Variety (Oct 1942)

78 HOUSE REVIEWS P ^iEff - Wednesday, October 7, 1942 Modified 'GirF Shows Back on B way; Brandts Central's Hybrid Vaudery 'Girl Follies' shows returned to Broadway last week, but not under that title and with no resemblance to the old, tired burlesque and strip- teas* admixtures eliminated by the Oily about a year ago. Central the- atre, at 47th and Broadway, a Brandt operation, switched from a double- feature picture policy (as the quality «f product recently dipped to new lows (or all time) to the Stiige ttevue-Vaudeville setup. Commis- sioner Paul Moss objected to calling 'em 'Girly Shows' and other objec- tions were raised to similar tag.^. Consequently, the Central was offici- ally opened as Stage Revue-Vaude- ville. First week'.i lineup omits any nudity, stripping or kindred trap- pings from most recent burlesque. This despite the fact that about every other nitevy on West 52nd Sti ccl nowadays boasts a strip-teaser, or a torrid dancer, many of them f;.- miliars from the burlesque wheels. Considering the hurdles, the Cen- tral is doing very well with the pres- ent setup since it looks like a natural for visiting firemen as well as thou- sands of servicemen who flock to New York every weekend. The nu- merous visitors had been wondering what happened to N. Y. burlesque and why they have to pay a legii chow scale to see anything resembl- ing old burlesque st^ge shows. While the city administration has made it clear that the Central show is in no way a return to old burlesque, or last year's 'Follies' shows, the idea of keeping chorines garbed in ankle- length dresses, eliminating dancers Harry Rose, 'Loonev' Lewis, Chick Hunter, Joan Carroll, Gene Bavlof, Gonzalez Trio, Harmon- ettes (2), Long & Short, Bo Jen- kins, Line (12). Shouiffirls (C), Murray Axister House Orch H); shorts. ?nd all bumps appears (ar-fetchcd to hese viaitors. Messrs. Brandt apparently have rt 01 the right formula to please those who can't afford the legit burley- musical scale or don't go for the •treamlined, higher-priced vaude- ville-revue. This is not burlesque al- though it has some of the better hur- ley comics. It is more reminiscent of tabloid musicals plus nicely picked vaudeville acts. Judging from the laughs and applause, audience here takes the policy. Management still hopes to quicken the pace, but when caught again Saturday (3), after the show opening On Thursday, it played smoothly. There's nice pace maintained be- 0 tween the slower monolog and the taster vaudevill* and production tiumbers. Further tightening of the •tage and lighting mechanics natur- ally will come, when the crew here sets more accustomed to a stage policy. Harry Rose (not vaudeville's 'Broadway Jester') and 'Looney' Lewis, burley comedians. Chick Hunter and several stooges appear in two sketches, both solid clicks. One Is the familiar take-off on 'Informa- tion Please,' geared to slapstick tempo. Some of the lines are double- eaning, but not offensively so. Iden- fylng pictures and one tabloid are employed as well as the reference to the $2 question. The other skit is th» veneraible hokum prizefight, with comic Lewis on the receiving end. Joan Carroll, former strip-teaser, Cow turned straight,works nicely in oth sketches. Lewis is finding the quick quip and fiantomime gets bigger response than ht* battered blue gags of burlesque several years back. He's the whole •how in both sketches with Rose Elaying second comic all the wr/. ewis. Incidentally, is greatly im- proved over a year ago. Hunter Inckes a capable straight feeder. Gene Baylbs, rated m.c, supplies ■ome droll comedy on two appear- Jinces. He picked up his gait for ater shows. Cashing in on the vogue for dog Sets. Gonzales Trio (New Acts) rates ii- top vaude spot. Trio wowed the fiatrons at both shows. Bo Jenkins, ikeable sort of colored tapster, makes a favoi'able impression with varied steps. His patter is meaning- less and hurts his stepping. Long & £hort, a short male tumbler and an equally spry midget, have a fast turn, using their clowning efforts to good effect as they go through standard tumbles, stands and balancing feats. Pair wears sailor outfit and wisely keeps in action every second on the stage, Instead of attempting to lean too much on the midget's stature. Harmonettes, two comely singers, nave one specialty but serve mostly to Introduce the production numbers. Harry Puck (who also stages the Hurricane, Broadway nitery, shows) has done a yeoman job in whipping this show Into such smooth running order. Showgirls and ponies are un- usually young and pretty, latter group of 12 actually knowing how to dance. The showgirl contingent parades per usual in musical shows, with no extreme undress in any ap- pearance. Dancers, too. go to ex- tremes to keep covered at all times. Ultimately, this ultra ccservatism in costuming may be modified at least to admit thnt the femmes have limbs or in line with garb worn in current musicals along the stem. Biz is fairly good thus fur con- sidering the sudden opening. Present policy stands a good chance of click- ing and nroving a profitable ven;ure. Wenr. Casino de Paree, N. O. ('TRt.\TS or PARIS') Nnw Orleans, Oct. 3. Arlenc Tlwmpion, Jack Murray, Tounny Ruft, Eleanor Sheridan, Joy St. Clair, Mildred fietison, Johnny Cook, Sam Gould, Nadine Ondra, Chei Atland. Showgirls (6), Line ll2). House Orch. St. Charles theatre, for years cita- del or vaudeville and stock, re- opened Friday i2) with 'musical comedy.' Mobs stormed the doors. Show is fast moving, peppered with comedy and specialtie.<:. Although the advertising and bill- ing said nothing about burley in any of its ramifications, the audience was given a reasonable facsimile thereof through the house's sale of ice cream, candy, postcards and soft drinks between the picture, which is not advertised, and the revue. Comics got plenty of laughs, par- ticularly Tommy Raft, a pint-sized funster who scored solidly with semi-pantomime, especially in a nut- house .sequence where he grabbed laughs last and furiously. The girls are young, pleasing and pretty, without stripping or grind- ing. Vulgarity was noticeably ab- sent at show caught. From open- ing audience's reaction, patrons liked IL . The laughs and applause were plentiful throughout. Eleanor Sheridan contributes a nifty routine vaguely resembling a strip, yet is Innocuous enough to get by any blue nose. Nadine On- dra's novelty tune, 'My Bunny,' got plenty of palm pounding and she gave several encores. Arlene Thomson, looker with nifty pipes who appeared in Blue Room of The Roosevelt with Jan Savitfs orchestra, had two weeks open and was added to cast. She stopped show, cold with her warbling, ns did Jack Murray, who also appeared in the Savitt show. Murray's clever imi- tation of noted band leaders clicked solidly. Others who help make the show entertaining are Joy St. Clair. Mil- dred Benson, Johnny Cook and Sam Gould. M of whom appear in comedy turns, and Chet Atland. The ponies dance as if they en- joyed it. They also double into specialties. Costumes and scenery are all new and add much to staging and are especially effective in patriotic finale. Spot has done terrific business since opening day. During first three days 18.000 theatre-goers passed through turnstiles. Four shows daily are presented. Liuz STAR, BROOKLYN Bobby Morris, Charniai/ne, George Rochea, Burton A JeaneUe, Morgan Sisters (2). flemie Miller, George. Reynolds, Line (8). Showgirls ii) Murray Auster House Orch/46)- shorts. / Apparently the Mayor legislated burlesque out of business but for- got to do something about the bur- ley fans. They're getting a consid- erably whitewashed ver.«ion of burley here, and coming back for more. Nothing flashy but good, solid entertainment. Biz at this former strip-and-blackout houi-e, now In Its third week, has been strong. The laugh department is in ex- pert hands, with Bobby Morris, top comic, doing four blackouts and getting laughs all the wav even though most of the blue material has been clipped. For an added fliip Charmayne, the name stripper, works one of the blackouts with Bobby Morris, and between them it's a solid laugh romp. George Rev- nolds and Bernie Miller handle The straightmen's chores, with the latter doubling as vocalist. Production numbers arc pood, the costumes pretty and effective with- out veering off bounds. Girls look well and dance okay. too. Their best number is the rhumba routine which introduces Charmayne. George Rochea does routine lap- ping and had to encore. Morgan Sisters do a high-kick tcrp that clicked de.spite its mediocrity. Bur- ton and Jeannette. with imitations, were whammo with this audience. Charmayne's routine olo.^cs the show. A tall, eye-fllling blonde, she works In an effective while, two- piece costume that shows the gams. But It's Not Burley Girl shows in the guise of 'vaudeville' are making them- selves markedly felt in show biz of late, as witness recent adop- tions of that policy in several cities. Indications are that the policy will grow, with a number of out-of-town theatre managers eyeing the progress being made by those setups in New York. New Orleans. Montreal and a couple of other key spots. Latest in this setup are the Central on Broadway, which started this week: (he Star, Brooklyn, three weck.s; Casino de Paree, New Orleans, and the Gayety, Montreal. All employ a touch of what used to be bur- lesque. little else. Sings 'Chi-Chi Castenan- go' in fair fashion, then d(ic.< a strip sans any stripping. Throws in a mild bump or two and docs remove her bodice, but there's a bia under- neath. House orch plays well for the show. frnti. GAYETY, MONTREAL MoiKrenl. Oct. 5. Joe Frisco. Marie Cord trifh Lon- don Belles (6), Georgetle & Mar- cclle, Felicia Short, The Claytons (2). Ludovic Huot,'Floyd Hnllicy. Sliiikie, Shorty, Bobby Fay? u'ith Erma Vogelee & Ann Smith. House Line (15), Len Howard Orrh (9). Vaude has established itself firmly in this city, as witness a packed house this afternoon, a hot day. with a counter attraction in the broadcast of the World's Series. Joe Frisco, headlined, has a lot to do with this condition and is easily the topnotcher in an otherwise mediocre show. He tees off with a clever tap routine done with ease and goes into his standard race fan sketch, which Is still clicko. Finish- ing with soft shoe and more patter had him begging off at the end of his act. Marie Cord, with her London Belles in support, has a fair soprano, is easy on the eye and takes her time on the strip. She gives the crowd what it likes and won a strong hand. Georgette and Marcelle. sister aero team, deservedly earned good re- turns. Felicia Shore, contortionist, is standard as are the Claytons, brother and sister, in a lariat turn. Ludovic Huot got the hand of the show with a French song which the French fans, who made up most of the crowd, certainly liked. Floyd Hallicy straighted for Stinkie. Shorty and Bobby Faye with Erma Vogelee and Ann Smith in a number of sketches that provide nothing new. but are put over smoothly and at good pace. Len Howard orch is on top of its job. The line shows good precision dancing and is smartlv wardrobed and well-chosen for looks. Capacity house at this viewing. Lnne. RKO, BOSTON Bo.slon. Oct. 3. Stan Kenton Orch. Mary Brian, 3 Stooges, Frank Paris; 'Footlight Ser- enade' (20th). A solid band unit and the Stooges with a large assortment of blue gags are primarily responsible for the en- tertainment value of the lineup at this stand, which opened to hefty biz with the jitterbugs, notwith- standing school's in session. Kenton, new to this spot but evi- dently preceded by the good word, has a band which clicks, although the tunes and arrangements aren't exactly what the locals go for. He makes too much to-do with his theme at the opening, bogging ir down In a pretentious medlev de- signed apparently to show off his style, and never does gel around to a straight instrumental performance of a hit tune. Seems to be mostly a question of smarter programmmg. however, for there's no question the band can operate. Kenton himself is a neat leader* whose baton-waving is no mere fronting gesture. Red Dorrls, who also takes a cou- ple of good licks on the tenor sax, and Dolly Mitchell are satisfactory warblers, but neither really regis-' ters, again because of mediocre tunes. Band does a specialty involv- ing the sax section which goes nice- ly, and It leaves a good impression with a trick arrangement of 'St. James Infirmary.' Frank Paris leads off the vaude routine with his marionet troupe, a clever item; Mary Brian, terping with her new partner. Douglas Deane. seemingly without adequate rehearsal, barely .succeeds in keep- ing above water in three turn.s. and the Three Stooges pile out of the wmgs in the feature spot to .spout some of their roughest humor and click to a fare-thee-wcll. Some of their faster gags are due for prun- mg. but they'll most certainly con- fmue to provide the .sock to a show even though their material Is by now standard. It's rich with unspeakable vulgarity. But It kills the customers. Elie. APOLLO, N. Y. House Line, Pigmeat, Bill Mucht- son, Harlem Highlanders, Lily Anne Carroll with Louis Prima Orch (M); 'Bombs Over Burma' (PRC). Bill for this Harlem house deviates this week from its usual policy of name colored bands, setup currently presenting the ofay Louis Prima orchestra. Prima music is supplied from behind a scrim for first half of the show, which is handled by an otherwise all-colored lineup includ- ing the house line, Pigmeat, mimic Bill Muchi.sori and the Harlem High- landcr.s. kilted singing quartet. Band, with its vocalist, Lily Anne Carroll, take's over the second half, leading to the boogie woogie black- out fin.nlc using the entire cast. Lacking in spontaneity, the line, corvsisting of eight girls, four tappers and a singer, is intermingled with the standard comedy routines of Pig- meat. a house standby. Muchison does straight mimicing using a mike setup IIS a radio announcer. The Highlanders take over with good novelty renditions of old Scotch tunes. They finish big with a risque •Cat Fell in the Well.' The Prima band is then unveiled, giving out with hot arrangements of 'China Town' and 'Idaho.' Miss Car- roll registers big, perhaps more on looks than singing ability. Her mel- low voice does 'Beguine,' 'AH I Need Is You." 'I Got It Bad' and This Love of Mine.' Topper for the band is a socko arrangement of Ravel's 'Bolero' wherein drummer Jimmy Mitchell goes to town. This leads to the boogie woogie finale, which is frail by comparison. The maestro alter- nately hangs the spotlight - between his trumpeting, fog-horn warbling and m.c.ing. ORPHEUM, L. A. Los Angeles, Oct. 2. Abe Lyman Orch (17) with Billy Sherman, Rose Blane, Don A Bev- erly. Jack Marlowe, Jackie Green; 'In Old California' (Rep). Vet vaudery lifts itself out of the so-so show class of past couple weeks with a compact presentation of the best in Abe Lyman, his band aides, Billy Sherman, Rose Blane and Jack Mai'lowe, plus two varied and pleas- ing acts. Though show is plenty strong from entertainment stand- point, and is aided by first run film, 'In Old California' (Rep), biz is un- accountably off. Lyman smartly (for this hep house) opens with a jive arrange- ment of pop, 'Idaho,' and his band really dresses the stage for nice first impression, loUowing up with im- pressive work, too. Show-wise, Lyman doesn't hog but gives free rein to musicians and acts, infre- quently interpolating bits of his own humor for bounce. Male vocalist, Sherman, starts off show with a crooner-like rendition of This Is Worth Fighting For.' Next is 'Begin Beguine.' Jovial, big and good-looking, he gets along well on that score. Production number by band, 'Let's Keep Smilin,' done in deadpan, gives the show variance and lightweight novelty. Jack Marlowe, violinist with band, gets in some classics on his instrument, rendering a czardas and another doubly fast fiddle flight. Socko. and show-stopping on first, he overdoes it on second number, leaving audience a little limp and less appreciative. Ju.st a case of be- ing too good and not leting well enough alone. But it paces the show. Don and Beverly, regulation dance team, go through usual terping of their school, but reach the crowd with audience-participation stunt of putting dance requests into action for some laughs, running the gamut from tango to hep hoofing. Lyman again breaks into show with a Gershwin medle.v, not overdone as with many, and gives just enough of eacn of the immortal tunes. Switching from the plaintiveness of the 'Porgy and Bess' pieces to the older jazz numbers, he blends all into a really fine ear entry. Jackie Green, diminutive comic, songster impersonator and pupil of Gus Edwards, follows. His efforts at imitating the Jessels, Jolsons, Can- tors, et al., get home to elders, but is partially lost on youngsters, though good show stuff with the facial and gesture impersonations. His 'Henry Aldrich' radio takeoff Is better re- ceived and his gags are fast and new enough to register. Rose Blane. fcmme chirper, closes show with the material this hou.se sells best, chanting 'Indians Threw Rocks at Columbus,' 'Amen' and 'It Happened on Monday.' Husky- voiced hot singer wrapped up the show and the house, and dueled last number with Sherman for clever fadeaway. STATE, N. Y. Joe E. Lewis, Don Loper & Maxine Barrat, Borinie Baker. 4 Sidnciis- 'Someu'here I'll Find You' (M-G) ' A four-act stage bill this week, but it is virtually a one-man show be- cause of Joe E. Lewis, even though the supporting turns are of first-rate calibre. There may be half a dozen come- dians who can dominate a vaude show, but probably none who can out-rate Lewis. That goes for his night club appearances, too. He is on approximately 35 minutes and often during that interlude his whimsies hit the top of the laugh meter. With the aid of a top name picture the gig- gle getter should turn in a very smurt count at the boxoffice. Lewis is on first to introduce Bon- nie Baker. Pretty brunet starts with 'Neck of the Chicken,' then into 'He's My Guy,' 'I Met Him on Monday.' and encores with 'I had to Say No'; there l>eing an extra bit here with Lewis. Miss Baker is a strong click. When Lewis takes over in the finale position he gets rid of a num- ber about the $25,000 salary ceiling; it's just fair. When he starts gagging that's when his act really starts. Parody on 'My Man' scored big. as did the takeoff on John J. Anthony's radio program, while the crack about Lippy Leo Durocher of the Brooklyn Dodgers having the St. Louis blues was a local natural. 'Sum the Tailor' is still his comedy classic. Lewis starts the number, then goes into diversions, such as a gag about Alsab, a snatch of 'Blue Heaven,' joke about gin rummy, a parody on 'I Went to Havana' (to the Catskills and back to nature in low heels). Funster sends 'em out laughing with a blue lyric on a bridegroom's dilemma, but it's a little question- able for family houses. Classy dance team is on just before Lewis; they are Don Loper and Max- ine Barrat, both rating high in their field. Appearance of Miss Barrat certainly helps. Ballroom duo drew an excellent score, earning two en- cores. Both acts are Copacabana alumini. formerly working together, but Lewis alone is doubling from that N. Y. nitery. Loper staged the new showing which opened there last week. There is class also to the cycling Four Sidneys, who open cleverly. Dressing of the three ^irls is very attractive and the unicycle bit is a notable scorer. fbee. TOWER, K. C. Kansas City, Oct. 2. The Buri'cdells, Burton <t Kaye, Hou-ard Parsons, Morey Si Eaton, Paul & Petit, Tower Orch luith Don Tiff, Mike Carle & Marilyn Ballinger; 'Jungle Siren' (PRC) and 'Lure of the Islands' (Mono). Without any big names this week. Tower presents another of ils fmooth 40-minute presentations of vaude at a 35c top. Opening display ads in local sheets were slugged 'Battle of the Burlesque Queens." as Ann Corio and Maigip Hart of bur- ley fame share the billing for the dual flickers on the screen. Unseen m.c. on offstage mike intro- duces house orch, which opens pro- ceedings with a pleasing version of 'Silver Wings' as arranged by Don Tiff, with Mike Carle trumpeting and Marilyn Ballinger taking two vocal choruses. Revealed as Harry Morey of a team on later in the show, the m.c. then introduces The Burvedells. two nice-looking girls, who proceed to play a patriotic medley and then pop tunes on the xylophone. Their finale is a combo of hammer-manipu- lation and tap dancing. The deuce is taken over by Bur- ton and Kaye, comedy dance team, who go through a routine which kids adagio and other types ot hoof- ing with which all vaude patrons are familiar. Toward the clore ot their turn, they work in .some lift- ing and balancing speciallies which click. On next is Howard Parsons, a Tower 'Di.scovery Night' winner, and he whistles 'Indian Love Call' from 'Rose Marie' in a manner which won him a loud hand at show caught. The boy is good. Morey and Eaton fill the featured next-to-closing spot, and their com- edy patter and busine.ss registers nicely. A liny Mexican hairless dog brought on just before the flni.-^h caught the fancy of the juveniles, and the adults, too. Closing spot goes to Paul and Petit, who combine balancing, uni- cycle riding and other similar work into a fast turn. Feature of their act comes when man balances on hands on roller skate.s. and Ihcn rides down parallel ramps through the wings and off-stage. Biz strong opening day and nluhl Enrl. Kalhryn Duffy's'Swing Out Amer- ica Revue' opened in the Rainbo Room of the New Kenmorc Clinton hotel, Albany, N. Y., Oct. 3.