Variety (Dec 1946)

42 HOUSE REVIEWS Wednesdiay, JDecember 25, 1946 Andrews Sisters, Tony Pastor Orcli (16), Macfc & Dcsmoiid, Les Poll! & Trio, Martin Bros. (2); "Cross My Heart" (Par), reviewed in Variety, Nor, 20, '46. Called Jo*." ATI garnered heavy mitting. Biz slow due to gnow opening day (Friday) and pre-Cbristmas slump. ■Thi.s .stasc show .sol ;il the P;u foi- the holidays with Botly Huttoii's '•Cross My Heart" is one that tho customers go for hmidily, but it's one Unit follows .a notiooable; roOer\t pattern in Broadway staRC shows that is n.s.R.—it's overboard on aets, I which doe.'-n't netesHarily mean; ■talent, , •■ ,, , | Wliat with tlio /Vndrew.s trio' moiiopolizip..-, thiiifi.s,; to the apparent deliglVt ot 'the audiehee. this show, needs, tor exHmpIe, Les Paul arid his. trio like It heeds bad weather. One of the results is that Tony Pas- tor, who's leading the best band he ever had, and who can do a smart job of .soiig-.seUing on his own, just about gets lost in the sliuflle. One job his barid doesi however, arrauRO- mont of "Uncle Bemus Said," is the best thing ih the show. . . Andrew.s group, who've been very . successful in recent^ years arid whose sta.?e dsportment showii it, so con- fident and brimming with poise are they, caper throu.gh the cntii-e hour They start it oil With Olynipia, Miami IWiamt, Dec. Keye Luke, Lois Lee., 20, Bud Sircp'nt-y, Dod Dodson, Tlie Graysons (21, Lester Singers (16), Les R'lode Siaie, N. Y. Joey Adams, Tony Canzoneri, Mark Plant, Pat Rooney, Victoria Schools, Billy tc Ann, t Moroccans, Louis Basil House Orch: "Two Years Before the Mast" {Par). Joey Adams in his latest role a's literateur (that's an author, son) is probably linding that his appear- ances at hook stalls, fairs, depart- ment stores, and Toots Shor's not as HoiKsc Orch; "Nobodi/ Lircs for-j remunerative as his vaude appear i-rer tWB). Annual Xrnas Chorals feature lay- out here , this week, witli a fairly ■diverting Hneup of vauders. on tap for tlve regular session.; . :. Choral group handles the hbUday chants in fine fashipii with rest of bill Coming in {or. tvi.eely staged finale to, ■'White Christnlas.';, Keye Luke, Chinese film player and topiiner, projects a' lohgish series of Imprcshes which include laKeofTs on . Colman, Barrymore, Lorrc arid, of course^ Charlie Chan, firgratiating manner holjss ■ ov^erall ertect.:;?;-,--"-.■■■■■■■■ Songstress Lois Lee soCkoes with her versions of "My Hero"/ "Man That I Marry" and a medley of pic tune New Acts Biid Sweeney emcees tieaUy . and TheiV's No i in ovvn spot gets a fair measiire ot Business Like Show. Busihes.'i" , and i laughs, with sbme . stale jokes, good "Jingle Bells" arid Immediately beat immicry ^nd, a. solid hat ^bit,^ ,: ; ; the wings for Mack & Desmond, a ■ Dod DodsoR and hw two baboons dance team with a lot of punch. Lat- ' had them howling with the monks ter is not so much in their terps, ! antics built dar, the laughmaking. which is very acceptable, but more ! DodSon handles them smoothly and in the comedy injected by the male, naturally. One of_ the; better acts, of half, who also pla.ys a fi.sttull ofi "s^,k"id_to.play here. boogie piano for a dancer. This sort of pacing. Caused by the overbuying of acts continues through the entire show. Pastor steps in thereafter for one shot at "Margie,". The Graysons, a neat duo, offer a gasp-making a balancing stint. It's done in smooth, confident manner, with the house going palm-whacky. Les Rhode and house orch shine in the choral numbers and do okay by a rather plaiii arrangement, and is i vauders. Biz good when caught. followed by the Paul group, a quar- tet that proves nothing excep-t that it* leader plays good guitar, if you like his accelerated style. They do a group of tunes, capped by accom- panying the Andrews gals on "Rumors Are Flying.*' Back comes Pastor with"01e Buttermilk'' and the vocals go on. A highspot in the show is the Martin Bros., marionette manipula Larry. J»Ii|iion l>oilar, l<. Los Angeles, Dec. 18. Lcorjnont's CWnips (4), Landon's Mjdgefs (4), Madison's Dogs, Lciuis & Broicn, La Teresito, The Latinos ^ (2.); At Lyons' Million Dollor Orcfi 1 ""vic'toriT Schooir (New'^Acts) is a (8); '•Rcfurn of JBusty" (Gol). ; i talented youngster with a fine sing- tors, who seem to have improved! ' ' — I ing voice, but has much to learn in their act since last caught. Theirs is i Million Dollar, along with taking ?he way of trouping. Despite her a very unusual turn for its type for over the Orpheum vaude policy, has i ]u.stiheation, she .should not^ have lot | inherited latter - theatre's annual I ancos.^ Consequently, he's back at the State, probably to get enough coin to go into semi-retirement to write another booki and to rest his arm from the arduou."! labors of au- tographing his tome, "Gags lb Riches." ■ There's' no fouiidation, however, to the report that he took a . slice in salary in rc>urii for the theatre's hilling his book and permissibii :to, plug it at. the show's ciirtain. Withal,. Adams hasn't let hi.s lit-, erary eminence get the better of [ him. He's still one of tho fresher note.'! in Broadway comedies. He's ! a puckish, hard-workin ' personality j who's able to change set pieces of busine.ss to give the pit-musicians and fellow performers a laugh, as well as give a lift to every act on the program. ; ; It's questionable whether Pat Roo- 1 ney or Billy and Ann (New Acts) would have come off as well as they did without the added bits thrown in by Adams. He does a . terp-turn with both acts to give them heartier e.\its as well as show the crowd that he could be handy with hii pedals'as well, ■ ^ ' j His usual entourage, Mark Plant 1 and Tony Canzoneri. hold uii their j spots well; Plant's version of "Sep- tember Song" and VBeguine" get healthy response. Encore with i Adams of "Sonny Boy" and the; Champ's routine with Adams bring solid laughs. This trio provide the foundation of the State session, and with so solid a base, the bill is a hit throughout. The other items on the bill aren't slough-oflfs either. Opener, the Four Moroccans, provide a hearty warm- er-upper with their pyramii' foun- dations and fast tumbling. DJANGO REINHABDT Guitar 14 mns. Cafe Society Uptown Django Reinhardt, the Gypsy im- port from France, belies the general conception of Tzigane entertainers, usually pictured as strolling while playing doleful romantic tunes. Reinhardt is one of the foremost exponents of Le Jazz Hot, who has achieved '.he eminence of being the guitarist for the Quintet of the Hot (ihib of France, and thus comes to this country with an 'international rep via his disks. In his Cafe Society Uptown bow he succeeds in erasing, the impres- sionmade at the recent Dulce Elling- ton concert at Carnegie Halli N; Y., where he was conned into playing the pieces jammed so frequently by every swing musician. Consequently, he didn't have a chance: to show anything unusual. At the Barney Joseplison spot he's apparently doing numbers of his own selection. ■They're interpreted with taste and, feeling. He dwells largely on the slower," more . literate tunes which are given an interpretation entirely pleasing to the audience Reinhardt displays amazing, tech- nique. Deprived ol the use of two rmgers on his left hand because of an accident, he's able to devote the remainder to fingering in a manner to compensate for the loss of the other digits. Naturally, he doesn't do complicated chords, but his in- terpretation compensates for that lack. His plectrum work has warmth, color and showman.ship and he displays enough to justify his high regard by fellow iTitisicians. Reinhardt's rep, so far, is restrict- ed to jazz aQcionados, and he's bring- ing in a flock of musicians to the cafe. General public, so far. isn't aware of his prowess, but his superiority is bound to gel around. Once that hap- pens he'll be a vaude. value as well. Jose. the simple reason that it is show manship conscious. There's a brace of congaing dolls, the usual skele- ton dance, then a routine- with a clown climbing out of and over a suitcase, a very clever bit, all capped by a colored pianist and trumpeter, accompanied by men in the band. Latter routine is vocal, too, the voice supplied by the guy be- hind the strings. It's a fine act, one that this house went for solidly and one that can be used almost any- ■where, even in films. Andrews trio finishes. They do virtually every tune that they have made a hit or have been connected ■with, plus an "Al Jolson medley," "Swanee," "Mammy," "Sonny Boy," all tied together with corny ribbons of chatter and business that this audience liked very much. Wood. Apollo, N. V. Tiny Bradshaw Orch (16), Thelma Corpenferi Manhotton Steppers (2), Sohji, The Hicfc Nuts (4), "Pigmeat" Markham, John Bunn, .Si/bil Letuis; "French Key" (Rep). Christmas circus. , Staging dift'icul- ties - knocks out the usual Liberty horses and elephants but otherwise | there's enough sawdust flavor in this week's offering to please the kiddie trade; at which it is aimed. Star attraction is Learmonfs Chimps (4) with Cheta. from films, staired. Act had kids at show caught on the edge of their seats watching trick antics. Whether staged or not, the horseplay that went on among chimps while wait- , . ing for Cheta to do his stuff was j display, solid backing and drew as much in- terest as the .star performance. Landon's Midgets, ^roupe of three little people and one full-size male, is a topnotch tumbling and aero act, providing another pleaser for pa- tron.s Fast well-trained canines are feature of Madison's Dogs, pooches going through whirlwind stunts and getting oft in short order. Canines are worked by a femme with two j M'.'j" male assistants, all combining to | a heckler discomfit her to the point i where she walked ofX after two | numbers. The crowd did want more i of her. Adams, however, took care of the moron afterwards with some sharp barbs. Louis Basil house band contributes a Christmas overture consisting of carols. House has taken cognizance of the fact that the orch can be an integral part of the show and supplied a pair ot drops to blend with the spirit of the music, thus providing a nice curtain for the Jose. Otherwise so-so entertainment, Apollo's bill is saved this week by the top-drawer song deliveries of Thelma Carpenter. Formerly with Count Basic and a warbler on the Eddie Cantor radio show, she's do ing a. single at this spot and is defi nitely class In all respects. Tiny Bradshaw's 16-man combo, com- prising five reed, four rhyttim and seven bra.ss round out the musical background in okay fashion. Manhattan Steppers, two hard- working lads, run through some spirited tapology but get only mild returns. House's standard comedy skit, always a fave,- wins strong salvos for ''Pigmeat," John Bunn and Sybil Lewis. Sahji, back again Adams, Newark Newark, Dec. 19. John Calvert's Magic Revue (9), Joe Fecher's House Orch; "Swiss Family Robinson" (RKO). The gentle art of fooling the pub- lic is carried on with enthusiasm in this hour of prestidigitation. John is a slick operator with mnkp it a snannv turn i plenty of that brassy presence of La TeresUa tLneze artist goes ' ^^ich is apparently required thl^ough' Stock *a'^aT of high-ai? i '''' Magicians Union tricks but thrill finale was hampered GEORGES ALBAN Songs 8 Mins. Latin Quartt-ri Miami Beach Cary Granti-sh and looking Frenehy Georges Alban shows plenty of possibilities for the class cafes', once he's adjusted himself to microphones and American ta.stes. Would do well also, to have his i lyrics translated into English to earn best results from his songs. Delivery and. voice projection is there, though few could understand him. However, with experience, plus his looks and Gallic charm, he'll do well it handled properly. At the moment he's in the adjust- ment period, seeming a bit unhappy with the hand mike he has to work with. Experience will ease that for him, too. With more, .nterps of-the Ameri- can, Alban shows pcssibilities of be- ing built into the Sablon-Chcvalier type of Parisian who go so well here. Lary. As an individual operator, the tall hand-is-quicker-than-the-eye fellow rates pretty high. He's different, too. InsteacI of card tricks and guessing games, Calvert goes in for a con- vincing sort of hypnotism, a horror spectacle that doesn't seem to be too inforcements" were added later. | if,tt./°^,„H"'*„t^.TT,n/<f n^'^v^n' tasir fail, tn T,pun= anrl -?ubjects and Other stunts of mysti- by lack of swinging space, The Latinos (2), tight wire walkers failed to go on at first show but are in for later performances. As wire was being tightened for first show a board On stage pulled loose but re Clown task fails to Lewis ani Brown. Latter does trick bicycle turn and latter works with Lewis on stacked tables and a boxing match. Al Lyon's pit orch cues the acts and does overture of circus and college tunes, ■ Brog. Tower, K. €. Kansas City, Dec. 20. Allan Kane, Mdnuei yicro & Pets, Rudenko Bros. (2), Rose Ma7-ic v.;ith"her"cooer'danrc^^^ Jfi"* ''''";'' figure in tights, bra and long gloves. P^r^* "-nd Kenny Field: " Executes some zofftic bumps and grinds which prove a masterpiece of undulation. Closed to hefty palm-whacks. Also on hand is an ofay rube turn. The Hick Nuts (New Acts). Despite a. iireponderance of brass, Bradshaw keeps the noise well in hand and does an ingratiating job ot fronting. In a bit labelled "juke- box parade," Bradshaw does vocal takeoffs on Johnny Moore, Buddy Johnson, King Cole Trio—even at* tempting a few bars of Bing Crosby, which he truthfully noted wasn't so good. While the "nickel-in^the-slot" routine was- a. good: idea in itself, song impressions could have been improved by using more w,k. names. Wearing a form^fitting white gown that .sets oH her figure, Miss Car- penter- amply shows that she has glenty of eye appeal in addition to er splendid pipes. Latter are dis- played to advantage in her haunting "Night and Day" which had the au- dience wolves baying. Prime ex- amples of her, songTsalesmanship ate "South America, Take It Away" aad "Happiness Is Jasf a 'Thing OJclohoma" (Mono). (Rep) a?id Home in Decoy" tying quality. The show, however, is routined ing a slapdash way that leaves one feeling a little dissatisfied. In par- ticular, there is a dumb gimmick which features nothing but a girl swinging out over the audience on a crescent moon, badly lighted. We never did get the point of that one. Not all the cute tricks are con- fined to Calvert's clever mitts. He carries eight of them, ranging from redhead to blonde, as stage: assist- ants. Bron. FANCHOSTRIO Singers fi Mins. Havana Madrid, N. Y. Panchos Trio comprises three ca- balleios giving out with the stand- ard Spanish cowboy songs. Boys are dressed in fitting Mexican attire and each strums a different .shaped gui- tar, with which they prove to be as good instrumentalists as they are singers^ Equipped with good voices, the trio blend their harmony well in three songs done entirely ■ in Spanish. Tunes are different enough in tempo to be interesting even to non-Latins and the act gets good reception. It's too Spanish for the average nitery or vaude house but would go okay in any Latin spot. Sfal. Capitol, Wasii. Woshijigto?)., Dec. 19. Harry Martin, Ruth & Billy Am- brose, Lee Bartell, Johnson & Mt'teJc; Unusual assortment of acts this week comes up with but a fair rat- ing. Jack Parks' crew opens the j •'Home Sweet Homicide" (20(li). show with medley of, Christmas | ■ tunes and duo of vocals by Kenny Field. Allan Kane fills the m.c. spot. Rudenko brothers in the deuce show a round of juggling and acros, featuring ball balancing. Stunt with one brother balancing atop two medicine balls and juggling large balls gets nice response, Kane has own inning for a ses- sion with - the violin. Shows some unusual arrangements and mixes i Usual season amenities are ig- nored in the current pre-Xmas week bill at the Capitol which comes up instead with a pleasant, 'bouncy show sans sleigh bells, mistletoe or the accompanying music. Comic Harry Martin carries the big guns and generally goes well, with plenty cooperation from the house orch and a blonde babe who w th line of ifil^^t chatter C ^°"'<' *e slightly w in , line 0?; iignt cnaiier. closing i^ aht ninW ViitmA.. ihr. bit of tuness from.south of the border is toe-tingling and neatly done; Rose Marie Cooper, teen age di.sicovery night winner, is a bit slow on a beguine tap number.. House has a Christmas week spe- cialty for juve appeal in Manuel Viera's pair of trick monkeys. Chimps are neatly dressed, with shoes, and'.foil to Viera's monology. Monks also play selections on uke and piano. Quia. night club humor. He plays the fiddle, strums the guitar, sings a few notes, gags everything and moves along at an irrepressible gait.' Ruth and Billy Ambrose are a young ballroom team with consider- able grace and more than the usual amount of humor for such acts. As in their la.'i.t. visit here, they score nicely and prove welcome fare, close with a comic polka which is a (Continued on page 4A) B«,LY & ANN Dance . • 7 Mins. State, N. T. Billy & Ann, a well-groomed mixed Negro dance-pair, have the foundation of a good' act. They know their terps, have fairly good routines but must yet learn to punc- tuate them to give the act more highlights. Turn, so far, is too evenly paced despite the general rapidity of their hoofing. Further contrasts are needed. Team works so that each can take occasional breathers by fre- quent solo work. The pair attempt to sell too frequently, a fault which detracts from the moments when they have something -'; genuine to offer. . Jose. LOS ROSILIANOS (S) '.Dancers 8 Mins. ■ Havana Madrid, N. ¥. Latest of the young Latin dance teams to break in at the Havana Ma drid, Los Rosilianos impresses as bnp with novel routines that need morp polish to whip them into top shape Femme half of 'the act makes the most of a beauteous figure via low cut co.stumes and fast hip-wiKglinp Boy dances well in the Latin num" bt-rs but is out of his cla.ss when Ihev attempt to impersonate American .litteibugs. Duo tees ofT with a speedy rhumba seguein;r into a hot samba in whicli they balance drinks on their liead.<i while gyrating around the floor. Gal ditches her skirt tor (he jitterbug routine, weakest part of the act. The team comes back later in tliC show to do an impressiQiiislic five-wor- shipping dance, in which the gal al- most, throws her arms and legs Out of joint in her soeining ecstasy. The number smacks too much of the old "Beauty, and the Beast" burlesque routine, as the "fire breaks out in a bright flame and the boy picks up the girl, throws her over his shoulder and stalks oft the stage to loud druni beats. Just a little too corny. Stot. THE HICK UTS. (4) NovcUv 10 Mins. Apollo, N Y. Strictly unadulterated corn, the Hick Nuts not only look like country dolts but act Uke hayseeds as well. ; Their bucolic music is drawn from practically every rube instrument' except a musical saw. .While their routine registers fairly well at this Harlem vaudery, turn offers little appeal tor a discriminating audi- ence. Hence, its bookings will be of nece-ssity, limited to spots whose clientele is partial to hinterland ;Stu(T; : ■ Three males and gal strum two guitars along with bass and ac- cordion. One guy in ill-fitting suit squeezes strains ot "Shade of Old Apple Tree" through vibrations of a deflating balloon, another croons "White Christmas" with a deadpan delivery while femme, clad in polka dot dress, does an inept dance. Turn closes to the "Tiger Rag'' where some Spike Jones effects are used- bazooka, beer bottle and drum achieving .some ear-splitting effects. Patently emphasizing the corn, this ofay quartet easily attains thus with little difficulty. DAISY DAIX Songs 8 Mins. Latin Quarter, Miami Beach Daisy Dalx, for all her blonde looks with plenty of oomph, doesn't add up to American standards. Im- ported from the "Folies Bergere" in Paris by Lou Walters, she shows up none too well, voice-wise, at both shows caught opening night, both without and on the mike. There have been too many imported las- sies who've essayed the same type of body appeal, with a shouting de- livery and unintelligble lyrics. She has two songs and. in both ca.ses, gets only a polite reception. Perhaps, with some English lyrics, done in what' would have to be a cute French accent, she might go. But at present she looks like she's not I'eady for the hep audiences in the big cities. The looks, appeal and personality are there, but the voice isn't, And neither is her material; Delivery is ot the -walkaround-to-rlngsiders type, which »'oesn't help too much. , Lary. : PIRSOSHKA Dance'"',: 6 Mins. • Latin Quarter, Miami Beach Personable ballesl-type aero dancer, Piroshka should do well in this country with his leaps and spins. Personality is there as Ls the torp talent. In a show loaded with dance specialties, he earns himself a healthy reception in the brief spot assigned him. Would make a good vaude turn if he expanded his stuft' into a longer session. Probably can, judging from what he exhibited, A good bet, too, for the larger bistros th$il: feature production. Lary, THE CRADDOCKS (3) Acro-Comedy 12 Mins. Latin Quarter, Miami Beacli Probably the best of Lou Walters importations from Paris is this trio of roughhousc comics with their slapstick acro-antics. Reminding ot the Three Stooges, the Ritzs and other acts Of the type, they click solidly for a, hearty session of laughs. Stuff is a blend of balancing and panto Comedy. Sequence with a. golf club and ball propped in one partner's mouth makes for howls. As does the manner in which the little guy in the middle, with a plas- tic, expressive pan milks the laughs with his antics. Face slapping bi« is worked out for full values, es-. pecially in spot where underslander balances partner on shoulders while the little guy indulges in slap ses- sion with the two. Though on a bit too long they garnered a begoB reception from the house. , Definitely a bet for the better vaudfilmer.Si niteries—and also for pictures. CALVERT'S 1-NITERS John Calvert is being set for a series of one-nighters in legit houses starting Jan. 25 at the Playhouse, Wilmington. Magician - hypnotist is beinS booked on a guarantee and percent- age arrangement throuuh Conspli' dated Radio Artists.