Variety (April 1953)

82 VAVBEVIIXE VARIETY Wednesday, April 1, 1953 Load of Philly Cafes Scram Shows After AGVA Polls 2; Casino Cleared In Opposition to Fund, Act Status Philadelphia, March 31. ^ Long smoldering dispute, betwetgi, the nitery owners and thfc Ameri^ can Guild of Variety Artists, vfhicg ] erupted here Wednesday night (25J. with the union calling nut shows at the Celebrity Room and the Kaliner Bros. Little Rathskeller, had local entertainment world In a tumult ' and assumed national proportions over the weekend, Philly cafemen acted swutly and voted unanimously for reprisal and in a telegram notified all member clubs and AGVA headquarters that acts were to be dropped. By Satur- day night 27 Philly clubs had agreed to cancel shows, although several of this number backslid and ran AGVA entertainment for week- end crowds* According to Herman Comroe, president of Philadelphia Cafe Men’s Assn, and a v.p. of Theatre Restaurant Owners of America, his group picked up seven ijew mem- bers which more than offset those who fell by wayside. Philly boni- faces were heartened by solid sup- port of TROA members throughout country, with Baltimore and De- troit nitery ops promising to drop & AGVA performers Sunday (29) and Washington group cancelling shows ’-eariy this week. “Not on Strike’'—AGVA - Dick Jones, eastern regional di- „ctor of AGVA, came to town Fri- day (27) to take charge for union; “We arc not on strike," Jones said, “We are the victims of a lockout, which is an unfair labor practice.” Both sides carried the fight to the daily press and both appeared confident of victory. Jones de- scribed yanking of floor shows at Celebrity and Rathskeller as a sim- ple “policing action.” Comroe said AGVA called out shows because spots-failed to sign minimum basic agreement. Cafe association mem- (Continued on page 86) PetriDo Warns On Fining Of AFM Members PATRICIA Lena Horne to Open I Balto Bonifaces Nix New Onion Pact N.J. Rmera April 25 Lena Horne has been signed to oe the preem headliner at the Riviera, Ft. Lee, N. J. t April 25. The Szonys are also slated idr this layout. Still to be signed aye a comic and probably one other act. The Jersey spot last season was boniface Bill Miller’s sole enter- tainment enterprise. This year he’s operating the Riviera, Miami Beach, which he reopened last Fri- day*: (27) with Larry Steele’s Negro revue, and he’s also talent buyer for the Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, in which he now has an interest. Chicago, March 31. CAPPEUA "Ard EXPERT BALLROOM- OLOGISTS . . . their routines are IMAGINATIVELY CON- CEIVED and his holds of her Opside down and other equilibrium and GRAVITY- DEFYING HOLDS ARE SPON- TANEOUS APPLAUSE - GET- TERS." AboI, Variety, Mar. 25, 1953 Cappella and Patricid are a FLASHY DANCE TEAM with many Interesting lifts and spins . . . the dance patterns nof only show off .the gown to its best advantage but ALSO HER SHAPELY LEGS.' // a R. Dana, N. Y. World Telegram, Mar. 24, 1953 Shriners, Diners Soar R.O. in N.O. New Orleans,-March 31. With hundreds of fez-wearing Shriners here for southwest con- vocation and other out-of-towners in large numbers packing hotels for conventions, plus thousands of tourists who pour in each weekend, the cash registers of the French Quarter niteries and bistros have been singing a merry tune past, few weeks. The same goes for the top eateries. Bourbon St., main stem of the „ . .* ^historic section, where the jazz The American Federation of Mu- ts and strip j oints are located, Cafes, Fix Suffer in S.F. As Auto Show Pulls 150G San Francisco, March 3L San Francisco’s first Auto Show in 12 years, which concluded a week’s run at the Civic Auditorium Sunday-night (29), drew $130,000 .for the car display and the hour- long show headed by Phil Harris. In addition to Harris, the layout, which played twice daily, featured the Sportsmen, Nicholas Bros., Stuart Morgan Dancers, Margaret Brown and a 30-piece orch under direction of Walter Sharf. High attendance at the Auto Show affected all of Frisco show | biz, resulting in- lowering nitery and pic grosses. Cub Cracks Down * On US. Gamblers In Havana Casinos takes on a carnival atmospnere nightly after sundown. Crowds ankle from one place to another to gander the shows and get their fill of New Orleans’ two-beat rhythm. Principal spots have embellished their shows, but those featuring Dixieland jazz are getting heaviest play. The visitors can’t seem to get enough of it. Operators have plenty reason to smile as this is the first time since the Sugar Bowl game" and Mardi Gras that the spots have ^played to hefty patronage. The boys are also looking forward to Spring Fiest, opening Easter Sunday (5) and running for three weeks, and the city’s gala celebration of the sesquicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase early in the fall. Both events are expected to attract plen- ty of visitors. Of the leading hotel supper clubs, the Blue. Room of the Roose- velt continues to get heaviest play from both' the localities and yokel- ites. Now Appearing_ . HOTEL PIERRE NEW YORK sicians has entered the hassle be tween the booking 5 agents, mainly members of the Chicago Entertain- ment Managers Assn., and Ameri- can Guild of Variety Artists. In a letter dated March 23, AFM prexy James C. Petrillo warned the book- ers that they should not pay any fees* on AFM cardholders to AGVA, which, while not.directly named, revolves around the wel- fare fund, and that any member working under an AFM contract is only under the jurisdiction of the musicians’ union. About 90% of the EM A ranks hold AFM 'li- censes. Action, it is assumed, has been brought on by an AGVA Cin- cinnati hoard fining two . AFM- claimed members’ $1,000 each for playing a date for a Chicago book- er listed as unfair by AGVA. Union said Will Mahoney and Don Rice were members fined. How- ever, Mahoney claimed he was. an AFM cardholder, although Ernie Fast, AGVA midwest regional head, said Mahoney'had applied for an AFM working permit after he had been fined. Petrillo, it is reported, has sent letters to both men° tell- ing them under no circumstances to pay the fine, Milton Radnor, counsel for,the Chicago Cafe Owners Assn., rebel group that led the fight against the welfare fund here, last week re- turned from New York where he said that TROA board had gone on record as stopping any AGVA payments Tmmedfafely.'Witfi' PhiF adelphia, Las Vegas, Chicago and „ . . „ other cities refusing to pay/the gible for a summer liquor license, bite, in addition to New Yolk, it Until now, the inns or restaurants leaves,only one large area, Los An- could not start operating before Baltimore, March 31, Following lead of nitery oper- ators in Chicago and Philadelphia Metropolitan Baltimore Licensed Beverage Assn., an affiliate of the Theatre. Restaurant Owners of America, decided after an all-night session last Thursday" (26) against signing of new* American Guild of ■ Variety Artists contract. Max C, Cohen, operator of the Bandbox and chairman of the board for the local association, stated that objections stemmed from $2.50 1 weekly welfare fund payment for each performer. Also under dispute is the question of change in performer status from independent contractors to club employee. In addition, the local as- sociation is peeved by AGVA’s al- leged belligerence apd refusal to arbitrate with individual associa- tions. Cohen, as spokesman for the local group, threatened^ congres- sional investigation of AGVA’s status. AGVA boycott began Sun- day night (29). > Majority of approximately 150 AGVA members in Baltimore are strippers or “exotic” dancers. Gals are mostly local talent who have domestic ties in town. Cohen esti- (Continued on page 86) HELD OVER FOR 2 MORE WEEKS T hanks to STANLEY MELBA and HENRI BECKMAN MUSIC arranged composed by METIS 1650 Broadway.N, Y* C. Strife 1104 Circle *-38*9 Borscht Belt Can Serve Matzos Before April 1 And Retain Liquor Status Albany, March 31, Many hotels in the ,N. Y. borscht belt will be aided by the passage of-a bill permitting hotels to -open j March 27 without becoming ineli geles, left that is paying off. As yet there has been no concerted ac- j tion one way oi; another by Coast agents and operators. Chicago AGVA called a meeting last night (Mon.) of the remaining agents, mainly members of the large national offices, on prob- lems arising from the messed-up situation. "BEST COMEDY BITS" 5 Acts of Creative Comedy Containing Monologues, Sketches 4> Pantomlmlery Price Five Dollars A. GUY YISK Writing Enterprises 94 Hill Street Troy/ N. Y (The Mirthpiace of Show Biz) ‘DANCING WATERS’ SET FOR TEX. STATE FAIR Dallas, March 3*1. Harold Steinman’s “Dancing Waters,” now playing Radio City Music Hall, N. Y., in a repeat, has been signed by the Dallas Ice Arena for the ’53 State Fair of Texas. The 20-minute aqua dis play will have a huge tent location at the midway entrance. Steinman is importing two more April 1 and qualify for the sum- mer schnapps permit. $bw Gov. Thomas E. Dewey’s signature on the Mintz Bill permits the spots to open March 27 without losing eli- gibility: Earlier date means that the inn- keepers can cash in on the Jewish Passover trade. However, the hotels may not serve liquor before April 1, when the summer license becomes operative. Bill was introduced by Assem- blyman Hyman E. Mintz (R.), who comes from Sullivan County, where a great number of the summer hotels are located: Havana, March 31. Latest attempt by the Cuban government to crack down on ille- gal gambling operations here oc- curred Saturday (28) when the gaming room of the Sans Souci nitery was shuttered and eight Americans employed in the room were detained by the Military In- telligence Service and the National Police. - Move was the start of a drive to weed* out foreigners ^ in this 4 city suspected of fleecing tourists at the gambling tables. The problem has been a sore spot with the government for some time. The undesirable foreign element roundup is expected to take in a number of shady imports from the U. S., currently active jn gambling setups here. In addition to the Sans Souci, Americans. are con- nected with the Montmartre Club* the Tropicana Club, and the Jockey Club at the Oriental Park race- track. Move to do away with the com- pletely one-sided games’ (favoring the house) stemmed, primarily, from the rash of beefs registered, by American tourists. Especially under fire is the “razzle” game, which is almost 100% in favor of the operator and which has been responsible for some of the major losses, suffered by American visi- tors. Previous attempts- to clean up the town have failed. A few weeks ago Martial Facio resigned as head of the Cuban Tourist In- stitute as the" result of a dispute over his alleged attempt.to name a gambling commissioner to con- trol nitery gambling. Orenc'io No- darse Zayas succeeded him. Reading on Super’s 1-Niter Sked; BG & Satchmo 1st Reading, March 31. Super Attractions, .Inc., of Wash- t , ... ington, D. C., has added this town wits of the fountain show and will to its Iist of one . n ighters. Irvin route them to fairs, theatres and Feld has booked the Benny Good- CT. DENIES GALE PLEA VS. FUQUA INK SPOTS N. Y. Supreme Court' last week denied a plea ' to stop Charles Fuqua and Universal Attractions, Inc., from offering an act to be labeled the Ink Spots. Gale Agen- cy asked the court to enjoin Fuqua* and Universal, claiming that.dur- ing the partnership between Fuqua and Bill Kenny in the Ink Spots,’ duo signed a representation deal with Gale. Upon breakup of part- nership Fuqua went to Universal and formed another quartet under the Ink Spots tag. Kenny remained with Gale. Issue will now go to trial for final adjudication. outdoor shows. Sid Morse to Chi CAC Chicago, March 31. Sid Morse, formerly in charge of the act department of Muttihl man orch and Louis Armstrong & All-Stars on the same bill for April 22 at the Rajah Theatre. Feld has named C. G. Keeney, vet theatre manager and exhibitor, as his local rep. Keeney is back in Entertainment Agency, has taken business after four years of retire- over the Chicago office of CAC ment. Attractions, which is affiliated with The house, which seats 2,093, Is Consolidated Artists Corp., Mil- scaled at $2.60 to $3.90, with two Waukee. shows listed ak 7 and 9:30 p. m. Morse has been replaced by Bbb Keeney Said other bookings will Vincent, former singer with the be made by Feld if the first show A1 Trace band. I is a click. Cornell, Zabach to Troy Troy, March 31. Don Cornell will open a five-day engagement at the Crystal Lounge here April 14. Singer’s only pre- vious solo in this area was at the former 400 Casino in Albany, 4n the fall of 1950. Florian Zabacfi will return to the Crystal April 8, for his third date in four months. Arthur Ellen, hypnotist, closed there Sunday (29). Milboume Christopher, magi- cian, to start a week’s stand at the Bermudiana Theatre, Hamilton, Bermuda, June 15. ■ “The Answer to NEW TALENT" -Variety, Dec. 17. 1952 THE CABOTS Exciting Dance Trio PATRICIA BRIGHT ' Satirist JIM HAWTHORNE Roraantle Tenor JEANNE MOODY Song' Stylist Just Concluded 14-Waetc Engagement VERSAILLES, N. Y. Thanks Nick and” Arnold, Georglo Halt BoeJced by HERBERT MARKS AGENCY 152 W. 54th St. New Yark 600 Lincoln Rd. Miami Beach ,V.V.VAV> - .V.V.'.VWAV LucUleand Eddie ROBERTS coSSSS? «ooV NXC. ^^Wv?I-!v!v HARBERS 4tk WEEK PERSIAN ROOM Plaza Hot*!, N. Y. - DALE Grant's Riviera RKSTAURANT AND BAR 1 SI W. 44 St., New York LU 2-4488 WHERE SHOWBUSINESS MEETS * TALENT CONTEST * MONDAY NIGHTS Prize: Professional Engagement Ouglfaate Prim Awardid la Um Caw •» rir DEMONSTRATORS MEN AND WOMEN Advertised household products. Ex- perience unnecessary. Salary a n ' Commission. Local and travel. Cnii or write RAD, 306 W. 117th Stree. N. Y. C. RI 9-004(7. at v