Variety (Dec 1945)

20 HOUSE REVIEWS Wednesday, December 12, 1945 Musie Hall, N. Y. "The Nativity," produced by Leon Lecnidoff, setting by Brvno Maine, costumes by Marco Montedoto and VV'illo Van; Margaret Ormos and Olive Bonclli. soloists; Fred Poller, •narrator; Choral Ensemble, Symph Orch conducted by Charles ,Previft (Jules Silver and Otto Frohn, disso- ciate conductors); "Heigh Ho,"' holi- day fantasy suggested by story of "Coppelia," teith music by Leo Delibes; produced by Leonidoff, set-, tiiir/s bj; Aloniedoro and Miss Van. executed by H. Roggc: lighting, effects, Eugene Bra tin; ballet chore- ography. Florence Rogge; nan-afire and lyrics, Albert Slit.man; inciden- tal nitisic. Charles Prcvin. Cast in- cludes Patricia Boivnmn.. Rudolf Kroeller, Sharkey the Seal, Albert Given, Dorothy Bcrger, Grace Thomas. Btttina Dearborn, Corps de Ba'iet, Tlie Brian is, Rockettes (dances by Russell Markert. special orchestration by Ted Royal); •'The Bells of St. Mary's"(RKO), reviewed Jn Variety, Nop. 28, '45. The Yuktidc invariably gives the Music Hiill something with which to play around on its mammoth stage, and the current festive season offers no exception. Leon Leonidoff and the rest h;:ve combined their expert talents to turn out the usually nifty Christmas show that one has come to expect of them through the years. The b.v-now Music Hall standard "Nativity," of course, is being re- prised, as it is every year as the initial presentation of its two-part show, and it remains a "must" for every type of audience, with .its Bib- lical narrative, expert staging, light rhythm, four reed and five brasses. Its arrangements, natch, are loud, and consequently just right for this audience. Bon Bon's Margo turns in a neat vocal job on "The More I See You" and "How Deep Is Ocean?" giving way to Manhattan Debu- tantes, two nifty tapsters who. click, Band takes over again to spotlight pianist on "Hamp's Boogie Woogie." Cracksot, .Edna and Ray, house com- ics, roll 'em in comedy skit that's somewhat of a switch on "Ghost in the Pawnshop." While a wow here, it would be doubtful elsewhere.- Bon Bons take over for jam session on "720 in the Books," which has 'em rocking again, and follow up with "Truthfully," with leader, doing nicely on the vocal.. Ben Beri. only .bffay act on bill, clicks, as usual, with his nifty jug- gling act. Jordan crew sews things up as shows-topper in closing spot and could hold stage indefinitely. He really sends 'em with "Salt Pork," kills 'em with "If You Want . Me to Come Home. Baby," "I'll Be Ready Tomorrow Night." and, of course, its fave. "Caldonia," worked up for sock finale. . t'dixt. Adams, Newark Newark, Dec. 6. Bobby Sliericood Orch, Marcia Rice, Raj; XVclicl; -'Search for Talent," Joe Adorns & Tony Can- zoneri, Mark Plant; "Sicingiu' oil a Rainbow" (PRO. This layout goes into a sidewise spiral this week, offering jive, jokes and juvenilia in large doses. Gen ins and costumes, among other at- ! g»» : #rect is not neat showmanship, tributes- |k > should-be a cheko with the un- . Th u e se , co ! ld section of the show is j 8 'spSad out a bit more, Bobby m the lighter vein with Patricia Sherwood's chores would approxi Bowman heading the layout alon_ with the Briants' two-man panto comedy. This part is distinguished by the colorful staging of a fantasy suggested by the story of "Coppelia, in which the denizens of a toy shop come to life. Miss Bowman has a chance in this one, along with Ru- dolf Kroeller as her vis-a-vis; Miss Bowman and Kroeller have a couple of ballet spots, a "Winter Wonder- land" scene also showing them off expertly. The Briants are as funny as ever with stuff that includes, par- ticularly, the antics of the rubbery member of the duo. With "Bells, of St. Mary's" (RKO) mate some of the best band front- ing of the season. His trumpet play- ing is in great fettle, in zippy ar- rangements of "Lover. Come Back to Me" and Duke Ellington's mad dash. "Cottontails." He sings nicely in "It's Been a Long, Long Time." Then he plucks his guitar cleverly in "Kitten on the Strings." Trouble is, band numbers are pushed to- gether into a straight, unbroken chain and- the effect is somewhat lost. Fine riffs from the sax pumpers, a really hot clarinet in the Ellington number and some high-grade sing- singing from Marcia Rice t"I Fall in Love Too Fast" and "Let It on the screen, plus the stage show. ISnow") all help matters here is a bill to satisfy most tastes. I Usual disadvantages accrue to It's that diversified. Kahn. "Search for Talent," a switch, on I amateur contests. Call it anything else ; it would still be stiff, ungrace- ful and crowded with- homemade, snapless material. At show cought (6), there were a middle-aged bary- tone emphasizing lung power, a homey-typo girl offering . long- winded imitations, a frightened lass from South Amboy singing a totally strong selling items i strange song, and a boy with a an- Sfa<<». V. James Barton. Sylvia Froos, Ross & La Pierre, Jesse & James, Reg Kehoe, Marimba Queens (6). Mel Hall; "Her Highness and the Bell- boy" (M-G). of Combo , gives the current State bill a high j Charlie mccarthy engaging i score on entertainment values. Lay- | C1 ^ nt japes. out has pace, plays smoothly and builds nicely for good audience re- ception all along the line. Topper is James Barton, a peren- nial fave in this house. His material, most of it exhibited here before, is put over with knowing skill and he has no trouble in walking off a hit. Impresh of a drunk duo. a ballroom patron, a spot of taps and "Caldonia" and he's in solid. Bill starts off along standard lines with Mel Hall's trick unicycling as opener, followed by Jesse and James' fast taps while juggling trays. Frank Ross, abetted 'by Anita La Pierre, are heavy on the right side of the ledger with Ross, in- strumental impressions and likeable banter. They do well enough to merit an encore. Illness forced them out Friday '"). Harry Martin re- placed. Sylvia Froos, however, despite her unquestioned vocal ability, would For comedy there's plenty issued with professional flair by Joey Adams. ' a fast, varied comic. He handles the emcee stuff with prac- ticed ease. His stunt with 'Tony Canzoneri, ex-pug. is a howl all the way. Mark Plant, towering ex- Navylte. scores handily in "White Christmas,'' "Begin the Beguine" and "Sonny Boy," latter a comic caper with Adams. Solid hit. Bra 11. Chieago. C hi Chicago, Dec: 7. Cab Calloway and Band' (19) with Poms. Dorothy Saulters. Moke & Dofce. Pearl Bailey; "Hold Blonde" (Par). That The joint is jumpin' this week with Cab Calloway beating out the hot licks in his usual manner, and Chicagoans are getting their first have done better with neater song- I-glimpse' of Pearl Bailey, whose selection. Her "Chloc" medley is j unique lazy vocalizing is entertain- overlong and doesn't wear too well, I merit to the hilt. As usual. Calloway while "Waiting for the Train to Come I is all over the stage while waving In" and "Do It Nov/' doesn't seem to j the baton and is the perfect example suit her delivery. Nonetheless, crowd liked her. In the closing spot Reg Kehoe of perpetual motion. Opening with "Minnie the Mooch- er" and "Jumpin' Jive" sung in male bass player and a sextet of I hi-de ? ho style by Calloway, band femme marimba ' players make for some nice tonal effects on the lum- ber, and please the house, although sharper editing of medleys, would give them a punchier effect. The Christmas shopping season has cut into revenue of this house. Biz only fair when caught. Jose. Afiollo. IV. V. Louis Jordan's Tympany Band <7), Ben Beri, Manhattan Debutantes 12), Crackshot, Edna & Rav, Bon Bon Band 113) with Margo; "Three's a Crowd" iRep). swings into a torrid version of "Rus- sian Lullaby" followed by Dorothy Saulters for Harlem stylizing of "Atchison. Toneka and Santa Fe" and "Caldonia" with Cab assisting with a jitterbug routine. Tyrbn Glen, trombonist, is featured with the trombone seel ion in "Don't Blame Me," and Hilton Jefferson, alto-sax. does "Who Can I Turn To?" with Calloway on the vocals. Band winds up with new jive tune "Honey Drippers" and "Maybe It's Time" for boff total results. Three Poms, femmcs. two of them in slack suits and one in short, skirt, , contribute a speedy routine of tap- w,r 1- \ Mh L ^'i agai ", ^'nPin* combined with high kicks, aero- be ck, with the hepsters plenty craties. back bend split and head happy and responsive to the double : kir+s f or nice returns portion of atomic jive doled out by | Moke and Doke garner plenty of Louis Jordan s musickers and the laughs and applause with heir ses Bon Bon band. There are oilier sion of singing eccentnc hoofma-md M,ecin ties to provide neat balance, clowning topped by thf■ fi'ale to but, its the bands, especially Jor- which the little ellbw dreS as " dans septet, that has the customers girl, does a jitterbug stint with the Strand, JtT. Y. Hal Melntyre's Orch (23) with Frank Lester, Ruth Gnylor, John Turnbttll, Bob Mitchum; Gordon Williams, Jean Rutledge, Marilyn Watts; Johnny Desmond, Slam Stew art Trio, Albins (2). Johnny Woods; "Too Young to Know" iWB) re- viewed in Variety, ATou. 21, '45. Hal Mclntyre making his first Broadway theatre appearance since returning from an overseas tour for USO-Camp Shows, is following in the steps of his predecessor in this house, Vaughn Monroe, by throwing in additional production gimmicks With his jive. In this case, he's added a mixed singing quartet, new enough not to have been christened with a formal name, but apparently well enough integrated into the band's routine to provide additional attrac- tiveness to its generally pleasing de- portment. Harry Mayer, the housebooker, has set an unusually full show for this house, probably anticipating the sour reviews given the film. He's lined up the former GI Johnny Desmond (New Acts) who was with the late Maj. Glenn Miller's AAF band, as a bobby-sox incentive, and Slam Stewart Trio for ^he ultra-jive fans. In addition Johnny Woods and the Albins complete the line-up. In all, show runs over an hour, an unusual procedure for this house. The bill, slated to remain until after Christinas day, gives off with items in the holiday mood. From "Jingle Bells" to a Christmas medley, they strive for festive atmosphere. Band's pickings accomplish the aim. The torrid stuff is wisely left to the Slam Stewart Trio, and it lets out only in the closing numiber in com- bination with this crack sepia outfit on "Lady Be Good" for a solid closer. Mclntyre carries a heavy battery of singers including Ruth Gaylor, a personable item on "Tired"; Frank Lester, who overcomes a gravel- voiced start to click "I'll Buy That Dream," and John Turnbull, saxist, who docs the opening number in company with the quartet, which con- sists of "Bob Mitchum, Gordon Wil- liams, Jean Rutledge and Marilyn Wafts. The group is used mainly to back the rest of the vocalists and carry out their assignments in work- manlike fashion. The Stewart outfit with Stewart at the bass. Erroll Garner at the piano and Hal West on drums, who've grooved out their instrumental pat- terns in the 52d street grog shops, punch out their jives in commend- able fashion. The outfit provides neat touches of musical humor along with their usual solid beat. They're a hit. The Albins' comedy ballroomin^ hit a good quota of laughs and Johnny Woods, playing his first Broadway house in a long time be- cause of overseas tours, has no re- conversion problem, He hits the mark with his impressions. Jose. Olyi rmpia, .Miami Miami, Dec. 7. Jo-Anne Whitney, Potas & Folsom. Bob Hopkins, Polly Jenkins with Texas Rose and Uncle Dan, Candy Stevens, Lcs Rhode House Orch (13); "Hold That Blonde" (Par). in a state of frenzy. Bon Bon's musicrew starts things In a racy tempo with "Meet' Mr Jap.' leader taking-the vocal and her unfoue la?/- delivery of sinein sidemen given a field day in the ses- Does "15 Yeaii" Straighten X larger, partner, A hit. Pearl Bailey has them in the palm of her hand from the first note of won. last ■ — ■ - — i's." "Straighten Up and Band has been enlarged since Fly Right." "St. Louis- Blues" and here, now comprising three I "Tired." Sock hit. Mora. Jo-Anne Whitney, cute-looking youngster, heads layout and scores solidly with ballet stuff and rymthm taps. Candy Stevens does all right in her stint. Plays sax. turmpet and drums to garner hefty returns. Also incorporates essence of comedy that's refreshing. Bob Hopkins emcees and-projects some nifty impreshes of Crosby (whom he resembles), Cary Grant and Frank Morgan in own spot. Potas and Folsom offer .standard knockabout comedy routine. Taller guy is solid on aero stunts. Polly Jenkins trio is weakest act on bill. Offer usual hillbilly stuff with Texas Rose guitaring, Uncle Dan on the bells and Miss Jenkins on accordion, all trying for comedy effects which, somehow, never come off. Pick up towards end, though to get off with fair hand. Les Rhodes and house orch back- ground acts in okay fashion. Biz good at shows, caught. Lory. Oi*|»lioum. I.. A. Alary Raye & A/a!di, Ann Triolu, Johnny Muck, Harry Stefjin, the Merry Men (3), House Orch (12); "Condemned" (FC reissue); There's no. name values to draw in this week's Orpheum lineup but standard vaude acts offered measure up okay in the entertainment de- partment. Ballroom dance team of Mary Raye and Naldi, and Ann Ann Triola, song stylist, share top billing and both turns do an essay job of entertaining. Dance team uses stylized whirls and lifts to click in ballroom terp- ing. Its Latin interpretation is good and closing number, done to "Begin the Beguine," is class. Team drew nifty returns. Miss Triola. backed by pianist Bob Brown, goes over big with her. mugging and song inter- pretation. Opening number is one about she still has her health, moves into versions of "I Said No." "Latest Gal in Town ' and closes with "Give Me Another Old Fashioned." Act also has suspense—a strapless eve- ning gown—which Miss Triola plays up. Johnny Mack is back with his tapping and magic cane. Personable young dancer is liked here for good showmanship and ability. Harry Steffin uses the IB-string electric steel guitar for interesting sound imitations and "Little Grass Shack," "Bells of St. Mary's," and "St. Louis Blues;" Opening turn is the Merry Men, vocal trio, which offers four songs and an overlong bit about radio shows. Acts are supported by Orpheum's pit band of 12-wider baton <>£ Al Lyons. Brog. Toner, 14. C. Kansas City. Dec. T. Don Zelaya, 2~Pettys. Bob King, Whitings (2), V'al Wiliidmsi, Tower Orch it)) with Milte Car/1 & Norma Werner; "Shadow of Terror" (PRC) and "River Gang" iU). ' - ..*' Current bill is one of the best at the house this year, playing fast and clicking all. the way.- To start proceedings. Tower orch swings out with "Chickory Chick," and Norma Werner, blond, thrusli, registers with the double-talk Vocal. The emcee chore is handled smoothly by Val Williams. The Pettys follow with their novel puppet act. Dolls used are ice bal- lerina, fan dancer. Oriental terper and sepia lnan-wonum hoofers. Clever handling of the dolls garners big returns.- Bob King, ventriloquist, gets plenty of laughs with comedy patter ex- changed with his wooden stooge. For a getaway, he vocals a duct with the dummy. Off to heavy mitt ing. The Whitings, mystic duo. come next with laugh-getting versions of standard magic effects. Stunts in- clude changing silks, vanishing beer bottle, giant soap bubbles and others, all worked with deftness and skill. Don Zelaya, hefty 88-er. is socko jn the closing spot with his fingering of the black-and-whites. He plays the Tsehaikowsky "Concerto in B-Flat Minor," the "Minute Waltz," both straight aiid in fifths, and "Dark Eyes." He seasons his longhair in- terpretations with comedy gab which registers. For encore, he plavs a medley of "The Ro*ary" and "White Christmas." Four boWs and a begdif. . House filled at opening show. Bari. New Ac Is Oriental. 4 lei Chicago, Dec, 7. Rnss Morgan Orch 118) u>t|/i Mnr- jorie Lee and Bud Webber; Jeanne Blanche, Bob Dtipont, Hal Stone and Nina Kaye; "Captain Kidd" (UA). JOAN BARRY Songs !> Mills. Greenwich Village Inn, N. V. Joan Barry, given the unsubtle billing of "Chaplin's ex-protegee' 1 in this cafe's ads, has far to go in get- ting her talent on the same par with her drawing power. There probably was never a more nervous performer exhibited in this town than Miss Barry on her opening night i5) During her state of agitation she could hardly be heard above the orch, and the patronage were forced to keep quiet if they- w ere to hear that which they came for essen- tially: She did only three numbers—"No Can Do." "I'll Be Yours" and "That Old Feeling"—and appeared highly relieved to get off the floor. She fared little better in intpoing her- own-numbers. The carefully 'writ-* ten speeches didn't project the cute note that was written into them. Discounting her jangled nerves, she appears to have been coached just enough to put a song over Voice seems to bo naturally thin, and needs much in knowing how to put over a number. However; she does appear capable of being able to carry a tune. Could also stand improvement ih physical features. Hairdo needs re- designing and. although she wore a good-lopking gown, it didn't make her look as attractive as the public was led to believe. Given time and further experience, she may work herself into something. Jose Russ Morgan's orch. augmented by three good acts, holds the boards here for the next two weeks. Mor- gan's music is sweet and melodious,, a bit smaltzy. but is a relief from the usual loud brassy band heard on local stages too frequently to please the older customers. Morgan mixes his tunes with quips and gags and fronts the band with his sliphorh lor the most part except for a session further down on the bill for some neat keyboarding; Following theme song "Does Your Heart Beat For Me?", Bud Webber saxophonist, is heard musically and vocally in "Gotta Bo This or That" and then band revives one of its old recordings "Small Fry" with Morgan on the trombone. Neat arrangement of "Sentimental Journey," with Webber on the vocals, follows and then "Kansas City Moods" with band doing swing tune both soft and loud and featuring Smith Howard on the drums. Marjorie Lee. band's thrush, clicks with sultry warbling of "Re- member When" and "Till the End of Time" with Morgan's piano medley comprising his own compositions, "Sweet Eloise," "Does Your Heart Beat for Me?," "Please Think of Me" and "Somebody Else Is Taking My Place" and his singing of "You're Nobody 'Till Somebody Loves You," the highlights of the band's offer- ings. Jeanne Blanche registers in open- ing spot with neat array of taps, twirls, high kicks and cartwheels and Bob Duoont juggles his way to a hit with balls manipulated in a jerky manner. Indian clubs and the apple eating finale. . Hal Stone and Nina Kaye are hit in next-to-shut. Stone brings back a touch of the good old davs of vaudeville with his expert delivery of gags and trombone plaving and Miss Kaye is excellent foil for his antics. Morg. lli|»|i<Mlr»Nie, Italio .'■'; Baltimore, Dec, 9. ;• Harry Savoy, Ray Heatherion, Les Arnauls >3>. Stanton' Sisters (2) relief lula House Orch (12); "She Wouldn't Say Yes" >RKO). Okay layout this, all acts wise to showbiz and standard. 'Smart opener is provided by the Stanton Sisters aero, duo, who work smoothly in con- tortion stuff from pedestals. Set mat- ters for Ray Heathcrton in the deuce ..ST. s< 5? h of «xtrn-good vocalizing of ^Chickery Chick," "Till the End of rime, and an Irish tune all sold for maximum returns. Savoy follows and is belter than ever. Has relinquished the blue stuff completely and whacks out a bell- ringer with good material and sure- fire timing. Les Arnauts. two men and a femme, duplicate the family style of fiddliiv and whistling, selling very strongly" JOHNNY DESMOND Songs 1* Mins. Strand, N. Y. Recently discharged from the Army where he served under the late Major Glenn Miller as soloist this boyish looking youngster with a modified version of the GI hairdo has a head start in civilian life. He's already making a rep on the NBC Teentimers show and with the serv- ice connected publicity breaks along with a good deal of native charm, hell probably be in the super-sal- aried brackets shortly. Jn this first N. Y. p a.. Desmond shows plenty appeal to the bobby- soxers. Juve adulation is on the re- strained side but they contribute heavily toward solid receptions Vocally, he's okay, knowing how to put'over a number, but he's still to learn a bit on presentation. Ap- pears to be in the midst of the re- conversion process of working be- fore civilian audiences. He does well with "Waitin' for the Train to Come In" and "Spring Symphony m French and English ?fv f , he G, ^ n Miller standby med- ley ot something old, new, borrowed, bUle ' Jose. JOEY BISHOP Comedy 12 Mins. Greenwich Village Inn, \ y Joey Bishop, a recently'discharged GI, indicates that he's of uptown itauy tor ma.ior assignments lack- iKIft 1 lhat wo " ,d *M$> ihn?fv a . Sset ' 'I s f, vicl oiced here, is his abihty to get the audience on his mtC 1 ^ " lf0n,lal banter - and hav! He JL$5 crowd J" a "kable manner. He walks around the floor, talks to the customers, asking them to . qt,-h for something terrific in h"s outine? ft S hfm Cr H ly , neCcllC ' V the '» $2' lit ing him. He has a fairly funny set of impersonations of Cagney. Ed vai d t - alom attcTed ntnseiy recitations that get laughs. -'V Jose. Rank-Nathanson Shorts Plant in Canada Ready ,. Toronto, Dec: 11. .With wartime restrictions on tech- nical equipment easing up, start is L V" ade , right away- on produc- er, of short subjects, at new studios M e established here by J. Arthur Rank and Paul Nathanson, 50-50 partners in Odeon Theatres of "Can- ada.First studio unit is a two-story steel building, converted from war- plant use. v Present subsidiary is tagged In- structional and Sales Productions Ltd. It's headed by Frank O'Byrne, recently resigned as Ontario chief of Associated Screen News Ltd. The British Empire trade liaison with Rank is seen in the announcement that industrial films arc to be made for Canadian businesses seeking the Empire market and Empire firms seeking' the Canadian market. Juve- nile shorts and educationals also will be turned out. There is also talk of a newSreel. especially in the closing bird flirta- tion bit which is good for a scries of well-earned curtains. Biz okay. Burni.