Variety (June 1942)

t2 HOUSE REVIEWS Wednesdaj, June 24, 1942 Cd Wpi Enters 2-a-Day Picture At Aim N.Y.. With Evident Click iMiigh, Town, Lauph,' atraight vatLdzT presented by and headlining Ed Wjfnn: Jane Froman, Carmen Amaya, Senor Wences, Joe Smith i CharleB Dale, Hermanos Williams f rlo. Xen Davidson & Hugh Forgle, Volga Singert (8), Hector & Pals & Marion, Herzogs (5), Bmil Coleman Orch in Kf. Opened June 22,''42, at AMn, N. Y.; $2.20 and $2.75 tops. Ed Wynn steps into the present vaudeville vogue with Ttaugh, Town, Laugh,'spotted in a legit theatre, the ^vln, N. Y. Audience reaction e^e -first night, Monday (22), indi- oated he has a click. Latest bill, like Its recent predeces-' Bors, particularly 'Priorities ol 1942,' numing at the 46th Street, is shown virith some ot the labels of legit re- vue, as for instance the title. All of Aie bills of late have drawn the oritics, whereas in the hey-day of two-a-day that was rare. It isn't exactly that the reviewers have to do something to liven their depart- ments, but the general big-time at- mosphere of the showings is draw- ing them. Thus far 'Priorities' is the b.o. standout, mostly because of its comedy punches, and 'Laugh' has a (air chance to duplicate, although the first show was somewhat handi- rapped because Wynn has a lame hand and the theatre's cooling sys- tem was not working effectively, Wynn's outfit is slightly different from the. others, in not employing a line of show girls. He is on often inoi his familiar and likeable come- qy stating, too, that 'this is old- nine vaudeville,' which isn't quite f(5curate. Newest .billt however, is be nearest in the current "revival' to ihe IPalace and Hammersteln's Vic- toria. There are Jio production acts, however, and there is very little n2|nic investiture. During rehearsal wmin worked with Red Donahue <ffd his mule, Uno, but forgot to withdraw bis hand when fhe dash- board of a breakaway cart folded and cracked a couple of bones In the XiSxt mitt iniat'set the show back one week. Tum tried «nt in Bridge- port and Wynn appeand -witli the 4jct tbea, but it wai oat of Sie vreem fii ijnr. ^ Wsnn went, to the' night clubs, nosoy class spots, for some of the xbp furns, which explains the inter- national flavor ot the show, program billing each act's native out of keeping their patent leather hair intact Novelty turn of the show is an ex- hibition of badminton, two profes- sional players being Ken Davidson and Hugh Forgie. During the con- test Jerry Brannon makes explana- tions for the customers not famUiar with the game. Four show girls are used in various chores, two putting up the score. They are £leanor Schram, Ann Graham, Gene Wright and Gene Ashley. The Herzogs, a flve-glrl trapeze tum from Australia, open the snow very well, principally because of the 'stooge' who entrances from the front The Volga Singers are num- ber two, with Wynn getting some chuckles in introducing the Russian octet Closing are Hector's Dogs and Marlon, a neat enough litUe animal act, helped by Wynn being present. Nobody walked, despite the humid- ity- and the advancing clock. Per- haps the most effective of Wynn's comicalities is the travesty shooting bit which he last did in 'Boys and Girls Together.' Emil Coleman, himself a figure as a bandleader, is conducting his crew from the pit and doing a fine job of playing the show. Scale here is 9220 top weekday nights; $2.75 wedrends. Ibee. TOWER. K.C Kancat City. June 20. Jack Herbert, Eddie Joeobton, The Stapletons (2). KodcUf e k Rodger*. Marilyn Drew, Herb Six House Orch; 'Itfan Who WouUn't Die' (20th) and Mad Doctor of Market Streets (10 national Vj^eran zemindeia of blg-tlme vaude, Joe SmiOi ^ai Charlet Dale cop ''the comedy' honors, down ti6xt to dosing-—and with 'Dr. Kron- K«t>,' It wias owe of the -ddts they used when of the Avon Corned^ Four and) from the way the house laughed. It seems incredible that the fdates back several decades, ere have been some changes in I nonsense, but essentially it is > same crackerjack tum it was years ago. First of the class turns is Senor Wences, billed as hailing from Portugal. The juggling ventrilo- autst 'With the tiny dummy he lapes from his hand and the other one, which is merely a head in a box, Is thoroughly entertaining. He is the only act working with a microphone end from some locations it obstructs ^is mouth. Wences has played the fnajor film houses as well as sup- per spots. Jane Froman is easily the show's ■tandout looker, a delightful warbler with a routine of tuneful ditties. Some not so close to the sfage thought a mike might have aided her Vocallstics, bnt Mis* Froman has ue vight idea in moving about so uiat her trim form' may be appre- ciated. Short medley starts her well. With "Sleepy Lagoon' a good thing, tben Tm Breathless,' wlilch is get- ting much plugging do. the air, and 'One Dozen Roses.*^ ^n^tress also gives out with Three Uttle Sisters' and the inevitable Dont Sit Under the Apple Tt«e.' Carmen i^aya, from SouHi Amer- ica, who popularized flamenco danc- ing at'lfae Beachcomber, on Broad- way, is a bang 'closing intermis- sion. She has Ajitonia, Leonor, Jose and Paco, father, sisters and cousin, with her, while Sabicas is out in one with bii guitar during a costume change. The foot-stdmplng, finger- snapping and business with the handclaps add atmosphere to the enin^ated Interlude. Senorlta Amaya is on again for a bit in the second part, with Miss Froman and Wynn, who pedals in a littie piano, but the comic cannot play the bit very well because of h& damaged digits. Miss Froman, atop the music box, alngs Tea for Two.' Wynn, a very busy m.c, greets the customers after Intermission and hoofed a bit upon introducihg former Governor Al SmlUi. Right after that come the Hermanos 'Williams Trio from Argentina. It consists of a gir. warbler and two m^e acrobats ■^o perform in rhythm. That is the trick pf the turn, for their feats are not exceptional. Boys have made a sag This one turns ^put to be a rather compact littie stage show that strikes a niche coniiderBbly. abovi average in entertainment, probably because it is graced with a little more com- edy Coan nsoal here. This week is the last of four in which the man- agement eq>erimented with double featore films and stage show for the regular 30c admission, and this week, like the others;, gives proof by -patronage that double bills are here to stay on weeks when the stage at- traction is not sufficient attraction in itself. This dual bill, like the others, carries a theme—whodimit for this particular week—Which will be tiie case henceforth when this policy is in force. After tiie Herb Six house band Introduction the 44-mlnute show is routed by Jack Herbert, doubling as i£/;.,-ln-which capacity he plays straight, in contrast to bis comedy nia'gic act later. First he runs on the team of Stapletons, .whose danc- ing Is° in a light-hearted,' modem .trend and gets the bill off to good start. Marilyn Drew, amateur win- ner, has the second ^ot to show an untrained voice, with some melodi- ous possibilities, on "This Is No Laughing Matter.' Herbert then fills with his own tum, intermixing clever monolog with adept card tricks and couple of other magic stunts. His chatter is what takes and his comedy lifts the .show from here on out Following is Eddie .Jacobson putting his mass of shoulder and arm muscles through a rigorous and complete bandstend- ing On varied contraptions, winding with the bandstanding on stilts that carried him into Ripley's cartooi). Closing Is filled by Raddifle and Bodgera, colored lads, in a line of comedy chatter and music. The j >Iano playing of one, the singing of ' he other are both played for laughs to ring the curtain down on a pleasant note to the satisfaction of the customers. Quin. STATE, N. Y. Jay C. Fiippen, Bea Wain, Eddie Hanley, Horace MacMahon, Eleonore Whitney, 8 Peters Sistert, S Jeioelt; Ruby ZtoerUng"! Houte Orch; 'Sabo- teur" (t/). Jay C Fiippen is back again and. as on former oeeasioaa, he's doing a good entertaining Job. In addition to his regular stint, at closing, be m.c.s the Aow and gives splee to the proceedings. With a couple ot blackouts in the show, one of wbicb is part of Horace MacMahdn's tum (New Acts), an- other with Eddie Hanley, tiie show is less along routine vaadeville lines than usual. Timely in view of rationing is Hip- pen's parody on Tangerine,' calling it 'Gasoline' instead and using lyrics to fit Following coime cute gags that get laughs, Flbipen does his arrange- ment of 'Small Fry,' sold extremely weU. Bea Wain Is on ahead ot Flippen's solo spot and lands in a big way.' Opening with 'Apple Tree,' which suits her ftigtwg style niedy, die also does 1 Wonder 'Wben ISj Baby's Coming Home,' a new tune. It has ordinary lyrics and as a song doesn't seem to rate the big pbig Mist Wdn gives it 'Jersey Bounce' la aold swell. Miss Wain does two addi- tional songs^ but crowds her routine into 10 minutes. Eddie Hanley, deadpan comic, has a good opening session t^ith Fiippen and later lands plenty of howls with his impression of a woman making up and' dressing. Comedian also works a blackout In vMdi he's an air-raid warden. It registers welL In addition to two tap routines, one a veiy ttidiy spedalty done wiibout music most of the iwy, Eleanore Wbitn^ works a hit wiHi TOppta and MarWahon. She gets over satisfactorily. Hiss Whitney, originally from vaudeville, has -worked in numerous pictures, but has been off the boards several years. - The Three Peters Sisters, hefty colored trio, are on second with thrir neat harmony singing and some downing. One of &e sisters does a boogie-woogie bit with FUppen for a laugh. Colorful juggling act of the Tive Jewds opens, going over strongly. Tbls is (me of the best acts ot Its iriiid in the buriness. Char. PALACE, CLEVE. Cleveland, June 20. Frankie Ma$tm Orcb with PhyWa Myles, Woody Keeler, Lou Hurst; Allen, Bums & Codv, Shirley Ross, A-ntbonv Longo & Toni DeGeorge, Al Berttie; 'BrooduMv' (U). ditties and impersonations. Take- offs of Willkle and F.D.R. selling War Bonds stand out better than his oldies. .Nothing wrong with his tim- ing or mimicry, biit hodge-podged act would be sharpened if he cut the com and weeded out the burlesque wheezes. With good screen support coming froni ^Broadway,' bill pulled smart wedcend crowds. Pull. CHICAGO, CHI Chicago, June 19. SMnnay Amis Orch (14) with Carmene, Al Henderson; Ruth and Billy Ambrose, Don Cummings, Cal- gary' Brothers 43); 'My Favorite Blonde' <Par). Theatre nmnlng double strength with Skinnay .Ennis orchestra and Tkvorlte Blonde.' also has three ladi acts. They are Calgary Brothen^ pantomimists; Don Cum- mingi, rope spinner, and Ruth and Billy Ambrose. Zkmls has a neat aggregation; solid, yet highly sweet in backing up the rannannc miUngs -of the maestro. Show nua only around iS minutes, bnt ifs good solid entertainment all the -way, with laughs abundant Band highlights 'Sleepy Lagoon,' 'Apple Tree' and 'One Dozen Roses.' Carmene, looker chirper for the group, mikes nicely with -'Don't Want to Walk Without You,* "Man I t,ove' and Tangerine.' Al Henderson, guitarist. Is standout on the strum work, with a specialty sax quartet thrown in for novelty. Bttth and BUly Ambrose, terp twosome, move smartly in a classy routine. Don Cummlngt, rope- sptnner, has a dever line of diatter and pcifOrms some sodc rope trids. Calgary Brothers wind up wifli a dow motioh fight that*s particularly good. Boys dww eq>ert timing and know how to keep an audience en- tertained. ' Wo'-viiig -up by the Ennls band is superb. Ordb does a dever dosing bit, with the leader mlUng 'Skylark' and 'Breathless.' Latter finds band members picketing Ennls with signs ribbing his dimness, etc, a la .his Bob Hope radio d^w. Loop. ORPHEUM, MPLS. MinTieapolij, June 20. Phil Harris Orch (17) toith Larry Stetoort, Lewis & Van, Tommy Trent, George Rogers Dancers (3); 'Juke Girl' (WB). EARLE, WASa WasMngfton, June 20. Ina Bay Button Orch featuring Stuart Foster; Didc & Dot Rcmy, The Abins, Vol Setz; 'Wife Takes Flyer' (Col). Maintaining her swivel-hipped, dynamic action that hsis long since' become a stage trademark. Miss Hut- ton has an excellent all-male or- chestra to back up her personal ispot lighting. Band's numbers range between hot and sweet, both of which are equally well done. Featured singer Stuart Foster does well with two numbers, "Threw a Kiss in the Ocean' and 'Johnny Doughboy.' Miss Button also does two vocals. Hany Anger, running the house and booking the stage shows, has added three acts to the band. Val Setz's patter and excellent juggling drew much applause. Dick and Dot Remy are eccentric dancers, with Dot very much on the hefty side, Her band-walking brought much ap- plause. The Abins make Ugbt of ballroom dancing a la 'The Hart- mans, also registering solidly. Marg. There's a plethora of music In the RKO local de luxex's current lineim, but both Shirley Ross and Frankie Masters.' crew offer mucb»that.js an, agreeable contrast, to cutttoma^ orchestral bills. .... , Tddng a one-week whirl in vaude after a bond-selling tour, for U. S. Treasiay Dept. the radio and Holly- wood singing actress makes the aver- age -band canary seem rather anemic. Voice seems a bit lighter behind footlights but it's expressive and fiexible. She has topnotch mike technique, which comes natural after long stretches on Milton Berle's and Bob Hope's programs. Blonde looker, wearing black silk gown partially sequined, was rather flustered at opener because of Mas- ters' staccato accompaniment But this was anoottied out by second show. Starting out too rapidly with 'Strike Up the Band,' she eased u^ In 'Tangerine' and really began sock- ing them in 'Donnigle,^ a rollicking Irish tune which is a favorite of American soldiers stationed in Ire- land. By the time she reached her closing medley, she was hitting her stride. Two Sleepy People' engag- ingly done but best applause-cadger was 'Thanks for Monory,' which she chanted in a Bob Hope flicker and which is Hope's radio themer. Masters' rnythms are as alert as his own crisp chatter. Although his lads pitch some ot the breedest swing in Initial number, Threo Lit- tle Sisters,' and end up on the same note in 'Jersey Bounce,' genial leader knows the dramatic value of muted tmmpets and sweet toned -moments, He has a melodious solo trumpeter and pianist latter being Woody Kessler, who shows to advan- tage in a jazz arrangement of 'RusUe in Spring.' Phyllis Myles 'also has more of a mellow voice than ordinary canaMes. shifting from 'Arthur Murray Tatigh': Me' to softer *I Threw a Kiss,' with good appeal. - Lou Hurst gives over- worked 'Johnny Doughboy' rich .tonal values and a Celtic accent Anthony Longo and Toni De(ieorge, winners of Louis Prima's dance con- test last week, are sandwiched into band repertory for an okay atbibl tlon of frenzied jitterbugging. Practically no other acrobatic team 'hafi rated', as sensational a hand as AUen, Burns and Cody are getting here. Their one-armed levers, pyramid work and flips are .-vrdV nigh flawless, and the three 'Aero- maniacs,' as they're subtitled, season them with sly humor. They are just what this show needs. ■ Al Bemie adds more welcome comedy relief with, rapid-fire patter, Phil Harris hasn't a novelty or chestra assembled primarily with stage shows in mind, but he and his boys, plus three vaudeville acts, manage to give out with consider- able pleasant music and entertain- ment here this week just the'Same. Harris himself, good-looking, genial and extremely personable, is an ideal emcee who comes through nicely irttfe,^ tei^i jtejtdj jjji^vw^ the very eno. HeSeeps things gomg snappOy, .his own abundant energy giving momentum to the proceed- ings. That he's a name here in con- sequence of his stage, radio, and fllm appearances was attested to by the crowded house for the opening Fri- day matinee performance, alMough this is his initial Minneapolis engage- ment The natty appearing orchestra is very much on the' brass side and rims mostly to torrid swing backed by plenty of blare and noise, but tuneful neverthdesa. There- are four saxes, six brass, bass viol, two drums and two pianos. With a few exceptions the numbers are the familiar surefire bit paraders. Friendly relations between Harris and. the audience are established,^ at the outset when he tosses out tin- foiled cigars while gleefully exulting that he's-a proud daddy (wife ' -Alice Faye). He punctuates the proceedings with some so-so gags -and stories, but dpean't go in much for' downing with the other boys. A fast swing arrangement of 'Poet and Peasant* is all ri^t for a band -starter. Then Lewis and Van, two young men, uncork some nov- dty preddon and other tap routines, Induding adept stepping on a twin set ot small stain. They give dis- tinctive touches to their work. . Larry Stewart, the band's only vocalist aside from Harris, handles Tangerine,' 'Johnny Doughboy' and "Beguine' with effective gusto. Tom- my Trent concealed - from view, stages puppet' c4)medy good for laughs. Considerable manipulative skill is in evidence throughout The band hits it up plenty hot with 'Jersey Bounce.*^ Then the Rogers dancers, two men and woman, contribute their comedy and straight adagio, among the tops ot its kind. Their feats are daring, thrilling and unusual. Harris finally gets down to his own vocd asdgnment, and his choice of original and exdusive comedy num- bers. That's 'What I Like About the South,' "Darktown Poker Club' and The Two Old Soldiers,' Is excellent showing off his partiy recitative style to the best advantage and win ning deserved approbation. A dandy patriotic medley is a fine, appropriate doser. It utilizes bits of most ot the favorite songs in a good arrangement that induces frequent hand clapping out front and which calls for some singing by the entire band, Rees, STRAND, N. Y. Russ Morgan Orch (18) with Elizabeth Rogers, Clarence Melter, Walter Link, Morganaires; Ames S, Amo, Jana, Dennis Doy, 'Jufce Girl* (WB), reoieujed in "Variety,' April 8. Russ Morgan's big band presents an unusual stage show. Though there are four sax, three trumpets, two trombones, five rhythm (two bass) and three violins, the com- bination never lets loose a jive bar- rage though it seems easily capable of it It's unusual—and occasionally tiresome. However, the band tmd accompanying acts generally offer an entertaining 60 minutes that some- how, seems longer. Perhaps a punch arrangement or two would ease that impression, Morgan defies band show tradition by leading off with a quietiy played 'Clementine' (most outfits think they're getting off badly If they don't hammer an audience siUy on the. getaway) and follows with three others in the same vein. Clarence Melter, violinist vocals first, with a mixture of comedy, while Walter Link, bass, does 'Sweet Eloise.' Elizabeth Rogers possessor of fair voice, but endowed with physical at- tributes that make her singing sec- ondary, pleased ibis audience im- mensely with "Nightingale' and 'Miss Yon.' She's a definite asset Morgan's outfit plays well. It's ' provided with neat, though not out- standing, arrangements. Besides, the outfit works with an informality that this audience found good for laughs. Occasionally, the men go a shade too iar, but on the whole their kidding keeps within the confines of good taste and never once is It allowed to interrupt the performance. Morgan troihbones, sings and controls the antics of his men easily. He kids himself at times. In announcing "Somebody Else Is Taking Mv Place? which he -had -a-hand in writing and his band recorded, he states'. . . and Bomy Goodman's record (ot 'Some- body') sold like heU.' Morganaires, three boys from the band, vocal it: ifs well done, in ballad tempo and audience response was heavy. Jana, a quick-sketch artist Is part ot the band, according to Morgan. He slows up tiie show a bit but since Morgan and his men surround the work witii all sorts ot laugh bits, it works out pretty well. It's presented in the best way possible. First model from the audience, a girl, is a plant and the episode Is good for repeated giggles. Second brought on a sol- dier, who's teased by Miss Rogers with vocals of *I Can't Give You Anything But Love' and "Mean to Me.' It's a pleasing Interlude, Ames and Amo, making their umpteenth appearance at this house, are, as usual, confined a bit by work- ing in a small area. However, their zany knockabout is good, - as al- iSJ'an^^^tMtS^^Sofec'^fe^Sei^iS'''''' out, deserving the appreciation they got-^ Dennis Day, tenor, on the loose for the summer while Jack Benny's radio program, of which he's a part is on vacation, found ready recep- tion to his efforts. He's introed by a backstage transcription ot Benny's voice, then proceeds to lay 'em in the aisles with Tangerine,' 'Sleepy Lagoon' and 'Johnny Doughboy,' each of which fits him better than the encore, "This Is Worth Fighting For.' IQs performance of the latter wasn't quite satisfying; it was done too fast and not sold properly. He's a good loolting lad, with an ingratiat- ing Irish phiz.. Biz good. Wood. CAPITOL, WASH. Washington, June 20. Sheila Barrett, Hylton Sisters, Billy Wells & 4 Fays, Arthur & Mor- ton Havel, Line, $anv Jack Kauf- man House Orchestra featuring Lynn Allisofi, Art Brown; 'Cardboard Lover' (M-G). Sheila Barrett Is always wdcome in the nation's capital, be it a night club or a theatre. She'invariably has fresh sattrlsms, with her 'I>ro- fesslonal Southern Oirl at a New York Cocktail Bar' stiU being not- able. The audience response was, as usual, big. Show opens with Sam Jack Kauf- man's excellent house orchestra again clicking. Lynn Allison, Kauf- man vooaUst is among the band's more Outstanding individual fea- tures. Art Brown's organ time is some- what cut for the current week, but he again has them singing loudly in a community songfest Stage portion opens with Billy Wells and the Four Fays in standard acrobatic dancing. Okay. The veterans, Arthur and Morton Havel, follow singing their "You're the Cream in My Coffee' and -'Smiles,' also getting plenty ot laughter with their fol-de-ToL The Three Hylton Sisters are very effective harmony singers. And' lookers, too. Rbythm Rockets (line) are a de- dded highlight, particularly with their scarf dance, Marg.