBC harmOny septet, three girls and four boys, draped around two, and later three mikes. They sell their pops to rousing returns, nota bly on "Plenty of Nuttin.' Opening Is the Bartell and Hurst adagio act, which splits up Its stuff into two sections, flnalelng with some sensational heaving of the girl by the three men. When act first starts It's- a threesome, but closes • in quartet formations, the girl being, catapulted, through the air with some highly effective hurtling from the arms of one partner to an other. '-' But like most roofs, the two prime draws here are the cool en- vironment and the dansapatlon,.and in- this instance the Astor delivers in spades. Couvert-is 76c. and $1 On Saturday. Dinner is table d'hote and the menu might stojid some closer attention : both on quality commensurate with the smart pace, now that the name band thing is a regular policy, and also on its di versity. Abel. HAUS VATERLAND (BERLIN) Berlin, June 19. Next to the Wintergarten prob- ably the best known entertainment spot In . Berlin. Haus Vaterland, with Its numerous cabarets, bars and restaurants under one roof, all catering to foreign tourists, has gone native by necessity. This ' unique and Interesting restaurant-theatre, erected some 10 years ago by the late Fred Kronau, who in the States produced such big vaudeville acts as 'The Boys in Blue,' etc., almost caused a panic on the local -stock exchange for a big film concern which was flnan-r cially-interested at the time and had to borrow $4,000,000 from Para- mount. This transact! on, put through by the late Sam Rachman, enables House Vaterland to carry On and spend vast amounts for pub- licity In foreign papers. Biz was big, yet not enough to pay for in- vestments. Enterprise is just one of those things that look mighty prosperous on the surface, but really Is a perpetual headaohe for the shareholders. Vaterland now has an 80, percent native clientele but just now'Is spec- ulating on the bl.g coin from the Olympic games,, like all the other night spots of Berlin, With the novelty of the ■ unique place a bit passe and heavy opposition from the Europa, almost opposite, Vater- land carries on with vaude In big type, having discarded Its own pro- ductions in revue style with line of girls. Pop prices bring the yokels from the sticks, here on a visit, marvelling at .those Grinzin Turkish Cafe, Wild West Bar, Palm Court, Japanese Tea Rooms,. Rhine Ter- race, Bavarian Beer Hall and what not, not forgetting the grandest sight, the hourly thunder storm over the Rhine, with rain and- brilliant, light effects. 'The World's LargeBt Entertainment House,'- as Vaterland modestly ballyhoos, Is, In effect, now a smalltime vaude-cabaret: restaurant. Current bill features the Five Sisters Ahrens In their copy of the Five Sisters Barrlson, with real live kitten and all, the act that by re- port was a sensation some 40 years ago. The Ahrens are ah enjoyable bunch of youngsters. Harry Steffien, conjurer, still does the egg bag, probably to be in time with the Ahrens Offering. He is a clever showman, eliciting many laughs. - Rolf Hatton, eccentric dancer,, at- tempts hoofing with comedy, and Fred van der Molen is a smart m.c. who, as a novelty, draws sketches of the acts he announces. Two Delmarcos do marvellous balancing and teeth acrobatics, while Steffi Bernert and Rolando have a nice Rhoenrad act interpo- lating with punching ball. HOTEL BILTMORE (Moonlit Terrace) . (NEW YORK) Russ Morgan's, sweet-hot music is back at the Biltmore, this time transplanted to the roof, after rather slow season in the Supper Room (grill), with a one-week hiatus for a personal at the Para mount theatre on Broadway. Unlike the grillroom (which, incidentally, seems to be a seasonal problem to the Biltmore management, since none but Whiteman made it pep up at all), the roof is doing a snappy biz; But then, a roof Is a natural in the summer, particularly in N. Y Morgan's • class dansapatlon is augmented by a- right, tight little show, the. outstanding feature of which is Boy Foy,. juve juggler on a unicycle who does amazing equillbrlstic stunts on the " norma and the elongated single-wheel Foy was' an outstanding click at this spot last season, and in be tween has been an added feature at the French Casino, N. T. Also returners to the Biltmore are Joe and Betty Lee, heralded as America's youngest ballroom danc ers. They are very juve. in their 'teens seemingly, but perform with professional eclat. With the crack Morgan band are Linda Lee, vocalizing pons at the mike, and Lewis Julian, ditto. The Blltmore's relief band is Joshka De Babary and his Hungarian g.vnsles Abel Guy Rennie emceeing at Club Es . quire, Los Angeles. Peggy Rlat and Three Swing Boys In floor show. . DES AMBASSADEURS (PARIS) Paris, June 19. Clifford C. Fischer' has put up a show atv the Ambassadeui's - Res- taurant which certainly is a credit to the establishment. All acts are on their first presentation in -Paris, except Chaz Chase, who was at the Alhambra a month or so. ago, and Chandra-Kail with' his two Irido- Maly dancers,'who had been at the Mogador theatre for two weeks pre viously. The Chandra-Kail turn is the weak-Jink-in the affair. The Miami Girls, a troupe of tall Americans, look cute, do not work pvermuch on their' dancing, but go over well, The Hlspanos and Delages of the Paris playboys began lining up at the- artists entrance the very first night, which is what Counts. Lola (ex-Grace Poggi) and Luis are both good looking and that al- ways helps. Since they changed their ballroom number ■ to a fiery Spanish dance, they have a good turn. Chaz Chase eats everything from lit matches to his own. sliirtfront and generally succeeds in getting everybody puzzled as to how he does It. Over big. Dolly Arden, however, gets the best hand. She lifts acrobatics clean out of their classi And it's graceful to watch, too. Her number reveals an amazing muscle-control and sense of balance and has a great climax in a series of forward turns done- without her hands touching the ground at all. Others are Juliana, a young toe spinner; Drena and his jazz, and the Canaro Tango orchestra. Jean. BLUE HEAVEN (LOS ANGELES) This Is the second pitch locally for Blue Heaven. Title may have been a lucky charm for Gene Austin on platters and sheets, but as a nitery lure it has yet to prove Its potency. First venture died on the vine. New spot on Beverly boulevard, hard by the better apartment dls trict, is a classy layout and may cut into some of the-gravy spread over the week at the^Wilshtre Bowl No couvert; and $1 minimum on food or beverage may give the den the stimulus it needs. Austin does his familiar routine, GROSVENOR HOUSE (LONDON) London, June 20. GrosVenor House has inaugurated a new policy of presenting big acts at its cabaret and dispensing with girls. This change-over commenced June 18| with only two acts, who consumed 40 minutes and seemed to satisfy the. customers. First turn- 1b Maryan Rawlcz and Walter Landauer, two male pianists who have been appearing at the Ritz hotel, where they attracted the attention of King Edward. They are artists and not fakers at Ivory tickling. They were picked up In' Vienna by Henry Sherek, and when he was over here Jules Stein wanted . them for New York. Just a little different- frOm other piano turns, Their repertoire -includes classical and popular numbers, their forte being perfect,synchronization. Tin>- ing is remarkable. in view of the fact they do not face one another. In most of their numbers, one plays the melody, while the other assists with accompaniment. This procedure is frequently alternated. An interesting thing, about this turn is that while playing at the ' Rltz they doubled at Elephant, and Castle and Mile End, which would be the equivalent of the lOwer East side of New - York, where they pleased the natives as much as they did at the ritzy Ritz. De- Marco's, with their extensive repertoire, ought to pull paying patronage for as long as they care to stay at the GrOsvenor. Theirs Is . a genuine and unmistakable success. Each of their seven dances Is heavily encored; Jolo. S. S. DELAWARE Fifth. Hudson river boat to go down the ways this season is the Delaware of the' Wilson Line. Fore- going the title of showboat, this one prefers the tag 'dance boat,' for which purpose, the line employs Andy Sannella's orchestra. Wilson tub takes a three hour trip up to Tappan Zee, above Yonkers,. and returns to the Battery and Jersey City. Usual $1 tariff. Entertainment ^consists of roam* ing accordionist; mobile troubadors, the orchestra, a half hour program of. short subjects and pin . ball games. Differing from otherc, there : is plenty of room. Press agent got around plenty and had the boat at' capacity on Inaugural trlp> About half paper but worth It. Films are shown on the top deck. Initial program comprised three- Universal shorts. Band performs smoothly. Marauding musicians are also of better grade. More bally- hoo to come later.when NBC picks up th&band twice weekly. Hanlon-tm-Merrick (ROCKVILLE CENTRE, L. I.) Alex Hanlon makes his "bow In the roadhouse - - biz • with this Merrick • Road /spot, doubling from his vaude-. vllle booking activities. ■ Spot wasn't entirely completed In decor by" opening night, but com- fortable, ■ nevertheless, and showing, high promise as an .intimate pop nitery for .the Rockville Centre resi- dents and the ' transients to and from the South Shore beacheB. Bob -Nelson, standard vaude comedian- and singer, Is the spot's chief entertainer, though opening night several guest turns did their stuff for the show biz crowd. Leo Stone, former child prodigy pianist in. vaude, is the main cog in a three- piece band that's hot and swlngy, Their- dansapatlon is plenty okay foi» the small room. "~ Milton Istrlck Is associated with Hanlon in the venture.. The plank* steak dinner with all the trimmings Is $1.50, and the liquor and wine prices are reasonable. Echo. piping the old standbys while fin- gering the keys. Also batpns eight- piece band and emcees a so-so floor show. Le Maires. ballroom terperfl, on for two standard numbers, hacked up on one of the turns by line of eight lookers who also work with Dorothy Ates. Blond daughter of stuttering Roscoe has a nice sell- ing personality, and puts over her chants with a sock. If spot catches on it will be be- cause of the Austin name. After the first few weeks it will have to make the grade on what it has to sell.. Food and drinks are scaled for a nabe play, which must be Its salvation. Frank Klllduff Is giving the grotto a strong bally and on the. opening drew a heavy picture play. Pic moo won't go overboard on the spot, due to the middle class clientele a will attract Lacks the exclusive-, ness of the Grove or Biltmore BoWi to give it that ultra aura. Den well laid out with accommo- dations for 400. Helm. Gene Austin opened his new Blue Heaven nitery (formerly Sherry a) Jin L, A.' Wednesday (24). Floor show Includes LaMares, Dorothy Ates and 20 Little Extra Gi«* Austin batons band of 10. Ralp» Hatch managing spot-