Variety (Feb 1948)

46 Night Club Reviews Continued fi-oin page 44 ; ChesE Par4>e, Chi Galento Mt and "Sad Sack" impresh (or bofi returns and a beg-ofti Beatrice Kraft terpers, two males and exotic femme click with East Indian danceSi Group does, three numbers, "Oriental," "Dawn "on the Dessert, and "Winnetka" for solid returns;, Larry Marvin, husky singer, relies on a Jolson-like voice and a library oi Jolsun songs. ''IWandy," "We May Never Meet Again," and "I Gave Her That" 'also rate nice returns. Eileen O'Dare, tall brunet, has just one number to display her seemingly endless cartwheels and spins, which register. Jack Nelson does tenoring on production num- bers for the Adorables. Marty Gould orch ba c k s -s h o w neatly and handles customer dansa- pation. Joe Kovac's five piece com- bo handles the rhumba dance tunes. Zabe. DorotftW BMnei Fisher & White, Cass Franklin & Monica Moore, S Flames, Louis Varona Orch, Jose Cortezz Orch;' minimum, $3.50, The Embassy has been experiment- ing with a number of policies since It reopened this season. However, it's apparent that the backbone of the ^cafe's lure is a strong rhumba band with the iloorshow being secondary. With /the bow of Iiouis Varona's crew with! El Boy on the vocals, the primary draw is established, but • the booking geniuses here need to be ' set aright. Here's a show: consisting of four acts, all of them in the singing line. That type of policy may be fine for COMEDY PmER For All Bn^nefeet «f Thtotricotf ' FUN-MASTER "Th* Shew Bi( Gag Fil*'* ~ Nu;: i to 22 dt $1.00 eo. 10 PAIIODIES for $10.00 "How to B* an imcet" $^.00 lnclH<liii9 2 Cog filw Send' tor ll«t of mat*ri«l, parodim, ooineaiir mnKSi mhstrel Ute^blaclc- onts, «klti, etc. , , NO O.O.D'i MULA SMITH ' CM W. Mai St., New t«A » the neighboring eastsiderieg such as the Blue Angel or the Ruban Bleu, where there's no floorspace for tcrp turns or most sight novelties. There s similarly a difference in the tact that the competing boites cater al- mo.st exclusively to a drinking crowd, and with a few drinks the crowd is more receptive, especially since the song acts are given expert presentation and appropriate spacing. Since no such condition here exi.sts, the steady parade ot singers can become a bit wearing no matter how good. Tliere are some ditlerences in the types of tunesters ottered, but still it's not enough to provide variety. Leadofi! in the song parade is Dorothy Blaine, holdover, who has refurbished her repertoire since opening. She's provided more cvirr rent tunes instead of relying on oldies with the result that audience receptivity is greatly increased. Three Flames, the sepia combo of piano, bass and guitar, similai-ly stress vocals. In this case, their tunes are a bit too hep for the patronage.: Their takeoffs on "A Star is Born" and Grieg's Piano-Concerto drew yocks in spots they've played previously, but here it's no go. They do however, draw applause on ability to punch over a number. Fisher and White, -vet comedy songsters, aren't strictly for the east- side rooms, but since there's a pre- dominance of westsiders here, their ejJorts come off fairly well, Their comedy is often strained and labored, but there are some moments which hit nicely, such as Fisher's pantomiming a recording of "Largo a Factotum." Cass Franklin and Monica Moore are under New Acts. . The Varona rhumba crew prom- ises to develop a following of rhum- ba addicts. They have a .strong beat for danceable rhythms for solid re- ception from the dancers; El Boy, doing the vocals* puovides smooth" and rhythmic tenorlngs. Jose Cortez crew backs show neatly. Jose. €iiro'8« Hollywood - Hollj/iuood,-Feb. 18. ■Peggy Leet Dave Bariiour Gombo (4) Xovier Cttgot Grch (14); cowej- .fl.SO weekdays, $2.50 weekends. There's no doubt about the es- teem in which thrush Peggy Lee is held by . Hollywoodites. . They thronp^ tUis Sunset Strip spot open- ing night in one of th« biggest turn- outs in months, forcing happy host DON RICE Featured with Horace Heidt's Musical Knights NOW APPEARINO At the CAPITOL New Yor|< ThankSf Horace^ for the Pletmmt 8 Weeks Managemcntt PHIL OFFIN H. D, Hover to order the ropes up early. ■ " The only fault that can be found with this show is that it's too short. Miss Lee's warbling is sock nitery entertainment and she leaves her customers clamoring for more. An intelligent mixing of numbers provides a happy blend of blues and jump, both styles delivered in a re- freshing, ear-caressing manner. Miss Lee offers some of her waxworks clicks, notably "Golden Earrings" "Manana," and a'couple of lowdown numbers that are in the best blues tradition. Tremendously effective instru- mental backing is offered by hubby Dave Barbour on guitar, Hal Schaf- fer on piano, Harr.y Babasin on ba.ss and Jackie Mills on drums. Smart arrangements also help set off the, vocal offerings. On the podium is Xavier Cugat, dispensing* his usual assortment of terptunes. Kap- Copacabana, Miami Miami Beach, Feb. 21. Kai; Thompson & 4 WiHioms Bros., Jan. Murray, Betty Jane Smith, Ralph Young, Wally Wanger Girls (7), Fronfc Linale Orch; minimums $4, $e. Kay Thompson and the Williams Bros, are playing a return date with Jan Murray an added factor to make the cash registers sing again. Miss Thompson impresses again with her carefully staged Bob Alton routinings. But, overall reaction from a house well sprinkled with those who kudoed her previous en- gagement some weeks ago, was not as spontaneous as~ when she first excited this town. With all the tricky staging, carefully rehearsed biz and unwasted motion, there seemed an aud» I'eaction that it was just a bit too pat and lacked warmth. Albeit the impresh is still a full one enter- tainment wise; for it cannot be dis- puted that this is a beautifully set turn, from the short "Hello" bit, through " the ^ "Jubilee" in lively tempo; the "Sweet Williams" bit with the Williams lads to the "Moitle From Sheepshead , Bay." Also the satires on tourley^ shows, and Noel Coward . sophistications. Encore is a Caribbean cruise number that brings the group < back for. more bows. The .Williams Bros, are atop group, who are obviously more than .lust a supporting adjunct. They're an integral and as talented part of the pact as Miss Thompson. Murray had to beg-off in his spot, preceding Miss : Thompson. He has played this room before, but never with more impact than this time out. His material is mostly new and topical. Ris ad libs, comments on his experiences in legit and the pro- ducer he worked ftir, with a switch to low comedy in a baby routine, sparks a steady series of yocks. Rest of the shpw is' holdover. Betty Jane Smith iftwresses with whirlwind spin taps, "nie line han- dles the opener and gets off quickly, while Ralph Young, does okay baritonings. Frank LmAl« and orch background in capable manner. Lary. Little Romania, Miami Miami BeocH, Feb. 20. Irving Grossman & Dinah Gold- herg, Michel Kosenberp, Wino Cffli^ men, Sascha Leonoff, Peter Drew Orch; mlntmums, $3.50-$4. Without much ballyhoo, this Yid- «lish spot has been getting the most consistent dinner biz of any club on the Beach. Only club in town with no competition by the way of show lor food policy, patronage attracted by the authentic atmosphere keeps repeating in goodly numbers. Show-wise, current layout is good example of the reason for. the con- sistent draw. In Michel Rosenberg, the host-emcee, thejr find a top story teller in the idion). His semi-dead panned approach to the broad char- acter yarns he purveys is effectively accomplished. In his weeks here he constantly adds new yarns to keep the turn fresh. Only fault is still the refusal to interp any English into the Intros and spots. But if you under- stand; the language, his is an always socK 'Sesh of comedies. Team of Dinah' Goldberg and Irv- ing Grossman have long been Yid- dish stage favorites. He's a tall, good- looking guy with a high-ranging voice that handles a comedy lyric or ballad equally effective. There's nothing subtle about the delivery, which Interweaves English interps to the material. Highlight of stint is the delineation of characters at an old country wedding and an old song done in English and Yiddish anent the Palestine longing of his people, titled "I'm Going Home." Had to beg off. Miss Goldberg is a pint-sized come- dienne who turns in a zesty series of songs. It's all broad stuff but sets well with the patrons. Bair get to- gether for a fast running series of gags and songs for top returns. Nina Caiinen, playing a return here, again proves sultry thrush with a neat blending of Russian, Gypsy and o'peretta airs. Sascha Lonoil: holds over to make for a hearty aud roiiser with his accordionings and songs, with the house joining him for a group of folk songs that send him off to hearty salvos. Peter Drew and orch play a difficult show in apt manner, with Irving Laibson's piano accomps also rating bowt. Larn, New Acts LIBBY UOIiMAN With Gerald 0»0k • Songs , IS Mins. Cafe James, N. Y. Libby Holman is embarking on another comeback in the nitery field at the ultra-intime Cafe James. Noted blues stylist, who iirst won fame with her "Body and Soul" number in the first "Little Show" on Broadway, has been compara- tively inactive since she did a nitery act with. Josh White several years ago. She played the Army camp circuit during the war and then re- tired, until this current attempt at reemergence. With the exception of • replacing White with colored pianist Gerald Cook as her accompanist, Miss Hol- man hasn't changed her routine much since her former nitery work T—and her effect on the audience- is much the same now as it was then. Those who remember her from her Broadway musical work will prob- ably get a nostalgic -thrill but her unique stylizing and attempt to cor- relate folk tunes with a blues motU won't appeal to the younger crowd. She can certainly sell a tune with the best of them and her powerful, sultry voice is apparently as good as ever. But for uiose used to the modern blues stylists, Miss Holman doesn't project. Working sans toi^e and .with her usual chair for a prop, she has a tendency to oversell her material. Her., gestures, when compared to newer singers, seem overly-dramatic and her facial expressions, though legit, come through now with an air of oldtime around them. She tees off with the oldie "Good Morning Blues," perched on the' back of her chair, and then sits on the chair for "I Gave My Love a Cherry," which is among her best offerings. *'Baby, See What You've Done" is a good cbange-of-pacer, which she follows with "Rising Sun Blues." She holds "Body and Soul"' for her encore, which gets her off to heavy applause. Cafe James, which seats about 100, is perfect for her manner of pre- sentation. Lighting, comprising a tier of baby spots< does well for her. Cook is a standout accompanist and Miss Holman generously focuses at- tention on him in several numbers. Cass Harrison handles the lull pian- istics capably, ' Stal. DON HENBT TUG Hannonica U ■Mln*.'- Boxy. N. Y. The Don Hen#y trio is the latest group of hamonicists to come to proniinence on the wave of a hit recording. Like the Harmonicats dishing of "Peg C My Heart" on Vitacoustics,.this trio came to public attention with their Regent platter of "Sabre Dance.'.' They're a well-groomed threesome of youngsters who -display a flair for good musicianship, and a. slight oofldedy knack which can bo- /lo velopej^ further, d-heir Dance," of course is the top sdo? of their act. It's a lively rendfS well executed that gets top appfc Another highpoint In their ^act fi "Four Leaf Clover" as it would b» done by the song and dance teami prevalent during the era when thJ number was first popular. The lads are okay for the da. CASS FRANKLIN & MONir* MOORE ^wit-A Songs' 10 MIns. Embassy, N. IT, Cass Franklin and Monica tloom represent a merger of two siiwu acts that have been around for soma • " •=?P«We soloist ani witli the merger, increased potenc? IS given their contributions. ' . ,^'^®*^"*'? ^•"^^J blend is easy to take. The harmony is pleasant and arrangements are designed to show voices and rhythmics off to aood advantage. Franklin and Miss Moore concentrate mainly on top tunes from musicals and should give theiip act greater variety with inclusion of other types of numbers. This nice-appearing pair provide a pleasant musical interlude which should get across In vaude spots as well as niteries, jose, Pacted For Casino, Xottdon ' Maxlne Sullivan, sepia' singer, hai been signed for the Casino, London, starting July S6. George Klrby, Ne- gro cbmic, also^set for that house starting May 3lT Both deals set by Harold Dobrow of the William MorrLs agency. PHIL FOSTER Nil»-Ufo't thvittst taff.Saniation. . ASK AL JOLSON ??? "FmMimI by" SOL mm, WCO IMf., N«w YwIi » COMEDY lARGAINSI PARODIES, SPECIAL SONGS, BITS, iH, Largait Micction In ihowbiil * MM CATi%I,0« FltlSE! * JbSxclnslvfl. inat«rl»l our Bpodaltrl J. & H. KLEiNMAN IfSS-K Mo, Bronmn Veil ' MAXINE SULLIVAI^ CURRENTLY VILLAGE VANGUARD, New York RADIO: Smidoys. 3-3:1S P.M.. WNEW Dlnwrien; MUSIC eOW. Of AMI^ICA