Variety (Dec 1948)

48 HOUSE REVIEWS ■.hi Vedneaday, Decemjber 89, 1948 Slmnd, TS. ¥• i empty liquor bottled as though they ^ ^ , , were a xylophone. This Is 9 Pleas- Tommy Porsey Orch (If) wiW inc performance ahd oBered With CapHol, X. V. Skitch Henderson .Orch (13) with Wancj/ Heed, Andy Roberts; Denny^ Demns,^ "The^ Sentimmtdl- , ^^^g showmanship than most of j g^^^ Loncaster, Nick Cravat, Julie " lene: Harria; Gene tsis, Lucy Ann Polk, Jack Duffy, [f^f^g other acts. Bill winds up with , ^y^ijo^ cJiar! Charlie Shavers Louis Bt'llson- jg„g Laub, dancer, and George , 5,^p,(J^^^V(,,(p^ jLoiiq; ' Kwri/Girl Bobby Van, Adventures of Doni pheasant g youthful Jube player. | ^.(^j^j.. Mamed" (RKO), re Juon" WB), rmewed in current ^.^^ works/onstage with Viewed in: Variety, Nov. 10..'48. tssut' 0/ Variety. , , gj,^^,^ ' lowe. ' Capitol's current stage layout will make a territic bid for the Christmas, season trade. With Gary Grant on : screen arid Burt La» It's a concise 45-minute layout the Strand's whipped up this week. Basic ingredient is Tommy Dorsey's band: Comprising six brass, three „^ rhythm and five reed, the outfit gi'^it'ji^ Three' D's, Louis Basil al-so includes three.vocalists,and a Q^p(, .' '(j'(,g paieface" iPar). mixed harmony group. Occasionally '' . there's a lag, but the overall re-i , u „.-.,^„«<... haa suit is a smart holiday musical ^ Nate Piatt, house producei has oackaee emceed by T D. r booked in one of tiie most tostly pacKate emceeu oy i.u. shows in months anri coupled with Rather dullish is the opener, | .-The Paleface," com- Clilypago, Chi Chicago, Dec. 24. Rillu De Wolftf Mer7'on»e,.£thiel i caster ;o,h ,stage, this; paplay eart't ' ' ■ "---' miss in to and imale'ciistioineijs, hot: tb.mehtw^ flock: of bobbyspxers coming to get a gander of: orie ,ot their flliri; fa? vorites in the flesh. Aside from marquee values, how- - , Knnn............ i..cx».v;x«v^, , evcr, the stsge bill js tf soljd pack- "Everything's Jumpin'," but next u„ " "ould pay off at the boxoffice. , age of entertainment. Backing up number, "Sunny Side of the p vfolfe's film "Isn't It Ro- Lancaster Is another topliner. Gene Stieet^a is smartly arranged, bring- ^ti piaved here'the week be-1 Sheldon, together with Skitch ing in'muted trumpets for a nice ,. and witli his Command Per- Henderson's orch and crack vocal- effect. Jack Duffy and "The Senti- j fo,.mance publicitv should draw i ists, Nancy Reed and Andy Robi ' (three males, two galsi I I, Mel Torme is local lad, who erts, terpster Walter Long and, ■ " - has huge bobby-sox following. last but not least, Lancaster's.epiri- n» WAifo hai not varied his roii^ W^' Comprising his old circus. De Wolfe has not ^a".^" J"^™"." partner; Nick Cravat, and two re- ,er.,tine much but it s mme compact p^^^ ^^^^^.^^ the; ?«<>.bettf. rnmic- does ' Charlene Harris. Miss Wilson, inci- Le'veral tipTe "wTngf'inTthen"11 dentally./is doubling from th^ timing their knockabout skillfully and making their lioke song and dance dramatic sketch stand up to the hilt. Could have .stayed on, and when caught, but wisely left them hollering for more through a strong series of final curtains'.- Biz good. BHr7n. Oriental, Clil Chicago, Dec. 23. Vt«ia»i- BJaiiic, 3 Suns, Jack Leonard, Winter Sisters (3), Corl .Sands Orch; "Three Musketeers" m-G). mentalists" creditably handle the chorus. Dufly displays a clipped,, staccato deliv- ery in warbling "Slow Boat to China." But hisrjMvenile: manner- isms no doubt are a. sop to matinee bobbysoxers. Accoladed by Dorsey, drummer i Q^ii-e^Qn^biiriev strippers Louis Bellson gets off some neat howls at impresh of a gal get- .stick pyrotechnics on, a piece that ting up in the morning, maneuver- :T:D. facetiously-describes as "The ; hairdo and tussling with girdle. Missouri Waltz," Particularly fine I his sharp characterization of ''Mrs. touch is the use of a small revolv-, Murgatroyd," irom the film, "Blue fng platform as a base for; the skin- ' skies,'' is as sock as ever,, and the beater's paraphernalia; Rotation afr f g^jt of a hou.sefrau on a binge fords the payees an excellent view I stamps him-a solid hit., and they respond with heavy mit- xorme song stylist, opens with . •„ ' ".Jingle Bells," followed by his own ,. Lucy Ann Polk, a willowy dish, -,-_»5-„i*:.^„ ■T'hnibfmac finfit*" sma ^jjji^ I Regis' Maisonette Room. ,vLancaster, socks: across a versa- tile, neatly-timed routine that' has all the ingredients of a bigtiine vaude item, aside from his Holliy-: wood rep which, of course j a;dds,'a. fillip. In an initial solo stint, he burlesques his film gangster roles to: plenty of yocks, meantime, .han- dling squealing adolescents Vith well-directed gags. Segueingvinto! a Romeo and Juliet sequence with ucy rtiiii r^oui, a wiiiowy """'' composition Christmas song. ivo.iico aim juuei sequence vviiii rtly gownedi chirp5"Baby All fhen he siiigs another of his own I Miss Wilson, he displays good form the Time" in a listless delivery, i tunes "County Fair." He's best, | with the Shakespearean lines then, or was the lyric itself Tesponsible? ' however on rhythih numbers, and] switching :froo^:the heavy stuff, he. Denny Dennis; Introed as a British j score s' • with oldie, "Making [ nails, home- another' farcical, tough import, pleasantly baritones "My ; whoopie." His finale and specialty ) guy takeoff. < . Darling." Best effort of the varied his rapid drum solo on "Lover." ; Lancaster tops off this sector of vocalists IS Down by the Station , ^ Smith, Hammond organist, i his stint with a surprisingly good in which penni.s. Miss Polk and ^"^^y^' ^' ^ trast in deuce spot voc^^ duet with Miss Wilson on "Sentinienlalists" all participate to '^fh her sowing arrangements of! "Pretty Baby," earning big re- win a boll salvo. "Just One of Those Things," "The ! sponse from the customers. Mi.ss Reprising the hit tunes of 48 g g. I." done in Latin, Wilson also does a firstrate solo as we do on the T.D. disk Jockey > tempo- and her best known num- vocal on "A Little Bird Told Me," ^'J?^^ ^.""u,® Dorsey, touched' ^ " '..Tico-Tico." Encores with ' Still kidding his bobbysox idol- off the inevitable carboning of Art ' '■ '■^ ' ■ ■ ^ Mooney's "Four Leaf Glover"; and Vaughn Monroe's ''Cool Water among others. Especially pungent; however, are clever takeoffs on Mission .Bell Wine, Barney's Clothes and singing commercials, with the latter done by the "Sentir mentalists." Satirical stuff is warm- ly received. Bobby Van, lone non-'Dorsey af-. filiate, gets over nicely in his im- personations. Warbles "Itfs a Good Day" in his own brisk style' then • pipes , the lyrics as. Gary Grant. James Cagney or Jimmie Stewart would, handle 'em for a neat salvo. Winds up with a so-so illusion of a »;enc«, Ray Bolger softshoe dance. , Gilb, •ber,, ,. -,—. . ., , . „ I .,„• • ■ - "Fiddle-Faddle,'' for more happy [ ators, Lancaster is then cornered returns. ', by Charlene Harris, acting as prexy Three D's opener, are showy in j of his fan club, with whom he has their acro-bar work with two males r a sharp comedy tussle, and fenime getting neat response i Lancaster follows up with an with their body ..loops In small | intro of his old circus sidekick. space. Louis Basil has an impres- sive orch number, medley of Xmas songs topped by c h u rch scene with i3oy soprano caroling "Silent Night" for an effective finale. Zobe. Apollo, V. Dufce Ellington Orch (16) with Hibbler; Jesse, Cornell & Law- Harold & Lola, Timmie Rogers; "The Golden Eye" (Mono). Nick Cravat, who takes over for a couple of minutes with some mute clowning before he and Lancaster . Holiday show should create good i word-of-mouth for lush business. However, length of film, two hours, might cut b.o. on the turnover. Carl Sands leads house orch \ through medley of lively seasonal tunes, enhanced by special stage] sets and lighting designed by Will j Harris, producer. Winter Sisters are fast opener with their aero work. .Young gals are especially adept in several hand-to-hand stunts. Vivian Blaine, from film musi- cals, makes a nice . impression on looks and songs. She opens with "Somebody Loves Me" and revives "On . the Boardwalk ; in Atlantic City" frojn one of her pix. Fol- lows with, "My Dai-ling" for more salvos, and "Best Friend':' for solid returns. Jack Leonard, rotund comic, doesn't wait for the laughs, but punches one ,quip after another. Lad banters with front rowers be^ fore socking with his Jolson take- off on "Mammy."' His recounting of clfildhood ■ days and early amours . has audience ; guffawing. Follows with "I'll See You in My Dreams" and "My Blue Heaven" for nice response; Satire on Fred Astaire terpirig "Tea For Two" also grabs laughs and: applause. Had to beg-i off. Three Suns are a stronger vaude attraction in their -present stint then when previously around. Trio has added several comedy se- quences,: one in particular built around pop songs, which has crowd chuckling. Artie Dunn and Morty Nevins keep heckling each other for plenty laughs. After short, intro group swings into "12th Street Rag" and then takes a; breather with . "Slow Boat to China." Nevins clicks, with last accordion licks on; "Hindu- l°M'°r±"'^uV"™/?"*i?'«.!'w''\'^;l^t«n'' while Dunn pulls out all Capilol, Wash: Washington, Dec. 26. Horace Heidt's Winners, with Act closes , with a-Smash bit as Lancaster climbs-up a high pole, balanced on Cravat's head, and thus, literally, putting a $1,000,000: film investment out on a limb. Vet pantomimist Sheldon also scores with his guitar-strumming and deadpan comedies. He's a top- flight instrumentalist but ■ mainly uses the guitar as a laugh gimmick ■With Vaude dropped in favor of , , ., , - , , films in the slow pre-Christmas he makes it do everything but week, the Apollo bo/nced back in f, ^- "''"'^f, "P -l** the flesh column Ghrisimas Eve. Don Rice, Harold Parr, Pat Theri- ' with Duke « aulf, Jack Green, John Mungall. ". bright .entertainment package Inmh^ Gr^si^ ' NcM^e Ta^en ■ whose outstanding jewel is .maestro - ■ ' - ' - K-the^^rfhe W^^^^ Ust spring as a result tive panto routine with a femrae stooge, accompanied with bows and bumps to a drum background. Long flashes some fancy tap- terping in a series ot routines from J^^riaub.'GTorgrPH^asantrSanrE^^^^ "^'-^f'fh/.'p^lir'd Jac,c.Ka../..a„ House Ore.,- Me.i-lf^^J^ the^„|8- ^le'?'s^v.?n"of i intricate st^^^^^ act, how stops on the Hammond organ. Combo clowns through "Cecelia" and ''Twilight Time;-' Sands' band joins trio for community sing ses- sion of "White Christmas," pro- viding a good clincher to bill. Zabe. RKO, Boslon Boston, Dec. 24. Mickey Rooney, Janis Paige, The BarrettSi Al Gordon's Dogs, Stagg- McMann Trio, Larry Flint Orch; "Untamed" (Col). This house, running double fea- can Hayride" (U). j ;;;^«^Ja»„^-''rdrrangini"from "Mooa ' ever, could be Shaved a couple of I TnHion" tn "I T fit H SoHE Go Out mmutes to good advantage, pos- This traveling unit of Horace ^f" h^i " nreriaMve re- sibly cutting out the conventional „ .J. . - . I- , 4. ; of Mv Heart" -for appreciative re- Heidt amateur winners is tigliter , knit and stronger than the average i"'^"*' . . ., offering of its type although, like I Following the band s ppener ^ ^ „...,^.o . most such, it is weak on dancing Jesse, Cornell & Lawrence di.spiay. gj^ooth medley of Gershwin num- and heavy on the limited special- i some spirited aero stutl. inmiy ^ers with the bandleader spotlight- ties. Show is actually pulled to- ' P''^e'l,wine-colored jackets and ■ the piano. Vocalist Nancy "Tea For Two" number. Neatly backing the show, Hen- derson's orch also delivers a of a, union dispute involving the house orch, swung back into the vaude routine this week by bring- ing, Mickey- Rooney in to spark biz up to a terrif pre-holiday level. FUmster scores heavily in a long and; nimble workout. Rooney turns up at the finale of the Stagg-McMann Trio's virtuoso geiiier by Don Rice (not one of tlie | black trousers, the male trio gets | j{eg(j delivers strongly on "Sing | harmonica routine, and promptly recent amateurs), who emcees and ^ of such sundry feats as cartwheels also fills the comedy void in good ' chair leaping, etc. One lad con- style. Rice lifts the acts and , '."^s a difficult terp routine while smooths the way for them with the ,simultaneously spinning a tray with one hand. Hard-working crew offs to good reception. Timmie Rogers handles the com- edy slot. Has a fast line of patter Hallelujah" and "What Did I DO;' while Andy Roberts registers well on "Black Magic." Her?)i. Hippodrome, BaKo. Baltimore, Dec. 26. Bob Berrj/i 3 Stoo,^fes, Kate .Mnr- tangh, PhilharTOomca. ; Trio, Jo took over. Worlcs nicely with the narmonica trio, in chatter, a quick ong and a neat audience chat, then introduces Janis Paige. Returns in, the ace spot to do a series of sharp impersonations of Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable, Robinson, etc., kids \ndy Hardy, and :finishes with Roxy, N. Y. "Winter Carnival" ice revue wltk Barbara Ann Scott, Bnwe & Van Roxy Skating Belles; Ming Lino Harold Barnes, Gautier's Steenw chase. Bob Evans, Gordon Good man & H. Leopold Spitalny's Clia ral Ensemble, Paul Ash and Rn™ Orch; ."That Wonderful Uro?^ (20fli), reviewed in Variety Nan 24, '48. The Roxy production staff hag staged some unusual shows over past years, but : all involved can take a bow for one" of the finest jobs they've ever turned out in* the current holiday bill, which stars Canad. 's blade - champion, Barbara Ann Scott, in her initiat booking as a pro. This show begins on a beautifully round and fuij note of color and glides silkily through to an , equally adjeclivfr, drawing finish. Opening scene sets the "Winter Carnival" theme, using both a skat- ing line and dancers who simulate the same routines onstage. It'.s « smartly-lit bit which segues into Gautier's Steeplechase,, a type ' (^ act without which no holiday :gh6w ' is complete. And the ponies and pooches do their .part to get tht- production away on an even keel; Thereafter, it's a fast-paced al- ternatlng of blade and stage rou-- tines, Bruce & Van kicking up rhythm didoes on icCi ; the Roxy- ettes working; in an extraordinary bell routine which calls for each girl, equipped with differently- ' toned bells on, ankles, midriff; etc.; to wiggle a tune." They each shake out different tones to form a, song, and the: picture is enhanced when they're upended and the ankle bells do all the work. Miss Scott (New Acts) gets little chance to show off her more ac- complished, trick-skating - routines due to the-canfinements of the iee -, area. But; brightly costumed,, and built in a way that makes her an easy candidate for Hollywood. :, Ming & Ling,"Chinese hillbil- lies;" is an unusual turn, too. With one ;■ accompanying ,;on accordion and spouting ' "Confucius say" gags, the two get solid laughs. And the other Is an agreeably surprising vocalist who apes Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Billy Kenny (Ink Spots), etc. This is the sort of', act that would- do well on; tele-■ vision. It's excellent on stage, and the guy who does; the singing htt-' a fine voice; for pop stuff* : Harold Barnes Is a tightrope champ who smartly has worked up a very . interesting stage act. He- - does tricks on wire that are worked, into tango, ballet and other forms ' of dance tempcs, capping it all with a full back flip. He's good. Bob :■ Evans is another standard act. And it's about time he , got some new - material; With his performances^ at- the; Paramount, etc.,' there's prob' ably many patrons who can giv* him his entire set of punch-lines, But, he goes over solidly. Gordon Goodman, introed , as from FredT Waring's chorus, han- ; dies the vocalizing of "Old-Fash- ioned Girl" in a production bit that first darkens the house com- pletely and then spotlights Gay '90s appareled line girls set in posl-:; tions all over the house. It's not »,; new routine, but it contributes to the overall effectiveness of an ex- i cellent ; stage show at this huge I house and it tells of the extremely careful attention to detail that the Roxy's ,i>ro:duction staff poured into this holiday revue. Wood. , wi^ich he intersperses between his Loi'iib'ordi house orch (12); "Strike t^^'J^^^ i*^? "P ^ Pleasing layout is nicely paced and well presented, Punchy get- away is, provided by Jo Lombardi nice bundle and left them yelling for more. Miss Paige, w'ith a-plenty self- possessed appearance and a sophis- ticated .style, contribs "Thank Your "What Is This Thing audience.- Some of these members were seen here a couple of Sun^ days back at Uline's Arena when Heidt held the finals of his con- test. Others appeared with Heidt last .tlme the batoneer-played this house with his band. :.' Pat 'Theriault, a first-rate banjo soloist,, tor whom a number of- bands should have a spot, and -little Jimtoy. Grosso, who does clever impersonations; top the bill in, mitt action; Theriault does a couple of high speed numbers on instrument for nice-returns. Grosso ,t"e. process , inutates niu.sical ,instruments and ''IS Lionel, Ida, . , ..„.,m>/..i.- xi.u, .-.ci. wc. l-uu-.— singers. He does a particularly "im stepping into tne aisies lor a toasted stlections from the "Hun- canine act, and gets into the groove god takeoff of Vaughn Monroe Jitterbug sesh with a lemme stooge garian Rhapsody" to the "St. Louis 1 with the Stagg-McMann Trio, which and a fair one of Jolson. Also u f^i P°P^, Blues." Boys also work in some I has a well-balanced musical and imitates Tommy Dorsey, Heni v "P-, "aa lo oeg on. : ; comedy to good effect and provide Busse, Eddie Peabodv, Wavne Sandwiched through the layout a pleasing interlude.' King, and Heidt, ' are several solo stints ot EUing- Kate Murtaugh, previously Nadine Jensen turns out to be a 'on's sideraen. Johnny Hodges wins caught here in trio with sisters, good trumpeter, fair jazz pianist, plaudits for his saxing of "Passion is a standout on her own, scoring warbled interpretations of a, couple ...n Rjdi" (AA > novelty numbers. Latter include "Romance Without Finance Is a Nuisance" and "11 Takes a Good Man to Do That." Blue lyrics ac- cented in the right place get ter 1 v,u Olympka, Miami Miami, Dec. 24. Dean Murphy. Penny Ediearis, The Graysons, Bobby Pincus, vein & Co., Freddie Carlojic House Orch; "Good Sa7)i" (RKO). ,„ V . : , „- -,,i. ;v. -„;;„„:„„ house orch brought on stage for i l-'"cky Stars, •ific response. However, he carries medley of Christmas tunes. Aggre- Called Love" and "Mild, Mild /ulgarity a bit too lar when toss- ^ g^tion really swings out in solid i West" for nice returns. Show opens ng off a flock ot bumps and grinds , gtyie. Makes spot for three-way with an okay session of taps by s of allegedly minrtick- -jj,outhorgan blowing by the Phil-1 The Barretts, followed by-Al: Gdr-^ lampton. uowon nnas harmonic Trio, who sell well con- don's dogs, a standard but good and mild blues she has some difficulty of getting ' and her .personality : across the foot- lights. With more experience and training she'll be a much better act. ' Harold Parr» blind baritone,':who ,. , „, ,,, , ,, „ . , . „ material, Limehouse Blues on the smartly projected for maximum vibes get across nicely. In closing comedy. Impre.ssions wrapped niche is vocalist Al Hibbler. He around a party are standouts. Bob comedy act. Do "One O'Clock Jump," "Dance of the Hours" and a medley. Biz was great "and build- ing at opener. ■ Elic. ■ Winnick's Talent Hunt does a fair "Don't Be So Mean to Berry, fr6m WBALW here, loi'-i Maurice WinnickTs s'^iHne^for Ale Baby,' wai^ns up with,"Lover, lo_ws with series of vocals. Contribs New York .Tnn d tn iJnJ ."5. .7 has been with Heidt for more thjin Come Back to Me" and really rolls' "Sunny Side of Street," a medley a year, draws good returns with with"Ti'ees." His crooning of the ;includine "Until" and ".Slow Rnat a year, draws good returns with -renditions of "Cool Water," "Ram- blin' Rose" and "Ave Maria." g of the including"Until" and "Slow Boat classic is embroidered with beauti- to China," and good renditions of ful tones to .garner well-merited "Beguine" and"White Christma'!" New York Jan. 4 to book top at- tractions tor Empress Hall, Lon- don's 10,000-seater stadium. Winnick, who recently offered Johnny Mungal, tenor, presents an mitting; Songstress Kay Davis, also Stubholders gave him good recep-1 Bing Crosby $40,000 for an eight- attractive "Trees" and "Tell Me a on the bill, was out of Sunday'.s tion on entrance and plenty ap- day engagement at Empress Hall, Story." '26) show due to illness. Harold & plause at bowpff.. will contact name bands as well as Unusual novelty comes from Jack Lola, only ofay act on layout, arc Oreen, who plays a double row of I reviewed under New Acts. Gilb. bowpft, Three Stooges follow with their familiar comedies to top returns. bands as well as name .stars. He will also gander the Broadway shows. Holiday show al this lone south Florida vauder is in same fine class, of other years, with Dean Murphy 1 heading up a breezy session. . ' Murphy socks all the way with his biting impreshes of Game, Louella Parsons, Jimmy Stewart, among others. Toppers, of course, are his takcoffs on 'Kloanor ana F.D.K , done in good taste and M- fective manner. He also emcees in; smooth style. Penny Kdwards is one of 'he former Miami models who na»; made good. Her return as a Holly- wood fllniite shows a snioothenins of talents, her song . departineni well turned. . Bobby Pincus contribs his stand-, ard slapstick comedy; the uray : , sons provide slick acrobatic wor», which hits for the average return 1 of gasps and applause ululc Niv*"^ I exhibs the sleight-of-hand ^ricmy without which a Xmas show woum be remiss. : Freddie Carlone orc h handl"; , backgroundings in capable ,