Variety (June 1950)

56 HaiJSG REVIEWS Wednesday, June 28, 1950 Paramount, N. Y. Ray Anthony Orch, Jack Carter, Gloria DeHaven, Tip Tap & Toe; "Secret Fury/* reviewed in Va- riety, April 26, ’50. Paramount’s current layout plays solidly all the way. Well-planned arid snappily paced, this shovV is making use of video (Jack Car- ter) and film (Gloria DeHaven) personalities to draw the custom- ers. Both deliver handsomely with Ray Anthony’s crew tying the bill together With a smart brand of music. Accidental juxtaposition in the billing of Carter’s and Miss De Haven’s names recalls that the lat- ter’s father was Carter De Haven, musical comedy and vaude singer of a generation ago. Her mother also was in show biz. the most of being Bing's brother to provide the comedy. r With a dummy of Bing spotlighted on stage, he sang-talked the self-coin- posed “Let’s Make Comparisons.’’ In it, he points out that Bing wears a loupe aind is fat, while he still has his own hair and a srriailer paunch. It all makes for a laughable stanza. Miss Donegan, boogie pianist, Roxy, X. Y. Robert Merrill, Bunin Puppets with Doris Brown; De Castro Sis- ters (3), Bobby Whaling & Yvette* WaynerMarlih Trio; Paul Ash Bouse Orch ; "The Gunfighter (20th) reviewed in Variety 26, ’50. The Roxy theatre is apparently displays a deft touch and rare ar- starting a new cycle. Having pre- tistry on her numbers. ' viously experimented with video McConnel & Moore do some ex- personalities, the current show pert juggling that produces gasps. | seei p s to be veering into the long^ Betty Lou Holt, an aero dancer, lia j r fi e id. There’s elements of Tew, ** J * * *- i,-!- Ji—I offers nifty routines. Oriental, Oit Chicago, June 22.: both schools On this display with the Met-s Robert Merrill and CSS-TV’S Bunin Puppets, mainstay 1 of the “Lucky Pup” show. Rooney, Sr,, Lind Bros. (3), C Sand Orch; "Skipper Surprised Carter’s growing impact as i TV performer is felt from his re-, His Wife” (M-G). : ception from the patrons who have seen him previously in their parlors He naturally uses that video recognition as a handle for many of his gags which poke at the inanities in the new medium. It’s a punchy routine with plenty Ted Daniel, Harrison, Carroll & jt looks like the classicists step- Virginiq Lee .( 2), Pat , ping off a peg into “middle-brow” music can provide excellent enter- tainment for this house. Merrill does one of the most solid sing- ing jobs to be heard here. He's a Current bill ambles along, ap-- natural for this stage since he’s parently.-'with, rio place to go, and n0 stranger to this house. He;first-! despite absence of a real head- ma de an appearance here 10 years ‘ liner, provides fairly pleasant en- j ago as one of a Major Bowes ama- tert iinment. ; | teur troupe. During Danny Kaye's Bill ooens with Ted Daniel, win- stand at the Roxy, Merrill visited Heafy and Marion Green out for a clever toe- number, with line * in Gay ’90s costumes backgrounding for a nifty Waltz-clog finish. Ger- aldine ic Joe, in their tumbling tomfollery get terrific returns for eccentric dancing and back and front flips, wUh the lad stopping the show, when caught, with his amazing head-spins ala a human top.. Laura Leslie closes $11 with well-mannered warbling for a splendid ,7 0-mins. package that is doing big business, McStay. i . 1 * Palace 9 X. Y. Carlton & Del, Lee Marx, The Beachcombers <4 ), Jerry Bergen , assisted by Leone Hall; Guili Guilt (2 ) Moke & Poke, Robert Ross (2), The Ericksons (5), Don Albert House orch; "Baron of Arizona ” (Lip), revieioed sr in Va- riety. Feb. 15, ’50. of fresh material distributed among > ner Of the house’s amateur TV tal- j Kaye backstage and was inveigled the Standard gagging; Comic winds ent hunt, singing “Marta.” Clean- 11 0 sing the “Whiffenpoof Song.”' strongly with clever parody of a. n°wsreel show. In the vocgl departriient, Gloria DeHaven scores as a topflight stylist (New Acts). Opening aind backing the show the .;Anthony crew dishes ud a clean and crisri Style of riiusic in a format pat- terned after ' the late Glenn Mil- ler’s band. There’s more thari a stale aping of Miller’s w.k. swing style, however, in these fresh: sonndirig arrangements. Anthony’s neat-looking crew comorises a standard distribution of five reeds, eight brass and three rhythm with one . of the" brass sideman shutt|ing between trumpet and trombone. After warming up houcft with a Dixie lioedowh. “Skip To My Lou,” band swrings through its latest flock of bon wax numbers. Led by Anthony’s fine horn, band scores with its marching rendi- tion of “Jew' Mg RTne f -.”Vocals .ni'e Well-hand 1 '*d by Ronnie Deauville arJ the Skv.Uners; Opening act on the bill. Tip. Tan and Toe rr'ce through a classy terping routine, of the trio- rotates with a different attack, ranging from straight tans to fancy slide steps* Tm*n has a potent im- pact. Berm. : AnoMo. X. Y. Arnett Cobb Orch (7 v. Son nn Thompson Orch (12 >. Stump fc Stumpy, N<*+dr->a. Boh Parrish. Bohhy Marshall, "Wabash Avenue ” (20th). cut- young baritone delivers in j Merrill sells potently in his song strong style and has poise. . ‘session. He first essays “La Mat\- Harrison, C a r r o l l & Ross, if nata” by Leoncavallo and segues nothing else, provide a variety of | info “Wandering;”' “Some En- roUtincs Girl and two men, one .a midget, play harmonicas, are hoof- ers, do comedy turns, and play a variety of other instriiriients. Mid- get provides most of the blue comedy, while other man and gal do some dance routines accom- panied by midget on piano and ac- cordion. Hoofer’s, imitations of! Ray Bolger, Bill Robinson and Fred Astaire fail to impress. Virginia Lee follows with . her aero routine. She goes into audi- ence to bring up her, partner, who stumbles and clowns through the act convincingly. Act rivoves '■swiftly- arid gets solid reception. Pat Rooney, Sr., may be getting on in years, but maintains ease and grace. Opens with “Daughter of Rosie O’Gradv,” then goes into a strut, followed by a goodrliumored and excellently dope imitation of Joe Frisco. After a slick softshoe on “Tea tor Two,” he does solid Irish jig and bows off after telling a counle of gags. ' Lind Bros, are a good closing act. Trio mixes songs well, drop- pin-g some of the more refined and ! t sophisticated nitery numbers arid 1 running through a variety that would please any audience. Open with “Hoop Dee Doo,” then “Toora Loora Loora.” Other num- bers are “Wedding Samba,” chanted Evening” as Ezio Pinza sang number in “South Pacific” and “Largo a Factotum” for a VTapup. The applause is long and solid. As an encore, he does “America the Beautiful,” with the Statue of Liberty and the flag waving selling. Since show is hold- ing over beyond July 4, it makes the patriotic production appropri- ate. The Roxy, of course, has occa- sionally gone in .for concert hall performers. There was Grace Moore’s memorable stand some years ago and there was other periods When b o o k e r Sammy Rauch and managing director A. J. Balaban attempted to raid the Concert . field. However, the four and five , shows a day routine was far from attractive to the con- certers at any price. Nonetheless, the RoXy has booked the N. Y. Philharmonic to be conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos for late sum- mer. Merrill's reception indicates that there’s a mass audience for this “better type of entertain- . Long , off the podium due to ill- ness, tenor saxist Arnett Cobb Show's he’s still a Piaster of the instrument In hoi din" down top billing at the ApoIIo this week. For his comeback. Cobb fronts a sm^ll combo of one other reed, tlu'ce rhythm. anJ two brass.. Boys briskly Handle a ouart.et of num- bers and the leader nartieulavlv stands out on “Ghost of a Chance” ipd “Flyin’ Home.” •. ■ - Otherwise, the lavout includes Sonny Thompson’s hand, coine^v duo of Stumo h Stumny- .Bali- nese dancers Natnya & Naiaria pins warblers Boh Parrish and Bobby Marshall. Show registers well with the payees, but curi on si v has no femmes on the roster save fo r the gal half pf the tern duo. With four reed, five brass and The rest of the show is also en- tertaining. The Bunin Puppets provide a cute interlude with the character.! on their “Lucky Pup” tele display. Doris Brown handles “Come “Back td^Sotrerito/ 7 ” and j commentaiwmeatly in some of the “Cry of the Wild Goose.” Close strongly with vocal version - of “Miserlou.” Carl Sand house orch backs capably. Chan. ( apkol. Wash. Washington, June 24. Vic & Adio, Ada Lynne, Jack scenes, while puppets such as Foodinl and Pinhead provide' good entertainment. Tile Wayne Marlin trio offer acrobatics in a manner that gives the illusion of dancing. Group of two boys and a girl offer some ex- cellent hand-to-handing to a nifty musical background and they’re off a bit. Bobby Whaling and Durant, De Maftizis,, Sam Jack : f p .' 1, wnaiing .ana Kaufman Hou*e Orch; “Ticket to a ^ so ..^ applause with comedv cycling, and the De Castro Tomahawk ” (20th). comedy cycling, and the De Castro Sisters also win plaudits for a Capitol lineup this session is , k;i° of numbers with lots a mug- long on novelty and short on show- Sing. manship. General effect is spotty, and balance is not up to house standard, Vic & Adio, curtain raising team of Brazilian acros; Walk off with ! sonality. mitt arid critical honors. Their act is unique arid entertaining. The vogue to combine aero stunting There’s enough variety on this show even for an audience at- tracted to such diverse elements as a western filin and a Met per- Josc. three rhvthm, Thomoson erew »e!:s i with comedy is becoming somewhat the session off to a fast start via a wearing, but these boys succeed by hot nicely Casino. Toronto Toronto, June 23. Laura Leslie ; Bobby Sargent, Balabanov) Duo, Geraldine A Joe, ot ditty. Outfit backs the show ?, pt . p verdoing the funny angle, l™wo(moy) Lmo, ueraiame * Joe* ai.icely. and Thompson’s individual | ™ e . lv sly and subtle and - gob pianistlcs score solidly. Stumo & l^f ir balancing technique is tops. ,Gw|s ^ Stumpy, house faVes, cop he^vv-There -is a continental flavor to ^rc'h Prison Warden (Col), mlttlng with their zany funmaking. »nd a^ welcome smoothness, f —-.v Some new gag material heightens .. Headliner Jack Durant has a fast, On her identification as vocalist their effectiveness. rather tasteless g^Rs, some | with the Sammy Kaye group, plus . Sharing . the .bill's vocal chores which re.-ister vvell with patrons.! jj^r disclicks. Laura Leslie - (New With Bob Parrish, Bobby Marshall ma.ior portion of ms running line , s .the; marquee draw this clicks with a pepped-up version of ^ devoted to wife ribbing, wtucii week and gets a hefty reception ‘ “ ~ always impresses as poor, matensl j from - hor fans; but otlier act are foe a family type audience. His also crowding for applause honors, style, sometimes weary sometimes ; In - a bang-up 70-mins. session, frenzied always lntjmate, is funny! traveller parts on a full-stage Gay and would click with mpre^hep ma- i paree setting, with line oii for a teri.a]. Takeoffs, alternating be- \ brisk can can routine to .‘.'Mirni," f Pc A cr <> nd f and Thelma .Fresliette and Naomi Gb eenstreet, deftly ribs .the H' 1 ' Doyle out for forte Frennhie solo ' 0m,c I warbiings,. and line : winding with While oot on par with some of the recent displays at the Palace, current bill has a wide diversity of acts that make for an entertaining session, Bill is well-paced to hold attention Ml the way Arid at the prevailing 90c top remains Broad- way’s best bargain. Carlton & Del, mixed team, open with a fast line of tap and rliytlmi routines that get over neatly. Lee Marx follows with a comedy jug- gling stinl, manipulating balls and clubs on terra Anna and then atop; a huge rubber ball for nice.. apr plause. Jerry Bergen, pint-sized comic doubling from the Old Kiiick niterj^ scores, as usual, with c’dwnantics, violining. Swiss bells and xvlophone selections. Sta-' tuesque, blonde Leone Hall foils neatly and contributes a pleasing version of “Someone To Watch Over Me,” worked up for a solid bowoff. The Beachcombers, vocal group of: three lads and an Hawaiian gal, are standout, registering on har- mony in a good selection of v o c a 1 s comprising “Hawaiian Chorit,” led by the gal and inter- larded with some South Seas gy- rations; “Lucky Old Sun,” and other items to v cop solid ap- plause. Group is neat appearing, have good voices and project well. They could riiake the grade in plush niteries as well as vauders. Guili Guili, Egyptian magico, has a Slick line of hocuspocus. Some of the feats are standard but that of making chicks disappear arid then coughing them up, is his clincher. However, he should limit the explanatory gab to a minimum, since most of it isn’t understandable. Moke and Poke, vet Negro comedy dancing team, are the usual riot with their rou- tines. which accentuate slick hoof- ing. Lads pull all stoos on the lat- ter and wind up with their howl- getting jitterbugging to practically cop the show. Robert Ross has been around before in the Ross & Stone act but now prefers solo billing. Maxine Stone is still in the act but gets no billing, although her deadpan, lazy gal comedies, held to mini- mum. are still potently effective. However, Ross carries the maior burden ot the chore with slick baritoning and niftv pianoing for good response. The Ericksons, Danish aero troupe, are potent closers with their sock aero-rou- tines for solid applause. Don Al- bert and his. house orch provide neat backing of acts and Dave Dine's production settings are in accord with show’s motif. Edba. Palladium, London London, June 19. Jock Benny with. Phil Harris & Rochester, Harry Kahne, Roily Rolls, Whirlwind Elwardos (5) Charles Warren & Jean, El Gran- adas & Peter (5) Palladium Tiller Girls i 16 > Woolf Phillips & Sky- rockets Oich. *Call Me Darling” and also socks across with a brace of blues num- bers. Parrish is reviewed under New Acts as are Nataya & Natnrja. Gilb: ^Detroit „ . ■ Detroit, June 27. Bob Crosby, Toni Arden . Dor- othy Donegan, McConnel & Moore , Betty Lou Holt, House Orch (14): Mystery Street ” (M-G). The Jack Benny-Phil Harris-Ro* Chester combo put on an entertain- ment plus. The 70 minutes of solid showmanship, richly loaded with wisecracks, songs and dance,* wind- ing with a riotous hillbilly num- ber,, earns air ovation far sur- passing that received when come- dian played this house two years ago. ■ Aside from a brief opening number by the Tiller Girls, the Benny trio have the second half of the show to themselves. Benny, of course'* opens; with 15 minutes of non-stop gagging b e fore be is joined by Phil Hariris and subse- quently Rochester. He has the packed house rolling with his - suc- cessive yarns, and deadpan ex- pression, perfectly timed. Phil Harris is also given an ovation. There’s no mistaking his popular- ity here and he puts zing into a quintet of song numbers which in- clude “Ghattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy” and “Is it True What They Say About Dixie?” Rochester’s en- trance is cued to a phone-call arid although betraying a trace of nervousness, gets the regular big hand from the fans. After comedy repartee with Benny, he does a couple of songs and slick dance routine. Trio in hill-billy costumes) wind with clever downing that’s warmly applailded. Solid all the way. Only other transatlantic act in the show is Harry Kahne, with his clever upside-down writing arid arithmetical calculations. He calls for six letter names and af- ter a few conventional sugges- tions, was greeted with a pe- culiarly Yiddish name.: He re- sponds to the spirit by writing it in the Hebrew alphabet. Later, lie has a brief interlude in the Benny act, to calculate the star’s real age. Roily Rolls, always a favorite in London,: again scores heavily as ever. His interpretations of a pianist making his concert debut’ the typical blase type, the genius and a boogie-woogie player, are certain laugh getters. Tiller Girls, back after a short absence; open bill with a nautical routine based on sailor’s hornpipe. The number two spot goes to El Granadas & Peter, an energetic quintet who put on a boisterous shovv with ropes, whips and uni- cycle. Ghairies Warren and Jean get over in eccentric dancing; Another quintet are the Whirlwind Elwar- dos, four men and a girl They’re a good acrobatic team With a fast moving act. Myro. Olympia, Miami Miami, June 25. Jams Paige, Don Cornell, Al Norman, Nora Toomey Co., Lee Shijyjyers, Les Rhode House Orch; “The Torch* (EL). Steel Pier. A. C. Atlantic City, June 23. .. Bros. (5), The Adams; Mad Caps, Russ and Owens, Topi; Hanlon, Jr., Johnny O’Donnell House orchestra; “Champagne for Caesar ” “The S u n d o w n e r s” (ELY. Three are featured in the Fox stage show this week but; one, tiny Toni Arden, sings herself to a Hiche high above the others. That doesn’t mean Bob Crossby arid porothy Donegan Trefiri sock. They are and were received en- thusiastically by the sparse audi- ence. .Miss Arden’s opening number. ;Do I Love You,” has plenty of pounce. She changes pace to a torchy styling, of “My Foolish -Heart/* that sells equally as yell. . Then “Sorrento" (in hei; native Italian) and other items tb round 6ut nice session. Crosby, acting as emcee, Made walk off to good response. Ada Lynne has revamped her “scout” routine and freshened it up a good deal. It still lacks sock quality. Gal has fine potentialities, with her adolescent voice and wide eyed blondness but. doesn’t quite make the grade. Garners laughs With a comic, highly gagged tune, “You’re Different.” The dance slot is filled by a me- chanical doll dance flashily billed by act’s emcee as “a pair of dolls operated by remote control.” The illusion is sustained by going through the winding up motion and by the mechanical quality of the terping. Actually, it’s a new ver- sion of the Uve-dUmmy team, with a neat hi-kiek precision finale. Balabauow Duo folio w with pleasing accordion duets that might have been heard to better ad- vantage if the pit-band had sub- dued volume a little; also the red- headed girl member of the team could cut out her irrevelant dance- acrobatic turn, with the team stick- ing *to their clever squeeze^box playing. Bobby Sargent is Strictly zany with rubber-faced comedy and scored, when caught, on his good- natured mimicry of a European immigrant and Groucho Marx. Elaborate full-stage steamship scene opens second half, with Bob Goodman on the bridge in cap- T li e Mil Is B ros. proved th em- selves faves here again as | topliners of Current bill. Opening with “On the Alamo” they follow with “Daddy’s Little Girl” and then their disclick, “Paper Doll” and wind with “Up a Lazy River” for boff returns. Encore with ”1 Wish 1 Knew,” “Till Now” and “Beale Street Blues.” for more pattycakes. Tom Hanlon, Jr., emcees affa- bly and clicks in own comedy stan- za. Mad Caps, a pair featuring harmonicas and a fast line of pat- ter also get over neatly. The Adams, openers, do nicely in bike and miniature Motorcycle stint. Lineup on tap this week adds up to satisfactory variety, with topliners Janis Paige and Don Cor- nell hitting in solid fashion, . Miss Paige’s canto is set up in- telligently.' to gain maximum re- sults from her versions of current ballads, plus smart and effective delivery to gain healthy reaction. Cornell, former Sammy Kaye vocalist, offers tunes in smooth, manner. Delivery is easy and sells well. Combo of pops and vocal iinpreshes adds up for nice returns. Nora Toomey and her company get over with twists and spins, aerial acrobatics, garnering ap^ plause. Lee Shippers' corn-tinged, albeit effective, session on musical saws, flit guns and assorted gadgets adds novelty, while Al Norman em- cees the proceedings in neat style, plus comedy lined hoofing and patter in own spot. Les Rhode house orch handles backgrounding capably. Lary . a gal costumed to give effect of a ! tain’s uniform for “Cruising Do wn pair, of dancing dummies. Payees | the River” and girls in another liked and tome wer« fooled. Lowe. colorful dance routine, with a neat singing assist from Rose and Owens, a slap, stick trio; close show. No strangers here, they proved themselves as popular ; as in other years and showed that slapstick Comedy still rates ap- plause. Wdlk. Continued from page 5 tion. The 20th distrib chief has been pushing a conciliation system of his own to which a number of National Allied groups have al- ready pledged their support. While Skouras is close to TO A leaders arid has worked with them on a number of projects, Smith has evidenced greater sympathy for Al- lied. He has made a flock of ap- pearances at Allied regionals but only one at a TOA event. At least, that is the feeling of many TOAevs. Original arbitration startegy of TOA was to get the majors to spon- sor it as the prime way of ending exhib-distrib legal feuding, If the majors refuse to act, TOA will probably try to get the Industry to adopt it by calling a meet on its own.