Variety (Jun 1948)

48 Wednesday, June 16, 1948 Harry Rxehman, Craddocfcs (3), Ming & Wna, C»MWMlro Kaiy Dan- cers (4), Komiettcs, H. Leopold hit; at closing show he kept going for 65 minutes, holding and sus- taining the popularity be already earned through his radio'- screen Spminy Chorus loith Mvriel Birlc- i ^isk activities Cyd Chansse head, Paul Ash .Orch: "Green "'ffP^ ^ brief shy appearanco. Gross of Wyoming" -(201)11 re- adding romantic _touch to his Grass of Wyoming . . Ditoed in Vahiety April 21, '48. With the Boxy's house band re- suming its chores in the pit, the similarity between show-stop's stage fare and the straight line vaude formula becomes increasing- ly evident. The dcemphasts of house' production, evident tor sometime, is more apparent now that maestro Paul Ash is back in the lower depths. The occasional Gae Foster line dressing, althoingh evident, doesn't interfere too much will, the straight .vaude formiiJa, It's just -enough to provide the usual lloxy .staff touch without liampfaing the playing time. Current layout has a set of standard acts topped by Ilarry Richman, wno demonstrates that he's one -of tlic more potent sing- ing personalities around. His sti'ut, swagger and charm are sufficient to bowl over the majority of audi- ences and his nostalgic rcminis- ; censes recalling the song bits he was foremost in popularizing re- sult in n6at. mittixig. At show caught, he wasint in best vocal form, being at- the close of the day when his pipes showed signs of tiring. Nonetheless, Eioliman more than gets by, inasmuch a.s lie's selling styling and personality. TJic show has to overconae, a slow start. The H. Leopold -SiJital-. ny chorus, with Muriel Billhead ; soloing, gives a series of prolonged i renditions and gets a so-what re-1 S<4lt«»l«»&e. Vhi action mainly because oi its lengUi. I ,-t, - , However, that ^attitude is dis-1 Uncago, Juru- 11. sipated once the Craddoclcs get to 1 Benny Yoimgman, Rose Murphy, worJi and continue through to the; Pnwl Sydell, Rochellr & Beebe, rest of the talent. The Gallic im-1 Henry Brandmt Orch; , "Winter ports liave.a choice line of com- UVfcetirtg" (WB). edy kttockftfoout acrobatics with [ ■ some fresh slants. Tliey're lithe. This is the lasfstage show hei-e debut. They are, inqidentally, on theit honeymoon. Opening bill are Henri Vadden and girls in spectacular juggling and balancing routine to well merited applause, followed by Tommy Jover with HAF and PE in a hodge-podge of dancing, clowning and musical stunts,. nice- ly received. Terry-Thomas grabs laughs with his satires on BBC announcers and clever mimicry of disk singers. The Myi-oms take over with their daring equilibristics for solid re- turns, setting matters for Jack Du- raat, an asset to any bill. With new- material he repeats firm hold he alrciuty has on the London audi- ences. His human comedy and im- personations are as clever as ever and reap plenty applauses Buster Shaver and his trio of midgets close the first halt VVith their surefire offering they never fail to get enthusiastic reception. Edna Squire-Brown starts sec- ond half with her always graceful and skilled posturing act ' with doves, and Billy Russell, standai-d red-nosed comic, precedes the star, with his working man comedy pat- ter and topical wisecracks. Show builds up in laughs and wai-mth of response as it proceeds and will undoubtedly do "sellout business in its two weolcs' book- ing following word-of-moutli com- mendation. Clfm. Sirand, ¥. JEd "Archie" Gardner and his "Duffy's Tavern," v?lth Jane Fms- sell, Charlie Cantor, Florence Ha- lop, Eddie Green, Matty Motneck and Henry Jerome Orch.; "Wall- flower" (WB), rcmeiDcd i»i _Va- HIETY Maj/ 19, '48, energetic workers and have no dif-. ficulty in getting-the house mcas- ■^ure; ■■■■ ■ The Chandra Kaly dancers re- prise their East Indian terps for hearty results. This offering conr tinues to show its class and top entertainment values. Tlie Chinese comics, Ming and Ling, also do well in this show. Highspot is the taller one's imitation!;, particu- larly that of the Ink Spots, wluch provides a good- comedy note. Paul Ash Gontmues to confer- encier the show,-ctimbtag m and oft fhe stagi* Ibeem the pit. Jose. Omaha, June 11. Horace Heidi^s "New Stars On Parade," vnth Stanley Movse,. Pat TJieriault, Johnny Vana, Jack Green, Jimmy Grosso, IRalph Peer, Harold Parr., MeU>dares, Jitter- bugs, Jeanne Haney: "The Tender Years" (2(Mli). This revival of the old Major Bowes stunt clicks mightily. Hor- ace Heidt ran amateur contests : t-hornia, across the conhtry and on his I before vaude moves ba(!k into the Chicago on June 24, and it's one of the best. Henny Youngman, comic, gets a yock when he comes on attired in a moth-eaten leopard skin, to rib "Nature Boy." Comic has acquired a more casual approach, his mate- rial is clever, and re-.slanted for theatre audiences rather than mitery habitues, which is smart showmanship. His tirade against pop singers gets laughs. Then he brings down the members of the orcli for jiarody on "Whiffenpoof Song" for additional hbwls. After more clowning, walks oft ? solid hit. Hose Murphy, sepia songstress, who does her own accompani- ment on piano, scores in both. Opens strong with "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" alter xiin-through of "Time On My Hands." Gal has an unusual, but effective trick in using beat of the piano pedal as a musical, sound. After bowoff crowd brings her back for "Cecilia^ and "A Che Philip Morris airer and has picked up 10 pretty likely yaungstei-s, all of whom have talent . H6idt flew in to put the show together but he does not appear in it. Don Rice does the emcee job and throws in a couple of his own Tough comedy interludes for good measure. _ Show has Omaha's Harold Parr, blind singer; Johnny Vana, local drum-xylophone specialist: Stanley Morse, colored trombonist; Pat Theriault, banjoist; Jack G reen. playing ^ater bottles; Jimmy Gros- so, impersonating musical instru- ments; 3I«lodares. haimony quar- tet; Jitterbugs, dancers. Heldt's. selection of his amateurs Paul Sydell and hounds do some amazing flip-flops, with pooches landing on frort paws on Sydell's palm. Climaxer is balancing stint of fox terrier. Rochelle & Beebe, openers, con- ti-ib comedy dances. Femmc gets laughs with her mugging and rub- ber-like posturing. Henry Bran- don's house orch does okay on "Sweet Potato Polka." Zabe. Olynpiai, Afinmi Miami, June 11, Boo lEberly, Jimmie Husson, Grac*- Johnston, Pedro. & Ditrand, fosse & JVilPs, Lcs Rhode House 0)-c)i; "Ij YouKncw Susie" (RKO). was done shrewdly. The kids are I Package current follows the all pretty clever - and, coached by j pleasantly effective series of surn- Heidt, they gave a eood perform- I mer shows here in good style. ance. Exceptionally big audiences have been making the rafters ring With applause, wliistling and even yelling. The show, altogether has a lot of the old Major Bowes stage unit technique in it, but as it stands, is plenty -entertaining and drawing good liz. . Rach. PvliadiuHi, Iwttnilon Londvn, June 6. Tony marUn, Jack Iturant, Bus- ter Shaver tvith Olive. George & Rictuxrd, Terry.Thomas, The' My- wns <a>, Billy Rwsell, Henri Vod- «8tt &' Girjs (S), Tommy Jover ■■mh HAF ,.oiwl FE, Edna Squire- Brown, "WoaHf Philips' Skyrockets : orch, ■ , An evenly balanced, entertain- ing bill on calmer level following the exotic keyed-up tension of Car- men Miranda. Tony Martin wins the audience ftom the start. He strikes just the light SOte ha friendly confidence WW oSrrs t pleasing, .selection of '■rniA^ oi his songs, eloiRg-june niun- tuers at Itrst show, jn^udtag "Na- t«r« Boy," which was an instant Bob Eberly, toplining, proves an abJc, amiable singer who garners sohd response. Does "But Beauti- ful." "The- Ghost ot You," "Tan- gerine," "Green Eyes" and "Sweet Jjorraine" for good returns. Impressionist Jimmie Husson, not around for some time, comes back an improved and more as- sured mimic. Takeoffs are authen- tic and delivered in fast competent manner, with Gable, whom he re- sembles, the standout. Patter has some fresh twists to build reac- tion. Tee offers Niles and Fosse are a fresh looking pair of terpcrs who set a stylish pace for the proceed- ings. Costumed tastefully - and routined intelligently, they blend in-straight taps, ballet leaps and spins-and a stoical twist on East Indian terpers, to enthusiastic re- sponse. Grace Johnston emcees capably in own spot offers some broad comedies in gags and song. Tum^ bling stint of Pedro and Durand is okay with the iieccs.sary amount of gasps earned via tlie balancing and flips. Mi Rhode's house orch handles bveki^uiKUng in top-style. iMry. ■ ■ Ed Gardner isn't exploding 'cm out of their seats in the first New York stage appearance of himself and his "Duffy's Tavern" NBC) troupe. The reason stems clearly and inevitably from the nature of his act. One .of the major char- acteristics of this standard item of radio is its casual pacing, and what the customers are getting here is hardly more than a studio PTformance with the cast in co.s- tume and makeup. In Radio City; which is but. three blocks away, the same audience would probably respond to the same jokes with yaks. Apparently, when they put out for admission they expect an altogether different type of fare, because when caught the repercus- sions to the jokes were consistent- ly sympathetic but not the sort to warm the heart of a comedian. Even with the lack of house- rocking hilarity it's still a good presentation. Everything has been dressed up with'the professional touch, and, if the boxoflice pull can be regarded .strictly from the curiosity angle, the personality composition of the show shou Id bring a good measure of satisfac- tion. Being the wily showman that he is, Gardner has seen to it that the wolf facets of his mike char- acter be attended for the stage occasion by a surefii-e -vis-a-vis. From many a viewpoint; they per- haps don't come any more sure- fire at the moment than Jane Rus- sell. Anyway, she's great insurance in this spot. Miss Russell toay not punch over her lines (that is, the spoken ones) with expert timing or pitch a pop tune in ear-tickling fashion, but she does live up in every other way to the welter of publicity and wisecracks. The optic treat that she offers makes listening to her two vocal numbers quite pleasure- able. A strapless evening gown sets off the ceiebrated torsorial terrain smartly and the perky hairdo goes perfectly with her fa- cial endowments. The potency of her brand of glamor shows up at her very entrance. It isn't until Gardner and «be start batting the gags that the laughs really get rolling. Outside of the introductory few minutes the runoff is pretty close- ly plotted to Gardner's air format. Gardner's entry is prefaced by a couple of band numbers with Mat- ty Malneck, the program's maestro, fronting Henry Jerome's organized combination. After toeing off with a "William TeU" an-angement, Malneck swings into, an and-then- I-wrote routine, highlighting with his violin a medley of his better known compositions. With Gardner taking his stance at the prop bar, the *'Tavern" stooges are given their successive licks at bandying their trade- marked insults, malapropisms and moronicisms. With makeup ac- centuating the' dim-witted strains oi! his Clifton Finnegan character, Charlie Cantor turns in a con- sistently smooth performance. Flo- rence Halop in the "Miss Duffy" concept does a sharp piece of dumbdora characterization, but the. best bit of trouping comes from Eddie- Green, who, in addi- tion to heaving the patter with Gardner, takes the spotlight for a deftly contrived pantomime rou- tine on a poker-playing theme. Transparently weak is the show's finish. As Miss Russell and Gard- ner approach the tailend of a duet, a deadpauned announcer walks outjo the center mike and, with script in hand, says: "Are youi- hands rough? Well, try Sal Hepati- ca." Gardner then cracks. "We'd better go; the show must be over." And with that the elevator-stage starts descending. If he had tried just a little border, Gardner should have been able to come up with something brighter and more appropriate. Odcc. Ili|»podr0m«, Kalto. , , Baltimore, JiHiK 13. Sensatto7mlist& (3), Phil Foster Lee Noble, Tnnesfnen. (3), jo Lombardi House Orch (12): "Coro- net's Creeh" (RKO). Pleasing bill nicely jiaced by Phil Foster, seasoned comic with fresh material. Extra-flashy ojpen- ing is provided by the Sensation- alists, two men and a gal in swift roUer-skaUng, providing better than average in spins and throws. »et matters nicely for Lee Noble magico working small stuff and good patter in tl»e deuce. Gets laughs and holds pace smartly. Foster is next and comes through in good style. Builds his routine of comedy skillfully and off the beat- en track of flip cracking, comics who use each other's material. Knows how to operate and scotes. The Tunesmen, trio of clarinet, piano and drum playing songsters, provide a perfect clincher. Lads give out with smart parodies and groovey instrumental stuff, par^ ticularly the clarinet, which reach- es virtuoso proportions. In closing slot they keep the stubholders hol- lering for more. A solid act for any spot. Bi-/. good. BMrm. f:apit«l, WhmIi. Washington, June 13. Boy Foy, Marion Froncis, Jock E. Leotiard, D'Angclo Sc Vanya; "Smdda Hoo" (20t»i). , Capitol show doesn't quite jell. Acts are run of the mill, and gen- eral effect is not up to hep slaud- ard of - hduse: Jack E. Leonard, headliner, gets running return of laughs for liis clownantics, but never achieves aU out appreciation. Rotund comic makes bis pitcli largely on his size, and good reception as result of his overstuffed appearance. Material, however, is just so-so, and neeis streamlining to click. Has a Lou Costello ring in his opening line of patter on which he might well cap- italize. Does best with his zany songs. Has a strong, clear set'of pijies which help. Marion Francis, blond' chantoo- soy, tees off mildly with "It's a Great Day," goes op to a medley of sentimental tunes, mostly oldies like "Peg O' My Heart," "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" and the like. Does well with "I Can't Say No" and a novelty, "I Want a Man," both of which she handles with style and fine sense of comedy. Singer might do well to skip the 'hearts and flowers routine and concentrate on latter comedy type song, for which she has a distinct flair. Boy Foy does a pleasant job as curtain raiser with his juggling act, done on a unicycle. Switches from a low to high wheel, and runs the gamut of every type of balancing stunt, using clubs, hats, discs and every part of his body. A good act of its type, with nice payee recep- tion. Dance slot is filled by D'Angelo & Vanya, ballroom terpers who feature Latin American routines. Technique is fine, but numbers could stand a touch of novelty. (Pair withdrew after four days because of illness; no replacement.) Louie. Andy Kirk Band (161 with Les- lie Scott; Savannah Churchill, 4 TUttes, Myers & Walker, Eddie Vin- son Band (7), CttfcJcshot & Motitc HavAey; "FooVb Gold" iXJA). They're saying it with music aplenty this stanza at the Apollo. It's loud and gutbucket most of the way, what with Andy Kirk and his solid tootlers fronting the all- sepia show and Eddie Vinson and his seven-piece band climaxing with equally hep pyrotechnics. It's like old home week for the col- ored clientele of house, who love this kind of doings. Studded with Four Tunes, Savannah Churchill and other sUck acts, layout plays well to reap top applause. There isn't a clinker in the lot. Kirk fronts affably, handles an- nouncements okay and swings his crew through a group of torrid an-angements of "Fine and Dan- dy," "Charmaine," etc., with a beat that has 'em stoniping and palm-whacking most of the time. Leslie Scott, robust baritone, -with bandj does nice workout on "Whif- fenpoof Song" and "Golden Ear- rings" for neat returns. Myers and Walker, male team, follow and score with theu' foolery, instrur mentation and hoofing. Lads are hard workers who knock them- selves out to keep the outfrouters happy. Tunes, male vocal quartet, are also solid with harmonies to guitar accomp of one pf the boys. Do niftily on "Ain't It a Shame," "Just in Case you Change Your Mind," "I Confess" and similar items to win hegoff. Miss Churchill, personable song stylist, was somewhat handicapped by laryngitis at opening-night show (Friday) but was given able as- sist by the Tunes on her brace of numbers, "All of Me" and "I Won't Cry," to practically, stop the show but was unable to oblige with an encore. However, Tunes took over for additional number after announcing Miss^ Churchill's indisposition. Crackshot and Hawlcy spot the weekly burley skit in next slot and get laughs with ancient ma- terial, again emphasizing it's' not what you do, but the way you do It. Then the joint falls apart when Vinson's combo goes to town. With sock backfaig from his sextet of musickers, Vinson gives out raii- F,2."?|y„°" "Wiike Up, Old Man," 'Tell Somebody Else" and others to cinch things. Bands-combine for sock finale. Edha. Voyn, Detroit Detroit, June 10. Jack Benny, Phil Harris, Marilyn Maxwell, Eddie (Rochester) An- derson, Sportsmen Quartet, Her- schel Lieh's Orch. (20); "Big City" (M-G). Lots of comics beat their brains out trying to capture laughs. .But not Jack Benny. He just saunters' to a mike, with hands dug deeply in his pockets, to can-y on what appears to be a normal, adllb con- versation. And with that he cor- rals as many laughs any comic in show. biz. -His keen sense of timing and his wide knowledge of comedy tech-- nique are in his favor. He tops one of the best stageshows ever to hit this town. Herschel Lieb's orch, made up of local musicians, tees off with "Sabre Dance" to bring on the "tightwad of radio." Just like that, no sales talk, no fanfare. Benny barely start,c; talk- ing when the audience breaks into a salvo of applause. Masterful touches and gag twists sustain it. Benny brings on the Sportsmen, who contrib sparkling arrange-* ments of: "Wyoming" ^and ''Adobe Hacienda" that win nice apprecia- tion: Fred Allen is put through the meat grinder, in comic patter.; be- fore Benny trains his satirical' gun on Phil Harris, his baton swinger. Good-natured jibes run rampant and then Hai-ris takes over -band, interspersing with .vocals on "Dju-k- town Poker Club'' and "That's What I Like About the-South." Film looker Marilyn Maxwell, warbles "Hooray for Love," as prelude to convincing Benny he never could be a gi-eat lover. Skit hits high spot when Harris talces over the lover role. His clinch is so terrific tlmt two •stageliands carry the supposedly unconscious Miss Maxwell off stage. '.Fhe audience loved it, just like they loved "Roehester" in his mimicking of the "Sabre Dance" in a routine that clicked. Throughout the show Benny makes vain attempts to violin "Love in Bloom," and this piece of biz sustains the laugh pace of the unit. .' Stal. New Acts ».\NNY LEWIS • .Songs • ■■ ■ 15 mins. Latin Casino, Phlla.- Success can be retroactive. Sky- rocketing of young JeiTy Lewis (Martin &) is carrying special pre- miums for his not-so-old man, Danny Lewis. After years on the borscht circuit and moderate stage success. Lewis, Sr., is getting his chance for a bid at top niteries. Breakin at the Latin Casino here had sentimental overtones. Singer got a sheaf of wires from virtually everybody at Lindy's. He's due to .go into the Glass Hat, N.,Y., after his run here. Lewis has a voice so much like Al Jolson's that it might easily be palmed off as same, if you weren't looking; However, he does it -straight, wisely eschewing those worn-thin imitations of Jolie's man- nerisms. Such .lolson s t a n d b y s . as 'Swanee," "April Sliowers," "Anni- versary Song," etc., are delivered solidly. Simply, straight and without af- fectation. Lewis delivers the.se numbers ui his own style. He also welcomes requests from the floor' and gets plenty. Jega. HAROLD KING Dance 10 Mills. Club Ebony, N. Y, Harold King offers a colorful JoUer-skatmg tap turn tliat com- bines the intricate hoolery of cleat work plu.s the moWlity of wheels. He offers some puncjly work which includes tricks that are sthndard with hoofers. High spot of this sepian's' act Is done atop a table. Here he tiu-ns in speedy dancing of iUle type done by Tip, Tap and Toe. Tiie slides off the table are productive of heavy hands. He's okay as novelty for vauders and plushier cafes. . Jose. Billie Holiday MtAang B'way Bow at N.Y. Strand Billie Holiday will play her first Broadway theatre date j3«ly 16 when she opens at the Strand theati-e. Sepia singer, who started her comeback after a year's absence, made her re-entry with a pair of Carnegie Hall concerts in May, followed in a vaude-type sliow at the. Mansfield theatre, N. Y., and a date at jthe Club Ebony.