Variety (Dec 1942)

SA Wcdaetday, pec—ilicr 16* 1942 Nighi Club Reviews riobaMba, n. y. Russell Patterson presentation o/ Jane Fronian, Romo Vincent, Chan- dra-Kaly Dancers, Patterson's Maga- zine Cover Girls (8) uiith Ann Gra- ham, Peggy Holmes and Joliniiw Cord. Nat Brandwynne Orch (11). Chavez's Latin Band (8): dances staged by Dorothw Fox, musical score bv Irvin Graham: mintjniini, $2.50 tceefc fliphts and Sundays, $3.50 Sat- urday. with the palron terping, while Chavez's Latin rylhms. with the leader also handling the tenor vo- cals, are also conducive to south-of- the equator terps. The Saturday show had been con- siderably speeded since a flrst night that, according to reports, needed considerable pacing. Dorothy Fox has staged the dances, and its a good job, loo. while Irvin Graham's origi- nal score satisfies the show's needs. The Rio, following its Thursday opening, had a rather inauspicious second night, when the place was closed by the authorities for a minor infraction of a Are regulation. It all stemmed from a correction re- quired on the refrigeration system, but it was all ironed out after the spot's cabaret license had been Knlin. RAINBOW ROOM, N. Y. Leo Rcisman, Walton & O'RoiirJce, Jane Deerinff. Eleanor French. Do- cita's Rhumba Band; $3 Tniniinum, $1.50 and $2 coiti^en. The New York scene has a boff new nitery. It's the Rlobamba, on East 57th Street, and ever since the teeofi last Thursday (10) the spot has been packing 'em In. Purported to have cost bonlface Linton Weil . , „ -j e-. o„„ over $45,000 to open, the Rlobamba lifted for only Friday. Saturday saw marks the first venture into the; the place operating as usual nilery field for Weil. It's one that'll force the other spots in Gotham's east side sector, particularly the Copa- banca, to toe the mark, for the lay- out bears inevitable physical com- parison to the Copa customer values. At the S2.50 minimum week nights and Sundays, with $3.50 Saturdays, the Rio Is a fine buy by nitery stand- ards, particularly In view of the name show. It's a small talent lay- out, with Jane Froman and Romo Vincent as the toppers, and two ace bands in Nat Brandwynne's for the straight dancing and Chavez's for the Latin rhythms. Both musical outfits are long since standard in the smart nite spots, and each re- mains a bie draw. Russell Patterson Is billed as the presenter of the show, and it was he who designed the spot and the costumes. In the Latin-American Idiom, It's a plushy setting domin- ated by pink, white and blue with white overhanging palms accentuat- ing the Latin motif. It's class all the way. (The name Rlobamba, inci dentally, is derived from a town of that name In Ecuador, where Pat terion oncp visited.) Well Is the nominal owner, though known to have some more or less ■Uent money with him. Irving Alexander is at the door as general manager, and for this flrst show the William Morris offic^, 'via its Georgle Wood, helped stage it in order to best show Miss Froman and Vincent, Both Morris agency ■ecoimts. Miss Froman whams, as usual. A fine singer with an arresting brun- net beauty, she can also hold an audience do matter how tough it might be. And this audience when caught Saturday past midnight— Saturday midnight audiences are traditionally known, of course, as the most unruly—was completely wrapped up by the soprano during her more than half hour on the iloflT. She relegated practically everything else on the bill with her great sense of showmanship and tinging ability. It was an audience that even found Romo Vincent, al' wayt a clever comedy delineator of •ongs, losing his grip at times. Miss Froman did about a dozen numbers at this catching, and, after several encores, still had to beg off. •White Christmas', her last of several encores. Is particularly notable in the way she does It while she's also doing other tunes that have be- come standard with her, plus a cute pmphrase on 'Beeulne', the number with which she's probably best Identified. Vincent Is still a fine young comedian with his lyrical switches on pops, all in character getup. He has a fine tenor, in the operatic reaches, and he uses his gargantuan proportions to advantage in his comedy attempts. For the first couple of shows he had been doub- ling from 'Beat the Band', missing the dinner dates here, but is now ftill th-ne at th« Rio-sliti;* the-Georgt Abbott mtislcal folded Saturday nlThc. • The show's only other act is the Chandra-Kaly Dancers, three girls and the male feature in native cos- tuming, and they're big clicks with their South American dances, the topotr, of course, being their smash samba. The more or less diminutive ■tatures of the dancers, however, make it particularly dlfTlcuIt for those other than rlngsiders to see the turn advantageously, a factor that's notably In evidence, too, be- cause of the physically low-down nature of their native dances. An elevated platform, would of course, correct that. The line, billed as Patterson's Magazine Cover Girls, may be short on the hoot, but they don't require any great ability In^that department. If circumstances dictate this be the valedictory of the Rainbow Room's career, it's going, out in fine style. It's to be hoped this is not to be the case, and that the service unions and the Rockefellers get together before anything as dras- tic as folding the Rainbow Room and Grill becomes necessary. The matter is still In a state of negotia- tion, and both sides are manifesting conciliatory moves to keep the proj- ect open. Apart from the labor-capital rela- tions, managing director John Roy has assembled a suave, yet not too costly divertissement for the holi- day season. He had to impress bal- lerina Jane Deerin^ into service again since Rosita Segovia, Latin terpster, couldn't clear the immigra- tion barriers via Havana, as was planned. Miss Deering is a returner, as are Walton 8i O'Rourke with their unusual puppet revue, and Eleanor French, slick chanteuse, who has made marked progress since last seen around the class boites. In sequence. Miss Deering opens with a waltz routine to 'Falling in Love.' returning later for • sUck Spanish castenet routine. Miss French, with a fetching new hair-do and an engaging mike style, song- alogs a well put-together routine of standards that run the gamut from Berlin to Kern and Johnny Mercer to George Gershwin. 'This Is the Army. Mr. Jones' and 'White Christ' mas' are Berliniana; Tm Old Fash- ioned' is Kern; 'Strip Polka,' done In a nice way, of course, consider' ing the Rockefeller auspices, is via Mercer: and Gershwin's 'Embrace- able You' is reprised, as is 'S'Won' derful.' Miss French Is ready for the big league in real manner now. Walter & O'Rourke do things with their marionets which apparently no performer could get away with in this room or any other cafe. For Instance, being inanimates, the 'Chant of the Weed' number, annotuced as a marihuana smoker's dream, sees a sinister siren conjured up by the reefer-addict's imagination. The operatic stew dame is likewise broad hokum number; likewise that oute Hawaiian dancer, with an aS' sortment of naughty bumps no real- life grass-shaker could get away with. The 'love birds' finale Is a good reprise. Leo Roi'in^an's orchestra Is hitting on all cylinders, now. The band has smoothed all its edges and it would be too bad, indeed, if clrcumstiPnces curbed its career here, -where the RR customers really .seem to like this orchestra, as it does Dacita's rhumba combn. Anyway, the Room won't do a foldo Jan. 1. as was an earlier ■threst. -thls-show—b*<iig-^<«i«d»' until Jan. 19. Thi.>! week should tell the tech nical story on the labor situation as regards an impaiise that may be solved, or otherwise. Incidentally almost no other nitery, save the suave and iustiflably well establl.'^hcd Rainbow Room, could witness how touching Is the potential closing to Its many well-wishers. There aren't a handful of spots In America where its clientele would care one way or another it something ever happened to its career, but the Rockefellers' Rainbow Room Is certainly one of them. Dally, customers have urged management and labor alike to do something about solving their squab' bles and not jeopardize the continu- ance of the RR and RG. This pub lie protest is having Its good effect, or so it's hoped. .Abel, tation for good music Hit ityl* te neither hot nor sweet but • nappy medium. „ ^ At show caught his vocalist, P«tlte and brunet Gloria Hart, sang 'What Do You Think I Am?'. 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' and Kassel's 'Bundle of Blue', all to good effect Cub Higgins and Harvey Crawford, of the band, click in solo vocal spots. The Harriet Smith Dancers con- tribute two routines, opening the show with a 'Water Lily Ballet' featuring Gloria Lee. In their clos- ing number they're joined by Mau- rice and Maryea, ballroom team, at- tractively costumed. The latter score with three numbers. Applause big. Raymond Pike, Jr., Juggler, clicks with Indian clubs, balls and hat manipulating. Loop. BLUE ROOM, N. Y. (LINCOLN HOTEL) Mitchell Ayres Orch (15) with Judy JWorshall, Dicfc Dyer; niitii- muni; 75c minimum tceefc nights; $1 Sattirdai/s. Mitchell Ayres, like most every- one else, has been having his troubles keeping personnel up to re- quired number of men, but withal he's leading a neat little combination. While it can't be labelled excep- tional, this group of four sax, four trumpets, two trombones and four rhythm does a good job. One of its faults will probably be corrected as soon as the men realize that they're off the merry-go-round they've been on for three or more months, i.e., a road trip and all that entails currently. They play too loud, particularly for dinner. Once they get used to the room that un- doubtedly will be corrected. Other fault is contribvitory to the. above. Ayres and his partners (this' is a four-way co-op crew) have an idea about four trumpets and two trom- bones against four sax. Maybe it'll work out eventually, but the im- mediate reaction here Is that there's too much brass, at least too many trumpets. From a musical standpoint the band plays with good tone and spirit and its rhythms are fine for dancing. Ayres helps things occasionally by inserting highly aceptabla viblin solos. Judy Marshall, vocalist who was added to the band the night caught, ia a find. She has never worked with band before and once sha gets straightened out with this outfit should prove valuable, Dick Dyer handles l>allads in nice voice, which would probably Improve U he learned to open his mouth and sing. Wood. Top Niteries Closed The eight femmes, all Professional, w »i, nr\r\%K oiii models, plus their singing-dancing WALINU T KUUM, CHI leader. Ann Graham, are beauts whose billing is entirely warranted; they satisfy their main decorative purposes. They're In two routines, with the second, Hiobamba', click- ing particularly, Peggy Holinei and Johnny Cord dovetallinto the latter in a bit. Brandwynne's outAt playa a sock ■bow^ u usual, tfaa Molst^nuiMtr^. belngime of fhe,J>cit<!if w builiWHL (BISMARCK HOTEL) Chicago, Dec. 11 Art Kassel's Orch (14), Gloria Hart, Horrtet Smith Doncers (5), Mourice It Maryea, Roymond Pifce, Jr.; $1.50-$2.50 Thlnimtim. Art Kaasel't been booked to appear #(<c<>?t«fn,Biimbflr ot month* here •idv^i*.To/ flie'i^ IS yWrfc' 'In tor ■bowv^'ccompanlmevt, .^i^ppf ^.t^V-mw he't IraBt up-a 'hAM repu' ■J ...I J ,-♦.♦'«».■»*""•'" ■ LYNCH'S, PHILLY (HOTEL WALTON) Philadelphia, Dec. 0. Henny Younprnan, Senor Wences, Maurice & Betty Whalen, Gerardot, Ruth Clayton, Glamour Girls (16), Eddie DeLuca Orch (6). Coney Rhumba Band (6), Rose Callo, Bub- bles Shelby. Lorene Rhoda, Kmar; no cover or minimum; dinners, $2 up. Spurred by the boom in Biz that has hit PhlUy niteries in general, and the Walton Roof in particular. Jack Lynch is beginning to unbuckle the bankroll, slowly getting back to the name policy which he abandoned a year ago. Studding the bill are two acts, either of which could be termed headliners—Henny Youngman and Senor Wences. Youngman, when caught, was battling a heavy cold— but despite this handicap had the customers in the palm of his hand with his comic routines, trick fiddle stint -and 'Sxpcrt -showr.ianship in m.c.lng the topnotch show. Wences again proves he's tops as a ventriloquist. Making his initial appearance here (he's been at the CoBtlBMd from paf• IT j haps, better than any other tingle group, but only two of them have much to offer in the way of excite- ment, the rest sticking pretty close to their loungea and cafes, Saturday night the Copley Plaza was the live- liest place in town, having started a new series of attractions in its main ballroom. So It had Eddie Oliver's orchestra with Morton Downey in the Oval Room, drawing a crowd which overflowed into the Sheraton Room; it had John Klrby's orchestra downstairs In the Colonial Room, and it had Jack Teagarden's orches- tra in the main ballroom. Between the three. It drew pretty close to 2,000 covers, and the atmosphere was all but normaL It did not recall, though, the hectic days prior to Nov. 28. At that time, business in all nightspots, theatres and film houses was noth- ing short of fabulous. The crowds roamed from one spot to another, jamming them to the doors, and practically fighting for a chance to spend money. One place alo)ne (the Latin Quarter) was reported to be running ahead of the previous year by more than $3,000 a week in the take, and this held true in lesser amounts, of course, for all the others. ^ Servicemen Swell Biz The city has had more than Its share of servicemen swarming into the city on weekends from Forts Devens and Edwards as well as from the many outposts In the vi- cinity, and these, with the varying niunbers of British sailors In port most of the time, had swelled the night spots beyond all semblance of normality. Until the disaster, gas rationing and other Inconveniences had not appreciably cut patronage. Week- ends were terrific in any case, and the new Monday schedule ol the downtown department stores, now open from 1 to 9 p.m., brought in additional patronage en that usually quiet night Coming coinddentally with the disaster, however, was a strict army order for a seaboard dimout. The order had teeth in it and Bostonlana obeyed—with the re- sult that the week of Dec. 1 found the city as gloomy literally as it was figuratively. This week brings with It gubernatorial suggestions for a considerable cut in pleasure driv- ing with t)ie admonition that if it doesn't diminish sufficiently, pleas- ure driving will be absolutely out on Sundays and around the week, if necessary. The effect of all this on the entertainment world In the Hub caimot be minimized, and though business la likely to get a little bet- ter than it la right now. It is strongly to be doubted U It ever comes near the peak It achieved before Nov 28, or until the lights go on again New N.Y. Riobamba Closed for 1 Night Inhibited by the recent Boston nitery catastrophe at the Cocoanut Grove, the shape of things to come in all night life was evidenced when the new Riobamba, N. Y., was forced to shutter one day after it premiered last Thursday (10). The Fire Dept. wanted certain technical violations corrected and many customers were turned away Friday until the situa- tion was fixed up. Spot reopened Saturday. Mellllo issued warnings to 11 hotel bars and resorts that they must im- prove exits Bifd other conditions or face closing. Many Violations in Mo. St. Louis, Dec. 19. The campaign to prevent a repe- tition of the recent Cocoanut Grove, Boston, disaster in Missouri niteries hit Springfield, Mo., the largest city in the southern part of the state last week when operators of nite spots in that city and Greene County were visited by sheriffs. Many violations were reported. ^ W*^6r?*touP*ay conversa^^ WIBW^WWMWL mm ^J,H^.>»'9W», W. «ay conversai with 'Pedro' (a head In a wooden box) is sure-fire. Tn addition Wences shows-thct he takes no back seat when it comes to difficult feats of juggling. Also new here are the Whalens, Maurice and Betty. They're a couple of goodrlooking youngsters who per- form a difficult acrobatic routine, making it appear as simple. The gal member is particularly easy to look at The Whalens perform their stint in neat-Iooklng scantles. Ruth Clayton, attractive chanteuse, is a holdover who continually keeps changing her material. When catignt she was excellent with a couple of comic tunes, 'White Christmas' and 'Falling In Love with Love.' The Gerardos, also holdovers, con- tinue to develop into what may well be an ace ballroom duo one of these days. Lynch's line of lookers is attired in lavish costumes In their three pro- duction numbers in wlilch Miss Clay- ton provides the vocals. The finale is a patriotic number, with the en- tire cast winding up the proceedings with the national anthem. The band, under leadership of Eddie DeLuca, deftly accompanies the show, Caney's rhumba unit takes care of the interim music. The spot (600 capacity) was vir- tually filled when reviewed. Shal. K. C, St John's, Tragedy St John's, Nfld., Dec. 15. Of the 100 persons known to have perished in the Knights of Columbus flre here, 78 have been identified. Military censors will not release names of victims until all are known. Rescuers are still digging in the ice-covered wreckage for more bodies. Most of those who died are said to have been American and Ca- nadian service men. It was reported unofficially that five American sol- diers bad been Identified. Witnesses say many of the service men gave their lives in an attempt to save girl companions. Latest checkup shows 104 in hospitals and emer- gency dressing stations. Cause of the flre has not yet been estab- lished. Haiards in IS MVkee Spots Milwaukee, Dec. 15. Fire hazards were found in 12 out of 64 dancing spots lir'the suburbs surrounding Milwaukee as the re- sult of an Intensive investigation made as a followup to the recent Cocoanut Grove disaster in Boston. Paper decorations, obstructed exists, doors opening inward, open wiring, rubbish, shaky railings, un- protected heating pipes, illegal gaso- line storage, blocked doors, loos«> plaster and no light bulbs In fixtures over exits were conditions ordered remedied if the niteries wished to remain in business. Close Chi Nitery ^ Chicago, Dec. 15. Tightening up on flre nUes here, following the Boston disaster, has resulted in only one night club being closed, although there are many places, especially among the smaller spots, which need to be looked into for flre hazards. While the large loop places are adequately protected and regularly Inspected, there are hundreds of outlying clubs that need attention by the City's fire depart- ment, which is moving very slowly. First night club here to feel the effects of increased fire vigilance la the 5100 Club, which was ordered closed last week xbAO. certain changes were made to comply with present flre department regulations. Sprlngfleld Probe Springfield, Mass., Dec. IS. Fifty-eight Springfield dine and dance places are operating without a state license. It was disclosed here last week as local and state Investi- gators pressed their probe Into local niteries to see If all regulations were being heeded. Not a ainela 1( Guido's Sapphire Room, etc.) is on East 57th street, and cost some $40.- OOO to reopen, including the Russell Patterson-designed revue, with Jane Froman and Romo Vincent toplined. Miss Froman Is in for four weeks only; Vincent Just closed in 'Beat the Band.' Cafe talent bookers and buyers agree that a new edict against cafe crowding is inevitable; that mass- capacity places will no longer get away with 'dancing on a dime,' and that a stricter adherence to flre- proofing inflammables, more exits, etc. is a must from now on. Oct's New Hesirlctions Detroit, Dec. 15. As a result of the Boston flre, the State Liquor Control Commission lasfweek slapped on new rigid regu- lations for Michigan's 18,000 licen- sees, with local and State police called upon for enforcement. ToongstowB Closes 19 Clubs Youngstown, C, Dec. 19. Fire Chief Michael J. Melillo has ordered 15 night clubs and private clubs closed because of fire hazards. public safety, which under Massachusetts places selling liquor. ry had a i4rt»*t't"4.'Aj Is necessary law for all Held For Arson Pomeroy, O., Dec. 19. Eugene Harless, 10, hat been placed In jail at Pomeroy, O., under $2,500 bond, on charges of having set flre to the Shenang Springs night club, near here. Which was com- pletely destroyed. Des Holnes Heat On Des Moines, Dec. IS. With local officials warned that they had better tighten up liquor and gambling law enforcement in town or run the chance of having millUry officials declare Des Moines out of bounds, the heat has been on everywhere the past few days, In- cludring all the honky-tonks and swanky swigs. Raids of every description are rampant. In addition, the city building de- partment is investigating the ade- quacy of all exits for taverns, clubs, dancehalls and other places where 70 or more persons are gathered st one time.