Variety (Sep 1948)

Wednesday, Seplemtier 1, 1948 Night Club Reviews Slnrllghl Roof, Si. Louis (HOTFX CHASE) ,, St. Louisj, Amp. 26. • Al SiegeVs Revue, "Stars at Night," with Unger Twins; Terp- ^horalitU (6); BarcUiv Allen Orch (10); cover $1. weekdays, $1.50 Saturdays. Here's a package of entertain- ment that for sockeroo and high velocity tops anything seen, in this biirg in many moons and last but not least is the action dished out by Maestro Siegel, who not only penned all of the ditties for the revue and produced it, but also directs with considerable verve from the. piano. . „ Snaring the Unger twms, Gus- tai and Bertli, former Swedish film stars and only in the U. S. si.K months, has proved good hiz as tlie tall, Wackhaired, personable lads, in tails, uncork gobs of talent. They not only click with their warb- ling but repeat with pantomine. sottshoe dancing, of which there is too little, and pounding out boogie woogie on the ivories, a combo that unbends the sophisticates that patronize this room. Siegel also has rounded up six he has tagged Barken again is accenting tlic Latin in the current installation of the compact shows he presents. ' That tl)e formula pays oft" is evi- denced nightly via solid biz and payee reaction to the type of act utilized. Room makes a good show- case for the talents of Del Carmen and terpers Carlos and Linda. Miss Carmen turns in what for the most part is a well balanced blend of Spanish and Americano hits. Vocal talents embrace a -fast Latin open- er, following offstage;,theme' for in- tro. Changes pace, with a languor- ous tune, "Quinzas," then departs from the native stuff lor a sans- mike and effectively'delivered ver- sion of ."September. Song." "Chu, Chu, Chu" brought encore reac- tion, but her choice of a . number for the return could have been smarter than "Tequero Mucho," which contained odd switch in rhythm from rhumba to jive. With- al, the attractive and smartly- gowned Mexican thrush made a healthy inipresh. Carlos and Linda, accomped by bongo-beater Tabu, work energeti- cally. Pace set is fast all the way, with no break in the tempo, re- sulting in a touch of sameness. The approach, however, brought Tommy Wright backs Morrison nicely. Miss Ross, .with her uninhibited lyrics and zanyisms, still draws continual yocks with her wealth of specijil material; Her barbed kid- ding of the patrohs gets good re- sults, and she could stay on much longer than she does, lookers whom _ , , "terpsichorallsts", and these gals, |e,.s. Tee off with whirlwind rhumba, four brunets and two bloHdes, also ; continue the fast beat for their ver- click plenty, Their precision in pantomine, in collectively going througli the routine of putting on new faces, score solidly and is but \ bugs, complete to weird jacket and one bf their accomplishments. They i overbrimmed hat worn by the male can and do dance and sing equally | half. Youthful appearance and that as well. ( sustaining energy keep the mitts It's eithar the twins or the gals i coming, in action every second, and they ] Held over is Nino Yacovino in scarcely draw a long breath. So the emcee and teeoft spot, with fast is the action there are ho cos- tume changes. One skit tagged "The Impres- sions of Dorian Gray," in which ' the twins stand on either side of, a wooden frame constructed to re- j semble a: mirror., and pantomine j each other, will cop a nod any- where. The manner in which the , TJngers desert the floor to dash , . onto the bandstand, chase Siegel. off the bench to pound out the; boogie woogie stuff, in duet style,! is a hefty click. i The ditties which Siegel' com-: posed for this revue, and which the AFM Diskers Coutimied froni {lage 39 recordCTs sieBt th*i* ^tteriaeys to Washington to check with CSdVern!: ment people and the author of the T-H law. They were told that if they agreed to such a plan the Government would sue them for collusion in evadipg -the terms of tlie act. That was fsaough for the recorders:,., Unwelcome Mat? Then last Thursday (261 the indie transcribers wete invited, to a meeting vrith Ptitrillo' and the AFM executive board,- None of *he trahsCription firms affiliated with a pop recording company was asked to atterid, Milton Diamond, A^M attorney, and James PetriUo, AFM head, laid the same plan sVeady''re7cti:on from'the tab-pay- before them. By accident, two rep- resentatives ot maaor recording firms which have affiliated'trainiT scription firms learned of the meeting. They attended. When Diamond unfolded the same plan they had been offered before, both members are said to have advised Diamond and Petrillo of the Cjov- ernment's attitude. Diamond in- formed thenj. it's; said, that they had not beeii ihvited to the meet and were free to leave. Petrljlo told both they could stay, but both 1 walked out. I Represeiitatives of the indie I transcribers- had not known that the same plan had been offered to and rejected by the major record- I ing companies.; because' the first meeting had been kept well und^r cover. They are now conyinced, that Diamond prompted Petrillo into an attempt to sign the indie transcription companies in the VARIETY BILLS WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1 KiinieralK'Jn. foiiiieutloji witii hWn hMw Indleato Any t»t nhow n'littth«i' fliU ur Ki»IU w««k. r.ef4flr ill pAr4*iitli«.(4,*H }iHll4r)ifes (;ir«-iilt: (l> lilfl«^p('nilf>jit; (fj l.i»f.\v; IVIt>F,tt; (I'r I'liniHiouu*; (It) itlU); l^) .Sdill; (IV) IVuriwi-; (H K) IViillvr ICrade sion of the Mexican Hat dance, then wind into fast samba. Top with impresh of Americano jitter his song impressions. Peter Her- man's small unit turns in a neat job on the backgroundings, and are spelled between shows by Ra- fael's expert Latinairers. Lary. C'liili 509. nvArttit \ Detroit, Aug. 27. i Lyllette, The La Maes, Hanlon I & Ciorfc, Bert Nolan, Don Harmon, ! PattlLa Verne Dancers (5), Al ■ De VilO Orch (6) ; 60e door charge. ] There's a concert hall atmos-, hope «iat once the latter agreed phere at this downtown spot with ' to a deal, affiUated transcription twins and gals sock over, are "Day i the 88-handwork of Lyllette. Cute outfits and then the pop recorders At The Races," "Dawn To Dusk ; and light brown, slic puts a boogie- ! would be forced into line. Whether In New York," ^'ChirChi Chicago" ! woogie touch to light classics and j the AFM was aware of the govern- and :"Life In A Model Agency," makes 'em like it. Gorgeously I ment's attitude toward the methods the latter a clever satire on the gowned, she steps before the piano I of the proffered arrangement is Gonover and Powers organizations. ; and acts like a jitterbug. Pacing - .. DeLores Crane and Alan Simms ; alonp with her talented touch, her are the vocalists with Allen's orch. i high-oitched vigor should make a iSahti. Versailles. N. Y. (FOLLOWUP) First Nancy Donovan and now Margaret Phelan as summer stop- gaps at Nick S(. Arnold'? class East 50th street eatery-nitery. The Ver- sailles is tis much an epicurean's spot as a cafe and perhaps no saloon makes a fetish of cuisine as does this management. Hence the Versailles is a natural draw although there is no disputing the gradations when an Edith Piaf or a Carl Brisson are the attractions. Earlier in the summer Miss Don undisclosed, but, it's opined, if it did, that in all probability would not have been a stymie. It would have been one way of bringing Washington into the case and perhaps bringing the whole thing to a headi Reebrd arid traascripr tion maSkers are convinced that Petrillo wotild let go Of the disk I situation in a minute if he could blues, is socko, and other steady'"" ®° wii^nout losing face. reqne.sls include "Sabre Dance," I Transcribers also felt offended "Boogie Woogie," "Twelfth Street | by the AFM's attempt to divide and headlining habit Top spot in the snappy show, Lyllette warms up with a rhythmic ditty, breaks into a heavy and light version of Chopin's "Polonaise," and follows with blues right from New Orleans. "King's Size Papa," Rag," "Warsaw Concerto," "Clare de Lune" and "Rhapsody In Blue." The place literally jumps during her 40 minutes. Hanlon and Clark add a touch of vaude with their zanies, The woman is a terrific on comedy. The ovan, with Iter titian good lookK | La Maes add a swift dance pace to and voice to match, registered, and ; an aheadv fast show with their Miss Phelan should repeat. A very neat dancing. personal songstress who bespeaks excellent vocal training, this Texas looker^—strongly suggesting Norma Shearer or Madge Evans in their earlier days—^is a class entry oif; anybody's saloon floor. Her voice has quality, • her background in- cludes operatic stints with Coast companies, and in'a cafe she knows how to mix them up for all tastes. Miss Phelan "doesn't need , the mike, but when she uses it she knows not to abuse it, by treating the amplification with proper re- spect as she hits the high registers. She opens sans mike and then in easy progression does musiconiedy and pop ballads. She runs the gamut from a "Show Boat" pot- pourri to "Lindy Lou," Rodgers & Hammerstein excerpts; "Wonderful World" and "Man Can Be a Won- derful Thing" to others. Withal jshe is an easy-on-the-eye as. well as on the ears half-hour or so of delight- ful song.' A shade too polite for just any type of bistro she eah't miss in a class spot, as evidenced here. Por^ usual, maestro Bob Grant gives her more than pa^s- lAgly Mv assist with his musical ««omB,.not tm mention the basic dsmsapatioa, Aiel. Don Harmon tenors a string of pop requests from the audience, and Bert Nolan emcees. The singer is okay but the emcee should acquire new material. conquer the recording and tran- scription factions. They point out that at the end of the last ban it was the recorders who were first whipped into line, after which the transcription companies hadn't much choice. They had to accept the same deal. They feel that if Petrillo had been successful' he would have accomplished two tilings, even if the pop recorders ref used to accept the same arrangement. He would have opened one avenue of revenue to recording musicians, who are NEW YORK CITY Copitol (L) 2 Dick Jurg«ns Ore Dick »oweU Gil Maifitiit: l.<atliroii Lee Music Hall (I) 1 Will Alayo . Cliai'les T.vrell Willie Jones Andy Aivai'l Idalys E.-iteUe Sloan Gockflttes .Corps de Ballet . Sym Ore ' C CaVallat'o Bd Larry Slorcli : Kochellv & Beebe aoxy (I) 31 Frances Langl'ord .Ion Ilaai Jlarmonicats Jeri'y Colonna Carol Lyniie Frit?, Dieti Strand (W) 3 Winner Tiike All Cv Reeves Alvy West Ore BRONX Crotona (I) «-7 .Ttianita & Ciiamps F &- K Watson Arcne & Dowling Di«k Roeers Burton & Janet QUEENS Jamaica (I) 1-4 Lou Urowne Arlene & DowliriTiE .Burton & Janet Moneite & Perry Jack Brtmo K & A Corda Mario & Francesco Sammy Moss Danny Hnrwyn 5-7 Riclyard Adair Co Raquel Terri La Franconi Ross & Dean . Ballard & Ra« ATLANTIC CITY Steel Pier (I) 2* 4 Macks Connie Haines Renard & Anders Ueniiy Youngman aALTIIMORE - Hii»podrome <l) 2 Original Amateur Hour Winner.^ Royal (I) 3 Arnett Cobb e Kay Anthony Ore Don & Stan KiniC. K Russell & .luiia Billy Williams Stat* (I) a-4 Del Alarkee <;erak1ine Joe (two to «ll) St nenri French Fayne fit .Foster ■ jtlortte Woile < 2 tiall & Al CAMDEN Taw«ri (II 1-* l.acey Jlrcs Terry Bennett Johnson & Mitsk l..anny Bruce Tayiiton Dancers CHICAGO Chicago (P> 2 Dann.v Tiiomas Alarle McDonald LeRo.y Puppets The Dunliitla oriental W I Gene Autry.. ■ Rule DavLs ■ Cass County Boys The Pinafores Pat Buttran Johnny Bond Regal (P; 3 Louis Jordan Tym 5 S Sherock Bd Ivory .loe Hunter Will Mastin 3 Peggy . .Thomas MIAMI Olympia (P) I Tato & Julio Ada Lynn Bela Lueosi Co Johnn,v Woods LaVernes PHILADELPHIA Carmanll) 2 B Yost Vikings READING EarIa (I) 1-2 Bill Robinson Beau Jesters Rignletto Bros & Ainuie Sis. 3 Fontancs Pat Rooney Sr llal Sands Girls RDCKFORD Palace (I) 3-5 The Ma:^ines Jack Sherars Shelby Davis Etoier Cleve Co T Tommy & B Doll WASHINGTON Capitol (L) 2 Marcos' Lee Noble .- Benson & Mann PeKcy Lee Howard (I) 3 J Lunceford Ore Delta Rhythm Boys (llenn & Jenkins The Madcaps Janet Sayre BBITAIK niftily costumed for good applause. ruMTav^haVo! the"disf prob- Al Devito, who replaced Benny Kesh, is on the bandstand for the backing up. 5ta»i. lem solved before election. Upbeat Continued from patre 41 ^ ni^oeU €lnb, Mimni It Miami Beach, Aug. 28. pel Carmen, Carlos & Linda, toith Tobtt, JVino yacooitno, Peter mrman and Rafael wcM} mini- *iM5n, $2 & $2.50. JMIo\?&g the successful pattern f m^t, fhift thtimate spflt im summer, o^r«tt>r sant €lul» Baj^aiHIe, TV. Y. (FOLLOWUP) Brett Morrison, star of '"The 1vnrt<!itlnn " rtnt o in i n Shadow" . radio program, who's | .?:.,„V'^.. ^? 1" been making sporadic forays into the nitery field as a singer, is shar- ing billing with indigo song stylist Dorothy Ross at the Bagatelle. Handsome blonde has a fine bari- tone, a nice way with almost any type tune and demonstrates that, While radio may still be his forte, he's capable of doing a smooth .job in niteries, musicomedy and/or] especially television. i Morrison was termed too stiH j and formal in his nitery dates last! year, but he's overcome that ; t -v deficiency admirably. Fake introi rittSDUrgn . with a green flashlight baring his i Bean Hudson band comes into kisser to a darkened room plays on "TBiii Green's Sept. 13 for two Billy Bishop closes at Bismarck hotel Oct. 4, opening at Carnival in Min- neapolis Oct. 28 ... Kins Cole Trio set for one-weeker at RKO theatre, Dayton . . . Ella Fitzgerald opens at Rag Doll Aug. 30 and heads for Palladium. London, after two weeks at northside bistro ,. . Stan Kenton's concert talces over Civic Opera House Oct. 9-10 . . . Victor Lombardo into Marine Dining Room, Edgewater, Oct, 22 to Nov, 18. his "Shadow" role, but his first tune demonstrate;^ he can stand alone on his sin^ng. His selection of tunes is very wise, demonstrating a neat change of pace. Songs run the gamut from a French-lynced "^fc Chante," tbcMufbifn Irish folk tune and the nuisieMAedy ballad "Lonely Town" tma the Broadway legiter, "0» the Towit." Irtterttide piatiist weeks, following ^Ted Weems out- fit .. . Tommy Carlyn at West View Park before departing for Chicago to split six weeks be- tween .Aragon and Trianon . . . Phil Caven^ «rch. which went into Vogue Terrace for one week, has been there four and wUt re- ioiain for two tuore . BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome (M> 10 Kid from Stralf'd Arthur Asltoy Gil Johnson Ginette Wander John Lewis Jimmy Codden Chic Elliot BRADFORD Alhambra (Ml 30 Ta Ka Rah Boom Frankie Ilowerd Adrienne & Leslie Morgan & Royle Irving Girdwood BRIGHTON Hippodrome (M) 30 Arthur Lucan Kitty McShane CHISVI/ICK Empire (SI 30 Jack Durant Berry Bros M Colleano Co Elsie Bower Franltic HigKins Hope & Ray A Kay it tlloria DERBY Grand (S) 30 Billy Cotton Ore Albert "WJjelan Desmond & Marks Scott &. Foster Donald B Stuart Johnson Clark Karlson 3 GLASGOW empire (Ml 30 Olga Varona Steve Conway Tony Walsit Lew Parker Cawalini's Dogs L & B Lowe Voung China Trp .Jack Ledalr Michael Miles LEEDS Empire (Ml 30 Frank 4»reston John Boles Garcias M Woodward Co «eg DlKon Wbeeier & Wilson Henri Vadden Co Vernon Sis LEICESTER Palace (S) 30 Trimlcr Sliow Tommy Trlnder Oanjou Bros & Juauita <{> Orlanders Woods & Jarrett Bcniand & Pigeons Jerry Allan 3 LIVERPOOL Empire (M) 30 Jtob Murray Martha Raye Teri-y Hall Arnaul Bros Gold & Cordon . Bamberger Paw Norman Caroll Dorothy Gray Co LONDON Casino (23) June Richmond Colos & Atkins Max Miller . Hippodrome (M) Vic Oliver Pat Kiricwood Fred Emncy Melachrinn Ore MaiHlyn Hightowcr Michael Dentine Sviiv Andrews •Tean Garson' Santigo Bd Mlladium (M) Dtnali Slioi* JViCbidas 8io« Heirmain Hyae 30 30 Jean Parker J Jk A Digatano Jaclcie Hunter Con Colleano Max & Oxing Krista & Krislal Peter Waring El Granadas 4 WaUabies FIN5BURY PARK Empire (Mi 30 Mariora I Ben Vo.St Co ' Dick. Henderson Teri'y-Thomas Geo Doonan 2 Leslies 3 Jokers .Freddie Sanborn 3 Shades Terri <^arol HACKNEY Empire (5) 30 Ted HeatlY Ore Tom F Moss Jill Summers Hobt Ilarbhi C Arcy & Dawn Jimmy Bobbins ■ Marc Sc Geo Balmoral 4 SH.EPHERDS BUSH Empire (S> 30 Jimmy James Frank Marloew P Kos-sborougli Lupe 4.' Veicz Bob Gray I D.'inccttcs Elsa Ik Waldo MANCHESTER Hippodroma (Si 30 Harr.v Green (Jo J llamiiton-Sjnitit John llargravcs Myrons BiJl Waddington Society 4 Harrlss & Ciiristine Bonnie l^eslie NEWCASTLE - Empire (Ml 30 D Mere & Roberto Tommy Fields Winters & Fielding Medlocie . JE Marlowe Lucille Benstead Cyril Levis NOTTINGHAM Empire (Ml 30 E M Harvey Keid & Squires J & M Kinson lliley & Heller Joyce Golding Stanelli Bontonds Barna & Brook Veronica Martell SUNDERLAND Empire (M) 30 Comedians Parade Frank K Franks (ilcne Boyne Barbara Ford Richardo Co Aeg Radclifle Angus WaLson Sandy Dawe Jackie Todd Baslil'iil Boys SWANSiSA , Empire "(M) 30 Alpbk » Percy Rich & iris Sadler Fred Lovelie Great Lyle WOLVERHAMPTON Hippodrome (M) 3t Frank Handle Gus Aubrey B Wazsan Trp Mai Swain Co A J Powell John Boden Mvndalay .Sinters Bltii Stketret Eva NEW YORK CITY Cafe Seeiety Downtown Nellie Lutcher Avon Long Calvin Jackson Dave Martin ore Copacabana Msrton Downey Jean Carroll Gali-Gali Betty Bonney Ralph Young Ray Malone M Durso Ore Alvares Ore Diamond Horseshoe .lay Marshall (irace & Nicco Norma Shepherd Choral Octet H Sandler urc Alvare-i Mera Juenger Ballet Line El Chico Fernanda Crespa , Gondc Luis Victoria Barcelo Rita Se Rozinu Los Fanchos Havana-Madrid* Los Boclleros Trini Reyes H Santillan.1' Ralph Font ore Macllito Ore Hotel Belmo't-Plaza Eddie Stone Ore Hotel Biltmore Ru.ss Morgan Ore Harold Nauel Ore Motel Edison Henry Jerome Ore No 1 Fifth Ave Turner Twins. Jack Kerr Ha^el Webster Downey & Fonville Penthouse Club Johnny Tliompson Oscar Walzer . Riviera . Carlos Ramirez Manor & Mignon Tony Bavaar Joey Gilbert Donn Ardeii Line Hotel Aster Blue BaiTon Ore Three Suns Hotel New Yorker B Cummins Ore Ice Revue Hotel Piccadilly Dell Trio Hotal pi>»|Mylvani« Skitch Mendei'son 0 Hotel St Mttritx Menconi Ore Jacquelina . Vida & Varo Hotel Taft Vincent Lopez Ore Charlie Drew Latin Quarter Milton Berle Don Saxon ivanazawas Dorothy Claire Son & Sonny Sid Gary Mountaineers' Pruminaders Vinj8 Merlin Ore B Harlow Ore ' La Ruban Bleu King Odom. 4 Patricia Bright Bernie George Sonny Raye Nnrmasui Paris 3 Leon a Eddie's Jerri Btanchard- Art Wener Ore Cerneys , Terry Twins .Bruce Howard ' < Roslyn PaiKe Shepard Line Old Roumanian Sadie Banks Joe La Porte Ore D'Aquila Ore Spivy's Katrina Van OSS Mary McCarty Spivy Versailles ; Nancy Donovan Bob {-Irani Ore Panciiito Ore Village Barn Hal Graivam Ore Chubby Roe Eddy Howard : - Bill Dufly Barbara Duffy Mons. Richard . Piute Pete Waldorf-Astoria : Jack Fina Oj-c Mischa Borr Ore CHICAGO Bfackhawk ' Al Trace Orcll Jackie Van -Hotel Bismark Biily Bishop Ore Florence &; Fred'ric Helslng* Prof Bitckwards Piiil D'rcy . Bonnie LineU^ BiU Chandler Ore Lola Ame'chee H Edgewaler Beach Geo Olscn Ore A Konyot Paul Uemos Hal Ray win . Betty Gray D Hild Dancers (12) Maurice & Maryea Chei Paree Danny Thonuis Danna ■/ : . Mage & Karr Leroy Bros (21 M Gould Ore (10) Lane Adams D Chicsta Combo D Dorben Dcrs Co ' Hotel Stevens Benny Strong Ore B & F Ballard John Flanagan Jean Arlen Marian Spelman Skating Blvdears Bog Turk , „ Rebfteld A: Del Toro Doris Donavan I Eiwood Carl j Palmer House Liberaee- Clifford Guest -M Abbott Dcrs U0> Florian ZaBach Ore GiseU & F SzyonI MARIE (BUTCH) AUSTIN „ Coniedy, Songs, Impressions 20 Mins. Paddock Chib, Miami Beach ' Return of Marie (Butch) Austin to the business with this engagement, after a three-year retirement, marks a welcome addi- tion to the singing comediennes featured in the better cafes and vauders, though her choice of the Paddock club, a rowdy, let-your- hair-down room seeme(l a tough one for her initial showcasing. ' Credit the dynamic, attractive little blonde with turning the spot's noisy element into an attentive and appreciative audience, via solid talent, plus a flair for showmanship that would do credit to a veteran. Her material is all of a socky pattern tliat sustains listener reac- tion throughout. It's a blend of "character" versions of the stand- ard pops that garner giggles all the way. BV)r change of-pace therefs a straight version of "Baby,. Come Out Of The Blue" that is topfied by her nostalgic patter of the days when she worked with Ted Leviris, Harry Richman and Bennv Davis. Combo of the three styles, if they were to teacli her delivery, jnak«s for an encore-bringing sequence. Comes backi to mime Sophie Tucker, had to beg oft. Lary. Heads Ky Fair Events ' . Louisville, Aug. 31. Doc Cassidy, booker of various hillbilly units from local radio sta- tions, is supervisor of special events for the 1948 Kentucky State Fair, Sept. 12-18. This is first time the fair has had a promotion man to hypo the spe- cial events department