Variety (July 1953)

kioiit clvh reviews in'- Mai do ns. Torps. arc lively with turesling patterns in movement. . i Prolog ’.'to. “Desire” -.is.- ‘’Street; ^ J.as Vej^as, July 1.4. . 'i' < o of the most important Mum StS o? ClST S<;( , rie"BU)<5.' , '.outiin(!(l nodical* plrish Strip emporium:: (1» '} Me !),. ;im t Inri: e.han«cti many notions Riverside, Rena Reno, July 0* Jimmy .Durante with Eddie Jack- son, Sonny King, Wanda Smith Cover Girls (5 ) , Jack Roth, Jules Buffanp; Evie & J oe S lack, River- side Starlets, Bill Clifford, Orch with Betty Bolt; no cover or mini• mum.- This is more fun than the River- side has had in some time. With with Johnson nance, illusfr by .. Joy . Skylap, Jimmy Earning top laurels for most. unusual ehoreo ever but the trlplo-tongued a] •free .outlined- nu locucr i d . ji m my Durante recruiting busboys, terns - tifiaret girls and camera gals into *ding stylized. _ u ip.. - hi _ a nine ihmi’pin a. the entire _. •.. -Jf&SLJffi&i wSh*W Uve^wilds Bell ion, and Cl ° r ( {^fi dr V fin? ’ i restaurant, his - - t ” ■ l like a: houSe party;: purging the entire of the theatre 45 minutes is 'more ton opus, tioii‘.by.means- of tav-uh.r stage. Mis'. Hutton’s is . second - se- ll lues,” -Tiers of Durante was. one the Riverside of the first to back in 1950 ahotil hookings, talent, and paek- oiic (•xlravaganzas soon -. after ..ns opelting: in April, 1950, end 1 2» ; iunins- ahead a considerabJe .dis-, . , SfiwHIi the- current Jlcttj - lint-.- «*n on^Uic; Stcn A a.At ^.ec- lpuri^mounl uiiwiii-rt,up<,n -f(nd *b£-»lwo whicli -the sultry gals excereise > delayed. .. Essentially the .-same cip-k presaging sexy motions. Btack and electric merchandise, tt Has^heen (mtbel- . -« n nhpifv 'Hzno!’blue form, color motif, with each ! lishcd with the Vfanda Smith *>" 1 I 17 ;d P bv h'p-roioiwnt s i«i. tfommi- swathed in ncglitfee; blank- Cov^ “*\.'■$ Ji'! 'J5?ho'r the hiertding of 1 lace chemise, aind-mannequin-wigs some new:material. Always keyed. ? ! ”;', n,l ;! 1 3, ? Of -MKrobr*! of >-<‘d ami hlaf-k, Startling light to the. time- and ; locale, writers ho)h^faUois -Vv^ortant headliners 1 tdTi‘c:ts from overhead star fixtures ! have, given the Schnoz same yard- 4““ ( ? ^‘^11 U? &ViiJli set- switch from black toblue action.;: age on local issues tO; enhance act: !,!,’’ ?nnirl^ hardlv • miss^-WhVi'he'i v j ; perfect accord: with music;. . Cover Girls precede'. Durante. in' i J 4 v, : m Ori eou l “^Special W™- and music by; Ivan [ hlack slitskirts*-^ delicious nrix- ll:t‘ >.)im dazzling Uf-Mun i v , lis L,',riC & .Jerry. Stevens. Hillman's■; ture of redheads, blondes, and bruhetsi They gush about. “Ah Evening ‘With Jimiriy,” spring a ■ *»V ! AiiN;n :Not of Betty 11.1111 chi i*. ‘ sets, and cpsi times by Mme: Berthe, deserve extra plaudits.for definite- J i lyraiding the Arden, staging. Dividing the two Arden routines,.j Got Mci-c .,uch a chain reaction as display remains to. .he-, seen, onlv docs the dynamism ion register for almost incred- '• hursts of bravos and '.other lvnidatory - excesses, hut , Die entire coin b'ih at ion- of Do.nn Arden chore-, o.'i-.ipby; lush backdrops, oxpeip o^' «£■mill'- exAlS ;:ii.nd0? My : Heart.” pair <4 Hatton ^pnnma. Possessing a. vcr ^ ^ CL ,S,. - :,/?.* : garian- Rhapsody” earns big mitts, for.showmianshi j and closing “Tiger Rag?’ ■ duet is ion with .her solid for walkoiT. ’ ^ band, Charles O.’Curran, devised,. the onlv jiroper entrance for a per- sonality of such proved stilt u re tp same adds’ to tffect. Paco set ii fast and- never lets tip, with changes of tempo from ttarlemeso to. Cuban earning them a solid click, George Hopkins is a local lad who broke in a couple of seasons back around the smaller spots with workup to Vagabonds Club enr gagement and subsequent Godfrey program date. Youngster has iriw proved considerably since last time out, with more incisive timing ap- plied t6 projection of his screwy impreshes and •• comedy bits. It’s not on the subtle side,, and still lacks the type of material that could raise his sights toward the higher brackets. Overall he gath- ers himself a healthy portion of aud appreciation and lAugiis via brisk delivery arid continued punching. Sets up his song car- bons and Comedies in intelligent blend to send him off to hearty mitting. Sacasas orch again Stamp itself as. one of the best showbands around town; with dansapation stint in the . same tophoich niche* •' . Lairy. " Vedne»<lay, July 15 , 1933 Beach, (hi ($K with Murray Arno’.i and Bill Curtis: Dorothy Biik Dancer* (10)| $3150 minimum ; tr cover • ■ little philosophy: To Be Sweet Jim /Mildred Muleay receive en- tluisjastic response -from tI k* ir -har- monica. divertjssenieht.' Using am-: pjiTied instruments for “Caravan” give over- about.. “You’ve and Simple,” through the audience for in tune .: fictf u .Hutton, Skylarks:} Jim & . Miidted. Mulcdlf, . Fluff Gott Id, Arthur Johnson, Joy Skylar^ Jean- vs [ifalone'i Jimmy Barron, C,nrd(>n. West, Potin Arden . Dancers Carlton Hayes Orch { 1.4'). Driixi, Jack Latimer, .Remo no corcr or minimum. ■ HO 1 . Lou B'dli; Along with stage enlargement, a now/ placement for orch section was devised by designer Jac Uess- 'man. instead of a pit or working directly in ,back :of acts, Carlton Hayes liatons his musierew along- side the stage area; Only the podi- upi, piano and drum riser arei vis- ible to acts, having the maesl ro give downbeatsin profile to liis vari()iis. wind .jammers;, llow this will work out for the Ted Lewis unit,, following current show, is. probleinatieaj. With Hayes, and present setup, there’s no difficulty. ..Orch t el,- inning Lou Bring, conducts with exemplary sirokes, flanked, by Jack r.aliiner at the 88 and Remo Belli at percussioiv. All backgrounding | is of the- best. ; I Although tnhle area in the Painled. De'se'rt Room has been made small’-' dr, pr()|>o.rtions are exceilenr from design standpoint, and visibility, perfect from all angles. A new I “sicreophonie” sound system; has- ’been installed along.with the latest type of panpl board for 1 igli ting. Myriad spec!ruin values indllumih- aiion. frbm push-boitoil controls 0 })eraled by juicer Gordon ITayes, 1 to'recast some future unique effects to b.e obtained, and they demonstrate this by de- ihurely whipping ofT the skirts. A$ they: strip for action,; Purante is piped aboard. “Starting Off Each Day With a Sohg” tees off puraTite’s turn with a bang, punctuated by his usual “impulses” to throw anything in reach art drummer Jack Roth, or “finding” an old flame in the cig- ; a ret'.girl: Action with Cover. Girls. is best with :.*T Refuse To Wear a Beret.” Girls :bririg on a. cart full of crazy berets .Which-' they, keep; trying on; jiim. Eddie Jackson breaks it up more, than usual with Durante,, singing “I Want a Girl” in one se- quence as Durante accompanies^ The Nose tears up mock 'piano, eventually knocking a leg out from under it. Of course; Jackson’s, in- dispensable strut is in.l -Finale Ras Duratitc dismissing •is..augmented by string ciuar- j orch, section by section, with wind- and during Miss Hutton’s | up of band playing oil' stage, and. marching on with the spraddle- leggcd Durante walk. . Durante introduces singing pro- tege. Sonny King, who has; a box- er’s looks and stance King’s songs are tremendously elaborate both in arrangements and delivery. “Donkey Serenade” seems , fore* ever getting in motion; Tenor, also delivers.“September Song” With emotion, plus “Melancholy Baby” and “Pagliacci.” . Evie & Joe Slack are a. slapstick contortion team, with, femme being twisted into indescribable shapes by partner. As a chef, male wheels on huge smoking casserole Which ; reveals the girl trussed up Sonie- (liing like a spring chickefi. He lights it out with the chick, which bends' amazingly put of .shape. Starlets have only an openng number in this show but with enough polish and beauty to take ■>o»i & Eildi^s, IV. Eildie Davis,- Paul Jud$on, Aryo ., & • Eauc. Jane Windsor, Alice! 15), Art Waner\ Trio; $3,50 ' E d in Striclchnid, Line Oreh, l\tt. Donny inum. mint- the place of two. traneihgiy through using their huge fluffy fans cU'ec- float en-! “Intermezzo coni act first, then . onstage for t he -onslaught that pyramids to the heights, A lesser performer nugld. find it. rough in keeping up suoli a mad. slam-bang pace tor two, shows a night.- plus three on Sal-; urdav. And. other.'.femmes . could, be less than intriguing alter ’whip- ping, up such a froth, .but on Miss Hhiioii, perspiration looks good. ■ Having an Ovation fpr : empet us, aiuj hello via special “Thanks lo Everyone” ditty, the bombast ir thrush wastes no tiiiie be} ore •.-chanting in 'outline her beginnings in- show biz. Whispering ’.‘But ■■Not Eor Me" presents a folLow-through of ••lullabies” composed, lor her. Wanting - love songs, but get ting such cannonades.. as “Murder lie • Savs ” “You Can’t Get a Man. w ith,! a. Gun” !firing oil. a couple of six-1 sboOleiS and • yelling, -Nobody., slivps. while Hutton is on!” I and ‘ Itoeking HOrso Ran Away.” her point is proved empbatieally as she ■■ 'returiw' in a pouting “But Not For : • Will) the Skylarks^ serving-to in- tro Miss- 1 lull on. earlier by eha.nt- ing entrance measures; quintet re- tr.i ns'.for.'' rollicking scenes fron) j)ic. •‘Somebody Loves Ale.'’ as the frenetic- song-muse bt'eomes Blos- som Seefev for “Roseland” ‘'Ted- dim’ Toe.” Benny Fields in ‘’Mel- ancholy' Baby.” novel duet “'I’ea for Two.” and return, to the Seeley “Wav Down Yonder in Now Or- • ■ leans-.” Costumes by:. Kay Nelson^ aic lerrif. and Skylarks:.--lake on! . added importance with their out'-- standing cavorting, dialog, and trips. When the, song group of two fenimos and three guys ril>s Miss . ' ltuTloh ;r<H 4 wafTting tcr he^a chrm-T toosie of serious ballads in follow** ■ up scene, .she. scores her . greati Jt heights in. the poignant "Dbihg: . AVhat l \Vas Born To Do.”: From ; that point '.to eurtain the ■ Hutton . : J period is a ' begolT, sot to . repi’i.se -, w,.k tlives iinci. novei.lies. “It .Hart , - ti) Be You-,.”-- "'Teasin’. Rag” and ; . “spthe of These Days.” ■ Donn Arden’s new domain glyes • : hiin anip.le roonv: and many me-., ., . *t-. . , . . ■ . . .. .. ...... . >lv.-mionl ; Kismos. with', which to ■ Slu i *'’- J h ^, , ’’ ake : sootl. to meet heavy competish., audience impact.: They now have '. Rropi manner in which the room €a«io cle Paris, London London, July 8. ; John Walsh, George Smith .Orch, , .Wiuston.Lee Quartet; §Q minimum. It’s ,more than 15 years since; John Walsh, performed ini Loridon and he was then part of a double act (& Barker), His ..ex-pai-trier, Jack Barker, is now teamed with his ex-wife, Daphne Barker. ; To come : back after this lapse of time to: i'i'll the solo cabaret spot at this ;No. 1 hitery is a: nice tribute to the artist, even though' he may firid it tough . sledding to draw • the crowds during' this difficult in- between season..: : : Breaking away from , the format lie has established in■;= his Holly- wood club, in. which he is always self-accompa'ined at the ivories, Walsh does his vocalizing, standing at the mike . and relying on the house combo for the background**, irig. The change in presentation is, liowever, less important . thari the. quality of the material and opening night, reaction indicated the complete divergence between London and Hollywood in taste, The ritzy Cafe de Paris clientele leans strongly- in favor of the sophisticated original entries, arid are only mildly enthusiastic at the nostalic oldies w r hich generally find favor with customers across thC Atlantic,'. Walsh: incorporates both types, of song and will, obvi- ously make adjustments in his rou- tine to meet the audience wish. Singer has an easy. Unaffected style; eschewing most stage tricks and relying exclusively on a pleas- ant i)C)’sohality to sell his songs, His voice comes through in fine cloaiv tones with excellent'-diction as another plus factor. \ • Myro. .. Freddy Martin brings, a \\VL tailored spread to the open fipace* of the Beachwalk at this hotel making maximum use of the giaf t stage with a succession of produc* tiori numbers built around tha theme of an eastward trip to Chi- cago. From start to finish it haj strong visual;appeal, a kind of mu- ■; sical travelog in which costume': songs arid dances are varied to de- lineate different points on the map, : ■ First Stop; is Sari Francisco, Vo- • cal group, consisting of the Marlin Men with tw-o shapely femmes aiui three members of the orch, p*-r* form the intros with a specially '. song, .whereupon the weli-W ; - hearsed Dorothy Hild Dane d s come out to interpret the charac- ter of Fisherman’s Wharf, Barbary Coast .and . Chinatown. Scene ohanges quickly to Hollywood, tlu*n Texas, Mexico, New Orleans and filially Wraps up With sock Wimlv City finale, catching a big.mitt. From the standpoint of, theioc, the Hollywood episode is weake-a, ' eing. a : solo -stint, wherein Rill . Curtis salutes the career of Bing Crosby in a sorigolog of the croon- er’s milestones. But as -an act, Curtis is effective, arid rates strong.: plaudits. Not- an impressionist nv : the sUdct; sense,.though he is. faith- ful to tlie Crosby technique in t'he 12-tune medley, Curtis can sun ivi* on his own agreeable voice aiid: relaxed stage: manner. ; Murray Ar- hold joins him in art encore and- later comes out solo to handle a. Mexican specialty bn. piano, 'reap- ing big applause. Mexico routine is natural to r a change of tempo, arid. .the Texas number adds a touch of humor; but it is the »New Orleans stanza • that gets heartiest kudos when the band comes offstage in single file to Dixieland “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Other than this, tl.e orch (three violins, four saxes, three troiribories, two trumpets and a rhythm section); takes no solos; in the show but. plays, the. back- ground and later handles the ball- room obligation.. Les. . The ; new show at .Ileori & Eddie’s looks like good bait for the cur-! lively,. Sm! 110 !? <: on vention ; - Boni- I Bill Clifford has bad to rear- iiii« riK ! ° -has polished up ; range his orch. ior the Durante Vi 1 ^ C t ! 1S ^-, K0 ^ 1 1 l - s jwoly,. Triris jshinv. Av'hich tells nary . a note on w ( I ' I) dispenses a line show and dance quality; share ol entertainment. Davis ie- . ’ Marc eenlly. marked |»is 25th anni . as! . : . ;. •' the top entertainer in this spot, and ! ; for vet calegoers it still seems that■r.“ n “ i., l€ V lie lias changed sufficiently: with the times in his choice of songs and has maintained a good poi’ccn- tage in introdiicingcntertainers that ha\e niade good. . Mis holdover on this show is si nger Raul Judson, who has been gaining steadily in showmanly at- tj'ihiiies. iiedias a naturally good rolling voice.. lie’s no longer the noviee at stagecraft and with a bit more, experience,, he’ll ‘ groloned .sufl’icierit.ly ; to mark: San«Soui*i, 311311111 ll<*li Miami Beach,.July lL. Nich olas- Bros .. : Geo rye .Hopkins , Sacasas Orch;: $2 mininiuni. ' Booking of the Nicholas: Bros, info this top ocean front hotel’s. Blue Sails Room marks secorid | breakthrough . of long held tradi- tion that kept holcliers t’roin set- ting in' Negro performers, though there is no laiv on the local books have; : bccn;T M'lai; dictates: any policy, oil .ut.ili7.a- make his : Mbn of such talent. First Of the j swaiik hotels , to, break from ..the ,' --A n()ther■ exainpie.-of progress ; is ’ slatvis quo .was • thc new ...Algiers' in the case of. Argo & Faye, h top Which featiired Joyce Rryant twice tu ain . w ho- have ironed out muclrl during past winter .season; Straight-| of llie .robghiiess evidenced oil puv ; nitciTes, however,- have been > book- viou.s visits to ''•this" ; 's.poL- ~'Th'e ?'«£• .Iriv-.tbp.'c'6l6ved acts,and rn.usi- jA’-bri'P'lo are now beating out .clVarie-rvi^coinbps for several, years i|fi .effort ..- st rul.Ins. Iitre l* irls’ • productinns. For- IJi.ipreein, lie is not using rlie re- volving. elevated center stage, nor is he inserting a unique, tropical finale: ctmvpleie W-ith fountain and faiii eifect. Latter,was cut because: of time factor. What lie does, de- veloii • for. the teeotT .is. of shovy- . stopping ; cahhi'e. particulariy Hie -‘Desire” sequence. . , :. • Opening w i t'.h ; “Westside. : of Heaven” fa.rit.asy; use is niade of cu-virlg pictorial stairw'iy froni v I i udi act ion begins, . w i Hi . FI mV C1 * t ul<1 ‘s a i r-y on t ranee a rid. A rt I m r . tain opens upon a 3-1) ciT vt. Willi. s:rare.settings .by Furtli L him in. I'iUi: cpvv.gjls . in p.nk, four. Pink C’oud Siloon fiirL. Chief Pink C’oud. Gordon We“ and two ...... , novy to expand their routings so that \ uas' packed opening night, the they ’ll. give the impfessiori .of a ; hidebound , adherence to live so- bro.ader./ -sweep' .of . motion and.: called “deep south’’ .''tradition-— greater Versatility:- . which lias always sceiried incon** ; Oavls is still the highlight of gfurius iri this tourist melting pot^- this cafe; Me doles out comedy and.;can- b.fe tossed out,. w|th pperators caniaraderie with strong enough . of the posheries looking around for impressions to make'., hinv ; the. other Negro toppers .who can fill perennial attraction on 52d St. and Iheir cafes. . wherever else, he \vould choose to Tim savvy of. the Nicholas Bros. ply • ■ ■-..... ut a Cresfentlft, Hollywood Hollywood, July 7. Bobby Short, with the Dick Haz- ard Trio: Gloria Craig; Marvin Roy, Ted Noel Orch (4 );• $1 cover. * . * •• ••.•• : It has been a long, hard pull for this Sunset-Strip spot, but the out lopk is a little brighter now, with result that management is earmark irig-- a little: more for .the talent layouts. First of. the bigger shows adds up to a high iriterest quotient particularly since: it . headlines Bobby Short,'who has a consider able following here. Sliort worked • a little further up Sunset Strip.in the last few months following his. return from Europe, hut he appears much more at ease here. Physical layout of the room suits the pianist-piper better, and he can occasionally desert; the key-: board for some standup lyrics, frequently ^^STi/'^Tli'^csril'i'nen'far mariner, that gerierate good re- sponse. : Short has few peers iri, the rank.sGt'theThythmjazzbleaters arid his ovvri arrarigemeiits of musi- coiriedy. . favorites add. up to a repertoire that is extensive and enteitaining.: Best indication of his pull:.is that lie’s, never, ori the does three y shows, nightly while the others do tvyo) without a begoff. He’s excellently backed by the Hazard Trio,. . ier Gloria Craig shapes as a ising potential in her debut here. She Was a bit nervous ripen- ing night and obviously hadn’t, had ample time to rehearse, but she rifled through three or four num- bers with an okay set of pipes and and ingratiating manner. .. Third act on the bill is Marvin Roy, a clever prestidigitator who lia-v-a at ilie . . .. to. in.o, savvy or. tne ins proiessiori. He’s capable is eviderit throughout their 30-min.- ! has concocted a switch on most of 11 opr slant! of an hour, anti he ule. stint, with adroit build, of aud ; the standard.sieight-of-hand effects kiKick (if retiring just:as he’s reaction bespeakirig. their years iiv; by using electric bulbs that light . ,:0 P audience .ryeeptfv.it>'.' .show biz. Still youthful looking i up in his hand in place of such ■ii riimJer new aels. • arui slides to i-aise lhe’-r iroH and AVindup is a chaudeHer out of the I lie line < 5 . has a pair of. good :op routines into top.-class.-y'Work. 1 hat that earns a hand. • roi:u>ie> and an Art; VVariter bar f’ iii vocalistics to break the ferps. Ted Noel orch plays'.fpr daricing undHid the Pat. Donny trio handle with accent :on Latino rh>thins.' and backs the show, exeeot for ne ipUMc, . Their Spanish is . not for - purists Short. Kap; Bellpvue ( aNin« ? M«nl‘l Montreal, July Elsa & Waldo, D’Arco & Gee', The. Mdr-Vels' 4.6'.), Gloria Ware, The . Hollidays >(3 ) , Charles Da-<t- ford, Casino Lovelies (10 ), Bi.vEc- lair. Orch ; ( IT.), Buddy Clayton ■ Quartet with- . Shirley Sheldon, staged and. produced by NataVe Komarova; music, .George Komar*' off; $1 admission. Despite the summer slump in local cafe biz,, the present.offering at Harry Holmok’s Bellevue C;i- sirio continues to di-avv them iti . and ivS easily, the. best for anyomys entertainmerit dollar. Headliners, Elsa & Waldo, have played, the. room several times he- fore and are One of the few avis that, can: repeat at least twice a year in this saloon and get away' with it. Team reprise their hilari- ous routines with.' the. guy in a battered set of evening clothes and topper and the femme in the w.or^t possible, ballerina costume. The outfits, together with their broad miming and hokum, .spark, the ses- sion's-arid duo could always do more . than their regular 20 minutes. All ;. is not corn with this twosome as. the male half drops in. some fine tap and contortion stuff. .The Mar-Vels, mixed, sextct. take- sight honors in this showcase and. offer some nifties via the leelet-. board to boost Overall effects.- On night reviewed, their clincher, with, one of the girls doing a backward two-and-a-lialf somersault into the high basket . chair, was'. marn'd : When Catcher couldn’t: hold liei;. arid she (and the Chair fell for- ward landing’ in a ringside table. Other members of the group .broke her fall; no One was hurt but A couple of, femmes at the table .w ere visibly sitakeri; .; • •-• -...* D’Arco & Gee.W'ho foil owed this unfortunate . finale, had : a Raid time cOnyincing the. patrons tin y- wore the comedians on the show and not just a couple of guys fib*, ing in till everyone, -got settled. However, it wasn’t long till their particular brand of slapstick can e. through and tw'OsOme garnered a solid reception /due mainly- t.*> • their determination and:.Okay pm** foonery. „ Three big productions by .Nah^ lie Kamarova are sparked by the expert horifing of - the Holliday^ three lads who exploit the bee • arid-toe results. -D anford—do—sing ing.. Miss Ware in socko form botb viy * ally and vocally. -Bix Belair s backs show handily with the C. ay- , ton combo doing, interlude mu^' 1 - * for patron dancing; '• Newt-: ■ lads wno 'exploit ine iw 1 *; op stuff to the limit Avitli goon ts. Gloria Ware and - Chart's 3 rd—do— singing.-.:ch.ores_“Il;iU i t A .«• fc