Variety (Jun 1945)

Wednesday, June'20, 1915 43 Night Club Reviews C;»pa«?abaua, Xf. - Y. •Mitzi Green, Russell Siwriui, JWnrio * Florin Enric .Madrignera Orch t,Hh Patricia Gil more Don Dennis, Jacqueline Fontaine, Line (8) Htrron Orch; Joel minimum, $2.'50-$3.50. If Mitzi Green hadn't previously clinched her bigleague, standing she does so now at the Copa, which last week brought in a smashing, high- powered talent lineup. Each of the headline turns—Mitzi Green, Rus- sell Swann. Mario & Floria—is an 'outstahder in its respective category Opening show last Thursday U4) was held up for un hour and a half because of a disagreement between the nitcry and the American Guild of Variety Artists concerning the chorus. Despite this delay and usual opening-night jitters, the bill played smoothly for terrific returns. Miss Green, of course, cops first ■honors with her satirical impressions of showbiz celebs. Following a con ventional opening with straight vo cals which could and should be blue-pencilled, she abruptly swings into the vocal comedy interpreta- tions which are her forte. Her take- offs are brilliant and she has been equipped with material to match. Her rationing number, a corking switcheroo on Ted Lewis titled '•When My Butcher Smiles at Me," cleans up. Ditto the Jerry Colonna, Harry Richman and Sophie Tucker interpretation. , - , Miss Green's top smash, however, is an uproarious imitation of Hilde- garde. She floats out on the floor following a "surprise" announcement by orch leader Joel Herron that a famous celebrity in the house has been prevailed upon to make an ap- pearance. . , , , , For a moment it looks and sounds like the mccoy. Miss Green then proceeds to tantalize the customers, a la Hildegarde, with promises to sing ("We MUST get on with our little song"), but she never does. She gives out with "Bonjours" and mis- cellaneous dialog between promises, with the audience in a panic by the time she's ready to float off the floor. On for around 28 minutes and, ex- cept for the straight vocals which can be cut. not a second too long. Swann maintains the fast laugh tempo, no easy task following Miss Green.' As always, he's the suave, thoroughly accomplished magico- comic. The snake gag, where the green monster comes out of a basket holding the selected card and has to be hynotized by the orch to get back into the basket, is one of Swann's most effective bits. Another is the guillotine trick, worked with a plant, and gagged up for excellent results. Mario & Floria are, of course, among the most distinctive cafe and hotel room terpers around. Their routines arc substantially the same as in their recent vaude dates, and not much change is necessary since . the act retains its novelty. Team possesses grace, speed and charm. They score in rapid succession with aero waltz, tango, ballet and turkey trot—all in the dashing ballroom motif. Enric Madriguera, _a potent name for the rhumba-samba addicts, further weights the balance for the Copa. Don Dennis, vocalist, holds over, going over in the production ' numbers. Jacqueline Fontaine is on for a couple of nifty tap numbers with and without the smartly-cos- tumed line of lookers, while Patricia Gilmore is a good-looking front as she sings with the Madriguera band. Ensembles are attractively presented. Herron skillfully batons the show music. Mori. ing which the Albins gel earthy again with a brace of comedy ball- room stunts, which sandwich a mild Karloff impresh by the guy. Ring- siders enjoy the perilous teeterings of the distaff member, who almost but never quite falls in their laps. Bobby May tosses Indian clubs and a top hat around dexterously. For sock finale the gal line and two of the acts—dance and comedy teams—are. turned out in red, green and silver costumes to match the chorines' getup, struttting their stuff in front of a huge jungle scene, while Marty, Kay, Pat & Jo, band's good-looking femme vocalists, chirp "Sing a Tropical Song." Frankie Masters' boys provide smooth dansapation and back the acts neatly. Phyllis Mylcs contribs ear-soothing choruses during dance interludes, while Mischa Novy's band does okay as relief crew. Mike:. ■. "Cigarets.' "Walk Up and Down Again," "Movies." "Open the Win- dow," - Should I Be Hot" are all ex- cellent. These include a terrific satire un Hildegarde < "Brunnehilde")—Mitz i Green at the Copa is also mimicking the Persian Room chanteuse—and a tiptip rib on soap operas. Jose Melis, Spanish pianist who specializes in Chopin, is a click. Ditto Monica Boyer, Santa Dominican, with Latin ditties in rhythmic tempos such as "Mucho Gusto." "Papa, Open the Door" icalypso), "Chu Chi Chi," while Thelmn Carpenter, doubling from "Memphis Bound," also regis- ters with songs. Abel. Variety Gills WEEK OF JUNE 21 \ In connection with hills below Indicate opealn« day of shew, whether full or split neck. Show Box, Seattle Seattle, June 14. Sally Rand, Everett Conway, Al fc John Allen, Thomas ' & Jenee, 8 Lowlies, Jerrj/ Ross, Harry Reed's Show Box Band; admission, $1.18. Sally Rand, always popular in Seattle, toplines at this 1,500-seater, packing 'em in nightly for record $38,000 on two weeks' engagement. After a year's layoff, Miss Rand is doing okay. She's smooth with the fans and revealment stuff, and this Navy town is going-for her in •a big way. Jerry Ross, emcees show as well as doing his own stint later on the bill. Does a nice job handling the show and also clicks with comedy gab and naughty songs/in own spot. The Lovlies line and three other acts round out the bill. The line gals are young, nifty lookers, who contrib.nice prelude to Miss Rand's routine. Everett Conway clicks in ventriloquist turn. Al and John Al- len score in chatter and hoofing. Thomas and Jenee, mixed .duo. exude ability and class in their neat terping, Trep. Jackie Phillips, emcee at Jack Sil- verman's Old Rumanian nitery, N.Y., to which Eddie Cantor and a sizable Broadway contingent junketed last Thursday, is a promising young comedian of obvious borscht circuit antecedents. Much of his stuff is too raw which, parlayed with the brash lyrics that Sadie Banks gives out, is rather bizarre, but seemingly com- mercial, in what is fundamentally a family nitery where good food is a dominant keynote. Phillips has pos- sibilities, but'needs material. Mimi Kellerman. niece of the famed An- nette Kellermann, the swimmer, is also featured here. The dancer is staging a comeback, having retired because of motherhood, and im- presses as very likely for the big league uptown bistros. She's camou- flaged as Mimi Cartier. The six girls do acceptable chorus routines, and Joe La Porte's quintet gives out with versatile dansapation from Latin to straight, with a dash of dialectic music when needed. Songstress Olga Woytova puts ^the accent on the Volga syllables with her vodka airs. Abel. NKW YORK CITY Capital (JI) G 't.ombardu Ore . .1 ll Me HavlM! ' . . .1 oey Adams Mark Plant P Renins K toy B's Stale CSt) Jim W'niK P & Sally HaVlne.ll nick Buckley Virginia Weldler Ross Jfe I.h iMerre Al Gordon W'ASHINfiTlCV Capitol (il) Borrah Minevifch l.add Lyon Lucky. Girls NKW YORK CITY Paramount (2ft) . .Teriy Walcl Bd A Ma 11 Jones Gil Lamb . '■> Kilepu Harton l.vii Shirley Boll Coffey BlKi'ALO Buffalo (SO) In' Spots Cootie Williams Klla Kit KK"! a Id I'nke * Poke . Ralph Brown CHICAGO Chicago (SO) Sammy Kayo Bd l!.l Cy Rp«v^)i H Jjine ,fe Claire KcKBl (SO) Lionel Hatuptotv Bit 2 Zephyrs ' B n K NieJiiinBale MIAMI Olympia (SO) Morris Kc Morris { Diana Berry B Fai-rell ,fc Boom Sheila Barrel t Stevens Br * Big B OMAHA . •-. . Ornlieum (SO) Sk'imiay Kun.is Bd Tari Vance Stanton Sis ■ (Jills 0'Toole : Marilyn Mai'Sll Koliini Jerry Lee .si>Rix«i-ir.i.u . . Court. Square (21-**) Jules & Tita :t Harmonica Reeda ITal Stone • Tom Barry :( Stowaways Jimmy Givene . NEW JQZ& CITY N. Y. Nitery Followup Look to Nelson RKO Boulevard IfcooiM, Chi (STEVENS HOTEL) ChieOflO, June 15. Frnnlcic Masters Orch (14) u'itd Marty, Kay, Pat & Jo, Phyllis Myles and Frank Cook; Copsey & Ayres, «ussell & Rence,_ Dolores & Andy_ Albpi, Bobby May, tioulevar-&ears <12), Mischa Novy Orch (5); $3 13.30 minimum. i Another nod to Dorothy Dorben 'or a sumptuously dressed, niftily staged and lighted show in the inti- mate revue vein. No small achieve- ment, either, is the stunning-looking |fne she has gathered when chorines »| hard to get in Chicago: ... ■ standout in vaude acts, Copsey & «yrcs follow the Burmese opener by «ne line with some East Indian neck gyrations.a la Jack Cole, complete «r.rf "fnmestonc-studded foreheads »na whatnot, that sell, easily. They're reprised later for a boogie in which 35 W> who 's right there with the ? 1 o,s a., shines. Getting trampoline rig on for Rus- S « e nee doesn't slow up the. iw-movmg proceedings, with the °?" ncm ,g duo cutting themselves in. weSSrk for a nice slice of applause. ili.li » c °ok steps out of the band- fiieiilor a well-received rendition of '(W. . ■ Be Good," "William Tell nW if,i? re and "Twelfth Street Rag" . on harmonica and guitar. VnJ , r 8owns and a smooth rou- Bn«i„ R £ v e,'s "La Valse" by the Bomcvar-Dears snap the customers «acK to a class atmosphere, follow- Monroe Seton, headlining the new Leon & Eddie's show, with its star Eddie Davis vacationing, is a coming comedian. He has yet to find him- self. It's a combination of straining for effect and material. When he has good material, as that uppity A&P grocery clerk routine, he reg- isters. Art Waner's band and the Sidney Sprague femme octet are a good mainstay for the rest of the revue, which opens with the dancing Dwyers doing bolero taps and acro- batic legmania to "Humoresque." Francine White, with songs, should try not to look so "cute"; otherwise she's- okay for the league, with "Tree Grows in Brooklyn," "Acapulco" and "Soldier Boy." Stanley Fischer with his harmonica virtuosity doesn't need that military trailer about his war decorations. This is bound to ■become an increasing display of questionable taste if not properly handled. His "Begin the Beguine, Lecuona's "Malaguena" and the boogie-woogie finale are strong. The somewhat startlingly blond ven- triloquist, Bob Karl, who works with a live midget as an auxiliary "dum- my." is a novelty, getting off strong with his vocalisthenics. And. of course, what's a Leon & Eddie show without a stripper. Jean Mode fills the bill well. Abel. This is Harry James' third trip to the Hotel Astor Roof, N. Y., and he's claimed to be doing a business that in number of covers and gross sur- -passes bis-first-two dates despite his. long absences from the east. He's backed by a band that, while it may not be a great outfit, is certainly ex- citing and highly acceptable. Kids of all ages who follow this band to the Astor Roof still seem highly gratified by its performance. They're served with excellent dance tempos, arrangements that seem bet- ter than any James has used before, fine vocals by Kitty Kallcn and Buddy DeVito, and, finally, a 14- picce fiddle section that's sock. You can't get into the joint— not even past the lobby elevator starter—if you haven't a reservation. Wood. Le Rubin Bleu, which folds for the season the end of this month, goes out in a blaze with one of its best shows as emceed by Julius Monks, the artistic director. Incidentally, the latter plans on a hotel career in the fall where his capabilities in re- cruiting a good talent array should', interpret itself handily. 'Die show which boniface Anthony Mele has on lap is headed by Jane Dillon, nee Ginger Dulo, who until recently was with "On the Town" as understudy to Nancy Walker. Miss Dillon is out- fitted with an excellent repertoire of special material by Bud Buiston. - continued from page 3 ss far been without an active, fulltime executive head of sufficient national prominence to carry weight in Gov- ernment circles. Growing, opposition to method of representation by the Hays office in public relations and inter-trade mat- ters as well, as feeling that Hays of- fice represented opposition interests has been noted for some time past. As previously reported in "Va- riety," independents have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the playing time accorded independent releases and with trade practices tinder the decree. Contention voiced in indie circles that as co-members in the Hays group- the majors should provide more satisfactory trading conditions. Several months ago Mary Pick- ford, David O. Selznick and other indies took the lead in opposing con- tinued membership by United Artists in the Hays office. UA execs then met with Hays reps and declared that, as a distributor for independent product, the company intended to Withdraw from the organization. (This was reported in "Variety" prior to the Warner Bros, with- drawal.) Nelson succeeds Loyd Wright, who continues as general legal coun- sel for the SIMPP. The former WPB head inked deal after 10 days of ne- gotiations with a committee headed by Selznick. David M. Noyes, assistant to Nel- son on the WPB, will function as v.p. of the group while John C. Flinn continues as executive secretary. SIMPP membership includes Selz- nick, Samuel Goldwyn, Walt Disney, Walter Wangcr, Sol Lesser, Edward A. Golden, Leo Spitz, William Goetz, Jesse L. Lasky, Jules Levey, David L. Loew. Mary Pickford, Arnold Pressburger. Rainbow Pr6ductions -i Leo-McCarey-Bing Crosby), Charles R. Rogers, Harry Sherman, Jack Skirball. Andrew Stone, Hunt Strom- berg, United Artists and Orson Welles. '•"..' BOSTON Hoxton' r;i) Ben Woodman Ore Dorothy Keller Tim Herbert John (Nilvert SAX l-KANCISCO (ioldrn liate c:«> Don *. Beverly Hector ,(c Vain Bill'* Haj tt'a Ethel Gilbert Bernte Grauer Harold Willard' ■lack Ryan Charles Strickland Hum;v Burn* Bill Kelney Gay 'HI'b Otiartette Blue Alice! .Mildred Bailey Delta Rhythm Boys Irene Boi-doui Blirron'tt Birds Bobby Short Cbtttisoii Trio Cafe Soeiety I Uptown). Jimmy Savo Josh White Dolores Martin ilea Kraft Gene Field (It) I'll II .Moore Ore Cnf* SmJelft (Downtom) Ann Hathaway Mary Lou Wm.s ioiwnod Smith Bd Hall Ore . Carnival SV Hdveter Dera * Mnrrocans The Gibrons tliaflle Malloy ivay a. Karbt • Whirlwinds Don Mcijrane Ore Art Alooney Ore I'arouH"! Nan BlaUstone Caaino .Rusae Stanley Melba Or* vvaily Boa« Hotel flaim Bob Grant Ore HildeEarde Hotel Roosevelt Eddie Stone Ore Hotel St Moritz D's Del Carmen Bd Hotel Talt Vincent Lopez Ore Hotel Waldorf-A Herni'os Williams t .< 'a.ntu' Victoria Cordova . N Brandwynno Ore Iceland .Maxellos Boyd Heathen Lou Martin Ore Juliet Mastery Detlulnccy A Given* Iveily'a. Stables Taps Milier.Orc Vivian Garry Trio • Alda : .Hramj Belle's l.a Rubio Jean Colvln* RuUya .Li nn Jo Ann Colly** AJoma ■ Renee Kosita* Diane Pace Carter &*floaa Joe (Y.peilo Oro I .a Conga Bert frohman Servandos 3 Krasers .Machlto Bd • BOOKING THE NATION'S LEADING INDEPENDENT VAUDEVILLE THEATRES EDWARD SHERMAN AGENCY NEW YORK PARAMOUNT BUIL0IN9 BEVERLY HILLS. CAL CALIFORNIA RANK 8LD6. COI.I .MKI S I'lilnce <*B-*R) Mai Ballet Ore, Ray Knglinh Diosa I'Oflellu llllk, I.CKlic Tex Rider Hillbilly Jamboree Warner NKW YORK CITY Strand (it) T.ouis Prima Ore fair Bros Dane ''lark rilff.ADKI.I'HIA Karle (*«) Roi'lienier J Richards Ore \ ; Tbntniy. Trent Kit fy *..M ur-ray .N'fiii Wyiin WASIII.N't.TON Kniie (St) ftoxyeltes ItelciV Pari : iaTl.-" Reuald * Rudy. Steve Evans Cabot Dresden CITY- (SI) NKW YORK Mllsie Hall A nehui ina Win Dollar Edward Keiclielt Bernard Briffin Wm .hi.1.1 Tony Culkis Geo cronin Sid ('idcaiiate Ko»v (SO) T *. S Deniarco ' John Boles The Pitchmen Jaekie Gleason Roddy McDowell . Apollo (SS) Wayne Matiilt Co LONG ISLAM! .lamulea (21-S4) Mary .vrrCalllliao .. Johnny Cladinore Toni D'.Nell Hop, Skip * Jump — t«i-sz> .. L Wells & Jeajielte Katherh Sammy Ted & in. Day Moss I' Adair CAMDKN Toarra (tS-S*) Orlando Sia Bobby noxier Jean . Bedilli & Joe Don »la>a MeParlund & Br'n CII1CAUO Oriental C!l) Jean I'arUer Krani-es cay 4 Lenny Kent Lerny Bros Blair.& Dean IIARTFOKII Slate ift-t*) Vallit'les on loe Vlcllydc. . The Samuels' . Benny Bauer KANSAS 'CITY Tower («> ■pBTirSf Doty PheTpl Nelson's Value Continued from page 3 Montgomery t'or the lead in "Lamb." He is 'negotiating- with Frank Capra to direct "Lamb,"' offering James Cagnev in return for a Capra pic- ture. Cagncy said that "Lamb" has been budgeted at $1,200,000. He is dickering with Claudette Colbert and Jean Arthur (or the femme lead. Second Cagney production sched- uled, is "A Lion Is in the Streets" (Tech), to roll after "Lamb," around December. Third on the slate is "Only the Valiant" (Tech) sched- uled to Mart in March. He plans "Port Royal" i Tech) as the fourth. Cagney has raw stock for only one film at the moment but expects that the supply situation will be greatly improved by the time he is ready to Mart .shooting "Lion." Amarica'i Leading iHrftpwuhMt AfMt EDDIE SMITH 1501 Broadway ; Ntw York The i;rwc Dhk< enM (,odS lo Hill AKRON alace (SS-Sr.) BlDilKtoii Or-) ■t- Jnines l.TnicI; .V- I'liuekles ATLANTIC CITY Steel Pier i:S-M) jllray* l-'anillv Lennie (lale Dolly Dan IV Stun K rainer I 'o Ceiie Kropn ltd R.MI/I'.'MOKK Hippodrome 'I'he (HcnitH :i I(> lion Xis Dailnv limyiion Mr HaJlafiiinc Slate (SI-S.1) Al K- i'ontiie Kanion ttleaflon X- Sanborn Uotmle I'arycr • (S4-S7) Arthur Donnelly r-n Shuvo Sherman Uuttell s!« Lew Welion ■ . Mii.n ti kki. Rirentidr (SS) .1 ''Seal." Davis ltd The Alotlern.-ilj'ea i.'ltrlslilie Korsyihe i One lo nil i rmi.ADHi i iMA - Car man (SS) lioivell .<• H(ttvj(er Hob * M dales Jae<|iiciine Murley :l Murk Tl inlelK IVillow liro\e I'Mrfc (S4Ili Only) Al A- I'olnlie r'alHoir Tom Oshorn illeason ."C- Sabboril Bardo * Xliiclt' ROCKKOlin I'alnee (SS-SI) 6'*'l'aylorel i es Slr'b'ry riimsell *. .1 J. J.|i:t;oy Sis OlRa Baelanova Adia l\imietzolT Simeon Kai'zacff a Oodolhan-Ore . I opacalmna Rnrit: :\(adrigueia Mify.i (Ji'een, Ru.ssol] Sxvann Mario A, .I'loria Don Ueiulis Joel Herron Con Ronce Irwtn Polk ore Diamond ITorM'sltoe Bob Hall Johnny Burke Kmma Krancis .. Haze! 3f.infreau I SUtrola Dalo '- I'e.'il l.ewin . Gloria l.oRoy Hilly Banks Bill. Qucntmeyer Mitchell Brother Michael Howards Mort R«id Ore Vincent Tmver* Ore 400 Clab Benny Goodman Ore llacliito Bd Havana-Madrid Flores Jfc DetJordoba. Hal Winters I'ilise Jayne' Maria l.otiisa Lope'/. t'atalino Ore Carlos Varela Oro Hotel Ambassador T.ouis Bctaneourt O Jules Lands Oro Hotel Astar Harry' .fames Ore Kitty Kallen Buddy DeVito irorky ('oreoran Juan 'riy.nl Hotel Brtmont 1'lio.a Gale Roberts . Given Roberts Bill Russell Kathryn DutTy Dcrs Nino Morales Ore Payson Re Ore Hotel Blltmora Henry Buss^ Ore Barrys—'— ■~r^-^'<~-. Hotel Co<nmodorr Mishei Corner Oro Hotel male Don Baker Ore Hotel Rdlsoa Jose i.'orte-/. Ore Essex House Stan ICnller Oro Ruth Cleary Hotel l.esiR|lo> Momi Kal Tapu Kaua falhna Millie .Mokihana . ". Harold Aloma Ore notel l.lneoln Erskine H'klns Oro Hotel New YulUrl Joan Ityldoft; Torl'y Brent l*ii it Remains Neil t'oiitaine Arnold Shoda sonny Dunham Ore ' Hotel t'eiinsvlvmiln Geoige 1'axt.bn Oro A lau. Dale Uttty.Jo Da'iey lintel I'lerra Dl ijlfntios l.a Uarflnlojua Harry RioUluan l'*rartl;ie Uyors Lillian Moora Harris Trio Danny Daniels Soeasses Oro Dick Rhodes Oro * I alio . Quarter Tommy Dii , Mazv.one-Abbott D lorfa Gilbert Shea & Raymond Don Saxon Harold & Lola Hudson Wonders Ben Dova ' Win! Walsh Marty Beck Ore Le Bonus Vie* lane Dillon riietina Carpenter Monica Bosar lose Mellia Cedrlo Wallace I l.eon * Kddle's Monroe Seton Ruth *. II Dwyer Francine While Stanley Fischer lean Mode Bob Karl Art Waner Oro Masts Carle Dick Guaparre Ors Jean P Murray . Lady. Anne Alberto Oro Old R«»*naalaB Olea Woytova Sadie Banks Mimi Cartiur Joe Ijcl'orte Ors Refers CSrser Piarrr Lefcnurt Ors Clark's Hawaiian* Harold Green Freshmen Mars Trio Kom Kobblers Slg Schati Oro KnJvj-'s Root Splvy (Larior *-Bowls. ■__ layne Manners Ktork Clab Morales Oro Brnie Hoist Ors Stan Keller Ors Versailles Jerry Cooper Dariene. Zlto Jack Harwood Gloria Davis Kendall Kelly Miriam Seabold Joe RJoardel. Ore Village Bora At Robinson "'.' Alkali Ike Miia Rossiliaoo Moore His Tiny Clark ISddie Ashman Ore Zanzibar Cab Calloway Ore count Le. ftoy Day. Dawn & Dusk Pearl Bailey Bill Bailey Peewee Marquette Cook St. Brown Dorothy Sault.ers ClaUde Hopkins Ors Buddy Cole and band recorded "You and the Night and the Music," "My Heart Stood Still,"."Relax, - ' and "The Way You Look Tonight" for Capitol. .