Variety (Dec 1942)

14 ORCWBiTBA OBOSSBI ^edasBdaf, December 16, 1942 Xmas Shopping Boffs Band 8.0^; Wald,17G in Philiy.Hutton. $14,700, New1[,Tiicker,12G,Inilpk,AnHurt (Estimates for This Week) Charlie Barnel, Providence (Metro- politan; 3.200; 30-55)—Plus 'So's Aunt Emma' (Mono). Fair $6,000 for three- day weekend date, with little help from film. Bob Crosby. Boston (RKO Bos- ton: 3.200; 44-55-65-75-85)—With '.Sin Town' (U) and vaude. Good $26,000 but not strong .or such a combo. Whole cit.v way off currently. Glen Grav, New York (Strand: 2.- 796: 35-55-75-85-99-$1.10)-With Can- tleman Jim' (WB) on screen (3d- flnal wk). Goes eight days beyond second week, on that period looking $35,000 or close, okay, while the sec- ond stanza was $40,000, good. Woody Herman, New York (Para- mount; 3.664; 35-55-85-99-$1.10)-W;lh Hazel Scott, others, in person, 'Ro.nd to Morocco' (Par) on screen. Main- tains strong pull, with the fifth week concluded last night (Tuesday) hav- ing topped $46,000: prior (4th) round mounted to smash $60,000. Whole show remains through Chri.^tmas week, with run of seven weeks, rec- ord at Paramount, ending Dec. 29. Ina Eay Hulton, Newark (Adams: 1950- 25-40-65-75-99)—With 'Scatter- good Rides High' (RKO) and stage bill headed by Guy Kibbee. Kibbee and band the major draw, but doo.^n t figure to crack quiet $14,700. * Dick Jurgens. Chicago (Chicaqo; 4 000- 35-55-75)—Plus 'Springtime in Rockies' (20th). Expected $40,003 is good (or pre-Xmas season, with dr.iw fairly well divided. Jurgens popular In Chicago. Freddie Slack, San Francisco (Golden Gate: 2.850: 44-55-75)—With •Falcon's Brother' (RKO) and Jane Withers on stage. Fine draw of $25 ' 000 at this house, principally due to Slack and Miss Withers. Tommy Tucker, Indianapolis (Cir tie; 2,600; 30-40-55)—With 'Street of Chance' (Par) and vaude. Bright band show, with good stage support, seems headed for only fair $12,000: biz spotty all over. Jerry Wald, Philadelphia (Earle; J,768: 35-46-57-68-75)—Neither Wald's band nor the film attraction. 'Seven Sweethearts' (M-G), seems to have much pulling power 'here, with combo garnering poor $17,000 in face of kmas shopping. Band Bookings Bobbins Signs 3 More Jack Robbins has tied up three more swing exponents to exclusive writer contracts. They are Maurice Rocco, George Weltllng and Dorothy Donegan. Miss Donegan and Rocco are cur- rently playing piano at Elmer's Cock- tail Lounge and the Silhouette Club in Chicago, respectively, and Wett- ling is the drummer in Chico Marx s band. Bob Allen, Dec. 25-26, 28-J«n. 2, Raymor Ballroom. Boston; 27. Shu- berl Iheatie. New Haven; 29, six weeks. Roscland Ballroom. New York. Bobby Byrne. Dec. 19. Lakeside Park, baylon. O.: 20. Aragon Ball- room. Cleveland: 22. Wm. Penn Hotel. U. of PitUburgh. Pittsburgh; 24.' week. Central theatre. Passaic, N. J.: 30-Jan. 2, Plymputh theatre, Worcester. Mass. Chuck Foster, Dec. 18, week. Ori- ental theatre, Chicago; 25-27, Casa Loma Ballroom, St. Louis: 31. four weeks. Peabody Hotel, Memphis. Glen Gray, Dec. 24, week. Keith's theatre. Boston: 31-Jan. 2. Para- mounl theatre, Springfield, 111. Woody Herman, Dec. 31, week. .\dams theitre, Newark. Louis Jordan, Dec. 25, indefinite. Stage Bar, Chicago. Stan Kenton, Jan. 1. week. River- side theatre. Milwaukee; 8. Illinois Slate Normal; 9, Palais Royale, South Bend. Ind. Dirk Rogers. Dec. 20. Shubert the- atre. New Haven. Conn.; 25. Empire Ballroom. AUentown. Pa.; 27, Ritz Ballroom. Bridgeport. Conn.; 28, Armory. Frederick. Md.; 31-Jan. 3. Metropolitan theatre. Providence, R. I. Jerry Wald, Dec. 25. Sports Arena, Rochester; 26. Memorial Aud., Buf- falo; 27, Trianon B., Toledo: 28, Al- lerton Hotel. Cleveland: 30. New Trier High School. Winnetka. 111.; 31, four weeks. Sherman Hotel, Chicago. JImmIe Lunceford, Jan. 1, week, Apollo theatre. New York; 8. week, Royal theatre. Baltimore; 15, week, Howard theatre. Washington; 22, week. Fays theatre. Philadelphia; 29, week, Stanley theatre, Pittsburgh. Cab Calloway Strong $3,500 In Canada Bands at Hotel B.O/s (Presented htrtvaith, at a toeefcly tabulotton, U the estimated coeer chara* Imslnen beino done by name bandi in varUnu New York hotel*. Dinner buelnei* (7-10 p.m.) not foted. Figuret after name of hotel give room capacity and cover charge. Larger amount designate* tueekend and holiday pric*. Thi* compilotion i* based on the period from Monday- Saturday.) Weekf Hotel Band Jan Savitt Astor (1,000; 75c-$l) 9 Ray Heatherton*..BUtinore (300; $1-$1,50) 33 Vaughn Monroe*. Commodore (500; $1-$1.50) 10 Lani McIntlreV.. Lexington (300; 75c-$1.50) 44 Mitchell Ayres .. Lincoln (225; 79c-$l) 1 Benny Goodman*.New Yorker (400; 75c-$l) 9 Bob Allen Pennsylvania (500; 75c-$l.S0) 10 Guy Lombards ..Roosevelt (400; $1-$1.50) 9 XavierCugal*....Waldorf (550; $1-$1.50) 4 Coven Vetal . Past 'Coven riareS Week On Data 2,400 14,070 500 22,829 1,779 11,350 1,500 69,190 529 975 2,029 22,000 1,500 17,275 1,279 13,429 2,500 6,675 * Asterisks indicate a supporting floor show, although (he band is the ninjor draw. Chicago Musicians' Local Befnnding S% Commersh Broadcast Tax to Bands (Estimates) Cab Calloway (Arena. London, Ont., Can.. Dec. 12 •. Calloway proved smart draw here, playing to 2,819 admissions at $1.25. McFarland Twins (Totem Pole B., Auburndale. Mass. Dec. 9-12). On fifth straight week-end McFar- lands almost recovered stride inter- rupted by Cocoaniit Grove fire: 6.200 dancers in four days at $1.45 pair for $5,115 was good. Johnny McGee-DIrk Rogers (Ray- mor-Playmor B.. Bo.ston. Dec. 11- 12). McGee and Rogers both fa- vorites here and combined they drew 1.800 Frld.ny and 2.000 Satur- day at 85c-750 for okay $3,040. Hal Mclntyre (Brookline C. C. Philadelphia, Dec. 12). This is a tough spot currently what with transportation stoppages, but Mc- lntyre registered fine crowd of 980 at $1.10. Guy Lombardo (Boston Gardens. Boston. Dec. 12). Taking night off from Roosevelt hotel, N. Y. Lom bardo played here for local railroad employees' dance, receipts going to United Seamen's Service Fund. Madeline Carroll and others spoke. Attendance was about 10.000 at $1.25. piling up $12,500. solid. Chicago GriCr Williams (Empire Room, Palmer House; 600: $3-$4.50 min.). Despite cold and sloppy weather Williams and floor show headed by The Hart- manns attracted 4,100 people last week. Art Kassel (Walnut Room. Bismarck hotel; 200; $1.50-$2.50 mln.). One of the most popular places in town. Around 2,100 last week. Stan Kenton (Panther Room. Shernun hotel; 800; $1.25-$2.50 min.). Opened last week to 4,500 people: good for band new to Chicago. Nell Bondshu (Mayfair Room, Blackstone hotel; 350; $2.90 min.). Last week of Renee DeMarco brought in 1.800 people. The Revuers opened Friday (11). Henry King (Marine Room, Edgewatcr Beach hotel; 1,100; $1.25 min.). Bad weather cut patronage on King's closing week to 1,900 people. Los Angeles Note: Midnight ctir/eio oil serriiij; dviiil.-s u'ciit info effect Thursday (10). Freddy Martin (Ambassador: 900: $1-$1..50). Pre Christmas parties help- ing but not enough to overcome gas rationing. Should check in with around 2.500 covers, not bad a'lall. Joe Relchman (Biltmorc: 1.200: 50c-$l). Everything favors his spot, in- cluding the all-important public transportation, and trade won't sag too much. Call it 3.200 and credit bulge to the weekends. hside Stuff-Orchestras Chicago Local 10 of the American Federation of Musicians has can- celled the rule that exacted a 3% tax from traveling bands which originated commercial broadcasts from within its jurisdiction. Regu- lation was withdrawn by order of James C. Pelrillo. head of the AF.\1 (and also president of the Chicago local), since the national body i:i already collecting a 15% tax on sponsored broadcasts. There is no explanation given for the cancelling of Chicago'.s take. Since rescinding the 5% cut last week. Local 10 has been refunding to various bands the amounts each had paid since the rule went into effect Sept. 15. 1940. While it may sound like the local is disbursing large amounts of cash, few bands have done more than two or three commercials from Chicago since the rule became effective. Thus in- dividual refunds are small. Dixie hotel. N. Y., yesterday (Tues.) relieved Teddy Powell's orchestra of the obligation to play its luncheon sessions, giving as the reason that patrons complained about the blasting of the band during each mid-day broadcast (all bands have to blow out for best broadcast results). How- ever, band bookers assert that's only part of the reason for eliminating the luncheon sessions. It seems that the hotel is casting about for a band to replace Powell when he leaves in a couple weeks and leaders ap- proached wouldn't even listen to otTers because of the back-breaking schedule Powell was on. When Powell moved in -several weeks ago his schedule called for luncheon from 12:30 to 2 p.m.; dinner. 7 to 9 p.m.. and supper. 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. New setup has him on duty 7 to 9:30 p.m.; 10 to midnight, and 12:30 to 2:30 a.m. Frank Victor's trio, which is used nightly in the Dixie Bar. will play for luncheon henceforth. Boston Eddy Oliver (Oval Room. Copley Plaza: 300; $1 cover). With Morton Downey receiving top billing, biz took a definite upswing this week. Pall of the Cocoanut Grove Are lifted somewhat. Downey is credited with 2.020 covers for six days, with Saturday overflow seated in adjoining Sheraton Room. John Klrby (Colonial Room. Copley Plaza). Kirby played to 1,200 cus- tomers during the week, with 186 Friday and 240 Saturday paying $1 cover. Jack Teagarden in main ballroom as an experiment (see separate stsory) satisfied managing director Chaunc^ Depew Steele by drawing 725 at $1 a head on Saturday night and the idea will continue. Chick Floyd (Terrace Room. Hotel Staller; 450;. $1 cover). Floyd played to 850, more like old times as trade continued on the upbeat over Friday- Saturday, only late nights. Dinner sessions good all we§k. Minneapolis George Wald (Minnesota Terrace: Nicollet hotel; 500; $1-$1.50 min.). First time here for this band and impression is favorable. However, Syl- via Froos, held over tor two more weeks, is the magnet attracting fine nightly average attendance of 600. Consolo & Melba new floor show act. Philadelphia Billy Marshall (Garden Terrace; Benjamin Franklin hotel; 500; $1.50- $2.50 min.). Ice show continues to draw them in in record-breaking pro- portions with 1,862 dinner patrons; 1,556 suppers. Walter Miller (Stratford Gardens; Bellevu«-Stralford Iiolel; 225; no cover or min.). Biz dipped slightly at this swank spot with 1,248 recorded for dinners and suppers. A.; a means of avoiding the inconvenience of losing male singers to the Army. Sonny Dunham is replacing Ray Kellogg with Mickie Roy. Coast songstress, who has never worked with a band before. Kellogg has been inducted and Miss Roy will handle all his ballad assignments, while Dorothy Claire, now with the band, does all rhythm tunes. It's probably the only name band using two girl singers in such a way. Miss Roy joins Dunham tomorrow (17) at the Central theatre. Passaic, N. J., Dunham goes into the New Yorker hotel. N. Y.. Jan. 4. replacing Benny Goodman. Before coming east Miss Roy was a cigaret girl at the Palladium Ballroom. HoUywoojl. She returns there with Dunham May 7. Bennv Goodman has hired Hank D'Amico to play alto sax and clarinet in his band, a move that is strange to music men In the light of D'Amico's own reputation as among the best on clarinet. Goodman is recogniiied as the top on that instrument. Goodman intends using D'Amico as a sax player, but will give him solo spots on clarinet. Leader also is figuring on playing clarinet duets with D'Amico. who joins the band actively within a week or so, Goodman has also hired Miff Mole, widely known trombonist. St. Louis Nick Stuart (Club Continental; Hotel Jefferson; 800; $l-$2 mln.), Stuart, now in 13th week, has cooked up novel idea to sell war bonds and stamps. During dances he gags that boys may kiss partners it purchasing a 25c war stamp. Stunt hag caught on and Stuart has peddled $22,000 worth ot stamps and bonds. Bad weather hampered biz last week but 3,000 custom- ers checked Into the room. Pitt Mnsicians' Elections Pittsburgh. Dec. 15. Entire slate of officials, with one exception, ,was re-elected by Local 60 of musicians union in annual vot- ing. Only change puts Jimmy Como- raaa on Ihe executive board: he b-jat out Emil Bielo for sixth place. Otherwise. Clair Meeder, who wa.> unopposed, remains as president and Ed Ebberts. vice-president, and Nick Haggarty, secretary. Ed Wilhern ,ip pointed assistant secretary. Other members of the board, in ?d dition to Comorada. all re-named, are Hal Davis, GeOf ge Wllklns. Gene Ur ban and FrantPanella. N. Y. local 802 of the American Federatiop.^f'Musicians emphatically denies that it received an advance copy of a story concerning its recent election from another trade paper three weeks ago. It had been men- tioned that persons interested in the balloting were surprised at being handed reprints of the article the same day the paper was issued. Local 802 officials claim they saw the story the morning of the paper's diitribution in N. Y. twhich is now a day earlier) got permission to re- print it and did all before the following morning. Location Jobs, Not in Hotels .. (Los Amflielcsv Gene Krupa (Palladium B, Hollywood, fifth week). Getting service- men and what few civilians still around in midweek. Weekends, however, still big. Will cut it at around 15,500 admlshes. Horace Heldt (Case Manana B. Culver City, first week). Opened last Thursday night (10) and he'll struggle to catch 3.500 leg-shakers. Freddie Slack finished oft with okay 3,500. Gas rationing hurting this spot. Jan Garber (Trianon B, Soutgate, fifth week). Holding strong despite gas and bar curfew. Should hang up quite amazing 5,500. Massy MarceUIno (Florentine Gardens N. Hollywood, 10th week). This clientele light on the drinks and heavy on food and entertainment. So liquor curfew won't hinder reaching 4.000 customers, thanks to Nils Gran- lund's girl show. Hay Grayson (Casino, N, Hollywood, second week). Ice show the main attraction but both won't pull better than 2,000 tabs. La.'it week's officiate ban against further conscription of men over 38 stymied the probable induction of two of the top Negro bandleaders. Count Basic and Duke Ellington,.according to people close to the situa- tion, were both expecting to take physicals next month, but the former is just past 38 and Ellington is about 42. Basle was slated for a physical around Jan. 5 and Ellington about Jan. IS. .loe Galkin, manager of. the Tommy Tucker orchestra, is over 38 and thus at least temporarily exempt from army service by the President's Older to stop drafting men of and over that age. Galkin had had a 1-A clas.sincation for several weeks and had been winding up his affairs in. preparation for induction. Galkin tried joining the Navy two weeks ago, jailing Frank Germia'in Etzi Covato but was turned down because of color blindness. I band at Villa Madrid, Pittsburgh. (Chicago) Lon Breese (Chez Paree; 650; $3-$3.50 min.). Combination of Breese and Sophie Tucker is popular. Catered to 4.100 last week. Chlco Marx (Blackhawk; 500; $1.25 min ). Smash draw. Patronage still around the 4,000 mark. (JWinneapoIis) Bob Owcna (Happy Hour; 650; no cover or min.). This local band pass- ing muster with all-girl floor show until Fletcher Henderson arrives Dec. 23. Fair nightly average attendance of 400, Jimmy Borelll, pianist with Al Marsico orch, waiting for closed Nixon Cafe to reopen, subbing for Art Paulson orchestra will sub for Benny Goodman's band at the New Yorker, N. Y., when Goodman doubles Into the- Paramount.Ihealre for four days, beginning Decl SO; '