Variety (Apr 1942)

ORCHESTRA GROSSES Wednesday, April 29, 1942 Lyman, $42,000 in N. Y.rWhiteinaii, 24G in S. R; Kmpa, 42G in Detroit, AD Big B.O., Stabile $17,000, My (E»tj77w(e» /or Thl» TVeefc) Tommy Dorsey, New York (Para- mouat; 3,664; 38-65-85-99)—With Tavorite Blonde'JPar.)..as the pic- ture. Terrific draught of Dorsey •lid that of the Bob Hope-Madelelne CarrpU film brought potent $44,000 on the fourth-final week ended jast night (Tuesday). The third was $53,- 000, tremendous. Jan Garber, Kansas City (Tower; 2,110; 11-30-50)—With 'Almost Mar- ried' (U). Almost five years since Garber has been here. 'Week's take of $10,000 good enough for house, which frequently realizes much less, but not a figure a band like this one wQuld draw In this house. Benny Goodman, BuiTalo (20th Century; 3,000; 35-55). Goodman teed off to raves from daily reviewers. •Sleepytime Gal' (Rep) rated on soggy side, with band entitled to full credit for lush gate of probably $17,000. Blohard Himber, Newark (Adams; 2,000; 25-35-50-60 >—With 'Night Be- fore the Divorce' (20th) and Dolly Dawn and Archie-Bobbins on stage. Getting good $14,500. Bay Kinney, Cleveland (Palace; 8,700; 35-40-50-55-70)—With 'Lar- ceny; Inc.* (WBLplus Jerry Lester and Jinx. Falkenburg' for • stage sup- port Many competitive " factors in this town, so will have to be satls'- ' fled, with around $20,000, still good. Gene Krnpa, Detroit (Michigan; 4,000; 40-55-65)—With "Lady Has Plans' (Par) and Martha Raye for added stage support All around fine combo drawing sm&sh $42,000. . Abe Lyman, New York (Strand; 8,756; 35-55-85-99) — With . Jackie Cooper, other acts on stage, 'Larceny, Inc.' (WB) on screen. The Lyman orchestra, which has played here twice before, plus Cooper, who Is drawing the- youths, combine with the Edward G. Robioson name as strong boxofflce; a big $42,000 or about that Is seen. Show holds over. Ted Lewis, Los Angeles (Orpheiom; WOO; 33-44-55-65)—With own stage shoW and 'Four Jacks and Jill' (RKO). Lewis carrying house^ with his aggregation for a big $19,500. ^ Broke onie-day record at this theatre last Siuiday (26), mark ^lade by hmai and Andy eight years «go. CIre Blmae. New York (State; 3,- 450; 28 - 44 - 55 - 75 - 99-$1.10)—With Jamji Barton on stage, "To Be' (UA) (2d''nm) on screen. Rlmac band is aided by popularity of -. Barton In providing good support for the pic- ture; indications point to $27,000 or better, very good. Dlok Stabile, Philadelphia (Earle; 8,768; 35-46-57-68-75)—With 'Always In My Heart' (WB) and Jack Haley and Hal Leroy. for stage support Stage show gets the credit for most of fair $17,000. ' Paol' -Wlilteman, San Francisco (Golden Gate; 2,850; 40-44-65)—With 'Mayor of 44th St' (RKO). House grossing smash $24,000, mostly on the draught of the band. Coni^txut Proves Big Coin Source For One-Niters "Thef^'a a littU Armitrong In 'em all." and hia Famous Orchestra faaturino 80NNY WOODS VELMA MIDDELTON • Juit concluded phenomenally aucoettful engagement CASA MANANA Hollywood 30,000 ADMISSIONS IN FOUR WEEKS I Orpheum, Los Angeles WEEK APR. 29 DECOA BECOBDS Personal MaiiaatMeiilt (Estttnatea) Bob AUen-Goy ' Ormandy (Ray- mor-Playmor B., Boston, April 24- 2S). Third weel^end date here proved fine'for Allen and local out- fit; pulled 1,600 Friday, 1,900 Satur- day, at 75C-65C for $2,450. Bine Barron (Arena, New Haven, Conn., April 25). Approximately 2,000 dancers at $1.10 per greeted Etarron'at'TrolIeymen's Ball; fair. Lee Brown (Shubert T., New Ha- ven, Conn., April 26). Brown stood 'em up three out of four shows, with vaude, mossing estimated $2,300 at 35c-65c; good. Henry Bnsse (Memorial Hall, Jop- lln, Mo„ April 24). Busse played to good total of 1,439 dancers at 85c advance, $1.12 door here.- Next night (25) band pulled okay 1,253'people at'Meadow-Acres, Topeka, Kan., at $1- . Glen Gray (Lyric T., Bridgeport, Conn., April 20-22). Casa Loma out- fit pulled so)ld $4,600 In three days here. Lea Rite (Roseland-State B., Bos- ton. April 25). Hlte drew 200 less than last date here; 700 at 65c for fair $455. Kay Kyser (Armory, Louisville. Ky., April 25).j Kyser ran.one of his: concert-dance affairs here (two admissions) and over-all played to 12,000 people at $1.10. ' VanKtan Monroe (Commodore B. Lowell, Mass., April 22). ^ggest crowd of year turned out, 2,100 at 99c, three times total pull year ago. At Arena, New -Haven, Conn., Sun- day (26) band also proved, okay, drawing 5,300 admissions at 55c- $1.10. Bed Norro (Yankee Lake, Brook field, O., April 18). Norvo did fair here, luring 946 hoppers at eSc foF $615. Ken Beeves (Totem Pole B., Au- biumdale, Mass., April 22-25). Local outfit on first appearance did ex- ceptionally wen (this spot has a nat- ural draw regardless of attraction) playing to 9,600 in four days at $1.45 pair for $6,960. . Alvine >- Bey (Lafayette College. Easton, Pa., April 24). Some 450 couples at $5 pair heard Rey her%; gross, $2,250. Tommy - Beynolds (Rltz B., Bridgeport, Conn., April 26). Reyn- olds' draw of 1,010 dincers at 75c was considered 'good'. Mnggay Spanler (Western Reserve U., Cleveland, April 24). Junior frat prom in gym got-only 'fair' attend- ance; 600 at $1,10. Next night (25)' drew 1,000 into Sunset Ballroom, Carrolltown, Pa., okay at 85c per for comparatively unknown crew. . Charlie Splvak (Tulane V., New Orleans, La., April 21). In a con- cert and dance (separate admis- sions) Spivak grossed $1,480 approx- imately at $2.55 couple and $1.75 for hop and 55c for'show. Rated 'good' by those In charge, Jaok Teagsrden (Trianon B., Se- attle, April 21). , Teagarden pulled 'em here; 1,500 at $1. Next night got excellent 2,000 at same price at same spot" At Century B., Tacoma, April 18-19 (one early mom de- fense worker hop) band played to 3,000 at $1. Disc Reviews EIU FiUferald: Vm Gettin' Mighty Lonesome for You'— •When I Come Back Crying* (Decca 4315). Miss Fitzgerald's Initial effort with Four Keys ac- companiment instead of her band; first side shows her in swell commercial groove; -fine melody, , Kay Kyaer: 'Don't Sit Under Apple Tree'—There Won't Be ShorUge Love' (CoL 36567). 'Ap- ple' side, getting wide attention currently. Is strong. Sully Mason-quartet vocaL Reverse Is also good, new rhythm tune. Dlok Stabile: 'Jealous'—"You Know* (Decca 4301). Instrumen- tal arrangement of first, featur- ing leader's'sax, should do a lot for good, new band. Reverse has fine points, too,. vocalled by Grade Barrle. Vaughn Monroe: Three Little Sisters'—'Be Brave Beloved' (Blue 11508). Initial side Is cute novelty as done at fast tempo and vocalled by Four 'Vs. Jimmy Doraey: 'Full Moon'— IfYou Are But a Dream' (Decca 4312). -Moon' Is fine, but It's re- verse* adaptation of Rubehstein melody that should hit heavies^. Bob Eberly vocals both. Harry Japnes: 'One Dozen Roses' — You're Too Good for Good for Nothing Me' (CoL 36566). 'Roses' arrangement Is notable for tricky pacing. Reverse, vocalled. by Helen Forrest, is also strong, new tune likely to move. On the Upbeat Herbert Frltsohle back Into Bal- conades, Pittsburgh, for fourth time this year, succeeding the Buddy Carlson band. Boly Eogers has added a girl trumpeter, Josephine Hunt, 17 years old. She will be graduated from Ar- lington (Mass.) high school in June. Sonny Falgen, trumpeter,, has left Baron Elliott's band at Oh Henry, ballroom In Cbl to join' Herman Middleman's outfit at the Yacbt Club, Pittsburgh. Tommy Dorsey booked for a one- nighter at the Sunset Ballroom, Carrolltown, Pa., Monday (4). Ward Kaler has quit Herble Kay crew to front his own band, which opens Friday (1) at Ruggles Beach, Ohio. Lang Thompson orc]i one-nights at the Aragon Ballroom, Pittsburgh, Tuesday (5). Chlok Floyd's engagement at Wil- liam Penn hotel's Chatterbox, Pltts- (Contlnued on page 53) Johnny, Tnmlno, personal manag^ of Jay McShann band, joined Moe Gale agency last week In New York. He takes place of Tim Gale, booking one-nlghters. Gale Is In the Army. Jlmmle Lnneetord, May 22, U. of Washington, Seattle; 23, Century B., Tacoma, Wash.; 24-25, Trianon B„ Seattle; 26, Spanish B., Portland, Ore.; 28, Civic Aud., San Jose, Cel.; 29, Civic Aud., Stockton, Cal.; 30, Sweet's B., Sacramento; 31, Sweet's B., Oakland. Bob Allen, May 4, week, 'Palomar B. , Norfolk, Va. Mitbhell Ayres, May 20, Court Square T., Springfield, lU.; 21-22, Poll T, Wftterbury, Conn.; 25-27, Lyric T, Bridgeport Loa Breese, May 1, Purdue U., Lafayette, Ind.; 2-3, State T., Rich- mond, Ind.; 5, Ulinl B., Decatur, HI.; 6, Grand B., Chatsworth, 111,; 7, Twin Lakes. B., Rockvlew City, la.; 8, U. of Iowa, Iowa City; 9, Plamor B., Kansas City. ' Bobby' Byrne, May 11, week, Palo- mar B., Norfolk, 'Va, Del Casino, May 1-3, Strand T., Syracuse; 6-10, Yankee Lake, Brook- field, O.; 11, Simmit' Beach Park, Akron; 15, two weeks, Beverly HUls C. C, Newport, Ky. Sonny Dnnham, May 3, San Jose Civic Apd., CaL; 15, U. of California, Los Angeles; 16, Sweet's B., Sacra- mento; 17, Swetit's. B., Oakland- Freddie' Fischer, May 22-24, Gen- eral Electric Co., Foitt Wayne, Ind.; 25, Indef., Lantz's M-Go-R, Dayton. Woody Herman, May 8, Armory, Wilmington, DeL; 9, Empire B., AUentown, Pa.; 13, two weeks. Para' mount'T., New York. Stan Kenton, May 1, State Teach er's C, Bloomsburg, Pa.; 8, 'Valley Dale, Columbus, O. Blohard Himber, May 1-3, Palace Bands at Hotel B.O.'s (Presented herewith, <u a vieeMv tabulation, is the estimated cotter charge bujfnesa being done bv name bands' Mi various Neto York ftotetj; Dinner business (7-10 P.M.) not rated. Fiaures after name of hotel gtve room capacitv and cover charge. Larger omount designate* iseefcend and holiday price.) WmIu Rolel Pliijred Jimmy D6rsey...Pennsylvania (600; 76c-$1.50) 11 Woody Herman*..New Yorker (400; 75c-$1.50) 6 Enric Madrlguera.Blltmory (300; $1-$1.50) ;.ia Freddy Martin*...Waldorf (475; $l-$liO)....,, 14 Frankle Masters. .Roosevelt . (400; $1-$1.50) 3 Lanl Mclntlre...,.Lexington (300; 75e-$1.50) ....11 Ray McKInley....Commodore (400; 75c-$l)... 1 Jerry Wald .Lincoln (225; 75c-$l).. 3 Coven I'oiai Fait Vovcn On IhiU 2,625 2,025 CtOO 2,225 900 1,400 850 685 29,175 13,200 10,450 31,900 3,400 15,425 850 1,825 'Asterisks Indicate a supporting floor show, although the bond (s the major draw. Los Angeles' SUnnay Ennis (Ambassador; 900; $1-$1.50). Off a bit but wlU manage around 800 covers for two nights (Fri. and Sat). Freddy Martin, a fav In this room, returns May 21. Phli Harris (BUtmore; 1,200; SOc^l). .This lad can't do any worse than 6,000 payees a week, mighty sweet biz In this downtown spot Joe Reich- man comes in May 28. Chicago Chnok Foster (Continental Room, Stevens hotel, 400; $1.50-$2 mln.). Foster handling himself nicely and running good spore In this out-of-the- loop location, drawing 2,300 customers. Eddy Dnohin (Empire Room, Palmer House; 600; $3-$3,50 mln.). Duchln remains powerful Chicago name and consistent winner In this distinctive room^ •bringing in fine 3,600 patrons last week. Jimmy Joy (Walnut Room, Bismarck hotel; 360;- $l-$2 mln.). Joy in third week and holding Its own with 1,700 patrons. Cab Calloway (Panther Room, Sherman hotel; 800; $1-$2.S0 mln.). Pan- ther Room continues one of the really top spots In' town. Calloway's third week came in with nifty 6,200 tabs. Nell Bondsha (Mayfair Room, Blackstone hotel; 35(t; $2.60 mln. Sat). Class location switched from Jane Froman to Yvette as name warbler on Friday (24). Consistent spot did well with 2^500 tabs, aided considerably by legit hit 'Good Night Ladies,' In adjacent Blackstone theatre. Minneapolis Freddy Nagel (Minnesota Terrace, Hotel Nicollet; 600; $1-$1.50 mln.). Well>-llked band In fourth week. Business stl}l..far off, ^ut showed pick-up past seven days, attendance climbing to approximately 350 nightly. New floor «how acts are Manor & Mlgnon, C. Ray Smith and Woodle & Betty. . Boston GrU Wllllama (Oval Room, Copley Plaza; 300; $1 cover). With Dorothy Lewis Ice Show; on fifth week, Williams Kept high pace with 1,900 coyers, best biz room has seen in years, with Friday-Saturday overflow accom- modated in adjacent Sheraton Room. Dinner trade also, exceptionally good. Williams opens- tonight (Wed,) at Totem Pole, Auburndale, Mass. Hal Saunders takes over with Ice show remaining imtll Jtily.' Lelfhton Noble (Terrace Room, Hotel Statler; 450; $1 cover). In 15th week of indefinite engagement. Noble Continued fine to 950 covers- Friday- Saturday, only late nights. Dinner biz also good throughout week. Philadelphia Panoho (Garden Terrace, Benjamin Franklin hotel; 500; $l-$1.50-$2 min.). Dropping slightly in next-to-last week with a total of 1,182 supper cus- tomers. Location Jobs, Not m Hotels (Loa Angeles) Sonny Dnnliam (Palladluin .B, Hollywood, third week). Getting great play -from service men oyer the weekend. . Will hang up around 11,000 admissions on the week. Band surprised by keeping to a good consistent level. Harry James set for a big opening tonight (Tues.). Dnke Ellington (Trianon N, Southgate, CaL). Still whamming for a hot aggregate of 7,500 stubs. Jan SavHt (Casb Manana B, Culver City, Cal.). Qpened last Friday night (24) for second stand here within a year. Last time he had to buck Glenn MUler at the Palladium; this time it's Harry James at the tame dancery. Around 6,000 payees on first stanza, accelerated, by a round-the- town advertising. Osxie Nelson (Florentine Gardens N, Hollywood). It's same- old story at this site,- 4,000 customers more or less. Rudolf Frlml's band comes in April 30 with Nils Granlund's new floor show. (Chicago) ■ <' Buddy Franklin (Chez Paree; 500; $3;$3.60). Franklin getting along fine. With floor show came through with SfiOO customers. Ted Weems (Blackhawk; 400; $1.25 mln.). Weems. has smacked 'em over In this spot and going great guns to 3,300-customers again last week. T., Fort Wajme, Ind.; 10, Paramount T., Hammond, Ind.; 15, two weeks. Chase Hotel, St Louis. Will Osborne, May 1, Casa Loma B., Charleston, W. 'Va.; 3, Myer's Lake Park, Canton, O.; 6, Avalon B., LaCrosse, Wis. George Olsen, May 1, Shorham H., Washington. D. C; 2, La&ealde Park, Bamesville, Pa. ~ Dick Sogers; May 9, SUnnybrook B., Fottstown, Pa. Joe VenuU, May 1, Hotel Bradford Roof, Boston; 2, Priscilla Casino, Au- burn, N. Y.; 3, two weeks, Tic-Toe C, Boston. "A NEAT ENTRY" —Variety, Mar. 1% 1942. ^ore Than Yon Know'' ' 'ASU Down for Donble'' OKEH Racord No. 6584 COUNT BASIE And His Oroheatrs Per. Hfi: BflLTON EBBIN8 The new. "country tune" aentation. Ernest Tubb's WALKING THE FLOOR OVER YOU DICK ROBERTSON BOB ATCHER ERNEST TUBB Decca No. 4189 Okoh No. 6496 Dacca No. AMERICAN MUSIC INC. 1211 N. Polniattia Drive, Hollywood J O i G L .(\ S E , I n r