Variety (Sep 1944)

so HOUSE REVIEWS Wednesday, September 20. 1911 Look to OK Run After N. Y. Bow Bv NAT KAHX . Paul Small, who since the decline, of-'-bigihne vaudeville lias probably, done as' much as anybody—i£ . not „„„•,>_,o help bring if back, has re- turned to Broadway with another of hi* star-studded vaudeville shows. This one ho calls "Star Time,' and the title-is no .misnomer, ; Lou Holtz.' Benny Fields, De Mar- cos Berrv brothers. Muleays. and WhUsoti brothers' can all stand on tfiMf.own in any presentation house •In'America;- And'they-all play prat-. - "Star Time." Paul.SmaU. pro&uc- ti<>».' o.i rnVclerilic revue in two parts- head lines Lou Hollz. Benin; Fields. Ton y& Sally De Marco; with SI'kM. Dennis. Jimmy &-Mildred Mm.Ick!/. W/iitson Bros. ■ (2). Berry Bros. (3,>. Anirarid Conei, Francine Bord'euk. George Prospery; orch tin- der direct oh 'of Waldemar Guitar r son: opened at Majestic, N. Y.. Sept. 12. '41: S2.40 lop; $3.60 Friday mid . Kii!urc/«y. n;.<■'!ts. .- .'■'/' ;.. tically as-well as the mere mention; , ot their names would indicate. This is. nut a-.groat vaudeville show by a long .stretch, but it's entertaining • enough'- to warrant at least a moder- ate run: : ■.-', '-'■-- .:■•';>•' ,'• . - What this layout'needs is greater pacing', arid. the.void is, paradoxical- ly, traceable to what .is the unit's big- gest asset—Holtz. The comedian- •etricee is in his usually fine story- telling 'fettle land who can tell them better than he? ), but the fact that lie . invariably requires considerable time to propel 'cm across is responsible for a considerable lag of the show •over its more, than, two-hour.running time. - '.'• . What this show also needs is: a name femme- single. The bill hasn't got enough s.a: ." There are some great acts.on this : bilWa'n,d yet, seemingly, there's the omniscient thought as it rolls across the■'toot-lights that this is just another vehicle tor the HOltz stories and gags. The other turns become- -so- man v would-be interruptions for his fol-de-rol. In short, Holtz is doing too 'much, with his. spinning of yarns, introducing of the other acts and generally barging into all of them .for bits of nonsense. At that, there jjoesn't seem to be much, if any, new. r?nateria! that he's using. At a $3.fi0 weekend top, that's unforgiveable. And there certainly is one story thal's in bad taste and should be cut out—t'-.e one about the chap looking for the little boys' room. '. '.' . ' The Other performers almost wind up as iust so much background for him: in fact. Fields .in part of the la Iter's spotlight turn' actually stoog- es for Holtz. • But take another gan- der at those names. ,. Performers like the De Marcos. Fields and .others merit the atten- tion they receive on the stage. In - fact, there isn't' anyone on.-the bill who doesn't go over big, with pbs- • sibly one exception. •-.. Holtz opens the show with a casual saunter en the stage to give a spiel intended to achieve the proper in- timacy- between audience and per- formers. That- business of giving away candy to the customers showitt ha speeded up; he then intros the perennial vaudeville opener—an ac- robatic act—and this time it's the standard Whitson brothers.. Their . timing and adeptness. at the. foot-to- foot stuff' is still amazing after all these years. ' Then the eule Jimmy and Mildred. Mulcay, with their varied-sized har- monicas: bono as ever; Shirley Den- nis (..New Acts) is a young songster who is.'perhaps, too conscious-of the stylisn.is manifested .by most pres- ent-day rhythm' singers. . A French sketch, in which Armand Codex. Francine .. Bordeau arid George Prospery are an "eternal" triangle, is given a Holtz interpreta- tion from a boxsoat as the scene: uri- j "folds oil stage; it's, an oldie that-must- surely be recognized-from way back. The De Marc-os close the first part, and there-doesn't scorn-to-be a ball- room team anywhere that can match ' this pair. For the masses or classes. Tony and Sally De Marco are the epitome of grace, imagination, dex- terity and- liming. It's a good thing they close the show's initial portion. Nobody can follow them. The B'cri-.v brothers open-the sec- ond part after the usual Holtz ihtro, and the colored trio's breakaway ■ hoofing and that business with the cants, nujke, them stilt a fine.nov.elty hoofing act. It's a tough spot for Benny Fields.' but follow them he •does- to register. ' ..There's no doubling Fields' corny mannerisms,: or. the' style of crooning that goes .way back, and yet : there's no .denying his. commercial values ill selling a song over the. mike, an in-, stritmenl. incidentally.,he. never re- qu.ii ed — nor does he now—in the old days,. when : vaudeville performers didn't need - such mechanics to put them across .villi-the customers. And so this show is typical of the voealin vaudeville .of today—a modernized Al-Lvo'i) type of an bid show business. ' And ' it's to be accepted as such, and not to be criticized as being too far oil (he beaten'.-path from the two-a-day heyday. ' ■ : ,:"' ■'<.-• . .. To the- otdtimors it may seem that this is not vaudeville because it has an emcee. These skeptics remem- ber; or course, that the Palace didn't have one. The: opening act was in- evitably a flash,, and so it went, one turn lifter the other, in clock-like fashion, all without benefit of an tar troduc-i- And, of course, no. mike. Perhaps there are one or two other items that, areri't' .consistent with vaudeville in its literal sense. ■ • „ •-. '.". But these certainlv were notwhat made vaudeville die. Radio, talking pictures—they sounded the death- knell of a great era in show busi- ness. - "Star Time." like a number of other, vaudeville-revue predecessors of the past few years, is-an attempt, to achieve an acceptable medium-be- tween the old 'aiid the new. That it does in a large measure. Its; only drawback could be in • the public's disinterest in straight vaudeville. They tan see a. three-hour name piesemation show, with a first-run nicture. at the Paramount for $1.20 top instead of a "Star Time" layout 'for $3 ; .60, There's the answer. Music Hall, X. Y. Coleman Clark & Co. (3), Gray- sons Music. Hall Ballet Corps „ - , ... Drago, M H. Glee Club. M. ^t.L'l ■ * ' Kt'UU's. In«l|tls. • ' /iidittimpolis. Sept. 16. ." . Shaw & Lee. Goghlin & Tofeiif. Lorraine WesUall, Billy Burke. Amie HaHjliau, Oitletle: & Richards, Ed Rescuer House vrch.: '■Jamboree" • fJeoi. . .■-.;,.• v,;-' - ;-,V...'.-:.■.. ■'■ i A balanced: bill of comedy, musi- cal and novelty acts giscs satisfac- tion .lo a'normai flow pf business at Keiths this .stanza. Shaw and Lee. in the headline spot; get plenty. of laughs with their hoke routine of mixing hands -aiid hats in panto- mime,'; Lorraine Wcslfall also gets extra attention., with her solid vocals on,'Til Be Seeing You." Victor Her- bert's; "Italian, Street Song," and a medley' from "Oklahoma." , Arnie Hartman skips nimbly from light, classics to boogie-woogie in a pjeasiiig accordion turn. : He plays '• ; GIow' Wdrm"llown to the last gasp in his; squeeze box and beats out some mean rhythm in".a slick version of "St. Louis Bluest" Gillette and Richards keep .the customers inter- ested with a snappy change of pace in their dancing act that includes a Mexican hat number, a comedy strip (ease iii Ballroom fashion, and an eccentric slant on "Pistol Packin' Mama" ; ' ; - -'-' - "-" . Goghlin aiid. Talent display a smart line of patter in. a juggling routine with..an egg trick that al- ways clears the front rows when the hen-fruit seems to be coming their way, Billy Burke does an okay job as emcee and clicks 'on:his'own with apt impressions of Bonnie Baker, the Ink Spots, Tommy Riggs and Betty Lou. and Frank. Sinatra. Biz fair; '-'-'"--• ."-.•:. -."-" ' .>.' Corb. ago. Female Ensemble. Ray Jncqueniot Marjorie Willididson, Josefn Ro- sanska, Roekettes, M. II. Symphony Orch; "Casuitora Brmcn," <RKO), reviewed in "Variety," Any. 2. Enlivened by a dandy novelty turn, the exciting table tennis, tourna- ment staged by Coleman Clark & Co. (New Acts I, the solid Music Hall stage lineup tiiis week is; topped off with a nifty, streamlined version of "The Vagabond King." This picture house production of the FrimI operetta, with its sock standard melodies given topnotch presentation via the elaborate Music Hall symphony, orch,' proves a stim- ulating venture.: . « .■•;...,."'. Perhaps"' the - major '.drawback, however, is the limited time avail- able for. such a production in a pres- entation house , where use of: other, standard stage features do not: per-, mil fuller exploitation of the piece. Backed by a gorgeous scenic set de- picting a medieval mansion against a' sombre, background of. shrubbery, the Friiiil tunes are ably handled by solo vocalists Ray . Jacquemoh and Marjorie ,"Williamson. The M. H. Glee Club and Female Ensemble are also advantageously used, here. ',,M. H. -Ballet corps, with- Janice Ciofti and Almermda Drago as solo terpers. arO .reveiiled in slick, form- fitting gold and silver cloth'costumes in corking toe-ballet terpofogy. Its a waltz' theme..' against a simple classic' scenic drop, topped by can- deleb'ras. The Graysons i-New Acts), mixed. -team., click nicely with their nimble aero work. Roekettes. .in vt hite and brown cos- tumes, for contrast a'g'ainst a: crim- son backdrop, clean up as usual with their precision taps, Josefa ROsahska. pianist . opens a> soloist oil stage, with the arch in the pit. Mori. : mediately ingratiates himself wilh his audience. His appearance is neat, has vocal quality and range. Some Or|iIi«Mim, I.. \. •'• ' ,' Los Afifleles, Sept. 13. Al Lyons' Orplienm Orch:. (12), Maxhte SuUivan. WaV.y Boag, Val Set-. Ford. Hurri.i & Jones, Freddie Jenal: Clayton & Phillips; -'They Made. Me a . Cri.niiHal " (WB) (re- i«s«f'». ' Orpheum is ofTering a change of pace for its stage bill this week, show being almost strictly vaudeville as contrasted to: usual band or unit re- vue.policy. Marine Sullivan is the marquee value with her familiar "Loch Lomond" and "Sweet Molly Malon^e.':' Jjui- comes Off second best to sortie of the straight variety turns. Miss.: Sullivan sings four numbers for her stint oh stage to good .but not enthusiastic.' returns. The two old- time .ballads under her specialized '.treatment were the best received, but the more modern ballads. "Swing It, Music. Teacher," and "Lost With- out You." didn't hold the attention. Solid, click of show, is Wall}' Boag. a personable .voting man who brightly backgrounds his clever: ani- mal bailnon concoctions with smooth patter., Boag' conceives an incredible menagerie from vari-colored bal- loons blown up and twisted Into a semblance of animals while audience watches .with appreciative eye, ■ .For an encore he gives off with some loose-lointed terping. that also, clicks sohdl\ Val Set/ sells himself with his breathless comments while juggling and manipulating all manner of props Act ha^ a lot of .flash as Setz gives -the worlM to such objects as hat. cane. .coat, cigar, coins, balls, Indian duos. etc. Ford. Harris and Jones. Negro: dancing, trio, knock themselves out to please with eccen- tric stepping, song and chatter.'Clay- ton' and Phillips are a smooth handr balancing turn that score with diffi- cult lifts aiid balancing feats. Fred- die. Jenal." baritone, cohlribs two numbei.- passing up encore for a third. His 'first, an operatic, air. was over the heads of listeners, but his Begin .the Beguine" was topnotch Hi|»|i. Itnllo • '. • ': .' ' . . .Baltimore. Sept. 17. Jackie Green, Frank Gaby & Co. (3),. Bobby Long. Pat & Sylvia. Carr Bros. (2), ■ Felice fti/n 'and house orch H2 >; ''Bride By -.Mistake" (RKO). -,•-: '•;.-;,;- Good layout plays . well in mount- ing .climax... Given a strong getaway via smart hoo.fery of eight-year old Bobby Loi g. rest of bill moves swiftly and surely through practiced interludes by- standard turns. The Long laddie is a skillful tapster, mak- ing, each lick count On both feet and should' be an appealii\g knockout in ■any-company able to pltiy juve taj- eht. Does three routines that are socko. ,.' Pal and Sylvia, boy and giil sing-, ers from radio have 'legit voices which they utilize, io. the limit whacking out. a solid session with a medley of Irish tunes, a strong solo stint of ."Donkey Serenade" by Pat and a • generally appealing interval nicely spotted. Carr Bros., follow with smart balancing and hand-to- hand .stuff which registers. Jackie Green takes hold with swift gagging aiid energetic selling: of a parody wrapped around radio com- mercials. ■ Gives out with nice mimicry of Jolson, Cantor., the Ink Spots and Durante;.latter real stand- out and good for repeated bows. Frank Gaby closes , with his sure- fire ventriloquism and comedy aided by audience stooge and a femme as- sistant on stage. Veteran knows all the answers on the double voice and times his laughs skillfully. Goes over big. Biz okay. : BWriii. : share of the kudos. Lynn and Larry prqvide plenty of thrills with their fastrinoving Uni- cycle turn, • Biz capacity. Xiuz. Sianley, l'llt PiltshMipli. Sept. 15. Ray Kinney Orch <14i. Alolm Maids (5). Ben Beri. O/lie OTpole, Russell & Reiiee; "Caiilerrille Ghost" (M-G). •;.';,■;;.,/;-.-.; ';: '. ,:';:..-,- Time was when Hawaiian music was the rage. Any baud Without, a steel guitar and a flock of ukuleles just wasn't a band, that's all. Ray Kinney recalls those; nostalgic days pleasantly with his musical Ambas- sadors to the Mainland. Some of his. ambassadors, however., don't hail from any farther away than the Stanley pit band. Because Kinney himself carries only nine or 10 men, he has borrowed several from the house to make it look big and good on the stage Most of the draftees play only tor the acts, leaving the basic crew to weave the string pat- terns, ' ' : ."-.*.;'■■"'■;;-.-•:':) I.-'•:•..'7: .Trotible with Hawaiian musii; is that a little of it goe- a long way, those continuous effects grow monotonous' after a bit and there's not much change of pate in the Kinney repertoire Same goes for his five Aloha: maid- two of whom dp specialties: Kinney himself plays a swell uke and sings the plaintive melodies effectively While his steel guitarist is a whiz on the instru- ment. Music's at least a .moderately' pleasant respite from the modern brass and blare, : .-. ;• Ollie O'Toole missing from sliOw caught, having been delayed en route from Chicago. Ben Beri' a mop-up. . stopping the . layout cold With his crack comic juggling, in which he doesn't need to take a back seat for any of the Indian Club boys', and Russell & Renee do some won- drously agile stunts on the tram- poline. They're tops in '.heir field. '•'•:.'' ; -.- ">,' Cohen. Stale, K. Y. Sharkey the Seal, Artie Dami 3 Cliotoloteers, Tomtiiy Dix, llartu ■< Mo**,. v^rjjr.'W* "* Ruby Zwerting'.i House Orch; "Med the People" (M-G). : Current vaude layout here is 5(i«; holdover from last week, with Ed Sullivan and Harvest Moon Ball champs continuing as topliner, also Tommy Dix. youthful stage aiid screen singer with robust baritone who whams 'em again with his sock vocalizing to slop the show. New- comers to bill are Sharkey; trained seal; Artie Danu, comedian, and . Three Chocolateeis. One Of the fast- est' septan • dance'.. trios in show biz. Show is entertaining all the way with Sharkey, who does everything but talk, setting the pace with fast routine of nifty tricks punctuated by his snooty rendition of "River Shan- '•'.. uon" on bells. Garners good salvo. Artie "Darin,, whom Ed Sullivan, emeeejng show, int.roes as Broad- way's /latest comedy "find," follows and gives good account with comedy stanza and songs (New Acts). Three ChoeoIa.tec.rs knock themselves out with varied modes of fast stepping, interspersed with comedy antics for solid returns. After which Tommy Dix stops the show with his sock vo- calizing. Harvest; Moon Ball champs close with reprise Of dances which made them, winners ot the X. y. Daily. News contest. Per usual, col-■ umnist Sullivan Hoes an OK enicee- ing job. • .:."'': ■ - -- •'-•■'. ■::";...;-:; Ruby Zwerling and'his pitmen jie on stage and contrib usual good job •'■: on background -music for the acts. Capacity and standees 1 Fridav '(IS).. night. Ed inc. house, band' moved frpfri pit to stage to. give the acts smart musical backing; also..offering smooth playing on: its own. " Brog. ItKO. IIOKllMI Bostov, Sepf. 15; Harry Howard's -•Hgoray for ilie Girls" revue with Vic Hyde. Arthur Blake. Cautier's Bricklayer.-;. Cliaz Chase; "Step Li rely". -iRKO). Original, €lil C/i'<'«yii, Sc/il. ltl. . 'Jimmy Dorscy Orch (481 .'.xpilh: Anita Bayer. Teddy Walters: Ladd Lyoii. Otto Easou, Cecilia • Par/»«»•;•• "Oh. What a Night" \Monot. . .Si. rbarh's, X. O. - New Orleans. Sep!. 15. V C/iico : Mcii-.r. G/ori« Vau. Joey Reardon, Lynn & Larry. Carhons. House Orch: "Ever Since Venus"' (Col).: , .-• '-, : - With Chico'Marx heading a fast- moving 45-minute. bill, the St. Charles is chalking up a heavy gross for the second week in succession.. The nim- ble-fiingered frete Of the. zany broth- ers is no stranger to audiences here, and was greeted with plenty of palm pounding before he touched, a note on the piano. He clowns with mem- bers'of the. baud, and kids'with the other performers and the audience, and keeps the' show moving at. a men y pace, ' * Tees off, with "Gypsy Love Song." aided by Albert Kirst, violinist in the banc and together they get a nice round of applause. In this duo Marx pushes the native son into the spot- light., lie . .contributes: .some lively repartee artd a group of other pop piano tunes which left the packed house clamoring: for more. The comic encored Several times and had to beg off al show caught..'.: j - ' .-:.: ■ Gloria Van. formerly .with Gene Krupa's band, warbles a number Of romantic ballads. Miss Van • isv.a looker with nice pipes, and her ease of delivery Wilis her a nice round of applause The Caritons;. father and son- team, is a topnotch turn that is clean, ex- pert and rich in entertainment, Kenny, the. son. is a six-year-old. and does some incredible balancing feats for a tot. " Harry Howard's newest revue shapes up all . right in the conven- tional style of such-like affairs, with good looking gals (about 20 of them ) in new and okay costumes, four dandy specialties and a few solo dancers: and vocalists. .Production is all click but the, unimaginative and threadbare patriotic, pageant -'-which' brings down the final curtain on the downbeat. ■'■■.''"'.•.•' :-•.''.."■ .' .:■ ■ ■ . First number: is .called "Hollywood School of Art." a colorful , alTair working in the models and the dancing girls; second ties up a bundle of hit tunes like "Begin ihe Beguine," "Donkey Serenade." "Easter Bonnet."* etc., with costume . transforriiations plus a dance spec! lty by Fran.kie' Brooks and w'itli vocals by Larry Stuart. Moves along at good clip. Then there's the inevitable Mexican Fiesta number with okay line dancing by the girls. Same, old stuff, but brightly done here. ; , Vic Hyde clicks as usual ■■wi.l'lr one- man band stud'; Arthur Blake, who's a terrif imitator and has a "sharp line of .chatter to boot (although fre- quently a little too sophisticated for vaude customers), goes for a beg oft', while.Chaz Chase and Gautier's dogr. Prevailing act, standards, also draw kudos. •;••• Show opened when hurricane; warnings. w:ere up and biz was off at opener, ■:' . ' ■•, . Elie. V.hvU; WaNli. . WasJu'fiytoi). Sep!. 15. ' Lou'e. Hite & Stanley. Henri T.'ier- rien, Stflii & Art Capron: Eileen Rttter, Jo Lombardi's House Or;:h; "Hail Conquering Hero" J Par). , Jimmy Dorsey and orchestra are-.'' prime favorites here, not only with , the rug cutters and jivesters bid wilh the older talent as well, because he mixes the hoi stufT with-sweet and pleases all. . Opens , with ^'King; Porter Stomp." follows with iwvelly tune . "John Silver." which, gives drummer Buddy Schutz quitu a" workout. Anita Boyer, vocalist, is brought out to sing "It's a. Crying Shame.'' "It Could Happen lb, You" and "Swingin" on a Star" to fine re- sults, arid Cy Zander trombonist, is featured in the band's sweet arrange-, iiient of "Together." Band, goes to town on the brasses and volunie.wilh "One o'clock Jump" before Dorsey brings on his new baritone, Teddy Walters. Does "How Blue the Night," "I'll Be Seeing You" and "It Had to Be You" to patrons' delighl, and then "Cecilia'' as Dorsey' - .brings o.n Cecilia Parker, former film player: .'. ■ .. Substituting tor Jimmv Cook, reg- ular straight, for Miss Parker.. Wal- ters does a pretty good -job, but. the material arid, action is so silly it doesn't jell and garners sparse ap- plauseat , the ' finish. • Band closes show: with "What a Holiday." Earlier oh the bill Otto Eason. do- ing Bill Robinson steps, but on roller skates, gets over big;wilh his routine including some stuff on stairs. Ladd Lyon and brother Bob draw good with their , expert balancing ;'•'.-,'-•-.-'.-;:,: • . Morg. hand stint. \|»ollo. X. V- Lewie Brown, Wyall Clark. Bohn & Mathews, Worreji Ecnns, Jesse Davis, Miller & Lee. Rosulie Young, Cecil Scott Orch (12), 'John Kirby Orch (6); "Three Russian Girls" ( VA >. ■ Harry Anger brings Jo Lombardi's band on stage-this week- in: niftily lighted setting.. As curtains part Eileen Ritter. in a jaunty military costume, sings "There Are'Ncl Wings on a Foxhole," .seguing mto "G. I. Jive," • joined • by the. RoxyeM.es in military tap dance .drill. Sta'tv and Art Capron are on for five , miiiutes of fast tap dancing. Eight- Roxyettes. which palettes and smocks, introduce Henri Thcrrien, who comes on in artist's costume. An easel.turned.to the audience leads one to believe he will try his hand as a dauber. Instead., he is a soiig stylist, offering in a rich tenor voice "Begin the Begtiine," "Last Time I Saw Paris" (special arrangement) and the "Donkey" soiig. Lowe,, Hite and Stanley, trio of "assbvted sizes, headline. The eight-foot giant, has acquired 'showmanship, and the afl*. works fast, and good for a lotla of laughs. They are dressed in nautical costumes, and for encore , contrib drill routine. Later •they, are on in an afterpiece impersonating the An- drews Sisters 1 to a ■ phonograph rec- ord. Roxeyeltes arc on for a zippy Joey Reardoh.: half-pint c.omic who | finish. This is fast show,.-well light- resembles James- Cagivoy, is another led. playing okav arid well paced, standout. He lias a manner that im- 1 .■■■:■>■ Arte. bill at this Harlem swing citadel is overlong: lineup conw prising seven specialties in addition to musical outfits presided over by Cecil Scott arfd John Kirby. Situa- tion boils down to too much quantity, not enough quality. • v ; v Cecil Scott's b.ahd backgrounds most of show, outfit working up to a tcl'i'ific pitch, on its own and doing fair. job of stringing along oil accom- paniment for individual "acts. Built around five brass, four reeds and three-rhythm. Scott aggregation is a reasonably -good-commercial outfit. Combo'goes too far afield in its Over- worked arrangements, but: response here was favorable despite fact orch repertoire is also almost devoid. of pop material: Scott, handles solo work in" the;sax department In addi- tion to fronting, acquitting himself, well in both'departments. Talent lineup tees off 'with-Wyall Clark vocaliiig. "I'll Get By" and "You'll Never Know.'.', to lair reiui ns; He's just another ill-poised baritone. Lewie Brown on next for a fair ti'i p. bit., leading up to Bohn and Mathews.- ofay knockabout team, who skeined chuckles froin partial audience. War- ren Eyans, who rales a following here, caught'nice share of plaudits baritoning "AH or Nothing at All" and "I Walk.,Alone," lie's a solid Sender and could have stayed around: without suggestion, of .milking crowd. .Jesse Davis is another : "*eavy. • scorer with his dextrous legologv, high falls-and.splits. On the comedy ; end. Miller and Lee wrap things, mi with crossfire dialog that elicits all , the way. Material is standard Negro ioshing. but cfl'ecti\'-ely ■ put across. 'Class of the bill is the John Kirby band,'-which holds, down closing spot ' (Continued ui page 51)