Variety (Sep 1942)

86 OR CHESTRA GROSSES Wednesday, September 23, 1942 Pastor Plus Andrews Sock $82,000 In N. Y.; Monroe, $22,500, Setting Newark Record, Bamet 25(], Cleve. ■ft- (Estimates for This Week) Charlie Barnet, Cleveland (Palace; 8.700; 40-60-70)—With Jackie Cooper, biosa Costello and 'Invisible Agent' (U). A whale of a bill, riding along for strong $25,000. Bine Barron, Ballimore (Hippo- drome; 2,240; 17-25-28-38-44-55-66)— With 'The Big-Street' (RKO) and James Barton. Very steady at $14,000. band getting most of the f redit for the draw. Cab Calloway, San Francisco (Golden Gate; 2,850; 44-55-75)—With 'The Big Street' (RKO). Band tor- rid and receiving help from picture. Hitting great $37,000. Shep Fields, Omaha (Orpheum; 8,000; 20-40-55-65)—With 'Lady in Jam' (U). Good $16,500 despite cold, rainy opening. Most of the draw credited to Fields' band. Ina Bay Hntton, Portland (May- fair; 1,500; 35-40-60)—With 'Sherlock Holmes. Voice of Terror' (U). Nice $6,500, largely on the band's appeal. Dick Jurtens, New York (Strand; 2.756; 35-55-75-85-99-$1.10) — With •Across Pacific' (WB) on the screen. On the current and final (3d) week, gross standing up stoutly tor about $38,000, while the second semester hit a bouncing $41,000. Lncky Mllllnder, Brooklyn (Fa- bian Fox; 4,023; 30-55-65)—With Ink Spots on stage, and 'Sweater Girl' (Par) on screen. Headed for splen- did $25,000. Vaocho Monroe, Newark (Adams; 1.050; 25-40-65-75-99)—Teamed with •Parachute Nurse' (Col). Scaling new heights here with record-break- ing $22,500, and may top even that figure at present pace. Orch ac- counting for virtually entire draw. George Olsen, Los Angeles (Or- pheum; 2,200; 33-44-55-65) — With •Not a Ladies' Man' (Col) and 'Tomb- stone' (Par) (2d run) on screen. Poor $11,000. Worst figure house has had in some time, and second run feature and lightweight trio of stage acts chiefly responsible. Tony Pastor, New York (Para- mount; 3,664; 35-55-85-09-$1.10)— With Andrews Sisters on stage, 'Major and Minor' (Par) on screen. Draught of the Pastor band and the Andrews Sisters credited with count- ing very importantly as a b.o. com- plement for the picture, which got good notices; first week concluded last night (Tuesday) hit socko $82,- 000, second best non-New Year's week house has had under policy. Louis Prima, Philadelphia (Earle; 1,768; 35-46-57-68-75)—Teamed with Joe E. Lewif, Linda Ware and 'Are Husbands Necessary' (Par) on screen. Entire package faring sadly at pallid $17,000. Only top name bands seem to click here. Alvino Key, St. Louis (Ambassa- dor: 3,000; 40-50-60)—With "Through Different Eyes' (20th) and King Sis- ters. Upped scale and first stage show at this house is helping this combo to swell $19,000. Tommy Tncker, Chicago (Chicago; 4,000; 35-55-75)—With Billy De Wolfe and 'Orchestra Wives' (20th). Good combo accounting for neat $40,000. Doe Wheeler, Boston (RKO Bos- ton; 3,200; 40-55-65-75-85)—With Bill Robinson, Ella Fitzgerald, Douglas Brothers. 'Pardon My Sarong' (U). Bill Robinson and Abbott and Cos- tello are big draws here and aiming for great $36,000. Teagarden's Retake St. Louis, Sept. 22. Announcement was made last week that Jack Teagarden, orch lender currently playing an engage- ment at the Casa Loma ballroom on the south side here, was secretly married a year ago to Mrs. Adeline Barriere Gault in Detroit. Mrs. Gault's mother said legal compile, tions arising from Teagarden's sec- ond marriage recently necessitated an annulment of his marriage to Mm. Gault, his third wife, in Los A.-!geles. Then the couple obtained the li- cense for remarriage in Sioux Falls. James Registers Hershey Record; Herman s $3,100 (Estimates) Mitchell Ayres-Guy Ormandy (Raymor-Playmor B., Boston, Sept. 18-19). Ayres is known here and when teamed with local outfit drew 2,000 Friday and 2,100 Saturday at 75-65C for exceptional $2,870 gross. Sam Donahue (Shuberl T., New Haven, Conn., Sept. 20). First stop here for Donahue, plus vaude, brought fair 4,000 patrons at 75c top. Woody Herman (Tromar B., Des Moines, Sept. 19). Herman's herd turned in the second best business ever at this spot. Rang up a solid 3,100-pcrson job at $1.10. Harry James (Hershey Park, Hershey, Pa., Sept. 19). Playing one of his infrequent one-nighters James clearly demonstrated the power In his name by playing to 5,953 dancers, a new record for this spot. He topped Jimmy Dorsey's old mark (5.812). At $1.10 top gross was ap- proximately $5,850. Gene Krupa (Arena, New Haven, Conn., Sept. 20). Rainy Sabbath didn't help, 'but Krupa still did okay with $5,300 patrons at $1.10 top, with vaude. Boyd Baebnrn (Totem Pole B., Auburndale, Mass., Sept. 16-19). Raeburn is newcomer in these parts but after slow first two days week- end zoomed; 8,800 dancers in four days at $1.45 pair is close to pre- gas rationing business. Excellent gross of $6,380. On the Upbeat Ken Harris orch opened indefinite engagement Friday (18) at Merry- Go-Round, Pittsburgh, replacing Howard Baum outfit. Slan Kenton band booked into Aragon Ballroom, Pittsburgh, for one-nighter Tuesday (29). Frank AndrinI and his Argen- tinians opened Monday (21) at Seventh Avenue Hotel Lounge, Pitts- burgh, succeeding Harry Bigley and his Escorts. Cab Calloway orch pencilled into Stanley theatre, Pittsburgh, week of Nov. 27. Jack Peck orch reopened Club Petite, Pittsburgh, last week after summer shutdown. Jack Egan, manager of the Alvino Rey orchestra, enlisted in the Coast Guard at Curtis Bay, Maryland. Eleanor Smith, with Ben Bernie for some time as his p.a., now on road with Bonnie Baker as singer's publicity woman and personal rep- resentative. Name Bands KG. Sans Leaders Ail attempts to keep name bands operating after their leaders have enlisted or been inducted into the armed forces have failed and, ac- cording to bandmen, it's not likely that any such attempt will ever be successful. To some it's difficult to understand why outfits such as Wayne King's, Orrin Tucker's, Glenn Miller's, Eddy Duchin's, can- not continue, though the ability of the musicians, arrangements and all other factors that contributed to success are still present. Chief reason naturally is the loss of the personality on which the whole band is pegged—the guy with the name. Leaders spend years building up that name, on the air, on records, in pictures, etc., and when they're removed the men they leave cannot earn enough, though they remain intact, to support operation on the same level. For ex- ample, Glenn Miller's band; 'Vex Beneke could take over the combi- nation. He has had a buildup as a singer-star instrumentalist but, it he assumed command, the selling price of the combination would probably drop as much as 75%. The same applies to territorial bands which are only vaguely known outside their area. In that comparatively small sphere they're worth a certain amount, but as soon as the leader goes so does the band, unless they want to begin all over again building a new name, with all the hardships and struggle that goes with it. The final argument against any band continuing after the loss of its leader is that records, the strongest avenue of exploitation, are cur- rently closed to new names, even if fronting on established musical aggregation. Of course, recordings are now out themselves for the duration of the Petrillo edict. Bands at Hotel B.O.'s June Bobbins has joined Nat Brandwynne's orchestra at Ritz Roof. Boston, where band closes Saturday (26) when roof shutters for season. Brandwynne opens at Benjamin Franklin Hotel, Philadelphia, Oct. 1. Frances Wayne quit Charlie Bar- net to rejoin small outfit headed by her brother, Nick Jerret. NEW HOTEL STATLER JOB Lincoln Expands Stand For Harry James' 28 Men Lincoln hotel. New York, will be- gin enlarging its bandstand soon to accommodate Harry James' orches- tra, which opens for a three-month stay Oct. 2. James' crew is one of the largest in the biz, totalling 28 people, including himself and vocal- ists. As it is now the Lincoln stand won't hold many more than 16 or 17 people comfortably and so it will be built out onto the dance floor. Mrs. Maria Kramer, owner of the hostelry, is reported to have been offered $25,000 for James' contract by Music Corp. of America, leader's bookers, but no dice. She deems the exploitation value of James' top position in the field worth more than that to the hotel. Looks Like Cavallero or Cugal Will Be Opening Band Washington. Sept. 22 It's between Carmen Cavallero and Xavier Cugat as to who will play when the new Hotel Statler opens in December. Monster new 16th street hostelry will probably be managed by Harry Somerville, who resigned post at hotel Willard, Sept. 15. There are rumors that Army and Navy will take over the Statler for military purposes. However, when fire overtook the structure under construction, it was necessary to get new steel. At that time' it is said priorities were granted with the un derstanding that three floors of the new hotel would be available for the government. This would leave five floors for commercial operation. J. L. Hennesy, vice president of the Statler board of directors said they're wavering between two bands mentioned above. The Colony and Embassy rooms, with a combined capacity of 350. are adjoining and one band will play for both rooms, Band Carmen Cavallaro will open with at the Statler hotel, Detroit, Oct. 13 is a new outfit of 15 pieces Cavallaro for some time has had ideas for increasing instrumentation to that number but always discarded them before they were put Into practice. His reason for upping the size of the outfit is supposed to be because major theatres couldn't use only nine pieces to advantage. Beside be- ing lost on a pit the size of the Para mount theatre, N. Y., the contrast between some of the top bands of the day would be too great. Brad Gowans left Ray McKinley to take his trombone to Bill David- son's band at Ken Club, Boston. Don Gahan, who led band around Boston while tudying at Harvard Law School, is now regional salvage dt'.ector for Metropolitan Boston. Ruby Newman has taken charge of th? newly-created School of Popular Music at the New England Con- servatory, Boston. Gene Dennis, Boston band leader. Is now a buck private at Camp Langdon, Portsmouth, N. H. Roly Bogers' featured female trumpeter, Joan Hunter, received a four-year scholarship from the Bos- ton University School of Music. Johnny Joyce, Jr., trumpeter and son of vet bandmaster, is taking navy-bound Billy DuVal's chair in Lee Allen's crew at Southern Tavern, Cleveland. Freddie Carlone, who broke up his band, liecoming member of Benny Bee's outfit at Wonder Bar, Cleveland, as sax-man. Recently in- jured back in fall but now re- covered. Bob Strong orch reopened Lloyd Myers' Aragon ballroom, Cleveland, Sunday (20) with touring band policy. Jimmy Richards slated for Sept. 27. Napua, Hawaiian dancer at New York's Lexington hotel for seven seasons, teamed up Monday (21) with Sam.Koki's Paradise Islanders at intimate Eldorado Club, Cleve- land. Succeeded Johnny Kaaihue's Hawaiians, who shifted to hotel Roosevelt's Fiesta Room, Pittsburgh Dick Jurgens penciled in for U. S. Army. Maestro is not accepting any engagements after Jan. 1. (Presented herewith, os a weekly tabulatfon, is the estimated cover charge business being done by name bands In various New York hoteb. Dinner business (7-10 p.m.) not rated. Figures after name of hotel giv» room capacity and cover charge. Larger amount designates weekend and holiday price.) Cov«ri lolBl Wnka ra>t Co««ra Uanil Hot«l flayed Wnk Od Date Les Brown Astor (1,000; 75c-$l) 1 4,700 4,700 Ray Heatherton . Biltmore (300; $1-$1.50) 21 BOO 13,150 Xavier Cugat* ...Waldorf (550; $1-$1.50) 12 3,229 34,675 Johnny Long New Yorker (400; 75c-$1.50) 19 2,260 S9,450 Lani Mclntire ...Lexington (300; 7Sc-$1.50) 32 1,850 48,450 Glen Gray Pennsylvania (500; 75c-$1.50) 10 2.550 21,850 Jerry Wald Lincoln (225; 75c-$l) 24 950 17,250 * Asterisks indicate a supporting floor show, although the band Is the major draw. Lot. Angelea Freddy Martin (Ambassador; 900; $1-$1.50). Off with rest of the town but should manage around 4,000 covers. Joe Belchman (Biltmore; 1,200; 50c-$l). Around 4.500. plenty good for this downtown site considering that many of the natives are getting used to getting along on less petrol. Chicago GrUr WillUms (Empire Room, Palmer House; 600; $3-$3.50 min.). Griff Williams opened in mid-week at this smart room, enjoyed good opening night, attracting 3,000 for split week. Jimmy Joy (Walnut Room, Bismark hotel; 300; $l-$2 min.). A favorite with this room's customers, Joy brought in a neat 2,200 for the week. Jimmy Dorsey (Panther Room, Sherman hotel; 800; $1.2J.$2.50 min.). The incomparable Dorsey proving hottest attraction yet at this room; ropes up every night; brought in remarkable 8,100 people. Eddie Oliver (Mayfair Room, Blackstone hotel; 350; $2.90 min.). Helped by the lovely Jane Pickens, Oliver attracted a neat 1,900 to this class . dining room. Boston Nat Brandwynne (Ritz Roof, Ritz-Carlton hotel; 350; $1 cover). In twelfth week, Brandwynne continued to draw 'em in; 1,700 covers, despite lateness of season. One week to go, closing simultaneously with roof on Saturday (26). Dinners also big. Basil Fomeen (Oval Room, Copley Plaza; 300; $1 cover). Fomeen opened Thursday (17) with Dorothy Lewis Ice Revue and accounted for fine 1,035 covers in three days. Hildegarde with Ray Morton closed a great six-week engagement with capacity business at dinner and strong supper trade for first three days of week, usually light nights, wilh 1,071 covers. , Jack Edwards (Terrace Room, Hotel Statler; 450; $1 cover). Edwards continued merrily along in his thirteenth week with 865 covers over Friday-Saturday, only late nights. Dinner biz likewise big. Minneapolis Frankle Gelson (Minnesota Terrace; Nicollet hotel: 550; $1-$1.50 min.). Eleventh week for Gelson (local) with three floor show acts—Carole & Sherod, Ross It West and Three Modelaires. Fair attendance at around 450 nightly. Les Robinson, alto saxist, joins Woody Herman's orchestra. He re- places Jimmy Horvath, who shifts to second chair replacing Skippy De- Sair, who leaves the band. Marlon Hutton and Modernaires intend forming a quartet for radio after Glenn Miller's band disbands next week. Chuck Goldstein, one of the Modernaires, will leave the group however. iDlsen's U. Short Hollywood, Sept. 22. George Olsen is the latest name band to get a picture deal. His band will make a short at Uni- versal. Location Jobs, Not in Hotels (Los Angeles) Abe Lyman (Palladium B, Hollywood, third week). Feeling the slump and punching away for 18,500 admishes. Moves over to the Florentine Gardens a few blocks away Oct. 7 for lO-week stand. Bob Chester (Casa Manana B, Culver City, Cal.. first week). Wobbly takeoff as he's new and unknown out here so will have to be satisfied with less than 5,000 payees. Count Basle (Trianon B, Southgate, Cal., fifth week). Will post around 8,000 stubs which is oft previous weeks, but what spot isn't? Johnny Richards (Casino B, Hollywood, sixth week). Profits mostly on the drop-in turnover but hardly past 3,000 with the bulge on the weekend. Ted Flo Rllo (Florentine Cardens N, Hollywood, llth week). Gels plenty of help from Nils Granlund's floor revue and the Mills Bros, for a groovy 4,500. (Chicago) Buddy Franklin (Chez Parec; 650; $3-$3.50 min ). Grade Field.^ at- tracting a tremendous business at this favorite nite rendezvous, bringing in 4.500. Art Jarrett (Blackhawk; 500; $1.25 min.). Jarretl still doing verv nicely after long stay, held biz to fine 3,000 this week. (Jtfinneapolis) Ada Leonard (Happy Hour; 600; no cover or min.). The only spot in town playing well known bands and 'doing by far the biggest busines... Miss Leonard and her all-girl band a powerful magnet with attendance soarmg to an average of approximately 800 nightly, including Sunday.