Variety (Sep 1947)

Wednesday, September 17, 1947 1IOUSK REVIEWS 57 i of biz brings on 16 Roxyettes who jive around to "Christopher Colum- bus" introducing the comedians, who do some quick old timers. Frank Cook scores with a harmonica and guitar specialty as a break until the Music Hall, N. Y. Patricia Bowman, Rudolf Kroeller, aSYence Nickol, Paul Franke, S puppets, Esther Borja, Brun- ffS, M. H. Glee Club, Bal- rr M H Male Dancers, Rockettes, & 'W* Symphony Orch; "Doum to Earth'' (Col), reviewed in Variety, J«»» 30, '47- ___ Music Hall can always be counted «n for something a little .different in it* stage shows, if not in form of the nrtsentation, at least in fantastic Stry made possible by its u U- S in equipment. This time the tonoer to a live and colorful 43- minutes on stage is a curtain of Seam which gives the right bow.off fa "Mephisto" ballet. Otherwise, the show produced by I eon Leonidoff is fairly conven- tional, getting underway with a Tuban production number, following with the Rockettes, then going into the Salici Puppets and winding ap with the Patricia Bowman ballet. Finale, in which Miss Bowman is starred, is the "Walpurgis Night" ballet from Gounod's "Faust." Law- rence Nickol. bass, and Paul Franke, , . Sink iflSd^ cSTfouiw S^iv^wftra five MH. mate^ terpers, the blouse ^fuS da ««= with partners toilet troupe and, finally, also the Irom audience. ber to introduce a one chord pianist, and enough shots and body falls to wake the audience from any lethargy . , they might have. First straight piece i P«ficm Gtlmore; John & Rene « apilol, Y. Enric MadriQuera Orch (24) with Ar/laut, Luba Malina, Georpie Price, "Romance of Rosy Ridge" (M-G), reviewed in Variety, July 2, '47. Capitol got this show together n^uSK W ''i&^^wl^ has ralh< -' r hurriedly to replace the pre- cisemi the aisled'alone wifh vious entr y and > while " doesn't snides r^ and nthtr ^Llant !COme anywhere near stirring any S Edwards bS»^S:^ it provides pleasant enough My Heart" to form an effective of ck- \ f^SrEL ^L*t£°2.i2Sl «f ing for the line girls second number, *? c latter stems from the talents of a parasol roiitinl. oe ' Georgie Price, a campaigner from. t , „ , , ,, ! way back who knows what to do on Leonard Sues takes the solo spot- : a stage. Close behind him are the ^ *'. th a^M'taWJoet rendition ! vocal antics of Luba Malina. of Basin Street Blues" and "Blue i », , . , . , . , Prelude." Sues also does neat job \ , J Em,c Mad ,"f" era S ?£ cheslra *«* of playing the show, which must oe j l . he «. ^ uslc sl °* the preceding loud and yet melodic. The pitch- 1 £ rt M ° one y b and. Comprising five men are good for .repeat* 'bows | ^bon^^nd^ values. But to the audience, every act goes over terrifically. The act lineup, topped by Gene Baylos is extremely good for a nabc house and would have a good chance of going over nicely in the produc- duction wise flossier theatres. The show has balance, considerable variety and a degree of quality. Openers are Edna, and Leon, a French hand-to-hand balancing turn, which displays some fancy tricks. Song department is handled by Wynne Oberon, a flashy looking blonde, who does a series of semi- classics with a few colaratura twists, for hefty applause. Pete Ivory em- cees capably without taking a spot of his own. - Other acts are standards with the Honey Bros. (3) showing nifty aero knockabouts, while Fayne and Fos- ter, previously seen in key vauders, with their zany musical instrunrients ^tSi»fel^ »t 1-^. the usual run of booker would §ife^r^e r rS«m 10 Jo? » ™ se^SwiK l^t^lZdtA^ OfTlle her slick terping Roxyettes return SJ item whic?MW« to bring ° therK - Lc ™ aild Edlia could work and register in dance atop plastic | ™ U %it™™'n,~ C *J*^ t0 v^""F. into bagger coin once they smooth out their rough edges, while Miss Oberon needs considerable brush- ing up on projection. Jose. Million Dollar, I,. A. Los Angeles, Sept. 13. Duke Ellington Orch (17), with Al Hibbler. Johnny Hodges, Kay Davis, Al Sears, Ray Nance, Tyree Glenn; Mflntan Morelnnd uiith Haywood Jones and Martina D'Arcy; Ford & Harris, Jessye Scott; "Too Many Winners" (PRC). As is the case with acts shown in balls O&J then point out the Rockettes, for a rather exciting finis. Choreography is by Florence Rogge, of the Hall's staff, and is up to the usual standard of the house in pro- viding a gesture toward art for the masses. ., Salici Puppets, of course, provide the ultimate in marionete work with their professor at the piano and their figure lighting and puffing a cigaret. The piano biz is tops in technique and good for some extra special palm patter when the pro- fessor carefully arranges his coat- tails as he sits down to play and then pulls out a kerchief and wipes his brow after he's taken his bows. Routining of the act otherwise is not as good as when caught at the Roxy, N. Y., recently. The diva, the ball- balancing and the tumblers seemed •to be on and off too quickly to really perform at the end of their strings and there are overlong stage waits between the wirepulling acts. "Cubana" number which opens the show has Esther Boria contraltoing "Siboney," backed by the M.H. Glee • Club. Brunhilda Roque and a group of male terpers add a Cuban dance routine. Rockettes contribute a num- ber in the same accent for the usual excellent results when the 36 femmes line up across the footlights for the | gam-slinging. Costumes are the last designed for the Hall by Marco Montedoro, who died two weeks ago. They're color- ful and elaborate, without being gaudy, in keeping with the tradition of the Rockefeller institution and standard Montedoro set in his long association with the house. Herb. Olvmpia. Miami Miami, Sept. 12. Roland Twins, Elsa & Waldo, Leon Kramer, Dunfulls <3), Barney Grant, Les Rhode House Orch; "Dear Ruth" (Par). Highlight for the customers is the hoke giveaways with regular prizes after the fakes. Eddie Franklin, I tenor, does neatly on "Danny Boy' and "Blue Heaven." Znbe. Cab Jonah Apollo, X. V. Calloway Orch. <15) with Jones, Mary Louise; Berry on Patricia Gilmore (Mrs. Madri guera) who stays on too long, but otherwise does well enough. She works over "It's Delovely," "Almost Like Being In Love" and participates in "Jack, Jack, Jack." Beautifully gowned and coiffured, she makes a pretty picture.. Beyond that opening set, Madri- guera gets his innings between acts. He does one bit which puts forth the various Latin tempi, another on "Feets Too Big for De Bed," which leads into a "Feudin' and Fightin'" rendition, inserting an unnamed vo cal group into several. It's all plea- Bros. (2), Stump & Stumpy, Count & sant listening and enhanced by a Countess Leroy; "Spoilers of the < smartly dressed band and stage set- North {Col). Ming Dy producer Allen Zee. First of the acts is the standard Apollo looks set for a bullish week i turn of John and Rene Arnaut, Though not as well balanced as bills which have played here in re- cent weeks and lacking names, cur- rent stanza plays evenly to rack up solid returns in most spots. Accent is on song and dance most of the way. The Dunhills rate a better spot than the teeoff slot as- signed them. Trios tap-trickery :s smoothly handled, with the precision work standout. Local fave Leon Kramer, side- lined by stage accident for 12 years, returns with a neatly blended song stint that reaffirms impresh made at recent Copacabana engagement that hes retained his slick tenor. Offers Sweet Mystery of Life," "One Alone" and "Eili Eili." Tops with switch to little girl character that winds stint for sock bowoff. Elsa and Waldo contrib a sesh of comedy terping that goes well, though duo tend to stay on too long. Highlight is their controlled ball- roomology satirization. Comedy spot is held by Barney Want, a switch from the fast patter comics usually installed here. Corn- filled sesh gets fair laugh returns. . Roland Twins are much improved since last time around. Lads do neatly on "Glocca Morra," "Whiffen on draught of Cab Calloway's or chestra. Maestro and sidemen give out with the lively arrangements and vocals that have long been standard with the combo and par- ticularly delectable to audiences at this house. This trip is no excep- tion. Musickers, comprising four rhythm, five saxes, three trumpets and three trombones, carry major burden of the 60-minute show. They teeoff with sizzling arrangement of "Sum- mertime" and for change of pace segue into ballad, "She's Funny That Way," with Calloway pepping up the vocal. Jonah Jones, saxist, also chimes in for some hot licks. Calloway then brings on Count and Countess Leroy. Male does whose bird routine goes over big Since only the two men are working the act now, it's a good deal briefer than it once was, but that doesn't lessen the laugh possibilities. They go through the trick-fiddling bit that is also standard with them in short order and then go right into the bird bit. Incidentally, some- thing should be worked out to fill the void between the two routines, while each separately step back- stage lo don the props that go with the main event Right now the changeover is badly executed. Miss Malina does a fine job Duke Ellington and his orchestra are generating class stage show at the Million Dollar this week. Aurii- enjbe at opening show received an extra dividend of Ellington music when band filled in spot left vacant by Ford & Harris after act's plane was late arriving. Team caught up with later shows. Kickoff tune was "How High the Moon," and the dividend that fol- lowed was "The Mooch" and "Jam Edition." Trio pleased mightily. Also selling strongly were "Day Dreams," soloing Johnny Hodges' fine alto sax: Ellington's piano solo, "Happy Go Lucky Local." wordless vocalling of "Minnehaha" by Kay Davis and tenor sax workout by Al Sears on "Hiawatha." Ray Nance, trumpet, does vocal and dance com- Hipp, Hallo Baltimore, Sept. 16. Johnny Desmond, Coley Worth «2), Jordan & Parv'ts, Joe Loinbardi House Orch (14) with Melvin See- bode; "Down to Earth" (Col). Brief layout spotted with h.o. of film ("Down to Earth") packs suffi- cient entertainment to make a pleas- ing package. Joe Lombardi and house orch have been brought up on stage and allotted slot for a medley of Cole Porter and Hoagy Car- michael ditties. Lombardi gives it plenty of showmanfy treatment, and vocal interludes by Melvin Seebode. Jordan. &. Parvis, mixed duo, fol- low with smart hoofery. Coley Worth and his femme partner con- trib hokey comedy good for plenty laughs and hearty bowoff. Johnny Desmond in closing spot comes on to nice reception. Young- sters gives out with smooth arrange- ments of "Juke Box," a novelty an- nounced as an original: a medley of "My Desire," "Mam'selle" and "That's Why I Love You," "Guilty" and "Black Magic." Bnrni. Skating Vanities of 1948 Montreal, Sept. 11. Sixth edillon ot roller ukatint," e.vliava- gunatl in two note and 20 * JB-Wies. Fea- tures tlloria Nord,-Minkey Meelwin. Kil**'n McOonneill, Melva AloitMiu, KuMty May, The Three Craddookn. The Kudclls, Hilly l.ee, Frank Foster. Buddy Swan. T<my MirrelH, Itme Piccolo, Lillian Sihroi-der. Terry Taylor, l>onnic Davidson, Jay Loader, Bob Jlitz, Sis MlieHer. 1-arry Fox, llruc* Twwlo. Ixm Hail, Jim ..Kush. Hod (Jrimes, DouKlaii Kreniser, Win. Martin, Jr., Bill Waldren, Tex Bill**. OeoiKe (Vtro. <Hdria Siircl, Helen' Howard, Laurie Bell. Glory Jonnson. Jean O'ileum. Norma llehrmuii. Dot Glazier, l,ine Ct:i Kirts, and V.I boys)*, production under the -.supervision of tieoree X>. Tyson; staged by Russell Mai'kert; costumes. Nat Karson; imisleal director. Benjamin' Scnwartle. At the Forum, Montreal, Sept. 4 ,t, '47; $^.5(1 top. some nifty dance routines on skates every lyric for all it . s W o rth and had atop miniature table, while femme ! partner in brief costume gyrates through an oriental routine to gar- ner nice returns. Mary Louise, band vocalist, gives out with sultry ver- sions of "My Desire" and "I Want to Be Loved" to fair reception, giv- ing way to the Berry brothers, whose expert and spectacular hoof- ing, grabs the heaviest returns so far in the session. Lads have imagina- tive routines and practically knock themselves out to please. Calloway follows with his "Minnie. Draping a classy chasis in form-fit- edy on "Squeeze Me" for nice re ting black, she does a routine of " songs that may be described as a modified Betty Hutton. She mugs difficulty getting off on this show Some of her material could be called questionable for theatres by some- one else's performance, but the way- she does it takes any putesifcla stint: from it. Initial number is "There Must Be Someone For Me," which is a bit too long, a Russian item, etc.. Topper is "When I Auditioned For the Harem of the Shah." |lt gets her off big. Georgie Price plays Broadway sporadically. But he sponse. Tyree Glenn rated same type of return with vibraphone solo on"Melancholy Baby." That's a lot of music to crowd into presentation but when it's done in the superior Ellington manner the response is great. Al Hibbler, blind vocalist, clicks with "Little Brown Book," "Summer Time," "Shouldn't Happen to a Dream" and "It's Mon- day Every Day." Coming on late after an hour of Ellington music were Mantpn More- land and his new partners, Haywood Jones and Martina D'Arcy. Trio had to beg off at show caught after solid delivery of comedy, dance and song. Moreland's comedy and appearance sells big and new partners, who re comedy which adds up for sock ap plause. Edba. RKO, Huston Boston. Sept. 12. Ted Wecms Orch, with Bob Ed- wards, Shirley Edwards, Billy Blair; The Colstons, Glen West, Tim Her- bert, iKiss o] Death"' (20th). . N.s.g. was Jessye Scott, singing "Augie Is a Natural Man" and "Boogily-Woogily Pig." She gets by on piping but lacks rhythm in ferp work. Brog. vaudfilmers the Moocher " with m^taonvZi' ! ---o^ a j° b that'unquestionably labels ine Moocner, with maestro on vocal, ihiehlv exnerienced oer- se "- s D1 6 ana new partners, wno re- fer audience participation stunt. ™™ er Here his alt after ^is P-a«d late Ben Carter, also pleased Follow with another sol d number. L.i, „' ■ %• IXr r u- i "-- — T "I've Got a Gal Named NettiV" Bye Bye Blackbird "theme (which, wWch really sends them. Band's I ""--dentally,. he shouldn't apologize arrangements are solid all the way | for ^ b y expiring that it's his theme They're particularly a push-over and & couldn't go on without do- with this audience. ,n S ' u . consists of mimicry - and 4 Stump & Stumpy, ma.e hoofing ! «gg ^ & *. ^TrTlheTinS ccStr^slepting 3 in W 4 h spe 1 r i ^ Ur wi, < n d&E£?hi^elV^cTat^n Zfc.hMS*,Mv™!,-l« subjects of his apings and the j events leading up to the develop- ; ment of some of their styles. True ' or false, it's good stuff. | Price tees off with a takeoff on l Jolson doing "April Showers," then | one of Jessel with "My Mother's Arms." another of Eddie Cantor, j George M. Cohan. All are excellent; j he has their mannerisms down pat. j Sandwiched in between is a rendi- . | tion of "Carolina In the Morning." The new Ted Weems band, hypoed » *>" S^s response. Wood, sock disc sale of "Heart •IcffrrMOM. !¥. V. by the aches," made its debut here this week and while it doesn't drag in _ Bavlos Favne f Foster the biz (school's in session, for one H 5ili Rrof h) & Leo« qu\eferveTn. S " P ' ^ ^ ! K« Ob^n, Pete lid Gold •Tapilol. Wash. Washington, Sept. 12. John Calvert's "Magic and Models Shew" (12), Sam Jack Kaujman's House Orch with Kay de Witt; "Great Waltz" (M-G). With a casf of some 100 performers again headed by Gloria Nord and Mickey Meehan, the "1948 Skating Vanities" tries to get away from stereotyped formula. Gone are the big ensembles of oilier editions, the speed marathon wheel which al- ways made audiences gasp. In their place, of Course, are new en- sembles staged by Russell Markert In true Rockettes style he has .staged an effective "Grand Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and- a "Minstrel Days" Finale. But in between these two displays, one being at the .start of the show and the other at the end, Markert has failed to compose any ensemble of superior or r-xtraordinary value. The "Silver and Gold" number is fair and only achieves audience satisfaction be- cause of smart, costumes of Nat Kar- son and Gloria Nord's performance. The "Braziliana" number, closing the first part of the show, is put over by phosphorescent costumes, Melva Moreno's lively jumping and Billy Lee's excellent samba rhythms I on skates. The second pai l of show starts with a very poor "Frankie and Johnny" barroom affair while the "Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody" en- semble is actually a Jot of lost time while waiting for another brilliant Nord display.. Markert and his pro- ducers here forgot to give any em- phasis to their production, limiting entrances to single skaters, each one making the huge stage look too empty. Even though the girls are nice and the costumes interesting, they prove, singularly and in turn, that it takes indeed a star of Miss Nord's quality to fill and take over, alone, such a big square ot roller skating space. Markert's personal art comes out much better with "In A ensemble, where John Calvert's magic show is a dressy affair with nice looking gals I Modern Mood for background and a considerable skating choreography and costumes variety of tricks, but never seems to reach its full potentiality. One trouble probably is that Calvert works with an off-hand casualness which loses the buildup given tricks by other magicians. Particularly in ihe early stages of the 45-rhinute act. there is a "so what?" feeling about several of the numbers. He really clicks twice during the neter vein. ..... Orch t6>- "Dear Ruth" (Par) "Dark performance—once with the audi Weems m.c.'s easily, mtroing a big Xsion" (MGM) ence narticioation hvonotism stunt list of vocalists, instrumentalists and acts in a comfortable manner. Band, not heard any too much on its own. Poof Song" and a special "Battle of does "In a Little Spanish Town." and theBaritenes" SfTto nice response " I Wo "der Who's Kissing Her Now." Les Rhode house orch turns in usual good job. Lary. Oriental, CM Chicago, Sept. 11. Utsen & Johnson. Revue" with the plchuien. Gloria Gilbert, June Johnson, Billy Young, Sha»i?ion bean, Michael Edwards, J. C. Johnson, f'raiifc Cook, Eddie Franklin, Shorty Kenna, Leonard Sues and. Orch. Roxyettes (16); "The Trespasser" <Rep). For the first time in many years the RKO circuit has allotted a full week of vaudeville in New York. ence participation hypnotism stunt; and the second time with his well known finale in which he works Some horror into the act, apparently sawing the head off a youth from :socko. bring hefty salvos. If "Vanities" are not as stron? as in other years in big production numbers, it is okay in specially numbers. The eight "Sleek Gentle- men." all in top hat and tails and all magicians, contrib a very smart stunt which scores heavily with the crowds. "Three Craddocks, ex- traordinary European acrobats, and the three Rudelis, both acts being the only ones in the show who do not perform on skates, are popular new additions. For laughs the Bowery Belles" number is also the audience and then appearing in an ape mask while he carries the "head" out lo the orchestra. The audience participation, which nine men are coaxed up on the stage by the pretty gals, fea- tures such things as hypnotizing a Coys," etc., i Olsen & Johnson have been busy and Elmo Ta for the last few vears in legit thea tres and nightclubs, are back to vaudeville,' with zany, entertaining package. Comics do everything in the book and the packed house at- tests to the fact that good old bur- lesque routines, refurbished a bit, still bring on the belly laugh. Snow, which runs almost an hour nnd a half, starts off as noisy as and sounds good if a little on the The circuit, which at one time ran mellow side. The rest is largely ' the Palace during vaude's golden background for vocalists, etc. ! era, has renovated the Jefferson Bob Edwards leads off with "The ! theatre in the heart of the Union Night Is Young," "Mickey" and "Peg : Square shopping district, and last 0' My Heart," getting a nice re- j week installed vaudeville on a split sponse, and other band personalities ! week basis .with three changes of clicking pretty generally are Glen shows weekly. Despite that, it's not West with a comedy guitar specialty ■ abandoning the double-feature policy offering "A-Huggin' and A-Chalkin' " i under which the house operated suc- and "Cecelia"; Shirley Richards do- ' cessfully for many years, ing "Do It the Hard Way" and ThaWl However, instead of making the Man of Mine Has Went"; Billy Blair ' Jefferson a showcase where acts ^ on the bass in "The Martins and the I could be shown to advantage, the > j n a j n a floating silver sphere which aspects, 'n a comedy specialty, operation is along the tired nabe 1 Calvert tosses around the stage and inner whistling "Nola" . lines. .It's a pity too, inasmuch as which always comes back to him. But the show still wins most of its laurels via technique of its stars, IMiss Nord, Mickey. Meehan and in blonde Eileen McDonnell. To a reviewer "Vanities" may not seem as consistent, in its ensembles, as in other years. It is, however, subject so that he cannot release his] still socko in solos and variety num- hand from the floor. Calvert also bers. As far as audience reaction is claps his hand sharply and subjects I concerned, it remains one of the have their feet skid under them and j best skating extrtvaganzas around, fall to the stage floor. land at times even more fascinating Other routines include a levitation j than its rivafice skating shows be- ad in which a gal apparently floats j cause of the more difficult technical Marc. Sv/ann Into Glass Hat Glass Hat of the Belmont Plaza which always and "Stardust." "Heartaches"' is I the difference of only a compara- ] the trick of Ipai ing up m-.i^yine given a play in the routine, which • lively small sum would make the | pa^es and pulling "them together includes possibly too many musical • Jcflerson an ace house. again to make a complete page, a numbers, but the audience stays] The only blgtime concept is con- | -rhapsody in smoke." the trick of : hotel. N.Y., is set to resume its fall with it. i tamed in the booking, where talent- j having lighted cigarettes appear one land winter policy next week when Vaude specialties are standard, j setter Dave Stern has sought out j alter another. in..™,, rnmpriv n, al >i™ -,nd Tim Herbert does nicely in eccentric some good acts. The letdown is m The honV orchestra comes up with j ,.,fr Tavlnr i!n«T n rV^ n ?Ebv dancing; the Glenns, two boys and j the presentation. Lighting and a new singer. Kay de Witt who \ J "™ TayIor " ne ope " s Thursday femme. excellent in aero stuff with : orchestral backing are third rale, shows considerable promise and up- ?.. ' ■ • . ., „, ., some sock lifts, and the Colstons in] The bookers and agents here to ptars likely to go places with her ' J - ,ulln R winter months, he Glass Possible with frantic testing of mikes la burlesque on ballroom styles win j gander acts will still have lo use ' «mno1h' presentation of" popular " at »*» names occasionally, along a great orchestral production num- I good applause. Elie. I imagination to be able to gauge , numbers. Loire. I with production numbers.