Variety (Oct 1941)

28 HOUSE REVIEWS Wctliioeday, October 1, 1911 STATE, N. Y. Co.. & 4 Joe E. Leiuis, Paul Remos & PelcTS Sisters (3), Billi/ Wells Fays Boyd Hefltden, Rubi; Zu'crling House OtcIi; 'Li/e Beeins /or Andy Hardy' (M-G). This bill is well balanced and reasonably entertaining, with only Joe E. Lewis as a name. But it has appeal for vaude fans. However, judging by the number leaving ju.'Jt before and during the show, many were drawn mainly for the Andy Hardy picture. About a two-thirds house for the final ^how Thursday .(25). Besides Lewis,, the lineup includes two singing acts, an acrobat turn and a novelty. All are standard except Boyd Heathen (New Acts), a part- Indian singer, a tremendous guy with • large voice, apparently limited ex- perience, but an attractive manner. Peters Sisters, a trio of ultra-hefty Negro gals, offer their familiar calliope-style vocalling, with inci- dental comedy. They were on 16 minutes at show caught, including a bit of stretching and milking (of applause. Paul Remos, with his two midgets, does his same balancing routine for the customary satisfying response. Billy Wells and the Four Fays, an- other standard act, open the bill with assorted acrobatics and a few brief comedy bits. In addition to Wells, the troupe includes another man and three girls. Some of their stuff is un- usual and aU of it proficient. As a Closer, they bring out the 'baby' of the family, a teen-age girl who does • few tough-looking flips. Including three short appearances •5 m.c., Lewis was on a total of 32 minutes at performance caught. IMuch of his material is standard with him, but occasional bits appeared 'to be more or less extemporaneous, oni. cr. two being sharply topical. Prob- ably because it was the late-evening ■how, he used racier stud than he normally offers during the daytime or early-evening. Final song, a broad double-entendre called 'The Groom Could'nt Get In,' is quite blue, but seemed not to displease anyone. In any case, though, Lewis Is a funny guy. Kobe. head spins. Makes good spot for Alphonse Berg and his rapid draping of three models with loose materials quickly fashioned into modish gowns. Act has con.<!iderable novelty and ap- peal, particularly to feminc patron- age, with models supplying an eyeful for the male stubholdcrs as well. Elaine Arderi contributes her Greek monolog and parody and foils smartly for some okay crossfire with Parker. Followed by Ben Yost's Mimic Men, a fast-working sextet who clown their way through im- pressions of radio personalities and programs and sell some legit vocaliz- ing as well. Lads look good in smart uniforms and work rapidly to good effect. Made the right kmd of clincher for this layout. Burm. Shubert, New Haven New Haven, Sept. 28. Tommy Tucker's Orcli (13) toitli Amy Amell, Don Broion, Keruiin Someruille, Alan Holmes; Bert Walton Co. (2), 4 Sensational Macks; Bobbins Bros. & Marpie; Ruthte Barnes; 'Botocrv Blitzkrieg' (Mono). APOLLO, N. Y. . Lucky MilliTtder Orch- (15), Sister Tharpe, Trevor Bacon; Bumhain, Harris & Scott, DefnJiy, Moore & Mar- tin, Strutt Flash, McCain & Ross; 'Of- ficer and Lady' (Col). Lineup fills 80 minutes of satisfac- tory entertainment. Although Lucky lAillinder, doubling here from the nearby Savoy ballroom, was here only recently, his aggregation is con- Eiderably improved over last appear- ance. Outfit is going in more for apotlighting instrumentalists and Choral work, a smart move. MlUinder, still doing his familiar Kymnastics in batoning the crew, nas added Sister Tharpe to his combo and is focusing attention on Archi bald Johnson, trumpeter; Trevor Bacon, his male balladist and several others. Miss Tharpe's guitar strum- ming and spiritual vocalizing are fa- ' miliar, but at show caught a throat Iiilment prevented her from swing- ng out on "That's All,' 'Rock Me' and In the Dark.* Johnson is at his best \vith his •Ninety-Six,' recorded numbefr. Bacon Is tops with his singing of 'This Love of Mine' and 'Slide Mr. Trombone He also leads 'Going Home,' with the band's glee club making the number Jell. Demay, Moore and Martin, standard ofay comedy adagio trio In this otherwise all-colored bill, clicked neatly with their clowning of two dance routines. McCain and Ross (New Acts) rate . among the tops for members of their tace with their ballroomology. Well liked by'audience, Burnham, Harris and Scott finally had to beg off. Trio mixes songs, stepping and general clowning. Strutt Flash, youthful tapster, in dicates the makings of a deft single once he hits on a routine. He. has a elick assortment of fancy steps. Reg- istered solidly. Weor. Shubert inaugurated its now-and- then policy of name bands and vaude Sunday (28) with a sock bill that started off by packing 'em in for first two shows. Tommy Tucker was the maestro and he clicked solidly with a fiock of fans who paid up to 65c for a gander. Show is in for four days (26-1) and is first of the vaude fill-ins between legit dates. New policy is an outcropping of Yorkhaven Enterprises (Morris Nunes and Maurice Bailey) taking over the spot in place of the Shu- berts, who operated here for 26 years, primarily for legit. House hasn't had a vaude bill since the Shuberts' ill-fated venture along that line' some years ago. Packing some 1,650 seats, it's scaled at 35-50c for mats and 40c-65c nights. Opening bill was in competish with Tommy Dorsey at the Arena at $1.10 top (one day). Acts are booked by Al and Belie Dow. Show is niftily routined by weav- ing the acts into the Tucker band pattern, with Bert Walton emceeing the 7S-minute proceedings. Walton's work is smooth enough, but he could kill off a couple of gags not for the family trade. Tucker opens with >op tunes, then brings on Don Brown, who mixes straight and novelty vocals for a nice hand. Herb Waters gets a featured spot at the ivories, then Walton takes over to intro Ruthie Barnes, attractive hoofer doing taps. Only objection here is a too-lon^ spell of stepping sans music, otherwise okay. Next on are Four Sensational Macks, who bring the ratters down with a whirlwind skating act. Back to the band, with Amy Arnell in tor a. trio of ditties. Lass scores and begs off. Allan Holmes, from the band, does a brief routine Iplay- ing assorted instruments; a neat job, Kerwin Somerville gets over a couple of good co.nedy numbers, then Miss Arnell and the Voices 3 are back for 'Set World on Fire,' a click. Swinging to vaude again, Walton and a femme stooge pimch out some laughs in a good turn that supple- ments his emceeing. Vaude closer is Robbins Bros, apd Margie in a speedy dance-tumbliog combo. Tucker band polishes off the finale. Harry Berman's house band is in for an overture only. Bone. HIPP, BALTO Baltimore, Sept. 28. Lew Parker, Monroe & Grant, Al phonse Berg & Co. (4), Geraldine L Joe, Elaine Arden, Ben Yost's Mimic Wen (6), Felice Xulo House Orch (13); 'You'll Never Get Rich (Col) ROXY, N. Y. Nioliolns Bros. (2), Doii Arrcs, Sharkey the Seal, Archie Robbins, 'Miss Aiiiericn' iRosemary La- Plaiu-hc, Cae Foster Ro.xyctlcs (36), Paul Ash House Orch; 'Yauk in the RAF' (20tli), reuieu-ed in Varietv, Sept. 10. Roxy ha.s a tight, nicely balanced show which ties in well with 'Yank in RAF,' current screen tenant at the house. In addition to a couple strong .standard turns, Nicholas Bros, and Sharkey the Seal, it's spiced with an appearance by Roiscmary LaPlanche (New Acts), who recently won the Miss America' title in Atlantic City. The regular Friday opening this week was attended by a super- hoopla, nctailed in the Exploitation department. Finale by the Roxycltes, segueing right into the picture, makes for a neat curtain. Femmes do what is said to be an authentic RAF drill with rifles and bayonets. Its authen- ticity—or the type of stuff the RAF supposedly teaches its officers—is open to doubt, but is provides a fit- ting routine. Gals are in adaptations of RAF uniforms. They are also strong in two earlier numbers, one a circus and the other a southern belle motif. Both arc marked by outstand- ing costuming. Nicholas Bros, run through tap numbers which have made the two colored boys virtually regulars in 20th-FQX musicals. They click pow- erfully. Sharkey is as amazing as ever with his balancing, catching plates on the end of his nose and ability to play tunes on the electric bells. Don Arres, getting to be somewhat of an institution lately at the Roxy, does his standard vocalizing in the South American pattern. He's given nice, showmanly break with two senoritas capering around him as he warbles, although his rather thin baritone gets only a mild reception in itself. M.c.ing by Archie Robbins is below the par of the rest of the show. His gags need plenty of hy- poing, although he redeems himself somewhat in his terping with the Nicholas Bros. Herb. GOLDEN GATE, S. F. Fairly diverUng layout has Lew Parker, in his third of a fourweek •tay, pacing matters nicely and weld ing individual contributions into ; fast unit. Setup unfolds in front of the house orch, brought on stage from its usual pit spot. Taking the band through a brief orchestral session of 'White Heat,' Parker gags his opening intro of Monroe^and Grant, sock standard trampoline turn. They win consider- able laughter in addition to garner- ing plaudits for straight stunts. Geraldine and Joe, youthful boy |md girl aero and Iinockabout combo, register well, particularly in closing •tint''Where lad does some punchy San Francisco, Sept, 23. Gatidsmith Bros. (2), Lew Hoff- man, Brovm. Sisters (3), Rosita & Deno, Sylvia & Clemence, William McNamara, Peggy O'Neill House Line, Charles Kaley House Orch (13); 'Li/e With Caroline' (RKO). For the second time in a row, the Gate has a holdover flick with a new stage show, which found only a slim crowd on hand to greet the opener, Following initial line routine, Charles Kaley introduces William McNamara, KPO amateur winner, who tenors 'Summertime' and 'Little Bit Heaven.' Chap gets over particu- larly well and shows vocal promise. Lew Hoffman, juggling various items, deuces for okay returns, work- ing smoothly sans chatter. In the trey are Sylvia and Clemence, gals with a knockabout routine, high- lighted with precision taps, which is both violent and funny. Three Brown Sisters, who have also been here before, are still solid clicks with their jiving of 'Daddy,' 'I Got It Bad,' 'Lady Behave' and 'Beat Me Daddy.' Central sister's piano thumping is plenty okay. Gaudsmith Brothers (2), vet vaude comics with three amazingly well trained French poodles, are as slick an act as ever rocked an audience here. Dogs are imbelievable, partic- ipating in acrobatics, control comedy and bits of biz with amazing sense of timing. Closer, backgrounded by the line, is the half-pint dance team of Rosita and Deno. Pair are trim troupers, plenty fast and displaying a couple of new lifts and spins which register. Biz mild at show caught. Went. group in that there is an absence of the hodge-podge type of music usual- ly associated with a sepia orchestra. It is carefully and finely orches- trated with deft delivery. Hampton is; of course, outstanding on his own with the vibraharp and drums. He had this audience clamoring for more every time ho hit it out on his own. Thus, already sei as a top- flight music and dance orchestra, the Hampton band now demonstrates that It is equally as flne on a stage. Rubel Blakely, -with " the band, urn.s in a good vocal assignment. Evelyn Keyes is a neat single tap- ster and dancer with good delivery. Two Zephyrs were with the Hamp- ton orchestra in the Panther Room, and they score here also. Their slow motion flght bit remains a high point of colored comedy. This audi- ence made 'em' speech away. Timmy and Freddie are a couple of hoofers who attempt some comedy inter- ludes, but a good deal of it fails to come off, Ha.d better stick to the hoofology at which they have a cer- tain knack. Gold. Cob Callotoaw Orch (16) with Avis Andrews, Benny Paine, Chu Berry, Cozy Cole, Cab Jivers (5), Calloway Boys and Girls (6), Otto Eason, Paul, Slim and Eddie; 'Passage from Shanghai' (Rep.) OLYMPIA, MIAMI Miami, Sept. 28. Jack Gilford, Dawn & Darrow, Lorraine de Wood, Johnny Sully, Rtgoletto Bros. & Aimee Sisters, Charley Shay House Orch; 'My Life With CoToline' (RKO). Sparked by Jack Gilford's guffaw getting impressions, this, sesh stacks up as fairly punchy entertainment. There's just one setback in the line- up, Johnny Sully, who has a fight- ing chance to cop credit as 'corniest comic of the year.' If he didn't emcee the show, it wouldn't be so bad, but he's on all the time. An 'in the-flesh'■ answer to what happened to vaude. Patter exchange with Muriel Thomas might score on a mid- west midway, but not here. Remainder of the bill, however. Is clickish. (Gilford hasn't much b.o. value south of the Mason and Dixon line as yet, but he should be a cinch to nab a nitery booking here this winter on strength of this appear ance. His slow motion impressions of ncwsreel sporting events are just about tops, and mono anent double- features keeps 'em howling. Mime impresses as really having some- thing, and might be smart move on his part to give some thought to also assuming emcee duties to bolster value as cafe attraction: Lorraine de Wood is also a nega- tive factor here in so far as b.o. value is concerned. There's nothing nega- five, however, about her sultry song- alogs. She's an exotic looking item and her richly timbred tones pack plenty of appeal. The ballroomology of Dawn and Darrow is, as always, marked by spectacular spins and lifts. Other- wise, they're standard, but neverthe- less an excellent stage attraction. Apparently a European importa tion, the Rigoletto brothers and the Aimee Sisters defy classification, but score a homer with the house. Brothers bow on as wacky magicians, then give way to the Aimee sisters for a toysoldier terp. They're back attired in spangled tights for a howl ing sequence as gay 90s acrobats. Sisters break up the turn again to flag the brothers back on for a two- man band finale. Charley Shay is again batoning the house band. Biz light. Leslie, STATE-LAKE, CHI Chicago, Sept. 28. Lionel Hampton Orch (16) luith Rubiel Blakely, Evelyn Keyes, Two Zephyrs, Timmy & .Freddie, 'Big Store' {M-G). Having just completed four great b.o. weelcs in. the Panther Room of the Hotel Sherman, and after four weeks of powerful radio buildup in this territory, the Lionel Hampton orchestra rhoves into a loop theatre date with plenty of stuff to make it strong boxoffice. Customers have been lined up here since the openings Hampton has a flne colored mu- sical group, and a different colored STRAND, B'KLYN Cab Calloway's showmanly stage antics remain, as always, a draw and source of glee to audiences. His own work and that of the acts which he has assembled stack up as a neat session. It's doing business, too. When caught opening night (26), house was full and little of the draw could be credited to the film. Calloway makes one mistake. Band is composed of some good musicians, but lacks much in the flnal analysis. It proved pleasant listening with jive and sweet stuff, but lacks the spark in its arrangements that means the difference between an acceptable and click combo. Made up of three trombones, three trumpets, five sax and four rhythm, aggregation is worth much more attention. Band i& stocked with good takeoff men. Chu Berry, outstanding tenor sax, who takes the spot in almost every number, is one, and Cozy Cole, similarly rated drummer, is another. At this catching latter's 'Paradiddle' drum work was too long despite its excellence. Cab Jivers, combo of guitar, drums, tenor, and sock vibra- phone, maintains lively pace. 'Stompin' At Savoy' was their con- tribution this trip. Also with the band is a line of three girls and three boys working into production num- bers easily. Avis Andrews, vet vocalist with the outfit, is something less than satisfying on 'Heart Alone' and 'Man I Love,' latter particularly ordinary as sung, but she clicked with this mob. Benny Paine, pianist, handles ballads. He dug solid response with 'Set World on Fire.' Calloway himself, however. Is most of the show. Besides his 'Minnie Moocher' stuff and the ani- mated batoning, which have been his stock for years and still goes over solidly, he makes virtual productions out of two numbers. First is 'Yes, Indeed,' which brings him on in silk hat-frock coat and glasses as a spirKualist-parson. It sells. Second is built around an original followup to 'Minnie' and 'Smoky Joe,' called 'Geechy Joe.' He puts it over, but considering the buildup given it, It's too short. Otto Eason is the first of two out- side acts. His tapping on roller skates elicits solid appreciation. Uses two fast-rhythm routines; then shifts to a set of stairs a la Bill Robinson, finishing with some tricky work on them. Paul, Slim and Kddie, comedy-dance turn, is made up of three different sized guys outfitted for laughs. Trio is okay but lacks cohesion in routining and the real pimch that their comedy dancing could posstbly achieve. 'Chile Con Conga' production, using the line in costume, bringing on the rest of Calloway's cast, winds things up. It's a bit weak. Wood. STOLL'S, LONDON KEITH'S BOSTON London, Sept. 1, Billy Cotton Band, Randolph Sut- ton, Clifford It Marion, Jijn Emery & Co. (3), Duncan Gray, Reading & Grant, Mnriora & Marietta Dancers i8). StoU's, the former London Opera House, built by Oscar Hammerstein in 1012 to compete with Covent Gar- den at a cost of about $4,000,000, has been Sir Oswald StoU's baby since assorted policies followed the orig- inal one. Turning it into a picture theatre proved a moneyspinner for its stockholders for years. Only recently, due to opposition, resulting in difficulty in getting product, has theatre begun to feel the draught. Change of policy comes at a time when the West End is minus a vaudeville house, and house in its solo effort should command good following. Unfortunately present bill has very little to laud, although prices (75c top) are suburban standard. Marietta dancers, line of gals, are fair lookers, with ordinary routine. As house troupes are generally ad- junct to its vaudeville policy, as was the case of Palladium and Victoria Palace, in their vaudeville days, management should ha<'e gotten a more competent bunch, especially as Music Corp of America submitted its former Grosvenor House bunch re- plete with extensive wardrobe. Mariora, youthful femme juggler, with tennis rackets and ball manipu- lating on small stick held in mouth. Is so—so. Jim Emery, formerly the Patsy of "Stag Party,' successful radio and vaude show, is in cockney domestic squabble and has no place in modern vaudeville. Duncan Gray, in line of chatter, mostly blue, should help to keep family trade away; while Randolph Sutton (why have two single^ on one bill follow each another?), one of best-dressed'solos around, has been a star for yeans. But Anno Domini is beginning to assert itself. Reading and Grant are coupla men trampo- linists in comedy tramp attire. Best part of offering is peculiar laugh by one of the team which is contagious. Clifford and Marion, Americans, who. came here before the war and decided to face it, are still good for big laughs. Femme of team has natu- ral sense of comedy and mimicry. They were applause hit of bill. But despite that, look like emiUating tendency of local acts by Infrequent change of material. Billy Cotton band, headlining, ranks among first six British bands, with good radio reputation. Aggre- gation of 17, with brass section of nine, makes for plenty of noise. But good blending of comedy, with every member giving out as if thoroughly enjoying it. Allen Breeze and Dolly Elsie voCal neatly. Vaudeville season is in for five weeks, being sponsored by Grade and Smith, local 10%ei-s who are comparatively new to this biz. Should experiment prove successful, it will continue, with Stoll having promised verbally that G-S will be 'in.' Rege. EARLE, PHILLY Jan Philadelphia, Sept. 27. Savitt Orch with Allan De» Witt; Toy & Wing, Whitson Bros. (4), Ru/e Dauis; (Col) Hormon of Michigan' Boston, Sept. 26. Helen Rei/Tiolds Skaters (8), Wot- son Sisters (2), Mitzi Mayfair, John Boles, Three Stooges, Larry Flint House Orch; Mexican Spit/ire's Baby' (RKO). Billed as a tripleheader, this week's offering has for its top in- terest, Mitzi Mayfair, John Boles and the Three. Stooges. Masters of low comedy and shaggy banter. Stooges, with their split-hair timing and hokum business, register heavily, Helen Reynolds girls open okay on roller skates. Watson Sisters, intro- duced as vaude vets of 25 years, play the deuce, using mostly ancient gags. They also sing. John Boles vocals niftcly, as al- ways, and was a big click with this audience on his standard repertoire. Mitzi Mayfair, in the trey, dnnces neatly in snappy routines. Opens with tap-kicks, and follows with as- sorted other terps, all enhanced by Miss Mayfair's showmanship and personality. Larry Flint, house leader,, m.c.s, mumbling introductions. Fox. A former fiddler with the Phila- delphia Symph Orch and onetime head of the local KYW house band, Jan Savitt comes back to the home- town with' a crew that rates A-1 in musicianship. The kids in the audi- ence gave Savitt's homecoming a grand reception. Only criticism at this catching was in the vocal di- vision. Only one making with the pipes is Allan DeWitt, who is hardly big-league. Standout in the Savitt repertoire is the swing arrangements of the classi- cals. When heard band gave out with the 'Toreador' .song from 'Car- men'; 'Hall of the Mountain King' and Rachmaninoff's C Sharp Minor 'Prelude.' On the low-down side, orch beats out its latest recording, 'Chattanooga Choo-Choo,' "Darktown Strutters Ball' and 'Stardust.' For DeWitt's tenor solo outfit plays 'I Call It Love,' 'Peaceful in Country' and "Dream the Rest.' DeWitt's voice is on the croony side with little depth. Supporting acts arc excellent. Rufe Davis does his .standard hillbilly turn. It's corn stuff, but clicks with the big-city folk. First there's his usual guitar iiiece—this time, it's 'When the Mississippi Washes on the Little Southcjrn Shore..' This is fol- lowed by his imitation of sounds (airplane, r o w b o a t, jewsharp, bazooka, sax, tap-dancing, etc.). En- cores with 'Mamma Don't Want' and takeoff of Donald Duck singing 'Hut- Suf 'JL'oy and Wing. Oriental terpers last seen here at Jack Lynch's, are a cute couple with a pleasant manner of presenting their stint. The Whit- sons, quartet of adroit acrobats, round oitt the 55-mlnute bill. House almost filled when caught (Saturday matinee). Sltot.