Variety (Mar 1948)

WeAwidnyv March 3.0, 1948 NIGHT CLUB REVIKWS Night Qiib Reviews Copiieiibiina, JN. Y. umi Letter, Carl Ravazza, b'vln- /in h Vanya, Jeffrey Clay^ Jet Mac- •t^M Susan Graves, dopa Girls yrtt'chflel Durso Orch Fernanda Alvarez Orch; minimum, $3 and $4. •sffekinfi to the payoff formula of the previous show, the Copa con- Iiniips to hit the nitery trade with a notent layout in the three basic &ons of comedy, singing and Sancing. In format, show remains SfrfMallv intact with Jerry Lester Zving'into Henny Yqungman's spot nnd Carl Havazza being held. oyer Bffpr proving himself an mdis- Sle click in this club. D'Angelo and Vanya round out the bill with a flrstrate balWoom exhibit (New ■^On'his way up into the topline romic ranks, I^ester bills himself as "the world's second greatest come- dian" (he's ready to let the others fight it .out for first place). Mebbe so He's stocked with a full larder of* gags and delivers them with fast, short jabs that hammer out the yocks without any trouble. He can also mug, mimic, juggle and sing, making for a rapid change of pace in his attack. His routine, however, can still use some sharpening. That bit about his schooldays in Chicago is slightly forced, for instance. -But he warms up into being a very funny gent with his satirical takeoff on .Jolson that should end all takeoffs. His impression of Harry Richman is a surprising succession of vaude tricks and random gags that winds the act to a begoff hand. Ravazza remains with his same routine of stylized crooning of pop and novelty tunes. Using that sure- fire selling technique of kidding the number.*, he does his Pedro song, •'Civilization," "Bessie Couldn't Help It," and another calypso number, ''Always Marry, a Woman That's Uglier Than You." Ravazza al.so has to stick around for a couple bf encores before the customers let go. Three production numbers, featur- ing the Copa girls with vocals by Jeff Clay and Jet MacDonald and solo terping by Susan Graves, are ' iiandled in routine style for only a sbrso impression. Michael Durso's orch cuts the show okay and Fer- nando Alvarez, crack chile combo, .uorttinu^s to dish out the rhumba rhythms for customer hoofing. . Monte Proser is still listed as the Gopa boniface tout the new billing at the spot indicates there's been a diminuendo on Proser's publicity re- garding production. Hertn. Bf affair Room, €hl <BLA,CKSTONE HOTEL) I Chtcaoo, March 1. Jimmy Sauo, Ray Morion Orch (8); $3.50 minimum, $1 cover. Plush restraint of this room makes a. choice setting for Jimmy Savo's adroit foolery. Atmosphere is one in which whimsy doesn't have to '.battle Against grog, Saturday night brings some who want razzle-dazzle, but on other evenings patrons don't race their motors. All of which is to Savo's advantage. Comic does his familiar panto routines with the sticky strip of -paper, the snufE box and as a juggler. He clowns the lyrics of "B.lack Magic," then draws good applause With the woeful ballad about the husband of a G-stringer. Seguing With stories that fetch ready yocks, he scores with "Honey" and gently needles fortissimo baritones in "Road • ; to Mandalay." " . Shift to ringside has him in puck- ish byplay with tableholder.s as lead- in for his mug bit with a snatched- up drink. Tried - and - true "One Meat Ball" takes him off to .salvos. In return he chants" variations on "The Girl That I Marry," tosses off a _ story about a mother kangaroo With hiccups, and clinches satisfying sesh with "River Stay 'Way from My Door." , Beyond skillful blending of diverse comic elements, ranging from prop laughs and panto to slapstick and animstl stories, Savo projects ji cpy, ehUd-like simplicity that holds at- tention from the start. Ray .Morton orch gives deft back- ing-for Savo vocals and crowds the Blow for the dance sets. Baxt. routine from his earlier in the sea- son stint at the Colonial Inn, the vet comic hits the risibilities constantly with his deft clowning and assort- ment of top special material. Stand- out is his plea to film-actress wife, Martha Stewart, "Martha, Won't You Please Come Home," and a lyrical takeoff on "Ballerina." Fol- lows with a long, and oftimes funny dissertation on movie plots, "I'm Allergic to the Best Things in Life" and the sock repeater, the Phil Har- ris satirization-"That's What I Like About the North." Austin Mack rates bows for his slick accomps to Lewis' gag and song weavings. Of begoft proportions was the so'mewhat abbreviated stint of Miss Tucker. Tees off with her standard "I'm Living and I Like It," follows with the yocker "Don't Let the Same Dog Bite You Twice" winds into "Life Begins at Forty'' and finishes with "Red Hot Momma." She paces the show, and in that opening spot, gets the house from walkon to bow off. Ted Shapiro aids with, his as- sured piano backgrounds. \, Riehman, in the middle slot, soun'ds off with a walk on number that sets him solidly. Titled "I'm Glad That I'm An Actor" it inter- weaves the hits he's been identified with, with the lyrics pointing to the continued resurgence of the vets (a la Jolson and. Tucker), and subtle pointing , out that though his voice isn't as potent as in bygone years,' he can still stand up and sing. Stint also includes his pianoings and med- ley of oldtimers and requests, of which "Shake Hands With a Mil- lionaire" is the highlight. Trio combine for the hilarious finale they introed year.s ago at Ben Marden's Riviera in New Jersey, with the old time bathing siiit cos- tuming and the horseplay getting yocks and steady mitting. Production numbers are brief and .well handled by the June Taylor girls, all lookers and capable dancers. Ray Arnett holds down the solo song-dance production spot neatly. Dave Tyler'.s orch impress as one of the better show-dance imits around town. Lary. El If oroceo, Mont'l Montrcol, Feb. 27. Joey Adams, Tony Canzoneri & Mark Plant, Ruth • Daye, Buddy Clarke Orch; minimmn $2. Beaeheomber, Miami II. Miami Beach, March 6. Joe E. Leiois, with Austin Mock; ftppBje TMcfcer with Ted Shopiro; Harry Ricliman with Ken Jones; Ray Arnett, June Taylor Girls i7), Dave lyier Orch; no minimum or cover. Reunion of Joe E. Lewis!, Sophie iuoker and Harry Richman In this JrS.SPot is an entertainment parlay . .Wat should bring out the tourists ?"° locals. The no minimum policy i^^slled to attract the post-season ?■ spenders and the name value 01 the trio should pay off. Only Zni ''"^^'^^ may militate against ri r!^ crowds is the long tenure of «i Tucker (8 weeks) and Richman a4 weeks). As currently setup, both Miss iucker and Richmap have cut their full , ^^'ow Lewis to turn in his j;"",sesn of comedy. It'.s a .'iS-minute ■■'nS»W.?'F"ngs plenty of laughs, wing aif alhidsrcomplete chVhge oT The fagt team of Joey Adams, Tony Canzoneri and Mark Plant is the best unit of comedy to play this spot. Lads really are sensational thanks to Adams' personality and wit, Canzoneri's very good sense of comedy and Plant's excellent sup- port. Trio is aided in its final num- ber, by bandleader Buddy Clarke, who stooges for them and helps along the merriment. Adams' delivery is still the trio's biggest asset. Canzoneri, now a smart performer, and Plant add perfectly to the antics. Canzoneri's imitation of Edward G. Robinson goes over with a sock while the diction lesson Ad'ams gives him is also lively fun. Plant does neat job on vocals of "It's A Wonderful World You Live In." "I'll Be Seeing You," a medley from "Porgy and Be.ss," etc. His stint with Adams on "Sonny Boy" continues a potent howl getter. Trio is a winning combination all the way. Tap dancer Ruth Daye does two solos, a short stint with Adams and closes with a neat boogie, solidly backed by Clarke's smart orchestra. Marc. Balinose Room, Boston (SOMERSET HOICEt) . Boston, March 5. ; Woble & Kino; Sammi/ Eisen Orch (6); $2 ttiinimum, $1 couer after 9:30 p.m. Noble and King came in for a month- back in January and have, been held until April 1 as result of plenty of favor in these parts, where they first clicked several years ago. Not only being held over, but picked up a three-a-week radio slot on WBZ from 12:15 to 12:30 under Barcolene sponsorship. Offer six or eight songs intimately styled to create a mood, with Noble seeming to improvise accompani- mental embroidery at the piano. They do "If This Isn't Love,' "Flamingo," "Something Sort of Grand," "The Best Things in Life Are Free," "Come to -Me" and "No Businesi! Like Show Bu,siness," but repertoirt is virtually limitless so they seldom repeat numbers from show to show unless requested. Often spot romantic tunes composed by Noble, plenty of which have caught on with these society au- diences. Act employs unique lighting .sys- tem devised Iry Noble, which blends softer spots on the couple during a song to enhance the mood. Done by means of a row of buttons on the keyboard, like organ stops. Often use dialogue to music to intro the numbers, a technic they've devel- oped for their air slot, usually min- iature operelta.s. Act has charm and manages to keep the audience plenty iEfttentive. both at the dinner and the supper shows. Shrewd and knowing accompaniment is, supplied by .Sam- ray Eisen's small but-accomplished band. Room specializcjs in top cui- sine saylish .served and was wgU at- teiitWWft^'ieaugbt; .' Blie. Blue Angel, N. Y. Douglas Byng, Alice Penrce & Marc Lauirencej Delta Rhythm Boys (8), Jay MorthoU, JBlli* LorJcin Trio, Hnl Cooke; $3.50 minimum. Any opening that causes Gertrude Lawrence to rush over: immediately upon completion of her chores in the legiter "Tonight at 8:30" and brings out Noel Coward-and others in the ultra crowd, should have pronounced boxofflice value on the eastside. Occasion for the scurrying of New York's British colony -was the open- ing of Douglas fiyng, delight of the English sophisticates, who's making his first appearance here since 1932. He's a w.k. performer in London legits, and he's known to an esoteric group in this-country via record- ings. (More of him under New Acts.) Any performer who hasn't been in this country; for more than a dec- ade naturally constitutes a gamble for a boniface. Con.sequently, Her- bert Jacoby and Max Gordon have surrounded Byng with a show made- up of some of the better components of the Blue Angel stock company. - For example, Alice Pearce and Marc Lawrence, former doubling from "Look, Ma, I'm Dancing," who has been projected into star propor- tions for the eastside: trade, top the supporting talent. Miss Pearce is an extremely clever girl, whose comedy burlesques never fail to excite max- imum risibilities. She's gained con- siderable stature since her opening here last year, and perhaps shelll be no risk if she ventures into a cafe west of Park avenue. Lawrence pro- vides solid backing at the piano, and occasionally chimes in with song. They've added a pair of numbers for this occasion, one of them a satire of college songs and other a bit on France. Both are good. The Delta Rhythm Boys are sim- ilarly sock in this spot, their trick harmonies and assured delivery giv- ing them reason to work overtime. They do a variety of tunes ranging from "Black Magic," ''Dry Bones" and "She Told Him Emphatically No" for hearty salvos.' Opening night (8) had to be pro- longed in order to save Byng's preem until the after-theatre crowd arrived. Consequently, Jay Marshall was held over for an additional night, and,, as usual, he socked across his magic satires for mob acclaim. The Ellis Larkin Trio provides the musical sessions, while Hal Cooke does the intro work and plays the lull-time piano. Jose. Raleigil Room, N. Y. (WARWICK HOTEL) Three Suns, Alan McPaige Trio; $1.50 coiMJcrt. , . The staidly decorated Raleigh room of the 'Warwick hotel is seek- ing to recapture its bid for mass appeal with the booking of .'the Three Suns, who have achieved a rep via recordings and airings as one of. the top -instrumental three- somes in the business. Holding over on this bill is the Alan McPaige Trio, who are making headway with the accordion, bass and guitar instru- mental offerings. The Suns, for many years a fix- ture at the Piccadilly hotel, N. Y., provide standout musical sessions. Their offerings have pace, variety, smart presentation and indicate solid musicianship. The trio's instrumentation of elec- tric organ, accordian and guitar, pro- vides colorful renditions, • gopd shadings, and full bodied presenta- tion. It's evident in such pieces as "Clair de Lune," "J'Alousie," "Dar- denella" among others. Their pieces are easy for the laymen to follow, being void of- complicated jazz-' passages that go far afield from the usual melodic line. At times, their presentations are too full for this small room, but it's a matter of adjusting the volume controls of their instruments. Jan August will replace them Thursday (l(i). Jose. Utile <:ai»ino, Y. Garlond Wilson, Moe Bor«es, Nora Tate, Jimmy Daniels; $2 minimum, This intime Greenwich Village spot seems to have hit upon a profit- able formula with its current sepia layout, projected more in the format of a concert than a regulation nitery floorshow. Spot, which has a capacity of about 100, depends mainly upon after-theatre trade from uptown and Stay-up-lates. Consequently enter- tainment docs not go on until 11 p.m., although bar and restaurant opens earlier: Under new policy spot has been doing .splendia biz. However, much of this is due to the popularity and following the current quartet of talent has built up on previous forays in Harlem spots and 52d street bistros. Show is done on continuous sched- ule, with Garland Wilson, pianist- composer, pacing with pleasant piano interlude, weaving his own compositons into current hit para- ders, .semi-classics and hit tunes from Broadway musicals. Whatever he does is top-drawer. He later teams on the twin pianos with Nora Tate, an accomplished pianiste, who I also gives out with occasional vocals. She's solid in both departments. I Mae Barnes, hefty and husky songstress, clicks with ribald ditties and ballads such as "Marie," "Can't Pull the Wool Over My Eyes," "Lazi- est Gal in Town'* and "They TooK; Everybody But Me." Gal has plenty animation and a comedic touch that enhances her work and makes her an especially good bet for this spot. ' Jimmy Daniels, personable bari- tone, does neatly on "Strange New Rhythm in My Heart," "Without Love," "Just One of Those Things" and other ballads for nice audience appreciation^ Edha. Clover CInb, Ptiand,Ore. ■ Portland, Ore., March 4. Glorio LeRoj/, Houjard Slavin, Woods & Bray, Russ Graham Orch (5); 90 c couer tueeJcdojys, $1,50 Saturdays. New layout here has plenty of variety. Gloria LeRoy, tall, curvace- ous blond, gets things under way in good style with her high-kick comedy work. Starts with a SOng about "Sugar and Spice," then goes into her comedy stuff that wins nice applause. Woods and Bray contrib standard waltz and tango routines. Guy handles femme partner with ease in spins and lifts, winding with a sock adagio. Howard Slavin handles emcee chore in top fashion. After some fast patter, he segues into mimicry. Best of latter are Bogart, Lorre, Greenstreet and Gary Grant. Russ Graham Orch backgrounds neatly and keeps floor, crowded for dance sessions. Mermaid Room, Y. (PARK CENTRAL HOTEL) Smoothies (3), Tune Toppers (4>, Brenda Carr, Marti Bayne; Saturday night minimum, $3.50. Since the Park Central hotel aban- doned its big talent operation in the Gocoanut Grove, some years ago, the inn has been relying on its cocktail lounge the Mermaid room. The Mer- maid room with its no cover, no minimum policy on -week nights, is a haven for the transient trade in the section. The room is sufficiently tricky to attract the tourist, and the musical and song talent there are top lounge acts. For the performers, it's a hard room to work in. The spot is built around the irregularly shaped bar with the talent holding forth on a revolving elevated stage atop the bar. It's not the type of layout that keeps the drinking trade interested,, inasmuch as no sooner than an im- pression is made on one group of listeners, then the act has to start working to new patrons. For this type of 'operation, the Mermaid Room has a set of okay turns with the Smoothies and the Four Ttine Toppers, both excellent cocktail room acts that have been around in theatres as well. The Smoothies provide a pleasing blenfi of vocalistics. They're a nicely groomed and youthful trio consisting of Babs Mason and the Ryan Bros. In their 15-minute turn.s atop the bar, they contribute a lot of music, most of which shows their skilled craftsmanship. Songs such as "Civil- ization," "Ballerina" and "Now is the Hour" are carefully worked out and produce the desired vocal effects. However, they attempt vocal impres- sions, majority of which are un- evenly performed. If they're at- tempting to kid the impressionists, idea doesn't get across. Unless these routines are tightened up, they should be eliminated. The Tune Toppers ar« old hands at working the lounges. It's an es- tablished musical and vocal group which knows how to play to custom- ers at the bar. Outfit rides the stand- ards nicely with full-bodied arrange- ments. Instrumentation of accordion, trumpet, bass and guitar is capable of interesting effects. Vocals are competently handled by bassist and windjammer. Brenda Carr vocalizing to her own piano accomps, gets over neatly. Marti Bayne doing vari-typed songs impresses as having a better chance of Selling in a smaller room. Jose. La Martinique, N. Y. ■ : (FOLLOWCP) An interim layout at La Mar- tinique, prior to the opening of its big spring talent splurge, has Dane's cafe displaying a comparatively small show, fdatured by the return of Lenny Kent, who's playing his first N. Y. nitery stand in some time. Kent has achieved some stature since he first came to attention some years ago at the old La Conga. His delivery and much of his material( has improved to a great degree, but somehow this room has the effect of scaring him. Instead of being forth- right in his delivery, there's a fuz?i- ness of projection, which dissipates the value of his efforts. On night caught, he worked under a considerable handicap.; A. stew patron insisted on doing the act with him from a ringside table. The un- billed stooge didn't do a brilliant job of heckling,, just enough to throw the comic off base. Kent handled the character gingerly, • Prior to that incident, Kent was making headway with the audience with a bit of hep material, both old and new. He's the type of comic that has to grow on audiences, con- •" XCOfttlnued' di! We 66) " New Acts PAVLA DRAKE Comedy -. 'IS'Mins. VUlage Vanguard. N. T. Paula Drake debuted in New York at Leon & Eddie's six years ago as a straight thrush. Since then, she's been working on the Coast, where She switched to comedy and, by so doing, established quite a rep for herself. Switch was a wise one; since Miss Drake demonstrates via her new Manhattan preem at the Village Vanguard that she's one of th« brightest new comediennes to appear on the scene in some time: A tall, attractive brunet. Miss Drake has all the requisites for mov- ing uptown last to the plushier east- side boites, Her class is easily ap-^ parent and her material is excellent. Delivery and timing are neatly handled and, while she sells her comedy best now through facial ex- pressions, she also has a good enough voice for musical comedy work. Some of her material is blue to just the right extent and she gives it added punch through her naive, innocent stare. She opens slowly with a straight rendition of "Money Isn't Every- thing" but gets rolling with an ex- aggerated satire on a catty femme Iriend. Best routine is takeoff on folk tunes, in which she works in a zither with fine - results. Parody on "Just One of Those Things" is good and she closes with a straight inter- pretation of "You Cain't Get a Man- With a Gun," which 'points up her legit potentialities. Sfal. : OOVGLAS BTN6 Songs 20 Mlns. Blue Angel, N. Y. Douglas Byng is fondly remem- bered by vet eastside cafegoers due to his U. S. appearances in 1932. Since, then, he's been a staple in London legit shows and has achieved a'reputation in Mayfair as one of the ultra performers. Byng's appeal in the U. S. will similarly be for the chichi and esoteric elements, and he'll venture at his own peiil to spots on the slum side of N, Y.'e Park avenue. Byng is a cross between a femme impersonator and. a singing comic. Much of his material, satirizing-fe- male characters, is delivered in prop femme garb. He occasionally goes into falsetto .to prove his point' and does some coine.dy dance steps to punch up his material. Most of his tunes have a slight indigo touch, which he puts over without offense. Numbers such as "Doris, Goddess of Wind,'' "Mont- martre," "Lulu of Peru," "May. Day in the Village Green" and "Flora MacDonald" hit the crowd nicply. ' Several of his numbers, while well liked by Britons and record col- lectors, fail to have sufficient "punch lines to be entirely, acceptable' to American audiences..' ' ., At any rate, he'll attract trade, especially from the ueincilled eye- brow set. Jose, D'ANGELO & VANIA Ballroom Dancing 12 Mins. Copac'abana, Vl. 1, D'Angelo and Vanya are a hand- some looking couple with a class balli;oomology exhibit that's a good bet for the chichi cafes. Around for several years on the nitery belt, team has evolved a smooth routine accenting intricate stepping and wisely minimizing the stock aoro» turns of most such acts. Vanya is a cool blonde wearing an attractive scarlet gown while her partner is decked out in standard tails and white tie. Team gives a fillip to the act by introducing a polite Apache mood into their routines. It's not over- sexy but there's just enough of it to supply a kick. Team also has a pleasantly informal style, dropping a couple of words with nearby cus- tomers and stopping at one point for a drink of water. It's a good gim- mick to show they're something more than dancing marionettes. , ■■.■ -Hertn*- RUTH HART ~" Ballet 8 Mlns. La Martinique, N. T. Ruth Hart, at this stage of her nitery career, would do better in ballet sequences of piroduction-nunb- bers. She's yet to get a set of rou- tines to sustain interest. Neverthe- less, she displays a thorough ground- ing in the toe-terp line, executing a good portion of the ballet's catalog of positions' and steps, and doing them charmingly. However, it's just a question of routining them . properly. Further knowledge of cafe routines should make her a good bet ior class niteries. - Josei Schall With Romm Max Schall has joined the Harry Romm agency as assistant to Romm. Both left for the Coast last week, where Romm will produce two pic- tures for Columbia release. First will be "Ladies of the Chorus." Schall was - former. manager of Lbuls I'rima'; bSiiidleader;