Variety (Dec 1947)

W«!Jiie»J»y*.P<wMaMli«r 10, 1947 6S New Acts i's II considerable FBANKIE lAlNE Sonn is MIM. boxolflce, it's safe to presume iSaf ri-oon and swoon will provide ^ integral part oi the entertain^ «pnt scene. The latest singer to Jatch popular imagination is Frankie T^ine who clicked origmally on Wtercury records and thoroughly es- • tflblished himself boxoffice-wise with the waxing ot "That's My De- rire" Although a. comparative stranger to theatre audiences, he s heen potent enough t6 drag out $7,- MO from one week in a vaude house on a percentage arrangement. His first date at the Parauount is at hm, and speaking solely from the Viewpoint of the Par's counting of- fice, very welt worth it. =-»' At this stage of Laine's career it would seem that his toehold on the "oublic would depend upon his abil- ity, to produce click records. With the wax ban effective at the end of this month that's likely to pose a considerable problem, liaine is one of the more ener- fetic members of the singing crop, [e's out there punchinp. making with the gestures and stomping his 'feet so that he's got visual interest as well. He rides his melody, giving an occasional glissando for the juve trade to get the desired audience Te-- ■ - turns.-."; • • ■ ■■ • ' ■ ■ At the current point of the game, Laine is regarded as a "freak" at- traction. He's nott a handsome gent, he (ioesn% look helpless. But he can dog witlsi. Freudian ^indertones. Vmt enough. . Jofe. FOVB TUNES •. HWmony Sinfinv MMim. _ Apollo,-Nf Y. This colored quartet was formerly known as the Brown Dots, when jDeke Watson dropped out several months ago the boys picked up a : new member, as well as a new moniker. While the Four Tunes vo-. cfilizing is largely in the same idiom u the Mills Bros., Charioteer^, etc., it's . done well with good timing. Unitis a good bet for vauders such as the Apollo and warrants book' uun in the cafe time. Boys are neatly . garbed^ in white suits. They do some five numbers here with only a guitar as accom- paniment. Nevertheless, they're not lacking' in rhythm as' evidenced by aieir sock piping of ''1 Understand", and "Just in Case You Change Your Mind." Guitarist usually handles the melody while his mates back Mm up. with nijEty throat eCCecte. BOV DAVIS """^ Senfi-Imprewions « Him. teon * Eddie's, N. T. "Best features of Roy Davis' work •re .hi{9 impressions of various radio I iingers^and by some strange coin' (idence, he resembles a composite of them all from Crosby and Vallee to Dick Powell. He's got an infec- tious personality, a neat flair for comedy and demonstrates in his short solo spot that he rates more lectured billing than his combo^ emcee-singing turn here. His comedy is slightly better than his sonas and the teeofE number, "Don't Know What You're Getting Anymore," is a little too cute. Take- off on Eddie 'Cantor is the best of his impressioi^s,' although he also .ages a standout job on the Ink Spots. WkK a little^, "more experience, he s,hould do okay ip similar nitery or Vaude dates. stal. ROBERT MAXWELL H»rpist 15 Mlns. Chicaso theatre, Chi Robert Maxwell's polished harp- plucking came to light several ye^rs ago in Rudy Vallee's Coast Guard band. In his flrst major assignment he was heard but not seen, dubbing for Harpo Marx on Liszt's "Second Hungarian Rhapsody" in the film* "Night at Casablanca." In recent months he's worked niteries. He's okay mostly for the cafes though a click, too, in theatres. His repertoire ranges from clas- sics and standards to novelties and pops. Using "Mamselle" and "Honeysuckle Rose" as teeoffs, he follows with fast "Old Man River," then to "Who" and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes." Strips of paper in- serted between strings give a hill- billy twang to "Feudin' & Fightin'." For windup he |)uts elaborate aunches on the Liszt rhapsody. Harpingi pointed up by workman- like flourishes and surgical preci- sion, hit home with the house.: Man- ner was relaxed and personable. Baxt. D RKO Rushes PIx continued from page 1 i MARIAN MANNERS Songs Mins. Leon & Eddie's, N. Y, Marian Manners has played sev- eral vaude and nitery dates on the Coast but this is her first appear- ance in New York. She demon-, strates via her polished perform- ance, something not usually found among the newcomers «t Leon & Eddie's, that she's had considerable experience. Her medium-pitched voice is well-modulated, although she can turn on the volume when she wants. She'd do best to play down the swing numbers and concentrate on torchies, on which she does a much better job. Her teeofE on ''Wild About Harry^' misses through her inability to put over a jump num- ber but she does a fine job on "Wish Didn't Love You So." Closing tune, "Emerald Isle Is Jumping," is okay desiiite its swine beat, perhaps because it's a • novelty and offers little for comparison to other sing- Miss Manners is a tall, attractive brunet, olcay for niteries and sood for radio. fiftol. Wally dean Maciciari « MWi. I^epn St Eddie'*, N. Y. It seems hardly possible that Jitery magician could ofter any -thing new but Wally Dean turns the trick. After running through his act, he encores by bringing out a W'jrionette, togged to resemble him, •JflfUts the puppet through severe! M the same magic tricks that he " performed earlier. Dean started slowly the night eaught (3) because of obvious nervousness and use of the antiquat- •0 cigaret-appearing trick. Once he jwung into his manipulation feats, though, he was okay. Patter is fair ?1. ,"n?«ted to the bare necessities, W'-ich is good. Novel trick With the oummy rabbit is neatly done and tne marionette turn more than dem onstrates his versatility. Stnt IMREE POMS Danolnir 8 Mlns" Apollo, N. Y. i jRoutineg of dusky femme trio are « ,"1. "»eans original but the gals pack their work with plenty of en- ergy. Open as a unit in some fast . jerpmg. Two of the femmes; dressed jn male suits, drop out, leaving the roird to contrib some aero stuff. She scores with somersaults, etc., inter- spersed with splits. In contrast to ^ her mates, she's attired in white With a short skirt. *^oir the finale, group reforms to step in unison. With more experi- fhoe and further polish the Poms snpuld be ready for most niteries until Monday (8) night. (Fight film is reviewed below.) NBC, which did the live telecast directly from the Garden, took th^ opportunity to use the Zoomar lens for the first time in covering a fight. Lens was used to furnish closein shots of the boxers between rounds and of the knockdowns. , Fully aware of the strong demand of patrons in the sticks to see the fight, RKO has boosted its rental terms this year to an aU-time high. Some small town exhibs have been asked as much as $200 for the two reeler. RKO reportedly worked at super- speed because of the looming menace of video. With a l9-man, camera crew from RKO-Pathe at the ring- side, each roll of film was rushed to the processing labs as soon as it came out of the camera. Labs worked all night Friday and the pictures hit the screen of all RKO theatres in N. Y. and the Trans-Lux newsreel chain by noon Saturday. Films were flown to Chicago for screening Saturday night, and Los Angeles and San Francisco had them Sunday. Because of the controversy over the split decision on the fight, RKO hopes to do more business with the pictures this year than ever before. RKO shorts salesmanager Harry Michalson predicted at least 8,000 booIciDtgs 1)efote Feb.: 1. ' Pathe has turned out more than .600 prints so far of the two-reeler atid the labs are; still working : at. top ipeed to meet the demand. Business engendered by interest in the fight was apparent Sunday morning on Broadway,, when the Trans-Lux house on the street had a line two-deep stretching almost a block. Theatre neighbors- most of the big Broadway showcase houses. RKO Palace, only other theatre on Broadway currently running the fight films, expects to add |6,000 to its boxoffice take this week alone, : Varietir Oills WEEK OF DECEMBER 10 NumefAlf la connection with bills below. Indicate openlna da; of ttaow whether full or split wiieh Letter In parentlieaet Indicate* clrcnlt) (I) IndeDendeott (1.) Loewi (P). PMamoimt; (R) RKO; (W) WaWer JiKW YORK CMY Capitol. (I:) 10 Paul Whiteman O Marilyn Ma,xweU .Gene Sheldon: Ben Beil MiihIc Hnll (I) 11 Lucile Cumminsfs JlyrtiU & Pacaud Acromaniaca Gaudsnuth Bros Rockeltefs Corps (le Ballet ■ Syin Ore i>arttmonnt ,<P) 10- Ray McKtnley Bd ITrankle Tjalne Billy DeWblte. Clai'k iBi'oa Koxy (I) 11 Oonnee Bpswell Piiui Gevrits J & A DiGatano ipftchnien Strand (W) 10 Charlie Barnett O Bunny Brings. Ada Lynne O Marie & Lee Stat* (I.) 11 Dewey. .Sis Jiiyne Walton B'ranl.tief Canviile Fra.ncls Craig ,1 ivme.s Barton Landa & Holland BRONX WinclfiOT (I) n-U I.ily Ann Carol Catron Bros Edward Sis Abdallah Girls Jackie Bandall BROOKLYN Flatbniih (I) li-U Brookina &'Van . The Kossllianos:. Marty .Barrett liiriain Gwlnne ■Stagg McMann 3 Jamaica (I) 10-18 Howell & Bqwser - Oriental (I) U li Prima Show COIiVMBUS Palace (R) lS-17 .Tlmmjr Dorsey Ore Will Mastln a (two to fill) HARTFORD State (I) 12-11 Doctor Neft Show Rusa Morgan Ore MIAMI .... Olympla (P> 10 . Cathalls Mack &. .Desmond Aunt Jemima Ijsrry Daniels Coco Stove &.Ktldje NEWARK Adams (1) tl Buddy Rich Ore Vic Damone R & M Clu'nevale Pau^l Winchell OMAHA i'uramount <P) 11 Fred Ingle Ore Gil Mason I-Taydocks Joey Bardin PATERSON Majeiitio (1)^ 11-14 wlnt'on & .Diane Harry Steften Grace Johnston lilddle Lambert Co Gautler's Brlckl.'y's 15-17 Derby .Wilson The Slsyriders Tuck DeLeon J & C Brick (one to mi) i>ini.Api:T.PBi \ Carman (1) 11 Boh Hopkins Atas a gld Stone Co Tanner'& Betty PROVIDENCE Capitol (I) 11-M ? Fontaines . Stev.» Murray RITA LOPEZ Dance ... MIn*. Leon * Eddie's, N. T. From her appearance, .Rita Lopez might be another Latin from Man- hattan. She still has enough of an exotic quality about her, though, to qualify her for the use of the billing. A tall, attractive brunet, with a lissome figure, she's making her first New York cafe appearance at Leon & .Eddie's. Her dance routines are okay but nothing out of the, ordinary. Chief fault is her tendency to overdrama^ tize via facial expressions and arm and hand movements for her num- bers, several of which require nothing of the sort for best results. She opens; in a novel way by dis- tributing gifts, such as a flower from Ber hair and a garter from her gam, to male ringsiders and then seques into a beguine. Samba number is slightly better, since- she puts more emphasis on her terps andless on her dramatics. Stah MAYO BROS. (2) Dancer* 6 Mlns. Leon Sc Eddie's, N. Y. T-hese two boys are definitely comers. Nice-looking, clean-cul lads, their terping is standout and should get them going fast on the road up. They're introed by the' line here as part of ail Indian war dance and then segue into their own routines. Much of this consists of highly-intricate and seldom-seen steps, done for the most part on a small platform. They've got the usual .slides and fancy splits but even these are done in topdrawer style. , • They could Improve their act by toning down the comedy. Their dancing is good enough to stand on its own and their attempt at humor is n.s.g. anyway. Even with the at- tempted comedy, though, they're standout. Stal. NOttMAN JENSEN Marlcian 1« Mini. Glass Hat, N. Y. Norman Jensen is a neat-appear ingi youthful magician whose pro jection and polish would suggest he's been around the vaude and saloon circuits, but has escaped Vameiy's New Acts files He does standard magic; such as the handerkerehief baffler, disap- pearing glass of miik and vanishing blocks. Instead of p 1 a y i n g them straight he interlards the tricks by fitting each stunt to a Hollywood personality presumably doing pasr lor tricks. His voice impreshes of Gable, Colman, etc., are more than ordinarily authentic, with the Dur- ante takeoflf the topper, . Lad's equally adept on mimicry and magic stuff, and should have no trouble duplicating reception ac- Pix Decide the Wlnnah Controversy over who won the Louis-Walcott fight can be partially settled, at least, by the excellent slow motion shots. Pictures show with unmistakable clarity that Wal- cott, with the exception of the two times he knbcked .Louis to the can- vas, took just as much punishment as he, dished out. In the close-in body fighting, in fact, Walcott at .several points got by far the worst end of the battering, meaning the decision favoring Louis was prob- ably fair. (Jack Pulaski's Television review on page 30 however, indicates the video viewers gaVe it to Walcott.) Pictures, running 18 miqutes, rep- resentf as good a job as Pathe has ever done on a heavyweight cham- pionship bout. Full-screen closeup keeps the fighters at all times prac- tically in the audience's lap and there are some fine views of the boxers' facial contortions. Because of the controversy, exec producer Jay Bonafield wisely refrained from adding any kind of commentary to the film. Only sound, consequently, is the crowd noise and ring an nouncer Harry Balogh's grandilo quent introes. "As a result, the audi ence is given a chance to decide the winner for itself. With most of the fight having been a dullish affair, in which Louis chased Walcott around the ring,. Pathe has condensed* it as far as possible. Film shows snatches of each round, but tsoncentrates only on the .highlights. Excellent view on a large theatre screen, incident- ally, proves much better than any- thing that can currently be offered by television. Because the fight's outcome is already known, however, the audience, watching the film will not feel the same excitement as did those people who watched the fight as it happened on video. Pathe used its biggest camera crew in history for this, with 19 men working under the direction of Larry O'Riley. Six cameras in- cluded two slow-motion jobs, tvfro sound-on-film and two portable Eyemos. StaX. JAMES bahton BBABUNIKfl LOEWS STATE, H*w York WMBK BBCi tX rtlt. HKt.; AIj H^ILSON EDOie SMITH AtttNCY MOl 'Broadway ■ New Wrk « BelaireK (seven to *ll) BALTIMOBB Hippodrome (I) 11 Harmonicata Bob Berry Stroud Twins Curry. Byrft & LeRoy , . . ' Rcsal <I) 1« Cal) Calloway Ore Berry Bros ' Stump & Stumpy (two to fill) State (l> U-IS The Deimars ... Put Valley Sliaron Pevrles Gonzales Sis' 14-14 Stuart Sis Gloria French Paul Brilliitnt The Vespers ■ BOSTON BONton . (R) 11 Tommy Dorsey Or Prof Bacliwards Emerald - Sis TAMDEN - Towers (I> n-U B & M Gates Olive White. The Lureyii Keis Bros . J ■& C Briok ' CHICAGO CliieaRO (P) 1* Delta Rhythm Boys Robert Maxwell VaX HennlOB ■ The Colstone Oou- Henry a . Paul • Gary (One to All) RBAniNa Rajah (I) 1«-13 Csstie Sis bew Nelson > Geo M Cohan Jr C North & Maroia WHlie. West * : '■'McGlnty ■. , ROCKFORB Palace (I) II Footll«ht Parade' Eftrloary Coast Boy». Ncfncy Belle : Clavton & Phillips AttiaKine Si(xoi|i Oaudilld Sis •SAK FRANCISCO noiden (])at« (R) 10 Marie McDonald QUI Robinson Larrjr BlaJc^ ' Morrell 3 ^tvart & Ida /SPRtXCiraBT.B Court ISq <I) 11-11 The riightoAvSrs 3 .B(!rtB , GeorKe Guest B*M Brown . Tl>o Heddinglons Flnkus & Foster WASHINGTON Capitol (I.) 11 Machls Duo J^ian* Courtney "asic C«rt» l^aVold 'ifc "tola. BRITAIN CHISWIOK JSmplre (I) S \]t\VltB Hamilton & Vafisi Gale *. Barker Uuffh Diamond ColllEon A Breen Dynamos Rex Kamer LEICBSTBR Palace (I) * Zulder Zee Tllacarl Dutch .Serenaders Pf lino's Circus O Morris & .T Morccombe Cbow Dins Oen Williams Dorfkester Ijovelles Jack Qlenrose MANCHES'J'BR HippodrOiiie (I) t Borrah Minevltch Harmonica Rascals .lohnny Puleo RAM T^atnar Delya Beottmy Warner Barr Co Nev;man Twins Marie Wilson SHEP^RRBS BirSH Kmplre (I) S Cyril Fletcher Maurice Colleano . T & B Andrews Elsie Bower Bill Waddington Lindsay Colleano UacDodald d> : tSlraham Red Fred & Rosa wooB oRcneiN Kmplre .(I) 8 Icnorance Is Bllsf Alys Jam & Jill Madrigal Terry HaU lioi yelentoa Bonne Conn -Jimmy Rolbblna £1 Chlcip F Del Monte Victoria Baroelo Ilita Sr. Rozino I4OB Punchos (irecuwicli VM. Inn Jean Parker Herera Neu Matvcy Ore Sonny Roberts O Harem Jack Colo Dcrs Myron Cohen Prances Faye Eitsa Jayne J6hn- Billot: Paul Remos Mack TKtpleis Lee Bartel-. Nevada Smith Fausto Curbello O Art Roman O Hotel Ii]dison Tommy Reed Ore No 1 Fifth Ave Phyllis Grey Wilson & Hoaiey Huiiel Webster Downey & F^onviile Hiehlights Belmont-PIaza Homo Vincent .Ton I^uren^s Taylor tilne Caatillanos Ore Eddie Stone Oro Hotel Biltmore Lanny Ross Pat Whitney Hark David Sonny Weldon O Stephen Kisley O Hotel Commodore Stan Kenton Ore Hotel Lexington Alomas. Hawailana . Hotel New. Yorker Sammy Kaye. Ore Hotel Pennsylvania Chas Spivak Ore Hotel Pierre Landre & Verna Chas Readev Ore Gr Ray Terrell Van .Smith Ore Hotel Plazs Phil Regan ' Joel Herroti. Oro Hotel Roosevelt Guy Lombardo Q Hotel St Horlt* Bdo Lublcli Ore Hotel St Revil , Raye tt, I^aldi Nype &. Cote Bvalyn Tyner Andre Andre* A '.Bonnie • Laszlo & Peplto Ted. Strneter Ore J Ounrnerl 3 • Jlotel Taft Vincent Lopez Ore Charlie Brew . Havana-MndrM . Noro .Mornles Oro .Toatiuin Garay .v - Cordiiy St Triano Saoa.sas Oro ' ' Iceland Lynn AWsoq i Tiny ClarlE Lou Alenschel' Martin Line Bllmpy Blaqlc' Or9 , La Mnrtlniqne Miguelito Vaidea Ralph Font Oro T & P RodM<Hie» Maria Del Ray Leon & Rddle'a Eddie ISavis Art: Waner Gro Mayo Bros Marion Itanherg Roy Davis Rita Lopez Wally Dean Shepard: Lino Old Ronninnloa .Sadie Banks .Toey Dean . Joe LaPorte Oro D'AdUila Oro Jilssex House . Brwin Kent' Oro Latin Quarter Ha^rvey Stone Campagnons Georgie Tapps Smith Sis Patricia Adair C & T Vttidez Gueneth Omeroji Bon Vivants Vincent Travere Q Riviera Billy Vine Jan Bart Domar & Denise. Botty .Tano Smith: Tony Bavaar Catalino Ore Rubau Bleu Soni.x Cortls. Connie .Sawyer .Tean Palmer Nermann. X'aria I Wally Blacker Splvy's Spivy Shiela Barrett Versaillce Dunninger Bob Grant Ore PanchitO' Ore Village Barn Piute Pete Tonl Palmer Moore Sis MacArtiiura Ranch Ore Village . Vnnsatira Irwin Corey Leo Wiley Max Kamlnsky t Don Frye . .Waldorf-Aetoria Be. Marcos Uat' Brandwynn* O Mlsha Borr Ore Wlvel Bob Lee . ,Kay Carole Brynne. Lorojr Jnnle Scott Danny White . Zimmerman'* Janczt Makula . Ksiga Bela Paulens. Doris Hnywood Gene :Kal'4o> O. CKICAOQ . Blackliawk : Phil .Levant ■ ' . Boy Olsen ' . > Howard Brooks .Shirley White- . T & J Hahone.v Cliez Farce Marty Gttiiid. Or* Paul, Braper Martin & Lewla Don Chlesta Ore Chez Adorables (10) Jean Darlln* Hotel Blncbstone Ray Morton Ore Hotel Bismarlt ' Fred Harris, .Donna & . Annette '' . '. Rudenko -Bros - (2> Benno .Deison .0 The Stewarts (4) Helsing* George Gobel ■ .i Bill Chandler Oro Mary F. KiUcaid Jack Burtell H Edgewatcr Beacli George Olsen Oro Cardihi . ■ ••■ Paul Haakon Marittll Fedele ^ang .Stylists <4) B Hlia l^aner^ (12) Hotel SlieruM Leer Biamtond Mol Torme . Marty Hogan .Tose Melis Ore Jeanne Wllllanir Carl Marx. Latin Qoarter Lenny Kent ; ■ I^tin Lovelies (1S.> Buddy Shaw Ore/ : vaiida Snow Dtfk Hyde Viima Sherry ; . . Palmer Houae OrifC Williams Ore Florenoe Beiimond Artino St «oun8tteI« Bay Malone . Howard Be ooui;cy Hotel-Stevss* ' Orln Tucker Oro Prof Lambevil Marcelia GoUld K & J Slack Scotee Marsh ^. Sensationallsto (t) Boulevar-dearS'' ^ Cabarel I *Best Years' 1 SS^Si Continued from pate 1 sSSSsil pix. Broadcast also informed th* home-front Reds that some of. Hol- ly wood's" stars are demanding th* death penalty for the "progressive'* 'actors... ,■■:.■,■ Broadcast said in part: "Hollywood is now ^ feverishly working on the production of « se- ries of anti-Soviet films, designed to slander the Soviet Union. • Th« premiere of the widely advertised. American film, 'The Best Years of Our Lives,' was recently staged in Paris. In the film these years we.ra wartime years. The heroes of'th» NEW YOEK CITY and vaude houses that feature corded here in intimate boites or "wns similar to theirs. . ' vawders. *•«'"»■ Bagatelle Dorothy Boss Blue Angel Amanda r^alne Kaye Ballard Pearl Bailey .ray Marshall Hal Cooke , Ellis Larkin t Carnival George .TesKCi BIsa & Waldo Theatre's Poll on Fight San Francisco, Dec. S. Poll is being talcen by the Golden Gate here in conjunction with show- ing of Louis-Walcott fight pictures, to determine who they think actually j "ubi'MaUna won. Vote thus far is two-to-ohe in 1 ,^S^^„'Yrwin'""" favor of Walcott. Ohas Blackman Or San Francisco Chronicle sports c»fe ^ocisty page is giving daily reports on bal- J»Su?piiy"* loting via tieup with theatre. aisa Meivin > Dorothy Jarnao Hope Foye C«fe Society tptn Larry Adier ,Toan Merrill D Martin Ore ChliiK Boll Ming & Ling ■Wong Sis Laurie Long Beatrice Fung Dye II curbello Ore Jack Fra^e Oro i;oiiacabBna Peter Llnd Hayes Jet MacDonald Me.ry Healy Blair & Bean Ray Arnet Micbael: Buroo Oro Fernando Alvarez O film yearn for a Rew war. "Those who refuse to work on -Hie production of. imperialist films ar« subjected the U. S. to pressure and baiting. The representatives of American reactionary Bohemians, Adolphe Menjou and Gary Cooper, who many a time slandered the progressives of the American intet- lig^tsU] d^maiAded th« death sen- tence for Charlie Chapliri, anrl cttier famous American actors^Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda and (Bdward G.) SobinsoB—for their progiessiv* views."