Variety (Sep 1946)

Wedneeclity, September 18, 1946 Rosy, IV. \. Hildegarde with Jan MHfray. Patsy Kelly, Eleanor Teejnan, Henry King, Gae Foster Rockcttes, House Orch; "Home Sweet Homicide'' 120(h), re- viewed in Vahikty July 17, '4(5. It was an inevitable question: HiU tiegarde in a 5,886-seat theatre like the Roxy? It was an inevitable diicstion because of the manner ana jilyle of the Milwaukee chantoosey, who heretofore has shown her greatest effectiveness in an intimate salon like the Persian Room of New York's Hotel Plaza, the Statler hotel in Washington, and the like. It seemed fantastic that a chance would he taken with her in such a Wg house, and on such a mammoth •staSe, at that. But fantasy and fic- tion—and talent—have their com- mon denominators, which ju.st about sums up why the current Roxy bill is an effective piece of merchandis- ing. And, in fact, why Hildegarde must be labeled the amazing seller of showmanship that she is. This bill is by no means all Hilde- garde. It's smart presentation to project her retinue as much as she docs, namely Jan Murray , and Patsy Kelly, plus the sock hoofing of Eleanor Teeinan. It's smart because each of the backer-uppers has plenty of talent on his own, and they en- tertain strongly. And there are such factors as lighting and general stag- ing; which frequently put this show in at least a near-sock stratum. Approximately the first 20 minutes are especially breezy, with Hildy pacing the layout strongly with her emceeing, a couple of pop songs and her banter with Murray and Miss KelJy. If the latter half of the setup seems somewhat dawdling by comT parison, chalk it ud to a first half that was tough to follow. The setting, that of a smart cafe very much like the Persian Room— only here it's called, as per her ra- dio show, the Penguin Room — is .something for which the theatre outdid itself. It's a brilliantly lit job and smartly presented all the way, with JHenry King handling the baton for the house orch and getting into the libretto along the way. There's an extra piano mid-center for the star, for the couple of piano- song numbers she does at the up- rights, and tables and chairs dot the floor and are occupied by the house .standby's (Roxyettes, etc.) along with a fluartet of servicemen brought UP from the audience and seated at the tables. The latter, in- cidentally, are focal points for some of the Patsy Kelly comedy, in which the omniscient theme of her contri- butions is finding a man. It's obvious comedy, but laugh-provoking re- gardless. ; Both Murray and Miss Kelly pro- duce plenty of laughs, though some of their business together towards the end is milked a little too finely. Hildy's exchanges with Murray, in- cidentally, reveal her as a surpris- ingly able straight Woman, It is, perhaps, .somewhat of an in- congruity for establLshed perform- ers like Mi-ss Kelly and Murray to accept lesser roles in the manner that they do. since Hildegarde so ob- viously is the focal talent. That they get over as well as they do is a tribute to their own talent Kafm. lta«lio f iiy, JWinncopolis, Sept. 14. Desi Arnaz Orch (14) with Tana and Dulcina: Vivian Blaine, Jeanne Foreman, Nonchalanls (3); "Ren- aesvow with Annie" (Rep). This show seems to hold every- tnmg that should spell box-office, what with Vivian Blaine, song-stress, the striking, Desi Arnaz personality, and highly ]isl..nable music. The Arnaz part of the bill, with rnaestro's singing, dancing, comicalir ties and intriguing music .served up m the Latin fashion, is lively and stimulating. The bongo, marica, large and small Congo drums, ca- toassps and clavis lend distinction to melody that excites and ingratiates. The orch has five rhythm, including the bongo and marica, five brass and three violins, plus Arnaz who takes.an occasibnal whirl at the large Congo drum, and two girls who keep busy with their clavis. The combination sizes up as made to order for its musical .stints. Arnaz and several of his boys spice up , the peppery proceedings with their antics. Both of the band's gals are lookers. After band's theme, "Tabu," the tnusicians go into a pulse-quickening rhumba, I'Gallega." Then Tana, luscious and sultry brunette, warbles ^The Man I Love" to good returns. Trip to Mexico" permits Arnaz to exercise pipes and he scores solidly. Attractive Jeanne Foreman's dance impressions go over well. Marco. Rigo, band's piani.st, is featured in "Malaguena," which at- tains symphonic proportions and is one of the program's .sfandouts. In decided contrast is the exciting djmcing of blonde bombshell Dui- cina of the band who shakes a Wicked hip during "Say, Si, Si" and ■who tosses aside restraint entirely While two of the boys join her in making "Tico, Tico" exceptionally arresting. ■ ; . The musicians are at best again In "Continental" before the Non- nOVSE REVIEWS 49 chalants, three young men, mix dif- ficult and unusual balancing and acrobatic feats with their clowning. Miss Blaine more than meets the greatest «xpectations. Her number.s include "Doing What Comes Natur'Uy" and "Love Is Wonder- full" from "Annie Get Your Gun" and she registers solid hit. Arnaz goes great guns in his two specialty numbers, "North America Take It Away" and "Babalu," contributing with Dulcina some lively dancing that winds show jn whirlwind style. ■,■■,■■■,■„ Rees. Capitol, Wash. Woshinfliton, Sept. 12. Major Bot«cs Ali-Slor Graduates —Dancing Craw fords (2), Teddy Block, Knapp Sisters (3), Dicfc Lane, The Yourtians (2), The OaJcics (21, Sarry Birch; "Courage of Lassie" (M-G). Thi.s is a new one-hour package debuting here and with all the wrin- kles not yet worked out, although it shows considerable promise as a fast moving, lively entertainment unit. , Show has been put together by Lou Goldberg, who handled stage units for years for the late Major Bowes, with a considerable assist from Gene Ford, managing director of the Capitol. Goldberg has lined up some of the top performers of the former Bowes units,'several of the acts being just back from USO tours overseas. Knapo Sisters do well in vocal arrangements a la Andrews Sisters, and really cook with a rendition of "Blue Skies" which caps their turn. Sammy Birch, who also emcees, draws plenty of laughs with his si- lent mugging to phonograph records, hitting tops for the revue with his takeoff on Cyril Smith. A fast mov- ing act. The Oakies offer a hillbilly novelty in which they make mountain music from a wide variety of instruments including spoon.s, a uke, jewsharp, crockery jug, cymbals strapped to knees, castinets, etc. Dickie Lane is a .slick ventriloquist who should move to the top with better material. The Dancing Craw- fords, who open, have a tap specialty featuring military taps with lumi- nous gloves and shoes on a blacked out stage. Tedd.y Block gives out with sound effects of motor boats, airplanes, machine guns, etc. Com- pleting the unit are Musical You- mans. the woman playing a violin and the man an accordion. Lowe. Apollo, IV. V. Cootie Williams Orch (W), Ella Fitzgeraldi Vagabonds. (4), Honi & Brownie, Boti Merrill,' Chinky Grimes, Spider BrUce, "Yak" Taylor; "Man Who Dared" (Col). Buxom Ella Fitzgerald and Cootie Williams orch pace the bill at this Harlem showcase with the forte song-seller drawing shrieks, whistles and cheers from audience. Band with eight brass, five reeds and three rhythm give out the jive with a */ill while a comedy bit and other acts balance program nicely. Orch, fronted by Williams who blows a vigorous trumpet, is off to a noiisy opening with "Lets Do the Whole Thing," Stick-swisher serves up swing at its best in "House of Joy," a cacophony of din which sends sidcnjen and Williams into a virtual frenzy. Latter, on a trumpet solo, really gets hep and gets plenty of palm whacks. "Mood for Coot," an original by Williams, features muted clarinet, trumpet and trom- bone bathed in a pale blue spot. Though a welcome change of pace, this instrumental number was disr appointing and drew only scattered salvos. Miss Fitzgerald, who by now is close to being America's number one sepia song stylist, is plenty socko in five numbers, sweet and hot. Song- stress, garbed in a black bolero ef- fect gown with sequins, is an ultra .seller of songs. She opens with a swinfiy"Patootie Pie," slips into a beautifully done "I Don't Know Why" then a racy "Route 66" whose lyrics are altered slightly into the blue vein. Draws heavy mitt with a powerful "Lady Be Good," jam arrangement contrived by her ac- companist, Ray Tunia, who's plenty hep on the 88. Incidentally number bears little resemblance to the Gershwin tune of the same name, (iloses to a smash finish with "Stone Cold Dead." ■Vagabonds, four male sepians, are a smartly attired vocal quartet plus guitar accompaniment. Style is reminiscent of the Mills Bros, Open with "(iieiitb Lindo," segue iiito a .sock "Gypsy" backed by the band. Comedy number, "Good Old Deacon Jones," follows and group closes with the now. time-worn "Ea-ba-rc- bop." Hani & Browni, male and gali dance team, give out with some tame aero tapology which gels meagre palming. Bob, Merrill, personable singer doubling from bandy croons "Somebody Else" which is distin- guished by falsetto voice. Chinky Grimes docs a .standard cooch dance amind the usual whistles and Spider Bruce and "Yak" Taylor are on with the usual comedy blackout. RKO, Boston Boston, Sept. 11. Tony Pastor Orch, Qlooney Sis- ters, Tommy hyman, Frank Mar- lowe, Howard NichoU, Paul Winik & Edna Mae; "Canyon Passage" (V). House resumes its band policy with this bill, following two-week session with John Calvert show, plus others on stage, but still holds the film a third week, first time this has hap- pened in many sessions, and not too hot for .biz.'. Pastor band, long popular around here, comes in with sharp and meaty jive, and makes plenty of decibels traversing well^chosen list of current pop.s. ■ . ■■■ -. Opens with "Back Home in In- diana" in a nicely tailored version emphasizing the brilliant, well- focused tones of the btass and set- ting up a'receptive mood. Follpws with "Surrender," with Pastor doing the groaning against a choral chant which elicits and good. Clooney Sisters warble "Hallelujah," "South America Take It Away" and "Patty Cake," giving out with the ; usual mannerisms but getting over big; Tommy Lyman wearily emits the customary baritones, and mubvcal specialties are offered by Stubby Pastor trumpeting "I Can't Get Started With You," and Henry Ri^gs drumming "King Kong." Band closes with "Hey-bob-a-re-bop" in high for a wow. 'Vaude specialties are fine and offer nice contrast. Paul Winik and Edna Mae do their sleek terps' for cus- tomary kudos," and Howard Nichols draws attention with hoop juggling and balancing. Biggest click is Frank Marlowe, whose odd brand of com edy pratfalls; frustrations and be wilderment,s provide, a different port of amusement that proves plenty refreshing. Had to beg off on opener. Opening biz was pretty good con- sidering a third week of film on 'oill Elie. Oriental, Chi Chicago, Sept. 12. Eddjy Howard Orch (14) with Bob Gapelii, Paul Regan^ 3 Rays; "Bad Bascomb" (M-G). Eddy Howard, Chi favorite since the days when he was singing with Dick Jurgens orch, is featured with his own band in current show. Orch gets things going with a salute to the Windy City with "Chicago," follow- ing with "Careless," Combo shows what it can really do in a fine pres- entation of a Gershwin melody. Trumpeter Bob Capelli does a re- verse English on "I Want to Get Married," vocalizing the novelty tune with special lyrics. Guy also lends good assist with his trumpet in "Embraceable You." Following the current style that a band must have a novelty number featuring more than one member of the orch, Howard group offers a pointless number called "Fan Dance" that proved no novelty With the aud. Three orch members come on stage Mdith pants rolled up and with wigs, and go through some sehseless and laughless maneuvers with a fan in each hand. Howard gets good re- turns for his vocalizing of "Blue Heaven," "They Say It's Wonderful," "Surrender," "Rickety Rickshaw," and "To Each His Own." Paul Regan, mimic, garners best salvos of show with his clever take- offs and comedy patter. Guy does good impreshes of a dozen personali- ties but gets best returns on Will Rogers and the late President Roose- velt. The acrobatic Three Rays try too hard and didn't 'jell at show caught. Timing was way off with many of their gimmick <done for laughs) losing effectiveness as a re- sult. Foos. Circle, Inilpls. Indianapolis, Sept. 14. Stan Kenton Orch with June Christy, Ray Wetzel, Buddy Chil- ders. Shelly Manne, Eddie Safranski, Meribeth Old^ Keaton & Armfield; "French Key" (Rep). Christy makes a pert impression in the tojp vocal turn. Her best seller is the band's terrific "Rika Jika Jack," which rocks the house. Her "Come Rain or Come Shine" is good,: too, but the intricate band arrange- ment somewhat overshadows the .singer. Band gets some laughs with its clowning in back ot Kenton while he warble.s "St. James Infirmary." "The Concerto To End All Concer- tos" gives all the key men a chance to clinch a lasting impression at the curtain. • Two extra act^ on the bill are -solid. Meribeth Old gets a big hand for her spectacular contortion stunts, looking fresh and pretty through the screwiest fsyrations. Further laughs are provided by Keaton & Armfield in their standard routine in which the lady refugee from the morgue turns into a glamour girl via a modified striptease. Biz was okay at second show opening day Corb. Earle, IMiilly ■. ; Philadelphia, Sept. 17; John. Boles, Bob Chester Grch with Phyllis Lane, Lew Gardner; Gerri Gale, Paul Winchell; "Walls Came Tumbling Down" (Col). . Headed by the perennial fave; John Boles, of the flickers and lately from legits, and backed by the Bob Chester orch with ventro Paul Win- chell and dancer Gerri Gale in as added starters the show is nicely paced frorh opening theme' to'Boles' closing spot. Chester tees off with "Octave Jump'' strong on the brass depart- ment. Songstress Phyllis Lane fol- lows with "Just the Other Day" and "Hey Baba Re Bop." Comely Miss Gale, blonde looker, begins her turn with a semi-Ieglt baUet twirl and -stays on her toes for some boogie ballet terping. Chester's other vocalist. Lew Gardner, on next to sing "To Each His Own,'' "If You Were the Only Girl" and "Surrender." The lad has slick voice and had some of the teen-agers sighing. Winchell and his dummy Jerry Mahoney click jn a well timed ven- tre act. Winchell gets in a couple of neat impersonations. Uses maestro Bob Chester for his encore sneezing bit. Another fast band number "Tail Wind" follows featuring Phil Gal- lant on trumpet and Alan Yost on sax. Boles, still looking young and handsome as ever, introduces each song with a bit of homey chat- ter. Included in his repertoire are a Jerome Kern medley, "It's Been a Long, Long Time," "Desert Song" and "Waiting j|t the Gate for Katy." He knows what the customers want and gives it to 'em. Chester and tooters provide solid backing for the acts. • Hou.se fairly well filled when re- viewed (Sat. afternoon). Shol. New Acts VIC PERRY Pickpocket 15 Mins. Bradford Hoot, Boston. This is not,exactly the best place in the world for Vic Perry's brand of audience participation thievery since there's not always an audience on hand to participate, but it sure demonstrates his ability to get a situation going and build it for a sock windup, even when the otids are against him. Althou.§h he's a hypnotist, .stunt man, magician and card .sharp too, he sticks with his pickpocket rou- tine here. During a band vamp, he runs around the tables with a bucket seeming not to touch the customers at all. In this alone he differs from Dr. Giovanni's standard act of like calibre. Back on the stage it turns out he's got half a dozen walletsv watches, papers, cigaret packages, etc. He calls their owners up, lines them across the stage, and works in- dividually with each, further clean- ing ojit their pockets in sight of the audience but unobserved by the vic- tims. It's very tricky stuff and. with right participants, very funny. He keeps up a running fire of fast patter in WS. British accent to fur- ther confuse the victims and builds the act to a strong payoff by snatch- ing a-girl's bra out of the back of her dress. She's probably a; stooge, for obvious reasons of audience sen. sitivities, but the trick is still start- ling. Only trouble is she runs off a little too fast for the audience to recognize the piece of apparel before the G-chord ending the act. Needs ' a kind of a double-take to punch the gag over. Perry looks and acts like the late Laird Cregar and has had consider- able character work in British films. Came to the U. S. early in the ytiar and has played niteries and a couple of stage shows. Headed for Hotly- wood in October, according to an- nouncement, and is obviously ready for it. Elie. I»ayety, Montreal Tod Moreian, Roy Maurice, Joan & Ernie Hayden, Bobbie Davis, An- thony & Rodgers, Bobbie Del Rio, Terri La Franconi, Marian Miller, Line (12), Len Howord Orch, Stan Kenton introduces a new and hif'hly sophisticated style of swing in his first appearance here. He has what it: takes to get nifty response from the kids, and they're giving him a big reception. Band specializes in smart arrangements and tricky rhythms and sells with lots of gusto. It's a versatile bunch, displaying plenty of in-^trumental virtuosityj taking an occasional vocal in fine style and doubling in comedy for the novelty stuff with a pleasing im-, promptu effect. . . :,.'.. :- Kenton, who switches from piano to Iront the Ijand, is an alert leader and better than average emcee who irnpres-ses with his sincerity even when dwelling on "artistry" as the trademark of his individualized st.yle. He labels his stuff "Artistry in Boogie," "Arti.strv in Percussion," etc.. but (he hightoned pitch doesn't bother the bobby sockers, Orch opens with nifty version of ' Softly, As In a Morning Sunrise," with the ba.snc rhythm beaten,on the tympani. The basSi Eddie Safranski, get.s a hot workout in a specialty number, followed by a vocal turn for the trumpeter. Buddy Childers, who fjivcs a comed.v .slant to "Can't Get Enough Of You" and "I Thank the. :Lord. I'tri Not a .Tree." Shelly Manne proves his cla-ss on the drams in another specialty and June Comic Tod Morgan does a smart job of pacing current Gayety parlay which features some surefire acts. Morgan possesses the know-how on selling a punchline, and gets nice results with his material. Latin- American tenoring of Terri La Fran- coni is clicko. Lad's got a fine set of pipes and has to beg off after session of Latin-American and pop tunes. Joan and Ernie Hayden should go places once their tap rou- tine is a little more set. Couple look cute and the jive item is a big seller. Roy Maurice's acrobatics and bal- ancing get solid milting. Invalid lad's appearance on crutches after the stint, goes over with the family trade. Bobbie Davis also registers in some wild tapstering in true sepia fa.shion, and gets the crowd with the balancing - chairs - and - table - with- teeth routine. Anthony and Rogers do okay with an old hurley comic stint but they still don't know when to gef oft; Bobbie Del Rio's ac- cordion .sesh has got a cute novelty twist and garners nice palm-whack- ing. Marian Miller: is okay in the striptease spot.: Line gals n^ed rou- tines. Len Howard's showcutting is neat. Biz okay. . Laza. Embassy Club, N.Y., Sets Back Reopening: Date Reopening of the Embassy club, N.Y-. originally slated for last week, has been postponed until early Oc- tober. Bill Miller, who retains 50% of the spot, is angling for suitable name talent. Noro Morales band, current at Miller's other operation, the Riviera, Ft. Lee. N.J„ ha.s been set. . BEOWNLEE WINDS UP IN RIO Met baritope John BrownleeWas held over in Rio de janeiro, Brazil, until last week. This winds up his Latin American concert tour. DOROTHT JABNAC With Hope Foyc Dance . 10 Mins. Cafe Society Uptown, N. Y. Dorothy Jarnac, who dances to vo- cal accompaniment of Hope Foye, has a set of routines designed es- .sentially for class audiences.: Her terps are based on Negro b'ues themes which gives Miss Jarnac a wide range of unusual choreos. Rou- tines plus the sultry background of the sepian Miss Foye. give the illu- sion of authenticity and a high de- gree of interest. Miss Jarnac is ofay. Miss Jarnac has flair for interpre- tation and her lithe personality plus fluid body movements make her a Prime bet for class cafe work, but routines need a wider ma-ss basis for work in vauderies. JoHe. PATTl SHEEN ' Sonirs 8 Mins. Leon & Eddie's, N. Y. Patti Sheen is a personable blonde with nice pipes who knows her way around nitery floor. Coiffe and gown add to attractiveness. For stint here she does trio of numbers, teeing off with ballad, "I'm in Love," and then for change of pace the faster ditty, "Doing What Comes Natur'Uy" from the musical. "Annie Get Your Gun," which she socks over neatly. Encores with "South America Take It Away" for good response. - Mannerisms at mike could be im- proved, which undoubtedly will as she goes alon«!. Gal should do okay mintime. spots. Bdba. .lane Pickens .set to open at the Copley Plaza hotel, Boston, Oct. 9, following run of Jean Sablon. BOB MITCHELL Dance l» mks. La Mart'lnique, N. T. Featuring a tap-ballet combina- tion. Bob Mitchell impresses as be* ing too standard. However, his taps are precise and have the right .=had- ing touches. Ballet, soins and leaps are also good, but ordinary. A nice-looking, youngster, Mitchell starts on the lonshair side and then ■segues into hot jive terpine as th<> beat picks up. It's precision stuff but has no flash quality. Lukewarm reception accorded him at his iWar- tinique opener demonstrates that he s good as far as he goes, but that he could go much further with bet- ter routines. Slul. Resort Nitery License Suspended on Minor Rap Atlantic City; Sept. 17. City Council in SometS Point has : suspended the liquor license of Or- satti's Casino for five days after Fred Orsatti entered a plea of guilty of .sellings liquor to minors on Aug. 3. Council sot suspension to start Sept. 23 and continue until Sept. 27. Mayor Fred Chapman said the ad- vanced date of the suspension was "customary" in order to givp spot concerned "time to fulfill present commitments." The Mayor said that the offense was not reported to City Council until recently.