Variety (Apr 1943)

Wedaeaday, April 7, 1948 HOUSE ttSVIBWS 39 CAPITOL^ N. Y. Cdiirli* Bomet Orch (19) Uaru Ann McCalj, IqUd; .Mar|/_ SnwH, with 'Pcanutt* Hot> Victor Borge, ' ill •Vorietv,' Morch 3, *43. the This is the second link In Capitol's recently InaiKurated chain ot band-vaude shows, begun four weeks ago tomorrow (ThursdayK Chorlie Bamefs heavy band, and MaVv Small and Victor ^torge. form a Diva'sing if not too standout lineup. Harris t Shore, dance team, were also in this show opening day but its length forced them out. They 11 be part of the next session, headed b> OMie Nelson and Harriet Bil- liard. That the Cap's decision to Join the Paramount; Strand (and occasional Boxy bandshow) in a band-yaude nolicy is working out. Is evident. When caught i Friday, last show) there were almost as many ticket holders in the spacious lobby as m the iheatre itself. And the response to the show, particularly Barnets oriheslra, was heavy. Burnet's l9-piece combination (four trumpets, four trombones, six sax Ave rhythm. Including two bass) is a really solid outfit, among the better ones in these days of .a fhortaee of good musicians. As us- ual it'."! slanted heavily toward the vojinfier element. There is stimu<- laiinfi rhythm, but lilUe taste in the screaming attack of his band. There isn't one arrangement In this show that anyone could class as to the pcssible liking of older audiences, with the exception of two vocals by Mary Ann McCall. Miss McCall, who recently re turned to the business, does a fair job on 'It Started All Over Again' and a good one on 'Old Black Maitir-' She'.s followed, after a hot band number, by both bass men, one of whom is a Negro (there are four colored men in this outfit two trum- ?eters and trombone, and bass) heir string plucking, on instru ments hardly commercial spot lighted alone, works into a highly fi>pula^ bit of mugging and ad lib erlem dance routine. 'Peanuts' Holland, trumneter, does a short vocal later, okay. Thankfully, interludes like the above, and the acts, don't give Bar' net's hammering Jive too much op- portunity. Miss Small slips in next, and while she clicked mightily with thi.s crowd her vocalling is not ex- ceptional. Voice is clear, true, and appealing, but a narrow range , and lack of shading makes all her stuff sound alike and it quickly palls af- ter two numbers. That may be the result of choice of tunes here. Did 'Brazil.' Time Goes By,' which .don't range far. and n.s,g. encore of •Why Don't You Do Right.' Borge< Danish comedian and pian- ist, start* slowly, but once he gets his phonetic punctuation routine rolling he's In with room to spare. This bit is not only highly amusing, bill it's fresh, which is just as im- portant in these days of repeating comics. Second half of his stint is ■t a keyboard (piano Is neatly stowed under elevated drum platr form) and his ability on 'Night and Da.v.' brief 'Rhapsody in Blue.' and 'Smiles' winds him up to repeated bows. Biz big. Wood. two men and a woman, score with their comedy adagio. One of the band's highlights Is an effective arrangement of Tavanne.' Substituting for Jane Walton, Bette Webb, Ihe band's singer, impresses with 'Heard That Song Before.' *You Made Me Love You.' and There Are such Things.' All socko. Kennedy is effective when he goes into his familiar slow burn. A half- way burlesque of the balcony scene from 'Romeo and Juliet' with his wife probably could be more profit- ably . replaced by gags and patter. Act won a good hand. A swing arrangement of 'Poet and Peasant' by the band makes a good finisher. House well filled at the opening day first performance. Reer. EARLE, WASH. Woihiiiptbn. April 2. Gauiier's Sieeplernose, Jock Mar- shall, Roxyettes, Jo Lonibordi House Orch, Lee Vit-kers, Joyce Romero & Doris Wliirt Drake; •The Hard Wou' tWB). APOLLO, N. Y. Mugg$v Spcnier Orch (12) with Marjorie Garland; 'FaW . Waller, Claudia McNeil, Sinclair k Leroy, Harlem Highlanders (4), Dai'e Mc- Horris. Buddy Botvser; 'Kid Dyna- mite' (Mono). 'Fats' Waller, with en abundance of' personality, showmanship and keyboard wizaixlry, wraps up the current show .at the Apollo. Other- wise, it's a haphazardly planned lay- out that succeeds only- at intervals in relieving the many dull moments. One of the principal faults lies in the negative impression made by the maestro-less Muegsy Spanier band which, perhaps through no fault of its own, was a virtually disorganized unit when caught Friday night. Spanier, despite the fact he was running a temperature, showed' up for the morning .show Friday, but was forced to call it quits before the curtain lowered and he was out for the rest of the day. Obviously handicapped without its leader, the band somehow never got going, tableau takes ud 15 i No''<"ally a torrid crew, and a fave is shSw and is Msilv '^e jive brigade, it was any- is snow ana i.s casuy a sock swing session that was dished out, and at times even Red Cross minutes of this the standout. Lee Vickers of WJSV docs the narration while. Joyce Romero (unseen) provides buck- ground vocals over the p.a. system. Doris Whirt Drake, portraying the 'Angel. of Mercy,' reads an impres- sive message. Act is tteautifully presented and directed by Harry Anger. Roxyettes bounce on with 'Heigh Ho. Come to the Fair,' with carnival colors and country fair drop. Good setting for Gautier's Steeplechase, ponies and dogs going through their tricks with speed and precision. Jack Marshall, rubber-faced monologist, gets a big hand. Gets plenty of fun out of a trick hat. follows with a rookie impression and winds up by satirizing Hrrohito, Musso and Adolph. New to Wa.shington, he was a solid click. Roxyettes on again for a Scotch number in k>lts which show off 'their curves and versatility. Attendance second show very light. Arke. CHICAGO, CHI Cfiir<(0O, April 2. Joe Reic-hiiioii Orch (11) tuith Peiiiiu' Lee. Artie Wayne, Tito Giiiiar, Rorhelle ft Beebe, Frank Parie; 'HcKo, Frisco, Hello' (20th). ORPHEUM, MPLS. Minneapolis, April 3. Lawrence Welk Orch (14) loilh Jack Newlon k Bette Webb, Eloins <*), DeVal. Merle t Lee, ■ Edgar Kennedy (2); 'Lticky Jordan* (Par). Annual visitors here, the Law- rence Welk orchestra has built a considerable local following of those music lovers whose tastes run to its conservative type of iweet swing. On this occasion it has Edgar Ken- nedy, the film comic, for added b.o. pull. The lineup delivers plenty of tustomer enjoyment. With its three violins and Walk's own accordion along with the cus- tomary three rhythm mellowing and softening the. outpourings of the four brassies and three saxes, the band sun devotes itself, to the le.ss ram- pant swing, providing a pleasant contrast to the usual jive. It re tains in Its repertory swing arrange' JJjent.s^ of many oldtime faves. There 8 an occasional concession to the zoot-suiter.s, but the general Wood is soothing. It adds up to fnythmic melody instead of blaring noise. 'Twelfth Street Rag' starts the Mnd off on swing. Then the violins nave an Inning with 'World Is Wait- jjg for the Sunrise.' 'Red' Howe, the drummer, does some vigorous Kunding for 'Running Wild.' The nds new male singer handles M<>onliKht Becomes You' and 'A Smile Will Go a Long, Long Way' w Win merited plaudiU. Walk's ac- eordion medley of songs of yester- year KeU its usual big hand. The P()ur Eltons, three men and a woman, juggle hats and Indian clubs « breakneck speed and with numer- aj'eomedir touches. Had to beg off. inen the band resumes, with TiBrry Jworife and his trick trombone put- nng over 'I Love You' to heavy re- 2?,^!!*: .'^or an encore he plays 'Nola' Si!n his foot manipulating the slide. r»Jl Summ.v, trumpeter, gets the ??i"fe«' spot for 'As Time Goes By' Another act, DaVal, Merle * Lee, Sparkling show on tap this week, with not a dull moment, Is headed by Tito Guizar and Joe Reichman's iCMehestra. Latter brings something different in bands to the Chicago patronage. His arrangements are tops, 'rnree sock numbers are given by the band, all dominate*! by Reichman's pianistics. These are 'Variations in G.' 'Smoke (Jets in Your Eyes' and a George Gershwin medley. His soloists, Art Wayne, with 'It Can't Be Wrong' and 'Somebody Loves Me' and Penny Lee, femme warbler, who does 'Let Me OA Up- town.' 'I Had the Craziest Dream,* and 'Shut My Mouth' come in for a good share ot applause. Frank Paris is on first with his marionettes. Puppet routines include Carmen Ibtiranda, a ballroom team doing a tango, a fun dancer, an ice skater and a skeleton. Paris had to beg off. Rochelle and Beebe make a favorable impression with their satiric dance routines, all good for laughs. Jane Beebe is a pert little comedienne with a sense of humor that clicks and Ben Rochelle is a perfect toil. A hit. Guizar Is generous, as usual, with his .songs in the closing spot. Opens with 'Granada.' then 'When the Lights Go On Again.' a medley of several tunes. 'Rancho Grande' and closes with 'Brazil.' He's socko all the way. Horg. EARLE, PHILLY Philadelphia. April 6. Gctic Kriipa Orch (16) (ciih Gloria Vail. Gene Hoicnrd. Roj/ FMridge, Radio Rniiiblcrs. Pej/ciw Mnrlou-c. BeWet and English Bro.s-.: | 'Hoii's AboKf ft' 'Ui. ! appeared to l>e retarding the acts it backgrounded. Marjorie Garland, the band's vocalist, also missed the mark with her 'Craziest Dream' and I Cried for You' renditions. The Spanier unit is the only ofay act on the bill; otherwise all colored. Taking hold of the closing slot for the major contribution, Waller whammed over a routine of songs, ivory thumping, mugging and organ solos. His ration song, the off-color 'Be.ssie' number and his piano vari- ations on 'Hallelejuh' are tailor- made, especially for this house. Waller winds up-with a community sing that's aces. . As usual here, the lusty hun\or is re$|«nsible for the howling this week. It's the principal reason for the clicking of Harlem Highlanders, quartet of harmony singers who work in kilts. Vocally, they're in- effectual, but their pointed clowning foots the Apollo bill. Ditto for Sin- clair and Leroy. who can sing, dance and gag effectively but finally resort to the same stuff to draw the belly laughs. Rounding out the bill are Dave McHarrls, whose hoofing is above average, and Claudia McNeil; who can sing.a blues tune with telling results but unfortunately concen- trates too heavily on the ballads. Buddy Bowser is an acceptable m.c. Rose. MARYLAND, BALTO Baltimore, April 3. Beatrice Kay. Waltu Ward & Mitzl, 4 Franks, Gene Boylos, The Gray- sons i2); 'It Comes l/p Love' lU). This is a talent laden layout high- lighted by a very potent sjMt in the closing niche allotted to Beatrice Kay. A sure and seasoned trouper she's a natural tor intimate audi- ences here and her solid session of vocal comicalities brings the bill to a rousing finish. It's paced by Gene Baylos. whose m.c. assignment and brief spot of his own is.a review of all the familiar gags and business. Gets some laughs and slays on just long enough. The Graysons, mixed hand bal- ancing duo open with good lifts that are nicely sold. The Fo(ir Franks follow. Quartet bangs out a fast and P"' session with instruments, straight hoofing and a funny knock- about travesty via the sofa routine. Standard turn is surefire on any layout and a solid .show halter when caueht here. Wially Ward and Mitzi contribute some funnv business. Ward climbs all over a piano To good audience response. Gags and clowns his ^yay around a strong legit spot of real ivory thumping in the boogy woogy motif. Miss Kay in Gay Nineties gowning whams out u socko interlude fea- turing stvlized vocals of 'Curse of I An Aching Heart.' 'I Don't Care.' 1 •Ti>kct Tasket.' 'Bird in a Gilded CaKC." "My Gal Sal' and as a .smart switch iin the encore, an indigo rcn ililinn of 'Five by Five' L.nlter is right in (he groove and a solid sender for continued applause after the la.it of many cuiiiiins. Biz very good. flni-in. MICHIGAN, DETROIT Dclroii. April 2. /Iiii/reii-.s . Sisters '.1i. Milchi-H Aices Orfh '1.11 iriih Meredith Bidkc. Ruth Af« Ciilloiif/h. Dirk Dyer, There's nothing weak about the Ayres' band which rounded out their turn with everything from a production number on the .'Bla(!k Magic' opening to the comedy side with such material as 'I Opened Up the Trunk.' Banil doesn't have to count alone on the novelty side despite such talent as GeerGee in the corpet section and. Johnny Bond and the Glee Club, for Ayres has strong araugenvents and holds up on the sneer musical side particularly on such favorites as 'Why Don't You Do Right.' 'I Heard That Song Be- fore* and 'You Go To My Head.' No slight part of the band's registering big here is Ayres' easy showman- ship, deep-voiced Meredith Blake, a .sound baritone in Dick Dyer and Ruth McCullough, who is pleasant on her vocals. Dance end is not: neglected tor both the comedy turn of Masters and Rollin.s and Jesse and James, latter a deft Negro acrobatic and hoofing team, fit in strong with the .sound bill. Audience big at opening show caught. Pool. RKO BOSTON Bosion, Ajiril 1. Xni-icr Ciioot Orch (Ui.'Gcne Sheldon. Loretia Fischer. Paul & Era Rcfies, Line Roniny, others; 'TdTron Triumphs' iRKO>. The rhythm, color and liveliness of the Cugnt presentation goes far to make this Latin-American affair plenty palatable to the jive-ted cus- tomers of the RKO, and the appear- ance in the ace spot of Gene Shel- don Is enough to put the layout acr6.ss .solidly. Cugat brings one of the heftiest ensembles in 14 musician.s, nine sJngers supplying a choral back- ground, a couple of dave-dappers. vocalist LIna Romay and the south- ot-the-border dancers Raul and Eva Reyes. Band is made up ot exceptionally versatile musicii^ns, most of whom double or triple in various capaci- ties. Thus Cugat has a quintet of fiddles join him at one time, and a couple of flutists at another. There is a lot of variety and it keeps the interest up all the way. Following a typical Latin-Ameri- can medley of tunes like 'Cio Lita Lindo,' -Cachita.' 'Perfldia.' 'Chlu Chiu.* Raul and Eva Reyes take over for an-exotic dance specialty which clicks from the outset.. Llna Romay follows in a trio of tunes, which she does in top form In contrasted styles. This leads to Gene Sheldon, whose routine never varies in any detail but which gets better on each view- ing. He wows the customers and has to help Cugat Introduce the next number In order to make his get- away. Show breaks on a high-pitched Latin-American note, vocalist De La Cruz shouting out the torrid chant. 'Babalu.' In line with the week's Red Cross drive, the RKO, Cugat and Larry Flint's house orch combine in an afterpiece to inspire bigger do- nations. Biz was Ane at opening. Elte. TOWER, K. C. Kansas City, April 2. The Pretenders (3), Jackie Suii/l, Sylvia & Chrislian, Taylor Trout & Co. (2). Gertrude Mistlelee, Tower Orch u-ilh Afifce Carll It Marilyn Ballinoer; 'Mummy's Tomb' ((/) and 'Nieht Monster' (U). Gene Krupa and his entour.ice of jivesters were a bit delayed urain troublci at the Earle Friday after- noon, but the thousands of zonl- .suitei's and allig.itor.s waited patient- ly for his arrival. When the drum- beater and his boys Anally appeared onstage they received one of the greatest receptions recorded here in months. Krupa doesn't disappoiiil his f.ms., He wades right in with 'Drummer j Gee Gee. Johnny Bond. Masters It Man.' 'American Bolero' and 'Drum i Holliiis. Jesse & James,' 'Hit Parade Boogie.' jo/194.r 'Rep.i Gloria Van. Krupa's recently ac- quired singer, nets kudoes with hor| There's no decline in the lure of warbling of -What's the Good Word'; the Andrews Sisters for audiences and 'It. Started All Over Again. ; here with the trio making their sec- Gene Howard does a fair job on the orid dip back in Dntroit within a vocals with 'Black Magic' Ro.V'j vear. Backed up with the Mitchell Eldridge is plenty clicky with his Avres* outfit, making its bow here, trumpet soloin" of 'St. Louis Blues. [ (he Michigan is running off strong The Radio Ramblers provide lotsi ^n(,,rtainment to -continue its ot laughs with their impersonations, marked draw with stage bills. Carrot-topped. Peggy Marlowe has ' ' them begging for more with her terpwork. Marion Bcllet and the Engli.sh Brothers knock themselves out trying with Iheir comic-acro turn. Standees were live deeP,.;" i r^,- ■ , i . w»i back of the house wh*n caught jFrl- Pennsylvania Polka' and for a bal- day afternoon). Shal. Mad turn There Are Such Things. The Andrews socked over five numbers at the opening which left the audience howling for more. All the tunes are aimed down the pop- ular groove with nothing. foreign to their style in 'Here Comes the [ Navy.' 'Five by Five.' 'Strip Polka. In' contrast to the accompanying 'double horror' screen billing, Tower stage show this week accents come- dy and music, unil the change of pace strengthens the appeal ot the vaude. Tower Orch opens with a chorus ot 'You'll Never Know,' and then .swings into* 'I Lo.st My Sugar.in Salt Lake City.' Mari- lyn Bellinger, now beginning her eighth month with the band, lakes the rerrain on a front mike ,and rcKisters solidly. Jackie Swift, seen later in his own act. doubles us m.c. and flr.st brings on Syjvin ti Christian for an tidagio turn. .Second .spot is taken over by Swift, who does rope tricks. He has a nice dclivcr.v. but some of his gags, should be replaced with new material. Next is (he current Tower Discovery NiKhf winner. Gertrude Mistlelee. ei'.ih1-.vviir-old liip-d.'incpr who clicks out to 'Ser You in My Dreams.' The Pretenders, three lads who lime mimicry to di.vs played olT- slagc over the house p a. system, are on next to closing. Thi-y (jpon with ; an impression of The Mir-i ry Macs : singing 'You Made Me Love.You.' I and cin.ve with one of'lhe Andrews Si.stcrs KiviAg out with 'Pcnn.syl- vania Polka.' Considering the trick rh.vthm of the latter numljer, the boys have their timing down put. Ofl after three bows .Standout of the bill is Taylor Trout and his partner, who clo.se the show with some tophotch juggling and hoop tricks. Juves particularly like the way he makes the hoops be- have. He has a nice line of patter, and his partner lends okay support throughout the act. Biz good open- ing .show. Earl. Ray MeKlnley, now In the Army Air Corps, Is leading a band at Yale U.. New Haven, .Conn., training oenter. ORPHEUM, L. A. Los Aiioetcs, March 31, 7'uiiiiiiy Dorseu Orch r27). Lew Hofiinii'f, The Seniiiiienlalisfs (4) iind Burlxiru Cancin, the Royert Du.rrv.-s '3'. Lurry Stewart; 'Cala- bwsv' iL'A). Orpheiini . was packed to the rafiei's at opfiiing show with jivers out to hear Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra jt-vc forth with extremely llstenuble music. Dor.sey und his show h.id pairons demanding mure. Hou.se was shaken continuully' by patting feel, attesting to ear-catch- ing ability of the Dorsey rhythms, and close of each number was lUieeted with unrestrained upprovni. Band was u tired crew of 27. having played seven ono-nighters, seven comp shows and two broadcasts. in .-icvcn Anys while beating their way down from northern California, but that fact didn't Interfere with top brand of music delivered at first matinee. D;>appointnient at first show was absence of Dick Hayines, vocalist, who was laid up with a cold. Sub- stituting was L.irry Stew:irl. loaned by Freddie Martin. Pur&'onable baritone was .solid with six pop tunes. 'Old Mun Rivi-r,' 'You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To." 'Heard That Song Before.' 'Old Black ft.'ugic'. 'It iStarted All Over Aguin' and 'There Are Such Things,' aided ill lust two by the Sentimentalists. ' Dorsey i-omes on with his themer and (luickly j^winus into 'Hallelujah' with a special treatment that plee.sed. Next on was 'Song of In- dia.' another swell arrangement that made lull use of his large outfit in- cluding the nine violins and harp. Band then almost pulled the.hepcats into'the aisles with 'Mandy.' Bar- bara Canvin and the Sentimentalists vocal 'Why Don't. You Do Rig.it' 'Aa Time Goes By' 'Brazil' and. 'Can't Get Stuff in Your Cuff.' Dorsey . follows a bund number, 'Bounce Team.' with his special, 'Sleepy Lagoon.' and here again odd instruments in his outfit get the play. Harp tones, the tuba, and violins are played up for sharp effect th.it m«de (or good music. A quick change ot pace sends 'Well, Get It' hot num- ber, bouncing, spotlighting Don Lodice on the sax. Ray Linn, trum- pet Heinle Beau, clarinet Moe Pur- till, drums, and Milt Raskin, piano. Tommy, himself, displays his trom- (Continued on page 47) New Acts KINO SISTERS (4) Songa S Mint. Walderf-AsUrIa, N. Y. Alvino Rey having gone with hia band into war worlr, at Lockheed in California, the featured King Sisters, furmerly with the orchestral ' are now on their own and a good bet. too, away from the dansapatora. Always more than just a featured unit being equally billed with maes- tro Rey (who is married to Louise King: Yvonne is mated to the pianist of the combo), they extend their solo opportunities to the hilt At their Wedgwood Room preem at the Wuldorf they clicked, running the gamut of pups, highlighted by the petite Yvonne's deft style and their own brand of general har- monics. No reason why the Kings, on their own. shouldn't go far in cafes and vaudlilmers. The break-up of bands accounted for ^Marion Hutton and the .Modernaires (current at the Ruxy. a. Y.I. for instance, getting new-found opportunities—they are L'X-Glenn ,Miller, now a Capt. in the Ai-m.v--and undoubtedly the click of the Kings will further the pattern. Abet UI. WAYNE Sonus Mi's & Walt's. Hollywocd. Fla. Lil Wayne is u vuu(ii.- vtl who, with Walt, her hu.sbnnd. ha^ .settled down at their own Hollywood <Flu ) pub, where he tends "l)ar. cuisine, etc.. and shi's the general hostess and •■ntrrtuiiic-r. Doing a Sophie Tucker style (if songolog. .she after- nnlt-s ln-lweop .saucy and siraight lyrics ol .'■tif-uccoinp on the Solovox- pinno. Hoilyuiiiid 'Beach bcinK a Naval inwi) now. and situated iiol far from the Arrfiy takeover of Miami und environ'.'., the patronage is generou.s- ly ..pi iiikh d.v. rth .servicemen. Songs ' match customer's iind. for Die pur- '■ pdsr iiii(.nd(:d. Miss Wayne is a { bright interlude. '- Abel. ' FRANCO & BERVLE Daneinc Hotel Sheldon, Hollywood Bcaeb, Fla. Franco i& Chri.stine) and Beryle (formerly the 'Denise' of Dario tt Deni.sei are a new combination arid work well together with their tiptop terps, a.v evidenced at this resort spot. While their forte Is towards th« Latin, in keeping with his person- ality, they- run the gamut from fla- menco and the conventional conga- rhumba routines to forthright Yank tempos. A flnc-looklng pair on the floor. ta.stetuUy costumeo. Franco ft Beryle can play In anybody's cafe or hostelry. Abel.