Variety (October 1953)

VAUDEYIIJJS 67 Wrdnrfxlay, October 7, 1953 WM’s Lampkin Opening Own Agency ifi Houston Chicago, Oct. 6 Thil Lampkin. who recently re- signed as head of the William Mor- ris office here, is opening his own agenev in Houston later this month Lampkin. who covered Texas and the middle west for Morris, will have a working affiliation with in- die offices in N. V . L. A. and Chi The new Phil Lampkin Agency also has been appointed to handle national TV film syndication of K-H Productions in Houston K-B is currently making a pilot pic with Carl Havazza. Omaha, Oct. 6. Annual Ak-Sar-Ben Rodeo con- tinues to be a show biz phenom l, err . Latest opus, even with a slightly slimmer entertainment budget, attracted some 50.000 at a t<60 top for the 11 performances, Sept. 25-Oct. 3. Prize list runs well into five fig- ures, so several top cowpokes spent tune shuttling back and forth via air between here and concurrent Madison Square Garden, N.Y., show. Producer Leo Cremer’s stock is in top shape and there were the usual number of spills and chills, although no serious injuries. Same outfit moves from here to Chicago Stockyards, opening Oct. 10. Interspersed with the six rodeo events are 12 other features. Ak- Sar-Ben’s 4-H Club stock show is held with the rodeo, so kids parade their champ bulls, a lassie is intro- duced each night as that day's “queen,” high school bands are brought in to perform; etc. Top pro acts are the Roy Rogers bosses, displayed by Corky and Lynn Randall and trained by Lynn's hubby, Glenn, who is sitting out this season in Hollywood. Corky does dancing horse bit, puts the Red Pony of pic "fame” through his paces, then brings on eight golden Palominos for top act of night. The Palominos’ Liberty drill is highlighted by one nag that does comedy to top n.itts. Windup is a hind-leg stand around the ring by the hosses, a la Ringling ele- phants. Lynn, a comely brunet, takes over for "The Equine Act Beauti- ful,” which not only is a dupe of Elia Bradna's center-ring Ringling net for years, dow’o to the different colored pigeons, but also has iden- tical billing. A nine-year-old. Wanda Lou Mc- Cush. goes over big in her five- minute inning in which she rides six ponies in a Roman standing jump over a small hurdle. The lit- tle gal sells like a vet. Other innovations include Cre- mer's display of original Texas longhorn steers, which he grabbed in Mexico last winter. They’re brought on with house darkened lor strobe effect that just shows their long horns and brands. Strobe is also used in grand entry for first time. International Harvester trac- tors are later brought on for a "square dance” that is novel—and doesn’t crimp the budget, since it’s lor free. Back again with Cremer are downs Wiley McCray and Zeke Bowery, with same old gags and stunts. They're adequate—but it ncms this is a field that could ‘-land plenty of new sight gags. Washington. Oct. fi. An adverse income-tax decision, involving a deal with Frank Sin- atra and the Music Coi p. of A liter* ica, has been appealed to the U. S. Supreme Court by General Artists Corp. Case involves earnings in con- nection with Sinatra's switch of representation from GAC to MCA. It involves nearly $42‘000 which GAC received for the fiscal year ending Oct 31, 1944 GAC had Sinatra parted three ways for live appearances, radio and TV. and motion pictures. On Aug 2l», 1943, Sinatra jumped to MCA despite tin* contracts. On Dec 10. 1943. GAC and MCA made a deal whereby Sinatra Went under exclusive MCA management. MCA agreed to pay a portion of the crooner's earnings to GAC. In its tax return. GAC claimed what it received was capital gains for which it rendered no service to Sinatra Therefore, said the agency, the money was subject only to the 25*7 longterm capital gains tax. Bureau of Internal Revenue in- sisted the money was regular in- come and subject to excess profits tax. It demanded an additional $20,573 In taxes. Case has already been tried in the IJ. S. Tax Court and the Circuit Court of Appeals, with the Revenue Bureau winning both times. Medicos Sue N.Y. Copa For 3006, Claiming Assault Pori land. Ore.. Oct 6. The battle of the G-string or less may be fought here next week Portland never had a real bur- lesk house until a year ago when Candy Renee, better known as "The Belle of New Orleans" and an ace stripper, took over the man- agement of the Star Theatre and used name strippers as headliners on a two-week basis. She tacked on a tab of $1.80 per seat, and still is raking in the coin. Last week John Becker, a Cali- fornian, took over tlie shuttered Capitol Theatre and gave it a face- lifting for a glorified burlcsk house. Becker is married to Tempest Storm, who will work the spot next week. She had two dates at the Star this year and did smashing biz. Miss Renee has inked Becker's ex-spouse, Arabelle Andre, for the same twb weeks. Results should be interesting. Two surgeons filed suit for $300 000 against the Co para Inina. \ V . claiming assault by several waiters and other attendants Trial has been set for Oct 13 in N V Supreme Court by Justice James B XL McNally, who granted a pe- tition for immediate proceedings. The medicos. Dr Charles F Daniels and Dr. John \V Devine, dr . latter of Lynchburg. Va . on night of Dec. 14. 1951. it's claimed, had been waiting for a table and had a few drinks at the bar up- stairs When they were told I hat their table was ready. Daniels, it's alleged, was carrying an unfinished drink when he was told it was against the rules of the house to carry liquor through the premises In the ensuing argument, it's said, fisticuffs started and Devine went to tlie aid of his friend Daniels states lie wound up with seven fractured ribs and other injuries that disabled him for tour weeks. Devine said he got one fractured rib out of the deal. The Copa entered a general denial of all the charges. k Allentown. Pa., Oct. 8 The Allentown Fair drew 125,- 070 paid attendance in five days this year, 10.000 more than a year ago. The big day was Thursday •1'. with 35.546 paid. Total ad- mission receipts were $62,535, with more than $9,000 added front park- ing fees. Attendance in the gramhtand. where vaudeville shows were staged twice daily, hasn't been an- nounced vet. hut it's estimated at about 30.000 for the five days Top admission price was $3. ‘CAPADES’ IN BEST PITT SEASON WITH 260G B.O Nazareth's Bankruptcy Nazareth, Pa.. Oct. 6 Nazareth Fair, revived last year after a lapse of about 20 years, has filed a petition in bankruptcy. Liabilities were listed at $100,000. and assets, including fair grounds and buildings, at $110,000. Jerome Fried, manager of fair, said petition was filed to clear a claim of $13,000 against fair which official considers isn't justified. He said that fair corporation is able to meet all debts and will continue to operate the fair and also stock car races there, a Sunday feature. (■oodwin, Miami Hold Op, In N. Y. on Talent Prowl Maurice Goodwin, operator of the Sans Souci Hotel, Miami Beach, was in New York last week to look over the roster of talent available for his hostel. So far, he’s hooked Arthur Blake for four weeks, starting Nov. 10. He's looking around for names for his spots. Pittsburgh, Oct. 6. "Ice Capades” engagement this season was most profitable here in show’s history. John H. Harris skating extravaganza in 17 per- foimances at The Gardens grossed in excess of $260,000. every single dollar show could do. It played to SRO from opening to closing Saturday night «3> and couldn't squeeze another person into the big sports arena. Demand for tickets was so great that Harris inserted an extra after- noon show on Friday <2>, and 24 hours after announcement was made, every pasteboard was gone for this one. too. Newspaper ad- vertisements were yanked at end of first week since there was no point in spending the coin alter all the seats were gone. In the past. "Ice Capades" has usually had to push hard to sell the final few days of the local stay, but not this time. Could easily have stayed an extra week to the same story. SAVAGE HANDLING 802 PRESS Abe L. Savage has been named public relations director for New York Local 802, American Federa- tion of Musicians. Spot has been vacant since Ar- nold Bcichman exited early this year. THEY ARE EXCELLENT" "THEY'RE A GOOD BET — Jose, P^RlEfY —Trau, JSfinfET BRING DOWN THE HOUSE EVERY TIME M — W iilMir Frcnr ‘AMAZING*’ "KEPT THE CUSTOMERS Murk, ySmPTY MITTING FOR MORE"-Billboard WORK TO BEGOFFS*’... “PAGE IS TERRIFIC” . . . “CAN HANDLE ANY ROOM OR STAGE”— USk/FTy ‘Capades’ To Add Stereo Following current Hollywood trend. John H. Harris announced last week that the 1955 edition of his “Ice Capades” would he equipped with stereophonic sound. In his skating extravaganzas. Har- ris always features a big produc- tion number condensed from a pic or a musical—this year it s "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." be- fore that it was “Brigadoon" — and they're pre-recorded in their entirety on the Coast before re- hearsals begin.. Harris hasn't decided what hi* big splash will he for 55 "Ice ( a- pades." hut whatever it is. it II be taped for stereophonic equipment this summer and show will travel with necessary speakers to he spread out around the arenas Hie icer plays. FEliO anil BRUNO "There’s a short detour you have to navigate before you get to the Gatineau Country Club. But don't let that stop you. Even if the road contractors went berserk and tore up the whole countryside, this writer would hire a helicopter to get hark to hear Felo and Bruno. Two pleasant, polished Cuban boys at two grand pianos. Sixteen fingers and four thumbs, hut what they can do on these two keyboards! Their opening Friday night had the firstnighters spell- bound . . . and stunned with their versatility. Wisely chosen is their first number, dear to the heart of every music-lover, George Gersh- win's ‘Rhapsody in Blue.' from there to rhumbas, sambas, mambas, liberally sprinkled with popular ballads all executed to thunderous applause. In fact, the audience couldn't hold their acclaim until the finish of eaeh number . . . they broke out spontaneously, uncle Joe claims, and rightly, in his ‘gati- notes.’ that you don’t have to go to New York to see a good floor show . . . and with this w* heartily agree. We even offered the loan of our hall-pointer so he could sign ’em up for a stay-over. Don’t let your arthritis keep you from getting out to hear Felo and Bruno. Any ambulance company can han- dle your wheel rhair and even that expense will be well rewarded."— C.B.F., the Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa, Canada, August 11, 1952. "Spitfires of the Pianos” Currently NEW GOLDEN, Reno (Return Engagement) Signed for 3rd Engagement Season Future Engagements CHI-CHI, Palm Springs BEVERLY HILLS C.C., Cincinnati TROPICANA, Havana CHATEAU MADRID, New York Earl Carrolls Theatre Restau- rant. unused as a nitery for more than two years, will relight ( In i*t- mas Eve featuring big productions and a line of girls. Spot has been taken over on a longterm lease by vet booker Frank Sennes. who has set Donn Arden to produce the shows. Sennes currently i* contemplat- ing name change for the room. Save for spasmodic television anil private affairs, it has been dark «ince the short-lived importation of a Lou Walters Latin Quarter Revue. He’s bankrolling the spot partly on his own and partly with private financing. A veteran of nitery and vaude operations. Sen- nes currently i* booking shows lor the Beverly Hills Country Club and the Desert Inn. Las Vepa«. where Arden is also producing. Room probably will operate on a package food-and-drink policy with a $5. plux tax. lab tor a chii k- en-in-a-ba*ket dinnci plus bever- age. Spetiol Permanent Safe* from $17.50 Weekly rtlo ft. Hi lino duo piano team, no conipi enrle English hut. they t rant fate some Latin rhythm* lor easy uiidei >■ landing arid enjoyment. The\ ie a couple (if goqdjooking. uninhibited exhibitionists who are fun to watch and arria/ing to hear. The recital is an edge ol the seat, atlair from starl to i inish. The two arpigos bounce around on their stools, kick them away and dance as they play, trade pianos alter a jitterbug and rnambo, and enthu- siastically urge each other on with highly accented, sparse English. On "Cuniana" and "Guadalajara" the pair icallv heat up. Klckity English helps greatly to color the art, and exuberance is catching.” Mark. Variety, Sept. 30, 1953 Direction—LARRY GENGO FRANK SENNES AGENCY 225 We»t 57th Street, New York Transient rooms also available. RESORT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY Pertonol Management NOEMI R. GARRI Mt*r»—large ar imall active ar Inartiva. • M R* X»»art Manaaer la l»a»«. aarrata *"■ aiifltandmg larga retart in anllicn >ar, titling. Wonderful opportunity. V-101*3, Variety, 154 W»M 4US St. *»• V«,-k It N. V.