Variety (February 1953)

52 VAIWVIU5 Wedneiday, February 4, X953 'l ' * TROfl’s Nationalized Continued from page 49 dent; Herman Comroe, Powelton Cafe, Philly, 2d v.p.; Mickey Chiado, Gay Haven, Detroit, sec* retary; Herman - Pircjiner, Al- pine Village, Cleveland, treasurer. Harry Altman, Town Casino, Buf- falo, was named chairman” of the hoard. Exec committee comprises Wal- ters, George Hamid, Steel Pier, Atlantic City; Max Cohen, Balti- more; Chiado, Altman and Litman. Membership committee consists of Col. Maurice Lutwack, Buffalo, who is attorney for the group and its acting executive secretary; Wil- lie Wlllenager, Elmwood Casino, Windsor, Ont.; Paul Bruun, Miami Beach columnist who represents the Florida Cabaret Owners Assnl; Lou Rhode, Desert Inn, Las Vegas; Pappy Doren,' Pappy’s Showland, Dallas, and Joe Taylor, Montreal. $7,500 ‘W*r Chest’ Among concrete accomplish- ments at the meet were the rais- ing of a "wor chest” of” about $7;- 500 within a few minutes to cover operating costs and naming of a financial committee under direc- tion of Pirchner to set up a-dues and charter fee scale. Hamid was admitted to the TROA on the ground that the BILLY DEV-ROE AND THE DEV1L-AIRES • Vocals — Comedy Impressions • Currently THE "DOME," BISMARCK. N. D. • Personal Management: MHO STELT Pireetion MUTUAL ENTERTAINMENT AGENCY 203 N. Wabash Avt, Chicago *1 LEW BUCK ,and PAT DUNDEE (Beauty and the least) A new" not* In Glaftior Comady GERBER-WEISS AGENCY 1697 Broadway, N.Y. Club Dates „ NAT DUNN COMEDY MATERIAL For All-Branches of Theatricals FUN-MASTER THE ORIGINAL SHOW-BIZ GAO fill (The Service of the STARS) First 13 flies $7.00—All 35 Issues $25 Singly: $1,05 Each IN SEQUENCE ONLY Beginning with No. 1—No Skipping! • 3 Bks. PARODIES, per book..$10 • • MINSTREL BUDGET $25 « • 4 BLACKOUT BKS., ea. bk...$25 • • BLUE BOOK (Gags for Stags) $50 • HOW TO MASTER THE CEREMONIES $3.00 GIANT CLASSIFIED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GAGS, $300. Worth over a thousand No C.Q.D.'s BILLY GLASON 200 W. 54th St., New York 19-Dept. V Circle 7-1130 JIMMY & GENE JIMAE Steel Pier,, which he operates, served food] Hamid is producer and hooker for fairs, is do-owner of an indoor circus, has a talent* offide, and works in every phase of the outdoor business- He Y s been in a running controversy with AGVA on welfare* fund payments. Walters told the delegates who represented 350 cafes from 40 cities and 26 states in the U.S. as well as Canada, that should the organization successfully stem the rise in operating costs in any phase of the business, TROA. will save the cafemen many times the cost of dues in the organization. Among the projects outlined is a cut in the 7% fee for the Diners Club, a clearing house for hotel and cafe charge accounts. A cut of even 1%, Walters stated, would more than justify organization dues. As a matter of fact, a newly organized charge account firm, Trip Charge, with headquarters in Pittsburgh, made a pitch for TROA business with ah offer of 6% .rakeoff on business done through them. Organization told the rep that it should get a con- siderably lower fee, probably 4%, if TROA got behind the firm. Seek Lower Costs From discussions on fees and matters pertaining to -ASCAP, BMI, Diners Club • and AGVA bonds, TROA evolved a modus operand! which it .will present to all the outfits with whom it will have to deal. Proposition present- ed by the association would call for TROA to Idemiiify every con- cern or layout in return for a cut rate to members. For example BMI is seeking to get one-half of 1% of the total music and show costs as its iee. TROA would push for a lesser rate and guarantee to pay BMI any delinquencies of cafe members. In the matter of AGVA bonds, group will seek to set up its own revolving fund and-costs of fold- eroos would promptly be paid out of its own reserves for that pur- pose. TROA feels that it should have control and an eye on all its own coin. One of the major Items to be ironed out will be relations with AGVA. Still to be resolved is whether acts are independent con- tractors or employees. TROA legally feels that performers, aside from chorus, are indie contractors, while union feels otherwise. This is regarded as a key question in- asmuch as social security and withholding taxes revolve around that issue. Oppose Welfare Payments Naturally, the ops are opposed to the AGVA welfare fund pay- ments in its present state. They want to make some sort of deal with the union whereby the pres- ent $2.50 per-week-per-performer levy will be cut. One of the pro- positions advanced is flat payment by each club, amount of which will depend on size of the spot and costs of the show. However, since AGVA pays out $2.40 for each performer weekly for insurance costs, it’s difficult to foresee any cut in this direction. There’s also the proposition that TROA looks into an insurance program of its own to cover personnel in the floorshow. In all the matters discussed, there’s been a running theme of lowering - costs on virtually every major item. Feeling is that cost control is of prime necessity if they’re to stay in business. In other matters, Litman was named publicity chief pro tem until a permanent appointment is made. Study will be made on how to cut the present 20% cabaret tax. In another direction, an appoint- ment for today (Wed.) was made with AGVA, whose national board started a four-day meeting Mon- day (2) at the Taft Hotel, N.Y. A. C. Abates Curfew On‘Good Boy’Promise Atlantic City, Feb. 3. ‘ Flans to enact legislation which would close all liquor spots at 2 a. m. have been dropped for Thom- as Wootton,' director of public. cifpfv Wootton *» made the announce- ment after numerous huddles with interests operating nlteries, hotel cafes and others owning or run- ning. the 300-odd dispensing spots in the resort. He said that opera- tors of more than a score of ‘‘sore spots” had given their word they would clean up and maintain order and use utmost discretion in bor- derline age cases. Boll Crosby’s Club 15 (SAHARA, LAS VEGAS) ♦ Las Vegas, Jan. 23. Bob Crosby’s “Club 15,” with Modernaires 05), Gisele Macken- zie, Dupree Trio ; Gene Nash, Sa - Harem Dancers (12), Cee David- son Orch (11); no cover or mini- mum. Aboard S.S. United States Enroute to England Who's seasick, me? — yes. (EDDIE ECHO) Comedy Ventriloquist" Wants to Play tho Paramount Thoatro In Now York City ••fort tho End of 1952 *1 can (ii-tani, ;«n't I ... Roy Douglas, . , Personal Management: KEN GRAYSON 50 Riv.rtitl. P,iv». New York, N. V. SU.qu.kcnn. T-UU Vaude, Cafe Dates N evr York Jimmy Durante goes into the Copacabana, N. Y., early next month . . .■ Jean Sablon set for the Persian Room of the Plaza, March 5 , . . Jimmy McHugh unit pacted for the Palomar, Vancouver, March g . .. Three Stooges begged Out of their Feb. 17 date at the Sahara, Las Vegas .., Carl Ravaaaa tapped for Eddys’, K. C., Feb. 13 . . . Ray Bolger extended another fortnight at Bill Miller’s Riviera, Miami Beach . . . Phil Foster slated for touring “Farfel Follies” ... Joel Grey goes into Ciro’s* Miami Beach, Feb. 17. ’ Lucienne Boyer to the Cotillion Room of the Hotel Pierre, starting Feb. 17 . . . Bob Carroll set for the Copa, Pittsburgh, Feb. 9 . . . Myron Cohen has been signed for the ‘‘Farfel Follies” going into Selwyn Theatre, Chicago, March 2 . , . Clifford Guest to the Jeffer- son Hotel, St. Louis, April 5 . . . Personal manager Bullets Durgom and Connie Haines have split . . . Joel Grey tapped for the Carousel, Pittsburgh, March 8. Jackie Han- non down for that spot Feb. 9. With the Sahara in the vanguard for intro Of new names and packets to this jangling mecca, comes Bob Crosby’s ‘‘Club 15” parcel adapted in part if not in toto from his CBS staple. Whether Crosby wishes to continue his advance into nitery circles after this auspicious begin- ning, remains to be seen. From this showcasing, however, he has ob- tained a fancy offer or two for a revised and enlarged ‘‘Club 15” fofinat for video. Drawing .peak biz, this engaging hour-plus offers a glimpse of Crosby, assured, affable, and very capable while piloting his charges through varied fare. Included in the setup are the always-big-iri- Vegas Modernaires; Gisele Mac- kenzie, thrusliing her initial brace of tunes here, and a tyro terp threesome headed by Roland Dupree. Production tied together by George Moro moves at a good clip until Crosby chooses an after- math—a visualization of ‘‘Club 15” on the air. Anticlimactic, the ap- pendage should either be dropped or placed within the casement at another point. Although Crosby chooses to fanfare Miss Mackenzie in. a more important placement than the Modernaires r the song combo makes a showstopper out of an all-too- brief session. r They wham over “The Customer Is Always Right,’’ with each member entering in a magico twist and plate-spinning escapade. Then, to follow a hitune coupling, they sock over a smash new arrangement of their peren- nial, “Juke Box Saturday Night.”, With A1 Copeland leading the parade of impressions, gang rings rafters with four Aces, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Johnnie Ray. Crosby has his inning to follow this whammo buildup, and makes the most of his keen sense of humor based upon brotherly jibes at Bing, and his Jack Benny affilia- tion. One line that receives whoops has to do with big brother’s accom- plishments and his own as he ex- pounds; “It’s like having a peanut stand between Fort Knox and the Bank of America.” Enlarges upon the idea with special tune, “My B.O.F.B.”—which translated means “Brothers of Famous Brothers.” The parody saga brings up big laugh portions. Mackenzie gal has her best song moments while chirping “Le Fiacre” and Texas recountings which lead into carbon of herj Capitol good seller, “Don’t Let the Stars.” She has a pert manner while thrushing and goes over well in bright and comedy melodics. Her songtale of a chorine at the Palace longing for chance to be- come a Judy Garland or a Mary Martin, draws upon a serioso mood and falls short of being a sock pace-changer. Later, within the reenactment of “Club 15” airer, she returns to sprightly lyricizing with Crosby in “Walkin’ My. Baby Back Home,” proving her way with such tunes. Dupree Trio has the opportunity to unfold moderne terp patterns and although limited somewhat as to ideas, manage to win appreci- ative mitttng. Sa-Haren Dancers hold over “Cocktail Party,” with added terps adapted to this layout set within a TV studio interior. Gene Nash steps forth to cleaij some beats and shuttles on later with the gals , to centre “Left My Hat in Haiti” jvhile the brightly costumed prancers indulge in, hip- tossing and assorted Cubano frol- ics. Cee Davidson helps to move proceedings along with his steady batoning. Will. Chicago George Bond, formerly with the Len Fisher office, has joined the Eddie Sligh agency . . . Daimy Graham moves into his own Office this month, as a solo agent. Claim Recognition Continued from page 49 bonifaces contest. He described latest developments in the Chicago strike case where bulk of cafes are operating with non-union per- formers. Irving stated that the union decried the hoodlum tactics. Union, he said, is willing to sit down and negotiate at any time with the Chi ops. He declared that the Chi cafemen, by filing an action with the National Labor Relations Board, automatically stipulated that- they are. employers, since NLRB was set up to resolve argu- ments between management and labor. In a question and answer period following his talk, Irving had some rough sledding and finally bowed out on the theme that the questions being asked of him were of a legal nature, and not being an attorney, he could not resolve them. Vegas Slots Bway v I m h Tabs; Panama 1st Las Vegas, Feb. 3. The ever widening search for nitery attractions with appeal is sparking a pair of experiments With tab versions of former Broad- way hit musicals. An hour-long version of “Panama Hattie,” with Marilyn Maxwell headlining, opens a three-week stand at the last Frontier Hotel, March 23. Tab will also mark the reunion of the Slate Bros. (3) after some years. Henry Slate has been in films and in Broadway version of “South Pa- cific,” Sid has been working with Ben Blue and Jack has been plaj r - ing vaude. Sammy Lewis is producing “Hat- tie” along with Dave Shelley, stepson of the late Buddy DeSylva, co-author of the show.* The Flamingo had earlier booked a cut version of “Anne Get Your Gun” for a Mar. 19 opening, but show hasn’t been cast as yet. Leigh- ton Brill and Ben Kamsler of Mel- ody Fair, Toronto tent musical op- eration, will produce. Herman Krinsky wrote the music for the “Ice-Maker” ballet in Servel’s touring “Show of Stars,” reviewed in last week’s issue. Saranac Lake By Happy Benway Saranac, N; Y., Feb. 3. A carnation to Garry Schumach- er, assistant to Horace Stoneham of the N.Y. Giants, for sending pic- tures of the 'World’s Series games for entertainment of the gang here at the V.C. hospital, This was made possible by George Sullivan whose progress is tops during his observation period. Edith Crauen of Toronto is an addition to our laboratory, while Harold Hallahan of Brasher Falls, N.Y., joined the hospital personnel. New appointments from the main office of Dr, George E. Wil- son, medical director, which de- note top progress, hre downtown shoppers Audrey Lumpkin, Ther- esa Coppersmith, Robert Dutton, Thomas Lewey; Mail special deliv- eries and packages,. Shirley Houff, Gloria Davis, George (Elephants) Powers; trade papers and maga- zines, Forrest (Slim) Glenn, Shir- ley Houff. • Duke Huntington, the northern N.Y, and actors’ colony jukebox bigwig, off to Miami, with his wife. Murray Kissen all agog over sur- prise visit from his frau who shot in from Gotham to spend, a week with him and help to celebrate his first good clinic. Simone Bleueze, V.C. laboratory technician, off to- Gotham for a week’s furlough. Write to those who are ill. BILLY GILBERT Currently NEW LAURIE* HOTEL Lowtll, Man. o —— . Week Feb. H ' CIROS, Phil*. Personal Management DAVID L. SHAPIRO • • AL 4-1077 SENSATIONAL DANCE ACT (THE VALENTINO WHIP) WESTERLY and GAIL CONTACT DIRECT: 135 E. 33rd Strath Naw York City FOSTER AGENCY, LONDON, prtstnfs N.Y. Birdland 5G Holdup Birdland Restaurant, Broadway’s cool jazz hangout, was taken for $5,000 yesterday morning (Tues.) when two thieves forced the spot’s steward, Joseph Korson, to open the two safes in the office. Holdup took place at 11 a.M; with Korson and two cleaners the, only personnel around. TOURING EUROPE Amarlcan Rap.: WM. MORRIS AGENCY TAVRL MAROUAN1 AGENCY PARIS JACK DENTON World's Greatest Comedian (Applications now baing acctpftd for naxt 9 positions) * Hi jj 94 Hill Straat A. GUY VISK Writing Enterprises Creators of Special Comedy Material" J Particulars FREE I ■ Troy, N. Y. a I ■ (The Mlrthplace at Show Bis) SIBYL MUSIC CIRCUS IOWAN MIAMI, FLORIDA