Variety (Sep 1942)

Wednesday* September 16, 1942 55 Night Club Reviews { Continued from page is- CHEZ PAREE, CHI ,how and intersperses his musical insanities between acts, is-a pleas- ant if somewhat waclw »rt of guy wlio sings with weird lalsetto elTects wliich are very ftumy. He also tells funny stories, hoofii a bit, and een- eraUy clowns his way through a fast-moving show. Bob Bromley, puppeteer, brings his large-size doll* to the stage in esneciaUy life-like characterizations, synchronizing their actions with ofl- ctaee recordings. Outstanding are his bosom-heaving operatic dlya. his piano virtuoso and his nimble- footed colored dancer. Bromley 'also introduces Sonja Henle's 'sister,' who skates gracefully. Tlie D'lvons are ballroom artists with a flair for the expressive. Their numbers are executed with fkill. Sharp contrast la provided by the Robinson Twins, red-headed terpsichorean artists who bounce about in combination of Jitterbug, acrobatic and novelty dancing, all of it snappy, modern and appealing. But the real show is Miss Fields. She has the audience in the palm of her hand from her very entrance. Surprisingly she opens with 'Sleepy Lagoon.' in her own style, but near- ly all of the 10 songs that follow are unique comedy or heart-throbbers. Here is a friendly, talented creator of moods in song, with a special gift for touching the emotions of her au- dience. , , Most applauded of the Fields spec- ialties is her popular favorite. 'The Biggest ASpidastra In the World.' Also much liked was a Cockney number. The Bleedln' Ant,' a new fpeeially-written number, "Nighty Night, Little Sailor Boy* a howling interpretation of Uy Hero* from The Chocolate Soldier,' done with- out the mike, and, for a finale. The Last Time I Saw Paris,' sung straight . ^, _ Chez Paree Adorables offer sev- eral fine routine numbers. They are young, fresh and charmingly cos- iumed. Buddy Franklin's music is competent, pleasant for dancing. Loop. RUBAN BLEU, N. Y. Mnxine Sulliwan, Dclto Rhuthm B0VSA5), Fred Keating, Ruth Ber- iiion, Jhmion CHittison, Julius Monk; $2 minimuTn. Anthony Mele, who owns the class Theodore's restaurant on East Seth, has been partnered for five years with Herbert Jacoby In operating Le Ruban Bleu on the second floor as a supper cUib. Letter's deal having e.xpired, Mele is nmning the show all by himself, substituting Julius Monk, who used to be one of the piano accompanists, as regisseur, and otherwise booking talent on his own. Reopening of the sole Mele ven- ture brought back two old standbys, Maxine Sullivan and the Delta Rhythm Boys, both of whom have become standard with the patronage. Fred Keating and Ruth Berman are complete newcomers to the environ- ment. Also new is the decor, a brighter interior job. Business was whammo at the preem whit:h is in keeping with the general zingy spending that has ob- tained in New York night life for some time. Everything about the atmosphere la as of yore, perhaps only lacking the Jacoby hosting touch, which may be important to the many who patronized the nltery but didn't know who was who back- of-the-scenes, so far as the down- stairs restaurant was concerned. However, that's • detaU which should prove no great handicap to Mele, one way or the other. Monk, of cotirse, hasn't quite got the authority that co-boss Jacoby Old. when spieling the acts, but that should be correcud in short order. As also should be the accelerated pacing of the divertissement As It was opening night, the lapses were a '■'ue longish, not making for the scientific turnover so essential to an intimate boite of this sort, with its limited capacty, where the jam- packed attendance must be diverted for a fast hour, and then they make w,iy for another.influx. The drawing room atmosphere of Le Ruban Bleu (there never has been any dancing) is a counterpart of the Paris boites like Le Boeuf sur 1? Ruban Bleu adjacent to the Hotel Georges V, et al. With so "jany repatriates and refugees now in New York, the Francophile atmos- phere (pre-Vichy) has been enjoying no small vogue. Mele has assembled a strong show w reopen. Miss Sullivan is still a standout among the classier, colored coloraturas ot moderated 52d St. iintage. Thus, she swings 'Cockles 2"5 Mussels' (Irish traditional air) Biid then does tricks with Johnny iitif.*''.? 'Cow Cow Boogie,' =,„j M Necessarfly So,' "Blue Skies,' ^nd the like. Always possessed of an assured mike style, her vocal ease U u J?*?''* impressive, now that she "ns attained polish and finish. . , Delia .Rhythm Boys, male quartet with a crack pianist-arranger at the ivories, should start to mean something even more than hereto- fore, under their new radio groov- ing in the Golden Gate Quartet's former spot. Their "Kalamazoo,' TU Be Around,' 'Rigoletto' (ragtime quartet version), 'Dry Bones' (rhythmic spiritual) and 'Plenty of Nuttin' milked the customers, and vice versa. Fred Keating, with his card tricks and showmaniy ease, makes one wonder why he's not even more big league. While this is no dump, it's still a limited-capacity saloon, and the suave monologist-magician is plenty boffo for the major circuits. He didn't do the birdcage routine nor the needle routine when caught, but his dexterity with the cards, plus his afTable small-talk, commends him for important attention anew. And with pictures wondering about lead- ing men all over again, what has happened? Rui'i Bemian, rounding out the show, is heralded as a protegee of Caspar Reardon and. like that late, great swing harpist, she essays 'Sum- mertime' and 'Blue Room' on the strings. She's a pleasant interlude Abel. MAYFAIR ROOM, CHI (BLACKSTONE HOTEL) Chicago, Sept. 12. J<iiie Pickens, Eddie Oliver Orch (8); $2.50 tniiiimum Saturday. The sedate beauty of the May- fair Room lends itself ideally to the performance of a feminine singer such as Jane Tickens. And Miss Pickens' quiet beauty and fine voice are neatly adaptable to this ^ot—or any, for that matter. Eddie Oliver, one-time Ben Bernie pianist, cleverly combines Rach- maninoff's 'Second Piano Concerto' with 'Stardust' to make music that is melodious and effective. The band provides subdued accompaniment to his piano soloing, creating a tem- pered mood that is gracious and clicko. Miss Pickens, looking nifty, in an ivory gown, sings 10 num- bers. Best of all her offerings Is a spirited revival meeting pres- entation of 'Jericho,' with the or- chestra giving her effective vocal chorus effects. Excerpt's from 'Biit- ter Sweet.' 'Make-Believe,' "Em- braceable You,' 'Lover, Come Back to Me' are among those that go over notably. Miss Pickens' graciousness, en- thusiasm, her Intimacy with the audience and ability to get the mob t) .-sing World War favorites with her contribute to her smash click. Loop. War Drains Writers :rontlBued from pa? Godfrey' and 'Unexpected Uncle,' set for the Coast Guard; Evelyn Waugh, novelist, in the Coimnandos; Law- rence G. Blochman and Jerome Weidman, active in the Office of War Information, the former doing broad- casts beamed at the Far East the lat- ter in the picture end; David Mon- ahan is set for the Signal Corps; Joe Bryan III In the Navy; Murray P. Montgomery, Canadian Army; Will Saroyan is 1-A and waiting to be called. Robert H. Newman, steady con- tributor to the mags, drove an ambu- lance In Finland and France, is now a topkick with the U. S. Army in Australia: Elmer Roessner, of the PM staff, with War Production Board; Rex Stout, up to his ears in various committees; Robert Carse, who fed all the slicks, in the Mer- chant Marine; Meyer Levin, Army; Corey Ford is out of action; Larry. Barretto and James R. Ullman driv- ing ambulances overseas for the American Field Service; J. B. Priest- ley is sticking to the British Broad- casting Corp.: Stephen Vincent Benet and James Boyd also concentrating on war-slanted radio scripts; Sturges Mason Schley, nephew of Admiral Schley of Spanish-American war fame, who did a flock of mysteries, Air Corps; Philip Steegman, British Navy; Robert Westerby, British Army. The OWI also has George Britt, Lee Falk and, of course, Elmer Davis who was always good for a flock of mag stories, also Philip Wylie, a steady contributor in the past of deep sea Ashing yarns for the Sat- eve Post. Officers Another factor in deterioration of product are officers now on active service. These include Lt. Col. John W. Thomason, who clicked In the SEP with a string of yams about the U. S. Marines on China duty; Alec Hudson, alias for a sub officer. whose yarns on submarine warfare were solid reading; Major Leonard H. Nason, army yarns for the mags; and Lt Commander George Camp- bell who did nicely with Navy stories. The ladies have also felt the war, just as they did in legit, with Phyllis Bentley sticking to Air Raid Pre- cautions; Margaret Culkin Banning, a steady contrib to mags and pub- lishers, devoting all her time to pub- licizing the WAAC, and Nelia Gard- ner White staying In London, and away from her typewriter. Pic editors see themselves dig- ging into inventories for material that's been on their shelves, doing remakes just as Metro is doing with 'Quo Vadis.' or paying heavily, via increased competition, for what worthwhile stuff that comes along. Scarcity of material hasn't hit the mags just yet although the outlook there is also glum especially since they now want shorter pieces. This stems from necessity to justify the increase in prices—Satevepost. Col- liers, Liberty now 10c—by giving customers more yarns per issue. Never in the ken of modern story editors has the shortage of usable material resulted in such competi- tion for material. Not only are the writers not writing or going into the armed services but most of the few still pounding typewriters are turing out stuff that is behind the running story ' the war. Bills Next Week sContlnued from page 48. cioo Ubit Llnyil Mann KrflDk Toml OlorlH Dnle Many Dovlne Oroh Blver Drtre T«r Dick Wbarton Ore Sam't Car* June Van Fred Swift Diane Scott ^ary Seville KiDsa of Rbrthm Vlke Rajr Ore SclolU'e Frankte Rlchardeon Joyettee Rape & Tape Bob Karl Gertie Taylor Ore Bllver Lake Inn La Marlta Crtl Qeo Reed Alice Lucey Mont<^z & A<1«1p Mickey Pomllant O Bum Ray Oardene Flylnir Berryn Beatrice & Danny Atnea Willie Berle Wllllami Jean Marahall Swlnvatera Qrace Lynn 99ih St. Ratbekeller Gale Arden Julia Wayne Vee Auetin Babe T^tom VfKuy Martin Harry Adar Ore Swun CInb Bon-Bon & BuUder Sheldonfl Bobby Davie Helalne Travere Penny Sle Jimmy Flunon Vlni'enr Rlzzo Ore Town Tavrra T.^n racked Ore I'rlncHA rhanr Lee CoUettr Topper Kay Martin Hal IlAla Tnun AtUntlr Vge r^nny Herenadere tMb Ceotary Clab Harry .McKny Mike Pedecin Sally La 51arr Venice ArUI Anionp Rove Dot MeiTy Car It a Mni'lim Norma Noi-ton Don Nlcliolfis Ore Webrr'a llof Braa rnnideo Rity ODiiy Jerry Halo Rex Owen Alice Strickland JiiIps KiniTo'e Ore RatliVr mdoradlun^ Varht Clab Ann Taley n^tty Hahrle Ted Lew In, Jr Harry I folly Vlrtor NelHon Ore PITTSBUHGH .tlplae I.<mIsc R Durty Rev Mickey Rose Oro Nick Crevet Co Natalia A Howurd Muriel rufit Oayte I)abblne Arllnstoa Lode* PrII Allnca Ore Jenny L.eQ Biili'onadre Bob La'iUir Oro Dale Spohrer UUI Ureeo'a Dei Courtney Ore Mary June Dodll Chnrlle Broad Dick Ulldlne .Sberniun Hayea Jark Milton Bloe BM«« ■•■ Lou J.ucky Oro Cornell Cooper Boosle-n'Msl* Clab Cozy Harris Oladye Mason DancInK Buddr Booff Sherman Raceliorm Wllllaras Harry Comorado rork and Bo4tl« Lloyil Kol Kddle Pertea'a Qeo Overliolt Ore Bddio Pcyinn Marion Muller Frant-lH ItrnHUlt SI CInb Mas Tiirsiilfi Kat Md'auley Unda Cnlta Bally Rice Mary tlte»le Carla Monro l.iOuli*e Dnnn .Shf^rry I*iine Uolel Flirt PKI Ken Bailey Oro Jotinny Mitchell Harry Walton Jessie Wheailer ITntel Henry (.<4llver (irHI) Marty Schraimn 4 Kinrrs & Queeo (Oar M**) Dorothy Kesbitt Hotel 7<li Avenoe Hariy Blitley Escorts Batrl Roaac*ell Dick Harding Bob Moss Blllle Joyce Hotel Seheaiey nilly Hinds Oro )ny I.Ind Hotel WlB Pean (roatiaeatal Bar.) Billy Catlzone T.cnoz Gordoa Dfinn PpIII John Kiiiz Merry^Bo-RAnnd Howanl flauiu Ore Hally lIuKhes New IIIMmst Joey .Sims Ore Msoo rnfe Al Miirslcii Ore Hub I "arter I'olrnian Clark Frank Andrlnl ]U,h Aniloi-HOn Wally .slti.rwlo The l.i-Hlli'9 Nut House Piccolo Pcle Ore Hal & Dully Tiny Miller Kddle MllUr Ted Blake On*har4 Inn Benny Burton On Oailt Al Snyder Oro Jobniiy n'llea PlM* Don Riitter Bill l..«Roy Ore Jacques l*a Ttflle Bcdd'a rare Riidy^Paul ore Jane lrn-|n Bobby .SoniLin Eddie Palmier .Sqalrrr-l Conp Dothory .M:i.sun Bd .Mhi-Ko I'rlce Kllicl MaM>n J .\l<ili:inii'ils Sniiw Kilniunils Treinn Joey Reynolds Freil'ly »'"'e Rildle Mryrrs Tnl Drlniimlro nelly Day Vnehl Clab H Middleman Ori Eddie Metcalfe Teen (Jardell Johnny Morffon .Itini* 'l'a> lor Uirle .M ia.-o Sky-Var Clyde KniKht Ore Herb lloehrer Joan Df'mor Caloo nrlll Sammy Waltere Frank .Natal* Mike Sandre'lo Villa .tladrid F.tzl Covoto Oro Mark r^ne Jack McCarthy Tvonne A Victory Julie Nalelly Brondivny Ifebs Vletnrr Lnance Vli-tnry 3 Webnter flail S^\t>nn >fople» Ore l<'n*.l>lonAtteB 'Spy Under Every Bed' sContlnued fram page lems,' especially during recent months. But this Anding apparently biought them slight comfort, inas- much as they also found that, of 68 flghting-fronl pictures in proriue- tion, 50'"o were actual combat ve- hicles: and that, of the 16 more al- ready released and the six await- release, half of these are out- right hand-to-hand, throttle, grapple and gouge stufT. And they do not think that such things should be, adding: 'Experience in England hsis shown that the public shortly becomes sur- feited with too many combat pic- tures and demands an opportunity to go to the theatre without having to witness bloodshed and flghting during its relaxation period. This has resulted in England in a very sharp trend against all war pic- tures.' The survey-analysis was predi- cated on the six general categories vouchsafed recently in the Govern- ipent Information ManuaW as fol- lows: (.1) Issues of the war—what wj are fighting for; (2) The Enemy, hit idealogy, objectives and tactic:; (3) The United Nations: i4) The Production Front; (5) The Home Front, and (0) The Fighting Forces. Blfht In There Fichtinc Nothing was said here, it may be noted, about the Fighting Front yet, according to the OWI survey, there are—of this date—68 fighting front pictures in preparation and about half of them are actual combat films. And in the.categories named, there is this record of production. War Issues—Two released. This Above Air and 'Somewhere I'll Find You'; and two in preparatidn, "The Last Best Hope' (20th-Fox) ana 'Mary Smith, U. S. A.' (Metro). The Enemy—Thirty-four pictures released up to the first of Septem- ber. This, declares the OWI aralysis, is over-production to a point where 'the American people arp finding a spy under every bed,' having been given an exaggerated iripression of the spy menace, tt was added that the stories show lit- tle originality or distinction. United Nations—Only three films released and three more awaiting release. 'But,' adds the survey, 'this all-important subject has been t-'Ckled with vigor by the industry and 46 pictures of this nature are now in preparation.' Production Front—Four features shooting; one feature and two shorts awaiting release. Half dozen features in production. Among the important features coming up are 'Pittsburgh' tU); 'Swing Shift' (PRC); 'Liberty Ships' (Metro); and King Vidor's picture, which is to deal with war industry in and around Detroit. Home Front—Three features re- leased, five awaiting release, with 16 in preparation. There are seven shorts shooting and 28 are in prepa- ration or awaiting release. Im- portant productions coming up are (Metro); 'He Hired the Boas' (20th- Fcx), and 'You Can't Escape For- ever* (Warners). Fighting Forces—Here there are several-sub-classifications, including Recruiting, Induction and Training, Medical Corps, Women's Army, Mer- chant Marine and Actual Combat. As far as the latter is concerned, the ayes seem to have it, prompting OWI to observe: SlaoUac Fix Wronr Way 'Strictly from the viewpoint of contributing the most toward the war eSort, the OWI expresses the belief that more pictures dealiiig with the Issues, the Home Front and th« Production Front—admittedly much more difficult to dramatize— would be useful. The public doe6 not yet have a clear idea of what the war is all about, nor of the amount of individual sacrifice and cc operation which will be required of every citizen in order to achieve victory. 'A survey of all federal agencies In any way connected with the war efliort clearly points to an increasing impact of the war upon the aver- age citizen. In the next six to 12 months, virtually every able-bodied male, including many with de- pendents, will be in the armed forces.' Hollywood's obligation, it was pointed out, is to meefthe chal- lenge of the war which in the'next year, it was asserted, 'is bound to create strange, new tensions within American life. Frictions will arL<ie within groups and between groups .. .the greatest strain will be thrown upon American morale.' It was added that the film industry ha.% failed in presenting pictures showing adequately the vigor and determination with which our people nave met and are meeting their cr:.<!is and, at the .same time, are preserving an idealistic attitude to- ward war issues. OWI nlao believes, th survey concludes, that Him pro- duction should aim at establishing an understanding of the need for such sacrifices as are being and will b'.> made. Philly Canteen ^^sContlnacd from page canteen a couple of hundred dollars a week. 'We were told to lay off in our negotiations for this broadcast, be- cause the New York Canteen had just signed for a series with the Corn Products Corp. giving them exclu- sive rights for broadcasts from can- teens. We acceded to New York's wi.shes.' Sullivan said that two weeks ago hi wrote to the parent wing, outlin- ing a one-shot broadcast which all Philly radja stations had offered to plug the current drive to rai^e $25,- 000 for the local canteen. 'I received an answer asking us njt to go through with the campaign broadcast,' he said. 'They explained that the sponsor of the network show hac a clause in their contract which allowed Corn Products to cancel if there was another broadcast from any canteen. 'Now they have the effrontery to tell the public that they're helping to support Philadelphia. We haven't received a red cent from them.' Other canteen officials said there had been a tacit understanding that the Philly canteen would get at least a small chunk of the $2,500 weekly that the Theatre Wing gets for its weekly network show. But thus far there has been no word from New York on this subject. With all precincts not yet heard from, it's been reported that the Canteen's drive has netted about half of the $25,000 sought A couple o: hundred dollars were raised at an auction from the steps of the Acad- emy by Ilka Chase on Friday (11). Among the itenu auctioned were a handkerchief belonging to Hedy Lsmarr, which went to a soldier for $7.50; Mickey Rooney's drumsticks which sold for $25, and a silver dancing slipper donated by Ginger Rogers, which brought $8. Sullivan bought in several hundred dollars worth of items himself which he turned back for resale. Chairman of the drive Is Fred W. eSpelllsy, v.p. of the Market St. Na- tional Bank, of which Sullivan is president Army Raid Show "onilnued from p.-s the approved fashion. Bunch «t co- eds from Maryland University helped out on this, to prove that even the inexperienced can become fire-fight- ers. t DcmenstaUiM* Two model Cape Cod cottages erected on the open lot arc used to demonstrate carelessness. One has attic protected In the best civilian defense method. Other is an unfin- ished spare room fUled with rubbish. Bombs are lighted and one goes out harmlessly. Other spreads flames and fire hose comes into play as a quencher. Drug store with auto- matic sprinkler system then gets the bomb torch to demonstrate the effi- cacy of such apparatus. Second part of the show provides the thrill wallop. Civilian Defense Control Center is set up center stage, and various services performed by these workers are graphically shown, from the first warning signal until the enemy planes arrive. First plane over the field drops flares lighting up the targets. Then the dive bomber with the incendi- aries, followed by the demolition ex- plosives. College Park hotel is con- sumed by flames from the incen* diaries, with firemen coming into play when structure is an inferno. The final episode of the show il- lustrates a flaime thrower destroying a pill box and other Chemical War- fare Service Activities. All the ac- tion Is accompanied by a running commentary over the loud q>eaker. 'Action Overhead' was presented for members of the various military missions In Washington, Army offi- cers and civilian defense workers. It Is something that pounds home the lesson better than a dozen books or lecturp.<!.