Variety (Sep 1946)

22 HOUSE RBVIKWS Weilneiiday, September 25« 1946 Renault's Fans Stray Into Commy Confab, Crack: 'Red's So Unbecoming' The area around Carnegie hall, t N, Y.. was a confused region Sunday (21) when the New Masses staged a cultural shindig, just when Francis aertaiili was giving the second of his series of female impersonations in ihe. Carnegie Hall Chambers. The Kraft-Ebing gentry Were con- tinually going into the main hall, and upon discovering tlieir error, Ihe standard remarlc became, "Rod 's so unbecoming to me." The mouv ;iks, upon making, that mistalte. just smirked. However, the alert door- men saw that each one of these • camps was: shown the proper pews, and can.sequently the falsetto-set Was'allowed to revel, all by thenv selves to the antic.« of Henault.* By virtue of his series of irecitals ■which stai'ted. last season, the Re- nault vaudcrios have become the stronge.st .rri'agnet, for the frilly ones ■ since the Beaux Arts balls. 0£ course '(hey just can't show • their ■ former : abandon in the staid Car- ,negie halK but they : dQ let out with high pitched squeals when Renault makes a point. The proceedings are so tres gav Renault; himself j.s a phenomenon ■of present-day show business. It Wasn't too long ago that,this femme : impersonator worked Jimmy Dwyer's Sawdust Trail with a less resplend- ent wardrobe. However, his sar- torial display at- Carnegie displays an outlay of heavy moola. It's quite a comeback he's made, and his pres- ent affluence indicates careful hus- bandry of his resources. . He is a terrific showman with a background of- many engagements at the old Palace theatre: He knows bow to aim his asides, and how to become sly with innocent situations. His interpretations of "Chiquita Banana" and the Salome dance in- duced some of the most prolonged yocks even heard in this staid hall. He also repealed some of his Etandbvs such as the- "Habanera," "My Hero" and "Gay Widow," all «f which got unrestrained applause. Renault had several guest per- formers showing ur. Sunday night's . affair had L,ulu McConnell, Spivy and Fred Keating in the audience, with John Steel emceeing the show. Renault had a pair of tap dancers and a femme Singer. Latter was in- troduced, as a genuine girl. Some of these were sub-par but they did inake the proceedings much gayer. He's planning further recitals this season, which so far. have been profitable at a $2.40 top. He could use the large hall as there have been standees and turnaways at all his showings. In certain circles, Renault is an assured concert atti-action. Jose. ]\ati»na:, l/vill« Louisuille, Sept. 20. Bomiie Bafcer, 3 Stooges, The Barreu, Don Hooten; "Queen of Biirlesciue" (PRC). helps to make the musical dispensa- tions more listenable. "Every Tub" launches the proceed- ings noisily. Then Pete Nugent m tails and with top hat displays some fast, and classy, stepping. Buddy Tate, tenor sax, is featured in an exciting band jive exhibition, "Blue House." Expert vocal handling of "Give Me the Simple Life" and "Happine.ss Is Just a Thing Called Joe" lands applause for Ann Moore, Torrid boogie woogie, "The Mad Boogie," shows.off Basie to good ad- vantage at the piano. Amusing pantomime as well as eccentric comedy dancing lifts the Zephyrs, two lads, to-high' favor, a dancing interpretation of 3: crapgame fight being especially well done. Bob Bailey, youthful warbler, impresses as a "real find.and his contributions, "Danny Boy" atid "I'll Get By," mel- low the', sheiianigans pleasantly. Jo Jones demonstrates some top flight drumming . during ."Dogin' Around." a standout band numbfer. "Lazy, .Lad.y Blues" and Jimnay's Boogie Wopgie" are made to order for Votund yocalLst' Jim,fhy Rushing^ Scintillating; .-t^nor sax work by Paul Gon.s'olve.s ehhances: the ear- appeal of "Body and Soul." The preci.'iion lap dancing of Cole & At- kins merits the. superlative remark- able. The show, which continously gams momentum, finishes In a "One O'clock Jump" blaze of madcap glory. Lower floor fairly well filled for 12:30 p.m. show opening day. Rees. ; Afiollo. IV. V. Willie Br^ont Orcii (16), Cozu Colc'.^ Di-iim Remte (7) ujifh June Hm()J.iTi.<:, Ceil Wotcr.s, Roe & Roe, Son Si Smmy; "Don't Gamble with Strangers" (Mono). Buddy Morrote Grch (15) with Jeff Dixon, Afadel«iiie Rwisell; Re.x Weber ujith Lee Leoiinrd, Georflie Kayt, O'DoHiiell & Blflir, Paul Sydell; "OSS" (Par). Only lour acts : this week, but there's variety on the bill, and com- edy, singing, and dancing are dished ©lit in generous quantities. AH backed up by .strong musical aggre- Ratibn in the pit, under direction of pianist-leader Mac McConnell. Lay- out is m.c'd by Don Hooton, a per- sonable chap lately out of the serv- ice. The guy in his own spot does a ."mild monolOg, then gives an im- presh of a dame disrobing, which ^rabs plenty laughs. Then essays a few tap stens. and gets down to rope twirling which is sock. Three Stooges register with their rough brand of humor. Boys stoop to the anatomical for laughs, but -the customers liked 'em a lot, and responded with plenty of palm- whackingi Another welcome returnee is Bon- .nie Baker, lass with the tiny voice which goes over with vi.sual effec- tiveness. Piped "Oh 'What "VToU Do To Me," tne'dlev of older tunes which she recorded and aired "Espeoiallv For You,^' "Walk With Billy," You'd Be Surprised," New tune cleffed by Jack Brooks "I'm A Good Little, Bad Little Lady" was in the groove, and, of course her identifying stand- by "Oh Johnnv" to close her vocal stint. A solid hit; Bill tees off with a neat boy-girl dance team. The Barretts, youne, graceful, giving it a Hvel.y start. Garner nice apnlause. Hold. Willie Bryant's cOmbo, comprising four trumpet, four trombone, five reed and three rhythm, starts things off with maestro vocalling "My Love for Yoi.i." Medley follows of which a novelty tune, "Phlungiei Phlungie," is outstanding. Orch scores with "Savoy Shuffle," an old Fess Wil- liams number, which brings out the brass in the liand, but good. Outfit is also in there solid with "Let's Blow." another jive composition. Rae & Rae. brother and sister aero dance team, rim through some fair tapology followed by Ceil Waters, only ofay act on the bill. Sexy blonde, dressed in a white sleevele.ss blouse and black pleated .■■■kirt. displays a strong pair of pipes m warbling "I Know How to Do It" and "It's a Low Down Dirty Shame." Garners fair applause. Pismeal, standard comic at this hou.^e. is back again for the ump teenth lime and regales the custom ers with stale gags and some dull repartee with Bryant. Though his material 'is creaky, its nevertheless effective with this audience. Clad in a bright checked coat and the U.SUR1 baggy pants, he manifests j lusty voice in closing to heavy mit ting with "Baby, Please Be Careful." Son &-Sonny, song and dance teanri smartly attired in light gray suits, go through some brisk tap routines which rate heavy salvos. However, their opener is marred by vocaling "If I Didn't Care" inter.spersed with weak gags. Elimination . of such trivia would make for faster better paced act. Co7,y Cole's Drum Revue (New Acts) clicks as closer. Heavy accent on comedy, plus the eflticlent Buddy Morrow band gives the State a well-oiled bill that plays well despite a couple of sags. For- tunately the comedy turns are varied enough vto cover the small defi- ciencies. The Morrow crew, which recently played the nearby Loew flagship, the Capitol, does nicely by the various acts' with a fine bit of showbackmg. and while there's little excitement in the band's arrangements or its soloists. Morrow is responsible for a pleasant all-around job. Morrow's trombone slides fall ea.sily on the customers and his attempts at nov- elty are well-placed. Vocalistics are by Jeff Dixon, who's bary still needs further showing dates to reach maxi- mum effectiveness, while Madeleine Russell does a fairish stint with Morrow vocal assist in the . nbVfelty number "The Old IVIan's .Sleeping."- Both draw okay saivos. ,, The act section of the layout starts on a cute note with Paul Sy- dell's terrier act. -. This vet hound handler puts his p'ooches through a run Of aero antics, for u-wal heavy returns. ■ , : O'Donnell and Blair, a vet vaude. tearh who've been around the cir- cuits since 1918 with various cdmed.'i' novelties still have a hilarious act n the oldtime traditions, Act,is a musical novelty W'ith a trick bass sax that emits more than sound, a piano which at various times squirts water—also an exploding mike, Sur- prising nature of routiries makes for learty laughs. ,, Georgie Kaye has added some new material since last at this hou.se, and surprisingly enough, material often overcomes defects in delivery, but altogether he shows up well. Rex Weber's singing through his teeth while grimacing is a I'au.gh provok- ing gimmick, liut unfortunately it telegraphs his trick with femme partner, Lee Leonard, wherein he does the singing to his colleague's oral motions. Jose. Heaven" and "Tiptoe Through the Tulips." Opener, "Seems Like Old Times," straight and parodied, plus a guitar number, completes the act. His pleasant voice plus hts simple manner garner nice response. Don & Phil King are standout with some really top drawer acro- balancing stunts. Team works well together, using almost . no props. They offer an impre.ssive- exhibit of body control, smoothly and graces fully handled. Grab plenty of ap- plause. Doc Marcus, comic-magician, does okay in another version of the zany magic routine. Main stock in trade is a jumbled type of comedy patter, consisting of double-talk plus mis- pronunciations. Comic works on a stand in front of the pit, going into the audience for laughs and victims. Is a little rough in handling audi- •ence participants. Otherwise clicks. Lowe. IIKO, Boston Boston, Sept. 21. " "Star' and Garter", reuue roif/i Chaz Chase, Herman Hyde & Roberta Light, Helat7ie Jarrow, Va7iderbilt Boys, Sparky Kaye, JoHn Bapty, Dod Dodson, Others, Show Girls; "Black AngeV lU). New Acts Olvnipia. IVIiuini Miami, Sept. 20. Vic Perry. Koj; Bollard, Jimmy Husson, Hal Htinter, 2 Viespcrs, Les Rhode House Orch; "Our Hearts Were Grotoi«g Up'' (Par). . Orpiicniii, ]lij!>lis. Mirtneapblis, Sept. "21. Count Bfl.,sifi. Orch (17) loith, Ann Moore. Boh Bailey^ Jimmy Rushinq, Pete Nugent, Zephxirs (2) and Cole & Atkins; "Crack Up" (RKO). This .show is long on jive. boOgic wOogie and dancing and .short on comedy, but what it affords is among the tops in those particular lines and ■the entire melange hits a lively pace calculated to win favor. With its eight bra.ss. five .saxes and four rhythm, including Basie at the piano, the orch fairly sizzles along and the hot, loud jump swing gets in one's blood and causes in.stinctive toe tapping.- Individual soloing is conspiculously in evidence through- MiMHiiiiiHBiiiiiMiHiiiiiiiuU^ Aiayety^ Monfl Montreal, Sept. 23. I.tli St. Cyr, Peter Chaii, the Crnwlords (2), Francisco, Ma* & Gang, Sully & Thomos, Ted Lester, Linda Parish, Line (12), Len Howard Orcfi (9). - Gayety operators should Start do- ing something about the unruly bal- cony toughs who make it almost im- possible for performers to work. It is a small part of the payees that rowdy it up, but they're- enough to make things uncomfortable for every bod.y. Parlay is generally up to scratch this week except^ fdr an odd weak spot, but with stripper Lili St. Cyr topping the layoCit, biz should be hot. Peter Chan does okay in the m.c. spot, with Chinese touch help- ing Wm click. .His material could be improved, but the amiable per- sonality covers material weakness, The Crawfords have an ace tapping stint, with the luminous effect show- ing only the feet, and registering big. Francisco's juggling looks aver- age till he puts home new switches on the tricks. Registers hit. Max and his canines offer about t he best dog routine seen' here yet. It's a Kurq-f)re\ act: *,: Sully and Thomas do some alleged comedy and, aside from the material being weak, the vulgarity-doesn't help either. Ted Lester's musical novelty stint, with many instruments, garners' hefty initUng, as does Linda Parish is .some boff vocalizing of pop tunes. Gal's a looker besides possessing ace j!3lfl.ftm«>iehrn..., j^^^ Layout here this Week adds up to uneven affair with. Vic Perry, top- liner, the only act to bring house out of. palm-doldrums with his pick- pocket routine. Emcee Jimmy Husson doesn't help matters an.y with his throwaway in-, troes. Brings on two 'Vespers, who do okay with their leeterboard bouncing to garner healthy .mitting. Hal Hunter follows with drum.stick work on chairs, floor and skins for a fair reception. Kay Ballard, with her mugging and mimicry found house tough. Went through almost entire stint her fore they warmed up a bit. Closed solidly enough with takeoff on Belle Davis. In own spot, Husson gels now- where with some tired gags. Works too ,fa.=t for aud and asides about their indifferent reaction didn't helo any. Looks like Clairk Gable but got nothing -with his takeoff on the guy. Winds up with. Sid; Caesar version of comics, supposed highlight being the Smilin'. Jack sequence. Left im- presh that , he just didn't care, with house reacting in same manner.. Laird Cregarish looking Vic Per- ry had .them all the- way with his nimble - fingered stint. Palter ac- companying his lifting wai! fast" and furious and aided no little in over- all impresh,,from opening sesh along the ai.sles to victirhs of his pick- pocketing coming on stage for fur- ther depredations of their: pos.sess- lons. House gasped arid howled as he built to climax. Off lb solid re- turns. -IPerry fractured a leg Mon- day (2.3) and had to be pulled-out of the layout] Les Rhode arid house orch are solid with overtui-e of GersVvwrin; tunes and back show in neat fashibri: Biz fair when caught. Lary. . -Cagkiloi^ W.'isii. Washington, Sept. 19. Don * Phil King. Nick Lucas, Doc Marcus Line (&)■ '-Somewhere in the Night" mth)\ >: Harry Howard's production of this standard revtie based on Mike Todd's title had a few- rough mo- ments at opener due largely to routining but shapes up a.s one Of the better of its brand through the sock efforts of the Vaude specialties. Gals, mostly lookers, have tive production numbers consisting of the usual parades on special motifs with vocals offered on the side and a lead up to the specialties. Best are "Ballet in Blue" and "Girl on the Police Gazette," but -others, though conventional and sometimes (as in the case of "Bunny Bunny") pretty uninspired, serve the pur- pose, which is to be sexily .decora- tive. Most of them employ vocal efforts of John Barry, but'Helaine Jarrow warbles and dance.s acro- batically to good effect in "Ballet in Blue." Except for balancing and juggling stunts by the Vanderbilt Boys, acts ate comic and nicely contrasted. Herman Hyde and Roberta Light wow with mad session of collapsing musical instruments and fast talk; Sparky Kaye pulls a gag prizefight with Vincent Pellagrini that builds to a beg-off; Dod Dod.son with his monkeys and chihuaha . ballerina maintains the pace of the specialty acts, and Chaz Chase, in standard chow-down routine, ties it into a bundle. It's a good layout nicely accompanied by Larry Flint's house orch, and seems: set for tour after this week's workout.^ Biz here, however, was well off due to unsea- sonable hot spell, and show will probably end up five or so Gs under average. Bite. COZY COLE'S DBVIH REVVE (7) IVith June Hawkins SongSi Dances 16 MIns. Apollo, N. Y. On the current Apollo bill, along with Willie Bryant, the bandleader introes Cole as "making his fir.st ap- pance in Harlem" and states he pre- viou.sly had been with "Carmen Jones, then waxes nostalgic by mentioning the skin-beater hail once been with his own outfit. Cole now heads his own sepia revue of five dancers (twq femines, three males) plus songstress June Haw-^ kinsi - As a whole, revue is cleverly built around drumming of Cole who sits amid his traps, snares and para- phernalia on a dais in center of .stage in front of Bryant's band. Costumes, dances and layouts in general are- perfection itself and impress as- a topflight nbvelty act for either vaude or Broadway niteries,.; ■ , 'i,')' Open with a boff tomtom dance with three males in flowing loin cloths and two gals with sarong, bra and feathered headdress executing frantic capers accompanied by a noisy rhythmic background from Cole and the band. 'Vocalist June Hawkin.s, attractively garbed in a black, floor-length' skirt with blouse and a bare mi<triffi pipes ".Summer- time" in a strong, high-pitched voice that's surprisingly melodic. Terpers are on again this time with a more modern, routine. Songstress also does "Stone Cold Dead," selling it sexily with mild bumps at the finale and draws heavy mitting. Five dancers close with a unique terp number; each male wearing metallic tights and swathed in gold turbans while gals are draped in flared skirts, yellow bras and tiaras. All vigorously beat drums in unison while Cole goes to town on his own traps. Makes for a sock finish. Million Dollar. I.. A. Los Angeles, Sept. 20. Boyd Raeburn Ort?i (18), jeatur- ing Ginny Powell, Jack Searle; Senor Wences, Kay & Charles Cerney; "Dead of Night" (U) (2d run). BETTY GRIMES Sonars in Mins. No. 1 Fifth Avenue, N. Y. A tall, striking honey-blonde with, a low, sultry voice, Betty Grimes impresses as a potentially good nitery singer. Now, however, she apparently hasn't got the tyro stage- fright kftiks out of her makeup. She sings while leaning against a niir-• rored post in this crowded room, and her one-armed gestures give her a lop-sided look. Numbers, including a brace of pops and one special song, titled "Little Valentine," are okay for her, but she should stick more to the .slower blues numbers. Her voice isn't fitted to the jump tunes, such as "Sun in the Morning" and "DoinV What Comes Natur'Uy," and she loses the smooth quality when she tries to give out with volume on the high notes in these. Mi.ss Grimes first won note as an amateur tennis star, and still has national ranking. With a little more polish, she could make the transition to any intimate nitery floor fairly . easily. ' S(«I. Capitol bill is below , the- usual- house staridard,: but still' - mildly pleasant fare. Format is-, aldn'i; .revue lines, with line gals - coordinating , the other three acts with their terping. Octet of dancers have plenty of eye ap- peal, but hoof; with more-: zest than polifih. GaLs dp: a trio pf numbers, opening and Clb.sing, show, and an- other midway on bill for- good measure. . Top billing goes to Nick Lucas, who, like most veterans, makes his stance on the ba.sis of '-Auld Lang Syne." Lucas and his guitar can still register, even with the younger members of the audience. Does best with his- old standbvs. "Mv Blue Emphasis is on screen bill this week and it's the main lure for cus- tomers. English-made horror film is getting first downtown showing with Boyd Raeburn's ^orch and .stage acts supporting. Raeburn's orch polishes off five numbers in non-commercial style, being more for musician listening than for average band fan. Orch's style hasn't caught on enough yet to fit film-vaude bookings. Raeburn does the emceeing but lack of stage presence slowed down proceedings. Band opens with "Boyd Meets Stra- vinsky" is next out with "Man With the Horn," featuring Raeburn on clarinet and Tommy Pederson on trombone. "Tonsilectomy": has Guy McReynolds, alto sax, Frank Beach, trumpet, and Ralph Lee. tenor sax. in the spotlight. , Best received was medley of old and new numbers such as "Danny Boy," "Mabel, Mabel,'' "Moonlight Serenade" and "Little Boy Blue." Closer for orch is "Yesterdays." On vocals are Ginny Powell and Jack Searle. Former does "Temptation" and "Rip Van Winkle" for okay re- turns. Searle proved okay on "Prisoner of Love" and "I Don't Know Why." Ijift -to this week's bill comes from Scnor Wences, .Spanish ven- triloquist His work with his hand dummy and head in a box, plus slick juggling rated : plenty of palm- pounding. Kay and Charles Cerney, ballroom team, are . more for musi- cal e than pop film-vaude stage ap- pearancfeis. ' , Brog. BILL McGRAW Songs 18 Mins. No. 1 Fifth Avenue, N. Y. After several seasons with the Louisiana State Opera, a role in the road company of "Student Prince' and solo stints with Johnny Long's orch and Radio City Music Hall, Bill McGraw is making his Man- hattan nitery debut at this spot. A personable lad, he demonstrates the finesse of a seasoned entertainer and sells both his per.sonality and well-trained baritone voice in good fa.shion. With a piano accompaniment. Mc- Graw starts here with a - musical: comedy version of "Gabriel" and then swings into "All Through the Day," evidencing good phrasing and wide range in both. He puts o\eT "The Eagle and Me" eaually well and comes back to do "Irish Lul- laby" for heavy applause, ': McGraw h.as enough cla.ss : and polish ndw for the better niteries dilng, makeup, etc. Stol. NILSSON TWINS ,::'--, - .v-^ ■Songs' , :S0- Mins. - , Famous: Door, Miami Beach Nilssoii duo, attractive and niftily , couteriered blondes from the (Joasf, add a needeci hj^pb to Famous Door,: recently opened intimer, whit;h had been doing just fair biz with a straight band policy. ; . Opener sets them with "My S'f- ter Is crazy" to lead into their .spe.r cial material, heightened in comedy., effect by the youngster's mug,siing and biz. Blondinos get them all the way on the comedy-anglSd stuff' wind Up with: etioores in the- ballad veiii, host :Don Richards accornpiri^, Duo look ready for .the .-imarter New indie outfit, Melro.se Produc-i New York spots ^"h1 lions, closed a deal to produce 12 ^"^"'^ ^°""'==' Melrose Ties With SGP Hollywood, Sept. 24. features for release through Screen Guild Productions over a three-year period. S.G.P. is currently committed to distribute the pictures of eight pro- duction units, for a total of 64 to 72 Dix. ■ in the next three vears. Valdes' N.Y. Strand Date Miguelito Valdes and the Ray McKinley band have . been booked for the Strand theatre, N. Y-., .^lart-; ing Nov. 1 for three weeks and op^ tions.