Variety (Nov 1939)

48 VARIETY VARIETY HOUSE REVIEWS Wedoesdaj, November 22, 1939 EARLE, PHILLY (Continued from page 45) fuppo:>ed to show how a horse brings nonte a cowboy drunk from town on a Saturday night. Last bit by Gib- son is his best, a demonstration of roping on horseback. Hammond also does some fancy trick shooting with rifle and pistol. The Four Franks, playing a re- turn, are still good entertainment though they hayen't changed their routine since their last appearance liere. Working at top speed,, they play a couple of sax selections; do several tap turns and then their neat takeon on Garbo-Barrymore in 'Grand Hotel.* Bob Carroll, from the band. Is fair vocaling 'What's New' and 'South Of tlia Border.' Crew really gets some life just before closing when Miss Dawn comes on stage for 'Jumpin' Jive,' 'Begin the Beguine' and a swing arrangement ■ of 'Donkey Serenade.' Lou Schrader's house orch plays the overture from the pit. Biz at last show Friday (17) was just fair. Shal. KEITH'S, BOSTON and doesn't receive the response it should. Don Cunimings' rope twisting and gagging goes over fairly well, al- though a couple of his tales are very passe, so much so that the audience shouts, the tagline back at him be- fore he gets a chance to tell it. The Ghczzis' work in lifting each other and balancing is tops along this line, clicking big. They also register nicely with their standard finale of jittcrbugging upside down on their hands. The Flalbush's public address sys- tem, since inception of vaude at the house this season, has needed expert attention to remove the shrillness, especially from the voices of the feinnie singers. There's no reason why .the condition should harm per-, formers week after week. New, rather plain drops and drapes on the stage are quite an improvement, fmally lifting the Flatbush into the big-lcaguc class on this score.. Herb. Orpheum, Portland, Ore. Boston, Nov. 16. Toy and Wing, Marion Belett and English Brothers, The Voss Family (5), WaKy Brovm and Annette Ames, The Five Canestrellys, Larry Flint House Orch; 'Hidden Power' (Col) aiid 'Sued for Libel' (RKO), duol. New and old faces blend into an hour of good entertainment this week. Most familiar fac« is Wally Brown's, stopping the show in the next-to-close spot. Brown brings back a little charmer, Annette Ames, who can sell a line, a song and a dance. Brown's own material is partly new and partly repeat, but he whams 'em all the way. He seems overdue for the revue-musical field. However, he, along with other comedians playing the house, might note that the gag about the room with a sponge has been running here threa weeks. Toy and Wing, Oriental ballroom dancers with modern routines, open with peppy, diversified terps: 'Toy Is good on splits and Miss Wing scores with a fast toe solo. English Bros, and Marion Belett deuce with their familiar and lusty rough-house turn, all of which goes over. Vass Family (5) (New Acts), from radio, fill the trey okay. Canestrelly Troupe (5), mixed, closes the show with a bang. Basic- ally, they're a ladder-balancing act, but hoop-juggling and a brief bit on the trapeze and horizontal bar by a boy and girl give it a. circus flavor that's all to the good. Two trained dogs also have an Inning climbing up the ladders and Cerching on the heads of the two alancers. Head man interpolates with some stick and ball juggling: Fox. Portland, Ore., Nov. 17. Sally Ravd, Al Carney, Harger and Maye, Mickey King, Caprino Sis- ters, Line (16); 'Jtfr. Mo(o Takes Vncottoii' (20lli). Sally Rand brought her new girl revue to a somewhat jittery Or- pheum this week, whose manage- ment was frankly worried over the guarantee, with ducats selling at the regular pic rate of 40c. top. After the first night, however, the house stopped worrying. Biz was in the groove and so was the show. Any notion that this was some- thing left over fi-om the San Fran- cisco Fair and packaged carelessly for vaudeville has done a Margaret Mitchell. Nudist Sally Rand does the expected artistically, staging a bubble dance in practically the al- together in the ncxt-to-closing spot, but producer Sally Rand also does a bang-up job, turning out a colorful, fast and well staged revue with few dull spots in an hour's entertainment. Al Carney, m.c. is clever, smooth and unhurried in his capture of audi- ence sentiment and has some clever impersonations also: Only other man in the show Is Harger, of Harger and Maye, specialty dancers who add a fillip to the dancing line of 16 girls. Terp numbers are pic- ture settings, the bubble-fountain idea being particularly clever. Music is well scored, and it any criticism is to be leveled, it lay not in the show, but in the inability of the house pit band to do justice to the score. Mickey King is a hit with her rope gymnastics and earns every echo of a big reception. The harmony of the Caprino Sisters is appealing. Jim. HIPP, BALTO FLATBUSH, B'KLYN Ozzie Nelson Orch with Rose Ann Stevens, Jim Curry and Betty Lou; Ghezzi Bros. (2), Don Cummings; 'Mutiny on the Blackhawk' (U). Show is rather standard, portion provided by the Ozzie Nelson outfit and Don Cummings l>etng virtually the same they did during their date, together at the Strand, on Broadway, early in September. Only differ- ences are the absence, because of ill- ness, of Harriet Hilliard and the sub- stitution of trombonist Jim Curry with some specialty numbers. Ghezzi Bros., (2), handbalancers, also re- cently at the Broadway house, are vaude vels. Nelson's 12-man crew is strong in the musical department and is aided in getting over handily by the maes- tro's :* humorous, but inoffensive, m.c.ing, plus general gagging by the men on the stand. Nelson warbles the ditty on the tribulations of a. band leader, which he has been do- ing for several years. Never out- standing, it could use a replacement at this late date. Newcomer to the vocal side of the troupe is Curry, who stepped down from the stand starting on the second day of the current week (Friday) to fill part of the gap left by Miss Hil- liard. It's his first novelty work and he shows plenty promise of thus be- coming a permanent asset. Comedy material could be perked plenty, mainly missing. In that it's not defi- nite enough burlesque and is liable to suffer by being taken too seri- ously. He does an operatic version of 'Well, All Right,' then a short bit' called 'No More Honey for Me' and finally 'Night aind Day' in swingy style. Other members of the troupe Include chirper Rose Ann Stevens and aero dancer Betty Lou. Miss Stevens, on Friday, took over some of Miss Hilliard's arrangements and did very creditably, being pushed to sing five numbers, finally begging o(T with the excuse she didn't know any more. Betty Lou's aero work on ^ table is sock for its difficulty, but. as at the Strand, it is not sold properly STATE, HARTFORD Baltimore, Nov. 19. The Herzogs (5), Ross and Ld Pierre, Ouien McGiwnev, Wally Ver- non, Felice lula House Orch (11); 'Fast and Furious (M-G). Talented layout this, with stand ard acts coming through for strong effect. Typical vaude, presented and routined in the pattern em- ployed in its hey-day, show supplies sock and versatility. No four-figure names, no line, orch on stage or m.c; nothing but straightforward firesenlation of diversified showman- y entertainment. Stubholders ate it up at show caught. The Herzogs, quintet of femme trapeze workers, open in fast, punchy style. Gals go through the usual perches and catches, supply- ing an unusual and highly elTective comedy twist that warrants better spoiling of the act. Interrupted in their stint by femme stooge in au- dience, who proceeds to go through a routine of funny business on the swinging trap, act takes on consid- erable stature. Fully clothed and possessed of a sure sense for laughs, femme ties up matters solidly with a thrilling finale. Turn could be built into a funny revue bit. Ross and' La Pierre are in the deuce, Mixed team punches out fast potpourri of musical imitations, vo- cals and flip gagging for solid ef- fect. Take off of Popeye is stand- out. They set a nice niche for Owen McGivney's standard quick-change, presentation of his 'Bill Sykes' dra- matization. Vaude standby is made more effective by his exposing the rapid costume changes. Wally Vernon closes. Given a buildup via recent film labors in Hollywood, comic -^ags swiftly and knowingly In addition to doing an effective buck. Brings on elderly gent introduced as bis dad for ap- pealing interlude of oldtime hoofery, and closes with' a funny takeoff of a burlcy strip tease queen giving the boys out front the works. On day caught, he proved his showman- ship by eliminating this latter bit on an earlier show sold to local kiddie club, substituting instead a series of comedy dances. Generally, the few weeks of vaude have sharpened his act; when he first broke in lie seemed to be suffering from ennui. Biz okay. Burm. Hartford, Nov. 19. Cray Gordon Orch, with Shirley Lane, Rita Rhcy, Helene Fay, Troy and Lynn, Jimmy Durante, Ray Barrett, Sam Kaplan House Orch; 'Tropic Fury' (U). The State has Jimmy Durante and Gray Gordon for the marquee, and from weekend indications they're giving the b.o. a nice little nest egg. It's a fast shosv, running an approxi- mate 70 minutes with an additional 10 more tagged on for femme audi- tions that have been conducted by Gordon in order to secure a vocalist. Easily running off witii top honors is Durante. The comedian utilizes two stooges, one at the drums and n mountainous fellow who mixes wilh the aud. When he isn't gagging with them he indulges in some by-play with Gordon and the ushers, contin- ually accusing the latter of picketing him or of getting lost in the aisles. He accuses;, in fact, practically every- one on the bill of trying to cra.sh in on his act. Continually switches tactics, throwing sheet music, hats, etc., about. The audience, as a result, isn't given- a quiet moment, and he has them all holding their mid.sections continually. Most of his time is spent at either the mike or a piano, from where he gives forth with several screwy songs, finally winding up with his standard 'Ink a Dink a Doo.' Gordon's crew does a nice job batoned by the personable leader. On stage throughout, it produces a series of appealing novelty numbers. Aggregation consists of one clarinet, three trumpets, traps, base violin, piano, accordion, banjo and three saxes. Maestro has a surplus of vocalists. Two of the boys from the band step up to the mike, as do two femmes, one announced as the winner of a series of auditions. None is stand- out, Shirley Lane, a package for the eyes, does a couple of acceptable pops, later reprising herself on 'Alex- ander's Ragtime Band.' This gives the band a good opportunity to im- personate styles of other orchs do- ing the same number. Rita Rhey Is band's other femme thrush, the audition finalist, who does 'Breeze' nicely. Band's arrange- ment of 'Darktown Strutters' Ball' is excellent. First turn out is Lyim and Troy, ballroom team. Femme is a looker, and utilizes every opportunity to show off her shapely gams. Team gets by nicely with slick precision, grace and rhythm. Next specialty is Helene Fay, fiddler, who does an ex- cellent Job with three classical num- bers. Encores with a pop, 'My Prayer.' She's okay, but her type of music and style are mon f U I for concert than for this type of house, which dentands a fast pace. At late show caught.' Saturday night (18). Ray Barrett, head mike- man at WDRC, took bver for the auditioning of a handful of vocal aspirants. Barrett, a local favorite on the ether, did some fairish patter and gags before introing the young sters. Eck. MINNESOTA, MPLS. IVfitineajiolts, Nov. 18. Jack Malerich's House Orch (IS), Patricia Wynn Dancers (12), Clyde Snyder, Reddingtons (.?), Cliflord Bringtoell, Randall Sislers (3>, M«l- cnhys (2), Terry HotDord & Co. (2); 'Panamo Patrol' (CN). Current show lacks a name head- liner, but makes up for this short- coming in all-around entertainment. It has plenty of good talent, no little production and fast tempo. The standard house-- units—Malerich's band, the new m.c, Clyde Snyder, and the line of girls—all contribute to the big money's worth at 40c. top. Malerich gives a number of his boys a chance for solos during the spirited overture, 'Allah's Holiday.' Later, at the console, he plays, as usual, selections requested by the audience. His work, also per usual, is above reproach. Snyder, long a night club favorite here, proves a highly capable m.c. This week marks debut at the thea- tre. He introduces the acts nicely, keeps the show moving swiftly, fans customer enthusiasm properly and sings and dances commendably. AS producer, he also helps the show. The line's numbers smack of bet- ter than usual production. The 12 Wynn girls, in cHarti-euse green abbreviated attire, are seen first on a raised stage behind a gold-colored, cellophane curtain where they start their prancing. The number winds up with some hot swing in which the m:c. participates. A man and two women comprise the Reddingtons, whose trampoline work include enought laugl)s and thrills to win plenty of applause. The Mulcahys, man and woman, draw considerable good music out of their harmonicas. Their 'Rhapsody in Blue' and 'Carnival of Venice' duets hit high levels, and for an encore they get hot with "Tiger Rag.' Clifford Bringwell, winner of • local radio talent contest, performs well on the violin. The three Ran- dall Sisters are warbler lookers who harmonize pop;; in a fashion that sets them ace higli with the customers. They deliver dandy arrangements of 'Carolina,' 'Jumping Jive' and 'When Pa Was Courtin' Ma,' the last being good for some comedy. The principal fun burden is en- trusted to little Terry Howard, whose impression of a small girl wearing too tight panties and too slioi't a dress spreads merriment thickly. Jack Talley stooges for her and joins in the comedy dancing and vocalizing which enable both to go over. Again in abbreviated attire, the Wynn dancers, assisted cffcctivclyby Snyder, engage in a hot 'swing re- vival' that spices the finale. B.O. light at the opening day's matinee. Recs. ORIENTAL, CHI Chicago, Nov. 18. Lottie Mayer Watcrcade (12), Miller and Reading, Ross and Ed- utards, Ray Vnnghn, Bcbe Lorraine, Veriie Buck House Orch; 'Here I Am a Stranger (20£h). Good variety lineup that's cut to the entertainment satisfaction of the customers, evidenced by the way a capacity audieiice ate up the offering at the last show Friday (17). Heading the bill. is tlie Lottie Mayer water ballet turn, standard in show business for years. There has been little change in the act's setup, which consists primarily of some diving routines by the various girls, with the punch being their changing of costumes in the water. It still must be rated a novelty act for vaude. Comedy click is the vocal team of Ross and Edwards, who do remark- ably well with their routine of burlesqued word pi'onunciations. This is old-jishioned hokum, but full of entertainment for this mob. They also have a comedy blast at femmes which is always good for laughs. Had to beg off when caught. Other two- act is Miller and Reading, who specialize in comedy falls and acro- batics, but who also try various novelty comedy bits and some talk. Open the show and manage to stir up audience attention to get the show going. Ray Vaughn Is a novelty xylo- phonist who is playable on almost any bill. Winds up playing some songs on bottles. From the amateur contest comes Bebe Lorraine, who puts over her singing and dancing with plenty of exuberance, con- fidence and ability. Gold. PARAMOUNT, L. A. Los Angeles, Nov. 18. Kenny Baker, Frances Lang ford. Ken Murray, Milton Charleston, Jacques Retiard Orch; The Fan- c/ionettcj; 'Cat and the Canary' (Par). Texaco Star Theatre, from the air lines, is doubling this week at the Paramount, Kenny Baker, Frances Langford and Ken Murry, with Mil- ton Charleston, topping the stage show. Former Texaco program band, Jacques Renard's, Is also in the lineup, making it pretty much of an ether program before a pay audi- ence. Baker and Miss Langford, latter making her initial appearance at the Par, were tendered tremendous ova- tions by opening-day mob (Thurs- day) and Murray, functioning as m.c. and adding comedy throughout the show, also came in for hefty ap- probation. Show runs heavily to warbling, with Miss Langford doing three straight numbers and winding up with a comedy bit with Murray, good for a lot of laffs. Her powerful pipes never functioned better. Baker fol- lows later on the program, doing four numbers niftily. Renard's orch is on view a little too much, and its contribution to the proceedings can be cut down ma- terially. His violin solo, while show- ing technique, is a bit draggy. Murray is in his usually good form, prone to drag in a lot of 'hells,' but otherwise his material is clean. His bit with Charleston draws hearty laffs, and latter's Russian dance scores, too. House linegirls, the Fanchoncttes, do couple of routines, first a pre- cision number, with gals garbed in male attire, and closing show in a ballet number as accompaniment to vocal duet by Miss Langford /and Baker. ' I Former scores in her solo /vork with 'Day In, Day Out,'JSouth American Way,' 'Night and Day' and her dialog number with Murray. Baker offers 'Over the Rainbow,' 'South of the Border,' 'I Hear You Calling Me,' and for well-deserved encore, 'Love Walked In.' Opening performance did capacity biz. • Edwa. STANLEY, PITT Pittsburgh, JVoi>. 17. Hal Kemp's Orch (14), Rufe Davis Smoothies (3), Jeanne Blajiche, Jacfc Leflfaire, Bob Allen, Eddie Kusbu Max Adkins' House Orch; 'On Dresi Parade' (WB). " WB deluxer is back to flesh after fortnight of straight pix, but for how long nobody knows, not even the management. Looks like a pretty safe bet for a few weeks of it dur- ing this stretch, at any rate. Ifs tha Hal Kemp band that relights tha stage and Kemp's standard in Pitts- burgh. He's been around at least once a year for five or six of them, iand house can practically put up a salisfaction-guarantecd sign now along with his booking. Over the annums, lanky, likeable southerner has developed a smooth style, based on reed-brass combina- tions. Band.sounds as good as ever, which is plenty good, and its batonecr is an even better showman. He demonstrated that today (Friday) at the first show by the way he han- dled a tough crowd of kid hecklers. Ordinarily, gatig like this at the Stanley runs a show way Overbo.ird with forced mitt-pounding, but Kemp had the situation well in hand and layout ran over by only five minutes. . Uses the usual medley for a get- away, including 'Apple for Teachei',' 'Lucky Star' and 'Rancho Grande,' and then brings on Jeanne Blanche, hoofer-looker who reveals some neat footwork and a face and figure to match. Finishes with a boogey- woogey time tap that's in the groove. 'Mood Indigo' brings on Eddie Kusby for his trombone trickery and he's followed by -Jackie LeMaire, guitar- ist, who steps down from the stand for an impression of a jitterbug go- ing berserk that's a howl. Fact is he was satirizing the mob in the upper- reaches at this show, but they wera unaware of it, judging from their en- thusiasm. Pace changes with appearance of Bob Allen, featured singer with band, who comes on for 'Day In, Day Out,' 'South of Border,' 'Lullaby of Broadway' and 'Dale .With An An- gel.' Has a sweet, serviceable tenor, but could develop a bit more warmth and salesmanship. As it is, emotion- less face and delivery cut in on his effectiveness. An original number called 'Tantrum' is next, but Kemp's arranger gives his drummer one of those gyrating workouts. Then tha Smoothies take over to slap them- selves into a solid hit. Mixed trio had to do six numbers, their best be- ing impressions of Shcp Fields and Guy Lombardo trios to 'Shade of Old Apple Tree.' Crowd wouldn't let 'em go until they ran themselves down. Next-to-closing brings on Rufa Davis, the one-man hillbilly sound effects department. Davis, lika Kemp, is likewise standard hert and can do no wrong despite the fact that he's selling the same merchan- dise he's sold here for years. Only thing new is a comedy whistle that starts low and assumes whirlwind proportions, finally knocking the cap off his head. Seein' as how Davis still goes over, however, and big, it probably isn't reasonable to expect him to drop his staple goods for something a little less dated. For an encore, he does novelty song called 'Sawing a Woman in Half,' which he did for Par's last 'Big Broadcast,' but which hit the culting-room floor be- fore release. For his overture this week. Max Adkins symphonizes couple of jazz classics. ■■ Biz at opening big, with rope up at the break. C^olien. ADAMS, NEWARK JVeioarfc, N. J., Nov. 19. 'Folies Parisienne,' toilh Dcllo Cor- roll, Jeanne Rochelle, Frank Paris, YDonne and St. Clair, Kent and Kay, Gaylene Sisters (2), Chorus (24), shotogtrls (8), Ted Eddy with Joe Fecher's House Orch (ID, 'Main Street Latoyer' (Rep). The Adams stage this week haa plenty entertainment, getting belly laughs with Kent and Kay and gasps of amazement from novelties of Delia Carroll, Jeanne Rochelle ana Yvonne and St. Clair. Allen Gilbert has put together well-knit 70 minutes of gals, gags and specialties, and with Ted Eddy wieldmg guest baton over Joa Fecher's house orch. the result li fast-moving presentation of fun ana more scantiness than Newark audi- ences have oglied in months. Biz is. best since A. A. Adan opened house for vaudfilm four weeks ago. S.R.O. sign came out opening night (17) and stayed up throughout weekend. Line and showgirls are attired a bit on the hurley side, but what lit- tle there is in raiment has been turned out tastefully, giving the im- pression that time and money hai been spent on production. Miss Carroll, who was with N.T.G. at the N. Y. World's Fair, offers her 'Rose Dance' in a slightly Jess toi- rid interpretation than on Flushin.'! (Continued on page 49)