Variety (Mar 1946)

We^bnttOar, March 20^ 1946 HOUSE REVIEWS 57 9fuaie HaU, N. V. Music Holt SvmpH Orch (Charles Previti. cqndijctor; Jules SUver (c Otto Frohn, associates), Richard k Flora Stuart, Grant Cornell, Hilda EMerwith Corps de Ballet. Ted t Pin Vallet, Edward Reichert with niee Club, Gatidsmith Bros. (,2), RM^ettes; "Gilda" (Col), reviewed ill current issue of Va biety. There's nothing or really sock calibre on the current bill, somethina with a novel lift, though by and larce the Music Hall slagc ?how has enough to maintain interest. , Tlic staging and symmetry of col- ors in both costumes and settings^ are' as usual, dominating features of the Hall's presentation. They help •five playable acts an aura that they Sre something more than the puppets ♦hev can well become on a stage so va-!t as that at the Hall, It can easily releirate anything and anybody. Richard and Flora Stuart are the opening act, and while they have lit- tle to do,, thciix ballroom stuft goes over Grant Garnell baritones the "Pagliacci" prolog for a l-efty re- sponse in what seems too contrived a stage wait for the next setting be- ing- geared into place behind the closed curtains. Then Hilda Eckler neatly pacmg the ballet troupe, followed by Ted and Flo Vallet in their always nifty baton-twirling, backgrounded by a St Patrick's setting. Edward Rei- chert is the featured tenor in this spot, and he clicks in leading the Glee Club. The Gaudsmith Bros., with their two French poodles, go over, as usual, in their longtime standard comedy act. Tlie Rockettcs are the qloscrs in a precision routine Kalin. . OrfentaU Chi Cfiicooo, March 14. June Rtijsell, Dave Apollon k Co. (5), Harrison, CttrroH & Ross; "The Ovtlaw" it/A). - Jane Russell, making her first Chi p.a. in: connection with the terrific- ally built-up "Outlaw," is a mighty draw currently at the Oriental, but her material, reportedly penned spe- cially for the occa-sion by. .Preston Sturses, has nothing to do with her success. It's the much-touted Rus- sell chas.sis that's packing 'em in— plu.s nice support from Dave Apol- lon & Co., and Harrison, Carroll and ■iRoss.". Apollon emcees anjiablyj getting over the Russian accent hurdle with the crack that he's "helping out be- cause the regular emcee can't speak good English." Bobby Harrison*' tJoan Carroll and Sammy Ross, lat- ter shorty being a retugee from a Burrah Mincvitch unit, open with some nice taps by Harrison and Miss Carroll, followed by a lively tap- twirl solo by the tall gal. Act really gets hot when the little guy doe.s his harnlonica bit and a standup boogie, i la Maurice Rocco, at the piano. Ray Lang's hou-se orch comes in lor "Blue Room" while Harrison does . some eccentric hoofing. Then there's some more boogie on "Sunny Side of the Street" and "I Know That You Know" by Ross, to which Har- rison tap.s, and the trio go into a jitterbug to close loudly. It's a good aot.'-v. What's left of Sturges' piece for Miss Ru.s.sell — assuming that it's been pared down-^is nothing more nor less than some weak gags tossed pack and forth . between her and Apollon, plus 'hree songs. Gal has a deep, rich contralto, miiias the knowledge of-how to .sell it—but that isn't what the wolf howls arc for, anyway, so what dift'erence does It make? She does "Talk of the Town" sitting on the piano, chirps Had to Be You" to Apollon while nw.sing his hair, and does "Bye. Bye Blues' straight from the fools. Oowns, of course, are out of this ^orld, and there's no chitchat about Hollywood, which is all to the good. Apollon & Co., always faves here, Close—and big. Crowd goes ovcr- uoard for Apollon's mandolining 01 Hawaiian War Chant," "Mea- dowlands" and "Hora Staccato"— espeeia ly the latter—and lor Car- men _ Velez' crooning of "Day by iJay, 'Must Be a Way," "Paper Moon and "Symphony." Apollon insalts his Filipinos, and they bark nack at him as of yore, and every- body s happy. Mike. Adams, N«warfc ,. Newark, March 14. Dor."!ey Orch linth Kari ^we, Buddy Hughes. Dee Parker, i'ving Goodninii, Cy Baker; Tim aetbert, the 5 Grays; "South of the nio Grdnde" (ikfotio). tyke (he's 18) who bats the kitchen- ware with fin already experienced and merciless hand. The boy's a comer and shows it in a mad piece called "My Drums Are Getting Bet- ter All the Time." Maybe he means battered. Dee Parker, a cute trick, warbles .sexily through "Apache Ser'enatle," "Ain't Misbeheavin'" and "Per- sontility,'' which gets bluer with eiich encore. Buddy Hughes has a modest style and fair .voice in "Love Is Just Around the • Gorner" and "Then I Looked at Yoii.'v Tim Herbert is a smart lad in his comic turn, getting . belly laughs w ith cute stunts. The .FiVe' Grays, seen here before, work hard, maybe too hard. Bran. Apollo, !V. V. Eddie Vinson Orch, Mamie Fergu- son, Duke- of Iran, Potash, k /I'olsom, Moulton Steppers, Chuck & Clluclcles, Pipmeot; "A Close Call for Boston Blackie" (Col). The Apollo's bill thLs. week in the non-draw class falls into a sock finish with a held-oft run of bleating blues sung by ■ Eddie Vinson - which leaves the patrons yelling for more. Vinson, introduced as a newcomer, fronts a standard band in a dead- pan style through hou.se's regulation: terp and comedy, stuff.- He breaks into his throaty style in the finale and registers p{)werfully. Mamie Fergu.son,. band vocalist, is on tor one number, "Embraceable You." Her style is standard in the blues category but minus selling quality. . Bccil Anderson, "Duke of Iron," is a ' calypso singer whose unfamiliar Venezuelan material bounces as too outlandish in this spot; His frequent call :for audience participation stymies otherwise acceptable nov- elty vocalizing of .such titles as "Ugly Woman." "Matilda" and "Out; De Fire." Moulton Steppers, straight vaude trio with stair prop perform rou- tines with conspicuously ditJicult efforts. Colored trio with: girl, cen- tering two turbaned, males are color- fully costumed .; and show to advantage, however, in spite of over- worked and somewhat jumbled rou- tines. Chuck and, Chuckles, comedy dancing duo,'are a click'and draw plenty laughs throughout long stint Other duo,. Potash and Folsom, ofay, register negatively with forced hu- mor, although pair display some fair aero stuff. Pigmeat's burlesque stints in the conventional drawnout laugh-gorging manner, fill in length- ily. Bowntown, Detroit DctroitvMnrcli 14. Ovriji Tucker Orch toith Scottec Marsh; 3 Cortuinj. Al Porker, Jolinni/ Woods; ''The Madonna's Secret (Hep). Jimmy Dorscy, the solid sax, holds lorth In accustomed .•jtylo in this new frame. Saving his trademark tune "Long John Silver'' for the yindup, J,D. leads the« show along Jn a groove that misht have been a rut if the maestro were less pleas- ant and lq.<!s efficient a fellow. As Jt stands, it's a hcad.-i-up bill. ,,.Vp';fey's solo is "Fingcrbustin'," a »»;-Ul-dc.stroying caper that cro.wd.s JfiiO a short space so many notes junt calculus would bo needed to total them. On sax and clarinet, lie Slicks close to the phenomenal, but «JP pitch is so casual lots Of folks »niss the point. di.M niis.s the amazing ouimnung oi.Karl Kiffe, West Coast Orrin Tucker's new orcli is on the novelty side, but is as .solid as they come, and his strong lineup of sup- porting acts gave him a good re' ception at "the Downtown theatre, where lie is packing them in this week. Maestro gives them the Tucker treatment with a bit more polish than before he wont into service. He also sings a couple of numbers, "She Don't Wanna" and " I Need Livin'." Scottee Marsh' is a thrush who.se voic'c and manner are refreshingly different and her selections are: in good taste. Three Corwins ofTer whirlwind acrobatics that are out ot the ordi- nary —^particularly tlieir anklc- shackled g.vmnastics. Al Parker, comedian, fails to hit the same level of the re.st of the show, although he works hard but is handicapped by poor material. Johnny Wpods does okay -with his satires tin radio personalities. Holl. Gayeiy, Montreal Montreol, Marcli 18. Eddie ''Schaffer, Glen Gregory, Harry k Ruth Dwyer,' Don & Pliii Kitig, Le.s'lic & Cftrroil, Baron Wilson, Martin k Ftorenze,- Iteticia, Line (10), Len Howard Orch (9')J Smart bunch of acts fill out the Gayety bill this week with m.c. Eddie Schaffer provin'g once again- that you don't have to resort to off- color gags to garner yocks. SehatTer's stvle is easy-going and he should go big in the hep spots, indian item is especially clicko. . Ventriloquist Glen Gregory does nicely in standard stuff but material needs perking up b.idly. Routine is .•ilow.'" Harry and Ruth Dwyer reg- ister in some fancy ballet-lapperoos and Don and Phil King are show- stoppers in a sock acro-balancing stint.-, ■. - ■, • Leslie and Carroll click in .song stanza, with Gay Nineties tunes and Get). M, Cohaij medley. Baron Wil- son garner.s nice palming with .scat and jive songs a la Cab C.iUoway, but he could drop tliat beg-olf dance routine. Martin and Florenze do a sock puppet .stint with clever Du- rnnte and 5lae West take-ofl'.s. Lc- tifia .=.elli well in her exotic ci.mcin^. Chorus routines are OK and Len Howard orch back show nicely. ■ : ■ . Laia, . Sirand, N. Y. ■ Cab Calloway Orch (17), with Dot- tie Sautters, The 3 Poms, Moke k Doke, Peters Sisters (.3); "Ciiiderclln Jojies" (WB), reviewed in Varietv, Feb. 13, '46., Cab Calloway, his musierew and .sepia revue at ther Strand, N. Y:, is rocking the' house: Hi-De-Ho man and his footers are as adept as ever in doling out jive and jump. Ac- companying acts form a big assist in pointing up the audience-reaction decibels, and it's a sock show all the way. should, keep^ the, wickets turning merrily on th»s date, . Calloway sparks the- four rhythm,: seven brass and five reed combo with his tireless clowning with the acts and vocils. Maestro , iuid band- intro with: re* pri.sc of signature tunes ranging from his "Minnie, the Moocher" right down the line, with Calloway hi-de- hoing vocals with accustomed gusto to' set things- pretty for: the- Three: ;Pom.^ femme tapstersi who sell a nice, routine. . Dottle Saulters, cute vocalist, takes over for "Prim Fram Sauce" and "Big- Bad Papa" and teams with Calloway for sock encore of. "Galdonia," which rings the bell. Th e Cab Jivers (comprising seven o t the sidemen) blast out a jam session on "Jive Fever^' which rocks the- house... Moke and Doke- click - with some nifty clowning^ and cleatwork topped-. oft by a jitterbug session, with one of the guys in gal's garb, that hits the payees hard: Tyree Glenn, trombonist, is spotlighted for "Don't Blame , Me" as a nice warmer-upper tor "The Hwneydripper,"' by band, Galloway taking the vocal: 'This one is worked up to a frenzy. Peters Sisters, trio of hefty dames, are also solid - with their .harmony singing and manage fo .inject plenty comedy in tijeir song session. Give out with "Gotta Be This or That," "Rainy Sunday," and a rhythm tune to big returns.. £dba. Oiynpia,^ Miami Mi'ami, Morch 15. Gracie Barrie, Johnny Morgan, Gractma Bros., Gil Maison, Gloria Leroy, Les Rhode House Band (13); "Mo« Alioe" (RKO). There's a well-paced layout here this week, with the J)lending provIBg a handbringer down the line. Gloria Leroy, Charlotte Green- woodish aero dancer, turns in a: neat stint to open and grabs healthy mitt- ing. Gil Mai.son and his animals gar- ner plenty. laughs with their care- fully planned .stunts, with the house begging for more. Topper is the bit when the monkey turns in a jitter- bug; routine and the mastiff sings with the band. ■ Graciano Bros, turn in a howler, ranging from nifty hoofing to some madcap clowning, Johnny Morgan is In a tough spot to dig laughs after the duo -but does so in no uncertain fashion; Besides a smooth bit of emceeing he works in; own s(Jbt \vith : satire on westerns a topper to a giggle-bringins; session. Topliner is Gracie Barrie and 'her songs. Looks gorgeous and carries the spot in great manner. Belts out the pops tor top returns, then bruigs down house with a cute hiUbilly number. : Had to beg off. Les Rhode- band piays the show in fair fashion; Biz good when caught. Lary. ItKO, Boston Bo.ston, Marcli 15. Carmen Cavallaro Orch with Frank Gallagher, Evelyn Fahrney and Gloria Foster; Acromaniacs, Coley Worth; "Idea Girl" (U). This one gets off to a slow start but builds and finishes strong. Carmen Cavallaro^ at the piano. batoiLs the band through tunes like •'You Won't Be Satisfied" and "Might As Well Bo Spring," former bearing down on the jump, latter emphasiz- ing the string section of the band re- placing the usual trombones, for romantic sweetness. Cavallaro him- .self only does one solo, the familiar Warsaw Concerto, but does it for big kudos, and later takes a spot in' "Polonaise.'! Biggest item offered by band is "Voodoo Moon." Vocalist Frank Gallagher warbles "I'm: A1-! wavs Chasing Rainbows" and other cream puffs with the proper throat lump for a WOW: from .the soxers, and Evelyn Fahrney and Gloria Fos-, ter go equally big in a combo song and dance item. - • Specialties are : Acromaniac!!, a knockeijidown and dragemout trio that always clicks, and Coley Worth, whose musical gags remain smash every time he comes here, which is once" a vcar at least. Show, in .short, develops as it goes along, and proves plenty satisfactory to the consrega- tion which, incirientally, -wa.sn't io lafge a."; usual at opener. ■ Mie,-' i<:ari(iV^i>hill.y Philndelp/iia, iWarch 16. .lack Curson, Arthur Treacher, Dnre Willork iTiigwell). Eleanor Teeman, Mary McCarthy, Lou Schmder House Orch; "Allotment Wh'es" I Mono). of laughs from the cu.stomers. But at times the pace ifive shows a day) begins to tell; Carson has brought along his radio troupe and the routines are familiar to listeners of his Campbell Soup show. Arthur Treacher, replete with derby, umbrella- and other ac- coutrement.s of a gentleman's gentler- man, clowns- with Carson in a' cougle of skits. :■ Treacher also tries singing a ditty titled, "I'm Tired of Being a Butler."' ; Best laughs come from Carson's routine- with Dave Wilock,: the 'TTug- wcU" of his radio show. Latter is a. double for Sinatra. A blonde stooge, Mary McCarthy, is introduced by Carson, as a "find'V at the Can-ipbell's: soup.factory aci-o-S-s the' river in Camdern,. Gal offers a song, "I'm a Big Girl Now." Lyrics are better suited for a nitery than a- presentation house catering to family trade.: , ■.■ ■ :„ A .skit with Carsoji playing the lover with Miss McCarthy is good for some real yocks a,'? is the hill- billy boogie finale with even the dignified Treacher taking part in the kiss-oft". Carson steps in front of the- curtain for a farewell number, "I Can't Begin to Tell You," uncork- ing a surprisingly good voice. Eleanor Teeman is okay in her one dance- routine. Music is adequately supplied by Lou Schnader's pit crew on, stage for the occasion. Hou.se was jammed for show caught (.Sat. night). Shal. .States rv. V. Orphcnm, f.. A, Los Angeles, March 10. "Carnival of the Dance," featuring Nirska, "Dagtnar, Sylvia Manon, Delias k Valleu, Bob DuPont, Jane Slater, Muriel Lane; Al L»otis' Hou.sc Orch (10); "Allotment Wives" I Mono). Tlie Earle returns to :a vaudc-film policy this Nweek with Jack Cai'son. e.'-saving a mo.st difficult role-a comedian trying to.be cpniiC for 50 solid minute.'^. =' . The big guy knocks himself out trying and succeeds in getting plenty Fairly diverting stage bill without a draw name to' assure more than ordinary business: Billed as "Car- nival of the Dancci" show is mostly terping, although for variety, there's a femroe vocalist and a comedy juggling act Latter, in person of Bob DuPont, is the best seller. His antics, mugging and handling of Indian clubs, balls, etc., paying oft' with: hefty audience applause. Nirska"s butterfly dance is a fla.shy presentation that starts off better than it finishes. Working alone under various colored spots, dancer goes into routine of fluttering many yard.s of silk-like material. Act catches the eye upon starting, but soon set- tles, down: into repetition of swirling gossamer drapes. Dagmar's well- known "Devil and the Lady'' routine is daring hut more satisfying for this house; Turn has novelty here and plenty of s.a. on windup ,to rate good response, particularly, from males; Sylvia Monon, Denas and. Valley, is good flash adagio: act that plea.ses. Jane Slater goes over weU with taps and high kicks. Best spot .flf her routines is the taps in samba .time, ivhich brings her back for encore of precision stepping. Muriel Lane eontribs "Whistler's Mother-in-law." "Donegal" and "You'd Better Kiss Yourself Goodbye." Al Lyons' pit musical crew opens .show with a medley from "Of Thee I Sing." Brog. Tower, K. C. Kansas City, Marcli 15. Vanessi & Wolf, WtlbMr & Jnatitla, iWillcr k Jene, Slim Williams, Tower Orcli (9) iiiit/i Don Tiff & Nell Shel- ton; "Northwest Trail" {Indie) and "Terror by Maht" (U). Layout at the Tower this week gains effectiveness because of added touches by hoiLse scenic staff. Strob- lighting of band fronts, Which bear Jriige green Shamrocks, plays up St. Patrick's Day tiein. With Don Tiff fingering the ivories. hou.se band tees off with medley of Irish tunes. V Nell Shelton, pretty chirper. adds a: chorus of "When Irish Eye-s Are Smiling" to garner lusty .mitting... Vane.ssi and Wolf take over the initial spot for a mediocre blend of gab punctuated with bits of terping by girl. Monty Wolf doubles in the emcee role. ^ . Wilbur does some plain and fancy shooting, assisted by Juanita, a shape- ly brunet. After breaking small wafer targets on a back-stop,, he shots out the fiame of a candle and cuts a string in: half. - For a finale, he fires, at a heavy knife-blade, as*' each half of the bullet shatters a smaU rubber balloon. On next-to-closing in a dull mono- logue, Slim Williams proves that more than burnt cork is neces.sary for a blacklace comic to register. His material is sadly out of date. . Miller and Jene wind up the bill with a fast-moving acrobatic rou- tine which clicks all the way. Man Shoots out the flame of a candle and other, comedy biz. Tall blond part- ner wins hofty mitting with her high kicks and .somer.saults. ■ Earl. Benny Htrbin, Bob Howard, Palsy Garrett, Don Cummings^ Fred Lowery & Dorothy Rae, -6 JMari-el- cftcs; "Vacation from Sfar-pio«e" (Af-G) reviewed in VAWEtY Nov, 28, '45. Current State bill is the- kind that the booker doesn't have to worry about. All components are stand- , ards that have- been around^ and: proven worthy of repeats, ■ Program topper is Benny Rubin, truly a- tiard-working. emcee.. an4 comic who gives out in his own spot, with his dialect stories and a bit of . terps, doing- well in each department. Emceeing- is also okay, but in a- bill of this typcj: where- the individual, acts need no outside helpi efforts in this direction: aren't, vitally needed. Fortunately the introes: aren't long, and: he doesn't-slow up the session to any great extent. Openers are the Six Marvelette.s, femme aero group, who impress with pyramids and fast tumbling windup. Deuce^ has Patsy Garrett, the phimpish singer who strikes the right note with "Simny Disposish,'A "Sym* phony" and "Doctor, Lawyer," and gets off well enough to do an encore; Fred Lowery, former Horace Heidt whistler, with Dorothy Rae similarly, : find the audience a wrap-up.: Low-, cry's blindness isn't impressed upon ; the audience; and he gets over: on his own with his renditions. His trick harmonic effects rate- and get, ap», plause. Miss Rae's songs also aid,' and. their duet gives them a fine vvalkoff. • Don Ciunmings : does very well with his gags: and rope-spinning; latter by now has been reduced to a single trickt and: he responds with a television commercial impression; a funny bit of business. Although the girdle gimmick is not in good ta.ste, it didn't diminish the audience u-e- ception. Bob Howard in the wind-up is strong with .voice and -piano, and. sends the house out in a cheery mood. • Bill plays well, despite the fact that biz is way off because of Lent,: income tax and warm weather,, ~ Jose. :.- Keith's, Indpls. ': Indianapolis, itfarcli 16. . Gypsy Markoff, fieebe's Hollywood Bears, Phil D'Rey, Martells b Miqnon, Lester Harding, Dick Endi' coit; "Fatal Witness" (Rep). Keith's put the welcome mat down this stanza for Gypsy Markoff, pretty survivor of the Lisbon crash, who : is headlining current bill as prelude to opening at Havana-Madrid, N; Y. She- presents an attractive vocal- accordion setup, with the songs an inspirntioh of Mrs; FDR, suggested to help her get over feeling of stiffi- ne.ss after recovery from accident. She wins a fine reception for amus- ing parody on "Trolley- Song" in Russian - American dialect and .straight accordion -^-olos : of "Two Guitars," "Tico-Tico," Ravel'f "B07 lero" and some impromptu boogie, Beebe's Hollywood Bears are also getting plenty of attention..The three bninos dance, ride a scooter and tricycle and make love in clumsy but cunning style. Smartest of lot walks tight rope, first on all fours, then standing almost upright: It's a click animal novelty. Lester Hard' ing, who doubles nicely as emcee, registers strong- in vocal turn with.- effective renditions of "Ok-lahoma!",- "Svmphony," and a medley- from "The Desert Song." Comedy element is provided by. Phil D'Rey, who gets appreciated laughs with patter and tricks in ven- triloquist turn. He whistles, sings and plays trumpet. Patter is above average.: Martels & Mignon open impressively with smart acrobatic- adagio routine; Bill also includes Little Dick En- dicott, - IZ-year-old schoolboy win- ner of series; of amateur contest.s, who pleases' with some neat tap dancing; Biz was okay from start, Corb. Tabor, Denver Denuer, March 12. Jean Leslie, Lew Fine, Watts & Newman, Del Sandro, The Wingos 12). Line (8), Are Reyjiolds Orch (7); "Pardon My Past" (Col). Bob Eberly to Par, N. Y. Bob Eberly has been signed for the Paramount theatre, N. Y.. to work with Eddie Bracken, Johnny Long'.s I band, and Acromaniacs. Opcn.s April 17, . Tt"s Eberle's first major .showin,^ ..since being discharged from Army^ He's former Jimmy Dorsey -^'oealist: A neat stage show, running about 30 minutes, headed by Jean Leslie, who gives, instead of with balloons or feathers, with strips of gaily- colored cheeseclothy yardage. First it appears she is all covered with them, later she' twists her .arms .'onnehow so as to uncover hereclf, and leaves little, if any, to the im- agination. : . . , Lew Fine, who emcees, also does a .soldier routine; arid a year or .so ago it would really liave been funny, ■ but now its slightly flat. WiBtts and Newman contrib tunes on varied instruments, including harmonica, saw, rubber tube, guitarsj banjos, etc. Del Sandro, strong man, balanceis himself in all sorts of difficult poses. The Wingos, dance team, get oveif with _Russian dances. Their adagio in slow motion is- a sock finish, .The line does three routines, best being thiB HawaiiEin, hula. Jaro.