Variety (Mar 1939)

Wednesday, March 22, 1939 VARIETY HOUSE REVIEWS VARIETY 53 CIRCLE, INDPLS. Indianapolis, March 17. Ted LevAs orcK Radio Aces, Gale coifet. Buth Barnes, Donnu White, f^etta lMng, SnowbaU Whittler, BrcS'j«; 'Sudden Money- (Par). As regular as the first spring lobin, Ted Lewis comes Into town once more with a 63-minute bill ihlning under the showmanship of the little man with the battered hat. ^le running thnt Is not actually long, show hits dead spoU near the Jid and coiild stand some pnming ind rescheduling of the acts. Shelton Brooks, who appears next to dosing, should be moved up in tte bill, for his turn la not strong enough to hold down the ace spot He does some oldie gags with Snow- Ijall Whittler. but Improves singing emiedy number, 'Would That Be a Dream,' finishing at piano with his own tunes. 'Pown to Get You in TmI, Honey' and 'Some of These Days.' Radio Aces, heaviest winners In show, should be moved down In the bill from their middle spot; as their comedy antics and trio sing- ing would bolster Interest where needed. They sing special arrange- nients of 'Don't Let Rhythm Go to Your Head,' and finish with a med- ley of Irving Berlin tunes. Gale Sextet, three pairs of mixed dancers, a'dd weight to the bill with flashy ballroom numbers, making two separate- appearances. Ruth Barnes and Danny White appear to- gether In dance numbers in okav soldier routine, and also make split appearances, he doing an eccentric comedy number and Impression of Joe Frisco, and she appearing In ac- robatic single. liOrelta Iiang looks good in high 2-Ick number to Lewis' singing of 'Pretty Thing.' . Lewis basks heavily ui the spot- light, as always, retaining several of his old numbers. Opens with bhihday tune to his licorice stick to ;ood effect, and at various times In jUl does 'Me and My Shadow,' with Whittier, and 'Musical Magical Man,' ■olo. Whittier works in plenty of numbers with Lewis, getting laughs. While band boasts 13 pieces with- •ut the help of Lewis' clarinet, the style is ragtime, not swing. Given • spot of Its own, orch works hard on ^St Louis Blues' and Tiger Rag,' but it's just so much com for the cats. Show is well hung and ex- pertly lighted, and moves swiftly, following the time honored custom «f fading one-act Into another, per- tnnlaUy observed by Lewis. Biz fair at last show Friday (17). Kilev. KEITH'S, BOSTON Boston, March 17. Henny Youngman, Benny Rose & Voxtne Stone, The Five Elgins, Florence & Alvdrex, Peg Leg Bates, Eddie Rosenwdid house orch; 'Dr. Meade (Col) and 'Stor Reporter" (ilfono). No dull spots in this lineup, and to ■logle out Henny Youngman as ace performer I^ more than an honorable mention, considering his co-perform- ers. However, Youngman not only deals out the fastest and most sus- ' taining line of comedy chatter in his •wn act, but gives a good demonstra- non of how a snappy m.c. can back- pone a whole variety show and hold Ms continuity together. This is Youngman's first date in Boston vaude, and an early return booking would not be amiss. In view of his heavy click with his brand of laugh- getting, Benny Ross and Maxipe Stone get their quota of laughs with their screwy routine, featuring the lazy 1^ which has been around many times. For novelty, the Five Elgins ynam in the opening spot with their ^BBUng juggling turn, featuring hat and. dub tosshig. Show is aUo generous on dancing, Offering two ace acts In contrasting oepartments. Florence & Alvarez Petlorm a modem number and' a bolero, each routhie notable for smoothness, delicacy of execution «nd varyhik moods. Peg Leg Bates is back with a lot or new steps, and it would seem that MS revised act Is even more solid w«a the preceding one. However, •now-stopping haabeen a habit with {"« around here, and this occasion ••no excepUon to the rule. With his Mw steps. Bates brings with him • new vocal Introduction in which ^ g ves himself a big buildup. If he would moderate the expression of JU» opinion about himself and let me danchig do the speaking, the ap- plause would be as hefty and the "ler-impression more appreciative. Fox, STATE, HARTFORD „ HaHford, March 20. fill J* ^iortin, Monn, Dupree & Lee, irit. * Mason, Joe Venuti (11). Don Darcew, Merrit ij*jn«», Soto Kaplan house bond; Mystery of M r. tVon g* (Mono). tJ?i?^ has a strong show this week Stt Martin and Joe Venuti ■uuiBharlng marquee honora. Martin earns himself a niche handily, with the femmes especially all on his side. At the last show caught Sun- day night (19) he sang seven songs. Would have done more than that, only Sunday observance law—11 p. m. 'dosing—prevented his doing so. Martin has a personality that projects Itself across the boards nicdy. Puts up a nice mike front and sells himself - easily. Has the closing spot, and for the finale he swings out on the clarinet while Venuti fiddles. Vocal also Includes 'P. D. R. Jones,' 'Deep Purple,' 'I Married an Angel,' 'Begin the Be- guine,' 'I Cried for You7 THy Reve- rie,' and Thanks for Everything.' Tee-oll is a. swingy number by the Venuti a«gregation, following an overture by the house band. Maes- tro has on hand. a book of pooular faves. His informal and almost nutty number clicks, though he at times murders the king's English. Emcees the show. Band has one novelty number, a 4akeolI on the 'March of Time' which is effective, although most of the gags are an- cient. Don Darcey, baritone with the band, is.the first specialty. Lad has a nice set of pipes and sells him- self to the hilt with 'Masquerade Is Oyer.' 'Old Man River,' 'Mexicali Rose,' and 'Hold Tight' Gil land Beraie Mason, boy-gal, spotted nexL Couple ofter a dog act, but their jitterbug dance Intro fools the patrons and makes 'em sit up. Pooches are brought out after a few steps. Nothing novel in the canine stunts,' but smallness of the dogs and the line , of patter the boy hands a contrary bull dog bring on the laughs. Act registers. Bandmaster scores decisively when he plays 'Satan's Holiday* across four strings on the fiddle simul- taneously, accompanied by the band, which is on stage all the time. On next are Mann, Dupree and Lee, acrobatic dance team. Act, two boys and a gal, does nicely. Merrit Eeihes (spelling by ear), band's trappist. Is given a solo spot next for some heavy thumping of the hides. Rings the gong and does an encore. Band Is ui the groove with "Blues In B Flat,' a recent recording. Big strong Sunday night Eck, CAPITOL, WASH. Washington, March 19. Five Janslevs, £i0ht Midshipmen, Clem McCarthy, Lew Parker, Rhythm Rockets house line (16); 'Three Musfceteers* (20th). Lew Parker emcees this one. He opens his job with patter about how he just got back from a vacation necessitated by his -having over- worked on the movie quiz. Brings on Five Jansleys for fast risley workout, two hefty under-boys and three small top workers touching everything in the book smoothly and injecting just enough comedy. High- lights are three somersaulting to- gether, double somersault by one as second is rolled imdemeath and somersault to three-high standing. Eight Midshipmen take, over to do 'We Saw the Sea.' Doff middle caps and don straw dips for old-fashioned comedy medley including everything from 'Wabash Moon,' 'Comrades/ 'Bicycles Built for Two* and 'Side- walks of New York' to 'Darktown Strutters' Ball.' Introduction of next number by leader allows others to change Into white-coat tuxes, and finale Is standard college medley, winding up with 'Anchors Aweigh, which brings on line in sailor cus- tome for nautical tap routine. Parker takes it again for two-way chatter with ga! in evening gown who appears with letter of introduc- tion and telephone. Gags cling pretty close to, 'oh, yes, I make up poems, too' and 'that's a nice suit you're wearing' motif, but it's done cleverly and with enough new twists to click solidly. Parker announces Clem McCarthy will follow, paving -way for round-up newsred which builds up NBC sports reporter. McCarthy then ap- pears, jumps into pit to describe bur- lesque 'battle of century,' ■ travelers opening on full stage set with regu- lation ring and overhead lights. Referee and two boxers go through pantomime illustrating McCarthy's description, clever angle being that boxers stay at least six feet apart during McCarthy's description oi their 'terrific' slugging and clinches, and finally stopping altogether to lis- ten to him. Idea goes over fine, au- dience liking McCarthy all the more for being able to kid himself a little. McCarthy takes it again in one to tell story of stuttering jockey. It faUs a litUe fiat but withal he scores well. Parker takes it for his major spe- cialty with dope stooge and gal join- ing him in enacting eternal triangle parody constantly interrupted oy stooges in opposite boxes. Best angle Is Parker's explanation that be has been trying to find a finish for the act for years, whereupon gal offers to sing, Stooge A offers to do magic tricks. Stooge B and C come down from their boxes to play mouth organ and give away $1,000 set of dishes for $1 cash and, as Parker breaks Into whatever he had In mind, everybody starts doing their specialties and curtains shut ■ Biz oke. Crfliff. STATE, N. Y. GeoTfle Hall's orch with Doltv Dawn, Florence Hin Low, Sid To- macfc & Reis Bros., Eddie Peabodv: •Idiot's Delight? (M-G). With a boxofflce powerhouse on the screen, the State Is relaxing a trifle with Its stage show. Bill is about average In entertainmeirt value, but there's no splash name for the marquee. Still, the house was nearly capacity at the last show- ing Thursday (16), so the combinar tion apparently has. sufficient draw. At a disadvantage because of the absence of George Hall, (because of his wife's death) his band turned In a creditable job both on its own numbers and playing the . show Thursday (16) and Friday. Atten- tion-getter (with Henry Busse euest- Ing and hypohig the didos on Thurs- day) is- a sizzling arrangement of 'Bugle Call Rag,' with the drums banging out a vibrant solo session. Hall rejoined the band on Satur- day (18). Subbing for the maestro, Eddie Peabody m.c.'s acceptably and has the next-to-last spot He. bullseyes, as always, with his superlative banjo plunking, dressing It up with bril- liant showmanship. Finale on the show is Dolly Dawn, vocalist with an appealing manner, fair voice and good choice of songs. She's a fixture with Hall's orch. Sid Tomack and the Reis Brothers (New Acts) contribute the familiar zaney threesome stuff in the deuce, show- ing somewhat more vc"satility than most such groups. Opening act is Flor .ce Hin Low, multiple-jointed contortionist Like all such acts. It's kind of pointless, but more than passable of its kind. She's a smart showman. Like Busse, several band leaders guested in front of the stage orch as a kindly gesture to Hall during, his two-day absence from the show. Hobe. NEW ACTS STATE-LAKE, CHI Chicago, March 18. James Evans, Corley & Adair, William EbbSi Colli Sisters, Ben Blue, Senator Murphy, Four Gor- dons: 'Charlie Chan in Honolulu' (20fh). This house - has been consistently well-booked with shows of standard vaudeville talent and the current lineup continues along that policy. All the way from fhigland came Senator Murphy to be the standout item on the rather long show, his comedy oratory proving the wow of the evening and a lesson in well- written, and well-delivered comedy lines. . It is a solid act from start to finish. Due to his long-distance jaunts. Senator Murphy is seen around here only about once a year, but on these annual visits he cleaves through so solidly that his memory lingers with the patrons. He got a reception on his entrance at flie last show Friday (17), and that is a mark of distinction in vaudeville nowadays for strictly a variety en- tertainer. Also up there In the billing Is Ben Blue, who comes back °to vaude- ville with a burlesque bit that has been kicked around for many a year. It's the taxi-dancehall routine, but Blue manages to wring some laughs out of It with a load of mugging. For the windup, he returns to his comedy dance numbers, plus the minuet routine that he did when touring with Burns and Allen a few years ago. Surefire In. the onening spot Is James Evans with his novelty foot- juggling. His . bed sfunt and the cross finish are all great stuff. Evans is standard and usually makes good. Corley and Adair are a neat ball- room pair and come through with some comedy in their international dance burlesaues. With plenty of youthful enthu- siasm and enough hi-de-ho, the three Galli Sisters score with vocal varieties. Have some fine arrange- ments and indicate suitability for any vaude spot Four Gordons are- a standard adagio act with eood stunts. Rather .<ilow is William Ebbs with the novdty ventriloaual make- believe, but the blow-off is nrobably suffcient enoueh reason for his nrp.s- ence. though the revealment of the midget as the real voice gives the turn a pretty sham surprise. Business Has just fair onening night Cold. ROXY, ATLANTA Atlanta, March 19. Charles Master, Del Rios and Mary (3), Charles (Slim) Timblin, Gene Austin and Coco & Candy, Gae Foster house line (16), Milce Segal's house band (W, 'Pride of the Navy' (Rep). Nicely paced, this show moves along with a switt tempo that adds to its effectiveness. Every act's a pleaser, customers pleading for more of each turn. Hoxyettes get things going with a fencing number after orch^ spring festival overture fea- turing theatre's singing usher, Foy Harris, who wears a mask and is billed as "The Phantom Voice.' Line's Three Musketeers routine with gleaming rapiers Is okay. Charles Master is a master with the drum sticks ^nd is all o.ver stage CLEM MoCARTHT,' Sports Chatier 10 Kins.; FuU Capitol, Wash. The solid reception accorded his entrance Indicates that the . sports reporter's widespread activities on NBC, Pathe Newsred and Vltaphone shorts have won him a large follow- ing. In tact the little grey man with the fast chatter could have got- ten by with a straight p.a., but the fact that he also-offers an act, is all the more to hiS credit, He opens with special film made up of various sports events he has described in newsreds, highlighted by famous War Admiral-Seabiscuit race. Announcer plugs McCarthy throughout, without ever overdoing it letting McCarthy's voice doninate in climaxes. McCarthy then jumps down beside pit mike and goes into rapid-fire color description of hoke 'Battle of the Ontury,' using two. fighters and a referee in a ring on the stage. They battle In pantomime to McCarthy's highly dramatic chau ter. Fighters are always at least six feet apart during all of McCarthy's violent description of hefty lefts, de- vestating rights, bloody noses and terrific clinches. Boys finally get so interested In McCarthy's description of what they are supposed to be do- ing that they just stop and hang over the ropes listening. Idea kids Mc- Carthy just enough to make audience fall for it Finish, in which McCarthy takes stage mike for story about the stut- tering jockey, is a little fiat, simply because story is weak; Craig. ALBENICE Magic 10 Mlnfl. Arabian Nights, N. T. Assertedly Cairo-born and of late playing various hotel engagements out-of-town, this is the first Broad- way date for Albenice, a turbaned magician who has some very' clever slelght-of-hand tricks in his routine. He also has some that are the ruh-o'- the-mill. Performing smoothly, with a ghrl (his sister) as assistant Albenice highlights his routine with three feats of legerdemain that attract in- stant attention. These are the paper cone' and water trick; the fan and bundle of paper, which becomes an egg, and the exchange of salt from one hand to the other under baffling circumstances. He also uses live chicks for a couple of his tricks. He is an ideal fioor attraction. Char. BOBEBTA JONAT Dancing 3 HiDS. Arabian Nights, N. T. Roberta Jonay, from St. Peters- burg, Fla., and new to New York,, got herself into the White House re- cently at a party there and the news- papers have since labeled her Mrs, F. D. Roosevelt's protege. She is a young, personable dancer whose routine here Is restricted to what is billed as 'Dance of the Pea- cock.' In addition to behig different and exotic. It is ably performed. Her possibilities appear favorable. Char. TOBUIT MILLS Comedy, m.c. 7 Mins. Arab.'an Nights, N. T. Making a satisfactory appearance and having the makings of show- manly selling ability, Tommy Mills is likely to be heard from in the not distant future. He will have to equip himself with better material, how- ever, In handling talk. Mills, does it well enough to suggest there .are better things'for. him in the future. His stories are well told and his impres- sions denote an underlying fiair for this sort of thing. Mbnlcry of Ted Lewis is poor, but the bit on Parkya- karkus reciting the Gettysburg Ad- dress and of a female impersonator sinking a pop song are pretty good. On this assignment Mills supple- ments as m.c, announcing the vari- ous acts and numbers. Char. GTFST ROMAJE Singlntr, Dancing 5 MIns. Arabten Nights, N. T. There is nothing gypsy-looking about Gypsy Romaje and she doesn't work in character, either, preferring to costume straight and sing popular numbei's, one of which, 'The Donkey Serenade,' calls for more voice than she possesses. A glamorous type and smart look- ing. Miss Romaje's 'forte is dancing. On the show here she is doing an exotic waltz which ends with a leg in the air over her head a la Evelyn Law. She no idoubt has other dance routines, but for vocal Introductorles something in the pop swing line could be far better than 'Donkey Serenade.' Song she does with mara> cas suits her much better. Char. SID TOMACK ft BEIS BBOS. Comedy 17 MIns. State, N. T. . . Sid Tomack has been around for several years as a single, but Is not in the New Act files with the Reis Brothers. Formerly an Impersona- tor, Tomack has a screwball type of comedy turn with his two new pards. Patterned after the Ritz Broa, Tomack and the Reis pair aren't as violent or as funny. Dish out pat- ter, with the customary shoving, slapping, hisults, etc. Most of It is pretty ordinary, but theiir take-off of a ventriloquist with two dummies is original and properly brief, while the burlesque of the old-fashioned vaude trio, sister team and Russian act are acceptable. Act should do for niteries. Hobe. FLORENCE BIN LOW Contortionist Dancing S MIns. State, N. T. Chinese girl' bends herself In enough dislocations to send a specta- tor out of the thea^e in a wheel- chair. It's one of those acts that arouse proper wonder and awe, but aren't decorative, artistic, entertain- ing, Instmctlve, or particularly pointed. A couple of the Oriental girl's fllp& splits and wriggles are unique, and she has a knack of showmanship. Hobe. and into the pit beating out a rata- plan with his sticks on anything that comes to hand. It's a distinct nov- elty here, but is along lines of Jack Powell's drumstick turn. Roxyettes return in fiowing gowns for a smart routine in waltz time, featuring graceful waving of hands and fade back to sue on Del Rios, two boys and a femme partner. In a dressed up hand-balancing turn. Boys wear dress clothes, Including mess jackets, and girl is clad in red culottes, "mey do some difficult tricks and score. Charles (Slim) Timblhi, billed out front as from a 'Tobacco Road' com- pany, gets plenty of laughs with his blackface sermon, followed by the marriage ceremonial performance with two stooges. Gene Austin, aided by Coco, guitarist and Candy, bull fldler, pleases. The Roxy has a fine p.a. system and it picks up all of Austin's vocal acrobatics. He did at least 10 numbers at this catching, and could be singing yet except that the finale calls for him to remain oh stage while Roxyettes deliver their final routine. This show will remain only five days, since the Roxy, starting Thurs-. day (23), will bring In its new sho'ws on Thursdays instead of Sat- urdays as heretofore. Biz at this viewing, second of two shews Sun- day (10), was capacity, with standees behind '.he ropes. Luce. LYRIC, INDPLS. Indianapolis, March 17. Eddy Duchiii orch, DureUe Alex- ander, Lew Sherwood, Stanley Vforth, Johnnv MacAJee, Ray & Trent Burton Pierce, Top Hatters (2); 'Blackwell's Island' (WB). Eddy Duchln band turns In a 40- minute bill which Is polished and pleasing after overcoming th6 handi- cap of a ilow Bt%rt., Cr«w'.s,com posed of two pianos, two trombones two trumpets, four-piece rhythm and fiddle, and Is placed In patnotie set- ting of red. white and blue, star- studded, with Duchln spotted down- stage at niano as standout on tunes. Open with 'Can't Be Love,' then essay swinging 'Bugle Call Rag,' not so forte, bringing on Stanley Worth for vocal of 'Deep in a Dream,' en- coring with Two Sleepy People.' Followed by Top Hatters, youthful couple who do some good acrobatics on skates. Highlight of act is dan- gerous swinging of girl close to stage fioon Durelle Alexander scores heavily with her vocalizing of 'Jeepers Creepers,' Umbrella Man,' 'Old Man Mose,' and 'Heart Belongs to Daddy,* bringing on Burton Pierce in old man makeup for comedy tap dance finish. Pierce then goes into nis rou- tine, doing-a couple of dances a la Astalre. Lew Sherwood follows with a comedy dialect song, tossing in a trumpet chorus. Ray and Trent do some .<;mooth acrobatic comedy work actually requiring plenty of skill, with misses worked In for laughs. Johnny MacAfee, billed as the 'Singing Cowboy' although he ap- pears as -straight vocalist from sax section, sings 'Beautiful Baby,' build- ing it into trio, adding DureUe.Alex- ander, and finishing with comedy parody. ^ buchin,. himself, is high spot of show, taking over at piano to spar with the Ivories on ^Reverie' and 'Stardust,' -'ohig 'Wild Irish Rose,' 'Hold Tight' and'Deep Purple' at re- quest of audience. Finishes with 'Stormy Weather,' a socko arrangement that should be in show, but antiauated fiashing ot lights to indicate storm could be traded for better visual effect Duchln alternates from keyboard to mike during run of show to intro- duce acts. Biz good at third .show Fri- day X17) Kllev. '