Variety (Apr 1947)

4it WedneBclar« April 16, 1947 WEEK OF ArBIt 1« Nnm«i«l« in coniieotioo with htlls below Indloaf* optniiw liar at wbetlier full or »plU Week ■how tetier In p»<«»fl>es?» toaie»«o SJlfeWtiri*) Unit ie? iew' KK.W YORK CITTC «'j>|>lt<>t (1.) it K.ivicr ('liB»t Ore Hctiy Bellly Slairlin & I<ewis ftlimi.i Mali (M H Lucille runmvlngra BruBliilaa Kpnue Clwifles jpulkeskl Burrta ■.. Arhttut Broa at Visrtzuua furpa lie Ballet S.vin Oi-c .1. Pxriunonnt <Pr »• Jimmy T»araey Ore I. .t«r<lMi Tym 5. Pal HBiiniiiK I.yii Shirley Kn^' (I) 16- I^'^ptona Cuban'Ore I Mwifta Rim r^riy flanielii »*«t» (I.) IT , M T.«u!iw * Ctiarles <Sw>r«e PmitK'e Arm & Broderlck J oft Bfaser M;>«rU>e & Maryea Htrand (%V) 1» CaJ» {'aMoway Ore l>in»4y I'letClier_ UHler B Si I^a Vhft Kjivena WMbtw (l'> li'tO Ann Barrett D*Ti» Rabby "Waner <N»ie- GewrBle Kaye Sylyfa »la««r- fo Vhv Crawfftrda C'tiaa St«*rl Co Bnbhr ttoIlHw •tC*KFA'.S Jamttira <•») !«-»» rriie- Givat l-ester Srleon Sis 4 BeU Ai eH MliKiinS :."<»» (Ave to liln Steel Pier (W 19-2© TUti "Martins Big«lftto BrOH Ahiiee HlH IJi IM Jm ii tc I>ame (t-wo t» fl)H Hi|>:i>iiAnHR» (I) 11 Rusa, Made & Page I.enny (S»1e Bi>h .|i,i«erly . MistilMt A«er Htnte (u n-ia Dori>thy nouKlas R<»y BouslftH BiPharil-AOair Dcrs 80-2.1 Graham Bis Jac4c FlOHSo Warty Barrett ■ Jell i>oolev Co Botiton ((M It FranUIe t'ai-le Ore B»rmiv K- -I'riiay Vl'e-U 'A Paiste Houi«» .lueooK iirnok (1> t»-m J (3reene, * Bel^ Alexanili^v KiuUoB (tlH-ce to 11 in CbiOflKO lt> Ve!»!! Ynhimla. Jean (^arri*ll C»-rlti>n Km my Oriental (i) 17 Tp^ Beneiv'e' Ore Arlit* Oftnn Hi'Icni* So Howrtnl Ki-Kal {!•) W Cy Oliver Uil RimKier MiH Cliui'lc & ('liiiefcleE! ''1\CINXATI Xlbff (B) M Ou,' T.iwnhanlo Ore Piti-hinMi Bolt Hniililiia Pr; S- l>«ye «'i KVm.AfSB- PalorA (R) It C <'»vallar». Ore Prof T.»ml>erti J & M Nagle tOWMBl'S Palaro (K> Sl-SS Haintny Kaye Ore Olaon & Joy Paul Regan _ hah'Cfobd SM« (I) TiMnmy Tucker Ore I'he CUarloteera Ray BnKliali Paul Bemos„„ HOI-yOKJB_ Vafltr AiPe»» (1) SO Claude Thornlim O (tour tounv , „ Ciieele (1) 17 ChMllB Splvalc Or Frank Marlowe Ru»8 Clark MacK & Desmonil ' MIASM T.ittleiohna (Seoe Sheiatm Ntcte Lone Ore Raye & Uarflo BBla Oilli >'»W BBBFOBD Karic (1> l»-2» B Carlell «fc Rosa f(anion S: Cterke I'age Morton l»el earlier 2 Jaciv»_ PAISBBSOK Majeotle (I) Mr?* Ktariets ot '47 «1-«S I.euis it Oliver Dorothy Douglas Borr & Betes Rey Douglas Kicliard-Adair Dcrs lWI.ai»Bf.P«IA OariBsn (1) 11 Peggy Taylor S Barney Oimnt .Tuai Manners The CraaOoclis. I3a«* CM') IS Spike Jones Ore ■Helen Greco Kins The Slielterettea Betty Jo Hustim Aileen c^rlyle RKABINC Rajati (1> IV-ia Ray Anthony Ore r'hil Brito Bick &■ Hot Bemy Joey Biahop ROrKFORO l-alae« (1) 1» Paul Walker Ore :\I»ke & Doke r>:d\rar<ls His Danclne: Byerp(ti*a ,'irme Morris Sinsrinf;. Weavers Ann BUHer iloSiIen Gate <R) 19 Andi-ews Sis Srnsalionalists Vic Whofn Ore. Xjc-h Paul Alan Carney SPKIStilXKO) Coar* S«. (1) The Herzoes Keaton & ArnOelJ I>uke Norman Andrew Twins Flake & Trama Sons Purple fsaue sa; rsn. Paramount (P) 18 Clyde Mi-Coy Ore Ja<'lc Jjponaril S.vbil Bowinan Kathy Mo<»re VXIO\ Stanley (W) 8I-«a j Claude Thornhill O , Boh Bupont I Ross "Wysi- Jr > WASHINGa-eN Cnnttoj <i.) 17 The Cerneys' I.ttonai'fl Kup3 Frank Conville Brieklayera Howanl (I) 1» IToneydrippers Hoi-elana Co Cat Anderson Ore Allen B & Shortv | WOONSOOKMT I New Park (I) SO nanlels * I>aye Jay Kirk Stridon & Joyee Kiza Morrow (one to fill) Leon » ntdM'* Bdiiie Davis • Sonny Kinir Tho Amoi"?* Narda RossilllanoS Harriet Lane Pablo Shepard Choru» Art Wanor OrO Monte cm* Dick Gaaparr* O Roberto Maya Ore Old Komaabm Jai-kie Phillip* Sadie Banks Nina Dover Jb* Port* On Havann^MnAi^Id Carlos Ramirex Rodriquez & PMyllls Jforo Morales Rosita Segovia Saeasas Belnutnt-FIan Kay A''ernon "Don Tannen Gerrl Gale Kddie Ston* Of* Nino Bd Botel BlUmore Pl<il Wayne Ore Ron Perry Ore Hotel Commodora Jack Edward Ore * Hotel Now Sorlwr Chuck Foster Ore Marion Spelman June Arnold Hisaell tc Parley 4 Rsduires Joe Sater Trio Riu (jabana NXG Revue Radio Aces Gloria Kins Romoha l^ansr VSShlto pro Jo«8 Cttrbello Bnban Blea Marion Bruce Marilyn Cantor Saiy Dawn £' Dusk BlUot 4L Jutiat Cedrle Wanacs 1 WaHy Blacker Oarl Brisson Bob Grant Oro Panohito Ore rniaers VanBUura B Dyer-Bennett Muriel Qatnes gweto Tynes ick Style* S Don Fry« Tanttr fair Rosenbloom & Baer Ben Berl Corione Anderson Fleioher it Grave Dave Dennis Oro Monehilo wivel Bob Lee- Kay Carole Stuart Langley PoBijy Palmer D'QuInoey & Oiv'at Zanolbav Art Tatum Thelma Carpenter Bddie Hector D Dickens Ore ZfamnerniBn't Oene Kardoe Janczt Makula Zaisa Bela- Paul Arnold Sinclair & Aid* Belen "Wenzel Olsa Orlova Boston, AprH 9. Lawrence O. Lasky production ot Ice raVtte In two acts starring,. dim'ted and conceived by Marlbet Vinson and Guy Owen, with slwUng direction by Lillian Tribby. Sets, Kdward Gilbert; costumes, Bonald McRae; inusir, Selene Harmon! lyrica, Lea Morris; muaiea! dli-eotion, Sammy Ersen. With Lillian Trlbby, Heinle Brock. Chet Nelson, Honny and Boots Roberts, Jimmy Kelly, Valerie Fortune-East,' Bpic and Span, Buddy littlonde) Ralph Emory, others, At the Center. Boston, Aprll S, '47; $» top. eircis- litter Tin Ewer Continued from page X ; CHXCMO Blacklmnk Phi! L-^vant Ore i;ti« Pare*. J.ona Horne Paul Gray Walter Lon« The DeMarios Don Davis Ore 0on Chiesta Oro Adorablcs <12> Cnlosinan** Rvan Bros (3) Tamara &, Thomas Ann ftuter Sol Peola Oro Colosimodels (S) Copai'tHyiiua Rudy Vallee Jack Durant D Ansrelo * Vanya Arnie Barnett Pancho Ore Medel f^opa Cover Girl* Buddy Worth Jani-t Gaylord Hotel Bismarck Ji>aei>h SuOy Oro OeoKBie Gobies J<-iO The Martinis f.enore ^Jorma Warner L & G Canslno ; Hotel BlBelWton* Morton Downey Ramos Orch Hotel Congres* Joe Vera Ore Sam Bari , . .Hotel Contlnentnl Del Beni-e Mniianne- F«del» HUi-lilon Reed H Edcewater Beach Stephen Klsliiy Or<- AI Gordon & Pels Shyreltos (3) Sow Stylists m Dorothy Hild Dcers Hotel Sitermtta Carl Marx Jayne Walton Herbie.Pielils Oro Jan Atigust Hannonica.t9 Hotel S»ev«ns Don McCrane Ore Pranlcson Boulevar-Dears Latin tismrter Ted Lewis Ore Geraldine Du Bols Paul White Kiroy Peao» Gorwin Sis Sol Klein Orc^ Sks Biders W Palmer Unuae Jack PIna Oro Herb Shriner , Susan Reed Abbott D'nccr» tli) Rio Cabana GeorRie Tiippa Irwin Corey Monica Lewis Don Bradiield The T.ovelies" (6) Gee Davidson 'Ire Vine Gardens Larry Ross Plvil D'Rey Jou Ktsh 'jOro Mel Ool« Ore Locally produced jce sftiow proved surprise at opener here. About half of it stacked up as entertainment witVi smooth, expert production Which, though still in the incubation period^at opener^ompared with, out- of-town efforts. The other half, how- ever, brings the show down and re- veals the basically semi-pro approach to the job. Might do all right in the stix fit toured, but never'd make in on B'way. An ice revue Ihemed with a micro- scopic love stoiy, the show uses the burley technic of having singers off- stage carrying tbe "plot" br singing familiar tunes stiggestive of the action. This consists only of a movie producer "briB^ing his star to Ice Valley, falling TOomentarily for flashy kid on skates, and picking up again with the star. No dialogue at all, and only one or two social tunes by Selene Harmon with lyrics by Lee Morris. Result is a series of ice specialties. Those involving Maribel Vinson and CJuy Owens, who staged the show, are sock: They pull all the stops on iheir blades and click every time. Top specialties are by Rohny and Boots Roberts, whose acrobatic ice work is solidly pro in every respect. A brief turn by Valerie Fortune-East reveals her a good performer too. One comedy session by Heinie Brock mildly amusing, but other perform- ers, though adequate, never manage to maintain a professional level. About 20 boys and girls are in the chorus line, not' enough of them too «ecute on we ice, but tliey look good and are V(?eil-cOstUnied. The off-stage singers don't make any too much of an impression, either, though the music is nicely chosen and well- scored. Main trouble is the show fails to maintain the pace of the first act, the second proving to be merely more of the same only not "quite as good. Plenty of tightening and pol- ishing under way, of course, and show will do all right here. Any more ambitious plans, however, need plenty of scanning. Production of Lawrence Lasky suitable to tlje needs of a local effort, with sets and lights by Edward Gil- bert okay. Show appears to be bank- rolled by M. LiieW in assotiiatiori with Laslcy 4nd otliers. Center thea- tre' is I-oew's latest acquisition here and recently remod6lted as another legiter. Bite. for there is no safety net. Miss Gould works in bare feet, better to grip the single webbing, also part of her routine. _ . An English turn billed the Great Alzanas is the high-wire feature re- placing the Wallendas and in some aspects a better thrill turn. Harold Alanza ascends to the wire walking up a slanting rope, using a parasol for balance and comes down that ly. It was erroneously reported that he has hooks on the soles of his slippers but he only uses rubber strips. Another eye-arresting stunt is skipping rope on the high wire U. S. Skaters. Continued from page 1 ; CUintinued. trom pae« 1 are riinning away witl» aU the «uc- NEW TOKS CITY Blue Aoffel Wally BoaK Phil GiMdon Bllis Larkln it Joan Nichols Sloan Ross. . I afo mwiiety iBotvntO'vn) Jaciine.'* i*a'ssy W.-n-y Lou Williams Ann Hathaway J C Heard uio Ciile Sut'lety trptou'ul Lncienne Boyer Dav» UarMn 3 BSdiHuiid Mall Ore Cariilval Olsen. & Johnson JBeatrice Kay Salici Puppets e i T Vuldcz Blackburn Tnina Michael Uduards McManus Ore Rejd Ore China Doll Keyi* Luke Job II, Tin Mi*i* Song; Frwn Tans: Jadine I.I iiun Ti*! yittgs . Kntlwiutf ''' ' YveCte- ■■ Jose Mellls Ore Ealith Foot Or ifniami Milt Britton Unit l.iiliit i(>ti»rli>> Soirhia Tucker tiddie- Steiwief^r i'lmdwicks * Di*ln*uairs Balpb Twn* Kal Ra> win Cecil Tiewin Chirk UlAdka C»|<iiii')iiH*na Benny Kielila Steen « Tasher Paul Winchell Bill Shirley Julie Wilson Michael Dttrso Ore Fernando Alver*"/. O niBmond lSl»^9>'^slMl•' Prof Backwards Siri Herman Hj ds Turner Twins Rosebuds Billy Banks Tables Davla Renald & Rudy Jack Mathers NoblO Sissle Ore Svd Strani^e Ore , Hotel Commodore IjOUIs Prima Ore PA Clilvo I'.oyjta Rios Misuel He Albalcln Aiico Farrat Boh Turk HqI«I Ijexin^f on Alomas Hawaiian* The Chanteurs "B^nry Bros- Ore Hotel Po>t>«»yi»'«»t' ftitndy Brooks Ore Hotel Pierre iMve Apolton ■t'h-ester Bolphln Chaa Jteaaer ore Ijasa Harrlwin Or* HoM PInza Hildecarde Hal Kannei Ore Monte Ore Hotel Rnoitevpit I,.awrence Welli Ot 0otel Tnfl Vincent Lopez On- »Vnltl«rf-Aiiitnrl« John Sebastian Raye & Wald Emil Coleman On MIsclia Borr Ore Uttle Clnl> Betl.v I.ou Bonnvv Cass Harrison » KoKer-A Corner Don Baker Postwar resurgence i»f French show business has thrown up a num- ber of leading personalities which have attracted talent scouts from the U.S. Chief among them are H. G. Clouzot, director of "Le Corbeau," a film made under the German occupa- tion and now banned in France; Dominique Blanchar, 18-year-old daughter of actor Pierre Blanchar, currently appearing in legit produc- tion, "L'Ecole Des Femmes"; and a 15-year-old girl, Anouk. Rosselini, brilliaiit director of the Italian film, "Open City," recently visited Paris and turned down all offers to come to America. He' in- sists upon sole control of his pic- tures from subject-matter to treat- ment and doesn't think he would be granted a free hand in Hollywood. Rosselini has just completed another film. "Paysans," reputed to'be better than "Open City," and is currently j working with author Max Cplpet on ja film dealing; with the Gerinah prob- jlem.-, ■ ^ ■ Among the plays currently on tlie ! boards, only a few have acquired hit j proportions. Among these are "Au- I pres De Ma Blonde," the Marcel Ar- chard smash at the Michodiere star- ring Yvonne Printemps and Pierre Fresoay; and, the revival of Moliere's coimdy "LJEcole Des IFemmes." "Ambiance" at the Tabariii is shap- ing up as the best revue in town and is to be used for the new film, "0ne Nuit au Tabarin," starring Jacquel- I ine Gautier. I Metro is reported to have offered j $60,000 for the film rights of the I legit play, "Les Nuits de la Colere," j starring Jean-Louis Barrault and •Madeleine Renaud, But the author, I Arniatid Salacrou, is said to be hold- ling out tor $78,000. that in the recent skating exhibition at Stockholm, Barbara Ann Scott, of Ottawa, won first place in the women's division and Gretehen Mer- rill, of Boston, took second place, First prize in the men's section was taken by Hans Gershweiler of Switzerland. However Stockholm newspapermen decried, that deci- sion, stating that. Dick^^ Button, an American, should have won the top award. - Simultaneously, U. S. skating tal- ent is very much in demand abroad. Blades displays now playing London have a liberal sprinkling pf Ameri- can talent, many of* whom are in headlining positions. Negotiations are-currently on for Freddie Trink- ler, Adele Inge and others. However, American ice producers dgclare that in a few years Eu- I'opean talent will be on par with U. S. skaters. iHIS Continued from page 9 est weapon in the arsenal of demo- cratic education — the motion pic- ture medium." Key distribution offices will be opened in New York, Detroit, Chi- cago and Los Angeles for the screen- ing and catalo'ging of existing films ^ on public affairs. Center will also handle mass purchases of projection equipment for the member groups and a regular guidance service is to be set up for the planning of educa- tional film programs. Among members of the provi- sional executive committee are Vic- tor Huether, United Automobile Workers-CIOj John D, Connors, American Federation of Labor; Glen Burch, American Assn. of Adult IBducatioli; Prof. James Jehring, Cor- nell University; Mark Starr, Inter- national Ladies Garment Workers Unions, AFL; Steve Ripley, Ameri- can Newspap&r Guild; S. M.- Char- tok, Cinema liOdge, B'nai Frith; Justin f elawaii, ifttKneiricah Veterans Commtttee, and numerous other APL arid ClO uoioas. sans balance. It was ironic that so sura-footed a performer should trip over a rink bank after taking bows. He laughed himself. Alanza's wife and two other girls complete- the turn. Another acrobat appears as a laonkey, climbing a perpendicular rope with a Jap toe grip. He's billed a Natale and is Favetier, son of Max Kidd who appeared in the Sarnum circus. Wild animals are back in three cages, first time since the disastrous Hartford Are; William Konselman and polar bears replaced Dorr's turn, Prosky's tigers were a replacement but attention was drawn to Damdo Dhotre's leoi>ards, pumas and jag- uars. Dhotre is an- east Indian who looks like a Negro. He know? his stuff, having been with Alfred Court's bunch of trainers but not al- ways seen in the Garden. Animals are the same u5ed by Mae Kovar, who was recently seriously clawed by a lioness in Australia." There are three imported: wire acts, two tight and' one slack, latter being the Joanidis and good. All have One member doing the real work and the turns include juggling in their routines. Standing out Ss Lola Dobritch, said to be a Swede, who principally works on her toes, a tight wire feat not seen over here under the big top. The Keverhos in the center spot attracted attention too. The Idalys working at the top of the Garden have necks stretching as they accomplish stunts while hanging head down from a circling bicycle. Turn was switched to. the number four spot, allotted to thp Cimses who have an aerial motor- cycle turn. Equipment did not arrive from France so the first nighters missed that thriller. Tiebor's seals are back in a trained animal display, having- oppo- sition from- Guerre's, with the seal "Chariot" trying to play mouth or- gan but the standout in the group is Vargas' chiinps, designed for and getting laughter. The monks are dressed, including shoes, eat at table with spoons and ride bikes. Best simian walks a tight rope and while working screamed at a photogra- pher who came close. Pat Valdo the general director noted the audi- ence glee and ordered that bit be kept as part of the routine. Nostalsic VagfOiat Spectacle "The Wedding of Cin- derella" is sixth on the program and it's one of the best of produc- tion numbers, nostalgic and amusing all around. John Murray Anderson staged it, with Terry Duhaine a pretty girl from the Bronx appear- ing as the name character. There are as many showgirls present as in past seasons, their main coirtri- butioti being an "Aerial Cancan," some 42 lasses working on single webbings, that numlaer being staged by Vander Barbette, former vaude impersonator. In the center to dress the display is Chyrsis de la Grange mostly on a webbing, she like Miss Gould also being bare footed. Very little bareback riding in the show this season, Neare.st to it is the Bostocks, with Marion Siefert, but she is only a kid. An attractive di.splay of carriages, mostly phae- tons with the .show's lookers accom- panying' "British royalty" two gen- erations back, supposedly going to races for the coronation stakes. Hitching a ride on the rear of equipage is Emmett Kelly, taken down. The Ward-Bell fliers were the best, with double twisters. The Sambiassis were an import out" of the show, while the Mexican B&quedas displayed a girl flier, one t)f the heaviest ever noticed. Two perch acta were on the first night but Upon- complaint by thg Society of Prevention of Cruelty to 'Children, the Thomroens were forced out. It's a Swiss father and son act, latter being 13 but a very small fellow, who however has been an acrobat since he was four. In the display too are pedestal and ladder balancers, also Ted and Flo Vallett, experts with ^atons and Swiss flags. The feature juggler, Francis Brunn, was scratched, from the show when unattle to come overseas because of passport trouble. In the reassem- bled juggling display are the Chiesas, Ray Nelson, CanestreUi and the PerezoHs, an old time comedy duo. ■:, Acrobatic display okay but not unusual, one act being Jap though billed as Chinese and there were two Arab groups but not dressed that way. Among the high trap turns ar» Ira Milette now working with his son Jimmie, doing head dancing acts. There are around 76 clowns, with Kelly still the head ma(i, one of the new stunts being "Adam Buster," which is where tha midget comics come in. There three unicycle and bike acts billed as im- ports and all good. No jumps, no races and not missed. Elephant turn with all tha ensemble girls in the arena is the finale, with elongated clown gadgets symboUe of the circus being hauled 'upright from containers, Out too is the concert-music but the band is still under Merle Evans leadership. Miles White designed for the Brooks costume plant, Esther Junger the choreography and Albert Johnson the art_direction. Gargantua is still dOwnstlTirs with the freaks and other beasts and there's a lp"6" haired Ttiinb but even Bey KeUey, hijad press agent has no interest in trying to curl It. 2illi's. Mkf = Contlnned from page 5 mournful clown who through the .show again The "Royal Ascot" driving is a prelude to the menage or dressage riding in the three rings with (Miss) Claude Valois in this center ring and Joe Moeser""and Louis Gautier on the ends. Mile. Valois' is an excellent rider and quite a looker. There are three liberty horse groups, one handled by Gautier and another by Gena Mroszkowski, who makes a kittenish entrance. matters of law, not matters of fact, so that the lower court's opinion that illegal acts were committed will re- main in effect despite the forthcom- ing higher court's ruling. Latter, he said, will decide only on whether the lower court applied the law cor- rectly in setting up the changes called for in the opinion'. Twentieth; sales ehiefs and attor- neys, consequently, believe their position is more realistic than that taken by the other majors, whose act in asking for a full stay they com- pared to putting off a trip to the dentLst. Whether or not they 11 benefit from their separate course of action remains to be seen but they ;• plan to take seriously what the lower cbBrt has already decided by trying to follow the spirit of the decision as nearly as possible. Fact they spent so much money in fighting the court action proves they didn't con- sider their former selling method* to be illegaL Now that the court has decided otherwise, however, they'll take their medicine, the spokesman said. Twentieth will continue to accept bids for its product, despite the stay granted the company in instituting competitive bidding, the company of- ficial said. He pointed out that 20th did not ask for a stay on Sect. 9 Of the decree, which enjoins the de- fendants from arbitrarily refusing the demand of an exhibitor in a competitive area for a specific film and run. Stay has been granted only on the inauguration of the mechan- ics of bidding outlineil in the decree, which 20th attorneys deem too com- plicated and on which they want more knowledge before putting them into practice. Company, consequently, will con- the I tinue to honor the most favorable Works all-bids for its product, giving exhibi- tors notice of availability through the tradescreening. Course should prove acceptable to exhibs, the spokesman maintained, since the latr ter have always demacded ari equal right to bid for the product.of any company and te prove their hou.se-'? are best fitted to play the cream product. No sales meeting is con- templated by 20th officials for the immediate future, since the company - {execs believe their field sales staff? Four flying acts were programmed i have been slhl'iciPnl iv briefed on llieif but only two w«ht on first night. A future course of action in the two guy wire supporting the Bailees '.meets held since the original oP'»" rigging snapped arid the nets were ion Wts first handed down.