Variety (Jan 1949)

Wednesd^yf January 1% 1949 House Reviews Paramount, N. Y. Mills Bros. (5), Roy McKinley's Orch (17), J«on Carroll, Vander- bilt BOys (2); "The Accused" (Par) reviewed m Variety, Nov. 17, '48. The latter-day Paramount policy of eschewing names in favor of fresh and engaging acts has re- sulted in a series of excellent sta^e- shows. The format, while combin- ing some of the features of its for- imer pitband policy and that of the now vaudeless Loew's State, N. Y., has enough features of its own to insure good • entertainment stand- ards. Although the bookers aren't spending as lavishly as in former ■years, performance values haven't dimlnisned. It's a combination that appeals to matinee as well as eve- ning audiences. Toppers on the bill are the Mills Bros, and the Ray McKinley band. The Negro outfit's surefire har- monics and engaging stage de- meanor are conducive to applause- winning mitts. Their renditions of such standards as "Lazy River" and'"Paper Doll" are well mixed with some more recent numbers to provide a well-rounded offering. The McKinley outfit, with an in- strumentation of five reed, seven fbrass,-three rhythm and maestro's fancy tympany setup, provides some slick novelty fare. The crew • stresses novelty as is more appro- priate for theatre work with some excellent and humor-providing ar- rangements. Rendition of "Mum- bo-Jumbo" is one of the highspots of their turn, with McKinley doing neatly on the vocals. Jeanne Friley similarly does well ,with "Night Has a Thousand Eyes''. and duets with McKinley in "Tired of Wait- ing For You." Comedy is supplied by Jean Car- roll, one of the few remaining femme monologists. Miss Carroll' Ijas some choice material which she projects in a manner equal to that of her male contemporaribs. The dress-buying bit and the racetrack description are still her highspots, She gets earned encores. Completing the bill are the Van- derbilt Boys, youthful duo, who start with a tap turn and segue into clever hand-to-hand balancing. Topper is the jtopmount's somer- sault on his partner's shoulders Which gets them off to top salvos. Jose, ■ 47 son also pipes a tune aside from his usual stint on the '88. Sings "Fine Brown Frame" while a femme "FBF," New Year's Eve prize winner, coyly displays the reasons why she was so chosen. In closing groove, standard com- edy turn of Butterbeans & Susie I mops up with their gags, songs and i exaggerated gestures. Stout gal' clicks solidly with the novelty number, "Get Hep," while her part- ner, dad in ice cream suit and sporting a rose colored cap; gets his usual neat returns with surefire comic routines. ■ Reviewed under New Acts are Do-Ray & Me, Noble Trio and Frankie Que. Gilb. Roxy, IV. Y. Tony Martin, Dean Murphy, Bea- trice Kraft Dancers <3), Arnold Shoda, Joan Hyldoft, Sally Tepley & Marion Lulling^ Rox-y Skating Blades & Belles (8), Gae Foster Roxyettes & Escorts (24), Paul Ash Orch; "Chicken Every Sunday" (20th), reviewed in Vahiety, Dec. 8, '48. Mark Plant, have a field day with their roughouse antics, but it's overdrawn and could be pruned for better effect. Milking in i^ev- eral instances was rather obvious, Plant does medley of show tunes. He.scores with "Come-Love," "Wa- gon Wheels," "That Old Feeling," and receives heavy palm,-whacking for finale, "Begin the Beguine." Plant is heckled by Adams and trio then go into session with Carl Sands, house orch leader, about hit tunes supposedly written by Sands, which doesn't come off too well. Sands does a bit of excellent 8Sing earlier with "Rhapsody in Blue." Zabe. VARIETY BILLS WEEK OF JANUAltt 19 Numeral* In connection with billii below Indicate opening day ot show whetlier'tul] or Bpllt.week. '(.otter In piirentliewn lndle)ite« ctrenit: <l) ■ndeneiidentt (K) Ixiewi (.^1) Moui <P) Paramountt <B) RKO;.(S) Stolli (W) Wameri (\VR) Walter Rrntle Olympla, Miami Miami, Jan. 16. Gracie Borrie, Gil Lonib, Leo DeLjyon, 4 Elfiiins, Lloyd & Willis, Freddie Carlone House ' Orch; "Sealed Verdict" (Par). Hippodrome, BalAo. Baltimore, Jan. 15. Stubby Kaye, Peiro Bros. (2), Chris Cross, 3 Dees, Kay DeWitt, Jo Lombardi House Orch (12); "He Walked By Night" (EL).' This is an entertaining layout heavy on the sight stuff and ju.st right for family trade. Off to a snappyopening by Jo Lombardi and his house orch in a medley of hit songs, with Kay DeWitt doing neat on the vocals, show moves along under pacing of Stubby Kaye to solid returns. ' The Peiro Bros, are sure-working Jugglers who • handle clubs, sticks and hats with expert dexterity. Chris Cross follows with his slick ventriloquism in which he varies his dolls and leans on vocalizing .for good audience response.. Closing bit' on the Ink Spots is standout. Kaye next, addsto his previous labors as emcee to whack out com- edy vocals; impressions and gags and holds strong pace throughout; Three Dees, two men and a femme, wind show with 'good routine, on a high bar and just right: as a clinch- er to this bill. 9izgood. Bum. The usually staid Roxy theatre, with Tony Martin's opening yester- day (Tues.), lost its usual decorum. It's the first time within memory that bobbysoxers' erotic squeals permeated the house. Apparently the new generation of teenst6rs has fallen for an old idol. Martin has been around for a number of years, but it's probably the first time that he's gotten a N. Y. re- ception sucli as was handed him at his opening. Martin's precise phrasing and su- perior diction were probably* secr ondary to the warmth with which he infused. his songs. The juves jumped out of their sweaters at his selection of tunes, that included his standby, "Lullaby of Broad-, way," a Kern medley. "For Every Man There's a Woman" and- "Be- guine;" Latter, song surrounded' with the -usual Roxy production, accoutrements, was probably the only feasible way of getting: him off without, disrupting schedules. Martin indulged in some light banter with the kids down front, He told them he was glad they came: He needed them badly— for the first two shows. But he wound up one, of ' the- most solid hits this lifluse has had in a long tiine. ■ The rest of the show has some particularly good playing values. Another act getting top results is Dean Murphy. Although he starts off slowly, he builds up to salvos when he winds up with his excel- lent FDR impression. The Hilde- garde and Mrs. Roosevelt satires also serve him well. Beatrice Kraft, aided by two male dancers, is wedged in for a briefie between two vocal acts and virtually serves only as a change of , pace. Bit is too short to achieve top response, but Miss Kraft's East Indian jive number shows solid craftsmanship. More than usual-care has been exercised in the skating sequence. That seems to be the case when- ever a big ice show hits Madison Square Garden; (Sonja Henie I opens there tomorrow (Thurs.). Arnold Shoda does a fine bit, and Joan Hyldoft: is seen In one of her best^numbers. Surrounding pro- duction is similarly of high stand- ards with a masquerade motif pre^' dominating. Sally Tepley and Marion Lulling do o good fill-in. | Paul Ash, as always, cuts a fine show. Jose.: Midwinter budget of this lone south Florida vauder has obviously been increased, with recent shows marking picup via marquee lure and grosses. In Gracie Barrie, the house has one of this area's adopted daugh- ters, who : always pulls a sizable following, thanks to her always solid performances. 'This, time Out she hits again with full impact, both on straight songs and her smart collection of special mate- rial. It's a balanced blending that leads to a; begoff, with the de- livery and costuming buttressing a top - talent. i Gil Lamb is another of the f aves | who play here annually. The lean! and rubber limbed guy hits with i his eccentric hoofery and comedies. I Supporting .show Is more than i okay. Vocal trickery of Leo De i Lyon offers up a novel twist, with I the range from high to low pleas-1 ingly : effective. Comedy angles are 1 well played, with the takeoff on in- struments the topper to a well ! routined canto: i Four Elgins offer standard jug-i gling for good returns. Go into 1 sock class with their work on the | clubs. Tap department is capably ! handled by Lloyd and Willis. Again i the comic, is accented. Freddie i Carlone's house orch does neat backgrounding. - ' : Lary. ■ .Capitol, Wasli. Washington, Jan 18. Jane Powelly Georgie Kaye, 3 Harpers, Vince & Gloria Haydock, Sam Jack Kaufman House Orch.; "Unfaithfully Yours" (20th). 20 Apollo, IV. Y. Buddy Johnson Orch (15) with ^lla Johnson, Arthur Prysock; Do- «oy & Me, Butterbeans & Susie, Jvoble Trio, Frankie Que; "As- iigned to Danger" (EL). While this week's layout at the Apollo rates as fair entertainment, tne bill lacks strong marquee . names. On the other hand it's well balanced with Buddy John- son s band and Do-Ray & Me hari- oiing the musical chores, Butter- neans & Susie the comedy, terping oy Frankie Que and rounded out XT^u, ®,„^?''°''3tic turn of the ofay Noble TriOi vkS,u'"P"'^^"8 five reed, three ^rli?"' "'"^ seven brass, Johnson's oumt gets things moving with a noisy opener followed by Arthur msock's okay warbling of "You'd o^ll^^ Change Your Ways." Lanky "wftu®''. whams 'em with irai a Song" despite the hand- Friday (M)""^ ^-^^ nm^wi^'^T^?'""'^ ehirper, the bux- om lilla Johnson, vocals a slow "As on^?7^.Yoii" but picks .up .speed Snr,it°°" J C^i'e Who knows It." songstress has other assets besides Vm y"'9e and she really dramatizes ■ ^nX l '"terpreting the number for sock results. Leader Bu4dy John-, Oriental, Chi Chicago, Jan. 13. Jauis Paige, .Joey Adams, Tony Canzoneri & Mark Plant, Four^Step Bros., Carl Sands Orch; "YeHon) Sky" (20th). While this bill has name value for drawing power it needs tighten? ing in several spots. With only' three acts, however, it's impossible to switch the positions, but Joey Adams and his troupe might work throughout the whole show to pre- sent lags."Overaireffex:t, However, registers well. Janls Paige, latest in the proces'- sion of: film singers to headline here, has more to''offer than some of her contemporaries, but needs some additional polishing in the sales department. Attractively garbed in white, sequined cocktail gown, she's introduced by Adams, and then for a fast opener, tees off With"Thank Your Lucky Stars." Four Step Bros, open .show and set terrific pace, which other acts had difficulty following. Sepia quartet do a precision tap routine to "Russian Lullaby" and then .f,plits-up to garner heavy applause for their triple wings and shufCle rolls. Rubber-legged youngster does some sensational landing splits, and lads exit in whirlwind fashion. . . , Adams, Tony Canzqneri, and Jane Powell-shapes this week's offering into something well above average and proves herself one of the strongest draws the Capitol has had in recent years. Not only does the youthful Metro star have the name value to drag 'em in, but she assays good entertainment on stage. Miss Powell's song s in'clude i "Most Unusual Day" from her: pic, i "Date with Judy;" "Every Little ' Star," "Curley Headed Baby," i "Love Is Where You Find It" and, for sock encore returns, "Buttons and Bows." She works with artful simplicity. Her presentation has been worked out thoughtfully, and it pays off both at the boxoffice and in applause. Contrasting is the opening act, Vince and Gloria Haydock, tapsters. Able young- team works with pre- cision but act, which is good; 'would definitely get much better recep- tion if it were dressed for more flash. The couple mix their pace with an interesting oldtime solft- shoe routine. The Three Harpers, mouth organ team interlard their selections with some vocalizing, which is consid-, erably below the level of the har-1 monica offerings. 1 The bill's comic.is Georgie Kaye, I a hard worker with a rapidfire de^ i livery and some special, light ma- ! terial on the hustle-bustle of pres-: ent-day life in a big city. Kaye i handles himself well onstage and ' knows how to warm up an audi-1 ence. He winds up doing imita-! tions of -French singers imitating American singers. Nice number and well received. Lowe, NEW YORK CITY . Capitol (L) 20 Ink Spots Blue Barron Ore Alan Carney Meribeth Old , Music Hall (I) 20 G & F Szony Paul Winchell .Tenn Gibbons Florence Hin-Low Robert Hayden Jean Letourneau Rociccttes I Corps de Ballet Syin Ore Paramount (P) If Ray .McKinley Bd Mills Bros:, - Jean - Carroll -- VanderbiltBoys- : Roxy (I) II , Tony Martin Beatrice Kraft Co -. Denn Murphy Arnold: .Shoda .loan Hyldoft Sally Tcplcv Marion Lulling Strand (WB) 21 Tommy Dorscy O Bobby Van BALTIIMORE Hippodrome (1) Ming Sing Stars Paul Sydell ; . Georgie Kaye Yo.-st's -Varsity Co-Eds , stated) 20^22 Lewis & Lola Whitey Carson . New Yorkers Chris & Rac 23-26 Jimmy Troy Pat Vallee , Warner & Cole Tunc Tattlers' CAMDEN : Towers (I) :21rn Dobas Duo. Betty Percy' ; D & ,1 Reading Stroud Martin The Dunhills , CHICAGO Chlcagor (P) If Eddy Duchin Bd Colstons .Tan Murray ", Oriental (I) If 4 Step Bros Janis Paige - •Toey Adams Tony Canzoneri M.irk Plant : Carl Sand Ore CLEVELAND State (L) 20 .Tane Powell Hammond's Birds Dave Barry Olsen & -Toy ERIE - Warner (W) 24-26 Jack Gar-son Unit Marion Hutton Robt Alda . Dave WiUock Bob: Sweeney.; Geo Mann Emerald Sis , HARTFORD state (I) 22-23 Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts KINSSTON: B'way (WR> 21-22 only Wallis & CarroU. Roy Smeck B West & L Page Athos Co Stanley Kane LONG BRANCH Paramount (WR 2S only The Tannos Don Cummmgs Morris Si - Ryan Ralph Branca MEMPHIS Warner (W) 21 : only Vaughn Monroe O MIAMI Olympla (P) If : Puroell & Rcy Jan Martcl Peter Lorre Mickey Deems Whit.son Bros NEWARK Adams (I) 20 Horace Heidt's : Radio Winners PATERSON Maltstle (I) 21-23 Wallen Twins The Marimba-aires HanlOn & Clark Bill Brown 3 Edwards Bros PERTH AMBOY Malesfle (WR> If , only WaUis & Carroll Rov Smeck B West & L Page ., Athos Co Stanley Kane PHILADELPHIA Carman (I) 20 G & M Carroll Jack Marlin Howell & Bow.ser St Leon Trpc i PLAINFIELD . Oxford (WR) J4 :: -: only.-, The Tannos Don Cummings Morris & Ryan Ralph Branca READING Ralah (I) 21.23 Lionel Hampton O Shorts Davis Red, & Curley ROCKFORD . Palace (I) 21-23 "B'way C.Walcade'" Annette Olson. Yonely T & R Kio Jeanne Berry 2 Malinos SARATOGA SPGS: Congress (WR) 23 only Wallis & Carron Hoy Smeck B West & L Page Athos Co Stanley Kane SPRINGFIELD court Sq (I) 20-23 B & J Marco Lee BartcU Graziano Bros Youman Bros. & „ Francis Bobby Sargent Tanit Ikao , WASHINGTON Capltot (L) 20 Martels & Mignon Sibyl Bowan Hal LcRoy 3 Swifts Howard (I) 21 B Johnson .Ore. BuUmoose Jackson Co Batterbeans & ;-. Susie ■- . Do Ray Me 3 - Rimmer Sis Cabaret Bi ,loe Wong Beatrice Fung Oye Line (7) Dtlmonico Les Crosley Diamond Horscshoa Al Bernie Jack Gansert Billy Banks . Choral Sextet H Sandler" Oro Alvarez Mora Juenger Ballet Line El Chico . Maria T Acosta ■ Trio Casino Vizcaino Ore: Hotel St Montr . Erwin::Kent. Ore Hotel St. Rtgli Julie Wilson— . , - Laszlo & Pepito M Shaw Ore Hotel Roosavalt Guy Lombardo Hotel New Vorkcr G Benedict -Ore" Ice -Revue-.- ■ ■, Hotal : Pennsylvania Tommy Dorsey Hottt. Piccadilly Dell Trio Hotel Plaia Louise Howard Eleanor Jones Gene Martin , Lorraine Browning Jack Williams Jay Presson Allen Pershing. C Carpenter Leo Reisman Ore :' Mark Monte Ore Payson Ro Ore Nycola, Matthey Or Hotel Pierre Patricia " Bright Artini tc Consuclo Stanley la^Jlba.: Ore Ralph- Lline X>t6 Leon & Eddie's Eddlo . Davis Narda Gar! Conway Graham Sis Allan & Nobles - - Shepard: Line Old Roumanian Sadie Banks Jackie Phillips Larry Marvin Barbara Davis Nanette- Bella Smaro Joe LaPorte Ore D'AquUa Ore Hotel S^voy Plata Billy ToffeU Irving Conn Ore Hotel Taft- Vinccnt Lopez Oro Hotel Warwick Irving Fields Ore Maxlne Latin. Quarter Rudy Vallee Dorothy Claire Elsa & Waldo Paul & Paulett* Chameleon Dcrs - Page Morton - Art Waner Ore B Harlow Ore Le Perroquet Hugh Shannon Marvin Roymer Le Ruban Blau Blbi Osterwald Goodman ,& ,- - Ktrkwood 3 Riffs Mike Brown 'Norman Paris 9 Julius -Monk ,- - Havana-Madrid Cuban . Diamonds Fernanda Crespo - - ■ Do Castro -Sis - , Mildred Ray Lin* , Quintero Ore -Argueso Ore , Hotel Belmo't-Plau Ames -Bros- Bert Stone Betty J Brown - Edilic Stc.:'c Oro CasttiUnnoS' Ore ■!-!o*o1 B'ltmor* Phil Wayne Ore ■ :. 1-larottJ .Aa':el Oro - Hotel- Edison Henry Jerome Ore No 1 Fifth AV« : Owen & Murray Barbara, Ashley H*;>zQl - Webster . Downey & Fonvllle Hotel: ,Ambassador Fred Oliver Ore ■ William Adler Qro William Scotti- , Penthous*- - . Kurt Maier .Monica Boyar: Royal Roost ■ Billy Eckstinc Charlie Ventura Charlie Parker T Dameron . Oro Spivy's Kelly & Keating Spivy Versailles: George Ulmer . Bob Grant Oro -Panchito. Ore : - Village Barn Red Ingle. Ore Freddie Gray f Karen Tedder Harold, Barry Sinclair tc Alda Village Vanguard Delores Martina - Will Jordan Cyril Haines 3 Waldorf-Astoria Dorothy Shay Jimmy Carroll Emil Coleman Ore .Mi.scha ,Borr Ore , - CHICAGO NEW YOEK CITY Bagatclls George Glvot Delta Rhythm Boys Maxlne Sullivan Jose Ponlere ' Blue Angtl Delora Buena Frank Fontaine Donna Mason Ellis Larkin 3 Martha Davis Cafe James Pat Harrington Cafe Soclaty Jack Gilford Julia Webb Ignacio Bola ' Dave Martin Ore Casino Russ* Emile Boreo S. Wojiekowska Vera Bryner Clique Mary Lutes - Fred Bobbins 3 Bips & Bop George Shearing Copacabana. Mitzi Green Carl Ravazza F & S Barry Linda Lombard Herb George Paul Godkin Skyriders M Durso Ore Alvares Ore China Doll Noro Morales Ore Jose Guibcllo Ore BlacknawK Art Kassel Orch Gloria . Hart Lee Marx Jill Adams Harvey Crawford Hotel BIsmark Joe Isbell. Lester Cole Debutantes (5) Joe DeSalvo Ore Helslngs George Goebel -. Lola Ameche Pbil-D'Rey Frankie Hyle Billy Chandler Ore H Edgewater Beach Henry Brandon. Ore Yost Ambassadors Mary Ann Fedele Preston Lambart D Hild Dancers (12) Chez Parca Ted Lewis Geraldine DuBolfl Reed Sis (3) White & Pease Adorablcs (10) C Davidson O (11) Sherm'a'rt' Hotui". i Jack Fina -Ore Honey Dreamers Olivette Miller Jim Ameche Brookes Randall Robert Dev Kermit & Gloria Joseph-Cole- Gil Lewis Pete Landros . Hotel Steven*.. Frankie Masters 0< Phyllis Mylea . Tommy Traynor Neil' Rose r Jean Arlen Meryl Baxter . - Skating Blvdeara Bog Turk BUI Keefe •Teannle Sook Charles & Lucille .Terry Rehfleld .Manuel. Del Toro Elwood Carl Palmer. House Barclay Allen O Evelyn Knight : M Abbott Dcrs <10): McCarthy & FarreU Landrc &. Verna :., Blackstone Florence Desmond D LaSalle Ore (8> . Vine Gardtiik ■Mel Cole Oro Joey Bishop Jack Soo .Enrico & Novello Pancho's Ithumba B . Circle, In«lpls. Indianapolis, Jan. 15. i Sammy Kaye Orch, uMh Don Cornell. Laura Leslie, Tony i Alamo, Ernie Rudisill, Chubby Sihjers, Lloyd Roberts^ Kaydettes; Pansy the Horse; "Jiggs and Mag- gie in Court" (Mono), Sammy Kaye is breaking ice at the Circle, which hasn't played a i stage show in more than / a year | due to standby musicians contro-! versy. It looks as if customers are in mood for live action again and Kaye has show to keep 'em happy if they're band fans. It's a slick. and smart review of tune favor-1 ites,-topped by his reliable "so you want to lead a band?" conte.st, which remains one of the best au-. dienqe participation! . stunts, . seen ' around here. Kaye makes it an entertaining feature by clever handling of contestants, sounding them out for plenty of laughs. Band gives show strong opening' in "Powder Your Face with Sun- shine," Tony Alamo, new vocalist, displays pleasing voice and per- sonality Jn "Bjr the Way" and "Myj Darling, My Darling." : Little Laura Leslie puts plenty of the old ginger into "Lavender Blue" a n d Kaye's hillbilly novelty, "Pappy Threw His Shotgun Away." Don Cornell gets a big 1 hand for his smooth warbling of "Here I'll Stay," "Down Among ! the Sheltering Palms" and, with iMiss Leslie, "The Pussycat Sohg," the : Kaydettes ■ chiming in with nice effect. Chubby Silvers gives the customers some action with his! bouncey "Hey Bob Re Bop" and the drummer,: Ernie Rudisill, draws applause for his takeoff on ' the Ink Spots singing "that's My Desire." Bill seems to satisfy with only one extra act, but that a first rate standard. Pansy the Horse, which always has been good for laughs around here. -,, .. Corb. Radio Backs Continued from page t bb states have similar bills, but in no case is broadcasting mentioned. Ori^iqal bill, introduced by Sen. Thomas Desmond, only covered ered newspaper and press associa- tion reporters. After Curly Vade- boncoeur, chairman of the NAB news committee, and Michael R; Hanna, director of NAB's N. Y. district, raised objections against the discriminatory provisions, the law revision, committee .tended the bill tc include broadcasters. In the bill, anyone giving news via wire, radiOv television or facsimile is explicitly designated as a re^ porter. Mercury Gets Newman Hollywood, Jan, 18. ' Alfred Nevyman, music chief at 20th-Fox, has inked a new deal with Mercury Records which pro- vides for distribution of old disks and some new waxings. Flattery will release disks he originally made for the Majestic label.; First to be: reissued will be the "Captain from Castile" album and it will be followed by "Alfred : Newman .Conducts."