Variety (March 1954)

Wednesday, March S, 1954 l,ii Vl© ©m Roa©^ 1 ¥• - Amalia, Zero Moste l, Skylarks (5 y.Van Smith & Jovita Orjghs; $5 mmirnym. The new La Vie en Rose layout was launched under more than the usual quota of difficulties. After a series of substitutions, the Monte Proser showshop wound up with a card comprising Amalia, Zero Mos- tel and the Skylarks. In the case of the latter two turns, hospice is offering what may easily be termed entertainment in depth. There seems to be a cerebral quality about this bill, and yet it’s the type that will please the gen- eral run of cafegoers. It's one of the most satisfactory sessions on the saloon circuit. Amalia, the, Portuguese fado singer, gives a recital of concert calibre. Imported into the U.S. a couple of seasons ago, Amalia then appeared in,a starkly simple black dress with a . severe shawl, relieved hy only one' simple decoration.. It was a costume in keeping with her catalog of fados, which are the tunes sung in the poor quarters by those bemoaning their station in ' life. Although Amalia is still garbed in Severe black, there are now Dior influences in her outfit. Her song catalog is also on a gayer plane. She still has the touch that seems to hit the masses, but on this trip she’s singing a message that seems to elevate rather than depress. She’s superb in both directions, as was seen on opening night with fewer fados and more lively numbers. Her song technique is extremely simple. She has an honest, ungim- micked delivery. The arrange- ments are almost stark so that the melody, quality of her voice and spirit she pours into a number, are projected with no aural com- plications. On her first trip, Ama- lia introed the tune which later be- came “April in Portugal.” She re- peats this number to the same ter- rific results. She also assays a fla- menco rendition, reprises another tune associated with her, “Casa Portuguesa,” and does a series that has a gay, familiar air about them. As a concession to cafe audi- ences in the U.S. she pours out “I Love Paris” and “Autumn Leaves,’’ and gives both of them a delicacy not too frequently achieved. Her musical background is enriched by two musicians on stringed instru- ments. One is clearly a guitar, and the other is a form of that instru- ment, but with the player employs a mandolin technique. Hostel hasn’t been in a N.Y. cafe since his appearance at the Riviera a couple of seasons ago. He’s an extremely funny, firstrate clown w ho has some routines that are vir- tually classic in their field. Hostel employs his heft to cut some ex- tremely amusing figures. In his major opus, a takeoff on Jinqmy Durante, he presents some of the top clowning in the song and dance field. Mostel shows very few in- hibitions. Ho. has a zany series of gag impressions, such as the per- colator bit, the quickies which he throws away during his satire of a sex lecturer in the public schools, and his lampoon of mammy singers. His stuff is entirely clean, another factor which makes him universal- ly acceptable, and he has to do several encores. The Skylarks were a last-minute booking as replacement for Lynn Carter & the Four Cartiers (see separate story). Normally a five- person group, Skylarks w'ere able to commandeer only*four members for the preem display. As a result, some of their arrangements had to be revamped at the. last minute, The major consequence was that their tunes lacked the depth and color they usually have. Absence of one of the femmes did make a big difference. The three boys and single girl who carried on couldn’t execute their formations and nor- mal arrangements and had to be content with less than maximum acclaim. This outfit recently ap- peared at the nearby Copacabana, and previously showed with Betty Hutton at the Palace. Van Smith, who does orchestral backing, and Jovita rhumba orch fill the musical needs of this cafe admirably. Jose. Lanin Qtr., Miami B*eh " (FOLLOWUP) Miami, Feb. 26. Return of Joe E. Lewis to this Heach landmark on Palm Island means sellout crowds for both shows nightly, an unusual accom- plishment in this season of good- tn'sts and offish* seconds. Lewis is money in the bank for producer Lou Walters, attriictihg the big spenders left and at the same time proving a potent lure for the aver- cafegoer vacationing here. rhe puckish buffon adds to his consistent draw value in the array m new material he’s brought with mm. There are few df fchh familiars m his new book, the replacements. staple* they normally demand iron, ’ Flaming*, La* Vega* Thd Lewis approach is, per usual, „ . Las Y e fl as » Feb, 26. the genial, indulging in ad libs with * oac Marle & Lenny Kent (3), ringsiders, partaking of a sip from ™ Kcnn V & Ink Spots (5), Dave an available glass, the mood estab- D V er > Flamingo Starlets (12), Tor- lished being a warm one that adds r * 5 Brand Orch (11), no cower or a party-time atmosphere to his seg- minimum. ment of the revue. The spoofs on the^ernmnuing Kinsey-and-Lewis New tcaminir of Rori> Mari# jtr report mark up solid laughs; take- T „„! v T * 2f e M . T 7 off tm a “Can-Can” medley with Lenny Kent ’ and Bin Kepny & Ink topper on “Zsa Zsa Finkelstein” a Spots, will keep the cash register, howl raiser; application of screwy humming the next two stanzas, new lyrics to a Rodgers & Ham- Pruning of the 85 *'minute opus, merstein group is a continuing with a 15-minute lopoff, should warmer-upper sharpened with in- sharpen the pace, terweaving of ad libs and observa- Kent ablv flincs inlrM nom?* Austin°M^k e S? asldcs ‘ one-liners and insults at his Austin Mack is an integral part of partner. Rose Marie gives as good the act, his accomps always up to as she take* and pmwdM ?hnf d rron h iIn gCS in iinGS and tempo o£ test singing comediennes in the p “P* ■ bIz * In bouncy fashion she belts Rest of show is held over in the ‘These Are the Songs.” Atop pi- Walters all-seapon booking tradi- ano, bathed in soft blue light, tion. Its as bright and lavish as femme starts out with a mellow when seen on premiere night, “My Blue Heaven,’’ but can’t be • Bernard restr a»ned for long, and she starts record-panto mimicry retains high socking with the gags, standards with the lampoonlngs.in- * cisive and rib-tickling throughout on before^innMp h°ac°J!» e their varied and inventive satiriza- oth( , bc iuhiiS Ph tions. Jane Morgan marks up a tonkin “WV?i nJnf* ta solid pair of sequences with her ® s t, m?». To special lyrics and eye-filling gowns number^f ^ IS —her songalog an Intelligent blend "ng?ver in reverse Ttere*s“Sh?ne of Continental and American, pro- On Hariest^^Farfh Si* tneir modem-ballet terps* raise ,r Pii tuo cun cm*iap v* a i isr am *s achieved effortlessly to add to im- j v ’ . pact. (Bill Kenny & Ink Spots bring French import, Veronica Bell, back nosjalgics that have kept spells them with pans-mike sopran- J? n . ^be.top run for years, oings. Attractive songstress rates ® /l a<?b Life Some Ram Must big palming with her semi-classic c,*w nng # '«^ rm response- .^ un ' offerings and joins with Ralph ?> y ; ^ xd £ tbe Street feature* Young for effective duetings in a ® r ? w ” In , oIcay vocal, production number based on Ste- hf/? 1 i!. ,a tho en0 s« °»v Keni l y ls „ neve . r phen Foster melodies. The Debon- b ®Hf£ w an n / You Are H a PP»* aires work into the group stagings g d° U ? 1S as_ and in own spot score with their Sw 6 ? ^ course, robot-precision tap conceptions. c ^ a . re - A1 Peters is Ruth Costello adds her acro-danc- Capable Steinway aide, ing for a whirlwind bit that has " a , ir of Ron Fletcher productioa them hitting the palms in short or- numbers by Flamingo Starlets are der. The costuming Is resplendent, Rood, with standout choreo dis- the 27, girls and principals imag- J?i?- yed A? , m usical score of inatively staged by Natalie Kam- Kismet, featuring David Dyer in erova with the finale “Mardi Gras j 5P e .vocal of “Stranger In Para- In Gold,” a handsome spectacle oise. Colorful costumes of danc- that. tops a colorful, well-balanced, ^rs are aid in Oriental fantasy, fast-moving revue. Lary. ■ Torris Brand and his orch b a '*k the . show well. Rob. ^ ■ ; — Oasis Civil*. Houston Houston, Feb. 21. ! Black Orchid. Chi. Gypsy Eduoards Combo, Paul Chicago. Feb. 16. Musairq,, Tommy Rome, David Guy Cherney, Ross & W7»sf, Lur- Jackson; no cover or minimum. j lene Hunter, Ken Sweet Trio; $4 —, minimum. Breaking away from name act entertainment, the Egyptian Room j The Black Orchid, whi-h tradi- of Club Oasis has dropped to! *; nna |i w . minimum charge, and has filled up . tlonally h “ be ,? n a showcaser of the spacious room with a better; sophisticated modern stylists, floorshqw and dance music than ; has a rather unusual headliner cur- it’s enjoyed before. trently in Guy Cherney, who harks Not too well known, except at ; back to an older school of sock-em- Army installations throughout the across songsellers of the borscht south, where they have become circuit. A native son of the Windy sock hits, the Gypsy Edwards City who has played most. of the Combo, with its show within the j less intimate spots in past years, band, has what it takes. Headed ; Cherney has cultivated a sizable by bubbly Miss Edwards and -her ; following here and, no matter the conga drumbeat. slick stick; room, his retinue is turning out rhythm and pleasing vocals, the 1 for this four-week show, combo scores heavily. ! Firstnight family and friends Paul Musarra is a personable kept Cherney aboard for 10 num- youngster with musical and vocal ; bers, varying in mood and tempo talent. In addition to exceptional j but all characterized with his jobs on various pop ballads, he has j robust salesmanship. He’s a re- developed a flair for imitations, J laxed showman whose songalog is mirroring many singing personali-'j flavored with equal amounts of ties with striking genuineness. j sugar and schmaltz on up-to-date Tommy Rowe, on bass, vibra-, pops, bouncy vaude tunes of the harp, bull fiddle and trumpet, has ’30s, and a couple of smooth Jew- the talent to put on a one-man jsh ballads. Except for wrapup show, and blends well into the in-' folk song sung in Yiddish, Cher- strumental and vocal harmonics of j ney’s output is conspicuously with- the other combo members. Pianist I ou t anything new or offbeat, and David Jackson is a fine keyboard the real zip in his routine comes artist. J^-do. from the bounce oldies like “Toot Toot Tootsie” and lilting ~“Prettv S©YPII Sons. Omaha Bitjiy” animated in the nostalgic Omaha. Feb. 24. oldtim « nltcr y ldl0m - Paul Gilbert: Lynn Tilley Trio; . Showcasing on.this small shelf $1 corcr is a bit confining for so exuberant ■ * n n>K Am f An t*i\Anl /1 a Thd Lewis approach is, per usual, te genial, indulging in ad libs with IVIGBT CLUB REVIEWS 61 • • qn the cafeboards. Whole thing Charley jPoy’tf. L* A* “ ^ Lbs Angdes, Feb. 27. d egarts t^a big niitt. . Arthur Lee Simpkins, Pat C. show slfck locS chirp l5?S Flick > Rita Rchm > Marguerite Pa* Hunter takes over opening spot ^ rl , , Brotpne Orch (4); with infinitely more confidence Minimum, $3 weekends. than she had at her first opening. * . . . Resultantly, she’s added poise, .Over the year, some of the best, perked her projection and In- lighthearted entertainment in town creased the flexibility of her voice. * s offered at this i*oadhouse-type Though it’s highly stylized, her spot ,rt th * San Fernando Valley, vocalizing now seems effortless and where Charley Foy has been mflk- holds the room magnetically. Se- ing his home for some time. This lections this time are nearly all of time out he has a good music and buoyant mood, with richly tex- comedy melange with Arthur Lee tured tones bringing distinction to Simpkins’ vocalizing serving as the stuff. BlinftirulrN* Boston Boston, Feb. 22. tured tones bringing distinction to Simpkins’ vocalizing serving as the offbeat numbers like “It’s Lovin’ principle lure and Pat C. Flick pro- Time” and “You Took Advantage viding the comedy, of Me.” She has to beg off after Simpkins, one of the better velvet essaying of “Tenderly.” singers now available on the bistrp All acts *«rc backed by Rudy beat, has changed Ills routining Kerpai$ at keyboard and A1, Pis- somewhat for this stand, escheiying konka at bass. Ken Sweet takes the operatic stuff apparently on ’ the.piano for intermission mood the theory that folks here lean stuff. Les. more to pop and light classics. He’a — fine throughout and still achieves Kit****** tremendous results with his next^ HltUftlriJl) ft* HllMon to-closing “Eili Eili,” Change of ‘ Boston, Feb. 22. p ace f ro m the “Secret Love” type Patti Page Harold Barnes, of ballad to “Them There Eyes” is Twimy Wonder b Margaret Banks nicely handled. For best results, Ohveras <2) Vallctjs (2), Michael however, he should work from the Gaylord Orch t 13 j , Lou Weir, s ta^e rather than from the dance organist; $3 mtn.,-Sun.-Mon., $4.50 | floor. rest of week . j This ap p arent ]y i s a one-shot „ , , . ' date with Flick, who wants to keep Having shed nearly 18 pounds hifi hand in. He pleases the locals and displaying- a chic hairdo, the well enough but if he intends to go glamorized Patti Page, making her further,, he’ll need newer and more third annual appearance at this original material. At his best on outsized bistro, continues, as in lt he dialect stuff. Flick has a fund previous outings, to lure them in 0 f stories to tclL most of them good and give out with a socko show. f or laughs. Delivery 16 easy and Femme, beautifully gowned, does he has an assured sense of timing about 35 minutes, but judging That pays off, from reaction of enthusiastic aud. nit ^ t ^ could easily stay on for an hour or tJSibera test more. However^ in the test vaude tradition, she leaves ’em wanting.! J 41 _ T . • , routine. Others are okay although Thrush preems with Whole no t particularly distinctive World Is Singing My Song” quick- choreographically. Boniface Foy ly segueing into Don t Get and sister Mary pair on some song- * Around Anj-more. From then on, and-danee stuff that’s in the old chirp dishes out a songalog con- i vaude vein and the songs at the sisting mainly of her flock of dis-! p j apo 0 f Marguerite Padula effec- clicks interspersed with informal - tivcly accent the noslrJfUu Abbey chatter, and bits of banter with j g7-own orch, now four pieces her enthusiastic fans who vocifer- j strong, backs the show and handles ously voice their requests How-; wbat terming there is here, ever. Miss Page manages to lull Kap. them with her gracious manner and beg off lo very hefty mitting. __ .. _ __ ^- Surrounding layout is strong, \ B©II©vil© 6 ©ftizco* 3ff©Rl I teeing off with the Valletts, a _ .Montreal. Feb- 27. _ mixed duo.‘who score .nicely v,‘ith —Ming A a sesh of baton twirling and aero > & Moll, Charles Danjord, tricks. The Oliveras, no strangers. Billy Parsons, Manuka Bill Dec~ here, are also clicko in their spot,; B* 1 Below* Orch ill). Buddy the femme cavorting through gasp- • C^a^ton Quartet, jrMi Shirley evoking aero tricks and twirls high s ^ opcd ond produced by atop a perch resting on her part-' hatalie Komarova music by. ner’s forehead. Tommy" Wonder George Komaroff; $1 acimission. and Margaret Banks, last here a . . . . couple of months ago. nab nifty Although the Bellevue Casino is reaction with a fast sesh of fancy i almost the exception to the vul* terping. both solo and teamed, i ‘because of a big show and a Youngsters impress with tlieir agil- I straight admission charge with no ity and refreshing routines. Slick • hidden extras', all nilcries in Mont- bill is rounded out with Harold real aT * the impression tv Barnes/ a topflight tightwire per-! can m ake on locantei entertain- former, whose stint includes ballet I ment sprees Few clubs arc doing steps, rope-skipping, and >»as a a n .v> biz during the week and* then clincher a back-flip landing on one clearing with the weekend foot on the wire. Musical portion Irade^ However, because of the is handled by Michael Gaylord’s 7o0-capacity at the Casino, the band with Miss Page’s trio (piano, best-looking pony line in town and drums and guitar) sitting in for j P 1 ™ 1 *’ broad sight offerings, her stint. Ray Barr conducts the ; lh is saloon continues to outdraw . threesome. Lou Weir gives out' nio - c£ other rooms, with Hammond rhythms between Topliners this week are Ming & band sets. Elic. .Ling, who return to the Casino ■ " every year, offer the same routines. Slarligltf Club. Mpls. Minneapolis. Feb. 27. i:nd. draw just, about the biggest reception ever accorded any act lo play this spot. With Ling doing Henny Youngman, Maxine Cnr- k; s impresh series and .Ming run- roll, Jimmy Hcgg, Irvina Fine n V?S . ^ - i j _. Orch (5); no cover or minimum, odics, team could stay on the floor (or a much longer period than the Dependent upon the success of ■ U me a,,oUed by Producer Natalie this initial fling at^ important names, bonifaee Jimmy Hegg has Komarova. As it is, they are about the only Toot Tootsie” and lilting "“Pretty S©YPII Sons* Omaha Bajiy” animated in the nostalgic Omaha. Feb. 24. oldtim « nltcr y ldl0m - Paul Gilbert; Lynn Tilley Trio; . Showcasing on.this small shelf $1 cover is a bit confining for so exuberant * ' _____ i a performer whose top results de- _ . I pend upon mobility on a walk- Boniface Don Hammond has ar0 und stage. Still, his impact is brought back Paul Gilbert, rapidly sufficiently good in these close rising comic. And just as happened q Uai *ters, and the response en- several months ago, Gilbert i«? jam- thusiastic. ing ,on U for Refreshing learn of Ross & WcSt; a cover has-been slapped on for playjng ils 6 fil . st date in this tcr : oak.,, nn ! ritory, provides the comedy breath- announced he’ll use other such acts act Performing hero allowed an as comedian -Hcnny Youngman. enc0 ^ Terpsters Christine & Moll who starts off the policv currentlv, “l. e ^ff e R( lvc H overlong, in some a • * . . * ' fiAAl tAMAAr AM/I I UAIT I'ttf K Ah* AAA- when availability permits. sequences and their rather con- if packed, enthused rooms for f ens 9 °f comedy and pol- the Youngman shows ai*e an. indi- ,s bed tapping fails, at times, to cation, the new policv should be ££ acb all corners of the room. _ r * . mu AtM Alt aIIax AA at ■ • t-tt It Attn AAA ffrtA in the bag. Youngman's last two local ap- Their challenge numbers are fine, particularly the femme’s toe-lap 17., __i. r>:iU D1 .f nnmoc nn . Iiwt.v, inuviucc me i-umtuj Mauur •Fk°?' iISJJSSi? £iiAwinS°a mm- er on lhe bil1 with gentle satirical I niTrt w , ltb a . pr f^ a ^ LmirSf ho Inc Pokes and inoffensive nonsense plete forward . s .® n ?® r .* aul tr n ff P 5c properly pegged for the polite set. the payees in^ his pa n. He offeis g e| » nie West) be50 g g led and toothy, rapid-fire shatter,.withi so n acts the buffoon in the team while c h v« co * n rf‘iwJ»i- n matlIriSf S R a hit Mickey Ross, Who comes on as a Some of Gilbert s "J a£ J r,al ^ yi ham actor, generally is the straight, bluish, but they seem to love u j ’ ... .. .. bere ’ They build as the audience Gilbert will head west when this ■ adapts to their brand of humor, two-week Ibooking ends Friday <5> which is of the Bob and Ray genre, to do a iob in “Three Gobs in They mock a potpourri of tv com- Paris” for U-I with Toni Curtis and mercials, knifing the typical razor Gene Nelson. Following this are blade, dog food, cigarette and bath dates at Ciro’s and Chicago’s Chez soap ads. Soap opera spoof is Paree. In addition, he has signed zany, and the big fillip is their a seven-year tv pact with NBC. comment on a new trend in nitery Lynn Tilley’ Trio, local outfit, acts, lamimoning film heavy who does an adeouate job backing Gil- ] comes to sing, dramatic reader who bert and seems to get as much of a has to biy . with drunken con- iolt outmf the comic’s-work "■ the ventloneer. and Met tenor dnd customefe 1 ’ .-Tatfltip.-* 'I punchy boxer who-team-as-a duet . nearnnees were at the swankier \ session. . Hotel Radisson Flame Room. In! _ The aero offering of Nita & , these more plebeian surroundings, i PcPP 1 ,s surefire. Team builds , the comedian, if anything, hits the [ slowly* x y°ws the patrons with a fun jackpot even more solidly. Not |'cartwheel bit which takes them .being so restricted in the use of i over and under a table and their •" material. <md in a more relaxed i nrecision tumbling from floor to mood, fc .gives hilarity a tough ‘ table with and without the aid of ’ Workout and the payees relish the two -chairs draws salvos. mirth, ' As usual at the Casino, the cho- Laughs roll off the Youngman ' »’us line is the big attraction, and assembly line explosively and con- they come through a«»ain in the tinuously as lie dishes out quips, ’ current layout beautifully cos- stories, gaes and other material ; turned and revealing enough to and also does a bit of clowning* keep attention throughoqt the lav- Somc of the patter is moss-covered : ish production items. Most elabo- and others probably more in the rate of the three presented is this New York and Florida groove, but' show' in the BraziLnumber. fcatur- the performer is so adept and in- ing the lithesome interpretive dividual in the telling and his tim- ; dancing of Manuela. whose exotic ing is so expert that he seldom charms could’ve been given better misses fire. ^ i play. Proprietor Hegg emcees the j Emcce Bill Dcegan joins with show' pleasantly. Attractive brunet dancer Willie Pargqn ..(md produc- singer Maxine Carroll warbles well lion singer Charles Danford lor and joins Youngman in some tom- his first attempt at singing and foolery. Irving Fine's orchestra minor hoofing. The action is brief also fills the' bill in backing the : and the girls joining for their big show and providing the tunes for Parisian finale cover neatly..Music dancing.* . '• Rees, i Newt. *