Variety (Dec 1939)

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46 VARIETY VARIETY HOUSE REVIEWS Wt'dncsduy, December 13, 1939 FLATBUSH, B'KLYN (CoiUinued from page 18) keep the show movinc. particiiUirly iC the house is l\lled with vcU.stirred by nostalRic nieinorics. Working on a plalforni fronting the stage, he gets olY 'Let's Have a Party,' 'Keep on . ,?''ut%'rr i Smilln;.'-iNo wonder' the' Waves>re ird of Raymond wiioei , ^ songs, demonstrating fair trickster who's excellent ^a^^^^^^ down to war- manipulations, but short sc iously. However, it's mainly Now.' wrillen by Haggart. I There's also a duo session o£ Hag- garl and Beauduc in a number called •Bi? Noise from Winetka,' but which, to ill the locale, is introduced as '.. • from Flatbush.' . „ Fir.sl ot the variety turns is the old standard ot Raymond Wilbert, i bike-rim with the , on the patter. At this show, how ever, he was missing tricks .con- siderably, but that's i factor un- doubtedly erased with his acclima- tion to the house. Following this turn the band re- sumes, with Crosby taking a try at the mike for his only solo. He s only fair with the pipes, showing a slight vocal similarity, to brother Bing. Then comes another harmless effort by three boys from the band in which they do a take off on Sally Rand's fandancing that's mildly amusing. , . ^. Then Miss Faye, who goes right Into her tonsil gymnastics with 'Taint Whatcha Do,' self accomping on the piano. Here she smartly mixes it up with the soft 'Over the - Tlainbow,' but gets right back into the groove with 'Well. AUright; •which she collaborated on. Shes plenty okay on the comedy, too, as evidenced with a novelty number, and it there's any doubts as to her click when she's ■ ready to get off, a f6w interpolated Yiddish lyrics dispel that with this predominantly Yid- dish audience. She's show-wise. too. as evidenced by her glib handUng of the paritywaist hecklers, a bane to acts working here. For the finisher, there's the knock- about of Marion Belett and the Eng- lish Bros., good for laughs but strictly anti-cliinax after the smash of Miss Faye. . Biz good Friday night (8). ADAMS, NEWARK Wild.' "iC You Knew Susie.' closing with 'Cioodbye.' The house has booked PUinkett with wlid cntcrlainment. including Ing.n Nelson, who heads the support. Mi.ss Nelson, assisted by Ben Smith, works in Swedish dialect for some CHICAGO, CHI Cliiraao. Dec.'9. Aiidrems Si.s/er.<! (3), Dcnti Mur- phy, DeVal, Merle & Dec. Johimy CScal') Davis Orch with Bill Ouieii, Jidic Slicnu'in; '£lirnl)etli and Essex' IWB). a kibitz, act. Does fantasies'on 'Um brella Man' and 'Hold Tight' with 'Over the Rainbow' straight. Smith blendiiig in on the last chorus o£ 'Rainbow.' Miller and Reading hold their own with tumbling that brings them back for an encore. Ernest Haitt reminds strongly of the old vaudeville days with his novelty songs and comedy. His tiining is something the kids in show business could well heed for an object lessoti. . Jones and Dale combine music and dancing to good effect. Tcrps are of the comedy nature, with Jones, for- mer local boy. also pl.nying guitar and clarinet, both good, Harrison and Carroll, introduced as from Hoi lywood. are hard working, person able youngsters who do straight dancing. They al-so contribute imi- tations, all of which add up to healthy applause. ... Don Wright's stage band, house .standby, and short features round out the lineup, which is enhanced by efTeclive stage dressing and li!thting. JVoriii. Sonja Hepie Ice- Show (COLISEUM, HOUSTON) Houston Dec. 10. Stars Sonja Henie; staged by Harru Losee: iiuisical director,' Jncfc Pfeifjer; produclion by RalpH Good acre; opened Dec. 8, '39. Newark, N. J., Dec. 10. Rosita Roycc, Sherry Britton, Bediiii & Londers, Gciie Marvey, Abbott & Robev, Jack Kirkland, Gleim Forest's Orcli (12), Joe Fecher thing missing were enough cus- hou.te orch (U), Line and Shotcgirls tomers. but the show has eight nights (25>; 'Hidden Power* (Col). Sonja Henie brought her -Holly- wood Ice Revue of 1940, including 65 silver streakers, a 28-piece band and an ice. production as lavish as anything she has ever done for its world premiere here. The only Rosita Royce, with doves, and Sherry Britton, without doves, top sock show this week. No slow spots in 70-minute pro- duction. Good acts reinforce fast- moving girl show and astute ex- ploitation is packing 'em in. It's a tossup whether house goes more for Miss Royce and her New ner for her, to run and should pick up Presented in two sections, the re- vue runs through 18 acts, with emphasis on ballet, danced on ice for the first time. But despite the buildup for ballet, the standard sock of last year's show, the tango, skated in pair by Miss Henie and Stewart Reburn, was the largest applause- getter. He makes ah excellent part- York World's Fair dove routine or Miss Britton and her Oriental dance Insinuations. Both femmes turn in finished performances and justify their billing. Miss Britton outstrips Miss Royce on one point, appearing in a costume that would hardly inspire anyone to complain she's working under wraps. She employs no strip technique, terp- ing from start to finish without any impedimenta above the beltline. Miss Royce's offering is fascinating, 'even from the standpoint of a bird- Iwer. Her well-trained doves flutter to. their mistress from the wings, and their convolutions through her dance seem as synchronized to the music as her steps. Artistic peeling climaxes the act. Jack Kirkland'S stunts on his ladder. Bedini and I,«nders' gag mind-i'cading bit and plate juggling and Abbott and Robey's nonsense provide balance for the show. Gene Marvey, personable tenor, also received hearty reception open- ing day (7). Equipped with the physiqije of anybody's football hero, Marvey also has a neat voice. Audi- ence went for his 'Victor Herbert medley, at this show. Eight 'Allen GilbertjCJirls' and line open sKow with standard routine set to 'A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody,' and are spotted in several solid pro- duction numbers. As jitterbug girls, clad in red, white and blue, they grab beaucoup applause. On stage is Glenn Forrest's orch (12), winner of the first of 13 weekly amateur shows being presented in tieup with WNEW and a furniture company. Band is spotted midway through regular show, and does creditable, if nervous, job. Playhouse, Winnipeg. Winnipeg, Dec. 8. Al Plunkett, Inga Nelson & Ben Sinilli.;: Miller & Reading, Ernest Haitt; Jones & Dale, Harrison. & Car- roll, Don Wright House Orch. This is old-home week for the Playhouse, with Al Plunkett, star of the former Dumbells company; head- ing the bill. (The Dumbells were a soldier concert troupe formed in France and which toured Jhe. Do- minion for 14 seasons during the post-war years.) Plunkett has always been a strong favorite locally, and this, his first local appearance since the Dumbells era. has been no exception, with biz excellent at this catching. Plunkett demonstrates his ability to swing an audience with his easy- going banter and wartime songs, ccasionally it's tough foe him to Top production number is the finale, 'Christmas in a Candy Shop, which replaces last year's 'Alice in Wonderland' cl6.se. To a musical background of 'Over the Rainbow,' the skaters come on dres.sed as fairy- tale characters—three little pigs, the monkeys. Donald Duck and a host of others. Miss Henie is carried in on a huge candy box toted by 12 skaters dressed as peppermint candy sticks. The number is a feast for the eyes on its color array. Unique on ice is the ballet For the first time, an entire ballet is presented, and the illusion is so com- plete it is often difficult to realize that it all takes place not in the conventional manner. Three num- bers in ?ll are u.sed. with 'Les Sylphides,' music by Chopin, most prominent. Again Miss Henie dances, this time with Harrison Thomsen, a graceful glider, who lifts, pirouettes and whirls her all over the ice. The two other ballet numbers are Enesco's "Roumanian Rhapsody' and Rimsky - Korsakov's 'Scheherazade Suite.' For variety, the heavy numbers are broken up with swift novelty routines, each averaging about five minutes. Many of these contain the necessary comedy to keep the show from going too highbrow. To demon- strate her versatility in the dance. Miss Henie closes the first half with a trio of dances from south ol! the border—a carioca, rhumba and conga. Special mention for novelty goes to the masked dance number, where two boys and two girls come out masked, even to their skates, which look alike front and back, and glide for five minutes, without the audi- ence once ever determining whether they were going frontwards or back wards. The entire show Is paced fast, run ning 2<A hours, with a 30-minute in termission for re-icing.. Staged by Harry Losee, Hollywood producer, it shows plenty of preparation. The troupe came to Houston Tuesday , and worked out every dav until the Fri- day opening. Miss Henie naturally dominates, her graciousness and willingness to encore getting her sock applause in each number. Works in only five numbers; but the show moves fast enough so that she is never missing for long. . Tlie show could use more comedy as contrast to the heavy numbers, but' it's a definite click. First night house was weak with not more than 25% of the 12,000 seats, occupied. Opening night gross was $9,894, at from $1J20 to $3.60. U the 78-degree heat that Houston has had the last few days persists, the house is t>ouad to pick up. , i Sfdo,, . Balaban &. Katz fiagship ha.s enough name value and solid enter- tainment to total a highly worthy brigade. ., . After several false slarU. the An- drews Sisters finally arc working al this theatre, and at show caught scored a dynamite click. This smash scoring, however, almost hurt 'em al the last show Friday (8). when they stayed on and oiv, though in actual response to heartening applause.. Should have .scrammed while the mob out front still wanted more. However, they warble solidly; working hard and earnestly. Slammed home four songs for their regular turn when reviewed, and then came back for two encores, winding up with the middle sister almost tiring the audience with some Suzi-Q business; That wardrobe also is not headline stuff. Dean Murphy is a lopnotch mimic. He has distinction, polish and an ex- pressive pan, but also almost suffers from being on-tbo-l6iig. His closing impersonation of the President is satisfactory, but far too long-winded, especially in his border-line political comments. For a performer, espe- cially a clowii, to venture into the politico stuff, williout fiat inlro that it's all in fun, is to court possible audience disfavor. Also in question- able taste is his comedy speech-olT with its play on the word.'hell.' The burlesque .ballroom trio ot De'Val, Merld and Dee. Iwo-mcn and a woman; is loaded with laughs con taining some extremely funny knock- about. Can play anywhere. Scored cleanly when caught. Johnnie 'Scat' Davis' orch has just come off a fine build-up. over WGN- Mutual from the Blackhawk cafe, Chicago, and .so rates as something ot a name locally. Davis him.selt. how- ever, lacks aiiy real ability to enter tain and suffers brutally when he follows the Andrews Si.slers. Warb- ling trio should be the finale. Davis attempted two numbers after 'em but was working to the audience's backs by that time at this show. His band is on stage thi-oughoul and plays the show; Earlier in the performance, the band instrumentalizes through a couple of pop tunes, with Davis him self getting a few licks on the cornet. He has two excellent singers. Julie Sherwin clicks with her straight forward warbling, and impresses especially with her Hawaiian song a fine novelty that should remain a mark of recognition for her. Girl also comes up with a new screwy twist by singing williout her shoes on. She dispenses with the footgear for the Hawaiian, number, which Is No. 2 on her routine, and for her other numbers that follow works while holding her shoes in her hands Bill Owen is the male singer and goes over with wholesome pipes, an easy delivery and fine appearance. Biz excellent. Gold torches through the air, with the house in darkness. One ot the men, working as a comic, is more of an asset when straight. Bobbins Bros, and Marge supply the closing excitement with their showmanly routine ot fast aero dan- cing. Marge's solo high-kick acros are a good breather between the two sessions ot exhausting rapid spins and leaps by the boy.'i. Fo.v. KEITH'S BOSTON Boston. Dec. 7. Johnny Doiuiis, Four Aicardis, Roy Davis, Lorraine & Rognan. Robbtns Bros. & Marge (3). Larry Flint' House Orch.; 'High Grey Walls' (Col), dual. LYRIC, INDPLS. Indianapolis. Dec. 8. I'c'd Wfcms orch ti'ilh Elmo Ton- er, ferry Como, Red Ingle, Martiet JWaxtcell. Ornioiid Doions, Paul Wi7i- chell, Arren & Brodericlr. Patsy Marr; '20,000 Men a Yeor' (20th;. With the plentiful supply ot indi- idual . performers in Ted Wecms' orch, plus three added acts, 59 min- utes of stage fare is pleasing and a 0. lure this week. Orch opens with 'Gamblers Blues,' with Ormond Downs going out of this world on the skins. Patsy Marr follows with nice military tap and novelty handstand on platform with tap on top of hat. Band then takes' over' for about 20 minutes. Elmo Tanner whistles 'Blue Orchids,' ■ScatteFbr.ain' and the inevitable Nola/ Red Ingle and Elmo Tanner then join forces for some giggles on burlesque of 'Old 97.' Ingle goes it alone for imitation of Ted Lewis playing 'When My Baby Smiles at Me' and follows with fiddle novelty, 'Phantom of E String.' For an encore. Ingle does'Heebie Jeebies' n jive talk; Marvel Maxwell, fcmme vocalist.- follows with 'You're Lucky Guy.' which she did poorly at .show caught, forgetting lyrics. However, she'goes into the groove on "T'ain't Whatcha Do.' following with 'Oh Johnny' to good hand. Paul Winchell and dummy Jerry put on nicely-timed venlro act. but voice pitcher could restrain his facial reactions for better effect when dummy is supposed to be doing the emoting. 'Top laugh winner of turn dummy's vocal rendition of 'Hold Tichl.' Does sneeze bit for encore. Perry Como. band's romantic bari- tone, scores heavily with 'That Old Gang of Mine,' 'Over Rainbow" Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now 'South of Border' ihd 'To You. Arren and Broderick are heaviest scorers in laugh section with goofy body-tossing by femme as she war hies novelty songs. Opens in oper atic fashion, then litLs skirts to re veal skates and rolls off. Returns to do 'Ella the Dancing Girl.' in harem outfit, and sings a goot number later, Broderick has a spot at the piano, where he opens -the lid to strum ''World Waiting for Sunrise' on the strings. Biz good at third .show Friday (8) ' Kiley. TOWER, K. C. Kansas City, Dec. 9. The O'Connors, Barney Grant, Mile. DeBarrie, The Novellos, JVovaliiie Payne, House Line, Jack Wendover's House Orch; 'The Honeymoon's Over' (20th). PALACE, CLEVE. Clerelaitd, Dec. 9. Lazanders, Senor Wejices, Gracella Dnnccr.s, Jack Willinnis, Afarlha Raye, Bert linger Orch; "Dui/.Time Wife' (20lh). Familiarity with Martha Raye's ■ act is neutralized by her heavy, local following and g(X)d- support. First day's trade was Haltering, consider'. ing she's getting tough opposition from Glerih Miller's, orchestra al next • door IjOCw's Stale, which is copping a hefty quota ot jitterbugs that would normally go fo.r Miss. Rayc's jive antics, Film comedienne gets oft' on right foot as result ot Jack Williams' smart buildup and her. own exuberant yo- dcling of 'I Want the Waiter.' Vola- tility and her ability to get down to the level of the allcycats with a bit of nutty byplay puts over her oldies. Nose-picking bit, however, is in questionable taste and was toned down by management after first show. Edge is taken off it by her sock 'I Can't Dance' finale. Williams looks .like a comer. His rangy -l^gs- snap-o'ff-some- finely ar- ranged, original steps in flawless rhythm. Music box polka is a darb,. although he makes it seem too easy. Senor Wenccs' ventriloqviisms are well liked, with 'dummy,' made out ot his painted left hand, being ma- nipulated by his fingers. Another dummy is his prop head In. n box, turn being novel enough to overcome any Charlie McCarthy complexes. The Lazanders' turn of .zippy acro- batics mixed with nuisical .slapstick is okay tor an opener. Gracella troupe ot adagio twirlers fills the middle admir.ably. particularly Do- lore.s' spectacular spins when thrown acro.ss halt the stage tor a good thrill. Piillcn. After a week ot solid biz, this house quiets again to revert to for- mer policy ot split-week vaude. Cur- rent lineup deals out a good hour of. entertainment. Johnny Downs, from films, adequately handles m.c. and featured spot. Next - to - closing. Downs vocals 'Minuet in G,' 'Last Night' and a medley of numbers to remind the customers of lus past pictures.. He sells all the time, making up in per- sonality what he lacks in singing ability. He closes with some' hot soft-shoe hooting which eclipses his vocal efforUs and earns him an en- core—a short soft-shoe-novelty called 'Spook Town Blues.' marked by shivers and shakes. Outside of his Hollywood patter, which fkids. Downs avoids the conventional, fatal pattern of the usual film personals. Roy Davis, deuced, gives out with a novelty,, a portable phonograph churning out vocals over a stage mike while he muggs and gestures to mimic the singer.' Effect is en- hanced because ot his excellent tim- ing. Stunt is so unique that his opening number gets bewildered re- .sponse, but as he kids around with an Andrews recording and then a Cyril Smith comedy platter, the final result is a smash response. Jeanne Lorraine and Roy Rognan, trey, get good response on their com- edy patter and harmonica duet, also' clicking big with their da'fly ballroom turn in which Miss Lorraine has most of the lunny biz. Rognan has a nifty solo, spiced with real and phoney aero dancing. They could do with more comedy patter and a replace- ment for the love-making scene. The opening bit ot wearing a live dog as a fur-piece by Miss Lorraine is still a pip. Aical-di troupe opens with run-df- mill club tossing, score belter in fast four-corner disc and club juggling and register best in the finale when ,tb«,three .men shoot ,nln9• flaming. Name value of acts is being im- proved here with Donald O'Connor, of films, being headlined in 'Follies ot the Day.' Barney Grant stays on as m.c. and show maintains usual 50 minutes running time and favorable entertainment quota. House line's leadoff is a toe rou- tine, and Mile. DeBarrie gets call as opening act with her trained birds. Flock ot mackaws perform intricate tricks atop a special run- way table, climaxed by one bird specializing in counting stunt. Good novelty. M.c. strums guitar accompaniment to his own song 'Swinging Down in Nursery. Land', works his chatter around to inlro for Novaline Payne and accompanies vocal of 'I -Need Lovin'. Song is fortunate selection, with combo ot Wendover's band the tune and Grant's strumming nicely backgrounding. Some special bill- ing of the line's number is deserving here. Grant spiels to its 'Evolution ot the Dance', showing route from polka and Primrose sottshoe to the susie Q and the shag. Greeted strongly by patrons. Aero turn is furnished by the No- vello twosome. Gal performs on rings strung from her partner's shoulder as he balances atop a 10- rung ladder. Male furnishes the high-spot, solo balancing on the lad- der and pogoing it about stage. Dog climbs ladder and is balanced atop his master's head for close. Gal's chassis enhances the turn.- O'Connor family takes it from here. Act has played house several times, the last without Donald, who gets.chief billing this time. Jack and Bill open and go into 'Small Fry,' .scene with Donald (from the Bing Crosby pic, 'Sing You Sinners', in which Donald played), who follows with his dance routine from 'On Your Toes.' Little Pat.sy, nine-year old of the gang, gets her turn vo- caling 'When Irish Eyes Are Smil ing' and dancing. Foursome goes into a line of chatter and comedy and windup with taps. As previously welcome here is hearty. • Donald is oiit for couple weeks more of vaude before returning to the Coast, while Jack. Bill and Patsy are .set for Australia dates. < > . ' < < < • I I • ,., , . Qtiin, EMBASSY, N. Y. (NEWSREELS) Although i-ecent reports indicated somewhat of a lag in activity on the western • front, material here this week has enough action to hold inter- est. Showing heavy assaults by Nazis on Allied lines, these scenes have a double-edged interest. Judged by this program, it doesn't take much imagination to picture what in- creased activity would mean to the same locations. The. reels have also corraled several boat sinkings and dramatized the library matter they pos.scssed on Finland. Sum is a series of warlike pictures, accentu- ated by March ot Time's 'New.stronlj of War—1940.' Half-submerged sweeper which cn- roimtercd a n'line in t1ie North Sea is the contribution by News of Day to lead off the program.. Same reel also treats other sinkings, while Pathe brings home the tragedy of these mine blasts with an interview of a Simon Bolivar survivor. On* Scandinavian describes his experi- ences, winding up with a forlorn statement that his wife and daughter still are missing. Universal also handles mine sinkings. Review of Czech soldiers now in the French army, glimpses ot the front lines in France, blasted Nazi planes and shell-lorn Satir building.i are other evidences of activity. Three battleships, formerly in Po- land's nav,v, are shown in Scottish naval yards, both Paramount and Movietone covering. A giant mine wa.shed up on 'the beach and the balloon barrage set up near the Firth ot Forth are cap- tured by Movietone. Paramount and Pathe did nice selecting from the library to dramatize Finland's plight. Universal also gels U. S. Ambas.sndor Joseph P. Kennedy's landing in U, S. atler Clipper flight from Europe. Paramount does a swell job show^; ing how navy blimps can be em- ployed in rescues al sea. News of Dav offers a closcup of glum Fritz. Kuhn going up the river. Universal is in the. lead with novel material, ncludihg unusual scenes at Chicago's iv.estock show, Albanians drilling for the Italian army, weight-lifting champs and hat styles. Thomas Dewey's opening gun in his cam- paign for the Republican presiden- tial nomination is from Movietone, which also takes its cameras into the Dies committee hearing. Lew Lahr, for the same reel, clicks with his gagging about Texas goats. Award of the Heisman trophy to Nile Kinnick, Jr., of Iowa Univer- sity, is given a neat boost by Para- mount as its Bill Slater al.so awards him this ncwsrecl's scroll as top player picked atler viewing 250.00(1 feet of grid film. Shots of Kinnick in actinri enhance the award cere- monies. Tulane-LSU battle «ct.s .slick coverage from Movietone. That disputed field goal in the Gianls- Wnshington crucial battle is not set- tled by Paramount's coverage, the pigskin fading out of the cameras upper riange. However, this news- reel depicts the fierceness of the struggle, cameraman showing par- ticularly the terrific driving power of the New York eleven. U aLso shows the excitement caused in .the Washington ranks over the no-goai decision. Clem McCarthy makes Pathe's handling of an Australian hor.se race more exciting than Ji really Is. Weor.