Variety (Dec 1941)

Wednesday, PecembejrSl, 1941 ROUSE REVIEWS 47 KEITH'S, BOSTON Boston, Dec. 20. feflri Carroll's "Vanities with State Brothers (3), l^iere Brothers (2), lISeTshove; ttrfth Olive George, S^UWiere. Al NoTman, Charlene ffl^erlin, Jeanne Deucreoua. Fou rirToll Anna Lee, Danny Scholl, LmTae); 'Codet Girt' (20th). Wo a feast of entertainment at toSlne prices on the RKO stage this S This siharUy produced re^ale «ur run through New Year's and Zm likely jam the house on hoUday ^7 even at $1.65 per cushion. At ffic tS during the week it's the bar- min of the season. With such acts as the Slates, the Wleres and Buster Shaver with nUve t George, the unit has more riufl than some of the t3J0 musicals itat opened in Boston this season. ' But where the big-time shows sock with elaborate routines for the line numbers, this one falls short The eaSs are lookers, but their routines Ire not much more than rhythmic 't^-ons.' In tliis case they're inci- dental glamour, and the punch is in the comedy and danqing routines. The Slate boys, who can always be counted on for punchy session of horseplay and comedy, pack a few ' new punches. One of the new bits is a "Buy American' number with one of the boys stripping to show U.S. labels on his attire. Another snappy ' bit Is pointed up by Charlene Kim- berlin singing 'St James' with bumps. . Buster Shaver's act is rearranged to that he and his tiny partners do only a part of their regular routine in one spot However, George works in and out of the Wiere turn and Olive is featured in a swell Miranda ijnpersonation, backed up by the Wieres and Shaver. Olive and . George also have' a solo part for their fast-stepping ballroom spe- cialty. The Wieres get over with their perfectly timed comedy, although much of it is too subtle for the vaude mob. Al Norman solos with swift banter, impressions of the conga done by a coal miner, a deb and a drunk and by a farmer in a cow pasture. He closes with a nifty soft- sbo^ eccentric dance and had to beg off. A dance by Zerby and . Wiere would be a wow on the burlesque circuit The man in full dress does a ballroom number with his partner, who Is quite decolette. It's subtle like a French postcard. « Fay Carroll sells a couple of vo- cals. She's so stunning visually that she steals scenes from the chorus and Jeanne Devereaux, toe dancer, when she's singinil; her second chorus off-side on the stage. Miss Carroll also appears in some burley stuff with the Slates. Standee biz at show caught Fox. TOWER, K. C. horses and elephants on a vaude stage. This, plus the house policy of 'always a seat for a quarter,' makes it a bargain, It was difficult to pick favorites in the solid lineup, but La Terres- tisa, femme aerialist, and Olive Bas Trio, head balancing turn, seemed to merit top honors at catching (26). Votes of patrons under 13, however, would result in landslide for Block's elephants and/or White's dogs. Show opens in custismary fashion with Gene Moore, organist, leading a community sing. White's dogs open the circus proper and the offering proceeds in customary saw- dust ring style, complete'with slap- stick clown imitations of most of the acts. Lillian St Leon's bareback turn has a novel twist with several kids from the. house getting a chance to try riding bareback with help of a safety device. Tiny Kline, another female aerial- ist slides from the balcony to the stage hanging by her teeth, and the Pina troupe (5) presents the usual repertory of acrobatic routines. Business appeared better than usual. Quin. HIPP, BALTO STATE, HARTFORD HarlfOTd, Dec. 26. Gene Krupa Orch with Anita O'Dau, Johnny Desmond, Roy Eldridge, Monroe b Gront, Amelia Gilmore, 3 Stooges, Sam Kaplan House Band; 'Road to Happiness' (Mono). Nighf Club Reviews aContlnned from page 44^ CHEZ PAREE, CHI Kansas City, Dec. 26. Time of Your Life' (unit) with 9*7^ and his Harmonica Lads W, Phyllis Colt, Betty Atkinson, Peck tc Peck, Whitey Roberts, Tune- toppers band (10) Gtamour Debu- lontes (10); 'Suiing ft Soldier* (U). Tower stege fare is a 57-minute package ediUon of Time of Your lafe, and it's more than satisfactory. Turns are well paced, numbers and costumes nicely designed and pro- duction retains the spirit even if not Mie elaborate presentation of the Hroadway. show which won the mitzer Prize a couple of seasons ago. Peck & Peck, sepia' eccentric , aancers, score early with their slow- motion flght routine and Harlem- , style dancing. Jhe material is ordi- nary but deUvery first rate. The p™?ur Deb line (10) has several effecUve bits with and without Betty Atkinson, tapper. Carl Freed carries the comedy as- • with the able assistance of Whltey Roberts. Freed's harmonica IMS provide solid entertainment and peeds solo bit with a soprano sax g a high spot in the show. Whitey Roberts sticks to eccentric juggling "d dancing for laughs. Phyllis Colt Is a bell-ringer with most 611 of her several vocal ofler- mgs and nearly tied up the show with 'Hillbilly Bride.' , Unit tand, the Tune-Toppers prove the wisdom of carrying more than lust a conductor with a show. The ■ way this outfit times the entire pro- duction makes big difference in re- sults. \ Business good at catching. Quin. MAINSTREET, K. C. Kansas City, Dec. 26. Potocic Brothers' Indoor Circus with Oliue Bos Trio, Lillian St. Leon, Btacfc Horse Troupe, WhWe's fogs. Tiny Kline, Block's Elephants, W "errestisa, Eugene Randow, Pina iToupe (5), Gene Moore, Eddie achultz's House orch; 'Tlmberline' (Mono). Baltimore, Dec. 25. Gautier's Bricfclai/ers, LeAhn Sis- ters (4), Rex Weber, Helene Gardner & Co. (4), Martin Bros. (2), Felice Iiila House Orch (13); 'Dumbo' (RKO). . Polack Brothers' hidoor circus ?««uy climaxes the Malnstteetsjut-. rent seasiSn. aflerliig combines spec- »«e, comedy and a thrill or two with novelty of clowns, .aerlalists. Nicely built holiday layout, with considerable appeal to the juve trade but including sufficient adiilt enter-: talnment also. Extra shows, squeezed in to accommodate school- freed stubholders, should prove wis- dom of liooking 'Dumbo' with stage show. Ideal for opening is Gautier's Bricklayers, standby canine act which employs fullstage building set plus cuefd tricks by large variety of well-trained pooches. Gautier comes on himself midway to point up the funny business. LeAhn Sisters, harmony quartet deliver some intricate arrangements next which include 'I've Got Rhythm,' 'Jim' and 'Chattanooga Choo Choo.' Encore with 'Ida' and introduce the Martins, who follow with some marionet manipulation Two lads, attired in black, work dolls in full view. They have an easy working turn with loads of ap-^al. Rex Weber is doing his standard ventre turn. On in grotesque cos- tume, he works straight to sell good vocals of 'If I Love Again,' 'Cheek to Cheek' and his inevitable 'Brother, Can You Spare a Dime.' Earns an encore bit employing Weber's wife to mouth the words of 'For All We Know,' produced in falsetto with smart patter interpolated. Made for a very solid spot when caught. Helene Gardner and Co. close with socko adagio featuring some fast flashy throws and catehes by a trio of males. Makes a highly potent clincher and earns a series of well earned curtains. . Biz okay for early Christmas Day when caught. Burm, EMBASSY, N. Y. (NEWSBEELS) Two specially produced clips, one Paramount the other Pathe, and both excellently presented, feature the Christmas show here which is also supplemented by a March of Time release, for added war flavor, entitled 'Our America at War.' Program leads with a Pathe special in which Raymond Gram Swing, un seen, does the commentary in, re- viewing outstanding events of 1941 bearing on war, winding up with the attack on Hawaii. The other Par clip highlighting the current layout is entitled 'What Can I Do for My Country in 1942?' It is very com prehenslve and well done. The two Embassy specials In the quasi-news column Include theories of H. V. Kaltenborn in answer to several questions and Tex McCrary's angles on Turkey's role in the first World War, its reconstruction after- wards and the country's position at present. Kaltenborn's issues bear on the advisability of a separate air command, whether the African cam palgn is a decisive factor in the World War, value of Alaska as a base and whether there may be a sep- arate peace between Germany and Russia. Straight news items include the sudden arrival in Washington of Prime Minister Churchill. He is photographed with President Roose- velt but the film was shot silently with commentary added. A review of Pacific defenses in Manila, Singa pore, Malaya, etc., furnished by Fox- Movietone, ■ are appended, while farther down on the bill are some Universal clips of shelling In Libya, prisoners, etc. Miscellaneous clips are devoted to the family of the late Colin KeUy, launching of a destroyer and cruiser, Christmas activities for soldiers, warning about gossip and spies; the recently appointed censor, Byron Price, who doesn't talk; English women manning a plane-detecting "Baltery" ina'a funny piece dealing with a kid army at Hyde Park. N. Y. Char. Welcome sign is again out for Gene Krupa and crew. Maestro played his second date of a break in tour in this area in the spring of '38. Each year he returns stronger. Na- tives consider him a local boy. On paper and on the boards this bill spells sock entertainment Krupa aggregation comes out themlng from behind closed curtains, Anita O'Day, chirper, starting with the theme, 'Drummer Man.' Gal has vibrant personality and needs little time .to sell herself. Band's boy' singer, Johnny Desmond, also okay with two romantic balladas. Orch is on hand with a book of pops In the swing idiom and also fronts three outside ' acts. Jivers showed their enthusiasm. Krupa band, consisting of four rhythm, four trumpet three. trombone, and five sax is stirringly strong in the brass section. Leader devotes most of his time to cannonading the skins and brings out a score of specialists. Roy Eldridge, former colored bandleader, spotted frequently for- trumpet solos. He draws terrific returns, with 'Rocking Chair' about the best. Band number, 'Blue Rhythm Fantasy,' fea- turing Krupa on the traps and the boys playing miniature drums, sells to the hilt First outside act Amelia Gilmore, goes over easily with two, tap rou- tines. Monroe and Grant score solidly with their standard trampO' line act. One of the lads Injects comedy by appearing in oversize, striped bathing suits. Three Stooges are a triple laugh threat with hoke, patter and general nonsense. Xmas day biz healthy. Ech. week before heading for U. S. mili- tary service. Martin has a fine style for this type of nite spot handling his audience with ease. ^Vocally, Margin has all the pop sock that's necessary and his choice of pop tunes is safe. Only two other acts on the show, both dancing. Callahan Sisters made good with excellent tap routines, while Raul and Eva Reyes remain an eye-filling tropical terp team with solid routines. Production by Fred Evqns contin- ues on a high level, with some of the numbers oarticularly imoressive, such as 'Toy Shop' and 'Tropical Ma?ic.' Boyd Saeburn orchestra is back for its second stay here, rfter click- ing earlier this year. Raeburn han- dled both pror'.uctinn number* and r)ansapation in e-.cellent style. Bobby Ramos remains v/ith his rhumba band. It's one of the top outfits of the kind. . Gold. Unit Review Revue Follies d'Amour (BEOADWAT, CHABLOTTE, N. C.) Ghorlotte, N. C, Dec. 20, SuUi; Sc Thomas, Banfields (2), Young Sisters (2), Professor Cheer, Mary Voder, Pagano Girls (8), Pete Brown's band (5); 'Mexicon Spit' fire's Baby' (RKO). Although a trifle shy on talent Paul Pagano's . 'Revue FoUies d'Amour' carries enough light and frothy entertainment to get by. John Sully and Muriel Thomas headline show, with Sully doubling as em' cee. Miss Thomas plays dummy stooge to Sully's gags, and his stuff, loaded with gadgets, goes over nice- ly. He has pleasing delivery and manages to stay on sunny side of au, dience, unlike many of comics to pla^ here this season. Some of ma' terial is a little musty, but on the whole act was well received. They finish with a zany dance, which could have been dropped. The Banfields, jugglers, confine themselves to a tennis ball routine. Both are pleasing, with Banfield flashier than his wife but less ac curate in keeping the bounding balls in line. Pair run throueh a nicely balanced routine, handle themselves nicely, and add a nice touch of com- edy. Young Sisters, contortionists, open and please with backbends. Al- though girls, both lookers, appear a trifle amateurish, both display talent and with more seasoning should de velop favorably. Best bit comes when one sister, mounted on foot stands atop table, does a backbend to light cigarette in her mouth from weed in sister's mouth. It went-, big. Professor Cheer, zany musician, is on only briefly but pleases with screwball antics and music from odd props. Opens with musical saw, follows by clapping hands on mouth to produce musical sounds, drum's a tune out of his noggin with drum sticks, and winds up with some nifty work on a trick accordion. Mary Vader. tl\ree times national drum majorette champ, is pulled from line for a majorette specialty which is peppy and pleasing. Miss Vader is the spark plug of line, one of most vivacious to appear here this season. Girls all are fair lookers and they manage to inject enthusiasm' into their numbers. They open with a so-so song and dance tap number, their poorest. They later come back with a zestful Conga, the snappiest ■Latin line routine caucht here this season. The elrls finish with a pa' triotic salute, outstanding for its prC' clsion. They also go out into audi ence to get boys to dance with them on stage. Gag winds up with boys standing on stage holding their hands over eyes until they get wise and slink off. Fair house. Just 'UnderKrouDd' Mex Sock Mexico City, Dec. 30. Current pic socko 'here is 'Under- ground' (WB), titled in Mexico 'Dos Hermanis' CTwc Brothers'), In ita second week-at the Cine Magerit frontline cinema that seats 1,600. Top is $2 (Mex). (50c U.S.). LE RUBAN BLEU, N.Y. Herbert Jocobg, Pauin Laurence, Richard Di/er-Bennet, Mobel Mercer; t2 minimum. the fifth consecutive show at this spot, lovers of the aesthetic are getting an eyeful in a neat combina- tion comedy-strip turn, Rudolf, Morgan & Lunard. It's one of those phoney ballroom trios of two guys and a 'gal who start out seriously enough and wind up breaking each other's necks. This has peeling too. Gilli Gilll adds a pleasant season- ing of comedy to his Egyptian magi business. He makes cleverly with the hands on producing eggs and flags and live cnicks, but would be more or less routine were it not for those: roly-poly eyes and a line of dizzy chatter. In the ballroom dance team department are Byrnes and Swanson.- Gal's attractive in very Oriental getup, which is backed with Oriental music. Pair is not excep- tional otherwise, being somewhat on the ungraceful side, altliough 'a couple terrific lifts at the finale help to sell them. Torrid vocalizing is handled by Margo Good, a youngster with a nice sense of rhythm and phrasing-^ which is not matobed by her voice. It's too sharp. Gene Stockwell is the m.c. Pleasant looking, he takes care of the introes in approvedfash- lon and puta in a satisfactory stanza of tao-terp on his own. Bobby Sanford produced the rou- tines for the line of 10 gals.- Femmes are lobkers and provide dances up to the usual Broadway nitery standard. Herb. Long before there was any sensi- tivity over Free French ■ or just French, Herbert Jacoby's New York counterpart of Paris' Le Ruban Bleu brought an Intime nitery divertisse- ment to Manhattan which has sur- vived politico schisms, and will so continue. Answer is simple: it's forthright polite, intelligent cafe talent in an intimate atmosphere, akin to an oversized drawing room. With but two pianologists plugging the waits at twin Steinways,"boniface Jacoby (who used to operate Le Boeuf sur le Toit and the original Ruban Bleu abroad) has maintained a high parity for his 75-capacity room. r Specialists come on at IS-minute Intervals, permitting for comfortable ordering and chatting in between turns—and also a good turnover for the house. Jacoby has had a notable succession of people, of all races and nationalities. The American headliner is frequently supported by a Viennese or Gallic excerpt, with both set off in contrast' to a 52d street jive turn or, perhaps, a dusky soprano, or something altogether novel. It's a constant headache to discover such type turns which, per- force, must be in modest brackets, considering the limitations of the room, and yet have distinction. Current setup is not particularly outstanding in its socko proportions, but gives a good idea. In former times a Mildred Bailey, a Maxine Sullivan, the Delta Rhythm Boys or some Continental chanteu.se or a dar- ing worker like Carrie Finnell, she of the educated bodice, held forth. Paula .Laurence Is the current topliner, and better than ever with her satirical song styles. She swings 'Old Man Jtliyfii' in French; makes with jive Spanish wordage to 'Per- fidia': gives out with sexy inuendoes on almost any given occasion; dis- closes . a wealth of nonsense props from.tier massive hatbox, and withal whams. Miss Laurence is currently doubling from 'Junior Miss.' Her author rates a bow for the clever wordage. Richard Dyer=Bewmstra-seHsltlVB-|-[j, youth with a Swedish lute upon which he strums, to selt-aciomp his early Elizabethan airs, is a returner; and so Is Mabel Mercer, colored English songstress, of fine voice and badly paced nitery routine (New Acts). Herbert Jacoby officiates as personal greeter and conferencier. Abel. LEON & EDDIE'S; N.Y. Eddie Davis, Margo Good, Gilli Gilli, Byrnes & Swanson, Gene Stockwell. Noel Tow, Rudolf, Morgan & Lunord, Line flO); Minimum $3 weekdays; $3.50 Saturdays. War is said inevitably to bring with it a lowering of moral sensibili- ties. Leon and Eddie, always at the head of a trend, are showing great quantities of leadership cur- rently. Not that the shows of the Messrs. Enkcn and Davis have ever been noted for soul-cleansing quali- ties, but this one is particularly far on the blue side. It's inoffensive, however, and the yokels love it which adds up to a tuneful^.score at the cash register, Eddie Davis, as usual, is the high- light of the proceedings with his parodies and shady ditties. He also maestros the 'Boomps-a-Daisy,' man- aging.^ to achieve a high record of participation by the audience, which makes that ancient bit of finale biz a joy tickler which the customers probably remember and talk al>out more than^anything else. In additfon to Noel 'Toy, Chinese fan maneuverer, who is giving pa- trons a tempting brand of nudl^ for Romo'Vbcent Set Romo Vincent who withdrew from Eddie Cantor's 'Banjo Eyes,' goes into La Martinique, New York, opening Jan. 23, William Morris office set the deal. Frisco's Modeme Reopens San Francisco, Dec. 30. ^ Club Modeme, which folded a. couple of months back, reopened Friday (26). Using Delor.es Gray, Ben McAtee, Ramsdell Dancers and Margaret Orsini's flve-girl orch. Joe MerSllo managing. Mildred Law, formerly vocalist with Vaughn Monroe, Will Johnson and more recently with Howard Jones at Hotel Statler, Boston, is now in New York rehearing with Mme. K&marova, who Is producing the shows for Lou Walters' Miami Beach Latin Quarter. New Acts MABEL MEBCEB Songs 8 MIns. Le Bnban Blea, N. T. Mabel Mercer is' a colored song- stress of fine, well-trained voice who debuted at L,e Ruban Bleu when this New York counterpart of the famed Paris boite of the. same name flrst opened some five years ago. She then. returned to Paris, and finally came back to America,, via the Bahamas. She's of British nationality, but her vocalizing has beeii most prominent in France and America. Miss-Merrpr for, a.xettain-hour of the a.m. must accelerate her tempos. She's not a scat singer, but neither need she be so conservative and lethargic. It's chiefly a matter of song material. Easily the spright- liest of her repertoire, none the less 'Every Time' (from 'Best Foot For- ■ ward') isn't a happy selection either. Being definitely a 'cute: ssng, 'cute' songs are only good for matching personalities. Not that Miss Mercer isn't personable and effective. She makes an excellent appearance. She might however, recourse to more solid ballads. When caught, her three in a royr were all bad picks, of the 'Love and I' type; too prim and prima, and certainly not for cafe divertissement, no matter the intimaiencss of the room. Abet LOIS ANDREWS Singing 6 MIns. Flatbusb, Bklyn. Lois Andrews (Mrs. George Jes- sel), recently a mother, is making her flrst personal appearance since the natal' event; also her first ap- pearance as a solo act Previously she has been a showgirl in musicals and filled in with a slight vocal bit during personalSainade by Jessel. On her own. Miss Andrews is a . nifty looking personality and a pretty fair singer in throaty style. She's likewise enhanced by plenty of pub- licity value. Did three songs at this catching. Including 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' and 'Gay Ranchero,' and got over. Het Impression might have been eveii better h'ad not Louis Prima clowned behind her while she was singing 'Ranchero.' Scho.