Variety (Jul 1948)

96 WcJnfegchqr, July 28» 1941 Le Raban Bleu, IV. Y. JCingr Odom Qiiartet. Naomi Stevens, Edo I^upicH, Louise Houv ord, JVormoTin Paris Ttio, Lee Mele; $^ minimum. Tony Mele has a good show this layout and iii$ son, Lee Mele. who is debuting «s emcee, dws an ade- quate job of introducing the vari- ous turns of which Naomi Stevens, personable songstress, and Edo Lu- bich, singing' gnitarist, are under New Acts. : Socko holdover is the King Odont Quartet with their styliaed harmonics to self^instmmental ac- companiment; Colored combo are in the Ink Spots^MiUs Bros.-£ing Gole idiom, and, with a good record- ing or two, vdnch time and Petrillo' may solve, should break through importantly. They bespeak class without being too mud) so. Their showmanship is innately expert as they whip up "Four-Leaf Clover," "Sad Eyes, Glad Eyes," Stephen Foster's "Kentucky Babe," "Basin Street Blues," "Shadrack" and other spirituals, and the like. Two of the quartet are straight singers, inchiding Odom, but the string bass and guitarist likewise join in the vocal-harmonies, the former par- ticularly registering with his basso. The other standout is Louise Howard, a real personality among the intime songstresses. A looker who evidences close tutelage in her chores, she manifests fin^ show- manship axtd pace changing with special material such as the "Whif- fenpoof Song" done via a varie- gated assortment of impressions; a«satire on Elizabethan 'folk sing- ers; a "Cocktails for Two" conceit, ■which permits, for some good fun, and a fetching stew routine, plus "Don't Let It G^t You Down" for the opener, etc. Besides being an attractive chlr- pef, with a particularly fetching pair of optics which show to good advantage in an intimate room of this type, Miss Howard wisely segues more and more from straight songaloging to impression- istic and comedy numbers. She has been around, notably at No. 1 Filth Ave. and Spivy's Roof, but Somehow shows to peak impression at this East 56th street iOass spot. The Normann Paris Trio contin- ues with their expert instrumenta-' tion for interludes and general ac- comps. Biz OK. New maitre d' is GeorgCi vice Carlo who ventured into bis own Encore cafe. Abel. Cfro's, Iloilywoofl Hollywood, Julu 21. King Cole Trio. Phil Ohman Orch (14); couer $2.50 weekdays, $3.50 Saturdays. ^ This booking is a little off the beaten track for. this plush Sunset Strip nitery but a slight adjust- ment of policy could make it a clever switch. King Cole Trio is in on a regular show basis, doing two stints nightly when, for a room of this sort, a continuous on-and- off policy during the night would be better. Patrons would thus- be granted HEOiandHOWilRD "Comtar Danes Antics' RADIO CfTY MUSIC HALL NEW YORK and flflubUtis "TEX/VOO TV" what they seek—an almost unend- ing supply of the Cole entertain- ment. As it stands, each of the shows means some disappointmeut —even though eombo finally begs oSf after half an hour of work. As expected. Cole's now classic "Na- ture Boy" arrangement is sock, with the guitar and bass combo simulating effectively the string bridge that backed his dislung of the hit. At the other end of the musical ladder, trio whams across heated rhythm arrangements of such numbers as "Put 'Em In a Box," "Now He Tells Me," and "Straighten Up and Ply Right." And for a change of pace, in addi- tion to "Boy," there's "Portrait of Jennie," which might well become another smash. Terp chores' are handled by the Phil Ohman crew, rapidly becom- ing a fixture here. The Ohman music is easily handled and aimed at keeping Ciro's bigname custom- ers on the floor. Kap. Bi»ul«varfl lEooiu, Chi (STEVENS. HOTEL) Chicago, July 20. Jean Arle'n. Marion Spelman, Bob & Florence Ballard, Bohby Turk, Manuel Del Toro, Jerry Reh- field, Charles Caxtanaugh, Johnny Flanagan, Boulevar-Dears (6), Benny Strong Orch (13), vnth Doris Donovan; Dorothie Littlefeld, choregraphy; John Baur, costumes; Hessie Smith, arrangements; Nor- man Krone, orchestration; $3.50 r/iin., $1 cover. COMICS I'll write you a new act or doctor .rour old. - KituMinable rate». Ko lll« Jokex. Orl;;inal material only. Over tun ywirn*'cxiierlellce wrltlUE all tynes of iMiincidy. Scit* tOl 274 W. 43rd St.. N«w York City New ice re'vue improves on forc- rmmer, which bowed here last spring and drew well throughout. Holdovers are Marian Spelman, who handles songs and introes, plus ringsters Jerry Rehfield, Man- uel Del Toro and Jean Arlen. Line's costuming has been bettered via shorter skirts that, unlike the volu- minous longies of the previous show, unveil sightworthy leg ac tion and remove the hazard of low hemlines. Show is in four segments more or less eued to the major points of the compass. In the Dixie opener Bob Turk, Manuel Del Toro and Jerry Rehfield, garbed as ante helium dandies, panto gallantry while the hoop^kirted line co- quettes. Charles Cavaniaugh skims comically as an Aunt Jemima and Johnny Flanagan romps as Topsy in a game of blindman's hluff. It's moonlight and magnolias in- the deep freeze, sub.. So-called Northern Light's num- ber brings the line back for well- received ballet blading, followed by Jean Arlen who scores with leaps and pirouettes in danseuse style. Bob and Florence Ballard's adagio stint draws prime returns: via overhead lifts. Femrae, pin- wheeled by one arm, stams the ice with her cold wave. Western sequence is teed off by Bobby Tiu-k, paced by heavy drum- ming, hops like an injun. brave and wins big hand. Bladier's recovery from a tumble on deteriorating ice was tops in aplomb. Line, in pony- girl regalia, is joined by cowhands Manuel Del. Toro, Jerry Rehjield and Charles Gavanaugh in square dance sets. Last and best sequence, labeled "The East in Manhattan," opens with the ornycay business of hav- ing Johnny Flanagan planted in the band as a faulty fluter. Comic hits the ice with eccentric blading and prattfalls that bring neat returns. The Ballards' fast jitbug routine is followed by zoot-suited Manuel Del Toro^s okay bit as a swoon-crooner, with the line supplying ooh's. Jean Arlen and Turk, wrap it up via waltz-tempoed gliding. Miss Spelman's trilling is okay throughout, but the vocals lose impact because they're incidental to the skating. Lyrics are super- fluous to the fast action on the rink at some points, with obscure cor- relation at others. Incongruities creep in when, for example, song- stress races through "It's a Good Day" to keep pace with Miss Ar- len's leaps and twirls as an ice- going cowgirl. Orch backs nimbly during 45- minute show .and fills the fltMir dur- ing dance sets. fiozt. MAXIM E CittWENTLY LONDON CASINO. ENGLAND JOK MAMOLAiS (FOLLOWUP) The addition of Cross and Dunn to the Latin Qtiarter layout pro- vides added strength to the fore- part of the show. The current dis- play, while abounding in entertain- ment qualities, is late in hitting its stride. Consequently this vet comedy-song team's efForts are timed to hit the crowd just at the point where the. audience interest needs tlie hypo ol a change of pace to vocal fare. : Team has a sizable amount of special material, which is gener- ally clean and cleverly constructed. They know how to work to every typo of audience thus earning re- warding mitts. On show caught, the duo bad to punch particularly hard inasmuch as a crowd, generally alien to niteries, dominated. They reach their highpoint with a recital of Gershwiniana after setting themselves in solid with their Comedy songs. Their diary num- ber and the "lazy" tune make for solid exit. Rest of the layout is similarly of top cut, with Ina Ray Button and Willie Shore holding the top spots. Clever with his hoofery. Shore has Uie pedal know-how to point up his dance accomplishments with excellent comedic values. As a re- sult. Shore's leaps and spins are consistent applause wirfners, even offsetting some of the relatively weak gab .that suffers in compari- son. He has a high number of laugh-lines of juvenile.calibre, but if his linguistic eSorts parred his terping he would rate with the beat comics around. The CoStello Twins, lithe-look- ers, have a choice line of aero terps which are smoothly executed and excellently routined. Their turn is fast and ahomds with in- terest and according to their cur- rent display should make quite a splash for a few years. Another terp-tum on the bill are the Martells & Mignon, who have frequently offered some breath- taking tricks. However, on show caught the trio seemed unsure of themselves, but recovered toward the end to get an okay palming. They were replaced Sunday (25) at the expiration of their contract, by Saridre and Verna. Ina Ray Hutton on the podium certainly gives the bandstand a sexy decor. She femmecees a nice show and does her specialties in the production numbers to good effect. The Walters spot is lutting ex- cellent grosses despite the offish season, an apparent reward for the consistent quality 'shows at this spot. Jose. other acrobatics along with splits and dance routines, on roller skates to good hand. Three strings are combined with two brass, three saxes and the same number of rhythttv to constitute the band fronted by the personable Nick Stuart, once of films. It leans to the sweet, but also dishes out swing acceptably. Outfit features pianist Nick Phillips who opens the floor show with rousing ar- rangement of Tschaikowsky's "Pi- ano Concerto." In Lorraine Daly band has a vocalist who's a stun- ning looker as weU as first-rate warbler. Rees, Oub Carnival, Mpis. Minneapolis, July 24. Lind Brothers (3), Dolly Barr, Nick Stuart orch/,^12) viith Lor- raine Daly; $2.50 min. Saturdays. Launched about three months ago on the site: of the burned-out former Happy Hour, this new spot probably takes its place among the. country's most attractive and elaborate niteries. And with a policy of traveling bands that have included Frankie Carle, Blue Barr ron, Clyde McCoy and Ray Her- beck plus two top acts, it has been attracting crowds at a time when most bistros generally are singing the blues.: Club representing a $450,000 in- vestment, seats 350 in the main room and 150 more in its cocktail bar. Sidewalls help to provide a gay, colorful atmosphere with vari- colored murals portraying carnival characters and scenes set off by fluorescent paint in contrast to a large section upholstered in cream buff to the ceiling, lending a dig- nified touch of class. The predom- inant carnival motif is stressed in the crystal fixtures ard brightness in lighting. A sizable mechanized dance floor is hydraulically raised to the level of the bandstand in its rear to provide a stage for the show. . • , . Current layout is topped by the Three Lind Bros, who duplicate smash hit they scored at the Hotel Nicollet Minnesota Terrace last January. They serve up such sacred numbers as ''Eili, Eili" and "Ave Maria" so stirringly as to Jiold audience at rapt attention and then evoke an ovation. Expert showmanship distin- guishes their choice and routining of numbers. With the serious and semi-heavy vocal fare they, of course, wisely mix in comedy- studded numbers like "What's Wrong With Grand Opera?" "Hilda" and "McsNamara's Band," embrilished with clowning. There's also a showy, thrilling arrange- ment, of "Sabre Dance" and there are oldees like "Swanee" and "I May Be Wrong." It provides a wide variety of melody to please all musical tastes. Each offering IS niftily done with soloing demon- strating that each member of the trio has nice pipes. Had to beg Dolly Barr, shapely and good- Iwking, periConus bandstands and Charlie Ventwra Orch (7), with Jockie Coin, Billy JBcfcstine, Tod Darner on orch (5); $1 minimum weekdays, $1.50 weekends plus 90c adntisstOTt. While midsummer is notoriously the poorest time of the'year for cafe operators, the Royal Roost ap- parently has come up with a policy that gets *em. Be-bop is the mag- net. Prior to becoming a "bopera" house, Ralph Watkins' Broadway basement spot floundered around for months with entertainment ranging from sepia name bands to small cocktail units and a line of girls, all to skimpy business. Early this summer Boost pro- moter Monte Kay hit upon a be-bop concert as a means of hypoing the b.o. With disk jock "Symphony Sid" emceeing a pickup band of moderate names, the idea proved a click and gained further momen- tum later when be-bop's high priest, Dizzy GiUcspie, moved into the spot. Opening of Charlie Ventura's band plus Billy Eckstine, Friday (23), drew tumaway biz. Be-bop cultists. evidently are confined to the age bracket a few years above the bobbysoxer for the majority of the cafe's patrons were in that category. "They filled the tables and overflowed into a "bleacher" section in the rear of the room which the house sets up to accom- modate the straight admission pay- ees. Ventura has a small outfit here, only three rhythm, two brass and two sax plus femroe vocalist, Jackie Cain. While the unit is small, the resulting volume, nevertheless, is more than ample for tlie confines of this 320-capacity room. Maestro contribs some neat saxlng, especial- ly in a free interpretation of "Body and Soul." All the band's num- bers, for that matter, are "free:^'" interpreted. Miss Cain handles her warbling chores capably. Eckstine, who has quite a follow- ing, polishes off some five numbers amid the,usual shrieks and whistles from the femmes. His well modu- lated tones are particularly stand- out on "Sophisticated Lady" and "Cottage for Sale." Be-bop and Eckstine, as far as the customers are concerned, are a terrific com- bination. Tod Dameron's small re- lief group is a holdover from the previous layout El Mor»«;«M», Montreal Montreal, July 22. 1948. Barton, Bros.i Ida James, Bobby Jule, Buddy Clarke Orch, Hal White Trio; minimum $2. IJsual July doldrums doesn't mean a thing around El Morocco. With a well-balanced show, this top nitery is getting more than its share of the tourist trade and their lush spending. Teeoffer of show is juggler Bobby Jule, who clicks with his easy manner and polish. Lad juggles tambourines, balls and Indian clubs with suave dexterity to win salvos. , Familiar to disk fans, singer Ida James' initial offering, "Shoo-Flv Pie,'' is thin and it's not until she socks over "I Told You I Love You, Now Get Out" that the hous>e is on her side. Encores with "Mean to Me" and "Sugar" for nice returns. Headlining Barton Bros., faves here, prove again to be a boisterous tno whose material is clever. Heavy on the impresh side, lads do take- offs on the Ink Spots and Durante, which garner yocks when they all appear in same makeup and wrap things up with skit on a soda jerk this could stand better routining for more effectiveness. Swish bits could be eliminated. Newt 5<N» C:iul^ A. r. Atlantic City, N. J., July 22. Dean Martin & Jerry Leufa Betty Bradley, Phyllis Clair, PaSi Williams. Galertta & Leonardo Dowc Ennis orch; $6 mtnimuwi. ' Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis top the show .here, returning to the spot where they got their first big break in the night club fieldL Irv Wolf, who operates this ctak got them together, so the stoicy goes, three seasons ago and they have been eliciting ever since It's touch and go all the way through the 45 minutes team are oot and no one knows just what to ex- pect next. Martin sings with good effect while Lewis flits around seemingly "mussing" up the act. He talks with the customers, grabs Dave Ennis's baton to lead the band, fights with^Ennis and the musicians, plays the piano, and gives the customers plenty laughs* • Top bits are a choir number with Martin giving with "Once la' a While" with Lewis and bandsmen backgrounding for hefty returns. Then Lewis goes to the piano foe a two-finger accomp to Martin's "My Heait Sings." There's an- other bit with Lewis leading band-. as Martin struggles with "Ol' Man River," which winds up in a heckling convention but register- ing on laugh meter. They -wind comedy stuff on instruments to Uterally bring down the house and., steal the show. They're supported by four other' good acts. Show starts with Phyllis Clair, who does a nice tap ' number to set tempo of proceed- ings, Brunet Betty Bradley pipes four numbers with "I Want to Get Married" scoring heavily. Trio Ot ballads are also amply rewarded. Galenta & Leonardo, ballroom- olcigists, contrib talent and class. Spins and balancing sequences^ draw plenty applause. Pearl Williams was out of show when reviewed. Wolfc, ■ Riviera, Fori Im, N. J. (FOLtOWCP) The substitution of Henny Young- man for the Slate Bros, gives an overall brighter countenance to the Riviera show. Youngman is one comic who seems to have got- ten a firmer hold on himself dur> ing the past year. Ever since his N. Y. Copacabana click, he's been hitting a fast stride, and since he invested heavily in new material he's become surefire. Youngman's Riviera stint has him working in a ''Nature Boy" at- tire consisting of a leopardskin. It's good for initial yock that sets him well with the audience, and Ms ' material insures the maintenance of that attention. During his turn he practically throws away fis' many lines as some comics use in their entire act. He walks oS tA a top impression. Further comedy is by : Bomo Vincent, who continues to throw his weight around to good advan- tage, while the Danish aero import, the Olanders, (5), do an amazing bit of tumbling and spinning for a group of kids. Production values aided by tapster Joey Gilbert, singer Tony Bavaar and the Donn Arden-pro- duccd line. Jose. NAOMI STEVENS CHANTS WITH A CHUCKLE Curranlty AppMring LE RUBAN BLEU New York IGE RINK FOR SALE Used «t Hotel Bilfmdr*. PoHroble, 18 X 22. Compute with 7*/a horse- power 0. C. FrAon CondeiMin!) 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