Variety (November 1953)

tl'eilnculay, NovmWr 11, 1953 (Harley FI- A. Los Angeles. Nov. 4. y'axie Rosenbloom, Jimmy Antes. •i (ir'ley Foy, Sue & Lou Smith. Sid t , ds. Mary Foy. Margaret Padula, Abb?/ Brown * Orch '3*; $2-$2.50 , j 1(| MlU fU, *- r ■ 0)U* of the few ex-pugs that made imkh) as a comic. Maxie Rosen- bioom back in 1,is old daunts i,ntt that’s a sign of good times for C'harUv Koy’s wayside inn valley- vaids from Hollywood. The droll funster with the quaint style might v *ll be likened to Jack Benny in •j\ He can just stand and say nothing and whomp up more laughs than a comic knocking him- sell out. Maxie’s talents are peculiarly tailored for this clientele, which j 0 Us out of the nearby hills and oft the flats In a vicinage heavily populated by show people. He’s completely original. And it is all • adroitly designed to match his per- sonality which projects with a warm exuberance. His lyrics, with a strict accent on comedy, are good specimens of satire and oc- casionally his punch lines pack a hefty wallop. The one basic departure from originality is in his opener which, like so many others, poses the problem of how to begin an act His ’’Opening Number Blues” is a better than average solution with a measure of lively wit. Once he resolves the question, llewett gets firmly into his stride with a suc- cession of laughter provoking lyrics. Best of his 10 numbers arc "Don’t Send Me There,” the lament of a GI about to be sent back to Britain; "I’m Wild About Arson.” and "The Guardsman's Pater.” There was also a strong payoff switch to ”Mv Love Flew Out of the Window.” which started r » i A i i 1 4 i » m • » "s- **•*•*■•»*»*•%. o mi h .''ini c u lor them and they break up at his ;t .s a ballad and ciosed to strong I antics like BFD’ers do at Abbott Costello. No mental giant from all appearances, Maxie nonetheless Can handle himself with the more , i ndite gentry. When the hecklers pot alter him on his opener, Maxie squelched them with, "everybody who ain’t working is heckling me.” It s when Maxie docs his take- oit on Harry Richman or playing Romeo lin costume) to a dame in the balcony that the sitters howl. His monolog is what the grand dauics would tail “precious.” Talk- ing about his former stage part- mi. Max Baer, he said that "you could see him fight if you got there early enough.” He sings a little, hoofs a bit but it’s when he’s be- ing patsied that the laughs roll. Sid Fields, a topflight straight man. gets him so involved in harm- less repartee that nothing makes sense and Maxie taxies out of it while the customers are still doubled up. To say that Maxie is for show folks alone is not alto- yocks. Performer was handsomely ac- companied and the two resident housebancis did a standard job with the terping. Mum. Kililvs”. K. C. Kansas City. Nov Dor nan Bros. '2*. Bud & Robinson, Tony DiPardo •8 i; $1 co n r. 3, Cere Or eh Setting Dornan Bros, duo in 'nr Eddys’ establishment is a consider- able change of pace. unusually flavored comedy being offered in place of the line of name songbirds in recently. It’s a wide range of fun the brothers come up with, and coupled with the excellent terpmg of the Robinsons makes for a show which draws hearty response throughout. Youngsters Bud & Cece Robin- son romp with a considerable verve I «>1 .'in;» iwm.i oiwuv la m/i unu- * i . .. get her accurate. The non-pro. with J n ? u kh lour numbers, playnig - * . . ..._v— .... their opening Charleston fairly straight, and giving a comedv flavor from tlv.'ie on. They switch to soft- shoe tap lightly done, Bud solos an energetic eccentric number and they burlesque the college couple with Tm Stepping Out with .My Baby,” Cece taking a vocal chorus to round out their work. Dornans virtually defy formula in their turn, but somewhat loosely intersperse some audience partici- pation bits between their innings of spoofery. Charley at the mike is pivotal man of the turn, rolling out some light-veined monolog.v v.i’n interludes of working the audieme into the act. They take it slrai at with some original verses to ’ Oid Time Religion” and Leo contrib- utes open voice falsetto work along with his singing. Bill sums as another in recent series of which have carried label ’of well-paced entertainment. Tony DiPardo and crew back with their usual knowhow and provide the popular dansapation for the cus- tomers’ floor work. Quin. h few slugs on board, can have the time.of his life. Jimmy Ames, a rotund comic with a violent llair for slapping at people with a bar towel, fits well into this environment and caught enough laughs of his own to round out an evening of unbridled hilarity. For the saner moments are the Smith Sisters, a brace of long stemmed damsels with a good har- mony style; Charley & Mary Foy in nostalgic song-and-dance hit; Margaret Padula, the sentimental songtstress at the piano, long a favorite here, and Abby Rrown’s instrumental trio. Helm. Colour Clnk. Ilalliix Dallas. Nov. 7. Mel Torinc, with At Pellegrini: Carol Williams, Pill Ticbcr Orch 8 ; $2 cover. Mel Tonne’s sock return Iasi night Mi) to this intimery augurs good hi/, for the two-a-nigiit shows, and owner-op Abe Weinstein may v ee the blond crooner, in this nine- night stand, top his January tve- oid bo. stint for 18 shows. Parading eight tunes iti a sma ll 4'i-mimite sesh. Tonne scores early with No Other Love.” Miming Perry Como. Billy Kckstine and l.aiMt/ Melchior in "Blue Moo i" n-i'sions builds into “Birth of the Rh.tev ' for top response. Casual I’hi-u for his Coral etchings leads to his own w k. tune. "Stranger :n I °wn" and "St. Louis Blues " < oinedics. increased over his ore- V M,, is date, are well received, espe- (ialiv his banter with pavees and fagging of his 88 accomp, AI Pellc- g'hii. Latter, with claiinct. joins lorme. on drums, for a Benny ( *oridman-Gene Krupa torrid take- ul 1 m\ Sing Sing. Sing.” with hot Ml l>|)ort by house orch. Frenzied ^ix-minute skinbeating by Tonne ' as the joint jumping in a panegv- f (c I inish. ’ Novelty opener has blonde looker <irol Williams in an okav dancing- 1 o I>c twirling turn. Pellegrini’s 88 backing is a top C hmet to Tonne’s tonsiling. Bill iieber’s house crew is also expert *’ aieomp biz. and gets a heavy P” 1,1 f Horn dance addicts Bark. Ri ne A Err.’ Rcrol, Re rot: live. I'arix Paris. Oct. 80. Hardy presents "Sea while rente in tiro parts In Mar Jean Varc; directed hit cost nines. F.rt'e; choreoyra - phy Hernnnl Hull: with Gay Ma r esse, Claude ('astaing, Jacqueline Comic f I.itchy, Poaloisc Paninas Girls <Hn. Max Rcrol H-antics <10'. Denise Dax. Haby Semitic. Bcnoirlc Lab, Raymond Y.a y. $1.50 < orcr. < nfe •It* l , «rix. London , London. Nov. 4. r tstopher Ilcirett. George ; '' Orch, Winston Lee Combo; 'dyimuin. 5 r » , hi istopher Hevvett has been j *<nng in cabaret and revue for 11 lie time with commendable suc- l*. i ”t ^' s fas ting as one of the • lv; i 'I. t * lf London production ot I... „ s \ ' t,u Were Here” (for which v , most of the critical notices) Ue t v 11 ? a new stature in the attv.I.. ”• And "ith it comes a wuuug i Personality and generally rituals . j; d material. All of which e p-« h< * P to make his month’* this spot will continue to be a slop, r t#.ev ment atthis top London Over on the Paris By Night *ou, > ■ * ProfifabTe season for the flntv neat hin-lev note is IT S O'nii The new yearly show at t!ii Pigalle spot is long on flesh *:id short on fantasy This sister horc of the lush N’oucvllc Eve is below ;t in opulence but above the o.thei tlcshpots m tlu* district m pre*e i- tation. That is just the trouble with the present show, which ha- mixed in too much French cli m- sonnier and Ldt Bank parodies m I skits which are out of place in a club which is primarllv tourist n appeal. This may he a eonicon l li- the French provincials hut it will make the foreign Jourist unhappy There is a plethora of nudism to make up lor this, hut even this is so prevalent that it mars the ap- peal of a well-used nudie turn Show lias the usual formal m a skit, production number and a m- gle interspersed throughout. Show starts with tin* usual intro and Ho n goes into a takeoff on the sleeping beauty for laborious results. T* 1 1 i>- lacks the snap and precision needed for this type ot parody. Then a songalong by oldtinier Benoioe Lab which is also out of place in this lusherv. More parades ot lovelies follow and scant costum- ing shows originality. Denise D.ix displays a good chassis at Mu slightest provocation and the fully dressed Pontoise Girls <H)> go through their ordinary dame Hole! IlnoNfvHl. O. New Orleans. Nov. 3. Chin k Poster Orch <14*; Lake of Oiark Square Dancers (14); Chant Hi r Huang Dolores Marshall, lot i Du i ids; $2 50 minimum. Current lav«»ut is pleasingly com- pounded i»t dance song and music that should sit well with the fam- ilv clement that tn-quents the Blue Room here. Chuck Foster and his smooth orch repeal the favorable imprrs- sion created Here on previous ap- pearances lie skilltul)v avoids the I ill 1 alls of the novelty effect and lussv aiT.mL’ements and coniines Ins musie;il menu to pop laves, new and oldies, and zmgy Latino rlivtlinis. His tunes are dished out with unmistakable elaritv. always ea v on the ears and tempting to danceis Maes-tro v ho plays a hot elarinet •(•'■ides fnvnting crew i- a person- ib!e chap with a warm food nature w Inch lie siiares with tableliolders The vocal department is m the capable liapds ol Dolores Marshall, 'ool.er with nice pipes, and Tommy Daniels who also doubles as violin- ist in the v liou The acts mesh merrilv to form an t nti i tabling bill Headlining are the Lake Of The Ozark Square Damn is Id's lull- bil’v turn is offbeat tor hiterv fare Iimc, but were enthusiast k ally re- el «\ * (l opening night. f’roup captured fa.ncv ot payees with I l.icir "Rattlesnake Shake.” "Scaling The Wall" and pigeon w ing, backstep and shuffle rou-' lines. An added treat is the act’s] six-piece hillbilly symphony." The I s< \tet disiies out some hot times ‘ liki* "Oran e Bbissoni S|»eeial" and [ "No Help Wanted." with enmliasis on the steel <'uitar and b.i-s tiild'e. j Caller lor the dancers.. Spurg At- will. also demonstrates some deft [ terpisi ies* Cham Ber Huang. Cbinese-Am< r- ican harmonica wizard, d'splays I prolieietiey and tine-se, turning I out such numbers as “Slaughter On Ihtli Avenue” and “\ endetta” i expert I v The orchestra tends ton- in'.', down when Huang s onstage. Miss Marshall inmresses with her -iiiiuiu' of "(heat Day" and the noveltv tune. "T.ike Me Home.” Lin;. >1 <1 tit iBiiirf re, IIn v;i n;a Havana. N’ov 1 Roe i-do Rose II, Sr ne if P Ro l':ndo. lio'a de Xn i . R-'nc ('al>< I, Soma CnlciRail Din:, Alberto Alonso Halh t; P-uban Aniline: a ml ( 'a: * no c/e la I'laya Orchs; $4 el nn m n •/ at taldcs. Montmartre has cleverly eapital- 1 iz il on the publicity given to (’liristme ,fm geiisen s reeeiit ap- pearance* at the Tropieatia, by innlding its show around Jorgen- sen's life. This is the only i h ver thing about the show (called "The Ti nimlormal u.m » siuee it is one of tie -illiest ever staged here- abouts And those arc kind word about what m ha* u ally nothing hut a series <d jokes and antics not unlike* those iisuallv s< raw led on hack v*. alls The- entire show is in Spaniel), but any stiay tourists who wander m will have no difficulty under* landing the «•, lennnali . <d>- seein* gesture: I’l.iviug the part of "( risljna" is Rosemilo Roscll. who seems to he one person who en- jo'.s ilie show; he laughs at his own jokes t e of Alberto Alomo’s Ballet in a nuiiihei ol dance sequence s is ble arranger-composer Ted Grouva at the piano, establishes herself here as an arresting blonde hless«*d with looks. I’gure and well-ti.mu d pipes, whose savvy for selling a.I sorts of numbers should spe ll hual success In a clinging silvciv uva- tion that increases the opin *t»>- light, she warbles about love. In ! ts over show songs and tv.n > : us into a trio of French melodl .. Because she carnes otf h« \ u;ig side table visit m» well and give - it a new twist and hce atisc In i ( o,t\- mg ot customers uitei joining * r in song has a ling ot smreritv. .lie* hackneyed husim -s- legist* o. Johnny () Brien a s* *-i.)rin *!\ homespun kind ol gqv |>ut w <n .spicy patter that helps ins . g. parent Unsophist teal ion imds time enough between his limmuou-. vm hal sallies, to hlmv e»;t a lot <>i IiA tenable harmonica- ihini . 1 * ,< am His taimliar tradeiiuei k< d 1 1 |*, s sihle” continues to e vnh.,1* \*i, atop I lu* t umvy lim e • ud u ot amusing v .:i ns and oh i \ .it pni> \.s on p.re v ions o * a-inns to ,■ j,,. finishes''a lieav.v-pcume.i i.g ..ml in Oils Dun Mi Grane and Ins <>< * he • ■ flaw le*sslv hack up Hie show play lor eiPlomcrs .stcppnic R. old KflllM 3|i;emi liami Be*a< h \*i\ 7" Arth n r HlnlA\ Saee *■* < ) Herman l)ma r I * f; f '» \ Arthur Blake can v ii* ticket ill Hits heisted hav.iiii* up top hoxofl nr r< fin ns \ frequent engam rm ills m t Sails Room (’m rent tv I * working to *•< limits v p I* lollowing eoimiig id drove hi- nw 'i in iI i d i» i 111 ! i v be- Blue- 's a "at: i .his In- s' to *■ ;*e* his e-av aleado of iniju c .mi The re's additional ip m;m»e ot the ir droppiii" hi at h . *t l- u «• to see* his ;*i t w fiat with pee - e o'. t *on ot one pai I "Mov p \ i * I! 1 1 • i Than I’ve-r *' ore nr lit apd \lim- Tm-auels Wax Wovt.s op Hi- sc olid. Seepp rp e-s nhi**r ( l h\ encore* reoue-ls i up \\* !| ovei .Ml minute rae Ii. Opening nil lit he .i iq> h film parade and a- am n a-.v’i <1 id* as in the s( -jug v pp * i piece plan el in I root ot m.< h phi tape el i ,-corelillg < I In- irtioe - to the i liaraclers ami mood m i*p to lie I' htcii e Hec I (• ei\ is an la i n e impressionist, villi P a will v i d slraigiil aclm ('.n lioinrp s **; (ieor*. e- \ rli-ss I,am hlon. Jo < Ferre r a- 1 ,;.utre < Bett< I' \ i Barbara Slim"' ( k l.ein* * ail. Tal 11 lah Bankhe ad net < Hoiia Swanson e-ome stai tl'm* lx ,li\e- w ith mate rial a shi m el palte i n • >J dramatic as \* e-ll as e- .p Ip e enm-dv that In iir * h s woik lido tin mu e-e*rt e I;:-s. Teips matt m - \. it n calleel for satili/alierri on l.oue-lla I’ar lim*, in itsclt a ele \. in - pu r Follow iru< m "lit saw tli* In nm e»t hi'‘eu teal cliarait e-r - epp ie I' 1 i i s 1 1 In-1 oi v with I b m v the \ 111 Iiilci upi a-'on1 1 el wheli i u mci; rig dialog and pen enur e * an hunt Ann Herman and Ten Kve k HolH. Albany. Nov. 8. Fnrl Wriyhtsiw. Don WeittmuttcT K Phyllis Geirr.g, John (’ocfeis Orch <7<; $2 3(1 minimum, l’lie class Fmjure* Room of Ten Fvek Hotel, reopened by Schine organisation leer lie»e»r sinews after an 18-month lapse*, hit a quality note with the* lull beach <1 l>^ bari- tone Karl Wright son-., lake other shows tiookeet tor Friday and Sat- urday <(i-7< presentation, this was lied all eAteiiMVe- mu', hut packed distinctive* clean e ntertainment m a :i. r v-mmute* seheeliile Saturday at tendane-e* rt-arheel overflow propeirlioifs, em-omaging manager George- B Ghelius. Jr., to be lu-ve* lie ^.lel the core* ot a sound, •successful jioluv A S’J ;>() mini- mum elmner to P p m ami a la carle t lie i e-atte-i is not small leu* \lh.uiv night sped operation, but Hie- Flop.re- Room has the* location am! tlit class to uarrant it U ii; ht*em I.,miliar to ratlin and television ai in mis tie played the hip i voice Hi.it lias h.- ii heard oh a lot ai• floor in some tune lie* used a re pe-i mire td lamibar siaiidarels, v niiiiiig the- timers with a reson- ant vuiee- warm style and fine ap- pear.me e- Uii'nPon staileel ratli- i i ten ni. 1 11v v. tilt "Gold** apd Get It Dev " but ease el into a more m- timaled monel wPb a romantic bal- lad ; mi \ a I. ; iiiedlt \ in English, I i * iicli ami ll.ilian Top waltz m il • I i III w u eh t.ihh I S e iltlllisi- •• t p all' join'd. vv as "When Irish i > e s Are Siulm" ' NVi ighlson • Ii pen-eel with the mill oplione to *^ 111 ", "Soi ri ulo " I It i r. 1 at ' Mil v W i i- Se Imp’s e xe-jus v e (huh mar \liaun. I We i mill lei liehiig who have appealed in '"le-li I’mtton Shoes." sett id v.dli hailietoni aeiobatie and s;-t.n ic dane- n-c Routine ilielueled I apt a* v <d I ,ove ” dent 1 1 lin spooling, a enunirv danee and a (’hat ie dim I .a* * lie \ it | apph.ll e W Ill'll I Wtlgli spot • i i <u-ii and balance limpiie Room i .leeejili o f',.i h.indleel pat- !il -m v\ ill play Hoe a Raton aler ll.,me et die W e (I bit .a , ill. it i ft l.ilicrf \ lights *,p. .u e limed li- •hmilel loll m to:' i R.p e w ay, .Itu o. I I I I <III fill M / « r o,i in With lo ll Mieln 1 - in \ i i ,i 1 1 . ('Itnn, < I *!In ri I. i I ,n, J net pit ■ ,l/i / rn I ‘ihi Util I .‘ol i, a Ii Sr, nit ii S !, / I ..I . its 1 K*;iriw oil. :;o ’ n "/ Ulus ■ ■ti So rd on, a Ra 'Onond, ' , I .III I • Hi- nt'll .la I ,<• RoL i, e m nili- , nil re, no, mi \\ alt i s . ,i, n i' nr i i in I. J' rn p i (/pen > how pel' ic ii. d Him i 11 i I I 'I Till i*. a 1 1 e at \\ In Ie v on eat i lull v nh ..n urn ndiug *-ci u s <n ,*- is ,/iid -i.etches III,it n-d.es loi ,, 11 • - *. f I e • 111 # -1 \ e-ll jov able everutl' loud .•/it* at nine ..ml Imv a I 1 p and i m * l hi ere i mil d !! a in Mn t i min I, e at bill till I not fie- < * - ' ai' ( .im.it' ol etih i• a lul loo H.t - i iaii hi I < it- ii , e 11 ; ,i i , 11 /it i | lu* due. not li.iVe a m.rl|< i me ol I - I. IP o 111 - ell, • ||p / , | | |,(" j- el ami 1‘ V oil Ii a , mi).' ■ i t*,i I ho e- a v a Mil II iisua Diaz The lotig N't 'V.c Jl hiv- ed i e/eal tale-lit 'I'br six and i\ vveimeri are le-d as 1 h\ Soria (.’alero and Raid re is. a we home hut overly mu ical mte rlucle. Bola de* In kle s the- piano ke ys < ap- anel simultane-ousl v recites The Delta Rhythm la slowly hut by e|Uitting I boys have I lief V ! eu me d c lion into a i ip king. Ic p with a bourn iPg p.aiie* t*e 1 1 u I rm < l, i e -111 • a qua 11» 1 •id th- m love* pen-no Rene Gabel sjpys in iin linnmai kiible voice. Nancy and Rohine it elo polished native* danc- ing. An Gloria and Rolando were one ed the- bed learns in recent yeaiS. bill Mi's Gloria ;e lew months ago left tin- stage- to marry the son of the mayor ol Havana Nancy has learned Miss Gloria's technique, hid lacks her captivat- ing effervescence Jay. llolH >I|»Ik. Mmnea|)olis. Nov. 3. niari Mind 1 , Johmiy (J'Hrii'-n, Don Mc( i )'<■ > "■in in i in a in.. Ore 1 1 i ti $2 30 Show runs from 10 to 2 * in a id 4 proved surefire enle i tainim nl feirniula lot this tony bode, cou- pling an established favorite end «« newcomer feminine song stylist, .stands it in good stead again to. - renf.lv. Songstress Mary Meade, making her local how. and har- monica bumoiist Johnny OBri»*'i returning for another visit, com- bine to set off hot sparks of song. | mainiigemf'nt fun and mannet lor e xt l a dny e Then I Ini d I mu Shaelrae k.” is the fit I • -a ite nu fit Fifth song, "Run Joe Run e.. the lust laugh They've gup<• eV'let songs to St Louis Blue ’ Ip loir Its it-ali/ed that fbey ieall\ elnve a numbe r vvlnch feature - all the boys meliv iduallv Cappei i in eoie* on "Saturday Night FuliT Jackie* Kannnn in ' he- e p» n ng slot in this two-act show At this disadvantage and with haidl- ,.n\ waimuf) lie- begins to hit s 0 ,, ( | It's f|ui* f f<n a few minute ', lent by tin- time In- flashes *,|| a pared-, on "Anything (Joes " q*. . *, r , t,j« Way, lie pibs iinrne-ie ifullv at i into side rs anel waile-i s singling out a table pe rhaps feeo stronglv at time* Mixing it iif> as tie de*es "iiti fm stories, stuff sounds ad lit) "The f ling and I” d a medley of Rodgers and llamme-i lein me-to* dies with se)Hie lyries out ol the- Kinsey Report. This, on the whole, is o.k. for eonsurnption. Sequence with tall, blond wife has him wrapping her in a bolt of cloth as a suggestion for clothing wives economically. She appears first in briefs, allowing plenty of oppor- music VV llicll in a stimulating tunity for lines on lines. His non- ahould geneiate I sensiea* Swami bit with the *gg 1 ' ai m^pLi^enialdy and emele-i Ini'iig of her iiopetu' *li<et and love i./l- l.iels that make-* lm a laoelod. Ray monel dries a o' d i. f.eoU oil tip eli.ii m .n; i -, ith lim tunny' I’ll** ami a me i e if« / po in" of t |/es lei make this a heavy matte , \ eg a r ineue- tin- um.mn' niirme v lieee pi i |e ct ie/n IS the ai-jie al ( »/M*e i I Be e and ae!/K a | M h \on •- arid ju e e ne e- to In tie/,* i< - on ring but -till mids toning ami lj )»• I i 'rune- sin- ii * |',.id* '‘e ftolbri anel Janirie- ( I.me inc 'be* v. i* py I'.u isian t y pi s- >•, ho do not leave the- glfivv anel iin f|uini'S •«• r mme- ehri-et appeal Iml m *- ,,e- ee-ptahle- J if- re I’ue e lv G; llu- fun- sleis f'ie-j ri- Re pp ' db a deudde - tatk routine., and Jaet|ues Me-’ran, v dIi a tine- ro it i ed vtoiiis v vfiel up show.. ,(*o' /.. Bloom Joint MCA Harry Bloom, who until ro'*entIv e ondue ted a talent agency in I'm i«, joined the Music Got p of lirpt imii ir > nvii r ’ H'*e » r*' 1 — ■ ’' — •... .... ...... .. . cooch-diencer H*by Stiugge. whose filleel tables and customer *a‘G- in the paper bag earn* him enough ,,J tiCf in Aoik 1 i'u; n>a I* r *(el which Hewett usPi taRsl« twirling and bumps enliven faction; Mosk. f (l ,Lj ...nvii nrnrii iistb i \. iiliiif; anu llu ** stint is sti ic41y cabaret and j this meandering show. 'ihieaij Mis* Meade, with oapa- t woithwhil*. ;iesponje^ to make tb* wholes thing Ms r k. He’ll work in the peisonal ap* ptaianct lieMs. »