Variety (May 1946)

56 VAUDEVILLE JSARIEff Wednesday, May 1, 1945 S-Q Rodeo Act Proves Gene Autry's Gun-Grip on Kids Undimmed by Army Washington, April 30. • Gene Autry's tour of duty with the Army hasn't blunted his hold on the kid population of the nation- if his appearance in the S-Q Ranch Rodeo Show here "is any proof. Rodeo opened a cross-country tour at Uline's Arena'here with the war- bling horse opera star in his -first' show biz stint since getting" out of uniform, and there was no question as to who was the "b.o. magnet. Autry could do nothing wrong for the several thousand youngsters who piled out to sec him and, only incidentally, the' rest of the show. They cheered and whooped it up for everything he did, and mobbed him tor autographs when he rode Cham- pion, Jr., out of the arena. Autry makes, two .appearances, one in which helputs the oat-burner through a series of fancy circus tricks, and the .other, in which he sings to string accompaniment by the Melody Ranch Boys. Musical routine includes such numbers as "Glad to Be Back in the Saddle Again," a medley of three songs from his pictures,' and another a medley of service songs—"Marine Hymn." "Wild Blue Yonder." "Cms- sons Go Rolling Along" and "An- chors Awcigh." Autry appears to have put on a little meat since he went into service, and for the city adult the songs appeared slightly on the corny side in rendition. But, as far as the kids are concerned. "God's in his heaven and all's right with the world/' particularly since Autry sings from the back of Champion, which, in- turn, stands atop a large white grand piano in the middle of the arena. Col. Jim Eskew's show otherwise follows the general routine of ro- deos, with some very able talent in the bronc bareback riding, calf rop- ing, steer wrestling, trick and fancy riding, etc, Most exciting number, as usual, is the riding of wild Brah- ma bulls, which gave the audience its biggest kick. Hollywood might take a gander at Col. Jim Eskew's son, Jim, Jr., a handsome youngster and the most graceful figure to appear in a saddle all night. Jr. Eskcw is also the country's, topper in trick and fancy roping, as he proves to the complete satisfaction of the audience. Ted Allen, champion horseshoe pitcher, is one of the real stars of the performance, particularly for the oldsters. Strictly cow country hu-. mor is provided by Jack Knapp, a" sawed-off; chunky pent who knows how to draw laughs. A comedy mule act and the Hoover Family and Their Ford also provide laughs. BEGAN'S EASTERN DATES Hollywood, April 30. Phil Regan leaves for N.Y. late this week, where he will cut some sides for Majestic Records before going to Boston for two weeks of personals in late May. Singer due back here by June 10 for next Monogram starrer, "Sweet- heart of Sigma Chi." Tess Diamond To Resign As AGVA Milton Berle Negotiates New Deal at Roxy, N.Y., To Follow Carnival Ron Deal for Milton Berle'to play the Roxy theatre. N. Y., is virtually set. Hitch to inking is that it's not known when Berle will wind up at the Car- nival, N. Y., where he's currently on a protracted slay. He'll probably hang on there until nitery business slows up. Terms of the Roxy deal haven't been disclosed, but will most likely parallel those of his last appearance when he drew $10,500 and overages. At the Carnival Berle has been consistently getting around $10,000 for his own end on a contract which guarantees him $7,500 plus overages on grosses above $42,000. GAC Fetes Romm Harry Romm, who leaves General Artists Corp. at the end of this week to enter indie Aim production, will be feted at a dinner at the Hotel New Yorker, May 6. On dinner committee are Tom Rockwell, GAC head; Bill Kent, Ar- tists Representatives Assn. president; Tom Martin and Val Irving, both of GAC. There's a $10 couvert for the feed. Boss Tess Diamond is resigning as head of the Hollywood branch of Ameri- can Guild of Variety Artists, effec- tive May 10. She had been in charge of that branch less than a year. Prior to joining AGVA, Miss Dia- mond was secretary of Artists Rep- resentatives Assn., New York agent group. Her future plans are un- known. Her successor in Hollywood not definite, but the choice is likely to be Florine Bale, who pre- viously had been in charge of Holly- wood branch. She has since re- turned to AGVA and is now in charge of the Dallas local of the union. ARLENE SMITH TO OPEN OWN NITERY IN DALLAS Dallas, April 30. Arlenc Smith, for many years as- sociated here with Joe Landwehr and Dick Wheeler in night club op- erations, plans opening up her own spot. Miss Smith is currently ne- gotiating for bands with Artie Shaw and Will Bradley under considera- tion to open at her Yacht Club. Landwehr and Whcclcr last week opened their new Plantation Club with Russ Morgan and his orches- tra on the band stand: x Jim Threat, operator of the Syl- van Club, has leased the Old Plan- tation from Landwehr and Wheeler and will remodel and open the spot as the Greenville Gardens. Lou Walters Throws Open Latin Quarter, NX Broking to All Agents American Theatre Wing Extends London Canteen American Theatre Wing will con- tinue the London canteen until July 31. Action followed a request by the Army for continuation as all other canteens are being closed -in the British capital. Financial support from the British committee will be continued as long as canteen operates. . Chi Nitery on U. S. Auction Block, But Buyer Most Back City Chicago, April 30. Anybody wanna buy a night club, complete—from napkins, cutlery and china to mirrored walls, bandstand and dance floor? The U. S. Govern- ment, is selling one here May 2.. Unusual auction is believed to be the first of its kind anywhere, inas- much as the nitery is being sold as is, and not piecemeal. Government wants to sell it all in one fell swoop. Boite put up on the block is Chi's 51 Hundred Club, which was seized by U. S. Marshal on April 9, on or- der of the Internal Revenue Dept., for a tax deficiency of $20,000. Shortage of owners Byron Masscll and Henry Weiss was discovered when the rcvenuers made a check of the club's books. Odd angle of the sale, Incidentally, is that it'll come just four days be- fore the closing deadline. given the club by the city, three weeks ago. At that time the city license dept. announced the 51 Hundred, along with . 16 other Chi bistros, wasn't operating on a license but on a "tem- porary permit." contingent on get- ting the place in line with fire laws. So it looks like the City fathers won't let whoever buys it from the Federal Government «pen it any- way. Latin Quarter, N. Y„ ic again an open spol. Lou Walters, op, hu dropped his own booking headed by Ruth Barr, and Is now signing talent direct. Reason for the move is not given" but it is known that talent agencies were burned at the idea of having their performers shell out an extra 5% to Miss Barr. She was delegated last year to book all Walters' opera- tions exclusively. At that time, American Guild of Variety Artists' and the Artists Representatives Assn. protested the move on the ground that it was viewed as- a means of getting additional com- missions, and that Miss Barr was not qualified to book large opera- tions because of her inexperience. However, it was brought out that Miss Barr opened a talent office that would handle as well as book spots other than those owned by Walters, and an AGVA franchise was sub- sequently given her. Disassociiition was made last week before Walters left for the Coast and Miss Barr took off for Florida vacation. ' . OLD FERRY DEBUTS AS FLOATING NIGHT CLUB Seattle, April 30. Newest night spot here is a float- ing club which nightly -.cruises around Lake Washington. Ship ij- a remodeled and redecorated former Pugct Sound ferry. Operators and owners arc C. E. Fisher and Glen Frank. Dining be- gins at 7 p.m. wilh cruise in the Lake starting at 9. Reid Eyes Nite Spot Billy Reid looking for' ;i' site to open a N. Y. nitery. It's'his'second attempt wilhin a year to find a site. He'll hu.ve backing from Monte Proser. After, an unsuccessful attempt to locale an intime room in N. Y., Reid spent the winter producing shows at the Clover club, Miami. HARVEY STONE "'Number One Comic of World War \\" —ED SULLIVAN -V, BUDDY ARNOLD at the Piano CLOSING SIX RECORD BREAKING WEEKS AT THE CAPITOL IN NEW YORK. THANKS TO MARVIN SCHENCK AND JESSE KAYE. P. S. It was a pleasure appearing with you Xavier Cugat. Exclusive Management M. C. A. ARTISTS, LTD.