Variety (Jul 1946)

Wedneeday, July 17, 1946 49 House Reviews Capitol* N« V. George Paxton Orch (17) with Lee ^..lor Rosemary Caimn, John ISk^Joey Aaams. Mark Plant, Tony reviewed in Variety, ST»d" (M-C) April 10. 46. ___ The Capitol show is expected to • . .hp cashiers a healthy workout. «&• StaW to Wed- getting „ve reviews and stager containing Senty entertainment vitamins, lay- outprovides one of the best all- S^und shows It's had in a long Urae oSnfne day show, however, had ,h?*Wed shilling of Lucille Ball who'f appearing in the film, and «ith little else- to do while in New York, made- personal appearances during the evening shows. Shes able ''intranstate her picture comedy flair 'to the-stage and although, there's little to her turn other than a brief nterview with bandleader George Paxton,- her fast ad-libs top per- sonality and looks abetted by a sexy mwn. bowled over the mob. She Save the Copacabana a few plugs natch—since that's where her hus- band. Desi Arnaz, is working. Also answered a few questions from the audience. Her stint here suggests that she could work the vauders at four -figures anytime she cares to, Metro permitting. Otherwise the layout contains ex- cellent balance with solid offerings in the musical, dance and comedy departments. , Comedies by Joey Adams are a little more restrained than when he last appeared here. Probably he'll wind up roughhousing the band , as soon as he's on familiar enough terms with the sidemen. but at the moment he's sticking pretty close to his act Adams' contrib has been tailored with some new material and Is punched across with maximum ef- fectiveness. His likable fresh manner scores with the crowd. Again he clowns with the big bary Mark Plant, who docs himself much good with a Gershwin medley fol- lowed by the inevitable takeoff of "Sonny Boy" with Adams. Comedian also, scores laugh in the interview with former lightweight champ Tony Canzcneri. In all a boff turn in this house. Hal LeRoy with stress on nimble tapping, has a likeable routine in the straight terp line, although his comedy tops are often too repetitious for top effect. But he makes an overall good impression. Paxton has progressed consider-, ably since he first appeared on Broadway at the Roseland in 1944 when orch was taking a ,$900 weekly loss for privilege of playing on the Stem.. With a solid musical organiza- tion, he's able to experiment, as is evident by use of French horn in the brass-section. Right now its function isn't too evident, since arrangements give it too little prom- inence and any roundness it might impart to- the trumpet corps is too . subdued for full audience apprecia- tion. But aside .from that single defect, arrangements are groovey and^ Paxton can do ride or rest music in an applause getting man- ner. His medley of pops culled from classic shows some excellent musi- cianship, but individual numbers in that turn are too brief. The vocal crew carries Lee Taylor, , a well-built bary with good pipes whose single number "Falling in Love is Wonderful" nets him a ?t arl 7, exit - Rosemary Calvin is a likeable item whose ' offering is JUmaxed with "South America, Take n Away which gives her a chance W show off ability for sexy inter- pretation. Band also carries a com- edy vocalist, Johnny Bond of the Mass department, who dons a blond mght-wig and rolls up his trousers «> do "I'm A Big Boy Now." Tune nas enough comedy verbiage so that w % .props aren't necessary. 5RO when caught. Jose. Steel Pier, A. C. Atlantic City, July 12. /Roy Eberle, Billy Wells <fe Four «W. Skating Earls (4). Rich & Gib- '#??!. ■ <Ml Cumminos; "Abilene Toum" WA). . Stale. i\. 1. Jackie . Gleason. Josh White, Howard Nichols, The' 3 Wiles, Wan Rae & Mrs. Waterfall, Lucienne &V Ashour, Ruby Ztoerlino's House Orch; "Two Sisters from Boston" (M-G). .... .. Plenty diversity in stageshow at the State for current stanza, with Jackie Gleason, rotund comic, top- lining and doubling as emcee in his customary click fashion to set things neatly for the layout. Howard Nichols opens with his clever, hoop juggling, . interspersed with an essence of comedy', that points up his expert manipulation of the hoops. Gleason takes over emcee chore and. after a few throw- away gags brings on the Three Wiles, two fellows and gal, for nifty hoof- ing sesh, of which their "Wooden Soldiers" precision dance is stand- out am' garners healthy emitting. Nan ..ay and Mrs. Waterfall fol- low and offer mildly amusing re- partee, wherein the former inter- views the latter for what laughs there are in act. Mostly, off the cob, but some commercial. Josh White, Negro folksong ballad- ist, duplicates his nltery success with a quartet of folksongs, which have been identified with him via nitery stints and recordings. Handling own accomp on guitar,. he opens . with 'Evil Hearted Man," segues into Lass With ' the Delicate Air" and The House I Live In" for splendid results. Of course, they bring him back for "One Meat Ball" to sew things up. Gleason takes over in own stanza for additional funstering via his rib on radio commercials and caricature Impreshes of Laughton, Boyer, Barrymore, et al, interlarded with some slick chatter that rolls them. Walks off a solid hit Lucienne and Ashour. mixed team, score solidly with their standard Apache routine. They start off legiti- mately, with gal on receiving end of wild acrobatics, and then go into reverse with male member taking the tossaround. Duo remain tops in their line and win plenty salvos. Ruby Zwerling's House orch con- trib^ nifty overture and provides usual expert backgrounding for acts. Edba. Ray Eberle and his songs headline snow here this week, with Don Cum JWngs emceeing and tying stanfle to gtther neatly.. Skating Earls open with roller 'eats which click as they "induce" wp small boys on stage and give I u spins and Ai7z y whirls, which aiMs to merriment. Rich and Gibson follow with clever nqoflng and xylophone playing. Open with nifty tapstering and take over on xylophone for "Whispering" and All .ine World Is Waiting for the Sunrise.", Off to nice response. •-iim.minp takes over for own stunt ma gets plenty laughs; Does radio announcer rib and girdle gags, also happy r °^ e tricka tnat keep ' eir .JF^erle follows with song stanza Jforing especially with "Tempta- "on and "Wight and Day." _Billy Wells and Four Fays arc as jocko as ever in their clever t>>mb- Un S act. Walk. Million Bellar, l~ »A.. Los Anodes, July 11. Woody Herman Orch (17), with Lynne Stevens, Red Norvo, Blue Notes (5): Pat Hennino, Jeanne Blanche; "Dork Alibi" (Mono). Sharp mixture of swing, blues and comedy makes this week's Million Dollar stage bill solid entertain- ment. Woody Herman, his orchestra and Red Norvo take care of the very solid sending and the sweet and mellow work, while Pat Henhing watches over the laughs expertly. Orch tees off with punchy rendi- tion of "Caldbnia," then changes pace with "Sorrento," featuring sax and trombone with Herman on vocals. Next out is "E-Baba-Le- Ba," also sung by Herman and strong on brass. Herman joins with the Blue Notes, new singing group, on "Surrender." Quintet (four males, one femme) are listenableon "Who Do You Love" and "Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance." Red Norvo does sock xylophoning on "The Man I "Love," making it a real jazz treat for listening. He'! also key man with Herman's Wood choppers, small combo made up of orch sidemen, on "Steps" and "Wan It." 'Lynne Stevens, band vocalist, gave standout treatment to "Try a Little Tenderness" and "Where Can You Be," with smooth backing by orch. Another change of pace has Herman's crew blaring out driving rhythm of "Northwest Passage" and finale tune, "Wild Root." Pat Henning punches through for big laughs with tom-foolery con- cerning Army life and sundry other things, including hilarious, "oral" impersonations of ft 1 m names. Rounding out the bill is Jeanne Blanche, nimble tap dancer. Brog. Routines are intelligently worked! out for top returns. ] Peggy Ann- Taylor Trio offer! standard adagio stint. Heaviest mit- ting comes for gal's splits and bends atop partners shoulders. Lou and Lllyan Bernard purvey effective harmonica arrangements of . pops and classics, aided no little by gal's work on oversized mouth-organ to Jend. virtuoso flavor to their stint. ! Les Rhode house orch backs show in nice style: Biz fair when caught. Lary. Apollo, IV. 1. Lit Green Orch (16) with Howard Calender; Musical Madcaps (7), Valaida Snow, Pxgmeax, with Sybil Lewis, John Bonn; Tables Davis, Peck & Peck; "They Made Me a Killer" (Par)'. With little marquee draw, the Apollo nevertheless manages to come up with a show that smartly accentuates the high spots While playing down the lesser acts. As is the custom with this- house, bill leans heavily toward comedy song and dance routines. Billed as leader of the band, Lil Green doesn't put in an appearance until the end of the show when she does the closing act, singing "Blow. Her Top Blues," "In the Dark," and one original that was better left unsung, "Bad With My Man and Me." Loud blues pipes go Well here, although sounding off too close to the mike for payees' comfort . .Show's best stint, is tossed off by the Musical Madcaps under Al Cow- an. Seven guys comprise a rhythm band, using all the ordinary rhythm instruments, plus a washboard and a pair, of maracas, for'a sock comedy routine. While they ' pound out "Rhythm of the Band" and "Oo Bob A She Bam" Cowan leads in laven- der suit plaid porkpio hat, and high jab-toed shoes, doing a continuous loose-jointed soft-shoe. Mixed up 'Old Man River" stint is overdone. Cutsomers shout for more but don't eyen get a begoff. Vocals are overemphasized with both Lil Green and Valaida Show, on the same bill, but latter handles her end in nice fashion, opening with "I Don't Know Enough About You" and "Gypsy." She has good smoky, voice when under control but tends. to give Impression of a re- formed shouter at times. Closer is "St. Louis Blues," with gal doubling on voice and trumpet for fancy re- turns. Pigmeat, with Sybil Lewis and John Bonn, are featured in a pair of well-spaced blackouts, both with the usual deep blue taint but good laugh-getters.. Tables Davis dances a little, wiggles a lot, and pays off his act by lifting three' large tables and two chairs by his teeth. Peck and Peck have the usual two-man song and dance potpourri, picked up from the Nicholas Broth- ers, with the-addition of a slow-mo- tion fight stanza that is not unsusual. As opening act they get a nice mitt. Band, under the leadership of Howard.Callender most of the show does not impress, except occasion- ally. Callender takes too many solo spots with an n.s.g. trumpet but "Concerto for Two Saxes" is okay. Tomm, Variety Bills WEEK OF JULY 17 Numerals la eonacefle* wllta bill* belowslaalcat* oneamr **» at anew, whither till or split week.. Ullni la parent****) Indicate circuit. (I) Independent; (I) Leew; (P) Paramount; (R> KKO; <W) Warner NKW VOKK CITY Anolle (I) 1» Chili-leu Hinmi Capitol (I.) Ill Geo Phxioii Ore ■ Joey Adams Murk Plant Tony I'anjionerl HrI Le Roy ' Musi* Hull (I) I* I'uul Hankon ill-Ulna, FlOMiy Dolore*' AnderDttn Edward Krlchert Jo .'Andre.*,-* ■ Arnaut Bros - - Riickel <es' Glee <'lub Parunwunt 11') 17 Raymond. Scott Bd Andy Russell' Pied riper* Al:i'i Carney .luck William* Rosy (I) 17 Chlco Marx Jane V [(.-kens Debonalrs Harold Harries John Guells Hilly Gilbert Tim Her.be.rl .Shep r'irldn Ore CAMDEN Tower* (I) Ii-il .1 & E Hayden The Youman* Flov-o Snyder Co Hoy jjavln Texas Tommy t'HICAtiO Chk-acn (P) IS The' 'Harrys '' Ben Berl Oharlo'leera Nip. Nelaon . Oriental (I) IS. Mill Bros Danny Drayton Nelson SIh Ray I.atiK Ore Beaal (I 1 ) 1* Ell* Fitzgerald ' U Gillespie Ore nalph -Brown Freddy * Flo 1NDIANAPOLIR. Circle (1) 1« Tony PaMnr Ore Dolly Dawn Kathr'yh Dully Den EJilte stone Oro Hotel Bntnaam Dunntnger N Brandftynna Ore ftnlnh Font Ore Hotel Cammodore Hul .Mirlntyre Ore Hotel Dlxte Larry Funk Ore l.ou Seller Roberta Hollywood Jordan & Parvia Half I EdlaM Blue Barron Ore -Ekaei IImm Panche Ore Hotel l^ilaUM Moml Kal Tapu rTaun lallma Mall* MoHlharia 1 Pineapple Ore Hotel Xea> Inrke* Chuck. Fester Oro Hotel IVtin*vl%-HHl Splnnlna; 2 Susan Dahl Bob Wayne Art Waner Ore Mente Carle> Dick Gaeaarre O Roberto .Slboner ' . OM Komnnlan Leslie bros Morcella at NR-h'l's Ol«a Oi-leva; Adrlenne Parker Joe La Pert* Or* UlTlera Willie Howard Jack Harris Ore Betty Rellly Rohan Bleu Ruby Hill Bob Howard Cedrlc Wallace I Wally Blacker Hose Kretchnut Blanka Basil Fomeen N AlexandreaT ' Sari Oorbl AC INCT "The Outstanding Agency" 1t24WH44 Most SlKri»>4BaatHrf •# 1101 New Ywfc Jea* R'enha Vai-Mlly 8 State (I.) IS The Willys Vh-Klnla Austin Jack Leonard Jerry Wityne II Wells * t Fay* Carter a; Moreland Strand («) 1» . Spike Jonen Ore Kay Ballad Dorcse MldKley Helen Greco Alleph Carlyle : LONti ISLAND Jninake. (I) 1S-M GraKlano Bros. Kath >lcLou«lln Benny Meroff Co Bernle ' Georne l>on Henry .1 IB-1* Jinx SI* Danny Dennis ■I lo mi . Sl-48 Alan Slitile P»KBy Taylor 3 The St (Mali's .lo :9t .Joey Mack Georo-e'Dunn ATLANTIC CITY Steel Pier (I) 21 R Ail*Ir Dane Van Kirk Bobby Whallne. Co Trc t:hord* BALTIMORE HlntHHlmme (I) 3 Rosa SI* , noy Benson I Chris, Cross ■ Hugh Fora-ln C«> Royal (1) 10 nenny ('arler S Wlllliitns i Dad n Bob Evans jChos -DWiy' Smith KANSAS CITY Tewer (I) !• Atlas 3 Schloss ec Matthews e>ldy Koaak Blllee. Byers MINMKAPOM6 Maslc HaU (P) I* Phil Spllalny Ore OMAHA Ornheaai (P) I* Lionel Hampton O Red. &- Curley Rluim'c'r Sis PHILADHT.rillA Earle (W) 1* C Cavallaro' Ore Lenny Gale P Franks A -Tanyce Carman (I) IS Johnny Duagan Al A Con Faiuon Don .Cunimlnss 3 Welle* ROCKFORD Palace (I) IS LeRoy nros Vera Love .Tony DeMarco Ted Smllh Nee "Wonif 1 to nil KAN FRANCISCO tietden «ate <R) 17 Don ft Beverly Fred Sanborn Ella Mae Morse Freddie Slack Ore 8PRINUKIEI.D Court He. (I) 18-81 Michael Maley'. Windsor Dancers Belle Aire* Palermnn Oil nines The Jansleya . Tower, K. €. Kansas City, July 12. "Gay Nineties Revue," with Delia Ray, Margie Coates, Warren Bros. 12), James C. Quinn, Jean Bedim & Co. (2), Jouce Chandler, Tower Orch (9) with Don Tiff; "Rendezvous 25" (20th) and "Dressed to Kill" (U). Olympla. Mlaiul Miami, July 12. Ben Bert, Van Kirk, The Barrets (2), Peggy Ann Taylor Trio, Lou & : Lilyan Bernard, Les Rhode House Orch 13 "Cinderella Jones" <WB). Well blended bill here this week offers a, diverting hour of nicely paced variety.: Topliner Ben Beri (selected by local .amusement cds and Paramount execs as one of best five.acts ^o play house in past year) cliks. with his pantojuggling, garnering plenty giggles and gasps. Pantoantics with Indian clubs, balls, tambourine had 'em all the way. Had to beg off. Van Kirk paces show with some smooth emceeing. In own spot his type humor and special material gets healthy laughs. His takeoff on Bert Lahr's "Woodchopper" song sews things up. The Barrets, nice looking team, open bill with some neat tapology. Stage show this week harks back to the yesteryear motif. Billed as "Gay Nineties Revue," it comprises six acts with Margie Coates dou- bling as emcee. * Opener is James C. Quinn, 76, who taps out a good clog and features cane tapping in his- routine. He's back later for an imitation of Eddie Leonard. Nicely received. . Delia Ray has a standard bell- ringing turn and winds a quartet of numbers with a vocal. Jean Bedinl follows with some fun with comedy magic and follows through with fa- miliar plate and bottle juggling rou- tine. Warren Brothers, costumed as a couple of nifties, warble a quartet of old-time tunes for hearty approv- al. Joyce Chandler wins applause with her neat-work on the trumpet and a sweet version of "Stardust." Miss Coates has her own inning for a brace of stories in song that gar- ner good apDlausc. Qttin. AGVA Switches Nucci . Tony Nucci, who had been sent to Montreal by American Guild of Variety ATlists to organize Canadian branch of union, has been transfer- red by Matt Shelvey, national head of AGVA, to Seattle, branch of union. .Eric Withers succeeds him in Montreal. Switch was precipitated by mush- rooming of niteries in Seattle area, which requires additional supervi- sion of staff in that territory. TIP, TAP AND TOE IN SOUTH AMERICA NOW Peritonei MnnnaTement Eddie Smith Accaey. 1001 If way, X.V. Peck & Peck June Richmond Stale (I) )"-ie The Lockwelli Will Mahoney Grandma Perkins Pansy, ihe Horse Zl-i4 Gloria Thomas Jack Parker The Oakle* Eddie. Jack A B BOSTON Bocton (R) 1ft Crude McDonald Prof Fabian WASHINGTON Capitol <L> IS ^ - Mack* Al Cordon Herinon Hyde Kolt Danllo WILLOW GROVE Pnrh (1) tl only The Lockwelte Will Mnhoney Pansy, the IIor*e (irandmH Perkins Dobas 'I Cabaret Bil E Lawrence Oro Hotel Plena , Myrus * Consuele ft Artlnl J^oe Fanebos Stanley Melba Ore HeteJ Puna Rosarlo ft Aatonle Pancho Oro Mark Monte Ore Hotel ■minat Joe Refchmaa Ore Hotel 6t. Reala Pessy Norman Paul Sparr Ore Theodora Brooke Uetal Tart Vincent Lope? Of* Hotel Wala-erf-A . Guy Lomkarae Ore MIscha'Borr Ore- leetaoe] Ice Revue Relly a Stable* Henry Red Allen O Vlckl Zlmmer . Olnrla Dale Peta Terry . J C Hlifenbottom La Coag* Dlosa Costelle Luis Del Campo Machlto Ore Pupl Campo Oro Ijttln Qnarter Ted Lewis Ore Geraldlne Du Bola Rlroy Peace Murtah Sla nil ft Cora Balrd Gay Hess Gall Bennett Slrkl De Vysenof. Paul While Leon ft Kddle'e Eddie Davla June St Claire Gloria. Wallls plana Cralff Ulacha DadaneS Irene Feeder* Dura Bin* , Karavaefl Mas* Cleft Moralee Ore . Veranm** Evelyn Knlaht Bon Blair Emll rettl Ore VBIace Ban BUIy Kelly Garlanda Alicia -Wallace) Pace Mertoa Bert Eton* Patey Lane Jimmy Nela \' Tea Fletcher VlUace Tanaaarft H D Bennett Eddy Kaneon Eleanor Bowere Don Fry Bank Duncan Trie wlvel Bob Lee Gertrude HII4 Jean Alnelle Frendseo - Bruce Nennan ' Vivian Nicholson D'RIvero ft Belm'te Zaaudaar Oak Calloway Ore Pearl Bailey C'l.arloteere - Peters Sis Miller Broe Alan DJaon Pee Wee Marquette Claude Hopkins Or* Zlanmemaan'e Oene Kardoe Or* W ft J Brown Wayne Thompson Adrlenne Parker Bela Zslia CHICAGO NEW . I0BK CITY AqUnrlum Guy tlrnnuflH Ore Rex Stewart Oro Ulue Angel r.obert Mii*vvell Kililie Mnyehxtt tills Lurkln 3 Uddle MayehoR James Copps fare Society (OonrnloMta) Tlmmle '.RnK*rs Sarah Vauahn CHIT Jacksou 1*610' Johnson J C Heard Oro Care Society (Uptown) DaM-nif.. West I'Htrk'lH HliKhl Sonny Thomp^tin David HruoNs Carnlvnl M lltoil Berle Ho|i, .Skip. -Tump Eliy Ardel.ty Stan KlFhrr .Marion diilhy Hon Yost Singers Walter John ' Miriam G\rlnn Miriam LaVelle CopucHDana DeM Arnai Oro Julio 'Wllann Joey Gilbert Lynne Barrett Ernie Hoist Bd Haul ft Eva Reyes Peter Llnd Hayes Diamond Horwcahoe Jos E Howard Roe* A Lh 1'lerre Watson Sis Fi-IUI SclicfT Ann PennlnKtoe Willie Solar Jaciuellne Hurley Allehael Edwurd BUI Acorn Emma Francla Jimmy Allison' Bill Moore Four Rosebuds Vincent Travers Or Morly Reld Ore 400 Restanrant J Uothirell Ore * llavana-Madrid' Carlo* Ramirez -Sergio Orta' Vn)t .Virginia McGraw ■ f*alallno Ore ('ai-Ioh Vari;la Oro . Hotel Anihasaadot l^>uls Betancourt O Jules Lande Ore Hotel Antor Tommy Tucker Ore Hotel Belmont Pint* Don Contfllo . Doodle* Weaver Wendy Bishop Blackhawk Del Courtney Ore Dottle Dodson Johnny Strong . Hudson ft Sharae noblnson ft Ike Ches Pare* Joe E.. Lewis. Kvelyn- Brooke Phyllis Claire Consolo ft Melba Adorable* (12) Gay Clarldge Ore Luclo Garcia Ore roloslme'e Mas Rosenbloom Max Baer I'ronftth Dcrs Mel Cole Ord Helel BUmarek Anita Jakobl .Sherman Hayes Or Enrlca ft Nevello - Dill Burke Hell Welcome The Martinis Hildle Fens Ore Hotel Blackslon* The Do Mnrloe Don Richards E lleckscbcr Ore H Edgewater Beh Henry Brandon Ore Joe Jackson, Jr Nerska nenald ft Ruby Henry Grant- Sonic Styllnts Dorothy Hlld Dcrs Hotel Cengree* Theodora CnnNalven ft Men'nl I'ancho Oro Hotel Continental Robert Crura Joe Vera Oro Hotel eiicrmaa Carl Marx Beneke-Mlller Ore . Betel Stevena Arleen Llndstrem Ladd Lyon Jeff Lane Copsey ft Ayrea The Shyrettos Boulevar-Deara Orrln Tucker Ore Latin Qaartea- Merry Macs- Minevltch Rascal* Jack Carter The Vallate I< Q Lovellaa Buddy Shaw Ore Palmer House Ted Straeter Ore Gil Malnon Larry Storrh ImoKone- Coca Xtaurer Sin Abbott Dcrs Marilyn Marsh Bio Cabana Harvey Stone Georale Tappe Rio Rumba Ore Marilyn Rons' '' The Lovellea (10) Cee Davidson Ore Viae Gardens Jessie Rosella Dick Drake Bohby Sarcent Evelyn Christian Grey ft Diane' Joe Kieh Ore Grey ft Diane Former Ops Repossess G'wich Village, N.Y., Nitery Little Club, Greenwich Village, N. V-.-j nitery folded last week and will revert to former operators, Walter Barry and Frank Farrell. Latter operate a trio of niteries in . Brooklyn. , Former owners had disposed of Village spot several months ago to Carl Pedersbn, who reportedly had made down payment and was to have paid remainder in monthly in- stallments. Pedersen having missed out on payments,. former bonifacen are reclaiming and will reopen, with band and' floorshow in September.