Variety (December 1950)

46 Wednesdayy December 20» 1950 WEEK OF DEGEMBER Numerals In connection with bills below Indicate opening day of show whether full or split week Letter in parentheses indicates circuit (FM) Fanchon Marco; (I) Independent# (D Loew; tM) Moss; <P) Paramount; <R).RKQ; <S). Stoll; (T) Tivoli; <W) V^arnen <WRi waiter Reade NEW YORK CITY Capitol (L) 20-24 Enric Madri^juera O Ronald Sc Rudy Charles Fredericks 7'rini Reyes. Paul Retfan '25. . Shop Fields Ore Ink , Spots Narilyn *Maxwcn Clillord Oi'C.st Iklaribeth Old Music Hall ll) 21 Wnrtha King Bet.tina . Rosay Eny' Raymond Leonard. Sues Kanazawa .3 ; Sharkey Rpckettes Corps d'e Ballet Sym Ore Palace (R) '21 Virginia Austin Lay Dreamers Paul Garner Leon Fields;. Harstons Morgan & May T & D Peters (1 to-fill) Param.ount (P) 20 Louis Prima Ore Keely Smith ' ■ Shirley Van . Jan Murray .1 Roxy (I) 22 . Elsa &; Waldo Cau tiers .Stcopleehase Joan Hyldof Romaync & Brent Gertrude Ilibla Strand (W) 22. Martin ' Sl' Florenz R ye & Naidi Jackie Miles Dm Cornell Floj’i-’.n 'Zrbach BRIDGEPORT Lyric (L) 26 Only Horace Heidt Rev CHICAGO Chicago (P) 22 Tong Bros . Stump Si Stumpy Phil Silvers , Ethel Smith ' • Oriental (I) 21 Ames Bros Martells Si Mignon Roily. Rolls Sherman Hayes Ore ELMIRA Strand (W) 22 Only Charlie Spivak Ore MIAMI Olympia (P) 20 . R & A Farrell Duke Dorrcll Park Si . tMiiToi'd Pal Henning •Jessica Draeonette PHILADELPHIA Earle (W) .22 Clark Bros Rose Murphy Sis Roselta Tharpe Geo Kirby Geo She-.ring , 5 PITTSBURGH Stanley (W) 23 Only Arthur Godfrey ' ■ Unit WASHINGTON Capitol (L) 21 : Paul Remos St Toy Boys Dunhills Georgia .Gibbs . Alan Carney Howard (I) 24 ■ Louis Jordan .Ore St Rev Jordailettes Teddy Hale Billy Davis Peggy Thomas' Novellos WATERBURY Poll (L) 27 Only Horace' Heidt Rev AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE His Majesty's (I) Armand Perren Mai'ion Davies Ebmar Devine King. Gerda Bornstad Chribi M.-i'-ika Saary P'-i'-Vlip Titppin V m Dc Jong Ja qi’.es C'-irlaux Jimmy Elder ■Joe Whitehouse Alice Bronimann Cissv Trenholm Tivoli (I) 18 John Calvert Ann Cornell 18 Maurice Colleano Co Horrle Dargie 4 James Cardwell Rom:'noil' 3 Les Ritchie Ronnie Shand SYDNEY Tivoli (I) 18 Guus lirox & Myrna M & TI Nesbitt Wally Boag Babs Mackinnon Marquis & I'ahiily Detroy Ileana Sazova .Rob Murray Eugene's Flying Ballet Celebrity 8 BRITADI ASTON Hippodrome (I) 18 V'll Merrall Collins St PJlizabeth .R’,ss «Si Rosila Crank Marx Iris Harry Jacobsoii Terry Hall Artliur English Le;-' ie Lewis BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome (M) II Harry Worth Dr Crock & Crackpots TV ilthon Si Dorrainc Mi‘:eha Auer Fayne & Evans Song Pedl-'i’s Ver'-'oh Si-? BLACKPOOL Palace (I) 18 Betty Driver Peterson Bros Delbary Co Bernard Miles Gold & Cordell Irving ?vaye Rov Stevens Jay Palmer & Doreen Re": llopor & Pat BOURN E.'AOUTH Hippodreme (I) 18 Ff- nk Fox Terriers Milrloric. Scott Le^; Jencs J D Sis Maurice Keiry CHELSEA Palace. (5) 18 Benn.v Lee Co Balliol »•'. ■^'erten August-^s Circus ■Winters & ’‘’iclding Locke.y "• 7’onry Nelson Lloyd Les Call.'^ntos R-iV'iottes EAST HAMPTON Metrooolitan (I) 18 Tex. McLeod Vera Cortv H fold 'Walden Ottava Henry Bunkliouso R<^.vs - Texas C"W''hds Palace (1) 18 ■ Sam Browne Co Mooney &,King L iretl.os. • Vickers Twins Le'-'er Jottns Naitos Leh Reed Billy G’Sullivan Bare’.'V Sm '•-LASGOW Empire (MV 18 Jaek R''^cli'.re IPg.''v Maes litucKcn: .> Reid & Dorothy Jacklcy ^ Jee Agnette. A Sylvio GRIMSBY Palace.(I) 18 Amazing Chevalier Co Johnnie Kayes Flying Dernos, Ranleighs Liberty Horses Oscar Snuds Co LEICESTER Palace (S) 18 Max Bacon Jane Semnrini A1 Roxy Bcmanfls Pigeons. Bob Wayne Barbara Rondart NORWICH Hippodrome (I) 18 Vic Ray Sc Lucille Tommy Truman Joe Aster St Rene Billington Adrian Sc Spero SUNDERLAND Emnire (M) 18 Dellj' Kin Deep River Boys Leslie Sarony Johnny l.awson 3 Noni Nit ' St Dody Walter Niblo Kelga. Barry Harry Baile.v WALTHAMSTOW Palace (1) 18 Da ge till am (l.jrl Pipers ■ Low & Webster. ■ 2 Condons 2 An"clo.s Boy Dorck Vic Silver Sylvia llylton.. H A: A Ross WOOD GREEN Empire (S) 18 Woods & J:'rrelt Har’.em Belles 4 Tune g’ellcrs Shorty Mounsey Lewis Ilardeastlfe ■Worroens Eddie Willi'ims Pep Graham Ray Elliiv'ton 4 YORK Empire (I) Speedy Smith Gwendolyn G Cy Gr:inl Ida Shepley David Dirks Dan Jackson Gwyn Miller Rex Du I ton McKay Bros St ! Norene Tate Garland Wilson —_ I Ellis Larkin 3 cafe Society Josh White Beatrice Hpwell Leonard Conner 1 Clift Jackson j Windhurst Ore •j Copocaoan* Henhy 'Youngman : Luba Malina i M Durso Orb, . : Wynters St ‘ Angel ine : Skylarks , Jean Caplos . I Chuok Brunner I Betty Harris ’' Mickey Devine ■ .F. Alvares Ore ' Diamond Horseshoe , Ross Si LaPierr© vRudy Cardehas ; W C Handy : Billy. Banks j Gloria LcRpy Noble Sissle Ore 1 Chic Morrison Ore • Rigolettb Bros I Jack Spoons Frank Evans Tommy King Harry Meehan Billy Banks Harry Armstrong Havana-Mad rid - Baer Ac Rosenblooin Lily Ann. Carol, Roy Kirk Pupi Canipo Orc. Jerry Cooper Vierra .Monkeys Iceland Alfred St Lenore Jack. Palmer Ore Habibi Lota. Bracha Hillel Sc Aviva El Chico Roslta Rios Los Gita nos Pilarin Tavlra Sarita Herrera D'Alonso Ore Leon & Eddie'e Eddie Davis Louise R Harris Peggy O'Neil Rusha Holden Myron Bell Jimmy Dale La Commedia Jo Hurt La Martiniqub Hcrkie Styles Mary Hatcher Johnny Conrad Rosette Shaw Ralph Font Oro Val Olmah Ore Latin Quartor Wenccs Galli Galli Sarah Ann McCahe Christian! Troupe Mila. Raymon Vikings Nirska Genia Mel Wilson Morrelll Calvin .Holt . Ralph Young Art Waner Ore L© RuUan Bleu . Bibi Osterwald Hugh Shannon 3 Rift's Ronnie Graham Norman Paris 3 ■' Julius Monk Little Club Ernie Warren Ore. No 1 Fifth Av© Louise Howard Erik Rhodes Downey & [‘on.viUs Bazel Webster Old Knick Jerry Bergen Arthur Barnett Harry Fleer Denise Griffin Fred Ardath ' ' Old Roumanian Sadie Ranks Jackie W'inston Buster Burnell. ■ Alverda Mary Mon. Toy • Joe La Porte Ore D’.Aquila Ore Park Av© Gloria Elwood Scotty Graham Charlie Stewart Penthouse. Paul Taubman Hotel Ambassador Jules Lande Ore Hotel Blltmor© Harold Nagel Ore Hotel Edison Henry Jerome Oro Hotel New Yorker Ray Robbins Ore . Rookies Carol Lynne Farrar Ai Carter • Ozzie Wells B. Pennington Arthur Johnson Hotel Pierre DeMarcos Robert Maxwell Stanley* Melba Ore Manuel Jiminez Ore Hotel Park Sheraton Irving Fields 3 Hotel Plaza Victor Borge Artini Ac Consuolo Nicholas Malthev Mark Monte Dick La Salle Orc Hotel Rooseven Guy Lombardo Orc Hotel St. Regis Jane. Morgan Milt Shaw Ore Horace Diaz Oic Hotel Sheibourne Aaron Payne Joan Kibrig • Ray Ramirez Spotlighters . Hotel Statier Ray Anthony Orc Hotel Taft Vincerii Lopoz Ore Versailles Edith Piaf Emile Pett* (ire Panchito Ore Village Barn Bourbon A; Bayne Tex Fletcher Jane Abel Peter Rubino Village Vanguard Irwin Corey Hope Foy . Clarence Williams 3 Waldorf-Astoria Lisa Kirk D.e Mattiazzis Emil Coleman Mischa Borr Orc ' of Gommerce has played no BmaU ! part in attracting the small invest- ors. Advertising copy has made much of the. fact that the last show the Junior Chamber backed was “Song of Norway,” and the copy ' adds that the Music Foundation of the Junior Chamber “still receives ‘ diviijcnds on, its .investment.” ■ Make It Look Gilt-Edged Some of the copy beamed ox’er ’ .local radio stations to attract in- ' vestors at $102 per. imif makes it sound as if backing a show were a ' gilt-edged’ investment. .One blurb . blandly, tells ;listeners that “the ■ profits are greater and the fun is : higher when you get in on the ground floor of something good/” ^ No mention is made of the fact that: less than 20^0 of the shows that tried Broadway last season were listed as hits—or that backers of • even the flop shows usually make . their irivestment on the basis of a script audition rather than a siren ' announcer. ; Spot annoimcenient copy de- scribes the potential show .as “a brilliant; new musical productiori created by outstanding theatre per- ' sonalities” ahd .goes on glowingly tb • describe the success stories Of some i of tjie creative talent associated' With the shpw^ Then the copy adds enticingly that “the most exciting : ; aspect of this distinguished nev; show is that yoii can own a part of; it and share the excitement of. watching the birth of a new show 1 and the pi'ofits from bpxoflice re- / ceipts, sale of motion picture, tele- vision. radio and recording, rights,' and all other subsidiary rights, of wh i ch th e re a re. many. ” I Little Old Investors ! Some of the blandishments have heart-tugging reference old lady” who forked ' for nine units because ' She /‘wanted to be a part of this ; great venture.” Advertising of this , sort is frowned on. Trenk main- ’ Stains,, adding, however, that since j several radio disk jockeys and pro- j ducers already have invested in the | I show it is possible that they display (a noticeable over-enthusiasm in re-: ferring to. the enterprise—^and .if; this enthusiasm creeps into the , copy as it is aired there is little ; “My L. A.,“ Ltd., can do about it. While the appeal to pro,‘;pective stock purchasers is geared to a “get into the 'charmed circle’” kick, copy also aims straight at civic pride. Brochure included to a over $918 L. A.” says flatly CHICAGO Blackhawk Patsy Abbott Norma Lee Doggett Joel Frieiicl Ray Hyson Henry Brahclou Ore Chez Fare© Stan Grover ' Paul Gray Elissa Jane Moore At Lossy Richard France Che'Z Adorablcs Manuelitto Ore ('ee David.'^on Ore Palmer hous© J A: S Steele DeLeon A.-: Graciella Rudell.s (3) M Abbott Ders Eddie O'Neal Orc ■ Helsmgs Georgie Gobel Jayne Walton Billv ('h.nndler Ore Hotel Bismarck Norman . Martin . • Trade Adams Lee iMorgan Johnny Alladin Orc H EdgeWater Beacr Honey Bros D mid Deis Orrip Tucker Oic Hotel Stevens Skating Ryle.s Arnold Shoda Jerry Mapes Jack R.afTloer. Mac MacGraw Reed W'illiams Harper Flaherty Bob Fitzcerald . Skating Blvdeart Jo Barnum Jack Spooh.s Chordmen (4) Biuddy Rust Bill Perry Leighton Noble Ore Vine Gardens Myron Oohen Carter Sis (2) Minda Liing., Susan King Mel Cole Ore put out by “My that to believe in show, the poten- first believe that MARY HATCHER & IIERKIE STYLES Songs-Cbiuedy 40 Mins. Martinique, N. Y. This turfi really comprises two separate acts, with the two combin- ing for a closer after completing their individual turns. Mary Hatcher and Herkie Styles have been touring together and have been booked under this type of arrangements and it might be con- sidered as a single act. For Miss Hatcher, it’s her .first big nitery assignment. Gal scored in her Broadway stint in “Texas, O’l Darling.” Styles has been around for a while, and since their marriage, the pair has combin as an act. Styles is on first, for about 20 minutes. He’s a personable young comic with good delivery and pro-r jection; but his material Is sparse. About half his act consists of bait- ing the audience and wohderirig who’s going to take his place the next night after he’s cancelled. While all this is done in art in- ofl'ensive manner, it begins to wear after the first five minutes. A good deal of his gags are also directed toward the trade, which is alright for opening night but simply won’t hold thereafter. He’s got some neat'* impersonations, an okay piano-playing bit and a funny ex- change with the musicians, but these aren’t long or strorig enough to avert the impression that he’s on thin ice most of the way through. Miss Hatcher, who reniinds one of Betty Hutton in looks, voice and projection, shows to better ad- vantage, Delivers a couple of ballads nicely, and. although her voice isn’t tops, she makes up for it in appearance and delivery. More substantial is her rendition of “Yodel Blues,” which she in- troduced on Broadway, Here, her comic abilities come to the fore. As a closer, the pair combine for a song-and-dance bit, some singing by Miss Hatcher with accompany- ing baiting by Styles, and some more straight comic work. They’re at their best when Working to- gether; they complement each other. Styles might try tightening his solo turn and adding material to the closing duo stint. This would serve the purpose. of making his stint better and strengthening the act as a whole. Chan. LOUISE & HARRIS Comedy Dance 10 Mins. Leon & Eddie’s, N> Y* Louise & Harris, a youthful pair of comedy terpers have an ; act that should make the grade in , cafes, theatres and other visual I situations. They make a good im** ' pressipn at the outset. Starting off j with male doing a vocal and then : into comedy dance routine, the , terping is punctuated with good I laugh values. The femme is pert and has .comedic ahility. j They have ah assortment of good routines, w h i c h at present can ' meet the demands of the family i time. With a trip around the ciiv cults, the duo could play most any- where. Jose. , WYNTERS & ANGELINE I Dancers . 7 Mins. i Copacabana, New York 1 Svelte pair should do okay in : the east, this being one of their i earlier engagements around Goth- am. Undoubtedly they have been around as their terp skill bespeaks, J but missing from the Variety New Act files. They have a neat routine, reg- istering all the way, notably in the Strauss waltz and in the cakewalk which includes some rather new and hovel holds. They’re a ' very I personable pair who evidence im- 1 mediate terpsichorean authority. Okay for any class room. Abel. MYRNA BELL Aero Dance 8 Mins. Leon Sc Eddie’s, N. Y. Myrna Bell, a newcomer, shows promise in the aero terp line. ,A short period of seasoning Will make her a good bet for most vis- ual situations. Miss Bell can tap out a number with considerable applause values, and her aero work is up to standard in this de- partment. Miss Bell has an excellent assort- ment of tricks. She does nipups rap- idly gets off some good spins and mixes in assorted aero antics with good effect. Some of her routines need perking up, but essentially, the talent’s there. Jose. LOS ANGELES 18 I’cy Vera Ambassador Hotel Eric 'i’hoi'sen DiGitanos (2) Eddie Bergman Ore Geri Gaiian Gru. Biltmore Hotel Sonny Howard Hoctor Ac Byrd Vic and Adio Anita Russ Ai'bs Morgan Giro's Dick Contino Dick Stabih' Moc'ambo Billy Daniels Benny Payne Latin-Aircs Eddie Oliver Oro Ore Ore the future of the tial backer must Los Angeles is “well oh its way to ' becoming the greatest city in the world.” I Key man behind the pi'oduction, • Trenk is a former Viennese pro-j ducer-director-actor. Reveling in ; the description “Los Angeles’: "Greatest Booster,” he sees the‘mil-1 j sical, based in part on L, A. Daily ; 1 News columnist Matt Weinstock’s ; book, as a longrun natural. The ! show will have a score by 3<mmy I Fain and Paul Webster, while 1 sketches by Larry Gelbart, Bill * Mahhoff and Laurence Marks tie; together the thin thread of the | story. Sketches will be changed! from time to time to keep the show i topical, Trenk says. 1 Potential investors are being told / that the show can gross $31,01.5 ini a 1,200 seat house, “indicating a , potential profit of approximately ! $9,000 per week, before taxes.” The ; brochure does not add however, i that.the only 1.200 seat. legit house : in town is El Capitah, 'which Gene j Mann has tied up on a long lease ; and which, conceivably,, might not, be maile available to the attraction,' Advertising Gimmick Planned . Additionally, tlie brochure states . that other revenue is possible,from ; THE SKYLARKS (5) Rhythmic Vocal 14 Mins. Copacabana, N. Y. The Skylarks are the nearest re- minder to the yesteryear Revuers, novelty group from which stemmed Judy Holliday (“Born Yesterday”) and Adolph Green-Betty Comden, librettists and screenwriters. In- cidentally, whatever happened to the fourth member of The Revuers —Alvin Hammer? This is a two-gal, three-boj combo, Who do yocal and terp num* hers in carefully planned routinek They break up the fast and scat stuff with a capella vocalharmonics (“Someone to Watch Over Me”). Their “Vaudeville’s Back” number is well planned and weir executed. They’re a plus for the plush bistros, and okay for the other media, from rostrum to TV bookings. Abel. JIMMY DALE i Soners 7 Mins. Leon & Eddie’s, N. Y. Jimmy Dale is a singer of con- siderable experience. He’s got a smooth voice and a pleasing floor deportment. Dale, who played a I date at Leon & Eddie’s some years ■ago, indicates that he can make i good in cafe and theatre work. He’s got good visual values as ■well. At show caught, his emceeing wasn't lip to par but vocally, he makes the grade. Jose. LAS VEGAS Dfesert Inn Romo Vincent P Steft'aa Devs Cole Debutantes Mons, Choppy Carlton Hayes Ore El Ranch© Vegas Kay Thompson Jimmy Nelson Henry Bu.sse Ore Flamingo Hotel Toni Arden The Kinf'.s Harold Stern Ore Garwood Van Orc Last Frontier Hotel Phil Spitalny Ore Nick Stu.'irt Ore Thunderbird Hotel Watson A: Austeiil Busketeers .Sid Kroft’t Gil .Tohnsun AT Jahn.s Ore Cabaret Bills Continued from 1 NEW lOKK CITY Birdiino Fitz.,'cralcl .lohn." m P^'Uell 3 'I'yylor 4 Blue Angel Connie S wyer Bill Ha.vcs Wally Co.v Ella Bud Bud Billy Stuart Ro.ss .Harold Cooke Barbar.a Cook Endie A: Rack- (Jhltti.son .3 Boh Soir Jimmie Daniclii Mae Barnc.s Clhosllcy At Wood paRe pride” in sharing in the venture. Many of the more than 400 “back- ers” already assembled, ranging from bank execs to gardeners, are loud in their praise of the idea of “little people” putting on a show. ‘subsidiary rights,” which ilicludo radio, television and films, sale, of sheet music and phonograph rec- ords and revenue from advertising and commercial tieups. Trenk has elaborate plans to utilize exact rep- licas of Los Angeles landmarks, in- cluding advertising signs and ex- pects advertisers to pay a regular fee during the run of the show; Permit to sell stock authorized a subscription of $173,000, Covering the show’s basic budget of $14,3.000 plus a $30 000 cushion which amounts to an overcall. All pay- ments for Share.s go into escrow and cannot be touched until the subscription sale is. completed-—at which time the sho\y must go into production. All expenses thus far —options, •pa3 ments to creative tal- ent, purch-nse of radio time (lalter figure amounting to about $4;000 since hiost of the blurbs have been $8.50 spots), etc., MACFARLANO & BROWN Comedy acrobatics 10 Mins,; Two Palace, N. Y. MacFarland and Brown have been around for some time but have not been reviewed in this de- partment. Man and woman team have a mild acro-comedy iVutine that doesn’t .build into any kimi of strong laugli payoff. Team runs through some . fair tumbling stunts.; Using a chair and big rubber ball as. props. These tricks, however, are performed somewhat • aimles.sly. Closin.g bit, in which MacFarland does an im- pression of ah ape, is best and could be extended for better re- turns. Teahi needs to revamp the rest of act with considerable sharp- ening. Herm. ROMA Dance 6 Mins. Leon & Eddie’s, N. Y, Roma is an exotic dancer with good body movements and fair rou- tining. She works in an Oriental vein and shows off a good assort- ment of grinds. Opening number is done in full costume but later gets down to briefs and bra. Okay for production numbers and in situations where male in- tjerest is angled. , Jose. Johnny Hyde Dies , have been nuide Biggest block ot stock sold thus far by Trenk. who says that mo.st. but is for $7,650. '^renk says he would ; not all, of this expenditure i.s lig- rather sell 75 individual units. i ured ,3.s piY'-Drodiiction exD''nso lor Backing of the Junior Chamber which he’ll be recompensed. THE COLLEGIATONES (4) Songs 9 Mins.; One Palace, N. Y. Young male vocal outfit may de- velop into a strong act. At pres- ent, the lads work too stiffly and their vocal arrangements lack orig- inality. Quartet, however, is good- looking and show.s good vocal qual- ity. Combo opens with “I Don't Mind Being Alone” bUt fades with their selection of a poor novelty, ‘^Juke- box Lou,” which is a compendium of all the pop cliches. The ren- dition of “Ghattanoogie Shoe Shine Pov” is okay but the tune lacks sparkle. Herm. Uojitimicd from page C.; at one time or another. The fami- ly dropped the Haidabiira name after a few years.. As a youth, Hyde joined the Loew vaudeville booking office as assistant to J. H. (.Takel Lubin and remained in that spot several years. He. together with his broth- ers Alex and the late Victor, pro- duced flash acts for a while, and in April,, 1926. Johnny joined the Morris office in an executive ca- pacity. He Was trarisferred to the agency’s Hollywood operations 15 years ago where he shared respon- sibility of running • the operation with general manager Abe Last- fogel.- When the various vaudeville em- pires dwindled, Hyde turned to the picture business. He handled all of A1 Jolson’s picture business and initiated as well as consummated many important film deals. Hyde is . survived by brother Alex, who is in the Metro music dept., and four sons. His son Don- ald is with the Charles Feldman agency, and Jay is a personal man- a.gcr. I.atlcr is married to singer Jane Harvey.