Variety (Oct 1942)

fo HOUSE REVIEWS ROXY, N. Y. Pniil Winrfidl, Nadine Gae. foiiiriii; Wotider, Moderiiaires U'ifh AInrioii Hiitlon & Te.v Beneke. Al poiifllitie co;idii('liii0 Hmise Orch, 'Cirl Trouble,' revieu-ed in 'Variety,' Sept. 23. 42. Roxy is coiuluctiiit! an experiment thi.s wei'k with Al Doiuiluie as Kucst tiindiictor of the remilin- house band. Piii pose of Ihe niovc is rallior vague, but it s connected in .some wa.v with the Roxy's contemplated idea of go- iii|< into a name band policy, due to pel underway somctin-c in Decem- hfi- if a worthy outlil can be booked by then. So far the house hasn't been able to buy a top band, becaii.se the majority are either contracted or ct.mmiltcd to the Strand and Para- nount. opposition houses. It had a <I< al on with Tommy Tucker to oljen farly in December, but it fell tliioufih. Buving Icadeis alone to guest con- duct the house bunch is a good idea insofar as it adds a b o. name to the marquee. But it adds nothuig to the entertainment value of the show, end the same problems of gettmg In addi ing badly off in this town. Recs. CAPITOL, WASH. Wn.vhiiiflloii. Oct. 8. John Boles. Helciie Deiiisoii. Bob Evans, Rnndnll Sisters. Rhyilim Rockets, Sam Jack Knit/iiia>i°s House Orch. Art Broum; 'Pniinnin Hntlic' (M-G). name leaders are present lion the guestee must have a fairly thououghly.knojjflsrifie of show con- ^ ^^^^ ^ _ _ ducting, which isn't always gu*r?"^ "matinee Friday. aftcrn'obTr-trailc "be teed. In Donahue's case the idea ■ - •• ~ " - works out. He's a fine musician, knows what it's all about, and he turns in a very capable job, both as ccpductor and m.c. But even Donahue cannot make a pi lular groove band out of a pit out- fi;. Composed of four trumpets, three trombones, five sax. three vio- lins, four rhyti m (two pianosV the pi oup is laid out on the Roxy's mas- sive stage and the routining of the show is somewhat similar in pattern to the way things go at the Para- mount and Strand with their Dor- sevs. Kayes, etc. Between acts the oijlfit offers arrangements of 'Bugle Call Rag' and Brahms' 'Lullaby. There the similarity ends, however. This is strictly a pit band, with show arrangements, and it's accustomed to show tempo. That an attempt is being made to popularize it is evi- dent in the fact that Billy May, trumpeter with Glenn Miller, is in its brass section. It it is possible to stcure a string of name guest con- ductors, or if Donahue is to stay per- manently, it may be a good idea to round up a bunch of musicians well versed in pop stuff or make over the present band's book to fit the times. Running approximately 50 min- utes, the show Donahue conducts is fair. Tommy Wonder opens with a smart session of trick dancing, then follows with an unusual and enter- taining item in which he'works with a life-like (from rear pews), full size rtplica of Ann Sheridan, doing two routines with it that go over solidly. Later he dances with Nadine Gae in a Berlin medley that's nicely pre- sen ted. Miss Gae takes part in a finale Item that's a dud until the Roxyettes come on to lift things. Line is on just that once and their absence is noticeable. Paul Winchell, ventro, goes over midway with ease. Cross- fire with the dummy evokes con- stant giggles and the performer has a novel approach to vocal imper- sc nations of Charles Boyer and Lionel Barrymore. He thus tells his smart-aleck dummy, 'I can make a living without you.' Modemaires, with Marion Hutton end Tex Beneke, all ex-Glenn Miller singers, are doing a neat job in their first solo appearance in New York. Miss Hutton, a fine stage personality, sells herself and the group with ease. They start off with 'Gal in Kala- mazoo, which Is ruined by the In- ability of the house band to set up a tempo, then Jimmy Blair, who re- placed Chuck Goldstein, baritone- solos 'Serenade )ji Blue' with vocal background. He's fair. 'Juke Box Saturday Night' and 'Strip Polka' follow, latter done very well, and 'Keep Smiling,' from a side mike, eases the show Into the finale bit with the line and Kiss Gae. Beneke uses his tenor sax as background, too. Biz fair. Wood. Wednesday, October 14, 1912 four girl singers with the band essay some harmony. It's a comedy number, "Five by Five." which also anllsta the voices and antics of Crosby and a trio of his musicians. George Church and Marion Hale, an attractive, F>ersonable couple, tap tp the tune of 'Be Careful, It's My Heart.' featuring some neat spins. A Spanish waltz tap is out of the ordi- nary. Bob Haggart, the band's bass player, goes to town with an unusual solo. 'Whistler's Mother-in-Law.' Clever pantomime and comedy business are eflectivcly injected into the balancing act of Emmctt Oldlield and Frank Rooney. They (jet seri- ous to perform some really remark- able stunts requiring exceptional muscular control. Keeping up a running lire of amus- ing gags and stories while juggling his hat and. later, four balls. Billy Rayes. En.ijlish comedian, wins good launh and applause returns. His im- pressions as to how Greta Garbo. Sally Rand and Kate Smith would Juggle the balls are amusinu. He also keeps three rubber spheres bouncing while doing a tap dance, imitates a man trying to thread a needle and winds up with the familiar takeoff of a young woman arising with a hangover, dressing and making up. A military medley is a stirring finisher for the band. Jl light house for the ppening How those middle-aged gals go for John Boles, House was full of the singer's fans at first show today (8), and they got plenty. Baritone Boles has loosened up and is generous with encores. (3pens with medley of surefire hits from musical comedy, winding up with 'Old Man River.' Then 'Chattanooga Choo Choo,' with gestures, and finally the song with which he YAs been identified here. 'Waitin' At the Gate for Katie.' Rhythm Rockets come in on final chorus, after singer has donned comedy getup. As he exits backstage, does a prattfall over fence and turns it into audience howl. Boles can pitch nothing but strikes in this house, which he calls 'Coming Home.' Rhythm Rockets open show with a well rehearsed balloon dance in- troducing Helene Denison, who does her twirls and toe work with a big ger balloon. Classy combination. Bob Evans has some bright patter with his ventriloquial dummy and makes much of his singing. The 'Yo' all' talk of the Randall sisters goes over as much as their crooning of hillbilly numbers. Sam Jack Kaufman went through his library and came up with sure- fire composers for his medley over- ture, vocaled well by Lynn Allison Art Brown at the console got this audience in lively mood with a neat organlog. Arke. Casino de Paree, N. O. ('Broadway on Parade') New Orleons, Oct. 8. Tommy (Moe) Raft, Aline Thomp- son, HarUind Dixon, Shannon It Mein, Hoffman & Kay, Helen Shaw, Steve Mills & Johnny Cook, Eleanor Sheri- dan, Line (12), House Orch^ ORPHEUM, MPLS. Minneapolis, Oct. 10. Bob Crosby's Orch (16) with O'Connell Sisters (4), Church & Hale, Emtnett Old/Ield & Co. (2;, Billy Rayes; 'Lady in a Jam' (U). Bob Crosby's orcHestra Is built along conventional lines and most of its musical dispensations hew closely to accustomed formulas, but there's a novelty contribution tossed in here and there to give some spice to the proceedings. Supporting acts stack up well enough, too. "The re- sult is a satisfactory money's worth. With six brass, five sax and four rhythm, the band gives out with enough volume to satisfy the jive element, with occasional excursions into the sweeter music. Crosby fronts the band, emcees the. show and does some Warbling. 'King Porter's Stomp' is a hot and noisy band starter with brief bits of soloing by Yank Lawson, Eddie MiUer and Mattie Matlock on the trumpet, sax and clarinet,. respec- tively. Then the leader croons *White Christmas,' after which the "Musical comedy,' combined with vaudeville, has established itself firmly here, judging by crowds pack ing house to see 'Broadway on Parade,' second presentation of newly opened spot. Current offer- ing is big Improvement over initial one. Low admish prices of 30 and S6c make the hour-long girl musical a good buy. * Several new acts have been brought in, as well as new sets. Con- siderable rehearsal has pepped up the new show considerably. Tommy (Moe) Raft, principal comedian, repeats his comedy hit of the previous week, and the reap pearance of Aline Thompson, looker with swell pipes, helps considerably. Much' of the credit for the new show is due Eddie Lynch, the direc tor, for staging some nifty dance numbers. The chorus work is much improved and the 'ponies' come in for plenty of palm pounding for their terping. The vet Harland Dixon drew three encores at show caught for his soft shoe routines. Shannon and Mein, tap dancing team, also held over, again click solidly, as do Hoffman and Kay, who got nice hand for their tumbling routines. Helen Shaw, a home towner, Is given a featured spot as a singing •find and handles herself OK. She's a brunet looker and possesses a neat voice, but has plenty to learn about microphone and stage presence. Comedians Steve Mills and Johnny Cook get their share of the bravos, and Eleanor Sheridan^ redhead who was to be the' star stripper, kept her clothes on and the audience didn't ask 'how come.' Customers were more interested in the antics of the funsters than in the gal's peeling. Liuz. STATE, N. Y. Martlin Raye. Busier Shorer u-ilh Olii'e (Kid George, 3 Wiiiler Sisters, Wnlly Broiun, Rubfc Zuerliiig House Orch; 'Tu/k of the Toirn' (Col). Acceptable, but hardly sock enter- tainment is ofTeicd-in-this stngeshow headed by Martha Raye. However, with the click 'Talk of the Town' feature on the screen, the bill should garner satisfactory business. Miss Raye has the closing spot, combining her rauious brand of clowninu with a slu,i!.uinK delivery of .songs. She was becomingly tOKged in blue at the show cau.ijht. biit with a poofy-looking (lat hat which she used lor comic business. Film and legit comedienne continues to break up her song numbers with slapstick antics. The effect is laughable, though lacking variation. Songs include 'Great Day Coming Manana.' 'Mr. I'aganini' and 'Five O'clock Whi.stlc.' Opening act is the Three Winter Sisters, click acrobatic dance and balancing turn. Trio are okay look- ers. cfTectively costumed, with a fast, showmanly routine. They're ob- viously good for pre.'cntation houses and should be sock for hitcries. Buster Shaver, with Olive and George, midgets, are on second and score-as always with theii-dance .ynd comedy act. Wally Brown Is m.c. and has a fairly lengthy comedy monolog .spot. He's a funny guy with a distinctive manner of handling lines, "but lessens the effect occasionally by giggling at his own stuff. Entire show is on and ofT in 4G minutes. Attendance was moderate at show caught. Hobc. CIRCLE, INDPLS. Indianapolis, Oct. 10. Claude Thornhill Orch, Snowflakes (4). Lillian Lane, Buddy Stewart. Martha Wayne, Art Malvin, Ray & Trent, Virginia Austin, Sunny Rice; 'Are Husbands Necessary?' (Par). The big parade of stage bands here brings Claude Thornhill to town for the first time with a show designed to please the music fans who like to sit stiU. In place of the feverish ex- citement set aflame by the jive out- fits, he stirs up a twilight mood with a special brand of tuneware featur- ing his piano with a set of French horns backing it up. With this com- bination, he gets a mellow tone that particularly enhances his sock ar- rangements. Thornhill has no time for nonsense and collegiate hijinks, so the show, subdued in tempo and mood most of the way, appeals most strongly to the older crowd. Festivities begin on a rousing brass note with a jamming of 'Buster's Last Stand.' one of the band's origi- nal numbers. Each of the key men fakes a break while Thornhill s piano sparkles. He then goes into a medley of 'Where or When,' 'Yours Is My Heart Alone' and 'I Don't Know Why,' with a very youthful quartet, the Snowfiakes, harmoniz- ing nicely on the vocal. Lillian Lane, the featured vocalist, puts a lot of heart appeal Into 'Just As Though You Were Here' and "Be Careful, It's My Heart,' after which the band goes to town on 'Stealin Apples.' Martha Wayne and Buddy Stew- art, a cute couple, make a nifty vocal duet of 'Knock Me a Kiss' and score again with 'You Took Advantage of Me.' 'Ehe band then comes back with 'Autumn Nocturne,' one of its best numbers and most representative of its style. For a finale, the quartet rejoins the band in a session on 'Jingle, Jangle.' A stronger cliniax could help the show, as it just fades away at the finish. There are three outside acts with the band, Virginia Austin, the pup- peteer; Sunny Rice, dancer, and Ray and Trent, who give the show most of what it needs. Their comedy an- tics and new twists to old acrobatic routines got them the biggest hand of the program. Miss Rice puts plenty personality into her clever taps. Miss Austin has a novel and complicated puppet setup in which one of the dolls on strings pulls the strings on another which, in turn, works a third. It's a good trick. Corb. STAR, BROOKLYN Bobby Morris, Chamuiyne, Bemie Miller, George F. Reynolds, Renard & Rudy, Ralph Broum, Velita, Line (8), Showgirls (6); Shorts. Current strong array Is largely re- sponsible for the revue-vaude policy starting to catch on after three rather tough weeks. Bobby Morris, who carries the full comedy burden, is in his third stanza while Char- mayne, blonde dansapator, is click- ing in her second week. Both soHd with audiences here. Work of Charmayne represents a solid improvement for this former stripper-dancer. She's In two skita and already has developed a nice sense of timing in reading lines. Charmayne also is on for her familiar dance at the close, being done with good taste and minimum of nudity. There's no stripping to it. Otherwise, the show runs along on about the same pattern as in previ- ous weeks. The management, which has been leaning overboard to avoid any semblance of nudity, is permit- ting more fla.'ihes of epidermis— about in line with' the amount of cuticle on display in Broadway musi- cals. Stripping still is out and upper portions of the (emme anatomy are always shielded by bras. Velita, former dancer from night- clubs, is doing two modified dance routines, working under wraps to all intents, and consequently- handi- capped. She's a dark-haired looker of possibilities. Renard and Rudy (New Acts) of- fer neat hand-to-hand balancing. Ralph Brown, colored tapster who's played here before, Moes in for a prolonged session, but its war- ranted, because of il^ audience re- ception. Nod McGurn is producing, and follows in usual groove for this liouse. Biz fair first show Friday I9). Wear. STATE, HARTFORD ffarljford. Oct. 9. Alvi»o Rcj; Oifh u-ith Ki7ip Sis- ters (4). Skeeis Herfurt. Dick Mor- gan. Lane Bros. (2). Winik & Mae. Sam Kaplan Pit Band; 'X Mnrks' (he Spot' (Rep).- Alvino Rey orch is making its third appearance at this house inside of three months. Two acts plus the band complete the divertissement and make for neatly paced entertainment. Show runs one hour. Band consists of four trumpet, three trombone, live sax and four rhythm (five with Rey's electric guitar). Activities olT to a fast getaway with a swingy tune. Band, built up around Rry. his guitar and the vocalling King Sisters, keeps in that mooil almost throughout. Gives the customers a varied assortment of swing and bounce numbers, all of the sock variety. I^aestro splits his time between batoning and soloing on his guitar. He as well as the band are strong in musicianship with King Sisters sell- ing splendi(lly with their harmoniz- ing. Lane Bros, give out with their standard hoke and rope skipping from varied positions. Registered strong. Other turn, Winik and Mae, mixed dance duo. sell solidly. Skeets Herfurt and Dick Morgan, both of the band, got guffaws with the nov- elty 'Strip Polka.' Biz bff at afternoon show caught today (Friday). Eck. TOWER, K. C. Kansas City. Oct. 9. Smiley Burnctte, The Antaleks (5), Gates &- Carroll, Freddie Stntt, Joleen Harris, Tower Orch unth Don Tiff, Mike Carle It Marilyn BaUinger; 'Call of the Canyon' (Rep). With frog-voiced smiley Burnette In person heading the sUge show, and topping the supporting cast with Gene Autry in 'Call of the Canyon (Rep), Tower is heatling toward a nifty gross this week. Top has been upped to 50c for the week, and longer-than-usual vaude bill should please customers who like dual flickers and get only the one. Opening the proceedings. Tower Orch plays an arrangement by Don Tiff of 'Cow Cow Boogie,' with Mike Carle trumpeting and Marilyn BaU- inger taking the vocal and doing right by it. Orch then segues into incidental music as off-stage m.c. introduces The Five Antaleks, perch acrobats now in vaude after a tour with the RingUng big top. Tempo of act is fast and quintet moves through routine of stunts with precision. Deuce spot this week goes to Gates and Carroll, hoofers who do most of their stepping on a novel bureau- drawer type of stairs. Tlie best stunt of the turn is the Russian-style work of the man up and down steps. Freddie StrItt, who has been doubling as m.c, then comes on for an extremely informal combination of singing, hoofing, patter and comedy magic. From a chorus of 'Waiting for the Robert E. Lee,' he goes into some fast gagging and then into several tricks kidding present- day mystics. Stritt still uses .his familiar change of headgear with everv entrance. He has added some poundage since his long stint as m.c. in town several years ago, but it is not imbecoming. Joleen Harris Is the 'Discovery Night' winner this week, and she presents an acrobatics routine which is not bad when her youthful age is considered. Closing spot goes to Burnette, who with two unbilled assistants presents a combination of Hollywood side- lights, gags, guitar and 'squeeze box' playing, plus comedy business. Burn- ette wears the same battered hat and other get-up familiar to screen fans. At show caught, he got his biggest hand on his accordion playing of 'Wonderful One.' He had to beg off before he could continue his rou- tine. Two assistants support him nicely in a couple of mountain tunes. Combo of Burnette on the stage and Autry on the screen drew standees opening night. Earl. CENTRAL, N. Y. Hollywood Co-Eds (3), Ray & H«r- risoii, Charles Carrer, Joe Wuna Looney Lewis, Harry tHatchelliue) Hams, Chick Hunter, Joan Cnrroll house line (12), showgirls (5) Mur' ray Auster house orch (7); ih'oris. The gaudy front with the heavy .stre-ss on 'girl show' promises bur- lesque. but what's inside is much worse. Actually, this ia a hyorid of both ' burlesque and vaudeville, with the worst features of both exceptinc strippers. Not even a production job can soften the impact of so much that's mediocre, or unnecessarily dirty, or both. One of the most pointed question marks is how any hooker tan find so little variety in variety acts, and where doe.s he find at least a couple of acts that arc so poor? This 800-seater is operating on the cheapest possible .stage budttt There's no doubt that few of the actors are getting even as much as the stagehands. Best test of the policy is in the audience. Opening night (Thursd.iy i the great majority of the patrons were men, a number in uniform and they acted as though they wcic strictly waiting for the stripper<; The ilrippers don't show up. biit there s one dirty bedroom scene in which blonde Joan Carroll, in black negligee gives the peasanU a peak at a well-developed chassis. About the dirtiest bit in the .show though, is in the vaude act of Ray and Harrison, a big woman and a male partner of lesser .size. Her propensity for grabbing him by the .'eat of the pants, with siicli tech- nique as to lift him up on his toei IT strictly burlesque stufT of the low- ca order. Their act a.s a whole is mediocre; the woman's comedy bal- let, a la Fanny Brice's 'Dying Swan' is about the only half-way funny piece of busine.s.s. Looney Lewis, the burley comic IS a holdover from last week's (thea- tres first) show. He doe.s a good job in the bedroom skit, but other- wise falls Dieltv Hat. Harry (Hatchet- face) Harri.s is a newcomer, some- thing of a Willie Howard without laughs, but Miss Carroll, a^ former stripper, and Chick Hunter, the straight men. are other holdoverj: Two vaude acts in the show are of the better class. One i.s Charles t-arrer, a fine juggler, who scores fai'ly; while the other is Joe Wong, the Chinese tenor, who was quite a novelty .some .vear.s ago and .ttill can deliver a song in neat fashion. Hollywood Co-Ed.s. three girls, con- tribute a fair .session of acrobatics and hoofing on, miniature .stairs Production entails 12 chorines, five showgirls, some rented scenery and costumes. The. scenery is pretty poor, especially one red ancl green- striped traveler, while the en.semblc numbers are elementary. Biz fair at the night admission of Scho. KEITH'S, INDPLS. fndianapolts, Oct. 10. Laff, Town, Laff' with Maxine, Stevens Bros. (4) & Big Boy, Joey Ross It Gladys Bennett. Bob Brom- ley, Chester Dolphin & Co. (2) ,-NobIe Troupe (3); 'Parachute Nurse' (Col). The new vaudeville here is a tasty dish, with plenty of good acts and enough variety to spice it up. It's a ereat show for the family trade, probably the best of the season to date, featuring two strong novelty turns and comedy all on the clean side. The juves are especially keen for Uie animal act, Stevens Bros, and Big Boy, the latter a huge bear that hkes to wrassle in a friendly way. Bruin does a rhythm dance and tackles like a pro, Ti^ht at the ankles. His keeper then invites the kids (plants) up from the audience to ride on the animal's back. When he sits down, they slide off. Some fun. Then a trio of comics comes down the aisles to try their luck at the gunt and groan stuff with-Big Boy. One of them finally loses his pants, and it's a curtain on a belly laugh. The glamour is dished out by Max- ine. the first of that name with the Phil Spitalny band, who gives out with .the throat in a fancy solo act With a voice that goes all the way down to the basement, she thrushes Shrine of St. Cecilia.' 'I Said No,' Amapola" (in French) and 'Three Little Sisters' pleasantly. The gal has humor as well as charm and looks like a million. Bob Bromley's puppet routine also goes over big with young and old. Cleverer than most, he has a good line of gags to eo with his amusing dolls. First there's the old we; horse of opera who rends a bit offWagner asunder, with vocal effects off a concealed rec- ord; then a miniature Bill Robinson beating out sharp taps and finally the long-haired professor who waxes both hot and classical at a tiny piano. Chester Dolphin's juggling got a rousing hand. For one of his fea- tures he stands on his hands and whirls five hoops at one and the same time. But his best is the comedy drunk routine in which he balances a bottle on his head, stands on his hands, picks up a cockt^iit (Continued on page 22)