Variety (July 1942)

Wednesday, July 29, 1942 REVIEWS 47 Night Club Reviews LA CONGA, N. Y. (<MEET THE. PEOPLE') ■ Morton Colby, Joey Faye, Jack Albertaon, Ruth GoApey, Jxmmy Alexander, Alice Tyrell, Ted Arkin. Dorothy RQberts; Jack Hams' Bond and SacaSsas^ Rbumbo Crew; $2 and $2.50 minimums. 'Meet the People' has had a varie- gated career since its inception on the Coast as an Intimate revue. A legit click there and later in Chicago, it met a lukewarm public reception in N. Y. Eventually it was con- densed for a picture house tour and now it's been still further condensed for night club dates. That's something of a private lit- tle evolution in show business, but more interesting still is its standout click as a floorshow in front of a drinking mob and despite the unit's stress (as in the original stage ver- sion), on social significance. Not only is it a different type of cafe entertainment, it's a 100% pleasei— a fast-moving, good-talented, youth- ful complement of performers with excellent song and comedy material. Some of the kids who were in the N. Y. stage run are included in the nitery tab,j,notably Marion Colby, the goodlooking dead-pan singer; Jack Albertson,. who seemingly can do everything and does it all well, Ted Arkih, whose funny kisser is like- wise constantly in view, and Dorothy Roberts, a cute little trick also doing yeoman work, especially on the comedy end.in a dance with Arkin In the transition to a cafe show. Miss Colby took on some extra duties. She's now essaying a per- sonality front as well as the dead- pan numbers. Thus sne leads the entire cast in the torrid 'Chi, Chi Castenango' s. and d., which is quite different idiom from her frozen-puss delivery of "The Stars Remain' as a sharp contrast to the romantic-'duettlng of the same tune by baritone Jimmy Alexander and soprano Alice Tyrrell, both fine singers. An added starter is Joey Faye, an eccentric comic, who, one of these days, is going to be 'discovered' for stardom by some smart showman. He got roars at this midnight catch- ing, and anybody familiar with niteries can vouch for the usual in. ertia of drinking audiences at that hour. One of his standout bits is something of a double-talk routine with Albertson and Faye's burlesk training also counts In a doctor bit It's unusual for a nitery show to have even one sketch—this one has several. Plus the doctor bit there's the union meeting, and the coffee-pot scene, which also includes the Tel- low and a Girl' tune. Also Included is the sharply satirical 'Same Old South' song and dance, here nicely delivered by Albertson and Ruth Godfrey; The Bill of Rights,' which was a stirring ensemble number in the original show, and 'Meet the People,' a friendly song accompanied by the cast hand-shaking the audi' ence at the show's opening. Plus the naiped principals, there are six more girls and. boys (making 14 all told in the show) who pad out the ensemble numbers. All are young and most of them good-look Ing. Jack Harris, the host herie, also leads the house band in playing the show, a difl^cult chore with multiple music and other cues, and does a very capable job. Sacassas' rhumba band plays most of the dancing and Its aptitude for the Latin tempos is among .the best. 5cho. YACHT CLUB, PITT tired gags and some sketches of un- certain vintage. On the other hand, show has a number .of acts able to hold their own in practically any company. Ap- pletons, two girls and a man, have a corking knife-throwing, hair-pull- ing Apache number ^that's over big, and its gives Cook and Christy their best inning, too. At end of turn, they come out in wigs and dresses and hoke up the number effectively. Lloyd and Willis are a couple of crack hoofers who do some flashy hoofing. Classy couple and should be a great bet for some Broadway producer. On the vocal end, 'Laughs-a-Cookin' is ' in capable hands too, with Lee Royce, doubling as m.'c, revealing a set of okay baritpnic pipes and Marybeth Sires, an s.a. blonde, showing plenty of stuff vocally and "otherwise, in the pops and ballads. Other featured act is Hoffman Sisters, pair of kids who get off some smart tupibling. 'Laughs-a-Cookin' has a good finale,, a burlesque on Tobacco Road' with special lyrics, Cook leading it as Jeeter Lester and other principals doing the remaining characters in the Jack Kirkland play. But thatis one of the few times when unit apr proaches the comedy intent.. Cook and Christy need considerably more than they have here to work with in order to execute the general floor plan, Coben. GLASS HAT, N. Y. (BELMONT-PLAZA HOTEL) Bobbw Parks Orch (7), Bill John- son, Glorta Jerome, Jack Morshall, Belmont Balladeers (10); $1.50 mini' imum. Pittsburgh, July 23. 'Laughs - o-Cookin' with Ralph Cook, Appletons (3), Flovd Christy, Lee Royce, Lloyd & Willis, Morybeth Sires, Hoffman Sisters (2), Herman Middleman Orch (8); $1.50-$2.50 minimum. Latest "Hellzapoppin'-type cafe show is l^aughs-a-Cookin,' patterned modestly after the Olsen and John- son idea and following lines similar to those of another recent floor unit, Tun for Your Money,' to play Little Jackie Heller's spot here. Latter has smce become a USO show. Is now touring the army camps. 'Laughs-a' Cookln' was produced by Johnny King, of Chicago, former hoofer, and is just breaking in here on a twO' week tryout. Talent is fine and could be broken down Into Individual acts and rate as a crack floorshow. But on the score of what it tries to be, 'Laughs- a-Cooking' doesn't make the grade. Comedy material is the principal flaw; it's simply not there, although principal comedian, Ralph Cook, is himself a very funny fellow and works like blazes trying to give tHe blackouts, etc.,. a screwball zaniness. He gets some okay help, too, from floyd Christy, formerly of acrobatic team of (3irlsty and Nelson, and a couDle of unbilled stooges, but they •an t produce the necessary effect T haywire spontaneity with a few norteamericano sounds not unlike orthodox cantoring. Appeal is to Spaniards, but Argentines and for- eigners who have heard It often enough to .become familiar with it keep coming back for mo:e. Trinl Moren, blonde looker, is the featured dancer and singer. Gal has >lenty of pep; puts so much vim in ler work, in fact, Uiat it wouldn't bt surprising if some visiting Yan- qui signs her up for the States. Others in the show include Arli- nelli, who serves as a kind of sup- plementary m.c.; Montse Albeniz, dancer and singer; . the Palomero Sisters, above-average lookers; LeonoY Moren, dancer; Victoria and Adriana Vera, Spanish dance team, and Nina de Triana. Roy, New show at this neat spot consists of holdovers Bobby Parks orch. Bill Johnson aind the Belmont Balladeers —singing waiters—^plus Jack Mar shall, fresh from a Paramount thea' tre date, and Gloria Jerome (New Acts). The band, a set feature at the Stork Club for years, and Bill John- son, singing m.c, are set with the clientele and deservedly so. Gloria Jerome, a nifty blonde, does a sleight- of-hand routine that needs a line of patter to score. Jack Marshall, do- ng his first nitery date as a solo, was last seen at the New Yorker about five years back when he stroked a trombone for Benny Meroff and doubled out front with comedy im- pressions. He has a facile face that helps sock over some of his routines, namely, "Popeye,' a fast deal with a flexible felt brim that does a caval- cade routine on his brow, and 'Butchie McGurk,' the draftee and a wow. A top feature of the show is Fritz Weller's group of singing waiters. The audience waits for them and keeps asking for more. In the five weeks since' Emil Ronay has taken over , the hostielry, this spot, once in the doldrums, has started to pay off. Havana-Madrid, N. Y. Fronco it Berylc, Gobriel Consino & Corthen Cortez, ISyrta Silva, Hilda Moreno, Line (8), Mayo Orch, Don Gilberto Orch; Itfinimvm, $2 week- doys; $3, Soturdoy, Holiday evenings. New summer show at Havana- Madrid is in the best tradition of this consistently popular Cuban-Spanish dine-dance spot. New revue, "Tropi- cal Fantasy,' again produced by Julio Richards, beasts trim costumes and all-round strength. Franco and Beryle, as well as Can- sino-Cortez, both dance teams, are starred in layout. Preferred billing given FrancO-Beryle seems war- ranted. Franco obviously has been around for some time, but Beryle is supposed to be a new femme part' ner. Pair gets a production buildup to start their opener. Do all the ac cepted ballroom dances, plus some twirls and tossing of the femme part- ner that.' almost becomes adagio routining. Waltz, with a sprinkling of Latin-American paprlkar more modern number done to 'St. X,ouis Blues' and a modernistic fast-stepper used. Gabriel Cansino, billed as Rita Hayworth's cousin, and Carmen Cortez, as Ramon Novarro's sister, also are ih the cUck class. Pair go in for strictly flamenco, fopt-stomping Spanish numbers. Offer an un' usually varied routine in showmanly fashion, with the Cansino lad ob- viously standout. He's greased light- ning on his feet. . Myrta Silva (New Acts), tagged as an Havana singing star, is a click here. Despite her long string of added ballads and stunts, she had to bow off finally from exhaustion, Hilda Moreno still continues as an energetic, comely master of cere monies, introing the new acts with out going overboard. Maya's orchestra plays the show while* Don Gilberto's rhumba crew provides most of music for dancing. Line of eight girls score in two ac- tionful production numbers, plus a well-costumed, almost stationary grouping. Lorenzo Estrada, suave maitre, contributes to spirit of cor diality prevailing here. Weor. beverage tariffs and no cover or minimum to worry about. The Cuban and South American flavor with which Molina invests his music and floorshow entertainment provides customers with something different in the way of tune dispen- sations and diversion. Comprisine violin, piano, bass, three saxes and the same number of trumpets, the outfit gives out Infectious rhythm. Parodaxically, it's-very swingy and yet sweet Use of maracas by Mo- lina and several of his musicians, plus pounding of Cuban drums and the musicians' shouting, helps give the numbers distinctive Latin- American appeal. Molina comes through with plenty of tango, conga and rhumba stuff, but he doesn't ne'glect the current hit parade tunes. His arrangements of the latter are-far above par. Out- standing, too, are those of such old favorites as 'Strawberry . Blonde,' Sibonet,' 'Begin the Beguine,' etc. Dolores. is a sparkling, piquant personality whose Cuban and-Mexi- can song numbers are enlivened by much torso twisting . and l^nt jra- matic significance by her facial ex- pressions. Oscar Lopez, the ' ^ale singer, also goes in mostly for hot Mexican and Cuban contributions. He has a vivid and colorful style. ' The Monteros, young and extreme- ly good-looking baillroom dance team, provide plenty of class. Their whirls, spins and' adagio efforts are tops, while smoothness and grace mark their tangos and rhumbas. Rees. Embrujo De Sevilla, Buenos Aires, July 15. Leonor Moren, Justo Ortega, Vic- toria Vera, Adriana Vera, Teodoro Castro, Maestro Gaston, Paco Ma- drid, NiJia de TrioTia, Palomero Sis- ters, Trini Moren, Montse Albeniz, Arttnelli and Nino de Utrera. Opened only a few months aeo in the grotto locale long occupied by the taxi dance nitery Bambu, Em- brujo de Sevilla (Enchantment of Seville) has turned out to be the most solid after-dark click in years. Spot, seating ab.ut 450, is packed almost nightly and, on Saturdays, Sundays and fiestas, iron gates at the street level have to be held shut by the cops, which is good biz anywhere. It's strictly pop- price operation, with the average drink going for about one peso (25c Ti'T.) and no cover charge or mini- mum. Show, all of it in the old Spanish manner, never stops and, although primarily intended to ap- peal to the large number of Span- iards here, the place has managed to get plenty of other cash cus- tomers. Alfallo and Soler, who have never before run a spot of this kind, al- though operators of ' ''ffee shops here, haven't spent too much on decor and have managed to use some of the left-overs from the old Bam- bu. There's enough of a switch, how- ever, to give the place a real Seville feeling. Low ceiling terrace effects and stage setup like the center of a bull ring in old Spain help create the atmosphere. Show is strictly authentic, since anything phoney along this line couldn't get by because the real stuff is too well known to a major- .itv of the audience. . , i 'Producer and teneral m.c. is Justo Ortega who has assembled an above-average Spanish orch batoned by Maestro Zarzoso and featuring Teodoro Castro on the Spanish gui- Ur. Featured stars are Nino de Utrera, Spanish singer, formerly w.k. in Madrid cafes. He sings in the old Spanish style, whicl. to a Queen Mary Cafe, N. Y. Hclcne Trowers, Vtn Olson, Betty Carter, Consuelo Flouierton, Eltzo- beth Riley, Broodwoy Jones Trio, Line (5), Bill Glass Orch (4); no minimum or. cover. Beachcomber, Prov. Providence, July 16 Don Mario Orch (7), Ramon & Lucinda, Dolores Gaylord, Vic Earl son, 6 Beachcharmcrs, Koy Whync, Bobbe Jason, Mae Seiden, Cinny Stoner, Honey Lee & MiUicent Simm; no minimum, no cover. The Beachcomber was quite a nov elty hereabouts when it first opened, and wiseacres at the time gave it just six months. It will usher in its third year in November, and from all ap' pearances each night is Saturday night The spot still holds.to its appar- ently successful policy of rhumba band and a line. Don Mario's per' sonable handling of band blends nicely for both diners and dancers, Generous with vocal solos, too. Ramon and Lucinda form a high stepping talented team in their preS' entation of typical Argentine dances, featuring a tango. Colorfully cos- tumed. Songstress Dolores Gaylord is a nifty looker who does some husky torching of pops. The Beachcharmers (line) are young, shapely and refreshing. Though not Rockettes when it comes to keeping together, they're right in there with the rhumba and a colorful military offering. , . , The intimate atmosphere is nicely adapted to Vic Earlson's humor. He pulls some laughs out of the crowd and uses the Frank Fay song-titles gag to good advantage. He fills in nicely between numbers and emcees rather straig ht Malo. . HAPPY HOUR, MPLS. Minneopolis, July 25. Carlos Molina Orch (10) with Do- lores, Oscar Lopez and the Monteros (2); no cover or minimum. Second of the name bands to be brought here, Molina has been du- plicating the success of his predeces- sor, Fletcher Henderson, with the at- tractive room's 520-seat capacity continuously taxed and large hold- outs always in evidence. With the Molina outfit impressing as listenable and danceable, this spot is a real buy for local ites at the moderate food and This East Side nitery depends largely on its quiet atmosphere to attract, with the entertainment also geared on the intimate side. DoU' ble-decked rOom has a bar on the upper level, from which the floor show can be glimmed with a good seating arrangement right off the dance floor. Present show leans heavily on bal- ladists, with Chlquita Venezia, fan dancer, not appearing at show caught Only other terpster is Betty Carter, who clicks nicely with a bal- let tap and then a swift toe dance in the Grecian manner. Song division is split three ways outside the between-show piping of the Broadway Jones trio. Helene (China) Travers backs up her come ly features with tuneful vocalizing. 'Happy in Love' and 'Summertime' and 'She Didn't Say Yes' are her choices, all well done, with enuncia- tion standout Elizabeth Riley, an- other attractive miss, is also forte with the pipes, singing with the band and doubling in the small line. Third balladist Is Vin Olson, shy m.c. Olson is far better as a singer than m.c, or comedian. Fact that it was his opening night probably accounted for his uncertainty in running the show, which doubtlessly can be over- come. Danish lad has a real voice and scored heavily, especially with his handling of 'Martha' and his opening 'Howdy Do.' . His comedy patter is dull and his jitterbug tango at the end is strictly out of place, being meaningless clowning. He's not bad as a dancer, but the bit doesn't register. Jones trio is oke for filling in, while Bill Glass' compact combo plays the show and for dancing. Line of five pretty girls satisfies, but is only on once. Consuelo Flowerton, who sings Indigo tunes, did not ap- pear at this show. ' Wear, Avenue fantasy and Argentine tango numbers. They're show stoppers. Fran Johnson, who built up local popularity last season in a six-week engagement at this spot, scores with spirals and figure skating, Continentale seats 500 and is richly atmosphered with a minimum of arctic decorations, including a scenio background for the orch. Show hat a noon session dally except Sunday, ?ilus dinner and midnight per- ormances. Favor has built up to Saturday tumaways and sturdy 'draws the rest of the time. Kolt. New Acts GLORIA JEROME Magic 5 Mins. Glass Hat, New York Not the ideal pla,.. to break in a new act, but the ability is there al- t'«>ugh it need3 polish and a line of gab. Gloria Jerome's blonde hair and neat gams are an asset and capitalized upon with a neat black costume. S)vitchcs scarves, fans cards, does familiar cigarette routine, a la CardinI, which climaxes with a lit pipe, and gets off by palming ker- cl lets Into an American flag. Best routine has her showing audience how tl e scarvss vanish into the prop ep' and then breaking the egg to prove it wasn't a prop. MYRTA SILV Singing, Dancing 10 Mlns. Havana-Madrid, N. T. Somewhat different from usual latin-American femmes and slightly on the portly side, Myrta Silva looms as a find for her type of comedy singing and terpsing. Helped by a pleasing voice, she romps through a lineup of comedy songs and facial gyrations topping off three or four with graceful dancing, surprising be- cause she is not exactl)i»a frail. Girl is a three-ring circus all by herself, adding the manipulation of different. types of drums and bongas In expert fashion. La Silva pokes sly fun at the bumps artists, but never leans heavily on her fleshiness for effect, Femme wisely has perfected a string of extra numbers for encores, She also leads the show's flnale here with click results. Weor. HVMBEB & BABBIE Plano-SongB H:tel Phillips, Kaiv.as City Couple of seasons back Wilson Humber was In this territory with a band and worked eastward. Draft an'' other causes wrote , flnls' to the band recently and Humber organ- ized this song and pi.no duo with his wife, Barbara Barrle. They have just completed &v} weeks in the Tropics of the PhiUips and soon<. move to the Park Lane in Buffalo, Instrumental work Is number's department and he works in various novelties, such as playing with gloves, Imitating a nickleodeon and supporting the vocal work of tha duo. An attractive blonde. Miss Barrle, does' so.-.ie numbers solo, but bulk of their work is in duets, mostly on pop and novelty songs. Voices, of the two blend well. Quin, Saranac Lake By Happy Benway Restaurant Continentale; .(NETBEBLAND PLAZA HOTEL) Ctncinftati, July 25. 'Jce. Revue of '42,' with Bill and Betty Wade, Fran Johnson, Phil Hiscr, Six Delcers (Morjorie Cruzan, Peggy Fahy, Ann Liff, Betty Muller, BloTiche Poeton, Dotty Rodger*), Burt Forber Orch (10) and Ronny Mansfield; $1,50 minimum. Don Arden is the producer and the Frederick Bros, the bookers of this ice opry, a fancy job which entered its second edition for a four-week stand Friday (24). It's the third summer for such fare in the swank Netherland Plaza's main dining room. Burt Farber 'and his combo from WLW, which does a late pickup nightly, -handle the show music in the same able manner as for the dance rhythms. Pit crews can learn a lot from the Farber band. Equally showmanly is Ronny Mansfield, also from 'WLW, who tenors spiritedly and romantically between intros of the steel bladers. Mansfield's chatter is as gilt-edge as his appearance, with nary a sem- blance of smut or wisecracking. Ice show glides beautlfulljr for a half-hour. Wardrobe of principals and of the line of girls is in good taste. Phil Hiser, holdover from the first edition, is a nifty comic. His solo specialties are Scottish and Mexican. Bill and Betty Wade, both young, give out gracefully in Park Saranac Lake, July 2$. King Peter of Yugoslavia took time out from Lake Placid to do his shopping here. This writer tried to get to him for a short visit at the Win Rogers, but the nearest we got was next to four state police. Thanks to Steve Forrest, vaude- ville agent in Pittsburgh, for his timely greetings and salutations to this colony. Twenty years ago A, B. (Tony) Anderson came here for his health.. After a year of this air he joined the staff of the local Pontlac theatre as an usher, later to become manager. Now he has been switched to the State theatre, Tupper Lake. Pauline Russell discharged from the local general hospital. Licked an operation and Is back In circula- tion. Roger Keene, formerly connected with Grand National, is a new ar- rival at the Will Rogers. Margie (Jimmy Jonston) Regan, Patricia Wallace and Ruth Norman all passed another natal day. Eddie Vogt chief air raid warden at the Will Rogers, has a well trained crew of Inmates. Ben Nadler, who managed a film theatre In Cleveland, is a newcomer at the Rogers. Ann Comerford, the youngest ozoner at the Will Rogers, flashing okay reports and, after a long rou- tine in bed, Is now allowed in main dining room. Myron (RKO^ Tannenbaum doing a mighty fine comeback. Bill Scherl, who flashes a good re- port card, was bedslded by his pa and ma and is all hopped up over the visit. Lynas Hughes has returned to the Will Rogers after a vacash through, New England, Little Dickie Moore, who has seen much of the bed routine, seen .down- town window-shopping. Write to those who are III. ^