Variety (October 1955)

68 yAftlETY Wednesday, October 19 , 1955 VARIETY BILLS WEEK OF OCTOBER 19 Numerals In connection with bill* below Indicate opening day of show whether full or split week Letter In parentheses Indicates circuit. (I) Independent; (L) Loew; (M) Moss; IP) paramount; <R> RKO; (S) Stoll; <T) tlvoll; <W) Warner NEW YORK CITY Music Hall (I) 17 Corps de Ballet Lee & Swenson Rockettes Glee Club Evalyn Tyner Less Dassies William Upshaw Kathryn Kelly Palace (P) If Wells & 4 Fays Bobrow Bro Rigoette Bro Cortney & Horne Charles S. Timblin Bill Lawrence Don Cummings Karpls 3 CHICAGO Chicago (P) 21 Joni James Florian Zabach Oriotes Guy Marks Rich Be Gibson AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE Tivoli (T) 17 Wiere Bros Trio Gypsy Alain Diagora Upshaw & Cooper Red Moore Ken Littlewood 4 Knights June Barton J’s'ph’n McCormack Dancing Boys 14) Ballet Girls (16) SYDNEY Tivoli (T) 17 N Miller Dcrs (10) Michael Bentine Howell & Radclilfe Neal & Newton. Gogia Pasha Virginia Paris The Alfreros (3) BRITAIN Morlands Ursula 8c Gus Gordon Humphrls Johnny O'Connor John Bluthal Irene Bevans Dancing Boys (2) Ballet Girls (12) WELLINGTON St James (N Zealand) (T) 17 Winifred Atwell Canfield Smith Eddie Vitch Joe Church Three Hellos Romaine & Claire Robert O'Donnell Fay Agnew Wendy Layton Maureen Hudson Dancing Boys (3) Nudes (6) Ballet (10) I ASTON Hippodrome 0> 17 Horler 2 Peter Reynor B Wareham & Babs Jimmy, Mac & P Manlev Sc Austin Bill Giles Syd Seymour Co BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome (M) 17 Eddie Calvert De Vere Girls Jimmy James Kazan & Katz Kirdites Reg Russell 8c S Maria Pavlou Jeffrey Leaner BLACKPOOL Palace (I) 17 Terry-Thcmas Wilson Keppel & Betty Bruce Low Hollander & Hart Hans Bela 8c M Harry Benet Anton 8c Janetta BOSCOME Hippodrome (I) 17 Sid fllakln A 8c V Farell Doreen Victor Eric Williams Mary Harkness Pyjama Girls BRIXTON Empress (I) 17 David Hughes Jimmy Wheeler Fayne 8c Evans Audrey Jeans The Marvellos O’Keefe Bros 8c A Bruce Forsyth Francois 8c Zandra CHELSEA Palace (1) 17 Clarkson Rose Olive Fox Billy Burden John Vicars Shirley Brett Norman Vaughan Clrrkson Rosebuds Co DERBY Hippodrome (M) 17 Ronnie Hilton Kodell Tevrv O’Neil PeggV Haig Fred Atkins Les Ricards Sisto & Partner McKinnon Sis EAST HAM Granada Thea. (I) 17 Joe Henderson Terry Walsh 3 Molins & Domini 2 Heinkes Peter Ross EDINBURGH Empire (M) 17 Guy Mitchell Renee Dvmott Balladinis Martin Granger’s Co Shan Baker & Douglas Freddie Harrison FINSBURY PARK Empire (M) 17 David Whitefield Lane 2 Harry Bailey Matanzas Larenty Tr Paul & Peta Page Sonny Ro.v Alexander's Dogs GLASGOW ] Empire (Mi 17 Danny Purches Jackson Bow 8c Darnel Albert Burdua Will Hannah B 8c A" Pearson M & B West Rob Murray 2 Boris HACKNEY Empire (M) 17 Radio • Revellers Morton Frazer's Harmonica Gang Billie Wyner Billy Scott Ron Parry Aerial Kenways Hollyw'd Marion’tes Kay & Kimberley HANLEY Thea. Royal (M) 17 Ray Burns Bunty St. Clare S & M Harrison Larry Macari 5 Timmy Jeff & J Vogelbein’s Bears Leeds Empire CM) 17 Ella' Logan 2 Mayfaixs Chic Murray 8c M Nelson Bros Nordics Bill Waddington Allan Kemble & C Dargie 4 LONDON Hippodrome (M) 17 Johnnie Ray Flying De Pauls Devine 8c King , Billy Dainty Itih Aruso Stan Stennett Theda Sis Harry Worth Vic Lewis Orch George Carden Co MANCHESTER Hippodrome (M) 17 A1 Martino Teddy Foster Orch Joe Black loan K?yne 2 Maxwells George Meaton N 8c P Lundon NEWCASTLE Empire (M) 17 Crew-Cuts Sylvia 8t Adurey Bobby Monahan Kordas Konyots Mundy 8c Earle Fred Lovell© Scott's Sea Lions NORTHAMPTON New (I) 17 Sandy Powell Norma Meadows Kay White L 8c E Bartell Vicky Fitzpatrick Frank Wilson Marie De Vere 3 Co NORWICH Hlopcdrome (I) 17 Cyril Dowler Bobby Handers Gretc F Langfords Co NOTTINGHAM Empire (M) 17 Harry Lester’s Co Del Cortina Louise Co PORTSMOUTH Thea. Royal (M) 17 Gladys Morgan Seaton & Odell 5 Skyliners Rusty Dennis Hale Bobby Collins Connor & Drake SHEFFIELD Empire (M) 17 Deep River Boys Clarkson & Leslie Musical Elliotts Shipway 2 Saveen Harry Allen Co Joe Crosbie Davlys Dogs SOUTHAMPTON Grand (I) 17 Davy Kaye Brian Grey Ladies Godiver John Killick Derek Dixon Dee - Dee Lane Blue Streak Harry Mullins Bop Kids Tommy & ~ ’via SWANSEA Empire (M> 17 Carroll Levis Edmund Goffron Averil 8c .Aurel Fklcorts B do B Adams WOLVERHAMPTON Hippodrome (1) 17 Glyn Edwards ' ’ ’ Yootha Joyce Ivor Salter YORK Empire (I) 17 Ted Alex Bobby Thompson Edna Dean Gene Patton Michael Hilbert Terry Moore June Balmer Gloria Jansen Michael Hill Johnny Daw Tatler Girls Mae Barnes Flames Blue Angel Lucienne De Lyle Martha Davis 8c Spouse Foursome Cafe Society Steve Gibson Redcaps Chateau Madrid Luis De Caceres Dora & Betty Julie Romero Ralph Font Ore La Plaza 6 Copacabana Nat (King) Cole Tony Foster Fran Leslie Meri Miller Jimmy Cisco Michael Durso Ore Frank Martin Ore Composer John Mehegan 3 Bernard Pfeiffer Embers Dorothy Donegan Jonah Jones No. 1 Fifth Av* Cedrone & Mitchell Virginia De Luce Bob Downey Harold Fonvllle Hazel Webster Hotel Ambassador Chauncey Gray Ore Jani Sarkozi Quintero Ore Hotel Plaza Los Chavales Trini Reyes Ted Straeter Ore Mark Monte Ore Hotel Pierre Mimi Benzell Stanley Melba Ore Dornan Bros. Hotel Rdesevelt Eddy Howard Ore Tommy Purcell Ore .Hotel Statler Les Elgart Ore Hotel Tan Vincent f.op»'7 Ore - Hotel St. Regis Fernanda Monlel Milt Shaw Ore Ray Bari Ore catln Quarter Frankie Laine Frank Libuse Chiquita & Johnson Margot .Brander Mazzone-Abbott Dcr Tamar Benjsamy Lynn Christie Howard Mann Jo Lombardi Ore B Harlowe Ore Le Ruban Bleu Jones Boys Penny Malone Don Adams Joya Sherrill Bob Mayberry Norman Paris 3 La Vie Buddy Hackett Gina 8c Gerardo Van Smith Ore Le Cupiden Jimmy Komack Jerome Courtland Kathy Barr Ira Brandt Ore Armando Federico Old Roumanian Gene Baylos Danny Mason Sadie Banks Lillian Hayes Joe Laporte Ore D’Aquila Ore Park Sheraton Jaan August Eddie Layton Two Guitars Olga Karpis Eugene 8c Sonia Andrei Hamshay Misha Usdanoff Kostya Poliansky Ore Versailles Edith Piaf Salvatore Gloe Ore Panchito Ore Viennese Lantern Monica Boyar Sigrid Ernest Schoen Ore Paul Mann Village Barn Jerry Bergen Ronnie Hayden Larry McMahon Pat Harrington Stella Bergen D. Davis Ore Waldorf-Astoria Harry Belafonte Nat Brandywynne Ore Mischa Borr Ore Village Vanguard Enid Mosier Sylvia Syms Steel Trio C Williams Trio CHICAGO Black Orchid The Mello-larks Terry Haven Celal Inge Blue Angel "Calypso Frolics" Lydia Lora Lord Carlton Vazquez Sisters Dolores Martiniqua King Rudolph Blue Note Turk Murphy Johnny Pate Trio Chez Pare# McGuire Sisters Gary Morton The Shyrettos Brian Farnon Ore Cloister Inn Morgana King Lurlean Hunter Dick Marx Johnny Frigo Conrad Hilton “Carnival On Ice” Victor Charles Lou Folds Fred Hirschfeld Le Due Bros Johnny Lee The Ogelvles Dave Parks Robert Lenn The Tattlers Boulevar-Dears St Boulevar-Dons F Masters Ore Palmer House "Boast of the Town" Will Jordan Arthur Worsley Augie' 8c Margo Gillian Grey Empire Eight Charlie Fisk Ore London House Don Shirley Mr. Kelly's Beverly Paradise Bobby Short Jimmy Bowman tos ANGELES Ambassador Hotel Ted Lewis Jackie Warner & Shirley McGuire Susan Brooks Eddie Le Roy & Short Twins Two Debs & A Date Charlotte Dewey A1 Lewis Ore (12) Band Box Billy Gray Beverly Hudson Jack Hilliard Mike Ross Skeets Minton Voluptua Larry Greene Trio Bar of Music Ed Hennessy Flora Fiese Mack Twins Beverly Hilton Marion Marlowe Mata 8c Hari Bernard Hilda Orch (16) Micha Novy Ore (8) Blltmore Hotel Henny Youngman Helen Forrest Toy 8c Wing Hal. Derwin Ore • Ciro's Marla Cole Rickie Layne Amin Bros Maria - Neglla Hal Loman Geri Galian Ore Dick Stablie Ore Crescendo Hi-Lo’s Ray Baxter Tony Martinez Ore Mocambo Dinah Washington Paul Hebert Ore. Marco Rizo Rhumba Ore Moulin Rouge Peters Sis Marquis Family Andrea Dcrs The Cabots Peiro Bros Ffolliott Charlton Jerry Gray Ore Statler Hotel Dorothy Shay A1 Donahue Ore Belaire Trio LAS VEGAS NEW TORK CITY Birdland Jeri Southern Terry C-lbbs Miles Davis Bon Solr Portia Nclf-on Tony 8c Eddie Jimmie Daniels- Dunes Howard Keel Kean Sis Ray Malone Dune Dancers Jay Rubanoff Ore • Flamingo Rltz Bros Mary French Y-Knot TWirlers Starlets Garwood Van Ore Thunderbird Mickey Shaugnessy Mon Van Vooren Irving Fields 3 Estelita & Chicuelo Thunderbird D'c'r’s Barnet Rawlings A1 Jahns Ore El Rancho vegas Eartha Kitt Lenny Kent Cover Girls Ted Flo Rito Ore Sahara Marlene Dietrich Jean Carroll Saharem D’c’r's Cee Davidson Oro Sands Vic Damone Jack Carter Copa Girls Antonio Morrelll Ore Desert Inn Guy Lombardo Jack Durant Don Arden Dncrs Carlton Hayes Ore New Frontier Patrioe Murtsel • Genet Sheldon .. Wilder Bros Dorben Dancers ' Garwood Van Ore Riviera Kathryn Grayson Phil Foster Marx Bros. Hal Belfer Dncrs Ray Sinatra Ore Showboat Wally Vernon Garr Nelson Johnny Savage Music Masters Golden Nugget Harry Ranch Ore Wingy Manone Four Dukes Ray Reynolds 3 Moulin Rouge Lionel Hampton Rev. Silver Slipper Gorgeous George Arlene Cliff Ferre Sparky Kayo Denise Bennett Jimmy Cavanaugh George Redman Ore El Cortez Yvonne Moray Romaine Brown Laurie Sis D, Kramer Dcrs Woody Woodbury Star Kings Sherman Hayes Oro MIAMI-MIAMI beach San Soucl Hotel Bob Melvin Cathy Ryan Freddy Calo Ore Ann Herman Dcrs Bombay Hotel v Ava Williams Peter Mack Fontainebleau Davis & Reese Diahann Carroll Sacasas Ore Balmoral Hotel Enrica & Novello Sonny Kendis Ore Wayne Carmichael 5 O'clock Tommy Raft H. S. Gump A1 Golden Parisian Rev Clover Club The Continentals (4) Del Forrest Dottie Dagmar Winnie Hoveler Dcs Elena Rankin Benson Duo Len Dawson Ore Empress Hotel Stuart 8c Samara Mandy Campo Ore Jack Kerr Saxony Hotel Janet Brace Chan Canasta Dave. Lester Orch Johnny Silvers Ore Robert Rhodes Sea Isle Hotel S Hoffman Ore Patsy Abbott Vanity Fair Othella Dallas Chico Cuban Boys Arlene Fontana Sorrento Hotel Alan Kole Ore Johnlna Hotel Dell Staton Trio Andy Martin Quartet Roney Plaza Juan & Jose Cortez Ore Place Plgallt The Wick-Wacks Bobbie Lynn Fausto Curbelo Ore Leon & Eddie's Lisa Lynn Darlene Kellar Dagmar Girls Troplcana Gloria & Rolando Meckansant Singers Emelita Dago Nancy Moren Maria Julia Henry Boyer Paul Diaz Troplcana Ballet S Suarez Orq A' Romeu Orq HAVANA Montmartre Zenia Pedro Vargas Carlos Amador Angelita Castant Orlando Montes Olga Gulllot Montmartre Ballet Casino Playa Orq Fajardo Orq RENO Mapes° Skyroom Carl Ravazza Slcylets Eddie Fitzpatrick New Golden Chris Powell Blue Flames Rowan & Martin Royal Whirlwinds D. Kramer Dcrs. Will Osborne Ore Riverside Paul Gilbert Victor Julian Starlets (8) BUI Clifford Ore Economic TV ■ Continued from page 2 --• call his shots on budgets with com¬ plete accuracy. If he goes over •budget, the money comes out of his own pocket. If he goes under, the saving accrues to the distrib¬ utor. And in going under, the product likely will lose its intend¬ ed quality. (A major problem facing UA as well as other distributors is that indie producers whom they’re bankrolling often go seriously over budget and the financier must shell out the extra revenue in order to salvage the production.) France As HQ A Paris resident the past five years, Reynolds related he worked out a deal with United Artists to produce “Intrigue” abroad at a cost of $600,000, with UA to finance and distribute. At the early blueprint stage, though, film company execs offered to up the figure to $700,000, this on the theory that a better picture would develop. Reynolds said he recalls the expressions of surprise among the UA-ites when he told them he didn’t need the extra coin to bring in the pic he had in mind. As it turned out, “Intrigue” was wrapped up at $598,000 negative. “I went wrong by $2,000,” com¬ mented Reynolds. The producer doesn’t go along with others in the trade who in¬ sist that film-making abroad means less expense than in Hollywood. As a matter of fact, he said, lo- cationing on foreign terrain could entail a greater outlay of invest¬ ment if the producer lacks savvy about local conditions in each area. A functionary in Paris could hold up shooting a street scene for weeks or months, for example. The solution lies in knowing how to cut the redtape to obtain a per¬ mit or, failing this, to induce the localites to look the other way when the cameras are rolling. Processing of backgrounds can be done with good effect at the Coast studios, Reynolds went on, but this still doesn’t give him the fluidity of movement that’s pro¬ vided via lensiiig on each location. It’s for this reason, he said, that he choice the various sites on the Continent for “Intrigue.” As, for .casting, Reynolds believes there’s important value in spotting local names in his pix. The part of a Swedish girl in “Intrigue” is played by Ingrid Tulean, who actu¬ ally is a Swede and prominent in her native land. Because of the natives’ “pride of possession,” his film ought to have a boxoffice headstart when it plays the Scan¬ dinavian areas, Reynolds believes. Also in the film are Genevieve Page, who’s French, and Robert Mitchum, regarded by the pro¬ ducer as “an international star.” Reynolds Is in Gotham for quickie confabs with the UA execs on distribution plans for the pic and returns to Paris this upcoming weekend. He has tentative plans to do a comedy as his next the¬ atrical enterprise but has made no distribution commitments re this. No Bearish Spirit in Vegas -—= Continued from pag;e 64 shot that money will be harder to come by. The central gambling area of Vegas, the w.k. “Glitter Gulch” of Fremont St. with its many casinos, can outride any temporary financial setbacks. Away From Hubs The other two spas located away from any of the gambling hubs are the El Cortez Hotel and the Show- boat. Both are operated by William Moore Jr., who at one time was the principal owner of the old Last Frontier. The El Cortez, not a “resort” hotel, gets-the play from commercial travelers and has been a hangout for Las Vegans. On a moderate show’ budget, the Pirates Den nitery room is currently on the r&b kick with Romaine Brown & His Romaines, frantic tootlers on the Haley Comet order. A Vegas perennial is tiny Yvonne Moray, who chirps her innuendoes for solid returns, and further show dressing is supplied by the Doro¬ thy Kramer Dancers, with Sher¬ man Hayes orch the house band. The Showboat was to have opened up a new “Strip” on the highway leading from Vegas to Boulder Dam. After Moore built it, the Desert Inn leased the casino until April of this year, when they exited, leaving the entire works up to Moore. He immediately closed off the big nitery room, which al¬ ternated as a bingo parlor, to con¬ centrate entertainment on a “Show Bar.” An area was lopped off the casino, curtained, and given a tiny stage behind a semi-circular bar. In such intimate surroundings (seats 160), are generally booked a comic, stripper, and a house line of four chicks with regular emcee- warbler Garr Nelson, and house combo Mike Werner Orch. Wally Vernon is the current comic, sounding forth with a pallid col¬ lection of jokes, yet does manage to enliven his wan routines with some screwball terping. Peeler Scarlett Rebel reveals a nifty chas¬ sis while legging about in all di¬ rections, and the line has brief flings to open and close, utilizing the resounding bary pipes of Garr Nelson. No records will be set with the combination, but this off-Strip spa is holding up mainly through the inception of daily packaged flights from Los Angeles. This “Air Par¬ ty” deal costing $25 includes din¬ ner, two drinks, $10 in chips and* roundtrip via Western Air Lines. Two spots on the Strip are also winging in quickie sojourners for that $25 plus $2.50 tax—the Thun¬ derbird and the New Frontier’s lusty annex, the Silver Slipper. Out of Bog The New Frontier is gradually climbing out from its financial bog. Some ambitious plans are on the boards for this hotel, encompassing 100 new rooms and refurbishing of the old Last Frontier architecture to. blend ’ with the contemporary styling of the new million-plus casino and nitery room. The lat¬ ter, called the Venus Room, is the best-appointed, best-designed room dn Vegas, and will stand alongside any in the country, where current¬ ly making her initial, and perhaps only, nitery appearance is Patrice Munsel. Another refugee from the Metopera to these silver-edged shores, Miss Munsel is causing plenty of comment with her lavish¬ ly mounted, expensively collated Vegas preem. In support of the diva is Gene Sheldon, who gathers in continu¬ ous chuckles during his banjo- plucking sequence, and builds into sizable yocks for some panto non¬ sense with his wife, Peggy, as the harassed foil. Wilder Bros., three out of a onetime fraternal quintet playing cocktaileries, are on their way to become a unit in demand for prime or deuce slots here. As evident, much work has been put into the act, with best bets for accolades their saxophone trio, “Holiday For Strings,” warbling gimmicks in “Mississippi Mud,” and amusing three-part round of “Keep Moving.” Dorothy Dorben line carries on with eye-filling holdovers, “Heat Wave,” and “Hor¬ oscope,” with the Garwood Van orch smoothly plying all the back¬ ground measures. Ultra Effects Up-Strip at the Sands, Jack En- tratter has some ultra effects *n staging to increase the impact of Vic Damone. These special addi¬ tives are the work of Charles O’Curran, who has taken advan¬ tage of the Copa Room’s lighting and sound system and almost all of the interior to allow freedom of movement for the singer. Da. mone’s three weeks are certain to make the chips, fly among the banks of greenfelt tables as in this return he exhibits much more than mere vocal charm to the coke set A distinctive tour-de-force is evolved from Damone’s reprise of “Kismet” songs from his recently completed pic, utilizing a chorus on soundtrack tape to blend with the intro of “Baubles, Bangles and Beads,” and, a remote control mike in “Stranger in Paradise” for unre¬ stricted delivery. He brings in the audience for some percussion effects on glassware in “Night of My Nights.” For “All of You” his attention is directed to a femme ringsider, but in “I’ve Got Two Left Feet,” comes a switch into song-and-dance with comic over¬ tones. Dramatic lighting is in play during his stance on a band tier to one side of the room for “Let There Be Love.” The full Damone songology, which includes such faves as “Will You Still Be Mine.” “Autumn Leaves,” medley of disk- hits, “Sugar” and other tunes, dis¬ play top calibre warbling. Jack Carter is a strong comedian for this room. He never lets up a moment during his very funny bar¬ rage, which includes a merciless slice at Vegas mores, a more gen-' tie whack at women, doctors, topi¬ cal subjects and three full routines that are sock. The “Joe Conner” nostalgic piece on vaude. a riotous rib of Ed Sullivan, and a flashy r&b getoff in “Go, Granny, Go.” Setting off the classy theme, “Autumn in New York,” the Copa Girls are given rich production touches for both choreos by Bob Gilbert and Renee Stewart The Beachcombers with Natalie are ex* cellent in all song illustrations for the linescapes. Never a Dull Moment In the raucous comedies and furi¬ ously paced “revue” of the Ritz Bros., the Flamingo will never have a- dull moment for the next month, onstage or in the casino. The trio is always a' sure bet to demand attention whether on the rampage behind the foots, or pull-' ing some gags in the gambling pit. For some time they have been breaking in new material in hopes that some of it would match the. w.k. staples in the Ritz catalog. Through .canny manipulation of. old and new, a few switches here and there, the freres have been- able to produce a 60-minute show that has undeniable merit on all counts. In “I’m a Wheeler, I’m a Dealer, I’m a Stickman,”-garbed in Flamingo dealer aprons, they bring in a portion of their “Gypsy Tea Room” staple when Jimmy and Al take to the table corridors and be¬ gin firing questions, all in gam¬ bling genre, to Harry for yock an¬ swers. “Snow White and Seven Dwarfs” is an oldie, inserted as a tribute to Disneyland,'but “Johann Strauss” $s completely fresh, a showcase for Harry’s mugging. A fast segue to Gay ’90s wardrobe from this cues “No New Tunes on This Old Piano,” with followup of terrif hoofing to “Dragnet” and begoff. They are on again in the Ron Fletcher line finale attired in Bermuda shorts, bleating “Who Got . the Pain When They Do the Mambo?” to whip up a good cur¬ tain fever. Mary Meade French extends her chantooslng beyond a reasonable limit, does not reach the latitudes and longitudes of the big room, and attempts an intime quality hardly in keeping with the overall up¬ tempo of the show. Her pale, war¬ bles are in contrast to her blond looks and frame, the latter being whistle bait. More oomph from the chords would snap up “You Do Something to Me,” the specials “No One to Talk To At Night,” “Why Should I Have a Style?” and the Ted Grouya medley. Grouya re¬ ceives a nod in his post as accomp- er for Miss French, and as cleffer of “Flamingo.” Homer Garrett’s Y-Knot Twirlers, an octet of teen¬ agers from a Los Angeles vidsta- tion, insert plenty of vitality into their opening square dance gambit which is the signal for the breakup entrance of the Ritz Bros., all got up in hillbilly outfits. With “Mar¬ tins From Kentucky,” they spew forth plenty of corn from the files, play the jug, jewsharp, Washboard, and exit to soine rubbery terps after an indication of their frenet¬ ic followups. ' '