Variety (Nov 1941)

24 HOUSE REVIEWS ■Wednesday,. November 19, 1941 PARAMOUNT Jimmle Lunce/ord Orch (16) vrfth Sill RobliMon, Miller Bros. (2) & hois, Veljna Middleton,, Dan Grissom; 'New York Town' (Par), reviewed in 'Variety' July 30. Traveling as a unit, Jimmle Lunce- ford's 16-pTece band and Bill Robin- con, plus other acts, are in here hot on top of a-four-day date at the Strand, Brooklyn, which wound up Monday night (10). Opened here Wednesday niorn:ng (12) and is in for just one week. Theatre wanted the all-colored unit on the seven-day basis with •New York Town' (Par), one of the few pictures set in here for one ■week only. In order* to effect the booking uie management got the Si Fabian circuit to defer a dale of the Lunceford-Robinson layout for Al- bany. Show runs an hour here and Is well presented, with Harry Rubin's Ecreen effects and the lighting lend- ing considerable sparkle. Perform- ances and routining are satisfactory but on the whole the stage doesn't offer quite the sock It often does faere. Lunceford's music, of course, re- ■nains very brassy, but that's largely what they like at this theatre in view of the heavy juve draw. The band arrangements of 'Song of the Island' is effective but it ends too noisily for this kind of tune. A good session, is Lunceford's version of what the blues should sound like, in- cluding vocal chorusing by the band and solo instrumental bits. 'Craw- flshin'' features the drummer, James Crawford, who acts most of the time, like he's trying to get marbles out of his moutL Dan Grissom, of the brass section, doubles for' vocal solos, stepping downstage for two numbers, 'Peace end Love for All' and This Love of Mine,' latter played sweetly by the orchestra. Grissom suffers from very bad diction and does not inject much Belling Into bis vocaling, Robinson, with his standard mono- loging and tap routines, closes the (how punchlly,. Among other things, the colored dancer knows the right music to. use with his Roofing. Others down poal are Velma Mid- dleton and the dance trio of MUler Bros, and' Lois. The fact that the latter are tap dancers does not de- tra;t one whit from Robinson's work. Threesome starts slowly, their danc- ing appearing to be tired, biit they •nd strongly, dancing on an elevated narrow board where buck and -wing literally makes ttiem watch their •tep. . * A mammy type, Miss Middleton lacks the voice of Kate Smith but employs her' technique in three numbers, one of which is irallshed' off with some dance step& including V._split. This sends her home ■tro) _ Busing fair at show caught oi>e&- Ing day (Wednesday). Char, had to grow up and away from her boop-boop-a-doop style. Two acts make up the rest of the show and both are standard and good. Walter Dare Wahl continues to go along with his fine comedy hand-to-hand work with a stooge, and this audience liked every min- ute of the routine. Three Ambassa- dorettes have a short and snappy acrobatic tumbling act, but It is full of punch and to the point. These girls are among the best in their line today and nifty for any stage. Business was to the rafters. Gold. APOLLO, N. Y. STATE, N. Y. . Tiny Bradshaui Orch (14), Lil Green, Berrv Bros. (3), Chilton and Thomas, 5 Bon Sons, Hawleu and Lee, Jean, Jack and Judy; 'Great Swindle' (Col). / Colored lineup this week has been padded out to 95 minutes with result that stage show is uneven, tiresome and uneventful. Proceed- ings are enlivened only by the nifty standard terping pf the Berry Bros, and iJl Green's torrid vocalizmg, with the Tiny Bradshaw orch getting up full steam towards close when Miss Green goes on. . Bon Eons (5) (New Acts), singmg and instrumental turn, have lieen given spotting and importance the act doesn't rate. Bradshaw essays entirely too much salesmanship throughout, soliciting applause in ad- vance. Band's top number is the 'Jersey Bounce,' fair enough, but unit stands in need of a couple of sock orchestrations end better ma- terial for the m.c.-leader, who knows how to deliver. Orch goes to town with Miss Green, who's^ spotted too late, 'With customers beginning to walk out on a corking repertoire in- cluding such numbers as In the Dark,' "My Mellow Man' and 'Give Mama One Smile.' Berry Bros., in next to shut, re- main a very classy dancing trio do- ing splits, taps and swell acrobatics in dress clothes. Stayed briefly but panicked the mob. For the rest, there are Chilton and Thomas, mixed team with con- ventional songs and stepping, «nd Hawley and Lee, comics, with rou- tine relying on vociferous delivery rather than intrinsic values. Jean, Jack' and Judy display tricky acro- batics and novelty balancing for moderate returns in opening spot Mori. CHICAGO, CHI Chtcagb.'Noo. 18. Orrin Tucker Orch (18) toifh Bon^ nie Bafcer, TEddie Rich, Jocfc Barfell, Walter Dare Wahl & Co. (2). Ani- bossadorettei (8): l/nylnislied Bust- wesa* (U). It was a happy thought to book Orrin Tucker into the Chicago this week, for this is the weekend of the nearby Notre Dame-Northwestern game (Evanston), and the visitors crushed into the loop are. finding this chow plenty to their liking. It's great entertainment for everybody. At the last show Friday (17) It was more of a house party than a show, with Tucker brin^g to the stage the cheer-leaders from Northwestern and Notre Dame, with a Northwest- ern fraternity putting on a bit of elee-dubblng. nona Massey and Alan Curtis, in for the opening at another Balaban & Katz house of 'In- ternational Lady* (UA), in which Miss Massey is featured, were here to take a bow. Patil Fogarty, of the Chicago Tribune and WGN, was on the stage for a little with some good chatter about the late Knute Rockne. This audience ate it all up. Tucker himself did-an outstanding Job of handling the many proceed the stage, and generally conducted a tough Bsslgiiment In excellent fashion. Tucker also went to town with his vocalizing at show caught, singing more tunes tiian are usually heard from the bandleader himself. And he did them well. The band also did plenty of work. There were many musical numbers end several. novelties. In addition, there were the vocalists, Eddie Rich and Jack Bartell, and the Tucker vocal groups of all sizes and sexes. Bonnie Baker, reserved for the very last, was the pretty much the usual Bonnie Baker. Not as coy and adolescent as formerly however. There is a certain sophistication and matureness about the baby-talk singer now, and there are growing Indications that pretty soon the old- time, cuteness, woi^'t be so cute any more. 'After aU.' even Helen Kane STANLEY, PITT - Pittsburoh, Nov. 14. Jimtny Doney Orch OB), Helen O'Connell, Bob fberly. Buddy Schvtz, Tip. Tap and Toe, Bob Evans; 'AH That Money Can Buy", (RKO). How that.man Jimmy .Dorsey has come alongl In the two years since he last played this WB deluxer, his band has acquired the slick polish of Eerfectlon; Helen O'Connell's voice as not only improved but she's also acquired the streamlined seductive- ness of a glamour girl; Bob Eberly has pushed the current crop of male vocalista back into the shadows, and Dorsey himself is working even greater miracles on the sax and daring if that's at all possible, As a whole, ifs an outfit that listens and looks well; there's thought behind the music and also behind the ideas that have made the Dorsey band a crack unit Instead of just a collection of speclallsta. That three-way finale of Dorsey's disc best-seller, 'Green Eyes,' Is only one example, with the alternating Vhythms first on Eberly, then Dorsey and finally the O'Connell 'gal; the general run of maestri doesn't go to such pains to create a production .in melody. Dorsey, of course, sparks the reed section himself, using four other saxes, three trumpets, three trom- bones, drums, guitar, bass and piano, and he's melted down wha^ used to be a tendency to blast. An unbilled jitterbug team, whom Dorsey said he picked up at Virginia Beach last summer, Is next. They're on without makeup and In high school campus togs Kids hoof like jellyflshes in the breeze and all right, too, but they could learn a few things from the Harlemltes. They're followed by Bob Evans, a clever ventriloquist, with his Carmen Amaya (7), Lew Parker, Ginger Harmon, Monroe and Grant, Ben Yo$t'a Mimic . Men (6), Ruby Zwerling's pit orch; 'Lydia' (UA). Another straight variety show this week; distinguished by the booking of Carmen Amaya, the fiery South American flamenco dancer, with her family troupe that's shockingly bad in comparison with the billed name. Off her appearance here, despite her own personal click, the no-talent family ~1}unch appears a millstone. She'd go much further In holding the public imagination she captured at the" 'Seachcomljer nltery on Broadway last year if given more capable support S. Hurok, the impresario. Is also given billing out front in connection with Miss Amaya. He Imported her from South America, a showmanly. feat, but is now slipshod in present- ing the dancer. The set framing Miss Amaya's act is strictly from Dixie, a melange of drab, faded colors hardly befitting a ^,500 weekly act When Miss Amaya dances she^ easily wins the house in two rou- tlnues, one 'in full' on a special glatform to highlight her terrific eel-llcklng, but the same Is not true of her two sisters' (Antonia and Le- nore) opening routine, nor the sing- ing of her special Spanish m.c.^ Al- berto De Lima; nor Is a guitar solo by Sablcas very exciting. Miss Amaya's fa^ier, uncle, cousin and two sisters accompany her finale' number, but their music sounded better in the small B^chcomber. A special maestro is also in the pit Lew Parker paces the rest of the show nicely, with Lou Duthers, once a vaude act in his own rlght^heck- ling from a mezzanine box. Parker has a nice line of gags, topped with his imitation of sundry restaurant diners which appears as though It could be worked up for more humor. Monroe and Grant, trampollnlsts, open and get over with their lau^ novelty, the older of the pair work- ing In a.k. bathing auita for the dives on the springs. Deuclng is Ginger Harmon, a gusty jive singer who tees off well with 'Booglle Wooglle Piggy" and then slufls oft poorly arranged 'Kiss the Boys Goodbye,' 'Old Man River' and 'I Can't Give You Anything .But Love.' At times the arrangementa are almost ofll>eat, cer7j)nly not complimenting her scat singing. She's nice-looklnj!. and at ease In front of an laudlence,- but could use more commercial music and newer tunes. Ben Yost's Mimic Men (6) a choral group of six Nelson Iddys doing Imitations of better known radio and recording artista, close the show. They get over with elemen" tary routines, their' best being a takeoff on 'the Ink Spota and the worst something that entails putting on exaggerated femme headress. The latter IS very -Juvenile. Biz only fair. Scho. Shubert, New HaTen ings. He handled the college crowdi^^^ j o'Leary. Evans-Is a t^J^wwi^ ^j;!Jf«''S*>.,™foM shl?F^^ent'^of the Bergen school; well with the people he brought to -.-terlal for his crossfire with ex- materlal for (ils crossfire, with ex cept'ion of couple of gags In bad taste physically, being excellent, his trick singing voice is a big asset too. Next-to-cTosing are Tip, Tap and Toe, colored shufflers hoofing on a raised platform and remembered here- for their dancing specialty in an old 'Scandals.' Boys are good. 'Green Eyes' is the palm-pounding curtain. Only other individual Dorsey spotlights is Buddy Schutz, the drummer, who geta his chance early :ln the stiow and stops it cold. (Current .Dorsey date was to have been played in September but had to be postponed when band was called to the Coast for Par's 'Fleet's In.' That was a break for theatre because publicity Dorsey got In Hollywood (both pic and record- breaKlng Palladium engagement) should be reflected at boxoffice. Cohen. New Haven, Nov. 14. Ina Ray Hutton Band (16), fea- turing Stuart Foster; Harry Savoy Co. (2), Eddie, Jack & Betty, Margo Sisters (2), The Martins (2), DeMar- ca»' (5); Harry fiemuin House Orch; Newsreela and Shorts. There's plenty of variety In this weekend bill. Show runs an . hour and 20 'minutes and maintains a brisk pace throughout Opening with a Hutton band nimi- ber, Margo Sisters come on next with some team terping that seta nicely, Girls make an attractive appearance and know their stuff on the hoofing end, both straight and aero. Follow- ing acta in the vaude sector are the Martins, two boys who work out a clever puppet routine that registers big; Eddie, Betty and Jack, roller- skating trio who mix. tricks with laughs resulting from' spins given to a hefty femme audience stooge; De Marcos, five girl kids and a guitar In a harmonizing session that draws encores; Harry Savoy, with Helen Holden, in a burlesque gagging turn that Is for the most part funny but a bit rough for the family trade. Hutton band gets across pleasingly, with the leader fronting and tossing In a dash of vocalizing and terp now and then. She also emcees the vaude end and Is right at home In the chore. Stuart Foster's baritone gets over in twa solos. A comfortable houseful greeted the last two shows opening night. Bone. CAPITOL, WASH. Washington, Nov. 17. Joe Frisco, - Bricklayers, House Line (16), (70), Chorus (70), Som Jack Kaufmon Hoiise Orch; 'Hot Spot* (20th). Joe Frisco's first appearance In town since Ziegfeld 'Follies' days looked like something less than a rousing success. This mugg was in minor convulsions over Frisco's new sketoh about the musician weighed down with racing forms; It's as funny a' bit as has been seen In months, and number of other cus' tomers agreeii. But not a large number. Majority of audience seemed to be wonderlnf what others thought so funny. Indication is that Frisco Is a bit too swift for pew-holders at presentation house of this type, for matinee audiences at any rate. Size of house may have something to do with It too, Frisco nor anyone else being able to achieve intimate effect in theatre seating 8,434. Applause winner In current show Is short (18 minutes) musical version of 'Naughty Marietta,' sung by Iiynn Allison, Bob Oately and' 70-volce choir (Including Rhythm Rockets house line), all local. A setting of operetta is used and singers ere In costume, but no attention la paid to book. It's highly effective musical Interlude. House has tried same before In varloud'forms, once pre- senting tab version of 'Irene.' It has been discovered that music of popular operettas draws new type of audience. In- attention to regulars, some of whom retuhi to become film custOQiers, Idea thus having long- rim as well as Immediate boxoffice value. In opening spot is familiar dog turn The Bricklayers. Always sure- fire. Rhythm Rocketa (house line) are on only once, in addition to 'Naughty Marietta' appeatanc^ (In which they come on once, startllngly as nuns). It's a .rhytlim routine, mid-show, so-so. Mac. ADAMS, NEWARK Nemark, Nov. 14. Je« Venutt Orch (16), A-ndreuis 5iften (8>- Al (Gordon's Racketeers, Paul ft Paulette BlancTiard, Kay Starr; •World Premiere'-(Par). Adams' ctirrent show has a neat balance of vocalizing, music, nov- elties and q>ooflng. It starta fast and remains tiiat Wfiy right throu^ to the Andrews Sisters, who' precede the final curtain. Singing trio clinches the -bill. Audience shouted and applauded Its approval. Show's emslstent heat resta main- ly on the shoulders of Joe Venutl's swing band, which plays Independ- ently as Wdl as rhythm support for remaining acts. Orchestra clicks big. During offering of 'I've Got the Blues In G-Flat' members get chances to do brief solos, which are all first-rate. Tha Andrews Sisters got the loud- est audience response and they de- served It when caught Gals get over Booth versions of 'Aurora,' 'Boogie Woogte Bugle Bo/ and 'Ap- ple Blossopilnmt.' niey try. to add diversity by doing a few, restrained dsnrlng steps and by kidding with '\reButl. Audience roered with sat- latactlon following trio's final num- ber, a dizzy Interpretation of 'Simny Boy.' , , Al Gordon's Racketeers, dog act caught the -night's noisiest ' laughs. Unlike standard puppy stuff, whJch plays up trick angle In serious 'way, this one goes in for dogs that-look fuhny, act that way and won't co- operate 'With Gordon. Act clicks liest at end when dogs try galloping on spinning table-top. lieast interesting are the Blanch- ards. 'niey follow the old line of adaglodance Udders, being amusing and very able, but tiieir act has too UtUe originality. Kay Starr la ibe sola vocallzer on the bllL Her voice Is husky, mod- em and tops when doing 'I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good? She Isn't as neat with the blues. Sl{Ow plays 60 minutes, and to a Jammed house Friday night (14). Jon. STRAND, BROOKLYN Jan Savitt's Orch, (16) toith Ruth Robin,. Bon Bon; Alan Carney, DeVal, Merle and Lee, Jack Leonard; 'Blonde from Sijtgapore' (C»l). This marks Jan Savitt's second New York-theatre appearance in six weeks: he was last at the Broadway Strand. The outfit maintains its ex- cellent musicianship ^Ided consider- ably by RUth Robin, vocalist, atfd Bon Bon, colored singer. Savltt as recording artist maintains his solid rep with young folks which predominate audiences here. His' pop numbers, still are 'Chattanooga Choo Choo,' 'Darktown Strutter's Ball' and 'Stardust''^ Presence of Jack Leonard, former- ly a vocalist with Tommy Dorsey's band, also glves> current bill a lift his name behig quickly recognized by the younger element Leonard, out "Of the Army less than a week, is picking up where he left off, judg- ing by Jiis vocalizing on this show. 'World On Fire,' 'Getting Sentimental and 'You and I' are standout in cur- rent lineup,, but crowd forced hiin Into long string of encores.. DeVal, Merle and Lee, coinlc ball- roomologists, continue their smash act to terrific returns. Alan Carney again clicks with his array of stand- ard Imitations. Union Square soap- box oration remains slick showman- ship and he still puts across his Lionel Bartyniote and Al Smith mimicry foL-hSBTO returns. Biz near capkclty when caught Friday (14). Wear. STRAND, N. Y. Teddy Potoell Oreh (IB) with Peggy Mann, Dick 'Judge; Paul Sudell and Spotty, Hudson Wonders (2), Sue Ryan; 'International Squadron' (WB), rc«;ietoed in 'Voriety,' Aug. 13. Strand moved Ita usual Friday opening to Thursday last week, cut- ting one day off four-week run of 'Sergeant York'-Phll Spltalny band In order to get In full week with current layout and opens with "They Died With Their Boota On'-Woody Herman lArid tomorrow (Thanks- giving). Powell's band heads a lively hour's show. Orch was set for this date on short notice. Maestro was pushed out of the Rustic Cabin, Englewood, N.' J, a .month early by fire which de- stroyed the spot few weeks back, leaving him without library and in- struments. They've been replaced, however, and the band starts a theatre and one-night trip here. Band's book is stocked twith some- times slightly over-done, but appeal- ing' arrangementa, solidly played by a'clean, enthusiastic'group of three trombones, three trumpets,. four sax and' four rhythm. It plays sweet rhythmically or In a driving swing style 'With equal facility. It needs only to be more showmanly in stage work. One attempt at that touch, built around 'Yes: Indeed,' Is weak and leaves much to be desired. On the other hand ensemble chorusing of 'Carry Me Back to Old "Virginny' Is okay. Selections used are almost all things band has recorded, and they dick, "but^thtre are three interludes that are badly overdone. First is an overlong. varl-tempo arrangement of 'Rhapsody In Blue,' then 'Sans Gouletto^ and, at the finale, '1812 Overture.' 'They're auper-produc- tlons that hammer away futilely. Peggy Mann, recent vocalist addition, is neat on 'Jim,' the faded 'Joltin' Joe DlMaggio' and 'You and I,' last an anti-climax. Dick Judge, also re- cent, displays good voice on "This Love of Mine' and 'Shepherd Sere- nade.' This Is Powell's second band. He dropped a wad on the first but stands to recoup with this combo, which haa been gaining attention on recordings. Ita«nly drawback has been—and still is to an extent—Powell himself. He Is.much easier up front than former- ly, but he's still far from being at ease directing and spieling. In fact he overdoes the directing, particu- larly behind vocals. He's only dis- tracting. Paul Sydell and bis two dogs are more or less standard. He has added several new tricks to the repertoire and the consummate ease with which the canines perform draws a strong favorable reaction. Hudson Wonders are also clicks with their acros. Pair of limber gals offer high-kick rou- tines that are outatanding for their inventiveness.-— - - Sue Ryan has been around for some time. She reaped a harvest of bellylaughs with her satires fnd imitations, skipping off to genuine appreciation. • One sour note in her turn Is the overdone finale singing of 'You Made Me Love You' as it was done In 1913, when first written, and as It might ]}e done today. Wood. EARLE, PHILLY Philadelphia, Nov. 14. Artie Shaw Orch (32) toifh Paula Kelly. 'Hot Lips' Page, Colstons (2), Bob l>uPonf; '2 Latins from Manhat- tan' (Col). Making his first appearjjice here with his new, enlarged band, Artie Shaw Is being received with mixed reactions. To th« elder, more mature adult Ustener, Shaw's 'classi- cal swing' is a relief after the ear- drum shattering brass of the run-of- the-mill Jive aggregations. But to the teen-age alligators, Shaw is strictly a longhair riding the wrong beam. In his attitude toward his auditors, Shaw hasn't changed ipuch, making little effort to warm up. But his clarinet is still plenty hot and dur- ing the band's stint on the stage, it gets a stiff workout Band geta away nicely. with a medley of Shaw &ves. Temptation' and 'Stardust' 'with the maestro soloing in bis usually excellent style. At this Juncture Bob DuPont a familiar visitor to PhlUy, steps up with his dazzling juggling. He hasn't changed his act In years—and ha doesn't have to. It's surefire stuff. Paula Kelly's warbling Is ear- pleasing. An attractive brunet she's solid with Time Was' and 'World on Fire.' During both numbers, Miss KeUy Is "backed by the 12-picce violin choir. Rather effective. Only other outside act are the 'dancing C^lstones, a- guy and a gal who do a little showstopping of their own with their excellent comedy ballroom act reminiscent of the Hartmans. In between, Shaw and his boys perform the maestro's theme tune, •Beguine.' Featured member of the band is trumpeter 'Hot Lips' Page, only Negro musician with the ag- gregation. He's plenty socko. Page's muddy vocals and clear-tone horn (Continued from page 53)