Variety (December 1952)

Wednesday* December 17 , 1952 Wffiagfr NIGHT CLUB REVIEWS 55 f ativ 4 nw*er, Bolton La ^ Boston, Dec. 11. . c n aar Ray Robinson, with Joe ofr.lf- 'Trof’ Irwin Corey, Bobby Rn i'ter Tern Stevens, Donn Arden Girls (8), Alan Martin Henry Ka- lisOrch (9), Zarde BrosOrch i4); $4 minimum. Having copped two titles in the fisticuff department it appears on ctrVnfith of showing here that c u S a r Ray Robinson also has the Sinkings of a champ along the Siery belt. He certainly has a 1 the necessary ingredients. He s one of the most personable gents over to appear on a local cafe floor, £ s wardrobe befits a champ and his showmanship savvy is tops. Robinson makes a couple of ap- pearances with partner Joe Scott for seshes of tapping and banter- ing and while there are better hoofers and straightmen, Robinson iust does what comes naturally and vaults are boffo from both the aud and boniface standpoint. He's quite a guy to watch, for he ap- parently gets plenty of kicks via his new fling which is pointed up bv the quip, "I'm not doing this for a living, but to keep from fight- ing.” Kidding or on the square, bo s doing okay and the Latin Quarter is having its best biz of 1,1 Of 6 surrounding lineup “Prof” Irwin Corey, held over from pre- vious bill, fared best at show caught. Zany, dressed in outsize tails, struts around the floor aping previous, acts, insulting customers, •'swipirig drinks and winding with a nonsensical “treatise,” in English and French, on World of Tomor- row. Stuff is ridiculous and cus- tomers love it. Bobby Baxter, a comic magico, unveils some nifty card manipula- tions and tricks,- but his chatter fails to impress ringsiders. Thrush Terri Stevens gives out with an overlong songology ignoring the venerable and astute axiom, “quit when you’re ahead.” Donn Arden’s girls swish through three production numbers, one providing a pulchritudinous background for Sugar Ray’s solo tapping, the balance to Alan Mar- tin’s warbling. Henry Kalis orch backgrounds, splitting clientele’s terping chores with the Zarde Bros, combo. EJlic. Fairmont, Hotel. S. F. (VENETIAN ROOM) Guy Mitchell, Bill Clifford Orch (11); $2 cover. Guy Mitchell has an ingratiating style and personality and his mel- ange of tunes, which ranges from the sentimental to the hep, is easy to take. It may be argued whether a larger and more vaudish spot would not give him a better break in audience reaction, but there is no doubt that his chore surpasses many others who cut a larger niche in public appeal.' Mitchell sings with feeling and considerable effec- tiveness and bis choice of . items succeeds in meeting the prevailing whims. Moreover, his keen sense of rhythm gives pace and color to his assortment, so that it’s pleas- ing from his opener, “Gee, But You’re Swell,” to his second en- core, “My Heart Cries For You.” Mitchell also unwraps “You Be- long To Me,” in slow ballad tempo; 'Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,” snappy and effective; “One of the Roving Kind,” in which the audience joins with measured applause, and Jambalaya.” His “Sorrento,” in Italian, while okay, does not carry . ♦ ^ m .P ac t usually associated b the piece. His first encore, Pat-em on the Po Po,” is fast and entertaining and nets him a I'eturn for another pitch. Mitchell has come a long way w h l s own original bailiwick and his first hotel stand on his home grounds is an indication that ufJu ^\ ea « ed f°r click pastures in boi i e field . Particularly if book- ?M S 1 <!?y etail with his talents, 1 y 1 s one doesn’t quite. «JcT Us ^ lc Clifford at. opener in loud an d handicapped be s P°t en tiab Terping chore, however, was oke. Ted. ’ ltuliy Foo’s, Montreal . Montreal, Dec. 12. rhn. c S\ le r P e &ls ' (with Pierre bnr,, r Le > n Berger, Joska de Bar - Mmum?* ™ V: 710 c0VgT or Vagabonds Oub, Miami Miami, Dec. 15. Vagabonds (4), Maria Neglia, Hal Winters, Carmen D*Antonio, Frank Linale Orch ; $4-$6 mini- mums, food or beverage. one and then breaking info a wild interp of ‘Til Be Glad When You're Dead.” Peals sets a pace ‘Ive Got You Under My Skin” that seldom slackens. An Anglo-French version of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” draws plaudits and his special about the girls labelled “I Hate The Vagabonds have established Them” is cleverly arranged and themselves hereabouts as a top act lyrically amusing. A reprise of via their annual long-runs at the “Formidable” registers with the Clover Club and latterly at their patrons and prefaces a solid group- own spot. They have built a fol- ing of French faves which Peals lQ wing that combines the tourist, handles nicely. Clincher is a iocals and the top cafe,society tribute to liis spouse as he does cr °wd in the area. Lure for tour- “La Vie En Rose” in both lan- * st s has been considerably hypoed guages for a socko exit. by steady appearances on the Ar- Peals’own pianist, Pierre Chaub, tllur Godfrey TV show; fact is, gives able backing throughout and they’ve named the adjoining cock- the added accordion rhythms by tailery the Godfrey Lounge, with Herman Apple round out a nifty the Lipton man a regular when show. Interlude music is by vi- he hits town through the winter olinist Joska de Barbary and 88er uionths Len Berger. Newt. | Their’s is a profitable operation; based on modest budget for sup- porting show, they should mark up neat split for themselves qn the^ partnership angle, via their Quartet have come Ethlys% K. C. Kansas City, Dec. 12. Sonny Howard, Ricardo & Nor- 40% piece. ma, Tony DiPardo Orch (8); $1 back with a complete new set of cover. comedy-angled instrumental and mi , song material to mark themselves The current lineup can be tagged almost a new act for their patrons, a neat show packaging by the It was a wise move, the zanies hav- Eddys and a decidedly entertain- ing switched little from their stuff ing 40 minutes by the talent. It’s seen here originally some years »,*l e ., S< p COn o * lme A n *°w, n wUhin a ago, and played through last sea- year for Sonny Howard, although son. They’re in and out of the his first in this deluxe spot, and it proceedings, opening the show cin er . ab ^ ne ^ rtrt ure with a twist on “Mention My Name ^fH eSS10 K- 1 n t ‘ ^ uora ^| In Sheboygan” with Italian, Chi- hiS p ^f sented nese and other dialect ideas iricor Christmas "Yumi? has’edged’off*biz" Makes for * fast ' pace Rieardlf^l^Tsinrma alcn nr a haw ’Follows Carmen D’Antonio, a to the room, and proyf a smooth w tr £!?t°^ and polished duo in ballet-ball- S th S;i/}f el nn np" room work. Opener is a lightly * oe - v"2‘^ comboed with cape treated tango, followed by a full- swirling proves an aud rouser. Lets blown ballet bit to “Warsaw Con- d °' vn m her “g®* routine which certo” with Ricardo tossing his ? dd ,f V p as , n 9 .thmg mo £f> ^ an . a partner deftly in adagio lifts and high-class grind session. It’s a mix^ spins. They turn to flirtation in ^ure of Latino, boogie and Afro pafttomime for more novel effect Cuban music with contortions from “Ma, He’s Making Eyes at worked to the rhythms. Me,’.’ and wind with fanciful Bra- Vagabonds come back for a howl- America. They are booked tip to March at Tropicana. Also on the bill are Ana Gloria & Rolando, tops in native hoofipg. They put liberal quantities Of verve into their mambos, and the femme adds enough naughty-g*rl puckishness to give the aud some laughs. Amparo Garrido combines singing and dancing, specializing in Spanish numbers. Her “Soy Gi- tana” (I Am a Gypsy) is catchy. Rodney’s production numbers, “Orchids for You” and “The Merry Widows” (one for each of two shows nightly), provide colorful, musical finales. These feature Miguel Angel Ortiz. Far more colorful than any act, however, is Tropicana itself. The recently completed glass and con- crete arch over the tables and dance floor is a striking architec- tural structure. The large portions of glass and trees growing among the tables provide an unsusual out- door atmosphere. Setup was built at a cost of about $350,000. Another $150,000 is being ex- pended to fix up an adjoining patio where tables will also be placed. Plans are to inaugurate this open- air patio Dec. 22 with a gala show, consisting mainly of native produc- tion numbers. Chiquita & Johnson are to participate, doing Cuban rou- tines for the first time. Jama. El Rancbo 9 Las Vegas (FOLLOWUP) Las Vegas, Dec. 10. Second edition of “Windmill Re- vue” comes off far better produc- tion-wise than the first of a fort- night ago. Tom Douglas has smoothed backstage operations to point of good flow from scene to scene, although he has overloaded his confection with acts. He is not, however, totally to blame for this. Louis Prima was boqked long before Douglas concocted his framework for thrush Joanne Gil- bert. That he doesn’t quite fit the surrounding filigree built for Miss Gilbert’s Las Vegas debut is un- derstandable, and not the fault of the guttural-voiced trumpeter. Hls session t^kes on a good bounce mood and infectious warmth as he grunts and wails “Way Down Yonder in New .Orleans” and “Basin St. Blues.” Trumpet cho- ruses are in the groove. Goes into commercial tangent with his w.k. “Angelina,” plus new lyric frame for “Figaro.” Spice is injected into “Can’t Tell the Depth of the Well” before entrance of Keely Smith. Well-stacked brunet lambasts “Lov- er.” then a vis-a-vis of. “Kiss to Build a Dream On” points to amus- ing “Beguine.” In this Prima at- tempts to show Miss. Smith vari- ous gestures to sell the song, with hokum results. Screamer “Oh Babe” retires twain for okay mit- zilian peasant dance with . heels making original a satire on west- stomping and Latin rhythm in- eern medleys titled “One Hour terpreted in sprightly fashion. Ahead of the Posse.” Biz on set- Howard displays considerable ting stage with two cactus plants i could be built into real honevs entertaining ability beyond his ac- and mask adornments sparks the ®J ta Some songs 1 are sung sans but as is, spotty turn obviates Anmni chAri cHviirrhf Hncriritf 'Thie merles for build into lautrhs. iiiooui. oome songs aie sung sans * Cafe Grinziug, N. ^ Gypsy Markoff, Livia Manyoky. ting. Carlo Hatvary, Bela Villanyi Trio; Harry Mimmo is another entry $3.50 minimum. into the already devised packet. Import comic begins slowly but Gypsy Markoff is back with her moves into some fair yocks. Bit songs and accordion at Eric Rosen’s of hand biz and nervous gesture# gemutlich* wine-and-waltz empori- pall after a while, and could be urn in the Wienerwelt belt, to chopped considerably in the con- spark a very pleasant 45-minute cealed coathanger episode. Fling show. Entertainer has been abroad at American tap terp is kidding, the past two years, ^mainly recup- with segues into old pic scene de- ing in Cairo from old injuries, ai- picting various nationalities that’s though she did spend last Xmas moderately funny, in Germany for three weeks play- Mimmo's best exnibit is impresh ing for troops, as well as doing a of Fred Astaire, "with yocks com- little radio work in Paris. Attrac- in S from hand motions. Should tively garbed in white, graceful exit after this instead of following and charming as ever, singer-mu- with °l d panto stuff of sculpting sician offers a pleasing melange of man an d woman. He has a won- songs and tunes, with good variety derful puss, and some bits that _ x* i* j % . « . bolfAc Pite i com Petition from the Ei’eaf ( 0 ' vntown offering the D f ra y Qf talent ever to P af hi tr f, al at one time (Edith Joe v ? w / e » a * the Wonderbar; Thomni<A e "* ls Cbez Pa ree; Kay Mount^R, 11 M il le , Williams Bros, at hoick h?° lal Jacques Peals ■ Foo’s Si aer ease in Rriby Clangor2Performer is no his ond' t0 * ns Particular spot and feetivi ^ song rtyiings are as ef- ■'fiinimipk rA ev i® r ‘ °P en ing with his tion abmin l - ll ? e a long explana- °ut Ins first song being a sad complished straight singirig. This giggles for build into laughs, time around he’s showing a good Hal Winters is a regular here store of original material and long and per usual holds them with list of impressions, all of them high-ranging tenor with the Vaga- good and some of them topnotch. bonds on after first number to He gets started with a straight vo- join in “Donkey Serenade,” “Gra- cal of “You Made Me Love You,” nada” and “Lady of Spain.” They but quickly gets into “It’s in the follow with another newie, “Diesel Style,” a vehicle for impressions Smoke, Dangerous Curves,” for of Frankie Laine, Louis* Arm- another sock bit in the comedy strong, Nat (King) Cole, Rose Mur- vein. phy, Tony Martin and the Ink Maria Neglia, violinist who Spots. All are on the comedy side, played most of last season here, but there’s enough genuine singing i s another returnee.* Pert and vi- in each to merit applause and his vacious approach to her fiddlings version of Cole is a fine bit draw- i s a n aua winner. Blends “Hora ing a deserved heavy response. Staccato,” “Ave Maria,” novelty J'Talent Parade” as a parody on 0 n train rhythms. “Off the Rails,” Easter Parade’’ gives him the en- and “Hot Canary” for show-stop, try for Billy Daniels, Ted Lewis, Wlnds with antics W ith the ever- Jimmy Durante and Eddie Jack- present Vagabonds son, again getting & rousing hand. In finale slot| the quartet pur- _Story of Mr. P. is takeoff on vey a me dley of minstrel tunes; Pmza, giving Howard opportunity re ^ ues ted repeat on their now to veer into operatic^ an a and back sta M ndard « H ula” featuring bass to South Pacific, tunes for sock pj a y er Pete Peterson; a satire on closing. Quin. “Takes Two To Tango” and wine number done on TV, “Mulberry Leon A Eddie’s, N. Y. Street.” All of their stuff is rugged Eddie Davis, Argo & Faye, Paul for laughs and they get them all Judson, Midge Minor, Roseanna the way into a begoff. Milo, June Oliver Dancers (5), Frank Linale orch is tops on the Art Waner Orch, Don Virgil Trio; showbacks. Lary. $3.50 minimum. . „ Tropicana, Havana Leon & Eddie's is now working Havana, Dec. 10. on its quarter-century anni which Chiquita & Johnson, Ana Gloria makes this spot the grandpappy of & Rolando Amparo Garrido, Miguel Broadway’s nitery industry. It’s the Angel Qrtiz, Tropicana Chorus; no oldest cafe in the area and has couer, minimum only at table retained its position as one of the ($ 3 . 50 ). tourist draws on 52d St., where most of the surrounding bistros Tropicana's show is sporting ope have gone down the social scale 0 f the best dance teams to cojfne with their current stripper dis- to Havana in recent times. Chiquita plays. & Johnson gracefully, eyecatching- Throughout the years, the major combine ballet* ballroom and draw has been boniface Eddie aC robatic dancing. A bit of con- Davis, who last week returned from tortionism is thrown in to add ex- a Florida vacation, and put the tr a interest. The unusual combo cafe back into its customarily 0 £ talents is understandable in lively stride. Davis will mark his view 0 £ the fact that Chiquita at 25th year with that institution next one time danced ballet with the October, and during that span lias 'state Opera in Czechoslovakia and showcased many acts who later hit j 0 hnson was part of a troupe of name categories. Davis will have acros one of the heaviest scrapbooks in Johnson tosses and twirls 115- the entertainment field when he pound chiquita (which means retires to a Florida hacienda, prob- .. lit ti e one” in Spanish) with a ably after his silver anni. minimum of effort and maximum His current display is fitting 0 £ e i e g ance , j n one routine he at* fireman fodder. He has a hatch of belies a strap around his neck and acts who indicate a potential for , er legg and whirls her around standards on the like a pinwheel. At another point route. Rosanna Milo, an Italian im- he holdg ^ aloft wlth one hand port, singer Paul Judson and Midge while she calmly places one leg Minor are u n d er New Acts. Sole behind her head i n what appears act that has appeared previously tQ be a mid _ alr split . Despite the 0I L pX^Thpa- rough treatment, however, Chiquita ? h ° & 1 !?! * f tint dance claims that she prefers her pres- tre. This team has a good aance . d nc j ng t0 ballet. routine Their execuUon lndkHtes ‘c.eci,, a „d Johnson, a lot of ® x P® nen ^. e a Hungarian, formed their act in a savvy that makes them g Prague seven years ago. They left t sp °™;«at. ninpm (5) Czechoslovakia two weeks before TiBvlJ^AiiA^lth^routines and show the Communists took over, because have some lithe loutin Waner “we knew something was going to good costummg. The Art Wanei " lnce then th « orch showbacks and the Don VII gu . . A • Africa and South Trio is the alternate crew, Jose. danced in Asia, Africa ana bourn accordion, others with accompani- S0 SLk°. re 5^Pti? n : ... J -V-V • Mm . . . . * A j ment. Piano and double-bass fur nish good backing, too. Miss Markoff introduces her own Rest of “Windmill” is much the sa.me as introductory two frames with Miss Gilbert held over and numbers, starting off with a flashy ^ s P^ a Yj d j a ^ close of stanza. She Second Hungarian Rhapsody on has added two new tunes to her the accordion, to show her digital set «P. Craz Y ? h ythm” as starter, virtuosity. She sings a French ai ? d a , heaut, “The Unhappy tune, “Madame,” next; followed by Plu Wn ‘ T> Lat ^K’i. 5 effe £, her an Israeli iolk song, “Tira Tira,” * a ^P e ^! ** ay Gilbert, will become also in French. A Roman* gypsy a hi g h point in her future song- number on the squeeze-box, tender s P iels - Miss Gilbert, as in pre- and sentimental, is next. Boff hum- , vlous ^0 weeks, whams over with ber follows, ,in a cute takeoff on ^ re f I ?i e 2 1< ^ < » is /°u2 e * * the Trolley Song, about a troika in # , / ,*J L ,l: a ?*jf c 1 A 5 | hton continue to re- Moscow, sung in English sans ac- cei J e , * 0 P* kudosing for both solo comp. Another tune, “Amour,” in te £ p ? P oodl ® s Spanish, is also pleasing. Act closes bring fresh and dynamic their record panto Rancho Girls have their colorful “Bowery” fling with Bill Damian, and Ted Fio Rito orch places knowing emphasis Will. with an accordion solo, “La Petite ”~ a ® Valse,” which has plenty style and scenes. El flourish. Livia Manyoky, creamy colora- tura soprano, shows a bold person -1 - n , ality and surging style in her song | u P° n a ^ backgrounds renditions of “Erst Ein Kuss,” “Kiss of Fire” and “Ich Bin Von Kopf Zu Fuss.” Carlo Hatvary, vet baritone and emcee, in addition to introducing the various acts, lends a resonant voice to “Frag Nicht Warum” and a Hungarian rhythm number. Violinist Bela Villanyi shows an Hotel Jefferson, SL L. (BOULEVARD ROOM) St. Louis, Dec. 10. Yvette , Tom Parris Trio. Line (6), Les Elgart Orch (7); $1-$1.50 cover. Making her first bow in this accomplished, lush tone to lead his heavily patronized spot, the No. 1 trio in support of other acts, as in the downtown sector, honey- well as to shine in a medley of blende, eye-filling Yvette is scor- tunes of their own. Trio makes up ing solidly with her old and new for lack in numbers, for instance, ditties. With the Tom Parris Trio, in a schmaltzy rendition of Enes- also new faces here, on hand, the co’s Roumanian Rhapsody, spiced customers are getting plenty for by Villanyi’s tingling fiddling. Bron. La Macumha, Paris Paris, Dec. 10. Aissata, Renato Orch (7); minimum. their money. And the line of shapely lookers with new costumes and routines, are garnering their share of audience okay. Yvette, in a wine colored off- the-shoulder gown, tees off her $21 stint with a special “Lovely To Look At” during which she drags the mike around the floor. Then This is a new boite in the Opera she gives ringsiders _a snappy les- districl going in for the carioca son in French as "she thrushes decors and atmosphere that is pay- “Sur Les Quais de Vieux Paris.” ing off here in Gallic fad appeal. A novelty ditty, “Hotels Are Bamboo walls and the usual Latino Smarter Than People,” beamed at trimmings give this intime spot the delegates attending a convention ambiance that ig catching on here, in the hotel, drew a solid mitt as and when reviewed the joint was did “Movie House in Manhattan.” jumping to the continuous strains A neat bit of lighting is employed of the South American music of as she socks over “Molly Malone” the Renato orch (7). Drinks are in with the spot illuminating only her ordinary category and main attrac- head and shoulders in the blacked tion is dancing in the underlit sur- out room. After “White Christ- roundings. mas,” Yvette switches from the Combo hostessing; and the brief demure to the coquette as she solo floor spot is done by Aissata, belts over “Dearie” for her final a. dusky, well-built Martinique gal chore. whose pleasant gladhanding and Parris Trio, two muscular males six-minute interp terping to Afro- and a solidly constructed gal, are Cuban backgrounding is the only exponents of the trampoline, work- thing that interrupts the dancing. Ing on a collapsible device. This Gal, who spent six months in the is the first act of this kind to be Katherine Dunham group, Uses her presented in a local nitery, In~ flne torso to good advantage as she dividually and collectively,, they writhes to rhumba. and mombo turn double and triple twists, tunes. She would.be as asset to ‘alight on each other’s shoulders any choral line or for specialty and one of the lads skips a rope stints in revues. while bounding up ond down on Biz was tops when caught. his back. All of it cops hefty ap- Mosk. provaL' Sahu.