Variety (December 1953)

untie plumage, sue manes a snappy tntranee, breaking into dance with three male members of the un- billed chorus. For three other Appearances she wears a sleek spangled gown, a torrid red satin flapper dress and scant satin < lights. All her numbers are built into productions by Billy Daniel, dancing star of Eddie Cantor's TV show, who staged Miss Grable’s routines and who, himself, walks oil with the top terp honors here. Most of Miss Grable’s songs are oldies, like "Cuddle Up a Little Closer” and "Put Your Arms 1 Around Me.” which she trade- marked in films years ago. James, too. evokes nostalgia with such oldtime Columbia disk hits as ‘I Had the Craziest Dream,” "Memphis Blues” and "Trumpet Blues,” the latter a production in it self, against a kaleidoscope of lights. There’s more to this band than the trumpet that fronts it. and that’s ouite a bit in itself. They're good musicians in every one of the 15 seats (five trumpets, lour saxes, three trombones and three rhythm*, solid but not brassy on the straight instrumental num- bers. and mellow backstopping the dancers. James’ trumpet solos still wow Ihe crowd. With Tommy Gamina. slick accordionist whom lie discov- ered in Milwaukee, he plays two duets. "Sorrento" and "Flight of the Bumblebee.” giving the lad leave for a few select solo runs. Buddy Rich, who gets third billing on the card and who's boasted as Ihe top drummer in the world, has several solo moments with the band and later, lrontstage. rouses Ihe house in an unaccompanied Lash session while Miss Grable <bangcs costume for another ap- pearance. Patter between Miss Grable and James is pleasant’, showmanly and mildly humorous, notably in refer- ences made to the racohor^e* they oun. At one point, the shapely wife maestroes while her hubby Lies his dancing legs in a ludi- crous hoofing bit that has him tupping clownishly into the wings. Tapsters Lewis A- Van help to •pen the show with classy, syn- chronized terp and some light comedy on miniature staircases. Tricky solos draw* applause and the duo goes off to a good hand • Her a speed finish. N’ot represented by a name, since they’re performers who have never worked together as a unit before, the unbilled chorus 'two gals, three guvs* are a good-look- ing crew who work the dance num- bers nicely but who are a bit shabby on the vocal harmonies. They’re onstage a great deal, how- ever. and since their singing ob- ligation consists only of a few in- /.7— r ».TT.l .or ciociol sketch, transformed from a recent t vidshow. De La Rosa Quintet i shake and quiver the (’ubano or t Latino tunes during harmonics, i t, hut do not register quite as well t this trip as preem over a year ago ( at this same nitery. I Du Waynes < four guys, two i gals* just aren't afraid to risk life j or assorted limbs in efforts to grab mitts for teterboarding. Many are the twists and double hack flips into ceiling dusters be- fore landing in three-highs. Most ' tricks are exceptional and win v palms all the way. Max Furman (with Alma Furman» staccatos a I riotous "French Maid" sketch from < the hurley halls of ivy. The two j < strippers make all others who have i i tossed aside flimsies on this stage look overdressed. Burning blond ; j Helena Gardner presents an inter- j esting anatomy lesson even for the cognoscenti, and flaming auburn tressed Marcia Kdgington con- tinues the class, however reveal- ing no more than her predecessor. She couldn't, and still mollify the DA. Arden dresses up everything with three breathtaking choreos. Having a very neat budget with which to present his ideas has . helped, and the lavishnes* is ap- parent. Assembling new line ' chicks to augment his corps ot regulars, he tirst displays a fes- tive tour de terps in Mexican theme, featuring Kvio Lynn on toes, three male dancers, six v henv- gals. eight ponies and Arthur Johnson's vocals. Midway, the "Symphony of a Starry \ighi presents mvlhology on Roman theme, with Fluff Gould s esoteric whirls. A vivid bacchanalia is dished up tor the finale, blues and jazz in Parisieniie mode. I irth L'II man deserves accolades loi splendid settings, and similai ap plau-e goes to Madam Berthe for costumes Ivan Lancs distinctive music >cts oil the many Icr.p pal- terns with performance by Carl- ton Hayes oreh superlative. Light ing and special effects by Gbidort Hayes, directed by Arden i>; out .standing. . u Mniihs I ohm* l« Town (EMPIRE. KDINBI KGH) Edinburgh. Nov. 30 Eire Smith Bros, presentation. With Syd & Max Harrison Billy Crotchet, Dell1/ Kin, fwe Jnus & June. At Empire, Edinburgh, ,Yor. 30. '53. LiMv vaude quintet, the vocal- izing Five Smith Bros., aie spon- soring this production and also starring, combining their haimony talents with the comedy ability o! • the Northern Ireland slapstick duo, • the arrangement with Tcchnl was made in line with Ins belief that there is an expanding color mar- kid. Teehni prints it processed in the imbibition. dve-transfer meth- od, are considerably cheaper than prints turned out in any other color. flexible Freedman stated that De Luxe would continue to be flexible. The lab is .now *it up to handle the new Eastman color in which most CinemaScope films aie being shot. With the Technicolor capacity for Eastman color printing very limit- ed, De Luxe will do 201 It's "King of the Khy her Rifles” and also two more Cineni, S< opei s fiom 20th • Hell and High Water” and "We Believe in Love Meanwhile. Metro is lensing three of its CinemaScope produc- tions in Ansco Color. Tint method is to be applied to "Mrigadonn,” "A Bride for Seven Brothers” ami "The Student Prince.” Studio's own lab, which now has a capacity of 1,000.000 feet, will do the daily rushes on fix* tiio. M G also has installed Eastman color processing equipment at its t studio lab. Knights of King Arthur's Round Table.” "Rosemarie” and others are using the Kastman negative- positive process. Freedman said that De Luxe has now reopened the 20th Western Ave lab on the Coast and that 20th will do its daily rushes there Stu- dio plant is now being managed by De Luxe. Pix B.O. Perks Lv. . V <'<>tlt11|i<efl fiom p.iKf J the trend,.’'■back to the theatres," i e f I e <■ t e d bv reem d breaking pros c*-, and the many long runs Still a problem however i the winning back of the hot middle- aged and elderly clientele, too many of whonv --till are among the mb sing it v pointed out Many of the latter, of course are averse to making the effort involved in at ten71ing a theatre and prefer in lerior TV entertainment amidst theit home euiolorts. Seibel hopes tliat {,s it gradually peicolates among the more mature and older folks that pictures really "are much better than •vet" and different too. and that by absenting them- selves from the show houses they're losing out em much worthwhile en- tertainment. they, too. will gradu- ally (hilt back. company 1 or Hire mterv stmts, which benefit Ironi rood tin.allies and imaginative* staging Hen* in "L Image's DEpinal the toinmla is e'hanged Iremi strong paioely to gentle spooling ol the 1 old lurn-ol- tlie-ccntury illusli adofis ot nalmnal ( heroes and tabled eliaraetei* Its a beguiling parade*, and lamed sailors an<! medieval skullduggery round this edl with hep l.'eties an*l well constructed pine c e iling* lo rate* big palms. l.rs Gareems I)«* La Bin* '3* with a ne*W le p, supplv tlie*M e\i e• 11«*lit harmetnies and fine* pi e,elite I ion l values lei then seuigs of Ihe* diet j \v ith vv istfnl and beguiling over- i tones. The* tine* it rime and pioelne- tion. are imaginative* ami in gorrrtr keeping with Lie* songs Philip Clay anil Moniepu* Senate,r have not renewed tlicil aels tint aie* still pleasing with goml pie *e nee* and delivery in their bop sours and child e ate*i vv aiding i espe*< t iv elv | Ge-orgrs Lafaye* Puppets *5> wind up this (le*lt show with then e ntil- ing puppet<*cring A new nunilicr about a group of di embodied j newspapers which told ami eontoit to act "out bits ed news is a fin** complement to then w k numbers ed the* abstract "Te mpo ' ami Hie* delightfully erode tapci mgs ed a top hat arul a boa to Stan ! i<- berg's elisk. "Joim-Mai ha Rente was paeke-d and look 1 in i*o , olid biz with w orei-of-inoul li a big phr fae tor This is a tv |,e of how that r..n be* enjoyed by the* tout'd '.Ur I W hile- Horse- Inn. Oinnlm ()iiaaha Nov 2*» MnrioTo'. no < om r or «»«<»»/> • ■' Mai jorie* , (SI i g'lit a in ■ «*xpeit or - pan-piano plonkei < ontmm ’o reign maje 1 1 e-;i!by at * 111 vv < II- appinnfed do vtitov, n spot- m die ha errient of the* St Rem llod-t Good-lookiriP b'.-oi moi'd elol-l was oruunnllv caught Pu s '•• v \o m V \gj» i v Sep? lfi ' although he's playe >1 pot on olhei o«* t a- viriiis Sim e t h* li he i_ -op', ion have been puked no i ♦ giilai! arul thr-1 **'s e* vr • i y indie, a? ie,n t i"i»* mi »* Will happen when die new? i due Dec. 10 Dressed in low-Mit gold tormal that sots off In i liaii AIi j * * r i * * features a dazzling e hanl'»*-o! pace doit abounds Loin Sabre- Dam* t o a mellow "Lover. Com* Mae k to , Me ” Adde-d flip of gal playing both piano and organ pins sjghi ed he r • trim gams >lipping ano - foot- * boards, helps *.e i| Spot gets a led of demnfovvn trade with good drinks going for ‘only 45c. 'Iru-ip, I cil slie*e*r wealth ed pe rfenme is. plus plenty ed talent llary Hol- me,k's new layout at the* Bellevue* ( asiiiei ranks ne*ar the* leq, Kuelets on all e*e,lints go to proeliie-e-r Natalie* Komarova, vv he» has assembled <>iu li elive rsity as the* e*ighl All Aim i le an Be,\ • and the n faiie v 1 1 ampedine* *.tulf the* bike antics ed Beddiy Whelan; the* <n oil e In ks ed Le*s (*rieds; the* sillieli v heiede-l'S and siiige*r.s. letgethcr with a pony line* into one* sbeiwease* that |e lls lor an appreciative* (id minutes I remi the* te*e*edf. a latlie r he»ke*d- op item e ailed "’Ihe* Aine*rie*an Wav,” to the* inevitable* Parisian lainboiee* at die- finale*, tluie* is h. 11 el I v a elull inouunt l.es Orieds, Nr veiling Danish team ot acredials, pe rfen m a serie s ed eiul.slaneling aerial routine-x he,m a |»e*re*h near die* ee*iling that etiavvs e-eiutiimems plamlitv. The* feinine* member of tr ain tied only is atti ac tive* but sup- pents lie i wedl-built partne r with e.'i'c in many ed Ins better layouts ami lueakaway ed firings I 1 lie* eome-elie-.s of Bobbv Whelan i* sis|eel |>y ( iiiv.ucous Yvedle* em In- v arious urn anef two-vv Ue.ele r bikes are* standout, and fbe* inl- ine'h <-e rie s by Je anne I)' \i e* < barle beijs: 'New Ae ts * make a nic e* change* o| pace* he-lore* the* tumbling «d tlu* All A ineiiiari voung'lgi* l iiie»ed i at be*r lame e e ssarily hv the ir le*ae|e r Walke*r l)ie*k, tins hep e edle e trori, ed trampoline* ar t i< ts pi e,din e s r v e rv bounce pe,s< it>I•*. itre-aking die- repetition with »-e,ine* lajr e enpedv arul v.e,r king at all t one s with speed arul pi e-etsie n 7lu* Casnio line, always tlu- big eli aw ill t his pe»l look-, bette-i t li.-n eve, ;md tluil tTne'-e- w e-1 l-e eist uined * fur" ing' are* 'pai k'-el bv tire li i p- mg ed Win*.on f. Nixon and Jbely e* \ iv ian ( r»ok botli \e-vv Acts,. Krog uig lionor' ,*n e* eli vide el bed -.- e-e n " 1 u h;ie-1 Eel** aid*-, arul Mary Lou If',* e| \, .< Aft i V 1 1 h .'U'emrlion- i• t \ iv ian M« - bae king t lierr big <<:ig hrit. iAulv av duqu;'|<i M Viie- I'.i I'u l.ni mi h b.u |; he,.*, ably , rid the ( ;<c ton quailed does flu* t.unlhv mu* ie aelmpia?* I*. V* f. ‘Shclin,’ ‘Station’ Win Jap Distrib Okays ’ Terk.o Nov 24 1 'a,, iUMint s "Coim* Back. Little* She-,Ira arul Sedznu k s "j e-rmnial , Station ’ e amed an e*xtra bomi« l.lm import iiee-n e* I or eHstnbu- t,e,n m Japan alter the- Finance Ministry ie-vie*w board selected tlu in a* Iv.o ot five* supi-rior film*- leRaseej during tlu- evui rent fiscal , vear. The e,ther llin-i- were "Jenx loterdits. ’ "Falle n Idol” anel "II , C.dtmnno della S|*eranza.” Unit Reviews <»rflble-laim»N (CHICAGO. CHI.) Chicago. Nov. 27. ( [}. it-/ Grable. Horn/ James ' 15». Bill!/ Daniel, Buddy / J j, Tommy Gamina. Lewis & \ Chorus (5*; "Half a Hero iMtGL Teamed together for the first time. Betty Grable and Harry j\ ncs front a neat, well-fashioned *i .ickage that is pushing for the v tar's top grosses at the B&K dagshio. As long as it lasts— v iiu-h for the nonce can only be t <o weeks, one here and another j,t the Michigan Theatre in De- nt,it followlfng which the team will i ,ve* to answer other commitments individually—their tour should be . lucrative one as, judging lrom ihe holdout l'or the opening show. Liable and James are still big , awing cards, together or sepa- taiely. thev’re on .the hi# end of a 70- :',() split with the house, albeit they have to shoulder all expenses, and Ihe nut on this show is large. It’s ]de!v that sometime next year, idler Miss Grable’s next picture jv made, the group may be re- iMscmbled to tour other presenta- tion houses. On the whole it’s a strong pro- duction. packing a fast-paced hour that seems longer with a fast turn- over of acts and their constant returning in new costumes. Miss Grable herself has four garment changes, each of them revealing a Mill lovely frame. As her husband *.,ys of her A-l chassis: "How do you like that, folks? A mother ot two.” And also well past her twenties—blit she doesn't look it. Pulchritude is still her greatest h^set. Her voice is a small one. and at outset a timid one. though she opens up later in the show as she gains assurance from an en- thusiastic audience. Nor is her dancing, any thing fancy. Essen- tially it’s her elegant body and the subtle movement of its parts, ail in good taste, that carry her through her chores with her ade- quate other equipment. troduetory bits, it's not a serious tailing. In all. it’s a big show to package into the space of a single hour — what’s more, without the slightest suggestion of crowding. Layout is well rehearsed, with everything, including the lighting, on cue. and with some of the most elaborate productions to pass across this stage in years. Les. Aliriskv Follies of Mi (DESERT INN. LAS VEGAS) Las Vegas. Nov. 24 D<mu Arden production with Paul Gilbert. De hi Rosa Quintet, DuWaum s * 6 *. Max Ik Alma Ear- ( man, Marcia Edpiiifiton, Helena Gardner, Dunn Arden Line i 18 * uitli Erie Limn. Fluff Gould: set tuft* by Firth Cllmau: cb stnines. Madam Berthe.: music, Iran Lane: house oreh. Carlton He,yes: no itner or minimum. A far cry from the first Minsky spectacle three years ago is this Donn Arden-produced vehi( 1 1 * bringing in the multitudes tor the next six weeks. Harold Minsky supervised the tirst mounting of large package shows to hit this desert metropole. and despite wor- ded wrinkles appearing on tore- heads of DI bosses, proved that the package unit was the answer to .dwindling or static state, of top 'headliners for Vegas. Sitter that time, the name of Minsky has been magic on die marquee. Minsky in name only, the cur- rent "Follies'" is a variety melange lasting 100 minutes, and loaded all the way. Arden has transformed the hurley offspring into a chichi extravaganza, leaving only three reminders of former bump-and- grind, low-comedy heydays to bald ; or otherwise pa ted gents at front- row ringside. These are comic Max Furman, and peelers Helena Gardner and Marcia Kdgington. 1 Paul Gilbert has been recruited lo top the list ot acts. He hils very big with his collection of gags, in or out of innuendo, familiar, new and tile material. Belts a good songspiel. "My Wife Has Gone.” lor springboard to funny drunk Syd & Max Harrison. It adds up to entertaining family fare. Favorites on English radio, the brothers are tall, well built lads who wear the dark red Szot kilt and give out in both pops and bal- , lads, concentrating on lolk.-v songs* ltoin their native l’yiieside. in norliieu*t England and trom Scot- land Act lias pi act 11 ally grown up to hill M.. 10 U* round Scot valid- erics, and is .„dnVoM play ing on home ground here Natural fre h manner adopted by tlu- quintet marks t'icin down as worth watching, their uninhibited work placing them in satpe well loved category here as the Deep River Boy - Eanii'.v nature of their act. with* Rov S* 11 Hh c ihreing in friendly fashion, sets the-seal of good cute i tuiiiniein on production Singers give* out m pops like "Poppa Picolmo I Believe,” Sev en * Lonely Day s" ami Eternal i> 1 Imy oiler a s1 1 \ k line* of comedy m a vvell-i c'lic.'ii sed oper .'tic tukcott and gain mcnc yocks hv inviting amlu-ncc* pariicipation in the* m On he i "She* Weals Rc*d Eeathcis Comeclv side of then 35 minute* songs pot i- . idecl b\ stooge work trom Syd & M* x Harrison, a Bel- ' last twain who work in zany antics and s|.,p• rick Antics of tlu* pan- strike a gt'oel level ot humor In opening stages ot show. Roy Smith, leaclc i ol the quintet, par lies interruptions se*nt up from among the* stubholeh is bv two of his hrothers and Max Hariison, arguing over Irish. We Mi. English and Scot prowess. lnle*i lections arc slieuiteel Up from stalls, gal ie*ry and boxes thus creating in- 1 tcres-t all over the vauelcry, Dclly Kin, lulled as the* "Little ; Lady from ('lima." e,ffe*rs an unusual nove ltv speciatly. in which she* swings lighted’lanterns, whirls j plates round unbredlas anel re vulves two gilt how h round and up land over without spilling any of the water the\ contain. Under New Acts are Crotchet, a promts ing e low nmusic ian and the- aero sexte-t ot l ive Javs & June, fiord. Night Club Reviews l olll I ll lit (I I t«,IM |*U K«* *'* ___ Deluxe Lab ( toil imie-el (non .V IKIim* I.ikIv. IIiiIIhn • rooms and cabaret l.ikcvu.c there's an upcoming 120 minute midnight dee jay show to einanate thrice-weekly Ite'ie, Vvtth ovuiii »*p Joe Bonds and Ills vVite D.t e Be l muut. talking ttclw t e-n tutu s w ith V isitoi's Jan August opener filled dll* Blue Lady wit It responsive* t. t»!«is tor all tliiei* slums opening in hi i25> With Miss Belmont le*nu « tin t* pianist satisfies easily vii his key hoarding trom opening W.,i saw Concetto a c-tie* into l ie hesfrautu" and leh'aikow k\ s "Coneerto " ( hattei tie lwe e n tunes includes a JYifson t ,'* n'ute* as JU> er lingers a s|u k me’die v ot tune s Itom "Ihe* .lots,m Story ' \ilds "\Yhere* Is A oui 1 le a t Piano Roll ltlli.es" init Ins vs k v .(Mil *. "Misirlou. teu so!ul milt m * i ':«>■ ing hied ley ot staiol.uds etuis tlu* 30-nnnute tveov si-li witli M.ss Belmont at 1 lie* mike toi a nd I l.vitteii. a leioke i and e apahli* ,v n< at ist. will add ilioiiees dm ing \u gust's iottnigl.il here* i;’ ■ 'on 1 4 ii«n* lh'*» <fiialn*v Sjiison**. Ihirix Pails \,»v ? 3 (ireiiierllu'-.n'iiiii nroup pi< > ! ! "/. Innlm s D I'piml, n ,:h ( h'le n ,* I ItusSi’ilvl. Annie \m ! ./{ nil i,oe/o* i fort, lieui 1 JUil ttrd, ( nreilei f* i .11. ((ierf \ idal ie*. deem . .hiin-lle.ns ! Mueh s. music. Loins U- <■(■• r> • di i i’i ted by Ji ll i / ',< lie t in mi i les 1 (Miremus /)<* la line Li . Mo-oipie Senator, f’liilip Clan, (heroes l.u fui/e I’lippils Is 2 .50 ri.-nrmi f ■ ■ . With the* Greiili i llusseiiot I he atre Group *fn liaek into tins Lett Banket v with a new taut alinng presentation, anel tire line l.adc acts also unveiling new m,diiia|. this hoite shapes as one* ol Hie j'iiittiest oMbeat eahaiet 'iosss in town, anel is paving oil in word ol mouth and atti*nelaiie e It gel*, die atter-theatre crowd and ttmse want- ing some febrile in.'illia liom their nitery going (Irenicr-llnssctiot is a tlieatre* - II ....u.innl ..I 111,. Sliumrorlt llolol I loust on, Nov 24 E : > ,e ,'m Hltd \ ('ere Robin- • , ,l( ,* Smly (hu b with l yuiI ■ s. k ol, 1 1 ri. M .>0 ^2 In (its jdnrth appearance at tlu* Sliaiuioiks hmeiaid Room. Latin i ,u:e: I Tito l in. . ai sk k»r«'d a • ( .|nl smash on oiik'OOtg night e*t a I s\ osve ek stint Repealed eUl'I.im k ails t atiseil act t* 1 s.refch a lull (•-minutes and even then the* vvell- tille.l loom was a king lot galore. Luu.ii does a te*w ol the stainl- .itit numbers, mo tly Spanish and Mesiv.m Ins exceptional singing voue getting, .added eliavv via s,»if ace dmp'aninieiit «»t tin* guitar Miel- s ,,v Re sw ill lie s to American limes k.uiving die crowd down 'Hint'll Hie yeais. during which he vs. s gaining tame He asks lor and gets plenty of cooperation in in tlu* guests in Ins community <nc version It has an endiusias- tu I es |,oii* i*. with nngsiders c\- . i i. ism** iheir tonsils unrestrain- ,i|ls mueli to their mutual en|ei\- iii* ot Btul A Leee Robinson. Imshand and wile* have a new . version of i.ip and sottslioe routine, ami score he.ivilv Single and duo numhers an* dune w itlNorigtiiiililv and pre- ,f ton I he y seore-tl an ab«»\ e*-av ei - a* e lot with their t.ikeoff on tilt* jil.u k hot tom. Chat teston and a liner spiced tap version ol titter- hug; ing complete v illi (lips anil l ipov or* 7 lie* Joe Sudv on li cuts a pleas- ing show anel with buxom beauty, I v,nn Bin ns. leading the vocaliz- ing, ale sediel Jcdo. ll(*lh*\aM* LiPeino. Mont real. Nov. 27 All American /inns <H>. Les Ot ml::. Hobby Wlolan t. Vie Me, .Ireiiue IF Are Chiirlebms, Winson K V i.i on, .luily K \ o mil Cool,, \’i mini Mi s. Mary Lou Ho yd. Mi- i Inn I Edwards, Casino Line OO, H< t Heluir Oreh « I I >. Untidy Clay-’ Ion Quartet with Shirley Sheldon, Hill Deepmi 1‘rodm ed hy Natalie Kiiniiirniii imiste-Ini (ieome Korn- We 4 lne« 4 laT, Dfcrmhcr 2 , 1953 HKYIKH S