Variety (Aug 1939)

18 VARIETY VARIETY HOUSE REVIEWS Wednesday, Anguet .23, 1939 CAPITOL, N. Y. • Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, The Martins W, George Stoll orrli (23); 'Wizard oi Oz' (M-G), re- viewed in Variety Aug. 16. STATE, N. Y. George Jassel. Josephine Huston, Pavl Sydcll & Spotty, Buster Shaver with Olive & George, Rabbins Bros & Margie; 'Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever' iM-G). Four years have elapsed since the Capitol on Broadway dropped stage shows with a loud thud. Now it steps back into the picliii-e, even if only temporarily, with the attention- gettiae combination of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney behind the foots and Tire Wizard of Oz,' featuring the femme juve, on the screen. It's co- lossal b.o., attested to by the record- breaking attendance opening day (Thursday), and an excellent enter- tainment buy for old and young alike. . The Garland-Rooney personal is serving a three-fold purpose for Loew's and Metro. First, it's giving "Oz' a rousing b.o. sendoff in the metropolis; (2) it's serving as a swell trailer for the forthcoming 'Babes in Arms' (M-G), which co-stars the kids, and (3) it indicates the b.o, potentialities of occasionally show-, casing Metro players on the Capitol's stase. There's a vast difference between the current-biz at the CZapitol with that of its last stage show. Latter held Lou Holtz, Belle Baker. Block and Sully. Moore and Revel, and Tip, Tap and "Toe, but the public was apa- thetic. It was stronger on paper than is the current layout, but the names of Rooney and Garlaqd are evidently, magic, plus the benefits ac- cruing from the dandy' exploitation campaign on 'Oz.* A crowd of around 10,000 waited In line for the Capitol's doors to open Thursday (17) morning. This was before the appearance of reviews on the film, so it'was either the lure of Garland-Rooney or another instance of the public 'smellins' a good film, or both. In any event, once inside, they're getting their money's worth from both stage and screen. This. is not merely a personal of two film Diayers, but a solid act run- ning nearly 26 minutes. It's grade-A showmanship by both kids. They sing, dance and Rooney dnuns. They're young, fi^sh and on the up- beat in the public's affection and Irhagination—a tousle-haired imp and a -cute, clean-cut girl with a smash sineing voice and style. Miss Garland has had quite a bit of sta^e experience and her stage Sresence is to be expected, but :ooney surprises with his easy man- ner in front of a live audience. He sticks to bis puckish character .and only once does he come close to hav- ing bis smart-aleckness rebound against him. This is in his clinch duet with Garland on 'Oceans Apart,' Introed as Rooney's own composi- tion and coming as their finale. It appears as though he would become too roueh, but he manages to stay Just within bounds. She carries the brunt of the vo- cals, sockini; out The t.amp Is Low' and then "Comes Love.' from Tfokel Boy.' at the outset She leads into Rooney's impersonation of a scene between Clark Gable, and Lionel Barrymore In Test Pilot' .iSwith Rooney then slipping behihd the drums for a ]am session. He's far from beinx a topflight skin-beater, but it's swell novelty coming from him and aimed at the jive hounds. Considering hLs mixed sartorial get- up opening night Rooney niight also have .soloed 'Sam, You Made de Pents Too Long.* They insert a major plug for "Babes lii Arms' via two songs from that film. 'Good Morning' and "(Sod's Ck)unlry.' Latter is a slan at the dic- tatoi'ships, namin? Stalin, Franco, 11 Duce and Der Fuehrer, and indi- cates controversy if the picture is released with that sone intact. Rooney clowns his sinaing. but in dicates some vocal ability. He also showi promise as a hoofer In a .shag routine with Garland. In 'Coiuitry' he work.? in a comic Imoersonation of P.D.R.. without however, men- tiohing names. ?nd then both l^ad neatlv Into the "(Jcesn.s' encore. The audience annreciation is loud and Ion? throiighout I/>ew's smartiv brought person able George Stoll. Metro musical di rector, on from the Count to direct the nickuo stage orch. Latter holds 21 musicians, pli'.s a oianist for a .<;ingine ortet and though rehcp'^ed for onlv three davs i<; tio-tob. First five minutes of thp 31-minute stase Fhovr it taken "o by the orchestra The Martip.s ffl") an'' their smnnth orch-^'ocal Mend op 'We'r^Off to Se<> the Wizard.' from 'Oz'. The mixed octet, named after its pianist. Hu'h Martin, haz practically nothino. to do after the Opening, the .stace then he^ ing •'aken o>'er and held thereafter hy the two Blrn inves. B.ind is .sDOttp^ on the stage In a very smart settinc, sore?d nut to seem even larger ih^n it is and reminiscent of t^" Crnitol's one*" larc<» cvmnVi. Musicipns are tuxed hut Stoll .sticks m ice-cream S"it It's a touch of Hollywood r^^Tha lance. Sclw. Four good a,.ts with George Jessel, latter filling a spot himself and m.cing, provide sturdy support for 'Andy Haruy Gets Spring Fever* (M-G). with the double pull of the picture and the vaude meaning much more than the average box- office here. Business «xceUent Thursday night (17) (opening) and nothing, should happen to the draught, in spite of current strong competition on Broadway, before the week is out Armed with good material, Jessel is surefire all the way. He opens with some gab anent the N. Y. World's Fair and Vitalis, having particular interests in both, and then appears among the other four turns. He has the Little Old New York concesh at the expo and is on the air for the hair tonic Wednss-. day nights. First act is Bobbins Bros, and Margie- (New Acts), with sock dancing and acros. A bit with the girl member of the act .is done by Jessel, who tells a good story and. inferentially refers to E^die Cahioi, here recently, as "tiiat fellow.' Jes- sel himself played here last Febru- ary, this being a rather early repeat, Paul Sydell's standard dog act with his running time less than usual, is No. 2, followed again by Jessel, with a yam that's very. good. Josephine Huston did 10 minutes but could have gone longer, regis- tering heftily Thursday evening at the last show. She's doing four numl>ers. an outstander being "Begi)! ■ the Beguine,' with which she really sopranos. A modernized 'Bells of St. Mary's* is also effectively done. Miss Huston also works with the m.c, following her turn in a familiar blackout. Buster Shaver and his two midgets, Olive and George, standard for years and always clicks, work in full stage. They're doing their usual patter ' and dancing, wherein the midgets terp, with Shavers also danc- ing with Olive. Winding up the proceedings in a 20-minute stint Jessel ties in a pop number with a rather long, but strong, story about the honeymoon- ers and the hat be left in Niagara Falls. He "phones' Mom for the greater portion of his regular turn,- selling very successfully. Bilaterial, too, is surefire. A medley of songs he's written and gags over what happened to royal^ carry, him to the finish. Char. BERKELEY SCBIPTS 'SUSIE' Hollywood, Aug. 22. Paramount, has assigned Martin Berkeley to screenplay chore on "Miss Susie Slasel's,* based on Au- gusta Tucker's novel, Arthur Hornblow, Jr,, produces. MINNESOTA, MPLS. Minneapolis, Aug. 19. Jack ivralertch's Orch (18), Joseph Griffin, Lew Brock, Patricia Wynn Dancert (12), Flagg & Arnold, Oaton Sisteirs (2), Hal MirOdn, Marion Rudeen, Hanic Broion & Morcello; 'Mt. Wong in Chinntoum' (Mono). Like all except one of its prede- cessors, current show has no name, but stacks up as considerable enter- tainment value for the lS-30c tariff. Proceedings run largely to dancing, but an abundance of comedy is in- terspersed and helps to take off the lack-of-diverslty curse. On the whole, vaudeville layout is some- what below the established standard here and the running isn't as smooth as usual. But all in all, customers have little cause for complaint. Malerich conducts his 18 musicians on the elevated pit through a lively, tuneful medley of such poo numbers as "Love Is the Sweetest Thing' and 'Japanese Sandman' with solo bits by the brass section and first violinist and with Joseph Griffin, robust tenor, topping it all off with some pleasing warbling. It's the usual im- pressive flash in consequence of the Malerich showman^ip. Omitting the usual audience sing, Malerich, instead, performs an organ solo, 'Beautiful Blue Daniibe.' It's a svelte arrangement performed with skill. Six of the Wynn dancers in thin, flowing white gowns appear for a brief ballet number during the organlogue, enhancing its effective- ness. The assignments of Lew Brock, the house' m.c, include, besides in- troducing the acts, ah appearance as a stooge with the Dawn Sisters in a knockabout comedy dance inter lude and conducting the orchestra for a short laugh-provoking spell. With every unintentional wave of the baton eliciting unexpected re- sponses from the musicians who also contribute other confusion-making business, the latter is familiar stuff, but gels across nicely. First of the two Patricia Wynn dance contributions, starting the show, finds the girls in abbreviated skirts and panties for a 'Boy Meets Girl' sextette a la 'Floradora.' The 12 feminine terpsers are on again at the finish alone in vari-colorcd dresses set off with Robin Hood hats for some fast prancing. The finale, however, is abruptly lame. Flagg and Arnold perform difficult balancing feats calling for great strength and muscle control. Strenu- ous routine is well received. Dawn Sisters appear twice, offer- ing slapstick clowning and eccentric and acrobatic dancing. Get across solidly by (heir ^Imaces, tOrso twisting and nonsensical gyrations in a rough bullet dance burlesque. Hal Minkin i,s nn expert tapster who per- forms intricate steps in perfect rhythm. He dances up and down o ,set of steps, doing the Bill Robinson routine, but having an arrangement of bells and drums on yrhich he taps tunes as he ascends and descends. It's a show-stopper. ' Headliners are. Hank Brown, dancing comedian, and 1 is attractive feminine partner, Dolores, who sings. Brown is a soft-spok«n young man with an ingratiating drawl and smile. He emulates Will Mahoney with his comedy falls and eccentric dancing. Many of his gags are blujshly tinged. Marion Rudeen, who was crowned "Miss Minnesota of 1939' in a recent competition, is not only a looker, but a skillful acrobatic dancer as well. Her (lying somersaults, hand- springs, flip-flops and tumbling earn merited applause. Lower floor almost entirely filled at the final Friday night perform- ance, R«es. FOX, PHILLY Philadelphia^ Aug. 18. John Boles, Five Elgins, Terry HoimrcTA Jucfc Tatlev. Wvnn, Broch Sr Antes, Ted Lester, Lou Schroder hottse bitnd OS): 'Hotel for Women' (ZOth). Singinc its .swan song as a vaude- filmer, the Fox has a well-planned and entertaining flesh show this week. Although names surrounding John Boles mean nothing on marquee, they represent diversified bill. Lack- ing, however, is an m-c. to give acts proper buildup. Leadoff is dance trio of Wynn, Brach and Ames, two guys and a gal, who hocf it in plenty of style. They are accompanied by Schrader's crew, who play on stage throughout 50- minute show. Backdrop, built to re- semble p»se. of hiusic, is tastefully done. No. 2 Is Ted Lester with a show- slopping instrumental turn. Lester, a newcomer in these parts, comes on stage with a flowing cape and pro- ceeds to null out all kinds of instru- ments and noisemakers, playing each surprisingly well. Took two encores at show caught. The Elgins are a quintet—three nien and two women—who are ex- cellent jugglers with a good sense of timing and a flair for comedy. They start out in a bewUdering frenzy of putting on and taking off innumerable bats and wind up in a pin-tossing flurry in ^hich the entire stage seems to teem with the flying hardwood. Jaick Talley and Terry Howard have an amusing act with Miss How- ard doing a bit, a la Baby Snooks, with songs, gags and music. She overdoes another item, however, in which she is'trying to overcome an elemental urge. She has the audi- ence uncomfortable. Holes is a flrst-class magnet with the femme.s, giving out songs trom his late musicals and pictures. Pleas-' ers are "See Your Face Before Me,* 'Rio Rita' and "One Alone.* Finishes in a blaze of applause dolled up in a brown derby and coat with "Waiting at the Gate for Katy.' Despite ear- deafening hand from the femmes, he doesn't encore. Biz when caught (Friday night) was good. ORIENTAL, CHI Chicago, Aug. 19. Joe Bes.ser & Co. (2), Dotiy Kay. Jans & Lynton with Joey Dean, Stanley Greene, Barry Breen & Wyler; .'Masie' (M-G) and 'Tarzan Finds a Son' (M-G). Show went over with a smash at the supper .session here on Saturday (19), each turn clicking enormously. There are (our acts and an amateur, Stanley Greene, who won last week's .tyro contest and is back this week for his award, which is to do an act of name impersonations. The im- pres.sions are recognizable and satis- fied the customers. Joe Bcsser, who practically grew up in (bis house in the Paul Ash days, is back with Lee Royce and scores re,soundingly on his goofy comedy. Besser works hard and shrewdly for the variety audience, getting laughs out of mugging, ma- terial and delivery. Royce comes through on his own 'with the vocal exercise. Solid vocals also from Dolly Kay, b,y now a standard Chicago fave whether .in theatres or niteries. Plenty of oower in those pipes -and a routine of tunes which will satisfy anywhere. Dance revue di.shed up by Jans and Lynton plus Joey Dean. Ballroom tap, soft-.shoe work and specialties make a variety turn that is suitable for theatre or nile spot. Comedy dancing is the mainspring of the Barry, Breen aind Wyler turn, which contains some excellent dance tricks entwined in (he act. This act like most turns these days, is so fash- ionrd that it can fit in well with any nitery requirements. Gold. APOLLO, N. Y. Ernie Fields orch (14) with Mel- vin Moore, Leora Davis; Berry Bros. (3), Princess Oreltn, Conuwy & Parks, Whirling Deruisltes t6), John Mason, Jimniie Bashetr*, Johnnv Vigal, Clarence RobiTisoit Girls (.16); 'Prison Bom' (Mono) . Current show is spotty. Gets away in sock style which is maintained, with exceptions here and there, un- til EU-nie Fields' orchestra (Band Re views) shifts from pit to stage. Then it sags completely. Picks up again, however, with the Berry Bros., who break into the band's turn. Production and work of the CHar- ence Robinson Girls are meatiest portions of the layout. Practically the entire show, excepting OMi-way and Parks and necessary comedy bits during scene changes, is worked into three siettings in which are in corporated specialties as well as house people. Makes for overlong sections which border on the monot- onous at times, but on the whole are worthwhile. . Initial setting is laid out as the' grounds around a desert fort wi-lh the Robinson girls going through a military routine commanded in un- intelligible lingo, interspersed with Harlemese for laughs, by Jimmie Baskette. Musical btickground by Finds' orchestra aids the illusion, which is further sustained by the Whirling Dervishes, tumbling act in Arabian costumes. Dervishes are standard, offering the usual lifts, spins and two and three-high stands. Highlight is five hanging on one understander, with exit includiiig acceptable speedy flips, etc. Their execution could be smoother, how- ever. Second setting, in a jungle, is ex- cellently done. Uses the Rdbirtson girls in appealing shifts from unison drumming to neatly staged terp rou- tines. Baskette vocals 'Boom Tiddy Boom,' which goes heavily dramatic at its finale and garners him con- siderable plaudits for a well-done piece. Princess Orelia bounds into this also for an interpretative bit with a painted male figure- that's supposed to represent a tribal chief- 'tain. pance hasn't much meaning but fits into the jungle theme and is given good treatment by her from a rhythmic standpoint. Conway and Parks are on between the first two settings. They're in one to enable sceneshifting, with so-so vocalizing of 'Jeepers Creepers,' a terp series by them following. Their footwork is most impressive, with some panto work being included later. Act is loose and only passable.. - Berry Bros, run through their usually excellent caneiossing and tap routines to a good sendoff, working in front -of the Fields band, which shifts to the rear of the stage. Biz fair when caught la.st show opening night (Friday). CHICAGO Chicogo, Aug. 19. Owen McGiveney, Whiley Roberts, Hans Muenser, Three Oxford Boys, Stapletons (2), Fred Evans Ballet; ■'Stanley and'Livingstone' (20(fi). Plenty of good old vaudeville on the stage here this week in addition to the standard Balaban & Katz ace production as exemplified by the work of Fred Evans and his excel- lent line of girls. They have brought back their ex- concert master, Hans Muenser, to take a spot on the stage with his violin. Muenser ducked show biz some time ago to hie himself to the University of Iowa as instructor in music, but the footlights have him for this week, anyway. Muenser used to drive the femmes whacky with his soulful fiddling whether on the stage or in the pit And he's doing all right with the fiddle cur- rently, though his playing these days indicates that he has gone strictly pedagogue. His fiddling is tech- nically impeccable, but the in- structor seems to have thrown a dirk cloak over the troubadour. Whitey Roberts is forte with his splendid touch of all-around show biz. He juggles, tells jokes, skips rope to waltz time and worms him- self snugly into the affections of the customers. A seasoned performer with a surefire method of handling an audience, Roberts indicates ex- cellent possibilities for even brighter things m the busines.?. His enter- tainment material is tolid at all times. It must Ije a new generation be- cause the customers here were en- thralled by McGiveney's protein work, and thev sat asape at the quick changes from Syke.s to Nancy to Fagin and the other Dickens characters. McGiveney t\t\f all his entrances and exits lighted in the present routine and it's good nov- elty variety stuff. Oxford Boys h.ive brought imper- sonations to a high point They have appearance and .smooth salesman- ship that put their impressions of orchestras over to any audience sharply. Had to encore and beg off. Stapletons are a neat dancing couple, and scored particularly with their fine ballroom tap number. Biz good last show Friday (I«). GoW, ■ Villaggio Balnearc (BaUdng Villacc) (ROME) Rome, Aug. 12 R. Di Marco house orch tl2), Ghisl Ballet (9), Four Guidos, Belle Ir'ia Trio, Four American Stars, Henri- ette. Concha & Concha; 'Un Drmnnwi B«IC Article* (Ufa). Stressing flesh, the only thing that .<ieem.s to cause Italo audiences to warm their mitts, the offering at the Villaggio Balneare's new theatre is getting a good b.o. ride. Theatre is £art of new amusement center's lea- lures. Show is paced too slowly and leans too heavily on acrobatics, with all five numbers stressing limbering ex- ercises in none too-different rou- tmes. Bill has a colorful start, with the Ghisi Ballet (8) in green Tyro- lian garb, badced by a gingerbread house tor a drop. However, they do little naore than dance about a may- pole. The Four Guidos follow to oeddle regulation acros featuring ladder tricks with two men and a pair of blondes. One man does all the ladder balancing on his knees, while others take turns at swinging and juggling on it climaxing with all three hanging on. ■Hie Belle Iris Trio, next, gels plenty of applaiise before a muscle is moved because two femmes are clad only in sprayed gilt and spar- kles. The muscleman, who's attir^ more conventionally, twirls gals with agility. However, only run-of- mill acros are displayed. Climax of act sees one femme diving off a none-too-startlingly high platform into ntan's arms to glean well. The Ghisi Ballet follows with arm calisthenics, done in long purple chiffon gowns to the tune of 'Where or When.' Turn is a la Martha Gra- ham, but done with little success, and gets its only peep when they wiggle hips instead of arms. The Four American Stars, billed as from the U. S., alone offer anything with pep and timing, doing some fast roller* .<4rating. Although remarkable iik their feats, shownoanship, perjionality and gals' blonde tresses put them over. Henriette, bUled as . lately from the French Casino, New York (latter has been the Casa Manana (or a couple of years), doesn't do any- thing more strenuous in acrobalia than most ponies learn in first week of kicking. But she doesn't need to here. Her s.a., fiery red hair and skimpy, gold-brocaded shorts and bra catch the Italos in the uppers. Almost unheard of here, the localers demand oicores. Act is much too long for what she contributes. The Ghisi gals again take over here in an indiscriminate number, with half of them in military garb and others in flowing robes. 'Hiey. combine tap, ballroom and ballet, but only succeed in being messy. Acrobats Concha and Concha close. They're good physical culture types, clad appropriately and have plenty of grace. However, their feats ar^ done too slowly. They gamer big . applause though. R. Di Marco directs the pit or-, chestra (12), which comes as close to playing American tunes in the man- ner in which they were intended as any other orchestra hereabouts. Sixty-minute show, plus film, is •oSered at 10 to 3Sc scale, plus the 10c admission charge to the grounds. CAPITOL, WASH. Vfashingtm, Aug. 19. Seventh anniml locol revue, 'Going Native'; produced by Gene Ford; starring Paul Gerrits with local play- ers as /oUouis: Banks Murraw, Jr^ Dorothy Walsh, Tom, Dick & Harry, Marjorie King, E-Oelyn Foster, Rob- ert. Youmans, James Evans, Catholic University German Band, Fagve Spnneraan, Edward Dorgan & Eliza- beth Gitihridge, Joe Johnson, Sylvia Kaplowitz & Accordion Ensemble; These Glamour Girls' (M-G). Seventh annual all-local reviie proves again that house has a swell institution as good-will builder, space-grabber and, this year more than ever, good entertainment With Paul Gerrits doing a stout emcee job, and a cast of 40 localites drawn from colleges, high schools, and would-be pros, it's authentic home talent and the best of the series. Opens with line warbling 'Settle Down,' clever tune by two Univer- sity of Maryland students (Joe Peas- lee and Frank Stevenson) and break- ing into'adequate tap-and-kick rou- tine, Gerrits leading the hoofing on his skates. Off with the skates tor palter with Banks . Murray, Jr., young student editor of high .school column in Times-Herald, who aspires to be an emcee and does amusing job throughout, working both with Gerrits and alone. Dorothy Wal.«h,. pretty brunet comes on for cro.ss gags with Murray and Gerrits and takes stage alone for standard tap routine. "Tom, Dick and Harry, har- monica trio, take it next for n,s,g. sweet pop medley, waste time with pantomime horseplay and then tear ofi 'C^sa-Loma Stomp' for a strong finish. More incidental patter with Gerrits, Murray and Dorothy Walsh, and they bring on Marjorie Kinj;. blond .soprano who socks with oper- etta selections and takes side mi)<< (Continued on page 28)