Variety (Aug 1941)

44 TAUDEVILLB Wednesday, August 27, 1941 AGENTS WARNED BY PA. ON RULES New Acts in Niteries Philadelphia, Aug. 26. William R. Douglas, State Direc- tor of the Bureau of Private Em- ployment, Pennsy Department of Labor and Industry, on Friday (22) laid down the law to booking agents anent the new regulations for the 10% business beginning Saturday (30). The bookers were ordered to at- tend a meeting at the local offices of the bureau and 50 of them showed up—about 90% of all thea- trical bookers here. Douglas ex- plained the provisions of the new law and warned that his bureau was ready to crack down on any viola- tors. Douglas revealed a hitherto undis- closed amendment to the law. This makes an actor vho Is party to a violation guilty of 'aiding and abet- ting' and makes him liable to a $25 fine for the first offense, with stiffer raps, including heavy fines and/or imprisonment for continued viola- tions. One practice which the new law Is expected to curb is the old dodge of agents* representatives, who go to work in a bookers office and then pull out after stealing some of the best accounts. Under the act, agents' reps must obtain licenses (fee $5), which en- title them to work only for the li- censed agent who vouches for him. If the rep leaves the office, the booker must send a report to the State office stating reason why thr man left. If a man is deemed 'unfit,' the State may refuse to renew his permit. The State must also okay any transfer from one booker's of- fice to another. CALLAHAN SISTERS BABES IN TAPLAND juat concluded 4 WEEKS HURRICANE New York Starting 3 week run Aug. 29 STRAND New York WITH SAMMY KAYE Thanka to MILES INGALLS HOWARD MAYER Pan. Rep. C. E. RICHARD KOLF PASSER (3) MenUl Telepathlst 8 IWIns. Balnbow Room, N. T. Since his opening at the Rainbow Room, Rolf Passer has stepped up his stuff and makes for a nice cafe novelty, particularly in a class room such as this. Working with two aides, a male conferencier and a femme 'control,* through whom he achieves the mental telepathy. Passer calls on still one more assist- ant, this time a customer. Latter merely accompanies him out of the room as witness that nothing surrep- titious occurs. The emcee explains the idea, and then has the patrons indicate what they would like Passer to. accomplish when he returns to the room. They ask for- different stunts, such as light my cigar; put a femme's hat on the maestro, have him play a certain tune, and then dance with him; find a needle or other object, etc. All these are announced by the emcee for benefit of the entire assemblage. The comely femme merely stands by, she eventually being Passer's 'con- trol': i. e., he grasps her wrist—not she his, and thus cannot cue him by any hand pressure—and with that contact the telepathist accomplishes the sundry chores set out for him, beyond his back, and during his ab- sence from the boite proper. Of Hungarian background. Passer has been in the U. S. for some time, and has appeared from Chicago to the Coast, also in Canada, but this is the first time in New York, for him. Speaking with the proper 'conti- nental' accent, he chalks up a deft score and can play anywhere, class or mass room. He has relaxed not a little since his Rainbow Room de- but, and it's for the better. Abel. ^ BOBBT BAXTER Singing 10 Mins. Wit's End, Miami Beach Bobby Baxter scored a mild click at the Grossinger hotel last winter, b&t it took this off-season booking for him to really attract attention. Very boyish looking for his 24 years, he's the possessor of a wealth of vo- cal talent A pint-sized personality, the full impact of his robust pipes comes as a distinct surprise. Initial reaction is apt to be that accorded a choir boy tenor, but it's quickly dissipated the moment he pulls out the stops. Repertoire can stand plenty of at- tention though. With a voice such as his, it's a mistake to confine him- self to hashing over standard airs. With smart handling, plus his nifty vocalizing and fresh, youthful appeal, Baxter is a cinch for general nitery or hotel bookings. Leslie. DIKTY'S KEW SHOW Dinty's Terrace Garden, on the Albany-Saratoga Road, has a new floor show featuring Sol Grauman and his musical Stair-A-Tone. Others on the bill arc: Ralph Lewis, emcee; Three Ritter BroOi- ers, Barbara Belmore, Carlyle Sis- ters, Florence Hallman, 'Two Kings and a Queen and Virginia Mauch Dancers (six). Chi AGVA Ball Chicago, Aug. 26. ', American Guild of Variety Artists I local will hold its first annual ball I and show in the Sherman hotel on Oct. 13. LOEW BOOKING AGENCY sfKfiAi ixicuTivf erricfs LOEW BUILOINO ANNEX :^^^;^M0 W.4M Sf, N. Y.C • Uyonl t-TMO Saranac Lake By Bappy Bcnway Saranac, N. Y., Aug. 26. The Len Grottes have closed their camp on Upper Saranac lake, go- ing back to Flushing, L. I., and Loew's Prospect theatre there. Al Brandt (of the Brandt Bros, chain pf theatres) is staging a nifty comeback at the Northwoods sana- torium. Al Tint, who mastered many set- backs here, is now connected with Whitey Ford's 'Plantation Party' on NBC out of Chicago. Chris Hagedorn, long up here, is successfully ozoning in Bayshore, L. 1. Emanuel Frisch and Samuel Rinz- ler, of the Randforce Amus. Corp., in from the big town to ogle Leandria Rinzler and Ban Schultz. At the same time every patient was handed sn^okes and sweets. Salvadore Ragone and his frau, both ex-N.V.A-ites who saw a mess of service up here, are both hold- ing up on the good health side. Pat Rogers, brother of the old vaudeville team of Will and Mary Rogers, got a check and o.o. while advancing a one-night stand tliat's to show here soon. The aforemen- tioned Will Rogers is not to be con- fused with the late film-stage com- edian. Ed Ross, Morris Levine, Dolph Singer, Bobby Hatz and Joe Parker, all ex-actors colony products, are all doing o.k. in the big town. Marie Fromm, who made the grade here, is vacashing locally at Lake Flower. The temperature was 32 above zero here last week—freezing in Au- gust! Cold speU kayoed two local nite spots, Harvey's and Burke's. Louis Betz recently mastered the second stage of his rib operation. Percy Wenrich, the songwriter, is doing a real come'back act while resting at the Hotel Saranac here. Dolly Connolly, his Irau, Is at his side. Martha Gill, who did a routine at the WiU Rogers, finally got her go- home papers. Thanks to Joseph Miller, district manager for Columbia pictures, Al- bany, for sending pre-released pix to the gang at the Will Rogers. Jack Conlin, who commutes be- tween Philadelphia and this actors' colony, has added so much weight during his sununer vacash that he vows that he will join the army. Sidney Grill home with that final good health okay. Ditto for Marlon Hlrsch, who went back to work in her home town, Harrlsburg, Pa. . Joe Bishop, who tooted a horn for Woody Herman, is skedded as a downtown shopper for the gang at the Will Rogers. That means the boy is well. Carl Kern all agog over the visit from the fire chief from his home town, Fairmont, West Va. Vivian Vaughn getting fine reports on general checkup. Mesdames Christy Mathewson and John McGraw seen walking down this actors' colony's Broadway mit- ting the gang. Write to those who are ill. The Good Old Days Herewith'appears a Variety review of a N. Y. Palace bill of 20 years ago. The inteTition is to reprint these tueeklv usitip the relative week of 1921 with the current date of issue. No special reason in revivinfi these reviews other than the interest they may have tn recalling the acts which loere playing at that time, the manner of putting together a big time show (booking), which radio stations may find pertinent, and as a resume of the style of vatidevtlle reuieuiing of that day. PALACE, N. Y. (Reprinted from Varisty of Aug. 26, 1921) The current bill at the Palace furnished diversified entertainment for a well-filled house Tuesday evening. Show time found the lower floor-com- pletely filled with a double row of standees. Eddie Foy and Family topped the bill, opening after intermission. Foy is using the restaurant skit for his return to vaudeville. It is the best of the turns he has used with his children in support. Their individual abili- ties are brought forth to the best advantage by it. The development ot the Foy youngsters is pronounced, the specialties of each of the younger members bringing forth bountiful returns. As a travesty act it has alt the requirements for a headline. Victor Moore and Emma Littleflcld 8e Co. in a revival of 'Change Your Act,' had the special featui-e billing. The Moore-Littlefield turn remains the same as presented by them in the past. It is a strong comedy act aud next to closing, gave the final punch to a strong comedy bill. Amaranth Sisters & Co. opened the show with a snappy-dance routine by the girls and fast acrobatic work by their male partners. Jean Granese, No. 2, started slowly with a straight vocal number, but took a decided brace with the comedy by the two male Italian plants in the audience. Miss Granese gives credit in the program to her brother, Charles, at the piano, but no mention is made of the male singer who is largely a part of the act. His vocalizing is one of its strong features and he was allowed a solo as the final encore. No. 3 held the George Choos miniature musical comedy. Two Little Pals,' headed by- Jack Henry and Edythe Maye, who are billed above the title. It is one of those flash turns that can be placed in any bill and give sat- isfaction. Miss Maye is a comedienne who should develop into one ot the leaders in her line. Her idea of comedy is refreshing with the present turn containing a role into which she nicely fits. The piece Is greatly strengthened by original musical numbers which lyrically are well up with the best in the musical-comedy line. Darl MacBoyle is credited as the writer. Jack Henry runs through with a light comedy role in clever style with the other principals, Estelle McMeal and the dancing team of Harry Pearce and Mabel Grete. Jack McGowan followed the musical comedy turn with a straight sing- ing routine, having Jack McManus at the piano. McGowan is a production man listed AAl by the Bradstreets of musical comedy, juvenile business t>eing his line. As a vaudeville turn he can be given the same rating. A singing voice backed by an undeniable personality should pave the way for him to remain in the two-a-day as long as he desires. McGowan is using largely published numbers. One lyric (special) gives as his reason for being in vaudeville the retirement of George M. Cohan from the pro- duction field, letting him out of his role in "Mary.* It proves a nicely worked-out idea. Four additional numbers were used Tuesday evening, each scoring easily. Closing the first half had Robert Emmett Keane and Claira Whitney in The Gossipy Sex,' a comedy sketch fortified with humor, handsomely worked out by the principals. Vaudeville can use a number of sketches ' on a par with this. It is distinctly up-to-date, teaches a lesson and is en- tertaining all ot the while. Ruth Budd was placed second after intermission. The spot would seem exceptionally heavy for an act ot this nature but Miss Budd landed from her' first entrance and garnered returns with each of her feats on the rings and rope. The manner in which this girl carried her Palace spot makes her a. sure bit in the heaviest position on any bill. Ivan BankoS closed the show with his dancing turn. Bankoff has se- cured a most capable girl partner, whose toe work eclipses many promi- nent in this line. She is deserving of program mention. BankoS had h'ttl* difficulty in selling his own stepping. Dallas* New Ice Arena In Middle of Union Tiff Dallas, Aug. 26. With construction only 50% com plete and a premiere opening sched- uled for Sept. 26, officials of Ice Sports, Inc., which will operate an ice arena at the Fair Park, are un- happy over a dispute between the State Fair of Texas and the Dallas Building Si Constructions Trades Council which caused a strike last week. Union officials refuse to per mit their members to work any where on the Fair Park grounds be- o^e non-union labor is being ilsed in another spot on the grounds. Ice officials contend they have no con- nection with State Fair of Texas and that they used union labor exclu- sively. According to (Tlarke Newlon, gen- eral manager of Ice Sports, Inc., 'Icecapades* feiaturing Belita,, will be the opening attraction here. IN9 Ethel Shutta at Spa Saratoga Springs, N. Y., Aug. 2& Ethel Shutta Is now heading the show at Riley's Lake House, Sara- toga Springs, N. Y. Others on the bill are: Claire and Arena, dancers, Marvis Dinning, singer, and Wally Stoefler's orch. Kaj Vernon, singer, opened at Ar- rowhead Inn Aug. 23. She has war- bled on NBC, in musical comedy, hotels and taight duba. HOTE STAHER, CLEYL, QUITS SHOWS FOR ORCHS Cleveland, Aug. 26. Hotel Statler is dropping floor shows in its Cul>an Terrace Room, which pulls up its shutters Sept. 22, but doubling its budget for dance music. Ray Morton's orch reopen- ing it, alternating with a five-piece rhumba outfit not yet picked by J. L. Hennessy, vice-prez for Statler chain. Morton formerly was a singer who started here in 1934 on 'Fox Fur Trappers* program over WTAM, which he deserted to form his own band. Hotel room will keep Its Cuban motif but won't accent the rhumba stuff, which Is petering out in this section. Jules Duke's crew staying on in adjoining cocktail lounge until fall season officially starts. Night life at the moment is prac- tically dormant in Cleveland. Frank Monaco last week closed his swank Monaco's Cafe for three weeks of remodeling. Spot to bloom Sept. 5 with policy of floor revues and out- oWown bands. Freddie's Cafe is al^ (fark until second week of Sep- tember, and Gourmet Club plans to awaken about the same date. DON ARRES HELD OVER 5TH WEEK ' ROXY, NEW YORK Per. Dir.t SAM RAUCH DEAR MILTON BERLE: Thank*—and my deepest grat- itude and •ppreciatien for your wondarful ee-op«ration during my •ngagtmant at the Chez Parae, Chicago. Sincerely, BILL GARY Many Thanks to Mr. JOHN ROY For the Kindness and Courtesies He Has Extended Me ROLF PASSER Camattr RAINBOW BOOH MISW YORK