Variety (Sep 1948)

44 KICHT mm RKVIEWS WeJneeJay, geptembpr 22, 1948 i» nir>oo««ir4> X Y. lAlabama." Vocals are done by i Rnban Blen, T%. 1. ■Mr«'C«oir«. Sawyer, Paul \hUard, Compasiioiis la Clianson iS' -'^ax section, and discloses a full-Vlptc/ier i Sheidy, Gigx Vurston, Pearl Bailey, The Szonyis (2) Tid ^^^^^^ baritone, Wally King on Norrmnn Paris {3), Julius Monk; Straeters orch, Gmgo a/trt f«s „pvelty selections, and the Carroll S3 and $4 mini?nwu. Br<mlums; ?4.$5 vnmmum. | sisters, who with two members of { the bandj form the Carroll-Aires | With Tony Mele's son now at the quartet. ■ / doori directly handling the room A year ago tlie Compafir.oiis de la Chanson i "Companions of Song"' nude their American dolnit Merriel Abbott dancers get nice , and Julius Monk, longtime emcee r e t u r n s for their "Can-Can,' i jjere_ (,ack to officiate similarly in manikin, the wench with predi- lections for bumps, etc., are as ef- fective as the showmanship values which project their routines. The boys are articulate in other re- spects, matching the visible ma- nipulations of their puppets with good small talk, sound effects, and the like. The jungle rhytlnn evo- lution Is a strong finale, but the oi.i.s iMiuv, J. g J y „ s i„t.i, i^aii-v,aii, mere, bacK to oniciaie simuaiiy mi ■ •"-7-: -r„.,, „|^-,, „,av thev house. N. Y., almost stealing tlie . i ,.estauranl on East 56th street has thunder frpra the petite I'rench However, opener, an interpretive of the best talent lineups in chanteuse. That date was the > dance, done to the gackground of : steady career. This spot, along springboard for their branching , "f-ire Dance" is over-long and ' y^jth the'Blue Angel, are the pace- out in this country. At Lo Uirec- ^ould be quickened in pace. Griff ' makers in the so-called "pro- Williams orch also does excellent {gres$ive entertainment, p o 11 c y" job on backgrounding. Zabe. bdites; ■ and while-^^^^ Herbej;t : . .. . '.. . Jacoby-Max Gordon spot has a toire they!re heading tlie bill, and rightly so. With all due respect to the talents of Pearl Bailey and the Szonyis. the bill's other perform- ers, there's hardly anything on Hk; s,ime layout that could follow them. They're smash. Stressing a gamin-like quality in their singing and selling, vyhile act- ing out the.r lyric story-telling a la Kay Thompson and the vVilliams Bros., the Compagnons are one of Cafe S<»c. Dowii<o*vii,]% .li. Dove Marti?i 0;c)i (4), Avon Loi}(jf Nellie Lutchcr; S3.50 Diiiii- mum. larger talent budget than here, both maintain a quality parity that is noteworthy. Keynote of all these intime boites is the cohesive impact of work the tables with their "love- birds," presenting small favors to the femmes. • Roberto & Alicia utili/e good silhouette lighting to effectively present their numbers, following the "Fire Dance" opener. In be- tween the authentic flamenco stuff they sandwich a South American jitterbug routine that makes for a bright 'nterlude. Per usual. Reader paces his shows well. He has a new featured vocalist in Ken Morley; his former Blue Angel, IS\ Y. John Buckrmster, Louise How- ard, Aileen Stanloy, Jr.; Delta Rhythm Boys (5), Ellis Larlciji Trio, Stuart Ross; $3 minituuin. Nellie Lutcher vveek return to the year ago, she made quite an im-' between eacli act for reordering. the three or four acts that they chirper, Stanley Worth, having is making a 10-' whip up. Show runs about 90 graduated into maestroing his own he spot where, a . minutes, with suitable interludes unit in the Pierre's Cafe Grill. Van Smith continues with »he Latin the most refresliing acts to come ' pression with her jjeculiar brand and are very fetching windup spots sets, the maestro being particu from France since the postwar tal- ot jive singing With such record-| for the non-dancing type of trade I larly dicko at the ivories. New ejit invasion. They're on here for i int! hits as "Real Gone Guy" and J The -parlor entertainment , auia ' maitre d' in the room i.s l-rancois about a half-hour with items that "lUirrv on Down" to her credit, • helps accentuate certain values, ' (Frank), long at the Waldorf, suc>- are tvpicallv and e=irthily French; I among other, the buxom colored'and it's difficult for acts to look >et, "one needn't know the Ian-1 gal. has an unique appeal with her . bad in this environment. By the guage to full\- aijorc^eiate what | .special-material numbers on whiah .same token good acts look better, th'>.v're doi n!? or singing. ; she accomps herself on the piano, | . Connie Sawyer is an example of Their inmaler is a highh amus- ' Miss Lutcher is an always-inter- the latter. The "Hilarities" come- ii c; lyiic about ^ French 'servant esting personality as she pounds ' dienne has come along fast since who " hides her bovfiiend in a awav at the 88's. Her style is such, she first showed at Cafe Society breadbox u hen the padi-e calls on however, that it's often difficult to ( Downtown, N. Y., some 18 months lier. anl how weeks later the bov understand introductions and lyr- back. She has played down the ceeding Jack, who went abroad this summer and seemingly stayed on. Abel. friend is found devoured bv rats I ics. but that's all part of-her lively mugging and body contortions, uinnii. in the breadbox. Then there's one 1 approach to her Work, She loses although when used to punctuate about a girl in the well; a tragic I herself in^it and often gives the her routines it's very effectual. Also Latin QiiarlfIV Boston Boston, Sept. 13. JacJvie Miles, Yi'ettv, Buster Bur- rell, Wally Wanger Ghls (8), Jack Edwards' oreli.; $3" 00 mini- Mickey Redstone's Latin; Quar- chanson aboiit a iioldier's girr and 1 idea she's performing for herself uncorks a good .set of special song , ter, only bigtime nitery in the his mother, and a humorou.'. nuin- I as much as for the customers imaterial that clicks all the way. | Hub, debutted Sunday night (12) ord hits using Only rhythm accom-1 Eve Arden is intended to be any-1 fall season in view of the virtual panirhent to beat oiit the standard 1 thing but odorous. Actually it's certainty of the World Series here Alexander's Ragtime; Band" (her latest disk), "Let Me Love You To- ! her blonde good looks coupled with a fine sense-of comedy values that night," "Hurry on Down," "Real , merchandise best. Her routines Gone Guv," etc. They're all tried jOn Macy's, the folk singer-s Ipana- items and they set up a customer I Calvert, et al., are standout Doub- reaction that keeps her on more ■than 30 minutes. The rest of the bill the holdover Avon Long, with his «ong-dance impressions of ballet- like quality, and" Dave Martin's orch (4). Kahn. ling from the Morey Alnsterdam vaude-revue last week ("Hilarities" i „--„_ ii.„ ;has.sinceJ<>lded).she evidences her |hitting her stride: in ^""iJj iil'double-threat cai>abtlities onstage i Time I Saw Paris. in October Show tees off with a Wanger production . featuring the eight showgals with Buster Burrell doing tlie vocals. Yvette. song stylist, starts off with a few so-so numbers, finally Ther Last A special ber aboKt t«o dueling Frenchmen I Miss Lutcher generally follows', Her style is bigtime and the com-i with a sock layout, capacity biz Their "Clare de Lime" parodv Is the repertoire of her Capitol Rec-1 Panson to Charlotte Greenwood or, add plenty of prospects for a good viiroarious. with the American jazn, bind takeoff especially* laugh-get- tip". . '''hey're all neatly dressed in dn-k trousers, with open-at-the- throat shirts. They can play, any; .•n'''htspot in America. Pearl Bailey, with those fluttery hands as she.g'oes througlv her soni; novelties, is another click in her hnif-do7,'n or «» Jiumljers, and she had trouble setting away from the ooening-nisht mob. Her "Row Row Row" :and ''Tired" are still among her bests. Miss Bailey has a sharp, d^-oll comedy stense, though occa- sionally she's inclined to overtalk on her asides, but by and large th'>rc's ne (j)uestioning her savvy. The Szonyis are reviewed more 'ex'ensiwly under New Acts. Ted Straeter's band is still a tip- top aggregation for the istraight customer dmiciBe, and also for the show, with the personable maestro, neatly handling the introductions ' and the pianistics. Gringo and his Brazilians are. ^ . the danceable ifhumb^-samha outfit;; ■ -Kalm. $»la|iisy Maxt«>*8« L. A. Los Angeles, Sept. 14. Phil Foster, Lillian Roth, Shirley, Sharon k Woiido. Roland Duoree, Dick Stabile's Orch (12); Tohj/ Martinez Rliniiiboiid (5i; iittni- mum, $3.50 ujpe)cni<;)its, ■ $4 week- ends. ■ or in cafes. .. She: bespeaks of much 1 number, "In a Cozy'Little Cottage" future promises as «• legit comedi- [didn't take too well, but she ^nne..■ [clicked in "Don't Smoke in Bed" Like Miss Sawyer, the rest of the , and her theme song, a French show are i-etumers save Gigi Dur- ston (New Acts )., band singer gone tune. .Jackie Miles. one of the top single. Paul Viuard is back with draws in the Hub, worked a solid his Bogart mien, nautical air and 160 minutes in his opener, wowing salty lyrics. Some Of the^oggercLs i the capacity house with an incred- go a bit overboard, but in a "sophis-' '''' * ^ ticated" boite of thils calibre that's considered okay^ Tact is that ' Vil^ lard loolfs menacingly handsome; Eimiir4» Boom. Clil (PALMES JnOUSE) Chicago. Sept; 17. . Griff Wiliia?)!.'! Orel) (I.ti. Rob- ert Lainourec, D'Anqclo & Varii/a, Stall Fi.s-hcr, Merriel i4bbotr Dan- cers (lOi; ?iii)ri))iu)ij $3.50i cover 91. '■or an irttohation.; More a Iiiirabrist' i than a regular - nitei'y cpinic. he ■ dra\ys a barrage of laughs eyen 1 AKi 1 .ij x'_if J i with some:-of his more f.-vmiliar nel Abbott have, followed a sue-j,material. Foster has added some Finding a bill that could success- fully iollo the smash Dean Mar- ,t.in-Jerry Lewis .stand here, looked like a tough chore, but the: Devorc Freres made the grade. Latest lay-1 boys who are pleasant if not po out in a long line of .smarl.:;book-l tent, but in a room like this they iiiRS. eflectivelv co-star Phil Foster I seemingly have sufficient to war- and Lillian Roth. ■ . ■ ;rant engagement. Team in the Foster, frst comic to do a repeal ' meantime played a Montreal bistro since the Devores took over the ' arc seemingly intent on leav- spot a year ago, ju-stifies his return ""8 ,their Roxy ushej'ing ]obs be- booking. He's got an easy air and I ^""i'T'"' ?° A**® ^'l'/^' K?*-'*" . '^^^9^ a knack o: makin^ his character-1 f lutcher 15 the tall redhead who •y;ations ccme to life with' a shrug >°^°^^ the mugging takeofis on film For a standard intime operation" there is certainly no more success- ful bistro of its sort than the Blu* Angel with its: always discriminait- ing selection of talent stressing the novel. Current bill, headed by: John Blickmaster, ushers in the new season here,' after a: summer closing, and the layout is par for this eastside operation. It has va-: , riety, with the accent on comedy; ' it is generally good entertainment. . Buckmaster reniains,' as always, an indefatigable ci'aftsinan at subtle comedy, the British-born performer rollicking the sophisti- cated clier tele that frequents this spot, With his clipped British ac- cent and blond, good look.s, he has a varied routine of excellent mate- : rial that ranges from a takeoff' on polite English -society, through a restaurant number, a German- British soldier war-routine and a dialectic F re n c h ■ f a nijil y bit. Through 'it all Buckmaster sus- tains a sharp comedy pace that never :relents. He's the ■ Sort:; of :: performer who would .be an asset [ to any intimate-revue. Louise Howard supplies the dis- taff part of the comedy, doing as- . sorted routines of .song and im- j pressions that show she has a com- I edy flair and yet, at the same time, ' a need for material. Her assorted satires are mostly runTof-the-mill, : though Miss Howard is an.: enteiv . prising young comedienne who keeps punching all the way. Aileen Stanley, Jr., is a protegee: (though no blood kin) of Aileen Stanley, rhythm-singine - vaude headliner"> of the '20s: The elder Miss Stanley has taufjht the young- er one all her former routines.- gestures 'n' all. The youngster has a refre.shing quality, and- much of: the nhysical and vocal re.semblance of the mentor, but the cprn-selling: of 20-odd years a^o -is something that under ordinary circumstances can't do as well now. ■There is no attempt to deviate from. this tvpe of corn in the younaster's projec- tion, with the result that the newer ceneration of patrons is liable to be just confused In what the • younPSiter is tryins to project. : It would seem almost like a satire on this, tvne of rhythm warbling were it not for the fact thnt Miss Stan? lev does i t all so "straight.. She is doing such standards as "I'll B"" in Virginia in the Morn- I inc." "Mv Best Gal " "Old Man his. airs to self-accordion accomv paniment are aU of the .sea chanty 1. . - -. - genre; and he makes a highly po-1 '"S vocals, tent/interlude;- :; Fletcher & Slieidy are the Yale ible assortment of stories, charac- terizations and ad lib.s. Finished with his w.k. "Honeysuckle Rose" and had to l)eg off. Musiic by Jack !' , j, ^ . „ .w. • v.. . Edwards orch is neatly tailored for "l^.^°""t'""„ TT.V"'*' the sijot. with Edwards also click- Elie. Balriuli Booui. X. Y. (WARWICK HOTEL) ' ■ Jan August Oreh (4), Ann Hath. oii;oi/, Geiie Marveii. no iKtiiiniutn $1.50 cover weekends. Niaht With Babv'' and "Hey Hoy," all done With: the sanie corny ges- tures that a quarter-Centui-y ago w^re. the vogue but today are nothing niore than noslalaia-stir- rino, for the oldster.s; And don't l<»0.k;: npwr, but there are few noSt.•^l-■ gic oldisters to. be seen: lit: tlie saloons these days. There -Is no: T., „ II -,• critic'i'sm of: the sinking, because nf fL'^oWi seasons ll>e policy Miss Stanley does have a cute way °L^'?L^''!^'^J\?,°°":.^!.?.L?l"';^i!l\V"f foing over and the type' cif rhythm voice to sell these sones;. .Revues hei-e for the past 1.5 years under the dii"ection ot Me cessfu) pattern.: She uses the same 1 iiiii; A>, iiu; o,ib.v 01 dll I'^mpue I n,„ „„„j . A n>i ti, .^,.„„« k„v I new routines-since he showed here , [ about eight months ago and all to li-ithe good. And to prove he's a Room shoN^^. However, balance of" „„„^\rLi,»» acts, and well-trained line numbers I «f ™}|lf»y /^^:^L^„"J;.i'LrJf' have brought a: steady trade that has made spot one of best paying hotel rooms in the country.- Robert Laiiiouret, ventro, star of current slio\\'. is a French import. His oversized dummy duck side- kick, gets in few remarks, the stars, nitery customers; magazine covers: and the like, while partner Bill Sheidy stands laconically at the mike, to emcee and "interpret" the satirical impressions. Undoubt- edly socko in the parlor and intime bistros like Le Ruban Bleu they should extend and embellish with a couple of really punchy high- Julius Monk, after a summer at Cape Cod. has returned to emcee. Vi«v>f tn K^ i '^nd the Normann Pans Trio con- " tinues doing a tiptop job with sltuatibns: to earn extra yocks. Sharing the spotlight, and Vir tu^y stealing the show, is Lillian I eariie^" in the y^ar Roth. This date is her second lo-' ' • cally si Tc_ she.: .staried back along the comeback trail; With this book- ing, she cinches her laughs coming from the double- A^trLtrvnVv ^L.nlH'" with ■'heir own specialties and the rhvth- takes that the Ubangi-lipped fowl ^.^^u'^L*^^^^^^^ accomps; combo comprises gives the French comic in the ques- ? wealth o4 personality and know- p j j j, fvories wiUi string bass tion and an^uer se.ssion. After a how. she yocks across her numbers Tnd guitar.Z'thm suw^^ French version or "My Man" comic w'th ease to tremendous returns ■ " °" in.u.m Mippo sweeps the duck into his arms and S*'"' •^I'-P^'-'ed current and ' laiiRocs acioss the room Closer special-material stuff being deftly wilh the cUiinmv slrippms lather ""xed with reprises of her yester- across Lftinouret's f<u-o a.s he .srngs . year clicks It s a gre.it^ lob. and _a '•'Fisaro" .gets ploi.itv: Juughs, ' '_ . . i. confined to a trio or simiLir small musical unit. With the room'.s fall unveiling - last. Wed. ' 1,5) comes a switch, for besides the piani.stics of ,lan ("Misirlou") August, the vocal clepa'-tnient. is pointed un by Kingers Ann Hathatvay. and Gene .\I;.rvey. : . ■ Atmosphere i.s .an intimate one i now. in keeping WiMi the limited i size of the room and the Rajeigh's choice of talent proves a 'happy lights if they're to progress. As it' one. Ausust is easv to listen'to hapnens they're doing the same 1 either in 'BSing his classic "Misir- stuff now as on their pro debut . loa" or fineering "You Can't Be True. Dear " and others in the same vein. His is a quick, st.iccato style, accentuated bv ofoasional flourishes in the treble. Other in- strumentation including ba.»s, gui- lt's just that it's too corny (while: ■ done straitht. at t)<at) to become no'"" 1 all over aaaiii. The Delta Rhythm Boys, of course, are ;stand'»rd. by.: now. and it's when they go Into their rhvthm number.', that the.v excel. Their niece de. of course, is "Walls of Jericho " and th^v really make » . productior. out of it- ; Ellis Larkin. instrumental Irio. and Stuart Ross at the pi-^nn t-ike over the dull periods. Kniiu. Blltjnoro Boti I. I.. .%. (BIIvTMOUE HOTKM Los Angeles. Sept. 17. Pinky Lee, John Laiirrut Gloria tar and drums, merclv provides LeRoy, Stttart Morgan Dailccrs accompaniment to set off August's i i4).Jan Garher's Ori:h (13); cower art Abel sjlin gown. While" all their ^'"'^edv lead. heart-warinins one. And Miss Roth proves to anyone concerned that .she'.s not only a boll bistro-.hot al the mo:ivent, she is. and .should be,: a potent ,joss,ibilit.\ ior a uuisi- D',\ngclo and V.iii\.i, b.illioom t(Jaii)i i.hi,!y'a,il / Vvari-iilli. lliL'oiiglU)i:lt ■: the:U' bi'i.tliiiul'rcviit.inrs.'. KiMiinu'. is lush bldiide «arl)ed in tislit-litlnig : blaci ■ " nu ill tiers are based on popular tunes, couple contril); uivu.sual rou- tines:,: fcii;'suc'i tun<^s. a.s "feii'ibrace;. Me" "Speak Lou." '•llf)lKla\ for Stnivgs": and'■Tico-Tioo,": : Stdii Fisher. \'outhi'ul harmonica plaver; makes a strong impression . with a line ot chatter plus his work on the iiKuith organ; He flourishes : effoclivol.y- t h r. o u g ti: '.'..i?.<>et ■ ^nd': Pe;isant " ",\lalat{ucna " lloiiliiati- ian- filiapsodv" and "Bolero..' Grill Williams orch makes its ,., , . , , , 12tli appearance in this room Ac- Stabile is still on hand for a spot cent is oil the sax and violin ar- of show emceemg and batoning his rangements which bring out the crew in shoubackiiiE! and terp dancers to crowd the floor. -Wil- chores. He does an all-around liams doesn't ulay many current good job, as attested to by con- pops, preferr' ' to stick to* the" 1-sistent holdovers, and the band staridards. Hi- ' "ik is heavy with j no'v has a coast-to-coast remote, .such favorites a. "Ml the Things ,Latune.i are supplied by the Tony You Are," "Please." "Stars Fell on Marline', eombp. Kap. f,-onilk»n Boom. X. Y. (HOTEL PIERRE) f?o(>erto & Alicia, Walton & O'Rovrkc. Charles Reader Orch, fvaturiftcpKen Mof^c!/;:.yd)^S^^^i^ll'.■? Latin . BliyHiiii^;,; .51.6 CdiT?-, $3: ..oiid $4. .«iwiw»(lii',;. ;■ :, Shirley, Sharon and Wanda. ?irl acroterp team sets llie bill off to a .fast start with some tilling that wins a: re number done while legs are mana' cled to each other and another done to skip rope are sure-fire. Rounding put .the bill is divrieer Roland Dupree makinf; Iiis niten bow-, Lad shows .promise despite opening night tension, but routin- ing could stand more originalitv. Slapsy's mu.sic perennial Dick This marks inaestro-ro£!i.sseiir pianology. : An eye-:fillina dish who.se visual a.ssets are wisely stres.sed bv a strapless blue gown. Miss lUtha- wav tends to be a torcher of the I old school. -Does a quartet-of num- ! hers in deep, sultry tones She en- dows her songs with an intense dramatic quality.- especiallv in her version of "I'm Going Home to ,)oe ■■ timed to be a bit too lhioal\ ■ times, gal projects well !$1, .^LiiO wcelend.1. As the oily downtown holet Spot that means anylhins, entertain-' ment-wise,: \ the: Bowl attract.s a good Dercentage: of vi.siting ''iive^-' men: along with its reeiil;ji;: rcpeatr cr trade. Operator Toe F.iber, how^ ever; makies ,-nb effbit to kowtow . „„ , - to visitors' ta.stes. cannity booking While her warbling is in-' .solid layouts that please his regu- lars. As : result; .some of them see the same show several times,;-' and still like il. ■, ;:.- .-, Giirrenl bill is typical of the at , ^, , „ , , ., . , , , lenorMarvey is fre.sh-from a Charles Readers third season at ,-concert tour of large auditoriums I v..,.^.,., „,„ ,„ line neat rou- the Hotel Pierre's Cotillion Koom , with Sigmund Romberg. While this ■ shows Faber assembles It's well- 'i™''„,?n=f ^".^ fittingl.v.hebi/oughtbackRob-!is his first experience%Mth an in- knit and fast anT p.^ck.s a 1 ef^ io« m.,n». 4 Alicia. Who debuted with time nitery. he makes the Iransi- tion With little difficulty,':: As his initial nunibei- he: tis&s 'a iibvcrty; ■'It's GiCi-i to See You.". who.se l.vrics extend, a welcohie to the ciislomcrs.-■ ,H's, an .oka,v ,idea' 'but a trifle too long. Handles '"House Is Haunted", for a nice di'amatic effect and also does two bperaitic liini in '46. Reader, both: as talenl- bujer and emcee-bandleader lor the spot made a wise choice not only, with the Puerto Rican gyp.sv flamenco t an. but also in briii^iiK back Walton & O'Rourke, perhaps the No 1 puppet act playing the class nitery and vaudery circuits Two-man, combo are consummate pad entertainment wallop in what seems like a short RO minutes. Headlining is Pinkv t.ee, last' seen in a local nitery when he spent some 34 weeks at the Floren- tine Gardens, defunct \n energet- ic clown Lee draws laughs con- stantly Ho works easih blending smooth ■showmen. They have an artistry ception A versatile warbler, he about their manikins: \rhioh they makes a well-poised appearance in de.sign themselves, that: matches [ formal attire. : their string-manipulations The Also rating a nod is oianist Tony designs of the dowager dame at Aless (ex-Woody HermanMvho ac- thc Met (suspected as being born |comps Marvcy and Miss Hathaway not a little of a recent Met Opera and plays during intermissiom;, episode):; the- colored Lazybones: , , ... - . timing with deft panto numbers for an overall good re-'mime and using sharp material He earns heftv returns and scores anew with his familiar "Pinky Lee Story." Diminutive comic is a sure I fire crowd Dleaser. Mercury disk stni John Lauren' IS another quick dick in his stir' [here. Possessed of a robust voic Gflb. » (Continued on page 45)