Variety (May 1946)

60 VAUMVIIJJE Night Qub Reviews Coronet. Phllly Philadelphia. April 25. Sophie Tucker, with Ted Shapiro; Lloyd Mann. Jack Randall. Line (81. Norman Land Orch (81: dinners $2.50 i'P. The buxom "last of the. Red Hot Mammas;"''Sophie Tucker, insn'l lost any of the uoxofficc magic that's made her the No. 1 cute attraction lor more years than even Soph likes to talk about. It's first time here for Mi>s Tucker in about four years aud she's been playing to packed houses ever since she opened.: When reviewed, the tapes had to be dusted off and used for the first time in many moons at the Coronet. Her routine is in the formula that lias paid off for years—a couple of new Rags, a new tune or two—and then nostalgic reminiscences and the ever-favorite songs that she's been singing almost since the turn of the century. ■It's all there this time: ' Your Bed , Hot Mamma Is a Jitterbug Now." "A Good Man Is Hard to Find." "How BARRANCOS Juif concluded 4 WMki CAPITOL, New York Thank* to MARVIN SCHENCK. JESSE KAYE and XAVIER CUGAT Soon to appaar with Xavlcr Cuqat for M.-G.-M. Perianal Management SOL TETTER R.K.O. ■uildioa. Now York You Gonna Keep 'F.ni Down on the Farm." "Why Go to Havana."'•'The Man I Love." and then a reprise of all the oldies she's ever done while "reading" her Philadelphia diary— ulaces she played in Phillv in the past—winding up with "Some of These Duys." Ted Shapiro does his usual'swell job of accompanying and stooging lor La Tucker. The old gal had. to beg off—but beg! Lloyd Mann has a novel .viarionettc act which is tailor-made for a nitery audience. It's varied, well-naced Bnd as an added fillip, has puppet strip- leuse for a fmnle which gets plenty of chuckles and plaudits :rom_the customers/Puppet peeler does a Car- rie. Filmed for a smash finish. Jack Randall, local crooner just out of the service, has a pleasing voice and personality. He ;»lso han- dles the emcee chore nicely, A new band in'the place is Norman Lund's orchestra, which does a nifty job of accompanying acts and play- ing for dancing. Maestro is an alum- nus of Cugat and other name crews and doubles as director, of musical programs at WPEN. Guy knows hi* music and it shows up in excellent arrangements of the band. Guv Martin's aggregation of look- ers turns out some production num- ber*; that are way above par for local nilcrics. Slinl. WcJawday, May 1, 194$ Tucker and Belle Baker, come to think of it, i.ave been doing all right for themseRes. Miss Kalmus apparently has been so used to singing in the intimate bistros that she has lost, somewhat, the fundamental of singing in the larger spots—of reaching the cus- tomers at the back tables. She also could be dressed a little more sim- ply, that orchid in her hair giving her a tendency to appear over- dressed. Her routining is okay, but she could use tunes that are in the t ii ^ more popular current idiom than j J a ".'J numbers, for instance, as "Amor," ! "Tico Tico" and the "State Fair" dim .-medley.-, which huvc been done to death Club Sadaa. N. V. Billy £cl»fi»e Orch (17), with Ann Baker; Patterson & Jackson, Leroy Carrington, Lawrence 88 Ket/s Trio; $2 miii. Since 6plurge of Harlem nitery openings, that sector's entertainment formal appears to be getting set. Harlem's impresario* are relying in- creasingly upon the efficacy of a hep band with diminishing assistance from outside acts. Theory behind this school of thought seems to be the that there's a comparative scarcity of spots where the natives can cut away from their tcrp inhibi* • v i i lions, and since rug-cutting is a But. withal. Miss. Kalmus. major lmubv h, these parts, a solid was finding herself at her opening. I crew will entice considerable trade. and by now she's probably clicking.; The theoly js W01 . klIlg 0llt at the Otherwise, this bill is additionally ! club Sudan where ropes were up at entertaining via Joey Adorns with | |,jg|,t caught. But here the band Mark Plant and ex-flght champ Tony |' forms one part of the picture as the Canzoneri, who've been here a couple of weeks. Miss Kalmus is an added starter, replacing. Connie Haines. Adams' opening-night ner- vousness has been overcome, and with his two sidekicks, he's really getting those yocks now. Kolm. - maestro. Billy Ecksline, enjoys local repute as a Sinatra. Number of slagging females at the tables as well as gasps arising from his vocal efforts indicates that he's the major draw.. Vocally, he's robust, and his ballads really send 'em; His band, built along blast lines with a battery of eight brasses, five recd.s and four ' rhythms, keeps the dance Moor filled, j However, for the more austere „ ,, . .._ , , c ..„.„ i downtown houses, orch will have to Be» Oilier,. Lj/s Bert. Joel Share lean) voU(me ,. estrailit ,„ aU . Eck- i'lub i **tti imsilal. K.- V (ST. MORITZ HOTEL) Orcli; Snnirdny minimum. $2. The St. Moritz hotel has converted one of its dining halls into ah enter- tainment spot which will, do all- right even it it draws only patron- stine has an up-and-coming combo which is making a strong bid to be- come important. His vocalist, Ann Baker, a looker, sings a fine ballad. Rest of the show rates a little more than support for Eckstine with I age from the well-filled hotel. The' i Patterson and Jackson and Leroy ol Those Things," pulls applause fo» both looks and voice. Encore is «? Can't Say No." IS 1 Top-blller for the puckuge is »um« act. Mordonl & Louise. Tricks ?n C elude the standards plus a couple of" innovations. Joining, rings .»,S-' tricks, and mincl-rciidiiig aie c jj inaxed by magic rose bush Foster orch dishe.s up its v , Mla | straight dance music, with ' enough, drive to pull out of the mickev cln« Dick Roberts is tunerul cnoiiel, w enhst, but too deadpan. Tom'tii. ■ Termer Room. Fin. (HOTEL WILLIAM FKNN) Piffsbitroli. April 17. Terry Lawlar. Afori«i,i(e. C'oii/ l Sue, Marty Gieyor's Oiv/i no, iriih Beverly Bennett: $I.50-$U an-cr. Best all-'round show town's class spot has come up with so far this season. It's .headed by" Terrv Law? lor. red-headed thrush and sI'O's giving the customers their nionev's worth, doing eight and nine numbers' before they'll let her gel awav. Cars something new for || 1C ten-ice Room, where they're aeeustoinccl to their singers straight. Mi ss Lawlol- gives 'em the pop.s all righi. but she's also well-fortified wilh some good (Continued on page (>2i Terrare IImom. Bosioa , (Statler Hotel) | Boston. April 27. Amiaiiiary Dickey. Raul & Eva Reyes. Rnn Wilde Orrli U4>; $1 roi'er after 9 p.m. Terrace Room of the Statler, one of best patronized dinner and supper spots in the city, specializes in in- timate shows usually spotting one name and following up with a dance team or similar act for contrast. Operates two shows a night, usually never more than a half hour long, and never tries to sell the show at the expense of the cuisine, consider- ed the main attraction. Annamary Dickey fits in with this scheme but carries it a little too far. More professional as a singer than most nitery warblers, she often conveys the impression she's a little bored by the whole thing and never really warms up the customers. Her spoken -material heightens this effect, even to the point of suggesting she's just a little too good for this sort of thing. Result is a coldish—even if well sung—appearance. Needs belter material, more warmth, more enthu- siasm, more graciousness of ap- proach. She sings "All Thru the Day." •'Honey." "How Deep Is the Ocean." "When I Grow Too Old" and other not-loo-suitable tunes and the "Vissi d'arlc" aria from "Tosca." Vocally no complaints: she just doesn't make an effort to sell it. Raul and Eva Reyes lend plenty of gayety to their dance act. finishing a Latin-America scries ot dances with a cute automobile novelty, with femme simulating the engine by doing the shakes. Nicely received. Ran Wilde orch. is excellent, special- izing in nostalgic tunes, sweetly done lor the generally older crowd the room attracts. Elie. menu is reasonable and there's no weekday . minimum, but with the type patronage it's getting there's little difficulty -about quaffing the minimum. the room's accent Is on dance and for that purpose Joel Shaw's five pieces amply fill needs of the small room with smooth society rhythms. - There's also a one-man floorshow in Ben Cutler (New Acts), the for- mer bandleader, who has lately eschewed batoning in favor of sing- ing. His many seasons at the Rain- bow Room. N. Y.. have provided him with a wide acquaintance, which will justify his salary. Lulls are by Lys Bert i New Acts). Jose. I .a >lnrliniquc. Y. (FOIXOWUF) ' Bea Kalmus has been around in the. varieties for a flock of years. though still young, and this dale is ; one or her most important from a : prestige standpoint in a number of seasons. She's a pleasant singer. though by no means sock, her style ; and voice lending themselves more : to the intime spots such as those I she played in Florida ; during the j past winter season. The gal has plenty of s.a.. enhanced ; by the low-cut while gown, and she j knows how to sell, though her man- |.ncr at times is somewhat suggestive ' of the old school. Old school'.' A couple of old-schoolers like Sophie Hlarkhawk. I'lii Chicago. April 24. Jail Seiler. Mac): "Malone & Maudell. Chuck Foster Orch (Il> teirli Betty Clarke & Tommy Ryan; I2-S2.50 iin'n. On the nitery's 25lh anni it's the Chuck Foster outfit and the front man's showmanship that ties this layout together. Acts are okay, but highlights are provided by the band and chirper Betty Clarke. Evening's doiiigs get under way with "Blackhawk Scrap Book." an olio of tunes featured by bands which have played the spot.' From minstrel to Coon-Sander's "There'll Be Some Changes Made" and then Hal Kemp's "Date With an Angel." followed by segue into Kay Kyser. Bob Crosby and Benny Pollack: Foster does ah impresh of Como on "Temptation." followed bv a Gracie Barrie and the Ink Spots." -All sdek- ero.o. Old-lime song and dance is brought ! somewhat up to dale bv Mack MiiJ lone and Maudell. When the kids i dance they're fine, but act needs i editing and more pace. Comic b*- : play on dime-a-dancery is lost as 1 ,w " a "*' Di, ' fc Roberts; $2-$2.50 well as other gag bits. Wilh strictly Carrington (New Acts) providing entertaining moments. P&J. ' a heavyweight comedy pair, work hard on their tap routine, but win the major portion of laughs on their Ink Spots satire and do solidly here. The 10-gal line isn't up to par be- cause of obvious inexperience of ma- jority of femmes. Producer Clar- ence Robinson consequently had to devise routines to fit their 'limited talents. Jose. IVormaadi*'. MonTI (KOLLOWtIP) Montreal. April 20. Ugo Martinelli. back for a return engagement at the Mount Royal hotel's Normandie Roof. Montreal, headlines a neat little entertainment package. He has one of those effort- less tenor voice-s that garners many encores.. His best selling-bit is the "Largo Al Factotum" from "Barber of Seville"' and in between - his tee- off "Finiculi, Fihicula" and a quickly- taken "Toreador Song" from "Car- men." he throws in "Here Comes Spring" and an innocuous arrange- ment of "Loch Lomond." De Marios offer some effective ballroomology. the best items being a couple of things in .a Spanish vein aided by a femme warbler, sitting among the payees. It's all very sexy, sensuous and plenty commercial.- The gal has fair set of pipes. Frak- son does some neal legerdemain rou- tines that get heavy returns.' Buddy Clarke's orch does nice work showbacking and for dansapn- tion. aided by--Dee 'Saunders, and the Ernie Ardi quintet continues to soothe on the relier periods. Laza. Hlnrkhatvk. riil ■ Cliioiiyo. April 18. Mardo'ii 1 Loiiise. Heluine Juro; CliiicJ;- Foxier Oreli (111. trilli Mnri- CAPPELLA AND PATRICIA "TRETTIEST LEGS teen on a CHICAGO CAFE FLOOR IN RE- CENT MONTHS RELONG to TA- TRICIA. who. with CAPPELLA, THRILLS THE CHEZ TAREE CROWD. Toko rlmt to LOOK at HER FACE, too—IT'S MIGHTY ATTRACTIVE. Manor of fact, SHE'S AIOUT THE PRETTIEST FEATURED DANCER SEEN HERE IN MONTHS. TOO. Oh. YES. the DANCES —AND VERY WELL. TOO!" ■y RAY HUNT. Chicago Timet, April 21st. "DANCE EXQUISITELY AND EFFORTLESSLY." i> IOI LOCKE. Chicago Sun. "SKILLED DANCERS with mora ItM USUAL ARILITY to provide THRILLING momontt for ATTEN- TIVE AUDIENCES." ■y CHARLIE DAUN, Chicago Herald American. CURRENTLY CHEZ PAREE CHICAGO ThcMki to SAM RRAMSON and LEO SALKIN tunes and teips this act would be upped plenty. New with' the orch. Miss Clarke is , showcased for a knockout slinl. Gal Medium budgeted boile follows its acl-lerpsler-band policy and comes up with a belter than average lay- sells 'em from every angle.""with 1 0llt - with Foster orch again "provid voice, s.a.. and personality. Swings : in K solid backing. "Listen to the Mockin' Bird." then wows with "I'm a Big Girl Now." Surprising range shown in "Maid of Cadiz." Jay Seiler is a jack-of-all-trades and a trifle monotonous. Soft-shoe efforts that open the act could well Maesiro opens show with parody . on "June Is Buslin' Out All Over." i Tune carries on in -much same line j as other Foster parodies, and gar- ners nice hand, j Acrodancer llelaine Jaro follows r-.n ieH ihVni.nl. hV.i" -V"'■" 1 witn 0011 '""line. A big gal. but 1 into n ,f I ?cS i U L? m ' e f CS I I''""' 111 ' this le-'PSler his'all the ! hM drons w th , Sf.rf S? J W S sla " tli,ld trick* plus a couple of new sen ifein ulaj S Slapstick on i„ ists. First number is "Ombo." a forVfiirM followed by series of slow be Thanks Lou Cohan of C.B.O. for Midwest Bookings April 29lh—Two Waefci TIC-TOC, MILWAUKEE May 17th—Two" Weokt CURLEY'S. MINNEATOLIS May 3lit—Opening HELSING'S, CHICAGO BOB FISHER and MILTFEIBER "THE ORIGINAL BARBARY COAST BOYS" And Their - Hilariaat ScMa-Masic Humor EkIouvo Maaaaomoat STANFORD ZUCKER AGENCY r 420 Madhon AVmm, New York. N. T. Foster orch does a fine cut on a lough show, and pilches smooth on straight dance' arrangements tor a packed floor. Toniw one-armed handsprings to "Day- break." Very good slinl. Chirpslcr Marilyn Paul, out of "Pal Joey." showcased in "Just One GAGS! JOKES! GAGS! PATTER! WISE-CRAX! STORIES! Ftr nufe-ait* tltifct, radii M.C.'x. tinglfl. dsubln. inmuiKen. products, dije lacWyv dlroftorl, band leitdcri. .prakrr-i. rtmirv ||M90, inaglciam. vtnlrilo.. tommenlalnrt. writtrt, eart«oni»t3. etc. Fun Mailer Gag Filet Not. 1 Thru 13 $1.05 Tor Script, Potraqt Prepaid Each Fll« Contain* Ovor 100 Sock Gagt ! ! Ut.kf rhrrk*. I*;(.vi.l.ln ' Co I'ACI.A SMt l ll Mi.ll <o "FlM.-Mi.Hlrr" 2(HI W. r.ltl. St.. Krw Vorll ( ilr 19. N.T. Xew Ilorixon. 4 hi i (Continental Hotel I I . , Chicaao. April |fi. ■^George de Carlo Orch (7), Roller! Cram: J2.50-$:t.S0 min. This former waiting room of the ex-Medniah Athletic Club lias been converted into a mugwump nitery half cocktail- lounge, half bistro. And until Robert Crum's arrival, the en- I lerliiinmcnt's been thai way. too. i Intime atmosphere is perfect for impressionistic pianoinq. but Ciiim's I orgies at I lie keyboard are a little lough on the i-u.-lomers. Musically. I how ever, the guy s got it. Especially'j- good is "Laura." "Yesterdays." and ! his own boogie improvisations. Style j is still highly eclectic with a bil'of ; Waller. Brahms. Tatuin and Ravel tossed inlo the pot. It all gels socko ■ response. I • CJeoige de Carlo should stick to 1 , .xociely-sw'eet tunes, better adapted ; ! to a room with a dime-size floor. [ Too many bouncies mean sore shins. ! Tomra. I MING and LING Currently Appearing' ; CHINA DOLL NEW YORK For An Indofinlt* Engaaement Thanki to TOM BALL Tertonal Managoment AL GROSSMAN K.K.O. lldg.. Now York 20, N. Y.