Variety (Feb 1948)

S4' HOUSE IIGVIEWS . WSpdnewloya Febrnayy 4, 1948 Loiiis AnnstroMfl OrcHj, with Earl nines. JacJf TeooardeTt, Bnrnej/ Bififordj Sid Catlett, Awell Shaw, Dick Gary, Velma JVfiddletoti; Robert haxnowet and "Diidule," Boy Foy, Rrfj/ Malone, Roii/cttes, Roxy C]\X)ra\ers, Paul As)l, conductor; "Yon Were Meont for Me" (20th), re^ Vieioed in Variety, Jan. 21, '48. For the customer who appreciates a broad variety ol' talents thi^ should bo quile a beguiling assortment of stage civtertainment, and certainly a pleasure to sit through. Thetil^ill, is loaded with performers who are ace specialists in their own fields. What inaltes this collectioo somewhat, ditr lerent Irom the usual Broadway film hou.se pi-esentation is its fusion of Continental flavor with as. spicy a specimen of musical Atnericaua as is perhaps available to the American public today. To Louis Armstrong and his troupe is alloted 25 minutes of the hour and it's 25 minutes jampacked with jazz virtuosity, personal showmanship, and even nostalgia. Gathered within this seven-piece combination are at least five who rate in the blue book of American ja2«, namely, "Satchmo" himself, Earl Hines, Jack Teagarden, Barney Bigard and Sid Catlett. Ever since the group was organized it's been stirring up lots of excitement, and no: small moolav and at the per- formance, caught Jiere the reception was not merely the sort handed out to favorites; it indicated a solid •wareness of how the septet has been laring along the way. ■ As though he needs it, Armstrong has been fastened for this engage- ment with an "introducer." Occupy- ing that assignment is Fred Robbins, •*ho disfc jockeys over WOV, N. Y., and I doubles as an;' impressario of jazz concerts. Undoubtedly the recruiting of this glib young Jellow has its publicity indue'and is per- haps worth the $1,000 Tie's getting for the date, but it turns out that Bobbins doesn't confine himself to mafeing with words about the things that Armstrong and the others rep- resent in jazz music, Robbins must make with gags, and they're riot especially funny gags. Anyway, his presence has an unquestionable use- ful purpose in one respTect; thft two pianos and the drummer's platform can be moved out to the apron, with- out creating a complete stagewait. While th«ir playing as a unit pro- vides unique jai^apation, Armstrong and.his gang scintillate more as in- dividualists. One after the other "Satchmo," "Fatha" Hines, Tfeagar- ■den, Catlett and Bigard tak« over the epotlight for solo .passages of the kmd that have gained them niches of their own In the Valhalla of jazz. There's Armstrong- and his trumpet Dixielanding with "MuskJat Eam- ble, Bigart's clarinet doing super dulcet things by "Tea for Two," Big Sid beating out a nerve tin- gling rhythm on the percussions and calling it "Mop Mop," Teagarden, riding "St. James Infirmary" on his magic-touched sliphorn when not engaged in grunting out the words of .this classic, and Hines shufitling' ^^^'..K^y^ an earfest to the theme of "St. laouis Blues." As big and noisy a return all these items bring, none compares with the payoff that follows the Arnistrong- Teagarden duet on ,*101d Rockin' Chair." For sheer person^ty it's a gem. Also dishing *iit the vocals is Velma Middleton, a buxom looker, With an upper*registei!.seit of notes and style that fit Snugjy mto-the troupe's idiom. In all a session that cant help but bemuse the older generation of-jazz addict and make Armstrong fans of the lately-come neophites. Continental flavor of the bill de- rives from a newcomer to this side, Robert laourct, a ventriloquist, whose sidekick Is a "Donald Duck" char- acter (New Acts), and Boy Fby, who retains all the referred-to flavor despite his long career as a standard f act in American vauderville. Both tui-ns come through with fine skill and snowpian.sbip. - For Lamouret, a Frenchman, it's Jus first American appearance. The turn has a <iuality and novelty all Its own. K gives every promise of becoming quite a hit among theatre . and nightclub habitues. At the per- ■ formance cayght the zany antics of Lamouret and hLs dummy duck, billed as"D,udule," built up from a f/,fr-?il. "Pis a sock uproar at the finish. The sendotf was all that the act merited. Foy, who in latter years has moved hjs routine up onto a unicycle, was nis usual speedy and applause-col- lecting self as he reeled ofl" those Jugglmff bits with devil sticks, rubber balls, Indian clubs, tin jians and what not. They perhaps don't come , any more adroit or with more class UT his line. / As customary the show has its opening and closing production num- bers. The first offers the boy and eirl lines and the choral ensemble in tastefully contrived piece on the theme of "I'll Dance At Your Wed- ^}^'^ Malone taking the ^otJight for several passages of clever tap dancing. Malone* still a youngster, has all the makings of an upper bracket hoofer; Fadeout num- ?£J 'f centered around the spiritual, anadrack," with Aimstrong as the leadpfl vocalist. Thi» number could Irnve ha|ij)ily done without the whirling dervish antics = of the dance enseniblei Odec. j f ApoUo, N. Y. Charlie Venttira Orch (14) with Buddy Stewort, Willie Bryont's "Horlem HosmalHv Show," Billy Williams, Dottie Sautters, Irene Hinton; "Fall Gud" tJMono). Layout at this Harlem show^ case stacks up as only fair entertain- ment this week. Charhe Ventura's band and Willie Bryant hold trp their end well enough but the supporting turns hardly measure up to theu" calibre. Biz was slow when caught Friday <30) due partially to the cold snap. ' <• With three rhythm, four reed (plus Ventura's sax) and seven brass, oi-ch gets the show off to a fast start with "Indiana.' Irene Hinton, aero dancer (New, Acts), follows. Band's vocal- ist, Buddy Stewart, contribs "She's Funny That -Way" and "Please Be Kind," A youthful lad, his honeyed tones oft«n border on the soporific side. Ventura and most of his band are the only whites: playing this usually all'oolored bill. Ventura returns with a nifty sax solo of 'SYesterdays" which wins him an okay reception. He also scores via the "Ventura Sextet," a band within a band, in a tune strangely reminiscent of Dizzy Gillespie's- re-; bop style. Show's final S5 minutes is devoted to Bryant and his "Harlem Hos- pitality Show," SB,'Mutual Broadcast-- ing airer for the past 16 months. Unit boils down to nothing more than an audience participation show built around Bryant, a veteran emcee- and one-time bandleader. Unit may have more b.o. ^draw out of town. ..since the progi-am isn't heard in New York. . ; Bryant tees oft with some brief reparteejvith Ventura then calls for a few volunteers from the payees. Three women and a man respond. They're "interviewed" by the emcee and also: take part in a couple con- tests with winners drawing prizes-of Old Gold cigarets, Uncle Walt's sau- sage and Pillsbury's Pancake Mix^: you guessed it, the sponsors. At his best, in a show of this type, Bryant .proves he knows his audi- ence by rattling bon mots off in reck- less, abandon. He's,also; assisted: by a pair of MBS script .writers who author the program as'well as a gal who's described as Old Gold's "terri- torial representative." Male "volun- teer" impressed'as a stooge. ■■ Billy Williams and Dottie- Saulters are New Acts. Crilb, "East Side, West Side" to good re- sponse. ■ ■ Boss Wyse, Jr. and Peggy Womak fill comedy niche with a strictly slapstick and tas^teless routine. Gonjic clowns around to mild response, and then h<; and gal tangle in all sorts oi gymnasts. Best -part of act is Miss Womak's aero turn at end. The Johnstons raise curtain with plenty gusto in a xylophone act. Team have been doing same thing for a long time and make good listening. They stick to fast'tempo numbei-s, mostly , along pop and patriotic: lin&, except for one slow motion bit. Get nice reception^ .■ heme... <Myinpi«. Miami Miami, Jan. 30. Robert Alda, Hi, Lo Jack & The DaTjie, The- Colstons, Howard & Wonda Bell, Cfeet Clark, Let ItKode Orch; "Cynthia" (M'G). Stoite-I^kf, €ki Chicago, Jon. 30. . Marilyn Maatoell, Roily Rolls, Tip, Tap &t Toe, Max & Gang, Lou Breese Orcfa; "Relentless' (Col.) Trim bill .unfolds with no sag; no lag^ Kick-off by Lou Breese house orch has sidemen chanting "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain, Segue into "Too Fat Polka" brings up brown-dcrbied clarinetist for flourishes. Dog act of Max and His Gang is salted with hoop twirling, aero bits and a terp turn. Max opens with terping whUe pooches: yip offstage, Joined by quartet of terriers, he puts them over, hurdles and through a hoop with lots of cute byplay. In choice item he and two terriers turn simultanetius back flips.* Closer, in which he somersaults off while dog treadmills around his tor^Oi draws good applause. ■ Tip, Tap and Toe's cleat work has precision -and punch, Trio raps it out atop an oval stand, hopping on and off for solos. Jive stuff and Toe's specialty win ready salvos. *Marilyn Maxwell,, onetime chirp with Ted Weems' orch, gives lyrics extra drive with well-coordinated gestures. Blonde looker, gowned' in sheer black chiffon, bypasses the torch and schmaltz for livelier-gaited tunes. Her "Stanley Steamer" hits on all cylinders, followed by first' rate -treatment of "A Good Man Is Hard to Find." Songstress oils to prime applauBie after "Civilization,' then, returns for a hip-swaying go at "He Like'It." in which she -iiiafces the most of smoky lyrics. " Roily Rolls clowns a classic in his 88 opener, then switches to a straight .iob on the longhair for an equallV good response. Pianist gets quick re- sponse with impressions of blase, gay, nearsighted and jitbug key boarders. Although his technique's somewhat refined for boogie-woogie, he pulls it off neatly in a walking bass jofb on "Lady Be Good." Baxt tapllwl. Wash. Washington, Jan. 30, The Johinstons (2), Ross Wyse, Jr. & Peggy Womak, Hal Ut Row "Cass Timberlane" (M-G), With a sure-fire hit on the screen Capitol has whittled its stage lay out to three run-of-the-mill acts this session. Novelty ha.s been added by pulling the stage out over the pit and placing hoase orch and show on it. (Stherwise, bill is pleasant with customers at show caught showing unexpected enthusiasm. Hal Le Roy and his comic-terp routine headlines bill. Dancer works hard and gets results, adding color and interest with a pleasant, mildly funny line of natter.- Taps his wa.v around gracefully and with ease, varying pattern with a sit-down terp number-for good effect. Does'some nifty soft-shoe hoofing to tune ^cf. In and out .show current here, with pic weak in draw value, to make for not too healthy biz. ^ Toplincr ' Robert Alda m a k.e s a handsome appearance and works with easy, assured delivery of vo- cals that jell nicely with the aud. Intro of a comic, however, to wind into a sesh of so-called gag dialog nullifies effect. 'In his song' spots, Alda clicks solidly. But that tired comedy se.sh gets in the way of what could be a straight, effective stint. Tee off act, Howard and Wanda Bell wrap up with' th6ir smartly contrived, teeterboard icroantics. Well presented and sold for sock re- action. Ghet Clark, harmonica play er, does okay. Interweaves light, neatly- turned comedy with his mouth organ work, with v«rrsion of St. Louis. Blues" among other trickily worked out offerings. Off to warm -re- sponse. Hi, Lo, Jack- and the Dame make for a. -group, that somehow, don't project their harmonies in too sock a fashion for theatres. Perhaps it's the grouping on radio angles, with not enough' mike pickup, or their arrangements on the songs essajred. Overall, the cflect. isn't too strong on .the stubholdcrs. Second of the acroaets, the Col- tons, add up to hand rousers:, Com- edy versions of adagio ballroomolo- gists, click in encore rousing: pro- jortion. Femme member garners lealthy share of giggles with com- edy posturings. Les Rhode and house orch do nicely by the backgroundings. Lary. BKO, Boston Boston, Jan. SU Mildred Boileu, The Ravens (4), Artii Dann, Woolford's Pets, Lane Bros., . Larry Flint House Orch; "Secret Beyond Door" (TO. Current bill 'accents singing but it proves to'be okay all around. Opens with woolford's Pets, Stx. dachshunds and a terrier going through standard dog routines but good and lively.: Lane Bros, follow with as neat an aero turn as seen- here in some time.' Do plenty ^spec" tacular jump rope tricks that- win, kudos, . Mildred Bailey, still large as life, wows fans with distinctive style and shows why she's stayed on top so many years. Does "There'll Be Some Changes Made" and "Don't- Worry About Stranger.s" in sock rhythm style, varying with "Almost Like Be- ing in Love" in neat ballad manner and bows off with "Rockin' Chair." Nicely backed up by Larry Flint's house orchy Artie Dann, last here in a nitery, shows he can-click in any surround- ings. Does terrif singing, gagging and selt-ribbing routine that pays pfl. Fast delivery goes big and wins a beg-off. Show closes with the Ravens, up- and-coming colored quartet. They plug, their current disfe, clicking .with "Summertime," "Fool That I Am," etc. Have new and different style, featuring deep bass voice with strong rhythm background via nifty piano playing. Opener was good but biz isn't too hot. Elie. Ilippodromn, Baito. Bolfi-ntore, Feb. 1. Franlcic Loinc ,ioith Corl. Fisher, Dewey Sisters (2), Eddie Schaeffer, m ti: Cora Bam, Jo Lombordi House Orch (12); "Wiiisperinfl Citi;" (EL). Oriental, Ciit Chicago, Jan. 29. 3 Stooges, Nip Kelson, Gloria Van & Vanguards (4), Matbis Dim; Prince of Thieves" (Col). - Current layout will need, plenty readjusting to obtain better results. Only act that runs smoothly is Nip Nelson, iiftpersonator. Rest of the bill needs tightening. Three Stooges still rely on, the finger jabbing and vocal spray routine that might have been fimny 15 years a-go, but nothing new has been added since that time,, except to throw in numerous swish bits. Parody on "Wait Till the Sun ISbines" is overdone. Trio has know-how to biiild a sock- act, plus the comic appearance, but seem to prefer going along with old slapstick stuff they've been''doing for years, both in vauders . and films. Mathis Duo, European imports, do difficult feats atop 12-foot unicycle, including some neat whirling of hoops and juggling of rubber'balls. Gloria Van and male -trio, the Van. guards, do -bouncy job on "I May be Wrong." Follow with "Blues of the Record Man," pointed up with take offs on .disk personalities. Close strong with hep version of "Too Fat Polka" fox nice returns! Nelson,'while using the same crop of personalities as other impression-r ists, groups them into running skit for good results. Also does some musical takeoffs of Spike Jones, Clyde McCoy, and Sinatra singing, "Night and Day." Winds With spoofing of radio terror serials lor boff hand. Zabei Orpfienm, Omalia Omaha, Jan. 31. Gil Lamb, A. Duval & (Jo,, Qaynor St Ross, Harry Cool Orch;'"Big tTown After Dark" (Par). Only three acts with the Harry Cool band but show stacks up as solid fare. Gil Lamb's fast gags with, accompanying clowning go over for hefty response. A. Duval's routine is pointed up by brisk line of comedy. He's a clever magician who knows how to sell the eye- foolers for top returns. Gaynor and Ro.ss go over nicely in their slick roller skating routine atop small platform. Incorporate some thrillers with the fancy Stuff to win nice reception. Harry Cool band comprises 11 men and maestro. Latter fronts and gives out on vocals. Doris Donovan, band vocalist, does okay on torchers and comedy numbers. This is Coors,fir.st local appearance but band made friends right away, with noticeable pickup in business after the opening. Racht It's Frankie Lainc's show this week with , other acts addinig up in nice support for an entertaining, layout. Singeil' dominates with in- dividual song style and his record- ing rep is bringing in trade. Spotted to close he makes a surefire clincher to an otherwise pleasing lineup. Dewey Sisters, duo of tumblers, open swiftly setting matters for Bil and Cora Baird to follo"w with smart handling of marionets. Work dolls surely and to good musical back- grpund scoring With a jitterbug and tap dancing bit. Highlight is a trio mouthing an Andrew Sisters record- ing good for lustly audience reac- tion.: Sddie Schaeffer, who emceies and holds niche on his'own, is an as- sured comic with all' right material and a result-getting' comedy song. Knows his way on this type of stint and makes appearance count for. maximum. Brings on Laine for sesh of songs very strongly supported at the piano by Carl -Fisher. Singer gives out with his own type of de- livery of "By the River St. Marie," "Two Loves," "Black and Blue" and rfor a sure-fire closer, his irecording smash, "That's My Desire." Endores with "AH of Me" and "Shine" and leaves them hollering {or more. Biz okay. - flurm. Nitery Reviews Continned from page Si IJttle Bomania, Miandi and for an encore^ SOCKS -with bi^ "Getel At The Football iGame." Marlin sisters are a nice looking pair of thrushes, who, though stick- ing strictly to the Yiddish (with oc- casional English lyrics) hit with their swing versions of,folk' songs. Impress as capable of doing as well in straight cafe pop" versions. Sascaha. Leonoff holds over with his accordian playing and broken "Henglish" lines, to tee off proceed- ings at a fast pace. Peter Drew's orch play the backgi-ounds in apt manner, with credit to Irving Laib- son at the 88'er on the solo accomps. The cuisine is in keeping with, the atmosphere. Probably the best among niterics in the area, and a draw in itself for the type who come here. Lary. Bnban Bleu, Y. Paul VillarA, Muriel Gaines, Con~ nxe Sawyer Day, Dawn It Dusfe, Wolly Blacker, Jfformttnn Poris 3: mwi-muwi, $3> $4. The Ruban Bleu's divertissement for the current stanza is somewhat more bawdy than the chic clientele of Theodore Mele's boite usually gets. There's a heavy accent on comedy with all acts contributing in that vein, which makes the layout good boxoflice and provides a high degree of entertainment. - The big item is the return of Paul Villard after a Hollywood sojum. This singer of salty sea chanties, provides a potent brand of comed;r with his recitative arias of nautical lore. He's equally potent in straight renditions as evidenced by his inter- pretation of "September Song." Desite his Hollywood hegira, he hasn't abandoned the rough sailor garb. He's good for encores here. Pay, Dawn and Dusk, sepia trio, Who have been making the rounds of intime rooms, similarly register with their operatic and spiritual takeoffs, while Muriel Gaines, the Negco singer, does excelleiitly with ifttCh<>ioe>- and varied tune assortment, best nf which «re her calypsos. . A comparative newcomer to this cafe IS Connie Sawyer, a blonde comedienne who • bowed sometime' ago at the downtown Village Van,' guard.- She's attained sufUcient savvy to work -the smarter rooms as evidenced in her sharp caricatures She does some biting satire on bal- ladeers and singers in the smart rooms, as well as a truly funny bit on statistics citing the dearth of un- attached males. She impresses as ■ being headed for legit-musicals, but cafe-wisb, she's still for intimeries. ■ Wally Blacker emcees the show and the Normann Paris trio provides competent musical backing. Josev Bainliotr Boom, Wasii. . (HOTEIi; HAMILTON ) Washington, Jan. 23. Defce KrofSitt li Mis hiUle Ctiboo- aers (0), u>ith Buster Loose and Lil- lian Fuller; no miniTOwn, no cover. Deke , Mofflt's slap-chappy outfit chugged into the Rainbow Room, combination' cocktail and dance spot, < for what is listed as'an indefinite stay'-^epending on whether the synthetic- hillbillys can draw them in. Town has been suffering from bad weather for niteries,'but in this case the offering is a little different' and the price is right since there is no minimum or cowr charge. The sextet, dressed in overalls with-, country bumpkin trimmings, goesi'ln for a zany type performance which includes such stunts as an oc- casional single fiJe parade out of the Rainbow Boom and into the hotel lobby; handing the audience instru-- ments to hold; and even applauding the house for nice returns. One singing group is introduced as the "Trench Mouth Trio"- which also ' seems to" wow the local lushes. In- struments include some trick "ones;' and there is an involved Swiss bell ringing number tied in with "Bells of St. Mary!s" number, Xiillian Fuller .sings pleasantly but the standout of <troupe is Buster Loose, tlie comic who also plucks'the bull fiddle. He does nice Imitations of Mortimer Snerd doing a song,- cracks joke's find otherwise works out. To describe the Little Caboosprs', style of playing is somewbat in- volved since it ranges from .sweet, through hot, to 'Tennessee style corn. The band keet)s going at fairly continuous pace,., giving out with stretches of' entertainment and then switching over ,tb the sweet for dan- sapatioH. '' , . , Lotoe. .. Bndiassw^ N. V. JVoro Moroles Orch, Edtoards & Diane, V Dorotht;. Blaine; minimu'nut It's now axiomatic in New York nitery circles that Noro Morales can play any spot and get the rhumba- : ists. There' are many in that set that follow the Morales crew from club to club to get -the benefit of hia terrific beat for their liatin maneu- vers. As a result, the Embassy is getting the benefit of .such trade. The rest of the show is a com- parative briefle with Dorothy Blaine (New Acts) and- Bdwards and Diana . providing" pleasant divertissement. The terp-twain offer a smooth set of routines which reap nice applause. The ballrooihers, since their last re* viewing here, have reroutined their act for better contrast in their num- bers." The Jo.se Cortez orch provides competent show backing. Jo.sc. •Tliis-ls-lt' Continued from page' i dustry association lost out in the FM picture, and are we to sit back now and watch,the Television Broadcast- ers' Assn. take over for video?" Feeling ejcpressed was that the NAB should move, and move fast,' in taking pvex the official role for television. Some of the Program Committee members who have video , stations on - the neajr horizon were frank in their admission that there are a lot of things about tele they don't understand, and "we have every right to expect the NAB to answer our questions:" 4. WABD (Du Mont in N. Y.) is even more optimistic than NBC about the commercial returns in 1948, even at this stage of-the game expecting to break even if not show a gain for the year's operation. Coast Awaits 'Bis Push' Holly\^ood, Feb. 3. Arrival next week of Frank Mul- len, NBC's exec vecpee in charge of video, and O. B. Hanson, chief en- gineer, is expected to get the net's "big push" into television operations underway. Both will survey situa- tion and before departing will give the green light to Sidney Strotz and Hal Bock, Coast tele head, for full speed ahead on construction and in-* stallation of facilities at Radio Cityi Mullen is due next Monday (9), but will spend a week at Palm Springs before fully scanning the project Jtvitb.IIaasttii,- -