Variety (Jul 1947)

18 HOVSI! REVIEWS lloxy,.:i«i.^l'.; .. OUen k Johnson Revue with teonard Sues, Harold Barnes; "Moss pose" <.20th), reviewed in Mmrnim, my 21, '47. Olsen & Johnson at this time of the year are an especially apropos booking. Yet, for them, it's always the Fourth of July—they c.ertainly •have enough ammunition blanks to celebrate the Fourth even at Christ- ■ This Roxy date for the veteran comics is hardly any different than the act they were doing at the near- by Carnival nitery, at which they recently closed a long run. Nor, for that matter, the type of turn they've been doing for 30 or more years. And With which, excepting a couple of items that are in questionable taste, O&J are still socko with the mas.s, though hardly for the class, trade. Blank cartridges that blast the eardrums with their frequency, props that are numerous enough to have emptied the ShUbert warer houses, and all the corny tricks of another era in show biz—^these are still employed for mass appeal by O&Ji And the payoff is that audi- ence sing at the finale; if the cus- tomers can still go for that, as they do for the by-now ancient O&J eudience-participation dancefest with the chorines, then it only emphasizes that for mass reception O&J know their way around could have stayed till sundown from reaction of payees. From opener, "Holiday for Strings" they went bver solidly. It was difficult to choose number most appreciated, because "Malaguena" brought what seemed like top applause, only to have "Harmonica Boogie" bring stronger, palming. For "Peg O My Heart," responsiblt for current success, a filmy curtain is drawn with moonlight scenes flashed on screen. Boys work effortlessly and smoothly to garner top returns. Barr and Estes, comic dance team, with Barr doing loose leg slide steps and girl doing pert tap business, also go over nicely. Barr.also doies.sev- eral skits that are familiar but man- ages to make some seem fresh; The Shyrettos, score with aero twirling and jive stunts, getting screams riding silvery, cycles Which range from lower-case wheelers to king size for sock: applause. Ray Lang orch does neat job in keeping things moving and backs show. .Hunt. Capitol, Wash. Washington, July 3. DoUnoffx and Raya Susters (4), Gcorgic koi/e, Marjorie Knapp, the Craddocks (3); "Living in-a Big Wav"m-G). Capitol's" bill this week is sock throughout, with each of; its four For prime audience approval acts so solid it is har4 to choose one chalk one down for Harold Barnes Shades of Con Colleano! Barnes must certainly be ranked alongside the veteran tightwire artist. Barnes could well be a factor in any at- tempted comeback of vaudeville. He's pretty close to being sensa- tional on the strand, and any day now Sol Hurok might be signing • him for one of his heel-an^-toe com- panies. Barnes 'even does a ballet on the wire. And his rhumba isn't so bad, either. Young Eddie Franklin is a recent Army dischargee who O&J heard sing at a veterans holspital, where he was a patient, and promised him a chance to play in their show. Franklin has a pleasing high tenor, getting over with the inevitable "Danny Boy." However, Chic John- son shouldn't mug at the piano when the kid sings; he ought to let him have his chance. Leonard Sues is itfonducting the house orch for just th's date. ■ Otherwise, this is a heavily-peo- pled show of madcap O&J comics, scantily-clad dames and tjrpically rowdy O&J numbers out of their innumerable revues. And all paced expertly by the headliners, who re- veal they've been together 34 years. Afld the longevity of their partner- ship is a tribute more to their show- mi^ nshipi than anything else. They're a Dair who know the value of corn ■whatever, the. era of show business. And, what's more important, they know how to sell it. Kahn, Oriental, Ciii Chicogo, July 3. Dnle Evans, Hormonicats (3), Leonard Barr.Sc Helen Estes, Shyret- tos (3), Ray Lang Orch (12); "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now?" X20th). Without the glitter of all-star Hollywood cast which accompanied ■world preem of new 20th-Fox pic- ture, "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her i Lawi-ie "choIr Wow?" current Oriental bill would still be a bright, sparkling show. Perhaps all concerned were caught in web of glamour around theatre b." appearances of George Jessel, Jime Haver, Martha Stewart, Mark Stevens, Richard Greene and Joe E. Howard, composer, upon whose autobiog picture is based. High spot of opening performances was contingent of players from the Coast with Jessel emceeing. He works with all the kids; and his im- pressions of Cantor and Jolson pro- voke chuckles and memories. Miss HaVer and Mi.ss Stewart took turns on chirping, former singing" her song to Howard. Stevens and Greene are typical handsome"leading ■ mm and were gi-eeted with whistles a.s loud as gals got in their walkons. Audience was deeply impressed by ftroup's sincerity in their tribute to Jes-sel, producer, for his work bn the picture. The younger set can't remember Joe E. Howard well^ but they were as enthusiastic as their elders in re- ception. .Many a nostalgic tear ■welled as he danced and sang. "Goodbye My Lady Love," a classic from his early vaude days. It Was a red letter occasion for Howard, who is frisky and peppy as ever, desDite age. Regular bill is headed by Dale Evans, screen star. In shimmering silver topping a billowy ruby skirt, which she later doffs to reveal white cowboy boots and a brief, fringed cowsirl skirt, her teeoff number is "I Think You're Wonderful," quickly followed by "My Adobe Hacienda," with which she seems more at home. .Novelty number, "She Went Thata Way" is also cleverly done, and her ^ singing of popular western star's (' themes, with aud guessing titles, ; wins salvos. Girl has simplicity that's a winner and her slight west- ern drawl has pleasant effect on melodies. , A solid hit. Co-hradliner.'!, the Harmonicats, In their first bi.? theatre appearance. for top billing. Entire l&youi;''should do much to boost -drooping b.o. locally, if customers resort to enough word-of-mouth, The Craddocks, trio of acro-pan- tomimists back from France after the war years, were singled out by the customers for lion's share of ap- plau.<ie. Act has polish,' novelty, and genuine aero technique to make it top flight. The liads have continental quality of facial, as well as bodily agility, which ; keeps their .stunts alive. Marjorie' Knapp, eye-fiUing chan toosey, lives up to the wolf calls which greet her, with some; reaUy hep warbling. Opens with slick ver- sion of "Robert E. Lee" which goes over well as a" pacer for the num' bers which follow. She sings, them straight, with just enough gestures to put 'em across. Gets best returns on tasteful medley of Vincent You- mans' songs. Georgie Kaye fills comedy slot ably, with warming accompaniment of laughs. His routine is well selected and perfect for family type audience'which Capitol gets. Best is psychiatrist- routine, which is fast and zany enough for plenty laughs. Curtain raiser could fill any spot on the bill and hold its own. Dolin offs and the Rayas, back froni Europe after a wartime absence, have a production with aye appeal, novelty and plenty fine terping to provoke mitt action. Both the toy- shop routine and the noWr-you-see' him, now-you-don't black out num- ber elicit. Latter is smooth theatre with Dolinoff swathed in black, against a black background and low lights. He iu.ggles the gals about in adagio turns. Effect is that of dancers dangling in mid-air, lean- ing into space, etc., as their invisible partner tosses them around. Completing bill is a "Cavalcade of America" patriotic production num- ber well handled by Sam Jack Kauf- man, his_house orch, and the Jjjstin Lowe, State, Y. LMbo Molina, Jack E. Leonard, Wiere Bros, ii), 3 Chesterfields, George Church tc Marilyn Hale, The La Vew«s (4), Louis Basil House Orch; "The Egg and I" (U). Loew's State, N. Y., comes up with another rollicking bill in current stanza. It's good holiday fare, sparked by Luba Malina, mu- sicomedy songstress - comedienne; Wiere Bros, with their comedy vio-? lining, and Jack E. Leonard, rotund; comic, doubling as emcee-and spot- ting slick stuff in own slot. Three Chesterfields, male aero team, pace with clever line of gym- nastics, risley and other feats to register solidly. George Church & Marilyn Hale, back after a season as featured terpers in the smash mu- sical, "Oklahoma!", follow and score, as usfial, with their lapstering and ballet terps. Leonards who has been in and out of proceedings from tee- off, spots own stanza. Comic has improved considerably since last around, has fresh material and paro- dies^ which put him over for top retiirns. Miss Malina goals 'em in her song stanza. Garbed in whitei spangled slinky gown, she's atomije all the way. Introing with hep version of "Chi Chi Castenango," which sets her pretty, she whams over "There Must Be Someone for Me" and "Niko- lena" to practically steal the show. Comes back for some clowning with Leonard to sew up things tighter and Offs to solid salvos. Wiere Bros., flanked by male pianist, maintain comedy motif with their long standard funstering with the fiddles, incorporating some legit viollning. But It's the comedy antics tteat gets 'era here above everything. Grab plenty of laughs and off to solid returns. ■' The La Vernes, two men' and two gals, do okay in closing slot with their roughhouse Apache, incor- porating an adagio twist,- and prac- tically:-wrecking props and selves in their fast routine framed m Parisian cafe setting. A nifty act ^ » Edtxt. vocal, "Wrap Vour Troubles in Dreams" with heavy emphasis on shrill voice of smaller guy for coinjc effects. He contribs some neat tap- ping while partner does a terp routine which "makes like a train," Also work in a bit of business on s small vibe. Off to good reception. Aqaiisliow, N. V. (FLUSHING MEAOO'WS PARK) Willie, West & McGin-iu, Juggling Jewels (4), Milt Britton's Ojch (11) > Ju^ne -Earino, Bobbu Knopp, Stan Dudeki Shield Kelly, Len Keartiey, Betty Ball, Curley, Smiley, Aqua- zanies (S). Ap«11o, N. Y. LoMis Armstrono Orch (17) with Leslie Scott; Jacfo Teoyarden, Velmo Mtddlcton, Slim & Sweets* Myers * Walker; "The Big Fix (PRC). Wedne^dajr, Jnly 1947 Olympla, Miami Miami, July 5. Danny O'Neil, Walson Sisters, Ed. die White, Lloyd & WiUis, Max te Gang, Let Rhode House Orch,'"Gal- lant Bess" (M-G). Cilieago, Ciil Chicago, July 4. - Hildceorde, Basil Rathbone, Henny. Youngman, Lathrop Sc Lee^ Hal Kan. ner. House Oreh; "The , Imperfect Lady" (Par). Hildegarjje in current stint at the Chicago theatre proves again her un- canny ability to pace a show with eifortless ' ease. Supported by Basil Rathbone and Henny Youngman each of whom have strong enough marquee value to head a show in their own right, it still is one of those shows that looks as though it was put together on the spur of the moment and yet in the final analjr- sis it works out smooth as silk. Evi- dence of the effectiveness of the Hildegarde brand of show business is proven by fact that literally every performance has been capacity. Hildegarde opens at piano, wear- ing'exquisite gold gown, teeing off with "It's Nice to Be Loved," for solid applause. She discovers a fid- dle player in pit who insists upon tuning violin, and turns out to be Youngman. Rathbone turns up as another pseudo-member of the orch. Idea is worked up for laugh repartee. Other tunes by Hildegarde included, "Anniversary Song," "No Business Like Show Business" and an Irving Berlin medley. Rathbone scores with rendition of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "I Love You" plus his Sherlock Holmes impersonations. Youngman : playing a supporting role through the 50- minule show helps-no end in hold- ing bill together with rapid ftre gags. Lathrop and Lee,.mixed team, get over nicely with tap routines. Their "High Hat Strut" with gal In form- fitting scarlet satin gown is sock clincher, Hal Kammer, as guest con- ductor of the orch" during Lou Breese's vacation, does- top job of pla.ying show. Hunt. With Louis Armstrong celebrating his 25th anni as a bandleader as well as his 47th birthday last week, It was appropriate that the,, veteran trumpeting Negro maestro's twin events coincided with his annual appearance at' the Apollo. Many colored bands have played the house but few conjure up so much nos- talgia as the ingratiating Armstrong. Adding fuel to the "old times'; fires ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ are some sock trombone specialites overcome of Jack Teagarden. As the teeoff number "Stompin at the Savoy" brings out the versatility of Armstrong's combo comprising four rhythm, four trumpet (plus Armstrong), four trombone and five reed. Satchmo's inimitable wide- mouthed vocals .show to advantage on one of the outfit's late recordings, "I Belie've." Smartly backed by band, he scores for solid returns. Punch ol show is Teagarden's 15- min-ute stint preceding the finale. Armstrong's intro describes him as here to play "some riffs for us." First is nice arrangement of "Basin Street Blues." Classic tune, the audience is told, was played by Tea- garden in Houston as early as 1920 and seven years later he came to New York whereJhe song.was put to lyrics by the late Glenn Miller. Tea's tromboning o£ number wins strong applause and he also regis- ters on warbling of lyrics in a soft, easy style. On last three choruses he breaks the horn in half and in- serts water glass for unusual tones. As a reprise of their recent Town Hall, N. jazz concert, Armstrong and Teagarden beat out "Rockin Chair." Both sing lyrics in a natu- ral, uninhibited delivery, then Tea slips out the slush-pump for a burst of accompanying choruses. Arm- strong follows with the blow-off on the.trumpet for sock returns. Finale is "Jack-Armstrong Blues" cut by the pair on the Armed Forces V- Disks a few years ago. Rather weak is opening turn of Slim & Sweets. Tall, thin male and short, stocky femme offer some mild singing and terping. Work a takeoff on Romeo & Juliet with male part- ner wearing ludicrous long brown tights and tyrolean hat. Gal ribs his physique but the humor falls flat. Band's warbler Leslie Scott handles "Mam'selle" with robust expression but his baritone is used to better effect in "Without a Song" which he jsenda for hefty mitting. Armstrong's combo contribs some sock improvising in . a jam session where most of the sidemen are cut for sclos. Ijids build up to a Elliott Murphy, operating the Amphitheatre of Flushing Meadows Park, for the - third year, has with this year's edition of water shows come up with a formula that will provide the maximum entertainment within a degree of budgetary mod- esty. Format combines features of the aqua displays on the jpast three years, and some done by Billy Rose," original tenant on the site during the World's Fair. Layout has equal accent on aquatic and landlubber acts, which combined with good pacing provides good value for the 60c-$1.25 scale. The 24- femme swimming chorus, profusion of diving experts and a variety of good sight-nets makes for a pleasant session. ■ Show gets most of its color from the swimmers. Contingent of divers including Stan Dudek, Shiela Kelly, Len,- Kearney and Betty Ball, per- form series of difficult dives in cham- pionship form with comedy flops coming from a group of zanies, Curley, Smiley and the Aquazanies (5). It's reminiscent of the water evepts of the previous Flushing Meadows shows, but apparently the presentation method used here is still the best-devised for displaying water events. The 24-femme- line, Aqua- dorables, go through a series of pre- cision water routines that are eye- filling. The stage events are confined to turns of visual values. Showing up best are WUlie, West and McGinty's familiar construction act. This turn hits the risibilities of every section of the big stadium for top results. Juggling Jewels are similarly able to get audience appreciation with their stunts, while Milt Britton's band, which backs the show, does its usual bedlam, .musical turn. Other events include swim exhibs of June Earing and Bobby Knapp and the entre-'acte comedy talk of an unbilled pair. Some of the problems that have beset producer Murphy during pre- vious stands here still haven't been resolved. Major handicap is trans- portation. Area of park still lacks adequate public transit facilities, but fortunately, the gas situation, a ma- 'nr bane during prior seasons, has Jose. Current layout here makes for a mild session. < Topliner. Danny O'Neil, radio tenor, contribs a sequence of balladry that becomes monotonous from slow pace set. He does 'okay by "Peg o' My Heart," "Linda" and "Mam'selle," but with addition of some brighter tempoed tunes would register more effectively. Watson Sisters purvey their familiar corn-filled turn of songs and cross-fire patter for mild results. Emcee Eddie White handles in- troes smoothly and in own spot ap- ■, plifS high-pitched voice to some well turned dialect stories for plenty laugh-response. Lloyd & Willis pace proceedings with neatly devised tap routines ranging from buck and wing to boogie woogie. Most solid palm- whacks at show caught was for Max & Gang. Mutts are well trained and handled easily to make for sm enter- , taining sequence of canine capers. Les Rhode and house orch back show competently. ■ Lory,.:: New Acts HIGHLIGHTS Songs .. ■ 10 Mins. No. one Fifth Avenue, N, T. ' Thii youthful quartet of two boys and t-wo gals, awarded a week's work at 'the No. One bar as prize- winners of the club's Tuesday night amateur contests, bring a fresh ap- proach to standard group singing that sihould rate them a break at bigger spots with more experience^ Their phrasing and shading are al- ready of professional calibre and their arrangements, focusing on tight harmony, are standout. Youthful verve and vitality are projected neatly. They Introduce a nifty trick of picking up the lyrics on an off-beat in their opener "Let's Do It," given a fast ride via a jazzed-up tempo... "Bidin' My Time" demonstrates good; change-of-pace, which they pick up asain with a fast errangement of "Rihumba 00 the Tuba Down in Cuba." Best of their numbers is an encore offering, "'Who's Got the Last Laugh Now," which gets them off to hefty applause. Nature of their work would natu* rally confine them to intimate rooms for their own spot, hut they could also handle iproduction numbers well in any of flie bigger clubs; They also sound Uke a good bet for tht diskeries. Stal. ' Steel Pier, A.€. Atlantic City, July 3. Di'cfc Haymes, Helen Forrest, Mage & Korr, Acromoniocs, Paul Winchell, House Orch; "Bonjo" (BKO). Dick Haymes,-crooner, tops cur- rent show at the Steel Pier vaude- ville, and supported by four other fine acts that provide satisfactory entertainment. Haymes opens with old fave "Swanee," and wows with "Stella by. Starlight." Encores with "Old Man River" and the "Anniversary. Song" for more salvos and begoff. Helen Forrest, glamorous vocalist, appears with Haymes in duet, "I Don't Know Why" after clickhig in her own song stanza. Latter com- prises "Sunday King of Love," "Them There Eyes," and- "Sunny Side of the Street," all neatly done to merit top reaction. Mage and Karr, dance team, con- trib novelty tap routine and another to "Donkey Serenade" for nice re- ception. The Acromaniaoe, three man acrobatic comedy team, score in fast line of gymnastics inter- larded with comedy,, for - plenty laughs, Paul Winchell is another clicker with his slick veniro turn with red- haired dummy, Jen'y Mahoney. Patter repartee is fresh enough to keep 'em happy and win good NAOMI STEVENS Songs > 10 Mins. Glass Hat, N. X. * Naomi Stevens is a diminutive blonde songstress who gives out with a repertoire of special material to the complete elimination of over- done pop tunes, which is all to the good. Her pipes lack volume even over a mike tout she's learned the knack of projecting her personality along with her songs, which gets her nice returns. She opens here with a well-done special titled "I Can Cook," in which she underplays the blue lyrics with a neat bit of naivete. Her phi asing on "In Love with a Married Men could stand a little brushing up for better results, since she gives away the punchline too soon. "Girl's Best Friend Is No" Is probably her best offering. She winds up with "Sa- loon," to which she imparts nifty treatment, and- "Stinkin' at the Club Savoy," another good special number. Girl's okay for vaude and nitery dates but would work best in a: more intimate room. Stal- applause. Wolfc. frenzied flnnle. Vocalist Velma Mid dleton, almost as broad as she is tall, chirps "That's My Desire" with Armstrong. He twists the lyriOs into double talk but the customers are hep and it gets'good returns. Miss Middleton alio does a blues novelty, "Nobody Loves a Fat Woman," for solid results. Myers & Walker, two Inds who work hard, are a zany turn who.se antics repister well. Boys open with Hippodrome, Balto. Baltimore, July S. Monroe & Grant, Bob Berry Wally Brown, Arfhttr Muri-oj/ Dan- cers (8), Joe Lp-mbftrdi House Orch (12); "WomaH on the Beach" (RKO). Nice layout is okay on talent and draught. Inclusion of Bob Berry, local sun-up and lunchtime person- ality of Station WITH, is paying off at the b.o. in addition to entertain- -ment score where his vocalizing counts and Wally Brown, a former fave here, is now strengthened by film buildup, and supplying laughs. Opening slot has Monroe & Grant, male- trampoline act, in flashy tricks and comedy. Berry next with legit vocals is followed by Brown, who wangs out « medley of parodies. Scores solidly and sets things for decorative clincher wy tht -Arthur Murray Dancers, four mixed couples in a potpourri of ballroomology neat- ly done for maximum returns. Biz all right. Bnrm. DE MAR & DENISE Dancing 7 Mins. Glass Hat, N. Y. This attractive dance team demon- strates neat versatility, running the gamut of terp steps from a fast foxr irot through a samba, waltz and rhumba. 'raey're both good dancers, graceful and agile with their neatly executed lifts and spins. Routines are strictly along standard lines though offering nothing standout. Duo tees off with jome fast terp? Ing to "I Get a Kick Out of You'V and then swings into "Tico-'rico and "Tales of the Vienna Woods.' Encore stint, a rapid rhumba beat, is their best, In which they draw nice applause via a di.'ficult oat' armed liftvand-spin. . , St«l. JIMMT ORAIN&EK WEST Republic's sales veepee James R- Grainger was scheduled to fly tp the Gosst last (Tuesday) night for two weeks of huddles at the studio with Rep prexy Herbert J. Yates on the company's 1947-'48 production schedule. While at the studio, Grainger will also view several rccontly com- pleted features, .