Variety (April 1957)

54 PfittlJETY Wednesday, April 17, 1957 New Acts NORMA DOUGLAS Songs-Piano 30 Mins. Monte Carlo, Miami Beach Norma Douglas, in this first out¬ ing along the Cafe circuit, im¬ presses as a comer, albeit her cur¬ rent staging is one thatefloes not sustain a consistent mood, due to uneven routining. The problem for Miss Douglas is honing down her varied talents to strongest values and concentrating on them; aud re¬ action is strong when she’s at mike, belting away at a hillbilly lampoon to reveal flair for comedy- lined arrangements, or workover of an. upbeat theme. At the Bald¬ win, she really belts with her im¬ aginative—and commercial—treat¬ ments of pop and classic, boosted by breaks into vocalistics that raise up reaction in .mounting palm pay¬ off. Currently she also includes ca¬ lypso, and rock ’n’ roll, both not needed; injects of the arrange¬ ments only serve to break the up¬ beat mood established. Another facet that weakens the act at pres¬ ent—and easily' restaged—is need for more fluid routining to work heT from piano to center-stage mike for the straight thrushing. These are minor points. Miss Douglas, as of this initial showing, looks to bej ready for the bookings that will lead to the better ritery availabilities. She can handle a ballad or an upbeat vocal with skill, and plusses. that vocability with a zesty, winning personality. The added values when she beats up a storm, jazz and classic, at the Baldwin aids in wrapup tone of the final mitt payoff. Once she learns or is given the trick of fluid stag¬ ing that allows for movement from the keys to at-mike sessions. sheTl be on her way. Lary. LANE BROS. (3) Songs Instrument? 1 11 Mins. Palace, N.Y. The Lane Bros., a vocal and in¬ strumental trio who have been on the RCA Victor label, are good performers..Their efforts would be more suitable for younger audi-» ences which will appreciate more readily the antics of the bassist who rides his fiddle in the rock *n’ roll sequences,- and generally abuses that instrument in a man¬ ner ' that would make a classicist cringe. Their vocal texture is reminiscent of the Ames Bros. Renditions are solidly worked over. They seemingly take no chances in this session. They make with r’n’r, calypso, a ballad, which gives a something-for-everybody complexion to their act. The two guitarists aid with a good back¬ ground. They seem proficient from every angle. For more youthful gathering spots, they should go over excellently. Jose. REG THOMPSON Comedy 11 Mins. Empire, Edinburgh English comedian, shortish in height, is an agreeable entrant for the humor stakes, but will need stronger finish to his act. He patters at a fair speed through a collection of above- average jokes,'and uses a variety of dialects. Comedian also aims at local topicality, utilizing the foot¬ ball side of sport for one gag.' Sings “Lulu's Back in Town’* for comedy results,, and also plays the harmon¬ ica. Bases .it all. round a pleasant North-of^iRhglanjfi, apeent; and doesn’t let tip mis e&ifipfly pabe vvith pauses. . ... Once sharpened, and with stronger comedyr fodder, Seems an okay candidate - for British and Commonwealth vaude dates. Gord. JOE CHURCH Comedy 16 Mins. Empire, Glasgow Joe Church, smiling English comedian, works at a cheery pace and draws yocks from audience in satisfying quantity. He conies on the stage initially with large plank of wood, leans up against It, and proceeds to chatter, turning out gags new and old to noticeable results. Makes no ref¬ erence to the board until he sud¬ denly hangs his hat on nail pro¬ jecting from it. He has an infor¬ mal easy style that puts him on agreeable terms pronto with out- fronters. Also does a comedy bit with pack of cards and musical, director, which is corny but effec¬ tive. Segues with some juggling, mime, and winds with song and dance. Act is an okay bet for British and Commonwealth vauderies. JULIETTE GRECO Songs 30 Mins. Waldorf-Astoria, N.Y. Juliette Greco will never have to worry about one-thing, i,e. to be typed as .just another French chanteuse launched on the nitery circuit in the States. She’s in a class by herself, combining talent with plenty of oomph and the kind of distinctive styling that sells her on merit alone. Miss Greco, wilh a thin-trim figure, tO-the-shoulder hair and a - severe black dress, stands out on looks alone. Her voice is low and nisky and carries effortlessly. It’s capable of an infinite variety of nu¬ ances and she uses it with sock ef¬ fect to sell her “characterizations” She’s a natural for any sophisti¬ cated club. Her offbeat manner- .sm—she goes through most of her "ict without as much as cracking a smile—gives her an intriguing and highly appealing quality that cer¬ tainly catches fire with the Wal¬ dorf crowd. Question might be whether this determinedly Left Bank approach, and her' total lack of patter, are going to shape as handicaps in some spots. Balanced against this s Miss Greco’s serious artistry, which .comes across with every number she sings, and her ability to fit into sharply contrasting moods. ’ She’s a performer who cells a distinctive personality and does so with a total lack- of preten¬ tiousness. At the Waldorf she runs through i wide variety of numbers, from he gay to the triste: the Jacques Prevert-Joseph Kosma “Les Feu- lles Mortes,” Leo Ferre’s “Le Guinche” and the warmly melodic ‘Sans Vous Aimer” by Francoise Pagan (also known as the author of “Bonjour Tristesse,” etc.). Miss Greco has been tied to the existentialist movement and Jean- ’aul Sartre wrote her fifst songs. She’s as much , an interpreter as she’s a singer and her skills in both lepartments rank her'automatical¬ ly as top talent in a highly com¬ petitive field. Without moving from her spot before the mike, she uses hands end body to put across her num¬ bers which a great deal of distinc- ive charm. Some may -not take to her almost detached manner- sm, which conveys little warmth ■and may make it difficult for her o establish contact rapidly with a non-Gallic audience. Others will find her the more appealing pre¬ cisely because she doesn’t make any conscious effort to “play up” to the ringsiders. All in all, her act Shapes as a sock entry and a veal “find” for U.S. cafes regard¬ less of its 100% French repertoire. Hift. DANCING McKENNAS (3) Dancers 7 Mins. Empire, Glasgow Gaily-garbed -threesome, two girls and one-male, do an okay job with some neat footwork, entire act being geared into the Auld Lang Syne rhythm. Bright High¬ land tunes give the trio an offbeat flavoring in dance slottings. Male is dressed in tartan jacket and white trousers, but distaffer3 go through several quick changes and show shapely gams to advan¬ tage. One of the dances is worked out to male singing “My One and Only Highland Fling.” * Trio exit to mitts, and shape-as > ,a worthwhile house addition any¬ where- ' Gord, • YAREL & BAILLY ' & CHANTEURS de PARIS Songs 25 Mins. Waldorf-Astoria, N.Y. Cued to an informal pattern, Andre Varel & Charly Bailly and the Chanteurs de Paris shape as a Gallic act with plenty of verve and talent that’s bound to click in any large room. The songs, most of them from the pens of the writing duo of Varel & Bailly, are fresh and gay, the harmonizing takes the best advantage of the nine good voices in the troupe, and the en¬ semble is well coordinated for maximum movement. With Varel & Bailly joining in the fun, the body of voices is sup- died by seven young men, former¬ ly members of the Little Singers of Paris. They know how to coax some mighty rich chords out of the arrangements and some clowning is thrown in for good measure. With Bailly at the keys, the troupe gets going strongly with an introductory “Let’s Be Friends” number, which they follow up with “Toute„ Ma Vie” and “The Sky.” Semi-march number, with the boys using red staffs and deploying around the .floor, Qomes off With t S l ■ ) t ?. ) 1 )•»’ E l!* T 1 Vi -J ) *5 plenty of gusto as does the Paris medley and the comic “Dance of he Wheat.” Varel, who’s the lyricist (he’s a dental surgeon on the side) has a good, strong voice, and Bailly sup¬ plies a few laughs. Whole package ,s neatly balanced with French and English lyrics and the “Fair Lady” 'inale gives.the ringsiders ai super- familiar • item to latch onto. Ensemble comes . through with a disciplined: performance that nev¬ ertheless: has the air of informality and keeps moving most of the time. Boys live up t<Xtheir vocal mutation. Act needs a big room 'o be effective and looks a natural for tv spots. Hift. PATRICIA WILSON Songs 30 Mins. Statler-Hilton Hotel, Dallas Pretty thrush has a pleasant voice, pixie face and friendly style, but she’s not of headliner status. She was a last-minute replacement for Denise Lor, who cancelled, and Miss Wilson, unknown in nileries, lacks the experience to capture tablers in the posh Empire Room, which has only knoWn “riame” tal¬ ent. Break-in should have been in a smaller spot. A veteran of summer musical stock and understudy in “Pipe Dream” in N. Y. last year, she tides, to please in this debut. Songs are mixed well and include current, faves, standards and a brace of novelties. She pulls mitting for her smart tune choices. With her pleasant piping, Miss Wilson could learn more show savvy—better between-tunes pat¬ ter, more facile use of hands and eliminate an awkward, closing stage walkaround—and, with more supper club bookings, build to top rank as a nitery singer. Bark. HAL LOMAN & PLAYMATES Dance 9 Mins. Copacabana, N.Y. Hal Loman, who worked with Sammy Davis Jr. in the late legit musical, “Mr. Wonderful,”, has been tapped by Davis for appear¬ ance with him at the Copa. L'oman, with two femmes flanking him, has devised an imaginative and highly colorful dance turn that can stand service in virtually any class nitery operation, and in video and theatre situations as well. Loman and his blondes are ex¬ cellently costumed, routined with precision, and perform spiritedly. Two major works, at show caught, are' labeled “Love Story” and “Dragnet.” In each, Loman gets a chance to do some good solo bits, but the latter gives him a top send- off. There are some Jack Cole in¬ fluences in the choreography which seems inevitable since vir¬ tually any tense and nervous terp movements seem to automatically bear a resemblance to Cole’s school.. Loman group gets a de¬ servedly strong mitt. Jose. AGVA Alerts Show Biz — Continued from page 1 retinue because of the hike, will not make any difference in the convention’s deliberations. Feeling of the union is that it’s better to have four girls working a spot make salaries that they can live on rather than have six girls on sub¬ standard wages. Same will apply to spots which threaten to drop talent or curtail use of acts because of hiked mini- mums. . Bright pointed put that an act ,going from New York to Bos¬ ton, foor a .$125 scale job, has to pay faresi Commissions, living expenses in Boston, handle expenses of his home, plus other overhead includ¬ ing amortization of present mate¬ rial and acquisition of new .mate¬ rial. Thus, a performer is either broke at the end of his week or loses money. • Union has always felt that the higher priced performer was bet¬ ter equipped to take care of him¬ self salarywise than a beginner or one who never gpt very far: Mini¬ mum legislation doesn’t apply to them and will have no effect on earners of larger salaries. One of the first negotiations to take place under the new line of thought will toe with Radio City Music Hall,, N. Y. Last week, the New York State Labor Relations Board notified AGVA and the Mu¬ sic Hall that it had closed-the case of the Radio City Chorus Employ¬ ees Assn., a shortlived independent union which had started operations at the Hall. AGVA will shortly be¬ gin new contract negotiations with that theatre. This case will not be typical since there are 107 chorus employees, in that house. However, amount of hike and minimum scales will give an inkling into the type of wage increases to be de¬ manded by the union, . ! * t (.• ,'3Xi) , c c e:)S) i >'0 51 n I- VARIETY BILLS WEEK OF AFRIL ,17 Numerals In connection with bills below indicate opening day of show ’ ' whether full or split week Letter in parentheses Indicates circuit: (I) Independent; CL) Loew; (M) Moss; (P) Paramount; <R) RKO; (S) Stoll; (T) Tivoli; <W> Warner NEW YORK CITY Music Hall (R> IS Rockettes Corps de Ballet George Matson Malta £ Fernando's Gloria Ware Elizabeth Manniott Palace (P) 20 Liberace . Geo. Liberace Jean Fenn Mitzl Green Step Bros. Goofers Eddie Garson Francis Brunn AUSTRALIA’ MELBOURNE Tivoli (T) 22 George WaUace Maurice CoUeano Co Jim, Gerald Jennie Howard Queenie Paul Milli> Hansen Peggy. Mortimer BiU French Edna Busse George Nichols Nanette Allan Dawn Emms Jack O’Dowd Jimmy Whit^ Noreen Carroll Wheeler Sc Gloria 2. Randows Jandy Reg Park Hill Sc ‘Dale Lita Martini Bowery Piano 4 Gay Dogs Dancing Debutantes Toppano's Melody- men Flat Tops Helen Pavette SYDNEY Tivoli (T) 22 Richard Hearne Julia Nicolas Darvas Ross & La Pierre Lane Bros Bob Bromley Albins Alwyn Leckie Frank Ward Daniel. Davey Lewis Jacob PERTH Majesty* (T) *2 Johnny Lockwood Bobby Limb • Bobby Gonzales Christine Sc Noll Rayes Sc Faye Dawn Lake Darryl Stewart Edith Juhasz ■ WELLINGTON Grand (T) 22 K Dunham Sc Co. BRITAIN ASTON Hippodrome (I) IS Harry Bailey George Meaton Bob Grey Joe Baldwin 2 Rexanos Rhodk Rogers Ron Dillon Nat Willis BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome (M) ' IS Lee Lawrence Gilbert Sc • Sylvia- Earl Wharncliffe Les Galantas Baker Sc Douglas Rayner Sc Betty Billy Burden ' Gilbert BLACKPOOL Palace (I) IS Cairoli Sc Paul Krone's Co. Krone's Polar Bears Excess Baggage Flying Marllees 5 Crlstlanis Nino Rubio Bedini Troupe Yokoi Troupe Aerial Chapmans Corcaita • Cristiant Frances Duncan Golden Linders Little Jimmy Our Sammy Circusettes BRIGHTON Hippodrome (M) 15 Mitchell Torok Anton Sc Janetta Jimmy James Sc Co. Pierre Bel Vera Cody Co. • Roy Castle COVENTRY Hippodrome (I) IS Max Bygraves R Sc J Jover Richards Sc Yolanda AAV Shelley Kaye Sis Staii White Elizabeth Sc Collins Donald B. Stuart 3 Brittons EDINBURGH Empire (M) IS Slim Whitman Denis Bros Sc June Dennison St Niblock Billy. Stutt Max Geldray Freddie Harrison Sharpe it Iris 2 Balatons PINSBURY PARK Empire (M) IS Ted Lune Golding Sc Stuart 3 Dallas Boys Billy Maxin GLASGOW Empire (M) IS Petula Clark 5 Martinis Kenn Dodd Brian Andro M Sc B Winters 3 Deuces Joe Henderson HANLEY. Royal (M) IS Dickie Valentine Averil St Aurel Bill Maynard Rosinas. Sally Barnes Cynthia * ASst. MaUiniS TattersaU Sc 'Jerry* LEEDS Empire (M) IS Hylda. Baker Lane 2 BUly McCormack Granger's puppets Overbury £ Suzette Alexis Troupe. Brockways LIVERPOOL Empire (M) 19 Nat Jackley George Lacy Dave O’Gorman Ken-Tones Marianne Lincoln Capbne De Wit ' HiU Sc Billie Rock 'n' Roll Girls Curtis Sc Jee LONDON t- Hippodrome (M) 15 Davp King Shani Wallis Andrea Dancers Jones Sc Arnold Los Gatos Jimmy Lee Metropolitan (I) 15 Max WaU Anne Hart Terry Kennedy Co. 5 $peedacs Jumpin Jax 6 Teen-Agers Palladium (M) 15 Johnnie Ray Rowan Sc Martin Beverley Sis Nlta Sc Peppi Chris’ Cross Frank Cook Skylons MANCHESTER Palace (M) IS Teenagers Elites Albert Burdon Kordas Johnny Laycock Joe Black Silvas NEWCASTLE Empire (M) 15 Tex Ritter V Sc L Aubrey HillblUy Polecats J Sc S Lamonte Alan Clive Ladringlos Len Young Morton Fraser's Co. NORTHAMPTON New (I) 15 Eddie Reindeer Toni Kaye Martine Hazelle. Tommy Loftus Iris Blair Pauline Mee F Sc B Harman NORWICH Hippodrome CM) IS Manou Terry Cantor Toiya Kee . Levacq Sc Juanita Wanda Alpar Red Preston NOTTINGHAM Empire (M) IS Frankie Vaughan Mayfalrs Harry Worth Ravic Sc Babs Joe Church King Bros. Kenways Ossie" Noble • Maurice French PRINCE OP WALES (M) IS Bernard Bros, Sabrina Dickie Henderson - Lee Sharon Maggy^ ^Sarragne Empire (M) 15 Penny Nicholls Don Saunders MarceUis Nordics Russell Sc 'Susie 1 Idris Sc BeUe SOUTHSEA King's (I) 19 Canfield Smith Beryl Catlin Johnny Silver Mink Devine 2 Morlands Noble Sc Denester SOUTHAMPTON Grand (R1 IS Jack Klrwan Sc Co. BUly O'Sullivan Val Cave Don Sc Juanita Frances Grayson SUNDERLAND Empire <M) IS Freddie Sales. 3 Skylarks Les Marionettes Continentales Barry Anthony Roy Lance NEW YORK CITY Bruce Kirby Blue Angel .Tom Lehrer ["Ellen Hanley Martha Davis - Sc Spouse ' Jimmy Lyons 3 Charaas Anny Kapitanny Llll Bela Babai Ore Tibor Rakossy BiU Yedla Dick Marta Chateau Madrid Malagon Sis Goyo Reyes Jesus Sevilla: Curro Amaya Olga Fernandez Al Castellanos Ore Luis Ortiz Ore Copacabana WiU Mastin Trio - Gene Baylos Hal Loman Dcrs Tom Rockford Marilyn Cooper Tony Starman Michael Durso Ore Frank Marti Ore Downstairs Room Cell Cabot Jack Fletcher June Eiicson Gerry Matthews Julius Monk Daphne Heilman SteUa Brooks Blossom Dearie < No. 1 Fifth Avo Bob Downey Harold FonvUIe Hotel Ambassador Chauncey Gray Ore Jani Sarkozi Gypsies Quintero Rhumbas Hotel Pltrro Jane Morgan > LAE Roberts Stanley Melba Ore Alan Logan Ore ' Joseph Sudy Hotel RoomvoII Eddie Lane Ore Hotel Taff ■ Vincent Lopez Ore Hotel St. Regis SheUa Reynolds Milt Shaw Oro Ray Bari Ore Hotel Statler Ray McKinley Oro Latin Quarter Dominique Isabel Sc Miguel Georgia Reed Kitty Dolan Carmen Phillips Trio Cottas Syncopated Waters Jo Lombardi Ord B. Harlowe Ore Hotel Plaza Margarita.Slerra Ted Straeter Mark Monte Park Sheraton Jan August Spark Thtirman RSVP Don Carey Don Evans Town St Country Harry Bclaforite BurneU Dancera Ned Harvey Ore La Playa Two Guitars Kostya Poliansky Dblores Dauphing Leonid Lugovsky Eugene £ Sonya Andrei Hamshay Viennese Lantern Monica Boyar Barbara Kirk Ernest Schoen Oro Harold Sandler Paul Mann Village Barn Norma Smith Ralph Michele Danny Davis Ore Larry McMahon Billy KeUy Irving Harris Village. Vanguard Mae Barnes Lurleiie Hunter Charles Manna C WUllams Trio Waldorf-Astoria Juliette Greco Varel St BaiUy Chanteurs Do Paris Emil Coleman Oro Miscba Borr Ore * CHICAGO Black Orchid Frances Faye , Don Adams Blua Angal "Calypso Jubilee" Count Tyson Lady Sylvia Lord Lady Venita Calypso Trio Al D’Lacy—Ore Blue Note Bob Scobey (7) Salty Dogs (7) Mort Sahl Chez Perea Jimmy Durante Sonny King Jackie Barnett Muriel Landers Cernays (2) Chez Paree Ador- ablcs (8) Ted Flo> Rito Ore Cloister Inn Chubby Jackson's Rascals (5) Ruth Olay Conrad Hilton "Skating- Memories" Boyers (2) CUfford Guest Colstons (2) -Karen Jo Ann McGowan Bill Christopher Paul Gibben Naomi Wold "China" Clark Ann Cucksey Encores (4) Frankie Masters Ore Boulevardears'£ Dong 02) Gate of Horn Luc Poret Gina Fraser Glen Yarborough London House Chico Hamilton 3 Ahmad Jamal (3) Mister Kelly's Sarah Vaughan Nancy Andrews Harry Slottag (3) Marx £ Frigo Frank D*Rone Palmer Hoys* Richiardl. Jr. Dick Shawn Giselle £ Francois Szony Charlie Fisk Ore LOS ANGELES Bar of Muslo Fulton Burley Jimmie Shawn Jerry Linden Ore Ciro's Lord Flea Calypso Review Gerl Galian Ore Felix Martinique Ore Crescendo Mary Kaye Trio Ray Toland Ore - Interlude Cal Trader Quintet Mocambe Johnny Bach - Ann Mason Paul Hebert Ore Statler Hotel Wiere Bros. (3) Dick Stabile Ore Zardfs Jazxland The Treniers (8) Scatman Crothers Jean Turner ' LAS VEGAS Desert Inn McGuire Sis Bob McFadden Art Johnson Donn Arden Dncrs Carlton Hayes Ore Dunes Ben Blue "Ga gsjk Gals of Barbara Heller Ann Mason Boh Douglas Haller Girl Landre £ Verna Stuart Morgan Dcrs Five Boglnos Garwood. Van Ore El Cortez Jones Boys Rand £ Kane Kenny Davis £ . Redheads Buster-HaUett Ore El Rancho Vegas Joe E. Lewis Zsa Zsa Gabor The Continentals Renee Molnar Dcrs DJLck Rice. Orch Flamingo Pearl Bailey Louis Bellson 3 Flamingoettes . Lou Basil Orch Fromont Hofei Ish Kabibbld St it Shy Guys The Make Believes Gayle Walton Golden Nugget Hank Penny £ Sue Thompson Nilsson Twins Bob Keene Jig Adams Dixie- - land Band Hacienda "Can Can"^< Denise Darcel Kings TV Cow. Eyes Eftgler Bruce Davis Riviera "Blackouts'' Ken Murray Marie Wilson Barry Gordoit Dcrs Dorothy Dorben ' ■ fCohtiirued ofi.pRZe 63) •< stJIuV yr-6 31 /t/'in-tsn laf Dancers Novelites Lenny, Kent Jad Fontaine Ray Sinatra Orch Royal Nevada Cab Calloway Cotton Club Revue Sallie Blair Lonnie Sattin George Kirby Norma Miller Dncrs Sahara Lillian Roth Jose Greco Cee Davidson Ore Mary Kaye Trio Sahaxem Dancers Sartds Nat King Cole Sue Carson ' Copa Girls Antonio Morclli Ore Showboat Roy Aubtey Jill Adams Tkffy O'Neil Gary Nelson Showboat Girls Mike Werner Orch Silver Slipper Hank Henry Peop:6tts Boubouka Jessica James Barbary Coast Boys Jimmy Cavanaugh Sparky Kaye Mac Dennison Slipperettes Geo. Redman Orch ' Thunderblrd Beatrice Kay Frantic* Rudenko Bros. Barney Rawlings Thunderblrd Dncrs Al Jahns Orch Treplcana Eddie Fisher Elaine Dunn Jack Costanza Tybeo Air* Cheerleaders Ben Dova Ken Rezio Jody Lbgan Nat Brandywynner Mi