Variety (Jul 1945)

48 VAUDEVILLE We(1aes«l»y, July, 25, 1945 Night Club Reviews Klarlifjilt Roof, IS. V. (W AI.IJORF- ASTORI ^> JrtKp PkI.Ciis, Pail) Wiiiclicll. Ceorflc 0\sen o)id Miscflu- Boir Oi't'lis; $1 niid $2 coiiiTeri. Lucius Boomer's postwar planning should have two musts on the agen- d) d^ ipgardi, the physical appiir- Ifiianees ol the Waidorfs Starlight RoOf: They are (1) airconditiontng ami (21 a raised floor foi the hhow Thp loof IS a niKnomer, being on the 17U\ floor, in eltet't a gian.1 terrace .midway in the more than 40-story Jvoslelrv ^counting the Towers), and It's a pretty hot room m midsurninev. The floorihow's vantage point has ahvavs been a problem. Unlessyou're oil tho nng-side, the show's a iccret. Tlie room is one ol the most bizarre- layouts 111 Gotham, and the fact it dops bu.siness is only a matter ol geography and population As a matter of tact, ventriloquist pMul Wlnchell has already essayed tlie i'aised-Hoor idea m modified foini bul theie. too obvious miscues occui Inslead of the voice-thiow- ei"s poduim being situated almost- vip asfainst the bandstand, he i.s too far down Iront, so that a large -seg- nienl ni even the ringside audience is flanked behind him. While WinChell has done well in : Chi's Palmer Honse. this is his first time 111 N. Y. as a cafe act, although EDDY M 'TheHEIFETZ of Ml* UXRMONICX" A MARGERY WEUES the piano N HELD OVER Jack Harris' LA CONGA, New York s M«iiia9eiiiciil GALE ASSOCIATES. n WMt 4Mi StMtt. New Yark 0 N a st.mdaid m the picture hou'-cs WheiPiii lie.^ the dilleience Intim.ic> doesn't tnean over-lamiliarilv. and it.s one thun; for "Jeiiy Mahoney," the traditionally Jresh dummyi to tell some anonymous pi x theatre dlown^ fronter not to be "ignorant," b.wt it's another thing, when looking close on a ringside cu-stomer and utilize the same technique. It jars ?ind is gri»- tuitous. ■ As for Jane Pickens, she suitered from several things at the preem. One the room is against her. Two. she van overboard to a lackadaisical audience Xhl'^e, sound showman- ship doesn't mean theatrical artifi- ciality It's 111 the latter aspect w here she seems, to suffer mot.t, which is contrary to her u.sually ac- ceptable performances, especially m more Wtime rooms, as when she was at the Hotel Pierre'.s CotiUion, the Versailles, etc She makei an exag gerated "Indian XiOve Call" entrance down those shoit .steps at the Roof's entrance, which is an attempt lor an effect which never comes olT Then comes ati overlong routine which should end even before that aiidi- ence-mirror-reflection number, one of her be.st, by the way. But "In; Mv Arms," thereafter to self-accomp, in sundry nationalistic arrangements,. is too much. In between she so- pranos "Summertime." "Begiiine." "Gonna Love That Guy " (with cun- ou."! arm-fold mannerism**, "Gypsy Makes Violin," etc As for George Olsen, he's back m the big leagues at the Waldorf, but why he.chooses to play-Latin music, With that crack Mischa Borr en- semble already doing very well at. it. makes one wonder. Olseti us uke ot-hei\Mse lor the stiaighl dansapa- tion Abel. I'af<» H»iig<', N. 1'. (PENNSYLVANIA' HOTRL)- Woody HeriiUDi Oreh (20) wi\h Prances Wayne; no mvtwnuw^ cover, SI loeekdtiys. $1.50 u'eekends. Thei o! may be a -more eftective jiiid than this somewhere amon? the toiJ name bulflts in: the coliritry, but if. there'is it hasiVt. b.qen Heard trom lately Woody Hcinian s loni- tnnation ot five liumpats, four tiom- bones six sa-t and four ih.ythm talves back seat to none. However, it can al.so be said that Herman's band is niore capable than most, in providing customers for an ear 4oclor.;' ^.3i!^heh' tlvis ■'band,, stal:ts; .i:ici- ing a lazz' piece, it ;is .one..ot- the 'rn'o.st excrtirig .bands .iii the cpuht.ry, one of the wildest^and one of the loudest. It simply doesn't quit. When Herman was' last at the Penn. he was' emphasizing ballad material tealurmg himself on alto. I Between 'that, time and this the [bands inclination.'! have swerved 1 back toward rideout material, it seems..lt still: does ballads at .a com- I fortable ratio, but the emphasi.s is. now m the other direction. Since Herman is now at the point where the sliishtest boost can put him at the top of the band heap, it might be wise to I'emembei that a tune called "Frenesi" helped put him in the contending position he no* oc- cupies. In short, the band is good by any standards, its material like- wise, but a little more attention tb cottinnercialiam is in order. Merman's personal attributes have oft been pointed out in"Variety." He's still got 'em in large doe.s—he plays, sings, gags, ad libs, will dance at the slightest provocation (that's his old vaude training), and on top of that he's photogenic. Who wants mon?'.' ■ ■■' Frances Wayne, vocalist with the band for some time, is doing the usual Solid job. She's incteasingly: getting the: attention she so long deserved. Wood. C'fc«K Far<*«>. 4'III ' Chicago. Jtilj/ 19. . Joe E. Leu;is, with Austin AlacK; Arthur Lee S»tnpfcin.i, Girardo.f (2), j*dorab!es (10> Cou Cloridse Orch (12), Lucio Carcio Orch (B), $3- $3 50 nmi There are two Lewises in town now, and Ted might as well resign himself to the fact that he s going to have to .start divvyin/> up those mobs who've bfen jamming the Latin Quarter with the Chez Paree's Joe Fi., who had 'em walking up a couple of flights at the oi>ener, the elevator was so lammed. They love the latter here,- and anything he does IS okay- What he does this time is' to make the payees beg for more.- To clinch a surefire thing he's surrounded with a fast, fancy .show.' Lewis' lopicat stulT; is sock. -He kid- sopliio Tucker who closed, tor peddling copies ot her book (pro- ceeds ot:which 50 to chantv t- be- tween shows, suggesting she sing a, new tune written by himsejl: titled Gotta :M!Ske a Buck witti a Book," takes oft Hildegarde, mentions the nass at Arlington bv name, etc.. to send 'em with the local, reteiences— and all without a .single mention of bullet-ridden Cieero. Illinois'- Aus-- lin Mack sticks right with him- oh the ivories through the sad. stransje story of Gwendolyn Plotz and. Thorndyke McKecster, parodies of "My Heart Sin<>s and ' Wjiina Get 'Married.'' plus "Photo Fiiil.*." Nylons" 'Gotta Get Nails Bulled Every Day." and "Groom Couldn't Get In" BeiioPI Giiardos are a cleancut. energetic: ballioom team, remindfur of the Bdir\s and sock ovci a tiio of fast routines lor top returns. Arthur Lee Simpkins h o. isn't quite as heav.y in the dramatic dent, as he was in the .last show, Umitiiij*. his VfellgiOus numbers to one—"The Lord's Prayer.'' Sepia tenor also a begofl; toHowing a sextet of tunes including Road to Mandalay." "Smoke Gets iiiv Your Eyes, "Alouette." ''Dark Byes." and. of cotirse "Prayer." lattei- bein.E! oiil of place but silence-: .commanding withal. ■ -Pertly garbed, smooth-stepping- Adorable.s, in Olive Bernard produc- tions, do. a sailor, picture hat and Spanisn nunfiber, and Gay Claridge and bandboys contnb their usual good services, as do Lucio Garcia's- men'duiing the Latinteivals Miffe.: SHUttKir DENNIS Sonri II Mim. 'Slapay. Maxis'*,'' A. ■ ' ' Shirley Dennis* singing features fresh personality and enthusiasm as much as it does vocal ability. Her lepertoire is varied, mike presence good and looks on the credit side. Gal's appearance doesn't go with iiishtclub sophistication, so it's to her credit that .she can sell herselt and numbers m such a rowdy spot as Slapsy Maxie's She's strictly young appeal with good profesh voice and delivery that has value as contrast to usual nitery talent. Miss Dennis has been around in the east but this is her fltst nitery booking on the Coast.' There's plenty of vitamins in rendition ot- "Come Out,' "Five Salted Peanuts" and hei •version of ''Take Me Out to the Ball- game:" She switches to sweet with equal ea.se on "I Don't Want to Be Loved'' and"If You Were the Only Girl." She wears her clothes well, knows how to warfti up audience and lates her featured booking here. Broff. NORMAN LAWRENCE 'S»ngs-Emc*e-'- ' ' 12 Mins. ■ ■ Hotel Belmont-PU/a, N. Y. . Ii|Oi*man Lawrence is a: nice-loolo' iiig' young baritone wiih a pleasant voicBi but he obviously; shows -a need for experience in both announce- ments and singing. He was emcee- mg at the Gld.ss Hat of the Hotel Belmont-Play.a: wlien caught and had a tendency to slur some ot the talk in addition to the lyriosv Addition- ally; in handling an audience par- ticipation stunt utilizing the Kathryn Dufly Dancers, he .showed a distinct void in glibness.' : Rece^ntly of "Follow- the Girls.'' Lawrence right now should em- phasize stage conduct Kahii. rep of the American Theatre Wing She has a good beginninff and what she lacks will be picked up pronto since Barney Josephson will piob- ably keep her in his spor loi a lone time. '•:..'?■"■' Miss Reed perches heiscic on a bar stool, accompanie.s heiselE on llip ^(ither and Jrish harp and sings old American and English ballads hi the Richard Dyer-Bennett tradition Her voice is extremely pleasant, and her selection ol tunes with luslv content pleases the audience F.ict" that !,he was held on the flooi lor 18 minutes indicates the eiowd's acceptance. Miss Reed also has arnice sense of ■ adlib Both the zither ind lush tiarp need tuning after every num- bei She manages to eiiteitain the ciowd duung these lulls She'll probably wind up as a concert at- ti action but plent.> OK foi the class niterics. Jose, ZKXITH toco ~ .Song:s'. 10 M'lns. .:. , ■" ■ Montana theatre, BiU'.e, Mont. Bouncy Zenith sisters reallv stir lisleneis Bloncies I'lom Holhwood: send out resonant harmonies that vibrate audience aitentioii with pops aiitt novelties. . Attractive girls have been. work-. ing : steadily^-rvaude and inghlclubs and can work most vaude and night , spots. - : , : . AfwU. . I SUSAV REED r Songs 18 Mins. Cafe Society Downtown, N. Y.. Susan Reed, newcomer, proves herseU to bf' one of the' most re- treshing additions to the entertain- ment scene. She's a cute and per- sonable youngster, around-18, whose .sole experience . wa.s -probably - ob- tainedm the living room during family after-dinner soirees. In her ease her.'•laclt-:Dl experience is an asset' adding to her eflectivenes.s. She ihas still to learn how to apply makeup properly, wear the proper kind of dresses and make the endings of her numbers more deti- nite. At tins stage of her develop- ment the.se rough' points add to her .charnr. , Accounting for her superior sense, of showmaiLship is the fact that she's from a theatrical famib'V being the daughter of Theodoie Reed, the di» rector,, and Isadora Bennett, press THE CHORDS SELECTED FOR RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL UNIT FOR OVERSEAS f l.(>»n'T.<>oii1il«>fr TtlAtlkS to -I llMVO .}«rlH>ot«>r I l.un r4*iii-« I'liilifi* I'rr. MUii:ic«mttnt: KI>»(R SMITH iMtiu <|"«r<<'r.-Xi-lV— -■Oil Ze Boii-lct'ard.: musical rerue concewed by Lou Wallers U-nd stafled by Wally Wanqer. Dancen bv Ted Adolphiis. Fealuritui Mary Baye & Mario NoUii, Pat Roo/iey. AlormTi-ne, Sheila 'Bond, Dtck Burk- ley, Billy Wells & A Fays, Noel Toy, Mmg. Ling & Hoo Shee, Wim WalsIr Don Saxon 4 iWoroccoiii, Line Marlij Beck Orch; no covers $3 ttaiiiiiiimi; weeKendi $3 50. GAGS! JOKES! GAGS! PATTER! WISEXRAX! STORIE$! Far oudt-iiltii cliibi. nidlt. M.G.'i. siniln. iloiiblis, •niuiiiiDirii, tntitan. Hm |«k«s. illreelori, band kailiri. tuenkwi. nnics, itii)l«s. maiieians, Vftiltrilos.. toiiimenlattri,. writers, cartasnliti, ata. Funoivlasler Oag Filet N«*. 1 Thra 10 $1.05 Per Script, Pottage Prepaid Each- File CoMaiat 0««r 100 Sack Gagt! t Hake Oliei'ka I'aiyaM* to .I'AULA SMITH " ' : Mitil to "Fuu-MmIW son W. Mth St.. New Vnrk C'ltj l>. N.t. LATE FEATURE OF OLSEN AND JOHNSON'S "SONS O' FUN' HnERICK RROS.. ,U70 Sixtli Ave., New Yorlt City ' 1>lrt>«'iioii; l\('K KM.('III''IM Lou . Waller.s' new summer revue' tagged "On , Ze.-.Boulevarci," is a divertiojg suranier* layout toplined, by Mary 'Raye and Mario Naldi. top- flight terperSi and comprising six other standard vaude -acts and spe- cialists. All get nilly production buildups by Wally Wanger, pro- ducer From opening ' Rue de la Paix' number, wherein a gay Pans street scene is faithfully reproduced, to the United Nations finale. Its solid .entertainment aU the way. Waltei's and Wanger can take a couple of bows for this one, the former a double-take for his out- lay on lavish costumery: and scenic erabellLshment. After :opening. Billy . .Wells and.. Four Fays, two men and tlit'ee gat.s.: lake over for standard aci o. and teips, giving way to ooraphish Sheila Bond for nifty - tapstering: Motll then goes Celtic for entrance ot Pat Boonev. Wini Walsh and Don Saxon duet •How You Can Tell They'ie lush.' flanked iby the Wanger line, in colleen costumes, for bits ot reels and Jigs as prelude to Rooney's entrance, with latter .socking over his standard waltz-clog to strains ot "Daughter of Rosie O'Gradv" tof solid applause dividends. He follows with fiome 'Soltshoe terpmg to"Tea for Two' and wraps it and the audience up. with: jitterbug dance with winsome Miss Bond .pick . Buckley spots his andieoce participation stunt next. bi'iiig,iug up three service mpn and a gal to Chailie McCdiMu loi his "Amo.s 'n' (Continued on page 49) Thonks to MARVIN SCll^kCK -and. JESSE KAYE for Roeont Enqaqomont at ~ LOEWS STATE New York ALAN GALE "In ^alet of Laughter" Thanks to HARRY ROMM, General Amusement Corp. '" Pertonal'.M.aBa9*r .'.. . JOLLY JOYCE, Earle Theatre luildiRf| 11th and Market Streets Philadelphia. Po. LOW9 HITE and STANLEY Again on Broadway Loew^s State NEW YORK (Week July 2i) Per. M<it.: EDDIE SMITH