Variety (April 1950)

Vedneijwy^ April 5» 1950 Paraiiiomty Y« Met Tornit, ISlia !Fitxgeralf3ff Sam Donahue Orch (li), Jahnny. Mot- Rafael Mendez, Vic k Adio; viewed in Vawetv Feh, 22, 'JK)* VaramoantV current bill Is a melange el assorted talent that adds up to generally commendable fare. Lineup is Standard stuff lor a presentation house, with the sin- ale exception of trumpet virtuoso Balael Mendez, who produced :the closest thing to a showstop at the performance caught. V Mendez ( who as Ralph Mendez has recorded for Decca) is an out- standing , instrumentalist whose, horn technique and tone rate no less an adjective than superlative. His valve fingering on the intri- cate 32nd-arid 64th-notp melodic lines of numbers like -‘Flight of the Bumble Bee" and "Tico Tico’V impressed the pewholders to the point of audible gasps, Mendez’s' work is of class calibre with mass appeal, due to the sheer spectacu- larity of his brilliant musicianship. Odd routining brings Ella Fitz- gerald oh third, after the band opener and Vic and Adio’s aero turn, with lesser marquee names Mendez and comic Johnny Morgan following. Miss Fitzgerald’s rated spot would seem to be next to co- headliner Mel Torme, Par manage-, ment apparently figuring, however, that two successive vocal artists Would be unwise show pacing. Nev- ertheless, sepia star could have been moved up at least One slot to give her a more * deseired posi- tion on the bill. : Singer starts poorly with a weak ihythm tune, but hits her stride with “Man Around the House" and “Baked a Cake," among Others, overall selling, however, seems a bit perfunctory and listless, al- though a good imitation of Louis Armstrong tonsilling “Basin Street" gets her off to a strong hand. : Torme wisely refrains from try- .Ing to, sell himself solely as a singr er, for the valid reason that he can't really sing. Only ballad blan- keted by the “velvet fog" at the show caught was “Blue Moom" rest of the Torme turn being taken up with a jump “Oh, You Beautiful Doll" opener; a ditty about Brook- lyn^ complete with accent and com- edy patter; and a closing session at the drums, plenty good. Johnny Morgan is a personable, good4ooking young comedian who could register strongly if his ma- terial measured up to the way he delivers it. As It stands now, he needs a completely rewritten rou- tine to bolster his natural comedic talent and personality. Vic and “>«Wet*ns. He toain’t UiU homw in uveral yean *•”**“8 * welcome. ‘ Ai^her & Gile, femme singers, effectively warble their way through four times, “Love Is Sweeping the Country,”^ “Best Things in Life Are Frw,” “l‘m in Love with a Won- derful Guy" and “Dry Bones," Johnson & Diehl open the bill with a hat-juggling routine that sells nicely. Tyler & St. Clair fol- low wi^ xylophone stint, using puppets’ feet to hit the notes, a novelty twist that earns fair re- turns. Brno.. Crete ToUer Roxyeites, House, Orch, Bill Callahan, StMg McMann aero lifts with humor and suave* ness. Except for the fast-tempoed Opener which displays his trumpet; and sax capabilities, Sam Donahue j has little to do other than an? nouhee each turn and lend it ade- quate musical backing. Band has ho Vocalists of its own for this en- gagement. Rich. Orpheiiuif L* A. Los Angeles, March 29. Johnson tc Diehl, Tyler & St; Clair, Archer St Gile, Amazing Mr. Balleniine, **Fun on Wheels" (27), Rene Williams House Orch (9) ; “The Palomino" (Col). “Fun On Wheels," organization of paraplegics from Birmingham hospital;, is playing Us first com- mercial Dooking oh the Orpheum stage this week. Revue, condensed from the version that has been very successful in special engage- ments locally, is aimed for audi- torium and theatre dates across country if this booking goes over. It is not ready for the road, if to be sold strictly on a commer- cial entertainment ba sis. Catherine Nesburn originated and produced with Nick Castle, who also staged; They have not done Tight by the vets. Idea of wigging, frocking and rouging the poys for most of the numbers sug- gests no originality or taste. Bet- ter that vets show Off their wheel-; chair maiieuverability wearing uni- forms or civvies. Both entertain- ment and sympathy appeal would be stronger. ^ “Ballet to Wheeltime’’ and “The Regatta" and the finale, “Day On the Midway,” giyes the best idea of* what the vets can do with muSr cular and wheel skill. ReVue breaks up into 10 spots; using 16 vets and 11 femmes, who aid the hoys in maneuvering on stage. At show caught, revue was ragged but *’®“£puting helped at subsequent performances. Musical direction by Bob Keith and wheelchair- choreography by Patty Kinney are g^ood and the vets are willing, So U s up to Miss NesbUrh and Castle to come up With fresher ideas if revue Is to click commercially. Four Standard vaude turns launch thC; bill. Climaxing the quartet is the very funny Amazing Mr,< Bhllentine and his fiisli lkifl- Musie Hall, N, Y. r- Glory of Easter** & •*Springiid- ihflfs," produced by Leon Lcoriidoff; settings; Bruno Maine; costurnes, James Steuidrt Morcom, executed by Fiorerice Rogge; lighting, Eu- gene Braun; special lyrics, Albert Stillman; Corps de Ballet choreog- raphy, Florence Rogge; Rockettes choreography. Gene: Snyder; choral ensemble: direction, Kay Holly; principals include Alphonse Berge, Bettina Dearborn, Dean Crane', Lane Bros. (2), Helen Dodge; Ron- nie Ronalde; ^The Daughter of Rosie 0*Grady** (WB) reviewed in Variety March 29, ’50. The Radio City Music Hail tradi- tional Easter spectacle is probably one; of the strongest show business, lures in New York. In many house- holds it’s a show to which the va- cationing youngsters must be taken, one that’s a inUst for many adults as well. The reserved-seat section dUiring this holiday season is sold but well in advance. This colorful spectacle remains one of the more eloquent tributes to the Hall’s staff. Leon Leonidoff’s production and 'meticulous staging bring out the always, reverent qual- ity in this number, and the color- ful ^proceedings provide an ample reason Why there’s tremendous re- peat patronage for this spec. The choral work, with Margery Mayer in the solo spot, is excellent. The traditional music, Rubihstein’s “Ka- menol Ostrow,’’ adds dignity to the occasion; The rest of the show is light and colorful, in keeping with the spring season. 'The show achieves a good tempo and a strong novelty note. Opening of the regular portion Of the display is in fashion show vein, with Alphonse Berge doing his. usual coutouriering turn. His rapid draping loses much of the effect in this structure. He’s given a Work- able and imaginative setting, which somewhat has the effect of dim- ming his contributions! One thing is certain alway$ with Berge’s turn. His bows are Unique—this facet of his work comes across more strongly than the rest of his act. The Corps de Ballet continues the colorful mien of this show with a well-staged demonstration in which the coryphees make excel- lent use of their costumes to trans- form the stage Into a flower-bed. The novelty and dancing are pleas- ing. The Lane Bros. (2) provide a good change of pace with their hoyelty acros. There’s good comedy and speed to get them across. : Other Outside turn in the shbW is by Ronnie Ronalde, an English import making his second visit to this stage; He gives an okay dem? onstration. The Choral Ensemble, with Helen Dodge in the solo spot, pro- vides some vocal dressing during this sequence for good results. The Rockettes, as always, pro- vide their brand of high-powered entertainment, 'This hlOck of pre- cision-milled cheesecake contrib- utes a hearty curtain. Jose. Olympiav Miami Miami, April 2, Gloria J eaii, Pat Rooney, Sti, Barney Grant, BHsy Ross & High- tower Bros.; Frank Cole Sc Co„\Les Rhode House Orch; Chain Light- (WB). There’s a fair measure of enter- tainment in current lineup, though topliner, Gloria Jean, filmster, doesn’t quite come up to expecta- tions in her vocals.. Whiterhaired vet Pat Rooney, via slick hoOfery and sock ihipresh of Joe Frisco, walked off with top applause. Miss Jeaii, beautifully gOAvned; and coiffed, couldn’t seem to get ; her voice adjusted tb the large con- fines of this house.' She seems more suitable for intimate rooms. Arrangements^ arid songs are okay. Barney Grant emcees glibly and expands his familiar arid corn- filled routines in own spot for neat laugh returns. , j Legerdemain of Frank Cole , is okay. Uses three femmes as. aides and for top trick to nice plaudits; Adagio-style terps of Betsy Ross and Hightower Bros, tee off Show at nifty pace. Gars backbend to snag a ’kerchief is tops, Les Rhode and house orch are adequate oh backgroundings* ' Ldty.' Trio, Sonny Howardr * Wal- do; **Cheaperhy the Dozen** (20th), reviewed tn Variety March 29, ’50. The Roxy show currently, with an Easter backgrounding and neat- ly staged by Gae Foster, meets all the entertainment demands. It has ample dashes, of comedy, .novelty, dancing and s.a. o. Heading the layout is Fran War- ren with her vocallstics, and the RCA Victor recording artist easily sells her pops. Miss Warren has heat production backgrounding, natnely^ in the Rpxyettes, and she’s an apt closer of the show With a varied repertoire, that includes such num- bers as “Envy You,”; “Take Me put to the Ball Game" (neatly ar*^ ranged),“Want Sunday Kind of Love" and “Over the 'Rainbow." Additionally, Miss Warren is taste- fully gowned. The customers like her, Bill Callahari, miisicomedy Sing- er-hoofer (with the accent on the terps), gets over in the first slot ; with his looks and imaginative ; taps. Those twirls are still among his: stocks in trade, ‘ The ; Stagg McMann Trio, har- mbhica turn, are three males who go over with the vari-sized instru- ments. They’re a neat pace^hanger from the opener. They were re- placed by the Harmonicats after the; first few days, the latter Orig- inally being set for the date but couldn’t get into towri for the opening Friday (31). Soriny Howard is plenty sock With his vocal imitations of name singers, and he has a good voice on his own. He Opens legit, then into such warblers as Frankie Laine, Tony Martin, RosO Murphy, and even the operatic Jan Peercci all to powerful results. He got. top applause when caught. Elsa and Waldo, the ludicrously costumed comedy pair, with their furiny panto stuff, also click. But they’re bn a bit too. long; otherwise they’re as funny as ever. The Roxyettes are back'to their standard balancihg-on-rubberballs routine, with the larighs, as usual, coming frorii the single girl who constantly loses her balance (as if she weren’t the most expert'of the balancers! ) .. Kahn. F0X9 St* JLop St. Louis, April 1. George Givot, Keye Luke, Prof. \ Irving Spector, Alwhite Si Blue, Ruth Nichols, Joe Schirmer, Frank Panus Orch; **Tarzan and the Slave GirV* (RKO). Although George Givot and Keye Luke, Chinese filmster, share top billing in the current , layout it is the latter who is copping the heavy yocks along with Prof. Irving Spec^ tor, socko With his trickery on vio^ lin stuff. Givot, who also emcees, is still sticking to the stuff he used in radio and some hew gags that heed a little sapblio for vaude au- diences. He redeems himself, how- ever, bn“Without a Song’* and cops a swell hand. Ill addition to mimicking of Bar- ryridbrie, Colman, Charlie Chari, Lorre and himself in a murder mys- tery skit, Luke unleashes neat bari- tone pipes and jackpots with “Be- cahse” arid Irish lullaby. Spector, in misfit evening attire, wins the mob with recitation of “Mary Had A Little Lamb" on the violin, a musical burlesk of “The Old Gray Mare’’ and a swell in- terp of ‘-Hungarian Rhapsody.” Alwhite and Blue, mixed team of youngsters, offer unusual hand bal- ancing act for solid returns. Another who gamers plenty palm-pounding is Ruth Nichols, brunet looker who socks over a medley of “I Want a (lirl," “When You Wore a Tulip," “Put On Your Old Gray Bonnet," “Man of Mine," “Old Man River" and “Some of These Days.”’ Paul Stanis, ,;orch pianist scores with a Liszt classic in boogie beat. Joe Schirmer and a Dixieland jazz band made up of the house tootets also gamer a fine mitt for “Jazz Blues." Saha. Earle, Philly Philadelphia, April 1. Erskine Hawkins Orch, with Jim- my Mitcheil, Madeline Green, Er- roll Garner Trio, Savannah Church- ill, Derby Wilson; *-Side Street** iM^G). Stage shows are back at the Earle again and there’s, good rockiri* with Erskine Hawkiiis and his orch blasting away on the brass, arid the smooth Erroll Gar- ner combo and. lush Savannah Churchill in for a change of pace. Judgirig by the turnpUt at the opening shows, there’s a local mar- ket for bandshows. Hawkins, his trumpet arid his showy music had them stomping, whistling arid clapping out the beat, Band riumbefs include “St. Louis Blues; “Tiilpln’' tlVef,*’ 4 'solid’fie's- sioh called ^Hawk'i" Boogie" and the more modut^tecl ^fAlter Houira/- The band^i slhgera arf, apottighm Pnnm ThMms, George It Bert Thevpimd's aingera are. ipot^hted panni/^ Thbiriw. Geoirge It BeH weU-^lm^y MtteJeU. with ‘pirfr. Bernard, Ron# * ta Pierte, le*s Lov^ »d Madoltoe Gtwn ricane,. Am Clive. Co»», Owen k In “Now TOat 1 Need You,’’ with Topw, Jlmmv WHeaier, Sheridan the^band bacl^g up glfl yopally. Broa, (2), PoHodtuw THler Girl#, More in the progressive )ezz jsikyrockets Orch. groove is the Garner Trio (piano, ^ dniin and b^), with the goateed xho triumph of Dandy Thoriias Gamer coaxing some jmusual in- is remarkable. Unlike other Palla- teresting chords and rhythms but dium headliners from the U. S. of the Jceybpard,. while keeping up ^ho came here, he was virtually unknown to British audiences, Ws Fine and Dand:^’’^ There had been mo disk sales of fbt ovations. The Trio joins with his songs. hi$ film work‘ was mote H^klns ptch for a smash finale, or less negligible, but . a well .^Featured chirper is Savannah planned advance»publicity cam- Churchill,^^ no stranger to the paign, including press ‘ arid radio clubs ^in this area and very, well helped to make him a household .regarded here. Miss Churchill name before opehihg riight contribs neat versions of “Don*t it did not take him more than a Take , Your . Love from Me,” “I few minutes >to establish himself WaiU to Be Xioved’* arid *’Tiirie Out as a comedian of depth and intelli- fpr Tears.’’ A weleoirie arid amus- gerice. As an intro to his act, he irig dance interlude is set up by describes, how his Hollywood Derby Wilson, Who makes with friends raved at the Way the Pal- the soft shoe and is reminiscent of ladium aiidienceri responded, and the late Bill Robinsori, hot only went bn: “I. wouldn’t be in your because he impersonates “Bo- shpes tonight. You’ve really got jangles," but because he can also to mbke good/* From that point extract laughs with his deft .hoof- on there was ho holdirig him. His ing: ^ Gagh. mariner arid technique was soirie- V V -.. .• " -■■■ thirig new and he appeared, in ari> VhlsiRgA IV V effortless way to be following* his - owri advice: be calm, be casual* TwQ 0 rAdams,^SptC Sc Span, Wilhe relax. West Sc McGinty, Martha .King; The Palladiumites gave ThDma$ Senator Murphy, Kurt Joris Dan- a sock ovation and kept him on - cers (6), Rufe Davis, 4 Wallabies; for the best part of an hour, bver- yargo /o (Capetown** (Col), re- playing his skedded time by 20 meioed in this issue of Variety, minutes. As other artists know ^ ^ ~ , ; only too well, this gbnerous wel- Current layout at the Palace is come is not lightly given, but in moderately good overall show with this-case it was a genuine tribute two standout turns as the main and appreciation to the work of a pillars for the; 70-minute session, master raconteur, whose philosq- Aside from Willie West and Me- phy arid sentiirient are effectively Hayis, biU has a balanced arid whose iBongs are new, routine look. ^ , original and rich in comedy. "His ^ Running through their standard final numbeT, “A Letter to My bricklaying act, Willie West and Mother” was a perfect ending to McGinty punch across their cpn- a sock act. * Struotiom mayhem .with faultless ^George & Bert Bernard, who are timing. It’s Still a topflight laugh- almost regulars at this house, are winner after many years of being back with new material added to around the vaude circuit. The their repertoire. It’s a split-sec- propf and the pratfalls have been ortd timing act which never fails , ■ . , ,, . . to succeed. Tbelr new numbers in- . Rufe Davis holds down the next- elude “Anything You Can Do/’ to-closing spot with .an equally “McDonald’s Farm',’’ a “Can-Can" .standard iptrumental m^^ the“Hungarian Rhap- Rigged /with an imusual larynx, sody," give the act a hew nbte of Davis does remarkable impre$?ions freshness -and makes it one of the of airplanes,, motorboats, musical hits of the bill, instruments, foghorns, badly tuned Opening are the Palladium TiL ' ler Girls with a brisk display of hillbilly-type. number ‘Deep perfectly timed tapping The Freeze Dinah,” for a strong audi- Sheridan Bros, follow with a J 41 u ii ♦ hnique display of dancing oh a Other st^dards on the bill in-, fi^ht-wire. followed by ingeriious elude ^Martha King, an attractive balancing. Weakest spot is Jimmy brunet soprano, and Senator Mur- wheeler, who is handicapped by parodist. Miss poor material. His gags might be does nicely with a brace of okay for the Provinces, but lack delivered in powerful oper- ^be snap for sophisticated West atic sty e. She runs through brief End audiences - choruses on about a dozen numbers Frank Ross & Anita La Pierre .for ^a. strong finale. . Senator Mur- click in their stanza. Ross^impres- phy, a vet ^uder* still scores fairly sions of Harry James and a Texas strong with his soapbox routine Cowboy go over big, partner pro- He®'"*®’ reviewed under Tiller Girls open second half New Acts. •. Herm.: with another briefie giving way to ' Alan Clive; recently back froih his Cfrcte, IndplS Canadian and American four with Indianapolis, April 2. pi.iHinS Vaughn Monroe Orch, with Zig- gy Talent, Jay Lawrence, Dick Hay- Gostellc^ man, Moonmdids, MoOnmen, Earle 5^® Hummel, June Hiett, Joan Hollo- are authentic.JThe way; "Smre Dance K aty- (Memo). the Jour Vaughn Monroe, making first bid here since his rise to top S;®#?® perform acro- ranks, is pleasing Circle custom- ^®t‘ in a most. ers this week in a balanced show that goes well with spring. It has - lots of youth and talent. While if«hf opening emphasis is on musiev i^specially c/,fassures it \^11 do the band’s, Monroe features a nice Myro. change of pace and the supporting ■, ^ acts make their chances count. Paramouiit^ Monroe does, his singing leader Los Angeles, March 30. stint to advantage, getting warmer Toni Harper, Tennessee Ernie 5 response for himself and his gang Taylors; Don Cory, Fanchoneties in “Mtile Train," “With My Eyes (20), Rube W6lf. Orch (li ); **Swh- Wide Open I’m Dreaming," “Bam- doianers" (EL), boo/’ “Cool Water" and other v • ■' ■ . . ' click furies, while makingr light of ^ j i j* a- his forlhconiing movie debut in a musical western. His glee club ef- downtown fects add distinctive touch to Names of pleasing arrarigernents. Z i g g y Talent wins a hand for himself in 1j j ®j . his. oldie, “Maharajah Of Magador," ®^ and a couple of rioveltics and June v Is tne Easter Hiett of Moonmaids -solos im-' ^clui^^da}^ . , : pressively in “My Foolish Heart" f«iT®"?®5®®f„ and “ChattanoQgie Shoe Shine | Boy." Earl Huriirnel scores with ; c/l*J®!®Ai 15 Jr*? area, hi«! «?harn fiddliriff of “Horn Stac- On strength of his waxing ^^^riarp ticmiing ot Bora of “Mule Train" and /’Cry of the Dick Hayman adds to the musi-; J® cal varieties with some harmonica! wizardy on light classics, followed whether straight on Wild.Goose by first rate imitaflori of Spike * Jones band, complete with props. ' presence that is help- Bill’s main comedy punch is pro^i vided bv ■ JflV LciwrGncG ‘\\'hd Duts ■ nfls s city^^slickGr. dppGdrsLiiCG. ™ averts of show biz and political biggies I ^P®®®^ }®*®^ ^® with a good line . of chatter. ] . Shapely Joan Holloway displays, J:®*» ^his .early\ a.m.^ Yadio plenty- pf class in several fast and j record stmt fully coriifed, followed trldi^^ tdtf routine!. C&rhJ i (Oontihued on pagi •61)’' *