Variety (Jun 1938)

46. VARIETY VARIETY HOtfSE REVIEWS We<lnos(lajr, June 8, IQ'SB MUSIC HALL, N. Y. .Viold Philo, JViiia W/Mtniey, Leoii Fokine, Carlos Peterson,' Florence Rogge Ballet, Pork & Clifford, Rob- ert Weede, . Glee Chib, Rockeitesi Richard Leitieri. iM. H. Symph, Emo Rupee c6nducting; 'Vivacious tadj/' (RKO), tcviewed in Variety, Mayi. Present stage' show at the usic Hall is a trifle topheavy on dancing familiar to the late 1860's. ther- wise, it measures up. Entertainment is away from usual pattern in' that, it boasts a strong' itianrbalance act and oiTers the Rockettes in, ati e'y- tended, inspiring inilitary drill (ho dancing).' Routine is one of most elatrarate and best seen here. Stage presentation concentrates on Russell Markert's production; The 19th Century,' and 'Revue Militaire,' by the Roclcettes. Former opens with typical: drawing room sceitfr ol the 1800's, giving- Viola Philo, soprano, chance to sing 'Liebeswalzer.' Does, it well, but it's possibly too long, . . Carrying out the same 19th cen- tury motif, ballet toe dancers run rampant in .The Flirt,' a conceit built aroiinil. the idea that a school- girl is rting with all available males at an English 'resort 'AH of which. ofTefs an opportunity , for Nina Whitney, Leon Fokine and Carlos Peterson to display their nro: pensities as ballet artists. La VThil- ney deserves laurels for untiring, graceful efforts ind ability, :to make something from an inane plot, idea Whale scene Is ' well staged^ , has colorful costuming and deft direc tjon. Drawback to. ttie whole thing are the dresses worn, preclude modicum of action. Park and GliiTbrd, gymnasts, are simpl/.'biiled as 'Herculean Efforts,' Yet the young athletes wrap the audience, around their muscular arms witH the ease by which they swiftly traivel through a series' of strong-man and accurate balancing feats.. On first, for a clowning rou? tine of old type acrobats.. Reappear in trim gladiator garbs. Two have: a back leg. lifting trick that makes a rousing, climax. 'Sea Rovers' scene brings oh the M. H. Glee Club and Robert Weede for a group of songs concerning getting 'Down to;. Rio.' . Siatisfying, as doiie, in typical sailor outflts. This brings . on , the Rockettes, dressed in white, and.light blue, with white tights . and pom-pon mili- tary hats'.. Work their military pre- cision marching initially on four dif- ferent levels, marching ' in unison down three platforms .set on- stage. The dances (drills) are credited to Gene Snyder, Tschaikowskiana,' an overture arranged by Emb.Rajjee, director of. the M. H. Symphony,' contains por- tions of Tschaikowsky's -better known works,-includiiig the familiar '1812 Overture/ Runs about IS min- utes—possibly too long-rbut okay for music-lovers. Richard Leibert. at (he organ,, also included in the show. Biz okay for Monday (S) night. Weor. STATE-LAKE, GHI Chicago, June S. Sally Rand, Trazee Sisters: Bob £a$toii & Odette, Smith with Rogers & Eddy. Emil & Evelyn, Sweet hearts, Oorothy King; 'Latii .0/ the Uiiderworld' (RKO). and works out for a good-share of laughs, especially for a family time audience. Line in for three good ro.ullncs, wilh.Dorothy King leading tile. Open- ing number with a Russian specialty; Business excellent at the last show Friday l3>. GoJd. Embassy Newsreel, N. Y. Generally ordinary bill this week. Suiters, from that .ever-growing newsreel complaint of too much pub- licity stuff and 'not enough ne'ws^ Ballyhoo: shots of baby, parades army maneuvers, patriotic ceremo- nies, political harangues, battling beauty gags, etc., were aged pump- kins the day they were originated. They're obviously fakes and make newsreel fustian. However, a f«w clips are genuine and vivid. Paramount'reels , on the Levine.and.Cash kidnapihgs are grim aiid compelling, though: devoid of ac- tion. Flag Day at Annapolis (MG) is an ancient and so is the Chicago national guard sham battle by the same company. Paramounfs, French battle fleet .maneuvers are at least pictorially arresting and the baby hippo clip, by the same company, is like all animal stuff — dependable. Par's and'Pathe's. dog show are old- ■ies. however. Striking shots are contained.in air- plane clips from Paramount and Pat , .but the gem of the bill Is a Universal contribution, Congressman d'Cohhell's ousting from Jersey City oh Hague orders. Other food bits are Pathe's clip of the Racine, Wis.r hailstorm effect, Pathe's shots of the discovery of an artesian well on Lloyd George's Wales farm. Par's ABC, PARIS MeKican revolt. Fox's' Lew. Gehrig playing two thousandth-, straight game, Metro's roller-skating derby (with what looks like a staged mass sjpill) and Metro's, motorcycle races. Lew Lehr manages to inject a lit- tle fun. into the fast-fading sweep- stakes winners routine, biit Fox of- fers a tew stale ones. Civil war vets at Gettysburg, arid G.A.R. vets "pa- rading.- Metro tries to unload -a staged one of' Czechoslovaklan jtirls exercising while wearing gas masks and Universal oiffers that old chest- nut, the most beautiful model. Rest of the bill is routine. Ifobc. CAPITOL, WASH. Five years ago Sally Rand's fan dance at the World's Fair here turned out to be one of Chicago's ads. This, week Miss Rand is back and still, boxofflce, With fans and bul>l>1e, Miss Rand lias replaced most of her pop music with serrii-cla.ssical accompaniment. But the fan routine hasn't changed since she hrst broke it in here. Besides doing business for the hou.se and giving the fans what they came for. Miss Rand- is on for a flnarlc singing-stalking bit, in whibh. with the chorus line, she drinks a flc'ura- tive tnast to the audieiice for liking tlie show. From a. recent date at the Chei j heavyweight diva, Paree come the Fraiee Sislprs to di) their ultra-modern warbling. Songs, with , their special arrangemcnU .and build-ups. almost obscure the ori i- nal melodies, but they have a, force:^ ful style that satisfies. Appearance help's, loo. Old-time vaudeville makes lip the remainder of the bill, much of: it • Washington, Jtine S. Barney Rajpip's Orch, Phil Lainp- kin's house ■ brch, Eninia ■ Calvert, Three Ha'V'ards, Anne Evans, Simni/ Rice,-Robert Freimd, tleanor Ten- nis. Rwbw Wright, Wilfred Smith, Bob Hall; 'Kidnapped' (20th). 'Opera vs. :Jazz' revue i>eing staged at lowest' nut house has managed in tnonths. First show by house direc- tor. Charlie Xurtzmah is being stamped as proAtable idea. Opera end is in hands of house pit band and local sloigers, latter picked up for .peanuts, whereas jazz is . pur- veyed by Barney iRapp's imported orchestra. > Actual doings^ however, are- unbalanced, Localites all have excellent voices, but sticking 'em in conventional opera, garb aiid sand- wiching 'em • between time-tested vaude stvmts calls for considerably more showms^hship. Even so, 'Vcsli^ la Guibba' clicked be.st when caii.i^ht. Through banking both Rapp's and Phil Lampkin's house orchestras side by side on . stage, revue has elTcctiye setting, with each workini^ forward on movable platform with .spots lighting each during its Tiumbcrs. Prologue, with 'Spirit of Opera' and 'Spirit of Jazz' debating rcspcclive merits, and deciding: to stage contest, establishes idea well. Show opens with two bands alter- naling, Lanlpkin does the operatic m.c.'in£! and Rapp the jazz and v;uide end. bpera gets the.first crack with Emma Calvert, .supported by chorus of four men and two women In cos- tume, getting by adequately on 'Habanera,' from 'Carmen.', Janz gels underway with' Rapp's Bill Smith crooning 'At a Perfume. Counter.' Rapp brings on Three Harvards,. who win the aud with Indian clubs and standard palter. Lampkin intro- duces Aline- Evans, who .overcome': .snickers at fact that she is typic.il by wraopihg Paris, Afay 31. ■.. Rentier <£: Mackey with Houston, Stello. Paul- Bernv, Max Revo, & Benoiie - Uah, .Four Wilkj/s, -Paul Mdriiiier, L-ucienne & Ashour, N.adia Dauty, Avila' & Nile with Dany Claire, . Wciner & .Doucct, Daniel Clerice, ,Lucienne Boyer, Lionel Cii: zaux's house orch. Mile.. Lilo. Mitty Goidin. has stepped up a notch from last week and rounded uj) a bill that should: pull better than usual. It has plenty of variety, most of the acts are of the better class. and names are in siilflciency, Goldih's is still only big- house in town run riing: straight vaude. Americans are on shy side; there, is only one Yank act,-. Luciepne Boyer, appearing here for firjit time in two years, tops the list. .. ' .. The Yanks—Rehner, Mackey and Houston, two ■ men tihd womin 'col-' or tapsters^set things off with a bang. Tapping doesn't usually, click with French, but applause they get is plenty .okay. Stello slows thln.gs down a bit- tirying to get audience to joiii him . singing, popular drinking songs. . He's- a cafe singer with a rowdy baritone that fits his tunes, but is out of place here-. . Paul Berny Is-a.top juggler writh a nice quota of comedy.- He opens with tennis' racquet: and balls, does some flashy work with. Indian-clubs.' and winds up with a'ssortnient of balls frOih one inch to a'foot in diam- eter, It's all smoothly done for good returns.. .Max Revol arid Benoite Lab are practically a show in them-, selves. They do a' drunken skit without lines, which gets fair amount of laughs. She does some fair sing- ing, followed by slapstick, dancing by, both. ' None of it is topllhe. work, but. they catch well. The Four Wilkys, acrobats, have been seen frequently in Paris; but they still pull okay. . Femifie- is- a looker,' which helps act a lot. Tin-ri has . been speeded up since' last seen, but- there is still room, foi* more stunts.. AH they do is throW the girl back'ahd forth. Paul Mdrinier is one of the oldest of the old-tlDlers. But he hasn't for- ^iolten what showmanship:is ih-put- titic over- poetry. He: warms house ris:ht away with a quiet humor in his rhymes. Not a top line act, but good on any program here. Lucienhe and Ashour. doubling at the Restaurant des. Arhbassadeurs, turii, the adagio around. She's bigger than he and has little, trouble tossing him about. Act is plenty rough, and oddity help's them into .a good pull.' Nadia Dauty closes first half with a variety of songs that collect duke- slappihg by the gross.' Il's her flr.st apnearance in vaude after her debut last year at the Opera-Comtque. She handles comedy, suggestive and sen- timental stuff with conriplete ease in a good contralto.. Avila. and Nile ooen second, division with novelty dances and songs. The.v sing while fhe.v arc. dancing or dance while Dany Claire pipes in a .nice but sUshtly weak soprano. . They have some, good laughs in :their lyrics, ai-id: their stepping rakes them an okay hand. Wiener and Eioucet click with duet ivory tickling. Most of their selec- tions -pre semi-classical., Imitatibris of Daniel .Clerice are unique, in that he imitates artists seldom imitated. They are all French stars, and in hi.s search to find artists- rarely Imitated he doe."! some not too well-known one.s. whicli doesn't help any. On the ivholc.he is well like, however. ■Mile. Bover is an'old favorite here arid doe.sn'.t fail to cash in on her Donularity. One more song and her welcome would have been cn"iDlele- Iv worn'nut when caU9hf. There is Dienty of varietv in, the son"s she sin"s though, and she knows how to out them, over. A slrin? auartet on st?"- vi«h her takes care of •'"con-.- paniment. Hiif/o. his last appearance, as ever sureflre. Mark Plant, In the deuce,' who's material for operettas, clicks Jiicely with four numbers. When caught, he was piutting :a. little too much force into the p,a. system on occa- sion.'- Olympics, good , roller skating trio, work on a small, raised cir cular platforni to.open. : Char; PARAMOUNT, R Y. 5a7iitiiv Kayc's orch. thel Shuttd, Bobby .May, The Stdpletoiis (2), Don Baker: 'You and Me"^ (Pdr), re- vietoed in : this issue. The Paramount bunch is booking its shows judiciously, especially the bands, getting''em oh the crest, while they're stlir hot. Amoiig the cpm^r-alongers has been Swing-and-~ Sway-with-Sammy KBye' (Band Re.- ,vie\vs)v.t'o give him bis full billing, a majrathoh densapator whose.sweet^ swing has been gaining kilocycle recognition. His Par booking marks hiis debut on Broadway. It's proj>erly primed for b.o. results. Co-starred with Kaye is. Ethel Shutta, on her own, sans her usual George Olseh orchestra- coupling. Hence, she,- like Kaye, is further der tailed Under-New Acts, 'Show is a judicious blend of mu- sic,. - songs. The Stapletons (New. Acts), with their tapology, and Bobby May's excellent jugglery. Since his preem across Times SQuarc with the International Casino's debut production. May seeihs to- have .de- veloped some-more hew stuff. That business of juggling the illuminated props... on a dark stage, is -.a noVelty and pirobably will be .'adopted' by othei: jugglers in short 'bidder. Was a time In those g.o.d. when an act's l>est friend;was not his mother, agent, or bpoker-^it was. the:stage- hand; If those IAT5E boys saw somfr, act cop a preceding act's busi- ness, the .unionists ma-de it known in no uncertain terms; It did more to . curb things : at the source than the NVA, and YARiETX protective material, departhients, or' the" VMPA arbitrations. But nowadays, who cares'? Jugglers do ohe another's routines in the same .manner but it's a matter only of the'persohality. May seems to haye an edge via his sllave style, plus . sorhe business that's still restricted to him. But for how long'?. ' Kaye^ had- 'em stompin' in the aisles at the. opening show Wcdnesr day (1), and biz okay all through the day; Per usual Don Baker's brganlog a click: in a medley titled 'Serenade to a June Bride." Abel. New Acts LYRIC, INDPLS. /ndionapolis, June 9. !ie Dunbor & Tommy Wonder, Herviah. Hyde & Sally Bnrtll, Ted & Al Watdman, - Seven Fredysons, Five Elgii 'Josette' (20l)i). ETII.EL, SIIUTTA Sonus ', 8 MIns.; Band- Set Paramount, N. Y. Ethel Shutta is-noticed uhder New Acts solely because she's not in the files, on her own although it's not the first time Miss Shutta has: worked ?olo. , However, she's been chiefly identifled in musical comedy, as a- nitery solo artist and. Of course, Willi her husband, George Olsch's band She comes into. the Broadway Par from a long trek in the HiU hotels as cafe soloist. Working 50I0, backed this time by another band—Sammy Kaye's—Miss Shutta evidences the same standard showmanship as in the bast and. considering the <onstanUy shifting trends and tempos; a very compre- hensive knowledge of the 1938 Idioni. She may have been Zlcgfeld! feature in the past but Miss Shutta is work- ing today with all the enthusiasm and eclat of a 52d street klUer-diller which tells everything. 'Gyp.sy in Mv Soul,' a corking iVric version of 'Little Lady; Make Be- lieve, a good comedy, lyric about a broken-down chorus gal. and The OzarJcs Are Calling to Me' comprise her repertoire. She .sells.'erh all for .solid results. Sole missout is that final catchphra.se about the hillbilly .mannn-ia who is still weaning her son > Of. IS. Comedienne look.s- attractively tall, blonde- and willpwy :and, in the course, of her, opening 'gypsy' num- ber, doe.s a Cantor by. referring to her husband and,two sons' which is all right sentiment' and which, per- haps all' the move, points up that Ozark 'wean' line; She's ah asset oh anybody's rostrUin., Abel; CAPPT BARB.V HARMONICA SEMBLE (8) Variety IH Min.0.; Full State,. N. t;. The.Cappy Barra Harmonica En- .semble may develop into somekhinic stronger than it ,is at present. NoX anywhere, near threatening the Bor- r'ah Minevilch -act now, Barra may. later prove more of a match for the Minevitch turn although that's shooting high. As it standsv Barra's act is satisfactory without being sbcko. - - Harmonica offering has been play- ing picture houses, here and there. It also wa.s in Universal's recent re- Iea.se; "Mad About Mu.sic.'- one of the numbers done in that picture being used for the act; 'Poet and .Pcasaii? overture; The: seven men; nicely attired in contrast to the Minevitch ragamuff- ins, include Barrii who doiibles for vOcal numbers. Much of the .singing and playing is noisy as well as -jumbled;- too much so for best re-: suits. Betty ruce. tap dancer, is- car- ried for two'specialities. She's fair. Chnr. STATE, N. Y. Joe Leu>is. The Hartmans. (2), Mnrk Plant. Three Oljinmcs. Capvii BnTta Harmonica Ensemble; 'Judge, Hardy's Children' (M-C). ' strong voice around 'Vi.ssi d'Arte' frorri 'To.sca.' Rapp launches Sunny Rice, whose red pajamas, smart Sbiini.sh tap and smooth .spin.s get him more than average reception. Robp'-t Freund and chorus give 'crn '■ the 'Toreado'r Song and -Ranp takes ! over elaborate 'Snow White' mcd-' lev. with Ruby Wright in Show I White costume and members of band I solid, especially the acrobatic act of f^^"!'""?^"/.™ Emil and Evelyn. Besides lha fine 1 ""-S ""^^^^^^^I^^ Kn.i, headstand. work this pair comes i :„fl'!.'^"°^^"!^^Jfh"'l1*^^^^ through with, sortie excellent novelty I"^'^^"^ "^oo^ with nice toe ballet Here during the past year, Joe Lewis is back with his regular ivt and nUing i as m.c. Show rs far from the best this house has-played but entertains suitably. It is a liitle ioniier than it might be, runnini; 70 inutes. About 55 or 00 would, bo chou The Cappy Barra Harmonica En- teetcrbbard. stuff, with Emil acting as couriterweight, in addition to catching the gal as she flies oft the other end. Could develop a. few per- sonal showmanship tricks though. Easton and-Odette go sour through poor handling and bad' matcriul. Easton's work with the midget lacks fre.shness, and is particularly poor In his constant, shoiitinj of 'junior,*' the comedy punch line. Easton bvei; and Rapp completely chances nl'mo.s- ohere as;ain by bringing Mi.ss Wright back to swin? 'Mam<i, I Wanta Make Rhythm.' Wilfred Smith hits hishT noiiit of'opera-with 'Vesli la Guibba.' rating three bows, and Rabo crew tiikes it again for their 'Hittin' the Bottle.' boys coming down.staijC: to play emoties. Bob Hall's impromptu Vhvming socks. Entire cist on for finale In which onera folks tear into 'Soldier's plays at all times. Comedy dancing . Choru.s.- from 'Faust' and jazz cn.sl by Smith, Rogers and Eddy gels . trie.s to keep straight face.< While repetitious after a while. However, ■ ining in oil the top note. Bi/, weak, general formula of the act is soli Croig. ' .■iomble (New Acts), is no threat to Bon-ah inevii'ch's Rascals, who played-the Paramount last week, but pleases. Paul and: Grace Hartmhn, rcccnlly back from abroad; are doubling froni the Persian Room-of Ihe Hotel- Plaza and do only 10 min- utes, ayainst Barra's 18, blit those 10 minCite count much more;. ' Thoir dance iFavesties, dres.sing, maKical tricks and ventro bit make this more Minn just a nbvelty dancin^i act. 1 Lewi.-< does six minutes folliiwins ' the opener, his chatter proving fair: | another .stint ahead of-the Hartmans ' .and,- in the next-to-clQsliig position. I his standard routine of20 iiiijiule.^. j 1t is cSs iitially the-snme.' coiocrly | I routine that Lewis showed hore on ( Five "acts comprise shortest bill house has. had in some time, but Till 45 minutes of lop entertainment; Dixie Dunbar is headlined, and has the able assistance of Tommy Wonder in a song and tap routine. Miss Dunbar takes a. couple of vocal choruses lightly, de' nding on her tapping to put her over. " They fin- ish with a Penguin Dance, which wins solidly. Herman Hyde and Sally Burill ari: spotted next tO'closing in their fa- miliar turn, in which Hyde plays all sorts of instruments. Girl attempts"! songs, which are derided by Hyde, for good comedy effects. 'Ted and Al Waldman.. in bla-ckface. gag and play harmonicas in deuce. Sliow, opens with Five Elgins,. three men and two girls, who jul- glc hats and Indian clubs. Do di 1- cult tricks smoothly and warrh up the audience. Closes with Seven Fredysons. Hungarian teeterboard tumbling act. Were missing plenty at show caught. Finish is a somer- sault from board to shoulder stand four-higli. House almost full at la.st show Friday (3l. Kileiy. STANLEY, PITT PiUsbfircrh, June 5. Count Bemi-Vici, u>tth Lane & Lune. Noel Cravat, Cene Gory' A-J. Co., DeCotili <Sr ROmdine, En.stcr HnreltOd, Sam Heai^n, Jwciy Caiionn ! tuitfi Aiiiiie & ZeU ■ 'yellow Jack' tM-G)., Too much. .show at the'gatawav. Layout s .since bceji. cui down to Ml ail hour and everybody sutTeis more or Ics.s. Berni-Vici unit is en- tertainment enough .on its own for any bill, but maiiagenienl was airaid he -wasn'l enough ot'a name atid also booked :Judy .Canova and Sam Mearn (Schleppernian). They 4!?t their regulation footage, which mehjis niiniature revue gets it iii the neck. Thiil'.s iihfoi'tunale since ifs b.v r;ir tlie best little packa;;e of eiiter- taminent Bcrnl-VicI has ever as- sembled. It's a corking production incnly Hraivcd, ; with two stage levels, tlid. girls: band on a .movable one that coines nut from under tlie ■ nrJin elevated platform.. Has a lot N.VDIA DAUTY ■Honga 1$ MIns.: Shapely brunet delivers jiist about eyery type of song there is in. me- lodic-contralto. Made her debut last year at the Opera-Comique, and steps into vaude with comedy, sug- gestive- and sentimental songs, all well done. Voice shows . operatic: training, she has volume galore and handles her voice perfectly. Selec- tion of soncs for this bill extremely good. ^ Straight music-hall stuff, no cin.ssies. . Slie has learned plenty about .showmnn.ship in her.one year in the trade. With looks, voice, acting abil- ity and Dci'sonalily she has all sh will need to carry her a lonjt way. Hugo. THE ST.\rLETONS (2) Tans a Mins.: .Paramou , Nice looking couple. She's a .tall willpwy blonde: he in tails, but noth- ing formal about their stepping. None of the pash vis-a-vis stances whenever a terp couple come, on that way. They do forthright taps in tan* dem and with novelty variations, such that rliumba cbmedy busine,s3. Stapletons have the personality for cafe, as well as stage work. .Abel. of fla.sh and color, unusual foi-Stan- ley, where the acts usually trip out ill front bC the same set of curtains M-cek in-and .weck out.. iTnit; is. run-off in its' entirety flr.st. with Berni-Vlcl leading his st;,ndai-d fcmnic' orcheslr.a. getting in l\is licks on the Oddie and also serv- ing as ni.c. Iiow'.s pretty long on violiholoc.v. what with Gene Cory later using a-bicakawav for laughs an oarii .al.s , doing, a ' Jatk Beniiy. but styles are diffejent and expected; monotony n niatcrial- izss;- Lane and Lane get the unit off fa.sl with .some crack comedy acro* batlc-dancins;, : which could stand the sds.<i)is.. however, and Gory socks with his stunting on a'floclc of siring inslruincnts for a sni'a<* gi'-Igle. se'.ssi , assisted bv a .shaocl.r reinme. Band liumhcr. ' hen Da.'/ ^ ' fiatures' Noel ravat .in onliiiutid on page 55)