Variety (Dec 1942)

Wednesdayt December 9t 1942 REVIEWS 45 Soldier-Reviewer Says Our Boys In Gamps Aren't Morons; Appreciate USO Efforts but Shows Must Be Good Atlantic City, Dec. 6. From: Pvt. Wm. T. Steele To: Editor 'Variety' Subject: Review on USO Show, 'Show Time At The Roxv' Happy to report that we have the answer to one of the most pressing questions oi the past deC' ade. No longer need the gents who still frequent the Broadway coffee shoppes whisper to each other, 'What ever happened to so-and-so?' If you want to find out what ever happened to so-and-so just join the Army and catch a USO show. You'll find 'so-and-so' and 'what's-hls- name' and 'that guy that played in Springfield' and all the rest of them still doing the same dances, singing the same songs and telling the same jolces that killed them at the Bijou In Soft Collar, Ariz., 20 years ago. 'Show Time At The Roxy' played two days, three shows, to a packed auditorium in Convention Hall, At- lantic City, Dec. 1 and 2. Audience consisted of service men and their guests. Normally this type audience Js a pushover for almost any per- former, but the small, poorly re- hearsed cast found them hard to please, with many walkouts spotting the run of the show. The old gags and older bits brought a pretty pink haze of nostalgia to the 40 and 45- year-olds, but the younger boys, the greater mass of the audience, wound up a bit on the bored side. Opener brought on the Gae Foster Girls in a tease number led by Shirley Van, singing something about, 'If You Want A Kiss Ask For It*. The 'original' twist to the number was to have the gals throw taffy kisses out to the boys. All this after a leering introduction of Shirley Van and the Reed Twins by Benny Ross. Following the opener came a set of stale gags by Ross and a stooge who looked as though he might double as stage manager. In fact, following everything on the show, came a set of oldies by Ross and his stooge. One of the two standouts were the English Bros. & Marion Bellet, whose knockabout comedy was meat for the boys. The other standout was the short dance performed by Shirley Van in the middle production number. Lots of spins and very flashy. The type of thing soldiers go for. The Reed Twins (mighty purty) harmonize. Did three tunes and got off to a fair hand. Flo Reed did solo on 'AH The Things You Are' and sister rejoined her for 'Breathless'. Big disappointment of the evening was Charley Kemper, whose comedy, to this soidler-mugg, is generally above par. This time, with the aid of a straight man, his comedy was so hoary with age that it fell flat with this reviewer and with a bunch of boys who generally laugh at almost anything. Did a medical examination bit. Something the boys have seen in every Squadron or Post show and every pic they have seen since they entered the Army, and before that, too. Returns in later spot with the soldier bit done by Joe Besser in 'Sons o' Fun,' but still to no avail. Laughs just scattered and soldier boys no like. Middle production by the Foster Gals and Shirley Van is 'Plantation' idea, with gals dressed as Dixie belles and Shirley Van singing song (which should never be) followed by dance (which should definitely be). Comes now Roy Smeck; Eoys- llke electric guitar work because. bor. They like the kind of enter- tainment you like. Why not send it to them? Let's not kill vaudeville all over again at Army Camps. GOING TO TOWN Fort Tilden, N. Y., Dec. 5. Hollo and Vema Picfcert, Coleu Worth tt AfoTcia, Joe Termini, Paul Tlesen Girls (9); reviewed at Fort Tilden, N. Y., Dec. 5, *42. As far as this audience was con- cerned, 'Going to Town' really goes to town. Reviewed at the 3S0-seat playhouse at Fort Tilden, in Rock- away, N. Y., troupe drew a packed soldier house. The theatre's equip- ment is far from elaborate, but any resultant failings were of elementary interest to these doughboys. Coley Worth emcees, bringing on RoUo and Verna Pickert for some smart hoofing. Taps are stifled by the wooden apron and obscured by the foots but the Pickerts know their way around and went over with a bang regardless. They had a swell flash finish on stilts. Bob Ripa is replacing them out of town. Joe Termini is next with his white tie, tails, rolling shirtfront and derby. Standard comedian, he worlcs with a violin, mandolin and electric guitar to score all the way. Gets laughs with his breakaway instru- ments and facial maneuvers without detracting from his musical skill. Coley Worth and Marcia follow with down-to-earth comedy that in eludes imitations of Hitler and Hirohito, prattfalls and gags. They also got over big. The Paul Tiesen girls, six violins, piano and harp, opened with 'I Hear Music in Heaven' and slowed the pace to a walk. Girls are clad in gowns that are long, high and have full sleeves. Luckily Lillian Ander son, a blonde with a dresden china complexion, came on for vocals to save the act. She talhs like Hep bum, looks like Veronica Lake and has a soprano that can stand some hints on how to use a microphone The boys liked her renditions of 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,' 'Kiss Me Again' and 'White Christmas.' Carl Golden, pianist, travels with the show and leads the post orch I >laying for the acts. Crew is headed 9y Milt Saunders, ex-saxman for Eddy Duchin and D'Artega, and did an expert chore here. Preceding and following the performance, which ran 65 minutes, Russ Black, ex-War ing pianist, sat in; they gave the servicemen some crack jivetime. Fran In a parlous mood. Verdl'a ceUo playing and comedy antlca with the Instrument are also clicks. Line girls follow with a fan fantasy, well staged and prettily costumed. Darlene Walter, good looking blonde, socks over in the next frame with her acrobatic dancing and was forced to do two encores. Stxitt then on for his regular comedy rou- tine of handkerchief, cigaret and hat bits, working himseU into quick dod- ularity. Show closes with a 'Dance Caval- cade' by the Starlets in which each girl is introduced and imitates sucti dancing stars as Pat Rooney, Mari- lyn MUler, Ray Bolger and others. Bolger bit is the wow impression. Stritt joins the girls for the finale. Hal. HELLZAPOPPIN Spartanburg, S. C, Dec. 6. USO-Camp Shows stock soared high following 'Hellzapoppin' ap- pearances at the local Camp Croft and the Greenville, S. C, Army Air Base (Dec. 5). With big rep behind it, 'Hellz' was eagerly awaited by the soldiers. And it didn't disappomt Applause was deafening. Unit comprised 30 performers, with Milton Douglas emceeing. Top acts include Ben Dova, comedy panto- mimist; Emerald Sisters in rough house comedy; Jack Leonard, come- dian; Three Grace Notes, song trio; Claire Louise Evans, acrobatic dancer; 16 Roxyettes; Harry Hines, Bill Potter and Charles De Haven. Glen. Night Club Reviews 885 CLUB, CHI Chicago, Dec. 2. Billy Vine, Chautse Shea, Lane & Small, Mark Talent's Band (4) Johnny Honnert; $1.50-$2 minimum ROOM SERVICE FUN PARADE Chicago, Dec. 3. Freddie Stritt, Al Verdi & Dolores. Mary Ann Rttssell, Carroll & Diet- rich, Darlene Walters, 6 Starlets; Ben Young, musical director; Ben New man, company manager. as they put it, 'it reminded them of Alvino Key'. Banjo stuff was too dated for young soldier consump tion. Got off to pretty good hand on 'imitation' of Bill Roblpson on ukele. Benny Ross finally gets around to bringing on Maxine Stone, whose lazy style of comedy went well with the boys. She registered okay in both talk and her specialty, a control kick number. Finale called for tap routine by Foster Girls and the customary idea of bringing on all the acts for bows. Sum total of the whole show was Ross, asking the audience, 'How they liked the show'. At that time at least one-quarter of the audience had left and another quarter was on its way up the aisles. The an- swer was with those folks rather than the ones who very courteously stayed behind and applauded. P.S.—This review expresses the feelings of a soldier, among other soldiers, seeing a Show wnich is graciously sent to him and his bud- dies through the courtesy of a great organization. The intent and pur- pose of these shows are above re- proach, but they miss sadly, because of their inferior quality. Soldiers aren't morons. They listen to the radio and see movies. Those aged gags are hard to digest after seeing Bob Hope and Ring Crosby, or listeriing to Jack penny'. These men are you and your next-door neigh- Thls unit started off the USO Camp Shows winter season in the Sixth Army Corps Area and Ninth Naval District If USO-Camp Shows continues to put out troupers of this calibre, and. i£ the,v're as well, bal- anced in the playing time of min- utes, there is no need for worry about entertainment for servicemen It has everything from pretty girls to class acts and hokum comedy. Considering the generally poor conditions under which USO acts work, performers gave a t>ang-up show. Selma Marlow, line producer, has ^iven her Six Starlets some fast- movmg routines that are tied in with principals from other acts. Show is paced fast by Freddie Stritt, a down-to-earth comic who sings, dances and generally does a little of everything. He works sans smut and opens the show with sev- eral minutes of talk and then intro- duces the Starlets. Latter, attired in tailed strut costumes for a cake- walk, in which Stritt participates, went over big with the sailors as- sembled here. After a short routine Stritt then introduces Margie Lane from the line foe a tap number. Carroll and Dietrich follow with their lumines- cent puppets. Here l.s a strictly sight act with plenty of class; the sailors couldn't get enough of it. Mary Ann Russell, good looking, well dressed swing singer, is next with several vocals, and for a .sec- ond encore does a number with a sailor that was a showstopper. Al Verdi and Dolores are naturals with their comedy. Dolores i.s an excellent foil and straight for Verdi's moppet character. Sight of a fat fellow in child's clothes had the boys Fort Meade, Md., Dec. 5. Comedy by Allen Boretz and John Mur- ray; aiuk'ed by Jacob A. Welaer: presented by USO-Camp Shows, Inc.. with Teddy Hart. Leo Chalzel, Jamea W. Lyons, Don O'Brien. Henry Lascoe, Curtis Cooku^y. Don Appell, Howard Wendell. Helen Qood- rls, Pnt Clark. Ray Rnnd, Seldon Bennett and Horace Cooper; Jack Youhk. stage manager; Betty Sutton, asst. stage mgr. and femme understudy. Touring setup of this farce about the trials and tribulations of a shoe- stringing Broadway producer is smoothly staged and adroitly played to achieve maximum laughs. Caught here on a Saturday nights a bad night in any camp—attendance was just fair. Scenery has been held to a minimum of fiats and props, lit by portable spots, all designed for trouping. Cast is uniformly good. Teddy Hart, in the part he originally cre- ated, and Leo Chalzel get plenty out of their roles, latter as the hotel di- rector. Topflight performances are also turned in by Don Appell, as the shoestringer; Seldon Bennett, as the director; James W. Lyons, as the nervous manager, and Ray Rand, the youthful playwright from OsWego. Experienced readings are also con- tributed by Horace Cooper, Curtis Cooksey and Henry Lascoe. The femmes, Helen Goodris and Pat Clark, are highly decorative and handle themselves well. Burm. After a long absence Billy Vine h - returned as star of Joe Miller's current show and is proving himself an able comedian and emcee. He works on an even keel with smart material and showmanship As m.c. he keeps the show moving in a V'orkmanlike manner, kids the customers but is never presuming. In his own spot he scores with clever comedy talk, sketches and impres sions. In the comedy vein Vine does an impression of Charles Laughton, In a scene from 'Mutiny on the Bounty' with hilarious: results, and sings 'Nagasaki' as an American jitterbug, Chinese, Greek and Harry Richman would do it. If a customer comes in latr Vine reviews the show for him up to then in rapid-fire detail, a bit that garners much applause. Vine's work leaves no doubt that he's some thing for whom customers have been looking. Chautse Shea, vivaci..u5 brunet cc-.iedienne, puts across 'Chi-Chi Castenango,' 'Daddy' as done by a Brazilian, a French cutie and an American showgirl, and 'Pennsyl- vania Polka' with selling effect, Left the floor to resounding applause. Lane and Small, man and girl tap team, do three routines in rhythmic manner, one of them on a pair of solid silk hat props. They fared nicely. Mark Talent's four-piece band (drums,, bass, trumpet and violin doubling on accordion) furnishes the show and dance music, and Johnny Honnert plays intermission piano novelties. Loop. VOGUE ROOM, CLEVE. Cleveland, Dec. 4. Doraine & Ellis, Hollvtuood Co- Eds, Randolph, Hy Vogel, Stepha- nie Carol, Sammy Watkins Orch.; $1.50 minimum. THE FIRST YEAR Alameda, Cal., Dec. 7. Comedy In three acts by Frank Cmvcn; prest^nted by UflO-Cnmp Shows Unit TU at Army Ah* Dale In AUmeda. Calif., Dec. 7. 4*J; produced by Ferdinand Manlcr and Frank McHugh; managed by Jack Sidney. Cast: Pamela Wright. Irving MIIcIikII. Howard Watson. Kather>'n Sreldon. Douglas Rutherford. Leonard Lord, Johanna Doug- las, John ihTHlon, Madora Keene. Presentation of this old standby on an improvised stage in a cold and bare hangar at the Alameda Army Air Base proved once again that 'the play's the thing.' Several hundred soldiers, many of them standees, appeared to enjoy the production. Working against handl- caps,..thR.r.OIMW>?y gave a creditable performance. - ■ — The story is, of course, of the flrst married year of Grace, the travel- smitten bride who wants to see the world, and her fumbling husband, who eventually strikes it rich. Their tribulations are surprisingly amusing even today. Pamela Wright is believable ns Grace, and Irving Mitchell gets the most out of the part of Tommy Tucker, her husband. Johanna Doug- las, as Mrs. Barstow, is a standout, and, as far as the soldier lads are concerned, a knockout. Howard Wat- son lends a dry humor to the deline- ation of Mr. Livingston. Remainder of the cast are adequate. Unit has appeared II days in this area and Journeys from here to Sac- ramento. Mill. Theo. De Witt, operator of Hotel Hollenden's band-box bolte, appar- ently tried to save some shekels on this between-the-holidayg layout for it's far below standard. That's seen in the conspicuous ab- sence of heavy applause, although the performers work hard to warm up the crowds. Only turn with any sparkle of freshness is that of the two Holly- wood Co-Eds. A pair of handsome lookers, they whirl through aero spins with considerable grace. Randolph, a localite, is an old standby magi who works in straight pantomlne. Both he and femme as- sistant overmugg but conjurer has a pair of slick, fast hands for stand- ard trioks with cigs and cards. Stunts with flaming candles and a soap package are cleverest sockers. Ran- dolph works in tails. Doraine and Ellis, boy and girl team, are also Ohio products as well as perennial visitors who concertize semi-classic faves. In all their trips they have used practically the same repertory of Victor Herbert war- horses. Duo's lusty harmony nearly bowls Sammy Watkins' bandsmen off their stand, but they go over with the ringslders who want volume. Watkins' house orch sets a better example by personifying under- statement in its engaging dancopa- tlon. With Brother Syd Watkins back on the lead sax again, this outfit Is in fine form this winter. Stephanie and Carol, new fiddle and accordtoa team, are well adapted for the room. Pullen. El Morocco, Montreal JVfontreal, Dec. 4. Freddie Bernard, Afarthe Errolla, Bankhoff & Cannon, Hal Hartlet Orch (10), Milray Girls (8), Buddy Clayton band (4); Minimum $1.50. Here's a show that's right in th* groove and well above the average in the pre-Christmas doldrums here currently. Further, it rates a nod for showmanship and personality sales- manship, while all acts are deftly balanced against each other, adding up to an ensemble that has diversity. It is attracting good crowds to the swank club. The Hal Hartley Orch is not mere- ly a support to the acts and the line, but also earns hearty audience fa- vor as an act in itself, teeing off with an overture highlighted by trumpet and sax solos that is a stand-out in band virtuosity. Freddie Bernard emcees. He has a pleasant stage presence and never makes a mistake of wisecracking the fans when they miss out on his rapid fire quips and stories. His trick of spurring a jaded crowd Into appre- ciation is a deft bit of emcee show- manship. Ivan Bankhoff and Betty Cannon put on a clown and toe dancer par- ody of an adagio team that is funny and clever. Both appear to have had classical training and at times vary the fooling with some authentic Rus- sian Ballet pirouettes. The gal is a looker and puts her stuff across ad- mirably. They go into a furious whirl for a finale that registers whammo audience reaction. Marthe ErroUe Is a singer whose powerful contralto puts her in the groove from the first note. A top- notcher who knows how to dress, she is a natural for showmanship and appeal. Her songs,'picked to At her voice, are oldies, 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,' 'Make Believe' and 'My Hero,' but that doesn't stop her from getting repeated calls. The MUray Girls, a well-trained, well-wardrobed octet of precision steppers, win a big hand. "The Clay- ton band fills In adequately. Biz fair. Lane. Club Flamingo, Chi Chica0o, Dec. 2. Billy Carr, Dick Jones, Hank, the Mule, Stephanie Dale, Lee Camp, Trudlne, Carol Lord, Dorothy Ates, Anita Jackson, The Averyettes (6), Herb Honsa's Orch (4); no minimum. THE MALE ANIMAL New Orleans, Dec. 7. 'The Male Animal." USO comedy of worm who goes primitive to hold Is male, drew plenty of laughs here tonight (7) at the Army Air Baso. Rowdy and raucou.s, it's been given fine presentation by smooth cast un- der direction of Ronald T. Hammond. Clay Flagg sparks plot as the mild young professor beset by marital and .scholastic troubles. Flagg carries oil honors, with Louise Buckley showing considerable talent as his wife. Vicki Thomas is fine as one-half of the juvenile romance with Stapleton Kent, who plays the free-thinking ■stolen:. Fred Cotton makes the ex- college hero a boisterous laugh suc- cess. Virginia GIrvin, Wally Myers, Kent, Katherine Cosgriff, Henry Sherwood, Betty Pierce and David Powell are fine support Liur. You Can't Take It With You Fort Bragg, N. C, Dec. 2. f'omcily i,y George H. Kaufman and Moss Ifarl. ineienle.l by USO-Camp Shows. Inc., Ill (.'cminunlty tlieaire. Fort Bragg, N. C. Dec. ^^, '42. Cast: IJiiiBy Alherton, Barahlee Harris, niiarll.1 I.p.N'ulre. Charles Farsons. Edwin HodgeH, Johnny ,mearns. Charles Benjamin. Jii- k .Vorwiirlh. Murjnrle Cramer. Paul By- ron. I'mrlik Kshey. MxoOregor Olbb. Els- liilh Hrirrm»n. .Vnrm.'in Porter. Anthony (iri-y. I.;in<e Cuniird. Joan Croydon. ElUa- li'-lh UiCM". USO-Camp Show.";. Inc., Is appar- ently trying to break down the the- ory that a good play is still good, no matter how badly preisented or played. They succeed in this effort. The -You Can't Take It With You' seen tonight <2) certainly Is a far cry from the entertaining show that convulsed Broadway audiences some .seasons back. It's hard enough trying to get sol- diers, whose entertainment tastes run to films, to take a legit production even a Rood one. And when casts like this is given 'em, it's just a waste of lime. Curt. A fairly good show for a spot of this type, booked and produced by Thomas Sacco. Spielers haven't a chance here, as evidenced by the up- hill climb of Dick Jones, comedy m.c, whose efforts were wasted on the inattentive crowd. Singing talent and Tex Morrisey, as 'Hank, the Mule' make the best impressions. Billy Carr, singing m.c, has little trouble in making the customers like him. His selling of several tunes is th i highlight of the show. Lee Camp, blues singer, was called back for several encores. Stephanie Dale, prima donna, with musical comedy selections. Is well liked. Dorothy Ates, with her songs, is weak in comparison. Comedy antics of Morrisey, as- sisted by Joy Adrienne, keep the audieAce entertained as do the acre routines of Anita Jackson. Carol Lord and Trudlne, contributing strip and exotic numbers, click solidly and The Averyettes prov" acceptable in their chorus routines. Jones, who shares honors with Carr in keeping the show moving, demands attention with his tap danc- ing and Pat Rooney impression. In a quieter spot he would do rhucb better. Loop. Garden Terrace, Philly (BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HOTEL) Philadelphia. Dec. 3. Lamb-Yocum's 'Ice Parade of 1943* with Bette Wharton, Bobby Duffy, Claire Simone, Adele Henny, Mary Alice Lowery, Bobby Heam, Mar- vetle Mosic, Vera Palmer, Nina Korda, and Mary Ann McCall, Billy Marshall orch (9); no cover; $1.50- $2.50 minimum. This is something new in the line of supper club entertainment in Philly. And since the Lamb-Yocum troupe bowed here Thanksgiving night, the Ben Franklin's swank spot has been turning the customers away. The skaters are hampered a bit by the smaliness of the rink in the cen- ter of the dance floor, but they more (Continued oii page 53)