Variety (July 1954)

, VedneftcUy, July 21, 1954 ■—-—■—■ 1"- '* l il | l l' l WEEK OF JULY 21, 1954 NUmgralt In gonntcftyn with.bills btlow Indicate ppanlnt day af ghoyr ' whgthtr full or ipltt wMk • LCttar lii paraothtsas Indicates circuit. (I) Independent; (L) Loewi <M> Moss; ■'* <P) Paramount; <R) RKO; cs> Stoll; (T)Tivoll; (W> Warner NEW YORK C|TY Music Hall dK 22 Corps de Ballet Marilyn Murphy - Milan, Tlmotlch • Larry Griswold Glee Club Rockettes ' Sym Ore Palace (R) 23 , Graysons Bob Whalen Benny Meroff Gehrig ft . Weismuller Helene Vernon 3 Harris ft Moreland Novelloa CHICAGO Chicago (P) 23 Les Blue- Tommy Leonettl 3 Arnauts . Betty Luster MIAMI . Olympia (P> 21 Beachcombers W Hoveler Girls. Danny Drayson Rico Porchetti Gus Van AUSTRALIA Vienna Boys Choir MELBOURNE - Tivoli (T) IP Buck Warren Co Warren Latona Sparks , Dagenham Girl Pipers Maxwells _ ■_> . , O'Hagan ft Stead Rudi Grasl Johnny ' Rubber-. face” Craig Edith Crocker Co Ron Parry Gloria Dawn Frank Cleary David Sterle David Hamilton Judd Lane Adorables SYDNEY Tivoli (T) If Roy Barbpur Harry Jacobs Myrons Margaret Brown Mike Joe .ft Coco Bouna Tony Fontana JulianSomers Kerry Vaughn David .Edle ... John Bluthal . Max Blake' Choral. Group Dancing Boys Dancing Girls Mai's Thoa <T) If. 3 Daresco Charly Wood Co Frank Cook ft J Guus Brox ft M Chevalier Bros G Nelson ft C Norman Vaughan Bernice Vaughan Renlta Kramer Sonya Corheau Bert Duke ■ . „ Joy Hor6burgh Dorothy* Hall Show Girls Nudes . Dancing Boys BaUet BRITAIN ASTON Hippodrome (I) If Tony Dalton Jack Glen Cliff Owen Paul Betts Peter Kingsley Royalty Girls * BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome (M) If Mayfatrs Al Koran Levanda ft Van Keh Platt Fred Lovelie Revellers Eddie Gordon ft N Beryl. Reid Botandos- BLACKPOOL ‘ Optra House (•> IP Jimmy - Edwards Tony Hancock Joan. Turner^. Ba6si 3 . Luclenne , Bob ft Artor • Eliane ft Rodolphe Kathryn Moore Monte Norman. Corps de. Ballet 20 Tiller Girls Palace (1) If Beverley Sis Bonar Colleano Shane ft Lamar Rolf Hansen Aerial Kenways Tommy Reilly 2 Nadias Keefe 'Bros ft A Tower Circus (|)- If C Cairoll uc Paul * Knles Animals August Natsch 3 Craddocks Vivian & Tassl Knles *R Horses 2 .Cherks ... Harold Gautier Co Fattinl 4 Ramses Douglas Kossmayer, 3 Petroffs George Ruzsa 7 Eagles 2 Rassos ' ■ * ■ 10 Beer Barrel P Little Jimmy Jimmy Scott W G Pavllllon (1)1* Terry Thomas . David Whitfield Stella Moray Freddie Frinton 3 Najas Cycling Brockways F Langford Co Herbart Walton Sonnle Willis 12 Holidaymakers BOSCOMBE Hippodrome ' (I) If Jack Haig Mary Harkness Eric Williams Patricia Soleil Musical Elliotts Leslie Dowsey Earl Darhay Fisher Girls BRIGHTON Hippodrome (M) If Max Bygraves' Nitwits . . Joyce Golding K Feather Nelson Bros. Tux Co Virginia Vernon Shirley Hepburn Hippodrome (S) If Teddy Johnson Peter Sellers Pearl Carr Michael Bentine Max Geldray Mills ft Melita Lester Sharpe & I Angelos BRISTOL . Emplro (1) If George Beck Bob Gray Shirley Honky Tonk Girls . BRIXTON . Empress (I) if Archie Lewis Sandra Dome Johnny Lockwood Johnny Paul 3 J«ck Anton Alan Rowe Lorraine ft Gay te ” Ossie Morris “own White Co R«yy Alien ‘Billy Bartholomew Copa Cousins Necolettes 3 Lees derby Hlppodrpmo (3) If Doreen Harris Nat Gonnella Afrique PejrcivalX Dogs Neville Bishop Waltham ft Deyrles CHISWICK Empire (S) If -Billy Daniels*. David Nixon Henri Vadden Co Billy Baxter Les Spanglers Merle ft Marie B ft B Adams EDINBURGH Empire <M) If Lita Roza Max Bacon Bill Finch Dargie 5 Arthur Haynes R Lingana ft Diane Donald Stuart Gold & Cordell GRANADA East Ham (I) If Les Valettos Jack Anton Marian Lane Valento & Dorothy Metropolitan (I) if Eltham ft Sharp Jeretz Bro • Goldwyns De Yong & Delysia Jane Shore Co Maja & Myna MesdemoiseUeS * FINSBURY PARK Empire IM> If' Sandow Sis Betty Driver • Lee Youngsters Dlck^Jkmes Pierre Bel Suzette Tarrl Elizabeth ft Collins Saveen George Martin. GLASGOW Empire '(NO If Guy Mitchell- 3 Buffons Syd ft P Kayey Kazan ft Katz -Alphonse Berge Co 2 Courtneys Jose Moreno Co Rey Overbury ft S LEICESTER Palace (S) If Benny Lee Robin Richmond Ken Wilson Graham Bros Michels Alec Pleon Brazillanos LEEDS Empire (M) If Lee Lawrence Morgan ft Manning Owen McGiveney Nixon ft Dixon Ruddy Bolly Harry Halley Sally ft Charles LIVERPOOL Empire <M) If Josef Locke 2 Valettos BUI Waddington Les Dounos Rolf Hansen Pen Yeu Jen Co Wrleht ft. Marrlon MANCHESTER Hippodrome <S) If David Hughes G H Elliott Morecambe & Wise 2 Shinway Billy Danvers Fayne ft Evans Manning & J Lea Lorranlne Roy Belles NEWCASTLE Empire (M) If J ft J Bentley Bonar Colleano Walthon ft Dorraine Billy. Makam Peter Cavanagh Frances Duncan Albert Sturm Don Peters NORTHAMPTON New <l). If Harry Shlels Harry Dawson 3 Astaires Erik Lelfson Carol Gatlejf Roma Ferrl 3 .Toledos MarUyn Girls • NORWICH Hippodrome (I) Charlie EUle WUton Co Angelina Amar ft Alans Paris Lovelies If NOTTINGHAM . Empire (M) If Eatoir ft O’Dell. Moreton ft Kaye Richman ft Jacksoii Clifford Guest Vogelbeins Bears Dickie Henderson Olga VaToha Authors ft Swlnson Tt,: PORTSMOUTH ea Royal (M) If L Martino Hal ft W Mack Connor & Drake. Mary Priestman ’ Joe Church 2 Peters Jimmy Jeff ft* J . SHEFFIELD' Empire (M) If Denis- Bros ft J Morton Frasers Brian Andro G ft A DOonah Tony Brent Rusty < ■ Pharos ft Marina Bobble CoUlns SWANSEA Empire (Ml if Dickie Valentine Ray & J Penn ‘ Hackford & Doyle Allen. Bros ft J Phil Darban ft W David Berglas 3 Hellos WOLVERHAMPTON Hippodrome <l) If. Danny O’Dea Conrad , Vince Franklyns Goya 3 ‘ Bob ft R Rems Beams Girls . YORK Empire (I) If Denise Vane Dick Montague Penny Lee Dick ft R Ray G Gaye ft. Blaine 3 Georginas Lovelies. Cabaret Bills NEW YORK CITY Basin St Benny Goodman Blue Angei Jonathan Winter Martha Davis Calvin Ponder Stan Freeman. Trade Adams Bart Howard Jlipmy Lyons'Trio Deo De Lyon Bon Soir Jimmie Daniels Mae BarneS Charlotte Rae Jimmy Komack Norene Tate Three Flames Copacauane Al Berate Dolores Hawkins Delta Rhythm Boys Ramona Lang- M Durso Ore • Frank Marti Ore Drift Inn. Cedrone & Mitchell Ruby Hill Ray Hartley No. | Fifth Ave Bob Downey Harold FonvlUo Hazel Webster Oht Roumanian Sadie Banks Joe LaPorte Ore D’Aqulla Ore Hotel Aster ' Sammy Kaye Ore . Hotel New Yorker* Ed ft WUma Leary Jo Barnum Steve Kisley Ore Dee Drummond Frank SoneU Hotel Pk Aheraton MUt Herth Trio Joan Bishop Hotel Roosevelt Lenny Herman Ore Hotel Statler Ted Weems Ore Hotel Taft Vincent Lopez Ore xatln Quarter Bernard Bros Szonys Jane Morgan 7 Ashtons Ralph Young Plroska Art Waner Ore B Hurlowe Ore ' Versailles 'Nice To See You' Fay DeWitt . . Don Liberto Lou Nelson Dorothy Keller Patti Ross Linda Lombard. Margy Duncan Paula Stewart Carol Ohmart Salvatore Gioe Ore Panchlto Ore Village Barn Vickie Barry Joel Shaw Ore Dale ft Mullen Joe Furst Piute Pete Rachel EUen Waldorf-Astoria Freddy Martin EUeen O’Dare Mischa Bdrr Ore Manolo. Mera Village Vanguard Robert L L Bennett C Williams Trio CHICAGO . Black Orchid Telicia Sanders Dr Arthur EUen Stan Wilson R Kerpaya Duo Blue Angel Sam Manning Whalebone WUUe Lady Jamaica Princess Orelia Lord Carlton Lady Trinidad D’Lacy Quartet Blue Note Louis Armstrong Velma Middleton Chez Pare# Georgie Kaye Norman Brooks Louis Trio B Farnon Ore Rodriguez Rhumba Idgewatar Batch Marguerite Piazza Di Gltanos D HUd Dcrs D LaSalle Ore Palmer House Dorothy Shay Darvas ft Julia Charlie Fisk Ore tos ANGELES Ambassador Hotel Los Chavales de Espana N Brandwynne Ore Band Box Wanda Curtis Jack Prince Larry AUen Rickie Layne Arnold Dover Larry Green Trio Bar «f Music Dwight Flake Odette MyrtU Dick Hazard Ore Blltmore Hotel Weire Bros (3) Allan & Ashton Bob Douglas Hal Derwin Ore Giro's Sophie Tucker MIAMI-Mli Bar of Musle Bill Jordan > Hal Fisher Harvey Bell Beth ChaUis Gina Valenta Ethel Davis Fred Thompson Beachcomber Martha Raye NoVelites (3) George DeWitt Condos ft Brandow Len Dawson Ore Bombay Hotel Jean Burkette Russ Arno Peter Mack Dorothy Vincent , Brook Club Michael Strange Beverly Kenney Tony Matas Clever Club Lillian Roth Ted Lawrie MarUyn Hightower Tony Lopez Ore Selma Marlowe Llnf Woody Woodbury Dick Stabile Ore Bobby Ramos Ore Charley Foy's Carl Ravazza Gogi Grant J Black Ore Mocambo Eartha Kltt Paul Hebert Ore Moulin Rouge Chiquita ft Johnson Rudy Cardenas DeCastro Sis (3) B Minevitch H R - Tony Gentry Circus Barbettes (5) Gina Genardi Fluff Charlton Bob Snyder Ore Statler Hotel Celeste Holm Skinnay Ennis Ore iMI BEACH Five O'clock Belle Barth Dick HaU Don Ostro Ore. Leon A Eddie's Lois De Fee Lynn Star Rose Ann Rita Marlow >■ Charlotte Watere. Di Lido Hetal Sammy Walsh Martin, and Malo Freddy. Calo Ore Nautilus Hotel • Buddy Lester Eddie Snyder Antone ft Ina.. Sid Stanley Oro Sans Soucl Hofei Eileen Barton Sacasas Ore Ann Herman Dcrs Anne Barnett Saxony Hotel Paul Grey Martha A Beiitley Tano ft Deo 1 Nlrva Kandy Carapo Oro Johnny sSUvers Ore Roney Plaza , i Johnny Pineapple ‘ Hgwaiai) Rev Vagabonds Ic# Rev of '84 Mary Jtna Lawson Johnny Flanagan Mr*.ar oro IAS VE6AS, NEVADA Flamingo Terry Moore ' Alan King Silver Slipper Sally Rand Hank Henry . The Appletons Eve Marley Sparky Kaye BUI Willard Jimmie' Cavanaugh Dasarf inn Palladium Revue • Sahara Martha Raye Kirby Stone 4 Amin Bros Last Frontier E. Albert & Margo l^rquis FaihUy II Cortes Rose Murphy Golden Nugget Moran ft O'Connor Ed Ford ft Whitey Sands .. Ziegfeld Follies Frank Sinatra George Tapps . Dancers • El Ranche Vegas Aim Sothera Doodles & Skeeter \ Thunderblrd Dorotby Collins Jay Lawrence ' DunhUls Patio Dinah Washington RENO - Stateline Ted Lewis Rev Mapes Helen Yraubel Lord Buckley D Arden Dancers Eddie Fitzpatrick ore New Golden Shecky : Green Russell Arms Bud ft Cece . Golden Girls Will Osborne ore Riverside Peggy Lee Marquis FamUy Riverside Starlets BIU CUfford Ore LAKE TAHOE Cal-Neva Don Arden Dancers Frankie Lalne . Cal-Vada Jonl James Allen ft -DeWood Ike Carpenter Ore HAVANA Montmartre Benny Moore G A Guedes Rita Montaner Leopoldo Fernandez Miml Cal Chirto Wong. * Matamoros Trio' Nancy ft Renny Sonia Caleepo. AlonBO BaUet Troplcana S de Espana Orq Celia Cruz . • Rehe ft C Delaine Mano Lopez Marta ft Aliexandei Paulina Alvarez. Bertica ft.Rolando Orlando de la Rosa Klko Gonsalves A Romeu Orq - Senen Suarez Orq Unit Review Aqua Follies of 1054 Minneapolis, July 17. June Taylor, Norma Dean, Char- lie Diehl, Oribin Harvey, Joe Ma- rino, Bob Maxwell, Johnny Simp- son, Jim Strong, Tommy Thompson, Eddie Chamberlain, Rufe Davis, Howard Hardin, Ted & Flo Vallett, Don Strong, : Sabina, Virginia Sellers, Burt Hanson, Four Sing- ing Guys, Aqua Water Dears (24), Aqua Dancing Darlings it Show Girls (28), Barnett Orch' (18); produced, and stagejd by Al Shee- han; water ballet director, Helen Starr; stage ballet director, Dorothy | Lundstrom; lighting effects, Jack Higgins; music arrangements, James McLeod; costuming, John M. Williams,- Wirth Pool, Minne- apolis, July 14-25; $3.30 top. • This is . the 15th edition of Al Sheehan's locally produced com- bination water spectacle and stage extravaganza, “Aqua Follies,” al- ways one of the leading attractions of the Minneapolis Aquatennial, as annual summer mardi gras. . Each of these shows has been more pretentious and bigger and better than its predecessor and that goes for the current offering, which sets a new high for the event in entertainment, splash, splendor, color, spectacle and all- around customer enjoyment. With their diving exhibitions and clowning, water ballets and stage production numbers and acts, these “Follies” necessarily follow a set pattern. Like ice shows, circuses and rodeos, they can vary little from year to year, although each, of course, manages to include some new performers and features. Here, however, in this land of lakes where swimming is one of the top outdoor sports they’ve become as much of an in- stitution as. the annual “Ice Fol- lies” and, apparently, a once-a- year “must” with an enormous ready-made clientele. Current production, like all of the other editions, has excellent swimming and stag£ talent. Its water star, June Taylor, is tops in the art of synchronized ballet swimming. The divers rate among the nation’s best. Ditto the diving clowns who unfailingly convulse the audience with their zany high jinks. The 24 Aqua Dears go through their intricate water bal- let formations with perfect preci- sion and rhythm. On the stage, Howard Hardin not only proves to be a smooth and breezy emcee and adept story teller, but also a comedy juggler of the first order. Rufe Davis also gets laughs * with his sound imitations and songs. Sabina is an accomplished Violinist virtuoso with plenty on the showmanship ball, while aero dancers and baton twirlers Ted & Flo Vallet gener- ate substantial palm pounding. The vocalistics of Virginia Sel- lers and Burt Hanson and the « » j • i 4S Four Singing Lads** providing the vocal background for- the pool and stage doings, and Don Strong’s rope .spinning in & Round-Up pro- duction number, are much on the credit side, too. Following its 12 nights in Minne- apolis, the “Follies” goes into ^Seattle for an annual summer fes- tival and fortnight engagement there before disbanding- Rees. sss' Continued. from page 3 record and see what you’ve done before.” Spiegel, who just returned from a three-week trip abroad, said he found ready coin via co-production deals 'and government subsidies particularly, available in France, Italy, England and Spain. “In some cases,”- he said, “the sub-. ' sidies arc^ so enormous, you can finance your next picture.” As ex? plained by Spiegel, here's the way it works: To get started, the Amer- ican producer must make a picture | in cooperation with a native pro- duction company. After the first picture is completed, the govern- ment starts working for you by paying a subsidy calculated on the receipts of the picture. In Italy, for example, ^ is 18% of the do- mestic receipts- of the picture at the b.o. In France, it’s slightly less. Lots of Private Coin In addition, Spi,egel noted, there’s beaucoup private coin around via investors who want to convert the local soft currency to hard dollars that the resultant pic- ture might earn in the U. S. “It’s mainly people who have been in the picture business and who can recognize the value of a good pack- age when they see it,” he ex- plained. In the U. S., while the subsidy angle is lacking, Spiegel, said the major distribs and the banks are anxious to provide the financing for indies who can present top- notch package deals. His current “On- the Waterfront,” which has been selected for showing at the upcoming Venice Film Festival, was financed by Columbia and the Chase National Bank. Picture, being distributed by Col, will hit the nation’s theatres shortly. Elia Kazen, who directed, and Budd Schulberg, who wrote the screen- play, have a participation arrange- ment with Spiegel bn the film which stars Marlon Brando. It was in connection with “Waterfront” that Spiegel made his trek abroad, mainly to show the picture to the Venice selection committee. The group, according to Spiegel, made a last-minute change in its rules to allow the late entry of “Waterfront,” thus giv- ing the U. S. a representation of four pix instead of v the stipulated three. Spiegel also discussed the foreign release of the film with Col reps abroad. It’s set, he said, for the Gaumont-British circuit for late October. On the basis of the early acclaim “Waterfront” has received, Spiegel is readying another project in co- operation with Kazen. Like “Waterfront,” which was filmed wholly on location in Hoboken, N. J., the new film, set to roll in the spring, will be another location job. The site this time will be Connecticut. Spiegel was reluctant to reveal the contents of the new film, but disclosed that it’ll be based on a play by Paul Osborn, with Osborn writing the screen- play. Between -now and the Osborn project, Spiegel said he would make a picture in England, involv-* ing a co-production arrangement between his Horizon-American company and its British counter- part, Horizon-British. As with the Connecticut-localed .film, he de- clined to discuss the story ma- terial, saying it would be based on one of two books he was consider- ing. “If they know I’m interest- ed,” he said, “the price might go up.” Spiegel as yet hasn’t made any financing arrangements on either of the upcoming productions. “I’ll make the deals when the cast and the complete package is set.” he said, “Otherwise I’d be talking in a vacuum. The only way for a producer to make arrangements for financing and distribution is to have the whole package ready.” He disclosed, however, that Columbia was “anxious” for both pictures. * House Reviews Palatic, N. V. Alex & Galina t Jan & Evie Gale, Apus & Estrellita, Estelle & Al- fonso, . Roy Benson, The Renowns (3), Alan Carney, Tokayer Troupe (6); Jo Lombardi House Orch; “The Diamond Wizard” ( UA) re- viewed in Variety July 14, ’54. A bit of tightening should elimi- nate the creaks from the current Palace card. Some acts, especially during the early portion of the bill, ' could cut down on the less pointed sections of thier turn, and thus the overall bill would benefit. Layout runs longer than is usual here, but the cutting down process would make this program more compact and remove a lot of dull time)' For example, the vet. Apus 8c Estrellita could telescope their gab sessions, selecting only some of the better lines. It’s their song and dance work at the close of their act that excites the applause. The same holds true of Estelle & Alfonso, Latin aero dancer and conga drum- mer. Opening stretches' seem form- less ahd devoid of any exciting ma- terial, however, as they get going they provide a reason to get some applause and they' walk off to a handsome mitting. Same could apply to some of the New Acts at this show. Reviewed separately are Jag) & Evie Gale, Alex & Galina and The Renowns (3). The Palace regulars do fairly well. In the next-to-closing slot is Alan Carney who has a routine that’s become familiar to the Palace patronage. However, that - doesn’t hamper its complete ac- ceptance, His topper," the various soapboxers in dialect, gets him off to an excellent mitt. Also in the Comedy vein, Roy Benson does very well. His patter and magic are similarly familiar, but they get across handsomely. Benson clocks a regular share of laughs. The Tokayer Troupe (6), closing, provides a hot curtain with some fine, teeterboard formations. Top- pers are somersaults into an ele- vated chair and a high triple- somersault into an 18-foot basket. The crowd applauds lustily. In the usual position is Jo Lom- bardi, batoning the house orch for solid backing. to the acts. DavO Bines adds to' the show with his good light plots. Jose. Olympia, Miami Miami, July 16. Gene Barry, Billy Gilbert, Ted Lawrie, Marilyn Hightower and Selma Marlowe Dancers, Les Rhode House Orch; “Capt. Kidd & The Slave Girl” (Col). Duo of filmites in the topliner slots, combined with local Clover Club production setup, looks to tote up sock boxoffice results this week. Personable Gene Barry is an equipped songster with a better in- person act than most of the Holly- wood contingent. Barry’s full-rang- ing baritone is applied to a care- fully staged series of compositions with accent on Special material. At times there is too much accent on the arrangements. Overall, smooth delivery and artful stage deport- ment add to values, keeping stub- holders with him all the way. Billy Gilbert makes his annual return and, per every outing, keeps them happy throughout a diversi- fied stint fortified by the knowhow acquired through the years. The mixture of gab, jokes, songs and the trademarked sneezing sequence squeeze plaudits from material that, in other hands, would be on the mild side. Offed to resounding returns. Selma Marlowe line, long fea- tured at the Clover Club, make for sprightly moments with bright, intelligent terp patterns handled in zestful manner by the sextette of dancers. Marilyn Hightower, with, her toe-spins and whirls, gets enthusiastic palming and Ted Lawrie sets himself as a highly capable song-dance man. He’s best in the song department with a catalog that includes French and Yankee pops. t Les Rhode and house orch snov?- back in fine style. Lary. Fisher, Mills Bros. Set For Illinois Fair Show St.. Louis, July ‘20. Eddie Fisher and the Mills Bros, have been inked for the DuQUoin, 111., State Fair that tees off 32d con- secutive season Aug. 29 and winds up Labor Day. The fair, second only to the one held at Springfield, 111., drew 4Q0,- 000 payees last year, setting up a new attendance record for a fair in Little Egypt.