Variety (Jul 1945)

50 HOUSE REVIEWS WeiliieMlay, July 2r>, 1945 €«pitol, K. V. Prtiil WMiemaii Orch (36), Lionel Kiiy,', JofiHiiic Johnston; ''Anchors Aiiviflh'" (M-G) reviewed last iceek ill "V'«rie*iy." Whiteman at $12,500 (actually 50G fur a Iduv-week minimum* and a $4.oO0-a'Wt'ek crooner combined with M>>tio's socko filmiisical, "Anchors Av eisjii," are a b.o. viot at the Cap- itol. The picture runs better than tW'o hours, SO the- show has been triftimed to..40 niinute.s and pack.s plenty. Bill could run heie lor months. From a n oft'Screen voice, when he first, chiiped "That Old Black Magic" in a Par pic, Johnston now one ot the bobbysox socks of the season. With Sinatra on the screen, the par- la.v makes for the squdalers" delight. A.s evidence ol their adoration for Tlie Verce, when Johnston does "It's - Gotta Be This or That," the line "it's gotta be Bing or Frank" gets plent.i of acclaim for, the latter. Well, no matter ho\v. you slice it, it adds up to plenty, at the gate.. , Johnston is an anomaly as a per- sonality. Over^londlned—he really should cut down on the peroxide-r- th.* kids really go for him. Thor- oughly manly, known as a family man and as a crack golfer, nonethe- less that eKageerated blond coiff is something he should de-emptiasize> The radio influence, which inter- : prets itself , now for almost all in- person show business, (and that par- ticularly takes in Whiteman and Johnston on this bill)* likewise mani- ■ fests itself with Lionel Kaye, with his daffy auctioneering. That's an- swered via the audience stooges who storm the stage, whereas in former seasons it called for no httle artful- ness to persuade the bashful custom- > ers jo mount the rostrum,. Today, ■ with audience - participation radio : programs a regular thing, any act which calls on the out-frontevs to come up on the stage finds itaelf put ti it to keep them to a minimum- Kaye has a surefire act with his soiewball auction stuff, giving'away plenty and getting equally as many ? ilaughs. ■ ■ ■ . : Whitehian, for his share, features a ''Harp Fantasy": (Gloria is the solo- ist'», does a then-and-now t"Avalon" is the arrangement), and a dash of ■ thu "Rliapsody in Blue" as a prelude to Johnston's own Gershwin medley, which includes "Embraceable You" »nd "SWanee." The manner m which . '^Pops" defers to the crooner is gen* ■ : erous and makes pardonable the mu- , tual admiration which is partoftheir ; small-talk. • The Matty Malneck- composed "harp" composition is on the slow side but they accept it. He open.s with "Love That Guy," Whiteman has a lavish team of 36 whicli breaks down into eight'bras.s, seven reeds, femme harp, tuba and stnjiij ba.ss, 13 strings including two cellos, the perennial Mike Pingitore at the ban jo, two tympani, piano and French horn. , Abel. mu!4icians, Patrons liked a pair of sepia feinme steppers best, and the dusky group win a nice hand. Bi-/. good at second show Thursday night (191. Hold. >loiii4inii, llu«« Biiife, Mont., July 17. Fiank Radclilje. Turxaii, Fli/ing Buddies. Zeiiilh Duo. Joe Brooks, Franl, Lizen's House Oirh; "Water Froiif (PflC). Stnits, K. V. . 4 Mucks, 3 Wiles, Coleman Clark Co. t3», Giacie Bariie, Leuvu Kent, Phil Moore Qiiiiilei; '■Thrill oS Ro- utaiice" (M~G)\ : SIundard variety bill o( five, acts in tor current week offers plea-sing fare. Unbilled emcee opens ■show after overture iWith vs'elconie speech, and announces Joe Brooks, tramp jug- gli'i. lor stancLird line of manipula- tion that pleases and ssnd.s him away to good hand. Zenith, Duo. .song-' styling sisters (New Acts) follows, and zing up proceedings with "Walk- ing Down »the Street." "Are You Coming Out Tonight." "Blues in the Night." and "Gi\c Mo a Little Kihs," to solid response. Come back for "Bell Bottom Trousers'', and "Don- ke\'s Seienade" foi additional mit- tin;; Tarziiii pseudo-ape. is spieled into midspot by emcee—his trainer—who acts as .straight man for made-up midget. Latter has excellent simian mannerisms. Trainer runs him throu!«h- standard tricks, with the monk balking more obstreperously as the turn, progresses. Act crashes to ending with slapstick battle be- tween pilcrew and "ape," which trainer breaks up by leading latter oil to audience clatter, and howls. Next--to-closing Frank Radclifle, sepia baritone, has them all the way. After imcorking most surprising array of voices, trumpet playing, and story-telling, he gives out with "Old Man River." scoring heavily all the way. Flying Buddies put the hat on the l>ill with- a honey, of a roller skating, presentation (New ActsI: Team opens fast with aero spin by male. Action is constant Lizen's i>it crew gives-.sood vback- grounding to acts. ;; ■ ■ IVfuil. National, l/vlllc Loittstn!!e, Jiil-y 19. Consiii Emmy, with Western Girls,' Page Sisters. Drake Bros ^.Claudia Morrison, Jerry Carr Trio, Melody Jioys, Georgia Cakeivalkers, Willie Weber; "Cisco Kid in JVeio Mearico" Breaking, the house summer policy ot straiglit films this- week onl.v is Cousin* Emmy, hoyden hillbilly mu- sician, comedienne and singer, who airs locally over WAVE., She. im- presses as a hillbilly Betty Hutton. and has worked in a few Western pics. Gal specializes in playing the five-string banjo in rustic getup, . high shoes and calico dress. She also mixes in a httle instrumental -work on the guitar; harmonica, and socks ovei': a real hit with her warbling of •■Walking the Floor Over You," "Take Me Home, Little Bird" and "Bon Four Thousand Years Ago." Emmy is a radio name in these patts, and her current 'week's en- gagement is bringing out a-lot of rural triends. Supporting acts are Jerry Carr trio, with the Stewart brothers play- ing guitar, bass, violin, and femme member handing vocals and taking a lick at fiddle and bass. They click -with "Back'.on Texas Plains" and "Far, Far Away." Negro tapster. Black Jack is plenty agile, going into splits and leaps ala ' Nicliolas brothers. -Kid looks like a .comer. Melody Boys, Earl and Jake, are well, ^received in playing and singing of "Troubled in Mind." Page Sisters in cowgirl garb, get nice hand for harmonizing, with guitar ac- companiment, of "Yellow Rose of Texas" and "Darktown Strutters Ball." WilKe Weber amazes...with piano work blindfolded, wearing gloves, and with keyboard covered, playing "12th St. Rag." Drake brothers, on straight and steel- guitar> please with their vo- calizing, and furnished background musically for the most of the acts, • including the amateurs. Cousin Emmy emcees for a hill- bill.y amateur session^ introducing four acts. This is a feature of each show, and finale will be run off the last day of the week's engagement. Closing .Jia.s -Georgia? Calsewalkers group Negro lingers, dancets, and Tower, K. C. Kansas City. July 20. Kodio Rebel.?. Arle?ie So'niHiri Marina. Rico Rofiier.'!. Tower Orch (9> Willi Norma Werner; "Delight- inlly Dangerous" tUAl and ''Step- pm' ill Societ'j/" (Rep>. Light and diverting type of sum- mer show is on tap at the Tower this week, with four standard acts and house orch ■ blended into brisk 40-minute show. House band starts proceedings with the pop."You Belong to My Heart." Norma Werner, blonde warbler, cops a nice hand for hei' vocal. Wally Safter, of Radio Rebels, doubles as rn. c. Ailene Saiman, m opening slot Gontribs nitty tap work, giving way to RicD Rogers, for a pleasing brace of pop songs, including "Amor," "Don't Blame Me" and "Rum and Coca Cola.'? strumming his own guitar accompaniments. Standout is Marina, femme ina,a;ico,. who clicks With such eflects as the eyer-sinoking pipes, the van ishing milk and magic hat. Gal seasons trickery with clever patter, and regi-sters solidly. Radio Rebels cloiie with a hedge podge of amateurish impreshes of leading ether programs and person alities. Any resemblance to the oiit!iiials. however, is more or less coincidental. Biz,, okay. , Ear!, RKO, lli»sfon ■ Boston, July 20. George Paxtou Orch nT), Grace Drysdale Marionettes, Paula Kelly & Gleiim MMer Modernaires, Judie Heu-a.t. Alan Dale, Low, Hile I Stanley, Johnny Bond; "China Sky' (R.KO). ' Suave George Paxton keeps things lively with versatile band and a bit above, average show. Orch has plenty of rhythn-i, and torrid; in opening, "Jiignite." doesn't improve Debu.ssy'i "Clair de Lune" in one of Paxton'i arrangements, and gets the brasses red hot in "Caldonia." A stage med- ley with borrowings from Gershwin, Kern and Beriia set the seat-holders ., swaying.: ,;■ ■,- Grace Drysdale does some: new things with dancing puppet.'; through straight ballroom to Latin American routine and then is generous enough to show how it:s done. This demon-' .■-iralion in Iront ol puppotbox proves gal a neat dancer herself. Low. Hile and Stanley range from the midget to the tremendous. They contrib bufloon acrobatics that go over big. Judie Hewitt, young chirp- er. was crowded a bit by orch in ''f in Gonna Love That Guy" and "Stormy Weather." Judging by manner and appear- ance. Alan Dale would do well to drop designation '"boy singer." Does okay in '"If I Love You'' and '■Dream.s." Leaving his trumpet temporarily! Johnny Bond turns into comic singi er with "Superman" 4ind "Please Don't Squeeze the Banana." Paula Kell.v, red haired, peppy and very sure of Jierself, is admirable leader of male quartet Modernaires. They ofler lively, pleasant harmon- izing in ■ "LuJlaby of Broadway," "There I've Said It Again," "Juke Box Saturday Night,' and "Bell Bot': torn Trousers" Dome. For sheer variety, this bill has It, but somehow it doesn't pla.v as well as it reads generallv speaking. It's more heavily peopled than normally for a; Stale layouts including 17 per- tormer.s, but it's the latter part of the setup that fails to create tnuch enthusiasm. , , , ' ■ The first tour acts are by now standard in the Varieties. The ~ 4 Macks are still doing their lasr work on the rollers, getting over in their tew minutes;, the 3 Wiles, with their wooden ^soldier routine and. inter- changeable costumes.; also go over, as do Coleman Clark's fast and sock table-tenni"! exhibition and Grade Barrie's vocalizing. If there is any comment of conr. struclion to be made for an.v one ot the latter quartet, it must be said foi Miss Barrie. She .has appeared to better advantage on Broadway, though this is not to be construed that she fails to click here, ll's ]ust that certain ivannerisnis she mani- ests may prove offensive, such as that Yiddish ism she pulls on one pop, or the too^-broad inipVications of; "She Can't Say No." It's tough to follow Celeste Holm's singing ot the latter number, especially sine* click of the tune, from "Oklahoma." in which Miss Holm Was featured with the song, resulted from 'a -rather bland interpretaticm rather than the manner in which Miss Barrie is doinj; it heie. Otherwise. Miss Barrie looks cute and. indicates her ability to sell,, notabl.v on "Squeeza da Banana." Lenn.v Kent is the lone p. a. hold- over from, the previou.s: week, as is the, picture, and he manifests a flair for delivery though a. need for ma- terial. Especially during the last 10 minutes of his extended nionolog is this apparent. Phil Moore, composer ot "Shoo Shoo Baby," is here at the piano backed by four instrumentali.sts in- cluding bass, guitar, trumpet and drums. Moore and three of the musicians are colored, the other white. It's a poorly routined act that requires the., intimacy of a nitery, rather than , the broad ex- paiise of a theatre, to get over. Then, too,. Moore is much, too vfcrbose on his announcements, while he and the others suggest little experience in stage deportment. In short, a poor turn to close the bill here. KaliH. harmonize "Every Time," "Senti- mental Journey," "Dream," "Em- braceable You," "Candy," and "Tabby the Cat,'' besides contribbing bolt choral effects to Russell's closer. Consensus seemed' to be that tlie three guys and a gal are just as good on the -radio and platters as they are on the stage, or vice versa. Callahan Sisters do their standard taps w.ilh sock sole-to-sole windup, as of yore, but there's:something upr setting about their getups in the opener, to "Rain"—slickers and um- brellas. Once these are doffed they're the usual treat to the orbs. b"nt too much valuable time is wasted get- ting around to it." Jack Leonard is no Romo Viiicentv although he goes in for the same cowboy struts as the latter. Stout guy needs some gags in a hurry. Ray Lang's house orch. onstage this time, provide "nice backing. ■ ■ ::-'JMike.. Hippodromo, Ballo Balliniore. July 21. Hal Stone & JVina Kajye, Ariiie Hartman, P«ii! Remm &, Toy Boys (3), Lighlning (4), Felice Iitln House Orch (12»j "Aloiifii CflJue Joites" (RKOl. S<aiil»y, Vlit Pitisiyurgh July 20. Eddie Anderson iRochester), Johnny Riolinrds Orch (16). Kidf/ iVIiirroy, Graysons (2t, Tommy Trent, Karen Rich,. Pat Rmso; "A Medal for Benny" (Pan. WB deluxer has been picking its spots for occasional returns to Hesh, but house has tapped a dud hi the Rochester unit. It's strictly a waver- ing hour, with Jack Benny'.s radio, valet-aide being the chief olfender. because he's on too long with too lUtle. Material ]ust isn't there; the lojies are not only padded but al-so dated and it isn't until buxom Kitty Murray barges on from the wings with a dead pan and a fullback's pliy.siqiie that Rochester even seems to be remotely -at home on the stage. Together the two of them put a lit- tle life-into the show and their hot ritterbug at the finish at least sal- vages something out of a dying 6(1 minutes. Johnny Richard.s' band of 16 men, made-up of tive trumpets,: five saxes, three trombones, drums, bas.* and oiano. is strictly on the' loud side with qurious over arrangements and doesn't register at any one point. Vocalists are Karen Rich, who does "Every Doggone Time I Fall in Love" and "Wanna' Get-Married." and Pat Russo. who baritones "The Move I; See You" and "You Belong to Me"', at a funeral gait. Totn.m.'C Trent, changless as his puppet routine is. still remains well near the top among the marionette crowd and over big here, while.the Graysons. man and woman, have a nifty acrobatic act. but they were stymied at first show this atternoon (Friday ) by the absence of synchron- ization from their musical accom?! paniment. Biz fair. - Cohen. Substantial setup of standard acts plays well and builds to good climax. Past opener by Lightning Four, evenly divided quartet of roller skaters essaying the usual spins and throws, is nicely dressed with radium-treated costuming, goods for ila.sh. Arnie Hartman follows and goes to town with accordion employing solid slices of musicianship to point "Stars and Stripes March,'' "Glowworm." "St. Louis Blues" in potent boogey-woogey. and a closing bit of Pan-Americana good for a begoft Hal Stone, trombone-playing gag- ster has good deadpan femme as- sistant and mixe.« up nice melange of talk, music and all-around cloww- ing for experienced interlude which holds pace and sets matters well for Paul Remos and ' Toy Bo,ys to fol- low. Remos is stiU sock , in selling his tiny assistants who remain ir character throughout. Hand-to-*hand halancing and dancuig are mixed skillfully for strong closing. Biz okay. Burm Oriental, riii Chicago, July 20 ■ Andy Russell; Pied Pipers- (4>. Callalian Si-iter.? (2V, Ben Bct i, Jac7.' Leojiard, Ray Lang GrcH (15;; ''Ten Cents a Daiice" (Col). :■ Straight yaucle bill .'iieesav.'S:; be- .tvifee.n medioofe and delectable,: with' Andy Russell, and Ben Ben in latter category. Rus.sell, who do.ses. sells a lush -quintet of turtes, turnini; on the old pulsato to good adA'anlui^e where necessary (ic in "iMy Heart Sing.s'^) and tapering oil to-.pianiissimo: for the intiine coaxers, - as in^: "Negra Consenlida." Good-looking guy Jhas ingratiating stage , presence,and knows how to tlirow the swooners into a fit. Other songs are "What a Dift'erence a Day Made," ''Magic Is the Moonlight," and "Don't Blame Me," with Pied' Pipers backing him on the-latter to clo.se strongly. ' ■ Beri's delayed-action juggling and pat business peg him as one of the best in" his line. Extra window- dressing -of: pinning .medals on him- self when a trick works, 'slapping the Indian clubs and disks when they mi.sbfehave, etc., are laugh-get- ters and a solid addition to an act that's overboard with click stuff Closing gimmick ot keeping time to "Stars and Stripes Forever" with tambourines as he juggles them earns a loud sendoff. Pied Pipers just stand there and Capitol, Wasli* Wa-i/iiiigtoti, July 20. . Virgiiiifl Weidler, Jack Carter, Joe Arena, F,nrtca & JVonello, iSoiii Jaclc Kaufmoi!',\- House Orch with Lynn Allison; "The Clock" iM-C). Sam Jack Kaufman's, crew open with a medley of Kreisler tunes, with violin obbligato by Milton Schwartz ot "Caprice Viennois," and Lynn Allison vocalising. Mil-;, ton Slosser at the organ gets the audience singing pops. , Trailers part to disclose Joe Arena with slick bulldog pup. Comedy de- rives from tumbler pulling glass after glass of cold tea from hi.s pocket, drinking same. Then canine comes in for usual tricks, rope- jumping and tumbling: with master. ■ Bob Ellis, personable and vyith, a good: baritone, .comes on lo: good re- eei)tion. He is local lad recently signed for pix b.v M-G-M. Scores nicely with quartet ot songs. Jack Carter brings plenty of bounce and enthusiasm to his act. His imita- tions ol Hollywood stars also elick. Vi.rginia Weidler, frona.the aims, is tall, attractive and blonde. She smacks over "June Is Buslin' Out All Over"-and "Look at Me Now." For encore "I Can't Give You Anything But Love. Baby" and oft lo. big applause. Enrico and Novello are . gracoJSul. imaginative dancers, who appreciate the importance ot attractive costuming for the kind ot work they do. Their last number, "Bolero.", calls for considerable twirling and body. catching.: Go, over neatly. - , Arke. Karl(>, W<ish. Washington. July 20. Danny Drtiyson. G. Ray Terrell. Joan Manners, Ro,vyetles, Jo' Lom^ Imidi's House orch; "A Medal For Benny" (Par.}. Danny Drayson. held over: for a third week., gives out with merry chatter -that has 'em roaring with laughter and tops: oft' with clever tapstering to "Poet and Peas- ant" overture. G. Ray Terrell, mag- ico, does- one trick and makes it suffice for his act. He produces couple of small rabbits from mixture in salad bowl. However, he sells it well. „ Joan Manners, attractive blonde songstress, gives out with "June Is Bustin" Out All Over," and."Laura.' exercises nifty coloratura notes in "Strange Music" from the "Sotig of Norway." . , : - Roxyettes are on in the opening number, introduce the acts, and for closing contrib another ensemble, "Dance of the Steps." Arke. Ckleatfo, Chi Gtiicago, July 20. Beim-y Goodman Orch (J8), with Red Norvo, Slam Stewart, Teddy Wilson, Mory Feld, Mike Bryan, Bob Hayden, Dottie Reid; Dorothy Kellii Tim Herbert; "Affairs oj Susan'' (Par), , ■. ;, . Effects of that new ODT ruling forbidding the use ot Pullman cafl between cities as close, together as Chicago and Detroit are really be- ginning to show. The Benny Good- man gang opened at the Chicago on the dot at noon.Friday '(20), after a flve-hour ride in day coaches, having lelt Detroit at 3 a. m. and arriving here at 8 a. m., and a more beat-up crew it's hard to imagine. However, it the .schmalt'/. they put into the opener Js any indication, they're set here for a couple of weeks at the least. Lackadaisical, easy-going charm 0J[ the maestro, who hasn't shown hiis phizz except in film at the Chicago .since August, 1942. is everywhere in evidence this time—and as never be- fore. Seven, brass-six reed-flve pre- cision outfit (and that's counting Goodman him.self, Red Norvo, Slam Stewart,, Teddy Wilson, Mory Feld and Mike Bryan, who, soloed 'thOU^~ they are, can never be counted out of things when there'.-i an.y tooting up to be done, so closel.v are they identified with, ensemble -doings), jump right in with the theme. "lael's Dance." and then to the iridescent "King Porter's Stomp," - with B. O. caleiumed for some souUul clari- neting. ■ ■. ■ :■ ■ .. Bob Hayden vocals "Thei-e's No You" and "It's; Spring" sensibly and with the offhand manner that's come to be a trademark. As does blonde Dottie Reid. who wraps up "Every Time'' and "Paper Moon" to the crowd's satisfaction. (Every .seat was filled, incidentally, at the kickolT,> Dorothy Kelly and Tim Herbert^, two pert youngsters recruited from . "Follow the: Girls," are well liked also. She opens witlusome fast taps, parodie.s the gal who uses her hands more than her feet in nitery floor- shows, also the lerper whose mamma does most of tlie applauding, and gets ofl noisily with her own brand (plus a few dashes of Betty Bruce) of clickeroo hoofing. Herbert hoofs a little, too. but his satiric forte is in a separate field from Mi.-js Kelly's—namely, panto- mime and tongue-tripping palaver. He engages in some Bert Lahrish baritonings. takes oft crooners who . groan, grunt and e-nun-ci-ate, con-: tribs a soupcon of Kaltenborn and other commentators; slams over ■ "1.: Am a Quiz Kid." another impresh of a jitterbug going ofT his nut, and winds up with some imitations of Hepburn, Colman and Jimmy Stew- art that click. : Highspots, of course, are the Good- man - Norvo - Stewart - Wilson -Feld- Br.yan decibelringers. Goodman riffs "Clarinet a la King," interspersing. .some fancy Charleston steps to punc- tuate the positive (meaning positive dehruim on the part of payees). Then "Attei You've Gone" gets « good going-over by Norvo on the vibraharp, Stewart on bass viol, Feld on skins. Blyan on guitar and Good^ man on clarinet, novelty hve being Stewart's weii-d bowing! of his bass. Encore with something they call VOoomph Fah Fah," although it .sounds more like "World Is Waiting for the Sunrise," same winding ui» with Norvo tearing his vibe apart—r literally—and stalking offstags in • huff. Closing theme. "Goodbye," couldn't be heard, cro'wd was so iil- sistent on more of the same. : Mike. Earlo, Philly P/iiladclpJiia. July 2Q. John Boles, John Calvert Co. W}, Ken Whitmer. Fred & Sally Hort- nell. Loii Schrader House Orch; "Patrick the Great" W). Sharing top of bill with John Boles is John Calvert, who brings on the , glamor, gore and gimmicks. Cal-- vert's company of 16. most of them lenime e.ye-flllers. puts on a magic act. hypnosis: siunt; strip routine, and a final curtain-dropper of green lights, and horror that has the kids screaming. , '■ , Boles performs in usual manner,: getting a hand whenever his medley breaks into a favorite like "Play Gviisies,'' "Song in My Heart," I Took One Look at You," '-Night and, Dd.\." etc. Then socks over "Wait- ing at the Gate for Katie." Introed by Boles, Calvert oijens maior portion, ot the show-:with slai;e full ot gals. Things happen— silk .streamers come out at cylindeirs,' bunnies out of hats, and everybody'^- busy doing somethitig. The trick, o,E getting valuables collected from the audience out ol a chest that appar- ently is locked inside many other chests ot graduated -size, is pulled with none of the ri.sual difficulty of borrowing diamonds and watchcs- from the skeptics. The costumed- cuties collect and promise to return. The general: atmosphere, of mys- tery in fast motion that Covers the equipment magic gives way to slow tempo and concentration on a single attraction when lush gal undresses back of shadow-screen, only ,to bounce out as a blonde-wigged gu.V ■when the shade's pulled up.: Lady Godiva, nude on a cardboard horse* floats around in front of the foot- lights for longer than the spell caft (Continued on page 55)