Variety (August 1957)

54 POn&iEfr Wednesday, August 21, 1957 VARIETY BILLS WEEK OF AUGUST* 21 Numerals Ih connection with bills below Indicate opening day of show whether full or split week Lottor In parentheses Indicates circuit: (It Indopondont; <L) Loswj (M) Moss; (g) Paramount; (R) l|KO; (S; Stoll; (T) Tivoli; (W) Warnor NEW YORK CITY Music Hall (P) X Rockettes Conrad Ludlow Wes Harrison George Carl Roxy (22) "Fiesta at Roxy" Maria Antlnea Mario Alverez Enrique Montoya Virginia Morrison Nancy Lee Parker Manuel Del Toro Skating Squires Roxyettes Roxy Orck AUSTRALIA MELBOURNI Tivoli IT) 1» Archie Robbins Margo (Z Bomb) 2 Earls Christine & Moll Lebrac & Bernice Bobby Gonzales Delicados Williams & Shand Buster Fiddess Brenda Rowe Frank Ward Della Vance Dionne Vail SYDNEY Tivoli tT) It Johnny Lockwood Bobby Limb Dawn Lake Riggolettv Bros. & Aimee I .ex Thaika Mcdlock & Marlowe Balia dinis Billy Bayes Darryl Stewart Johnny O'Connor Edit Juhasz Alwyn Leckit Rae Morgan Pamela Godso Olivia Dale Rudas Co. MANILA Grand Opera House (TJ If Katherine Dunham Co. HONG KONG Rltz Cabaret (T) If Darvas & Julia BANGKOK Oasis Cabaret (T) If Banks A Demutlx ADELAIDE Reyat a) If Luigi Infantino BRITAIN ASTON Hippodrome (I) If Revel A Fields 3, Chromatlque P A J YuUe Anthony A Jeanette BLACKPOOL Palace (I) If Hylda Baker Tanner Sis Odette Crystal Sonny Roy George Mitchell Imparo Bros. Janet Gray Martin Granger Co. Bollana Ivanko 4 Joan Davis Co. BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome (M) If Chas. McDevltt Nancy Whiskey McKinnon Si* Ron. Parry A A B Black Terry Dene Dene-Aces Clifford Stanton 2 Palmers Fenway* BRADFORD Alhambra (M) If Marlon Ryan MUes 2 Max Geldray Nelson Lloyd Shipway 2 Roxy A Glenda 2 Russmar Peter Quinton BRIGHTON Hlppedreme (M) 19 Winifred AtweU David Nixon Aileen Cochrane Reg Varney RAJ Jover Malta A FernandQB George Mitchell Belles A Beaux COVENTRY. Hippodrome (I)' If Charlie Grade Billy Russell Pharos A Marina Bela A Mary Michel A Erik Winters A Fielding Patsy Sylva FINSBURY PARK Implre (M) If Ronnie Carroll Marie De Vere Gladys Morgan Davy Kaye Fraser Hayes 4 George Braund Pat Rosa Griff Kendall OLASGOW Empire (M) It I.ita Roza Flack A Mills Southlanders Grecos Arthur Worsley Donald B. Stuart Tommy Fields Mack A Kirk LIVERPOOL Empire <M) If Harry SecombC Billie Anthony Rudy Horn Dior Co. Glmma Boys LONDON Metropolitan (I) It Vipers Jim Dale Jack Francois Pillay A Reneo Ricky McCabe Susan A Pardoo MANCHESTER Palace (M) If Mol Tonne Gillian A Juno Dickie Dawson Sammy Wilde Kari Karl Sisters Mundy A Earle Dernos Mumford's Co. De Vel A Co. NEWCASTLE Bmplre (M> If Dave King Hazel Gee Kordltes Tiki A Del Bernard Landy Clementls 2 Deny Ray Mist in Jnr. NORTHAMPTON New (I) It Connor A Drake Larry Gordon Co. NORWICH Hlppedreme (I) If Leon Cortez Tony Dalton Pigalle PRINCE OP WALES (M) It Sabrina Dickie Henderson 3 Monarch* Maggy Sarragne SHEFFIELD Empire (M) 19 Dave Gray Toni Kaye SOUTHAMPTON Grand (I) 19 Dan Young Billy Eaves Karen Kent Wanda Alpar Ixna Roselll SOUTHSEA Kins'* (M) If David Whitfield Harry Worth Audrey Jeans King Bros. Billy Dainty Skylons Southsea Belles SUNDERLAND ■ Empire (M) If Ronnie Hilton Gold A Cordell Mary Naylor Ladrtnglos Alan Clive Kodell Fred Lovelle Cynthia A Gladys Jessie Carron Jodie Carver Joel Shaw Ore Village Vanguard Chris Connor Slim Gaillard Waldorf-Astoria Count. Basie Sarah Vaughan Haitian Dcrs Bela Bahai Oro CHICAGO Black Qrchld. Larry Storch Abbey Lincoln Ocie Smith Blue Ansel "Calypso Fiesta" Princess Abilia A King Christian Lord Rafael Lord. Calypso _ Prince Pablo, Lady Melena A Lady Blanca Roger McCall A1 D'Lacy Ore Blue Note Duke Ellington Chez Parte Dinah Shore Corbett Monica Chez Adorablcs (6) Ted Flo Rito Ore 13 Cloister Inn Ramsey Lewis Trio Lorez Alexandria Conrad Hilton "Ice Review Spec" Glenn A Colleen Miss Lucille Jo Ann McGowan Ros Pettlnger Bill Christopher Gil Shepard A De Soto Sisters (3) Paul Gibbon A Sully Kothman Fred Napier Norman Crider Tune Tattlers (4) Charlie Fisk Ore Gate of Horn Bob Glbsoh Jo Mapes Frank Hamilton London House Errol Gamer Trio Eddie Higgins (3) Mister Kelly'* Jackie Cain A Roy Krai Maya Angelou Shelley Berman Marty Rubensteln 2 Palmer Heuse Hlldegarde MattJLson Trio Ben Arden Orch LOS ANGELES *, Gray's Band Bex Billy Gray Lee Diamond Carol Shannon Bert Gordon Rle Marlowe V Le Hermen (3) Bqb Barley Trio Cecenut Grave MAG Champion Bob Dixon F. Martin Ore Crescendo Dave Brubeck Mort Sahl Interlude Bobby Short ^Chamber Jazz Sex't. Mecambe John Carroll Frankie Sands Trio Paul Hebert Ore Mevila Renee Jerry Colonna Statler Hotel Harry Babbitt Lloyd Llndroth V. Moreno ARosalle Ed. Bergman Oro LAS VEGAS Desert Inn Jan Peerce Happy Jester* Art Johnson Donn Arden, Dncrs Carlton Hayes Oro Dunes 'Tajama Game" Larry Douglas Betty O'Neil Buster West Barbara Bostock Garwood Van Oro El tertes "Rhythm on Ice" George Arnold The Gaylords Buster HaUett Ore El Rancho Ve»ae Joe X. Lewi* Roberta Sherwood Neil* Ates Molnar Dancex** Dick Rice Orch Flamingo Riti Bros. Gogi Grant Flamingoette* Loti Basil Orch Fremont Hotel Tune Jesters Jo Ann Castle Stardusters- Bob A Sylvia Golden Nugget Harry Ranch Jig Adams Billy Regis Ch&rllta Riviere Ken Murray Marie Wilson Shecky Greene Ray Sinatra Ore Reyal Nevada Sonny Howard Russ Morgan Ore . Sahara Betty Hutton S haw-Hiichcock Dcrs. Cee Davidson Or* Mary Kaye Trie Amin Bros. Banda Marguerite Piazza Davie A Reese Copt Girls Antonie Morelli Ore Bhewbaat Pat Moreno Taffy O'Neil Garr Nelson Showboat Girls Mike Werner Orch Silver Slipper Hank Henry Caprice Barbary Coast Boyr Jimmy Cavanaugh Sparky Kaye Mac Dennison Pat Yankee Slipperettes Geo. Redman Orch Thunderblrd Four Lads Jay Nemeth Bly Wells A The Four Fays Rex Johnson Thunderblrd Dncr* Al Jahns Orch Treplcane Carol Cb aiming Elaine Dunn Judy Logan Norvas Singer* Jack Costanza Nat Brandywynn# RENO Harolds Jodlmar* Phyllis- Inez Harrah's Louis Prima Kfteley Smith Son* of Pioneers Tommy Sandi Betty A Escorts Mapes SKyroom Mickey Rooney Skylets . Ed Fitzpatrick Ora New Golden 4 Tun** Hank Penny Penthouse 4 Riverside Dorothy Shay Starlets Bill Clifford Ora UKE1AHOE NEW YOUR CITY Ben Sorr Anne Russell Charles Manna Anita Ellis Three Flame* Bruce Kirby Blue Angel T. C. Jones Carol Burnett Mae Barnes Jimmy Lyon 3 Bart Howard Bob Ritterbush Casanova Jacques Zarow Alex Alstone Chateau Madrid Monica Boyar Fanchito Ore Soccares Ore Copacabana Don Cornell Larry Daniels Coronados Tom Rockford Marl Ann Cooper Tony Starman Michael Durso Oro Frank Marti Ore No. 1 Fifth Ave Peggy Ann Watson Bob Downey Harold Fonville Hotel Ambassador Chauncey Gray Ore Janl Sarkozi Gypsies Quintero Rhumba* Hotel Pierre Stanley Melba Ore Alan 'Legan Ore Joseph Sudy Hotel Roosevelt Eddie Lane Ore Hotel Taft Vincent Lopez- Ore Milt Shaw Oro Ray Bari Ore Latin Quarter Jack Durant Szony* George Matson Molidor Trio l>ebo naira Gillian Grey 'Shnon McQueen Chic James Syncopated Waters Jo Lombardi Oro B Harlowe Ore Park Sharaton Jan August Spark Thurman Viennese Lantern Rita Dimitri Yasuko Ernest Schoen Ore Harold Sandier Paul Mann village -**arn Dick Todd Sophie Parker Zeb Carver Ed Smith Giovanni. Del ‘ Courtney Ore Btatetlne Country • Club Bob Scobey Woodaenr Noel Bbgf* MIAM1-M1AMF MACH ^ Weela Gallef Americana Joni James Ricky Dunn Matt A Matty King Stan Ros* Trio Jackie Heller Lee Martin Ore Maya Ore •almeral Billy Mitchell Sonny Kendla Ore Tana Lenn Dr Lid# Handy Campo Ore Othella Dallas ■ Jane Moore Bernle Sager Jack Batcena Ore Eden Roc Connie Towers Henny Youngman Kirby Stone 4 Johnny Costa Trio Mai Malkin Ore Chico Cuban Boy* Fontainebleau Johnny Puleo Harmonica Rascals Eileen Barton Rosanne Richards Jack Stuart Ore Sacasas Ore Pupi Campo Ore Natall-Field* Trio London Town* Arthur Blake Jean Tourigny Lucerne Havana March Gras Dios*. Costello Milos Velarde Don Casino Tonia Flore* Tony A Francella Juan Rbmero David Tyler Ore Luis Varona Ore Murray Franklin's Steve Murray Joe Mayer Trio Dick Havlland Murray Franklin Sue Lawton Eddie Bernard Nautilus. Ken Barry Marriette Mario A Tonia Syd Stanley Ore Seville Dunhllls Terry Haven Murri A Ruth Tommy Ryan Johnny Silvers Ore Rey Mambo Ore Saxony Marl Leighton Charles A Faye Al Stuart Archette , Jimmy Grlppo Fred Thompson Tommy Angel Vagabond* Vagabonds (4) I Micld Mario I Dunhllls (3A I Frank Linale Ore HAVANA Montmartre Raul Mesa Raquel Barisba Ivette De La Fuente Clarisse Novo. Gladys Bocay ' Guzman Singer* Fajardo Ore Nadonar Lois O'Brien • Martha Phillip* Ray Carson* Dancing Water* W. Reyes Ore San* Soucl Claire Hogan Gloria A Rolando Sonia Calero Victor Alverez Dulzaides Singer Ortega Ore Trapicans Luis Garcia Alberto Rochi Matzuko Miguel Gladys A Freddy Riveros Dominique Tropicana Ballet S Suarez. Orq A Romeu Orq Fads In On Stags -- - continued from page 1 other tenant) but he, Brandt, wouldn’t go hack if he could take the house for nothing. Killing off a number of show¬ cases, states Brandt, are these fac¬ tors: (1) . The distributors are supply¬ ing an insufficient nuinher of ade¬ quate-grossing pictures and too much money is demanded for those available. (2) . Increase In operational costs. Old features on television. (4). Film companies' growing tendency to bypass the first-run theatres in favor of saturation neighborhood runs. Because of the overall situation, Brandt believes that City Invest¬ ing’s Astor and Victoria Theatres will be forced to bow out of the i picture. He said the Paramount (United Paramount .Theatres) has taken such losses that they’re be¬ yond his understanding. In the ef¬ fort to come upon, top product the Par has been offering the distribs unusually heavy rental guarantees, such as an advance payment of $150,000 to Allied Artists for “Love in the Afternoon.’’ It's also re¬ ported the Par guaranteed War¬ ners $200,000 for “Band of Angels” but this was adjusted after a dis¬ appointing run. The Roxy, noted Brandt, is set with the programming of 20th-Fox pictures, the Rivoli is similarly well fixed With Todd-AO entries and . the Warner with Cinerama. But the State is shakey, according to Brandt, who commented that this Loew’s outlet could be con¬ verted into the bestjegit theatre In the country. Brandt has his doubts, too, about the Criterion whose product out¬ look appears bleak unless the sit¬ uation changes after marathon run of “Ten Commandments” and, per¬ haps, Metro’s $5,000,000 “Raintree County.” Deal for booking the lat¬ ter is in the discussion stage. Theatreman also thinks the Pal¬ ace won’t last long with its hew policy of top pictures sans vaude¬ ville because of the number of top pictures on the market is insuf¬ ficient. The abundance of vintage feature product On tv is murder, moans Brandt. A good oldie, such as “Dancing Daughters/’ is too much of a, lure for the public when the comforts of home are weighed against the inconviences of travel¬ ing to a downtown theatre. - Picture business had conquered tv’s conventional programming so far as competition Is concerned, Brandt opined. But then the film companies sold out their backlogs to tv and exhibitors are back in a life-or-death struggle. Chain operator is not all down- beat, however. He figures the tv’ing of the old films is stirring “more talk; about pictures than I’ve heard in m^ 42 years in show business,” This will lead to more theatre pa¬ tronage in the future—when tv runs out of the Hollywood product. SpiisirExekaigtt SSEE Continues from pare I sis coan provinces (San Sebastian and. Bilbao), more modem and indus¬ trial than other regions. Catalonia is the region which holds more pix houses totalling 776 with only four provinces while the Andalousian region in the South with eight pro¬ vinces, totals 1093 houses. Basque and Guipuzcoan region, although prosperous by Spain’s reckoning, have only 137 houses. Theatres in Spain won’t close for lack of films, but American product is . needed and desired and its v absence regretted. Fort Wayne, Ind. — R. Morris Pierce, managing director of WANE-TV, is taking over the duties vacated in . the recent resig¬ nation of Ben Baylor as general L manager. 9 New York Sound Track —a—i —.e Continued from page 4 ^ - ■ ■ . ■« Alert” . . . New York feature writers and film critics having a field day with motion picture company junkets—to Denver for Columbia’s “3:10 to Yuma”; to Las Vegas for Paramount’s “The Joker Is Wild,” and to the Adirondacks for WB’s “Marjorie Momingstar” . . . Loew’s situa¬ tion gets more and more confusing. In his book “Fight for Control,” David Karr, who represents Loew’s in corporate public relations, has an. acknowledgement to attorney Ben Javils, who represented and then left Joseph Tomlinson , . . Seven new members have joined Loew’s Stockholders Protective Committee organized by Harry Brandt. They include Charles Schlalfer, Bernard Kranxe, Sol Strausberg, Percival Firber, Herman Becker, Leon Gruenberg, and Jacob Starr . . . Oscar Hammersteln 3d to the Coast for final conferences with 20th-Fox of¬ ficials on “South Pacific”. before heading for location shooting in Hawaii. Rock Hudson returning to the Coast after six months in Italy for David O. Sehcnicks’ “A Farewell to Arms” . . . Mel Ferrer in from Europe for the Roxy book of “A Sun Also- Rises” . . . 20th will preem “Three Faces of Eve” at the Miller Theatre, Augusta, Georgia on Sept. 18 . . Ray Anthony off to Europe via Sabena ... Spyros P. Skouras to the Coast for conferences With studio chief Bnddy Adler . . . Darryl F. Zanuck’s “A Sun Also Rises” will open in 100 key cities over the Labor Day weekend . . . British and French managers of 20th-Fox meet, in Rome Aug. 22-23 . .‘ . Natalie Wood in from the Coast enroute to Scaroon Manor in the N.Y. Adirondacks for the location scenes for WB's “Marjorie Morningstar.” House Renews Empires Glasgow Glasgow, Aug. 15. Mel Tonne (with Colin Beaton), Mumford Puppet Parade, Miki A Griff, Mandos Sisters (2), Des¬ mond A Marks, George Braynd, Shipway Twins, McKinnon Sisters (2), Bobby’ Dowds Orch. Mel Tonne proves a highly like¬ able entertainer with lotsa versati¬ lity at head of this average layout U.S. singer, handsome, boyish and friendly, has neat singing intro to act,, and introduces local touches as well as singing in French. He doesn’t evoke teenage sighs to any- great extent, but remains high in standard » all-around entertainer, winding with a cute session on the drums. ' Hi* numbers range from ‘When I Fall In Love” to his own new waxing, written by himself, “Every Which Way.” Singer has good hacking at the Ivories from English pianist Colin Beaton, to whom he pays due tribute in his act. In support layout, Miki Sc Griff, a crazy mixed pair, score strongly in eccentric comedy, although the male imitates too much the style of comedy made popular here by Harry Secombe and other goon performers. Mumford's Puppet Parade, presented by Frank. Sc Malsie Mumford, is highlighted by a blonde poppet of a puppet billed as Mamzelle ZizI, French cabaret turn, which Is manipulated among outfronters caressing males and serenading customers. . The McKinnon Sisters are a zest¬ ful kilted pair who open brightly in song Sc dance. The Shipway Twins, males, offer aero stint on parallel bars, and maintain their own physical likeness in similarity of routines. George Braund uses audience participation for a stand¬ ard magico turn, the two Mandos Sisters execute fairly dangerous aerial act, and Desmond & Marks are a vigorous if overlong knock¬ about pair. Gord. generally speaking will. run for only two weeks, the pix will be retained for longer periods at the Carlton if justified by returns. The films concerned would be offered on the standard general release pattern as heretofore, around eight weeks after their pre-release open¬ ings. Critic Carmody coatlaReg iron peso S spite the fine impression created by Fonda, Carmody feels there could not be “a good enough reason” for star’s failure to be present to ac¬ cept hit best actor award. Such “carefully, selected” stars as Jimmy Stewart and Danny Kaye, he adds, could be tremendous good* will agents, and turn out effective salesmen of U. £?. films, if they had attended the Festivals. He does not think, incidentally, that the selection of stars need be related to the films that are chosen for' competition. Carmody adds the recommenda¬ tion that Hollywood send a musical to one of next years' festivals, largely because of the universal ap¬ peal of such pix. (N. Y. distributors dispute such popularity, found trouble peddling musical film in Europe—Ed.) Despite his enthusiasm for such overseas competitions, Carmody has reservations about an Ameri¬ can Film Festival. He feels that the Hollywood product would have to cop a majority of the awards I “on the basis” of merit. If such [ a festival were held, however, he feels the opportunities of good-will ; are unlimited, and urges that it he : held in Washington or New York, rather than Hollywood. • Astaire in Japan S—, ContimAg from page 2 j 20lli-Fox Plans see Continue* front page 11 sss smaller theatre also operated by 20th-Fox. Pattinson also revealed that the policy switch had been discussed with circuit toppers with whom they were in active business asso¬ ciation, among them Cecil G. Bern¬ stein of Granada, D. J. (Jack) Goodlatte of Associated British, Sam King of Shipman'.and King, Sol Sheckman of the Essoldo cir¬ cuit and Alfred Davis of the Davis Theatre,- Croydon. They were unan¬ imously in favor of the project and had indicated full support.. The new release system would extend to London suburbs a policy already effectively carried out in key provincial cities, where the latest releases open concurrently with the West End. Company had hoped to inaugurate the policy with pictures of the calibre of “Island In the Sun” and “Affair to Remem¬ ber,” but had not - been able to overcome all the administrative problems involved. 20th-Fox is hopeful to launch the plan by- the end of the year and is confident that it wo^ild lead to a substan¬ tial increase in the grossing capac¬ ity of the theatres concerned. Pat¬ tinson didn't think it would hurt business, at their first-run house In the West End which depended largely on the floating population. Although the nabe pre-releases of that, but I can’t depend on go¬ ing on forever,” he said. “Yet I feel fine and as I say, I never think of my age until I read about it For the last 13 years I’ve been avoiding romantic interest because I just don’t like to play them— and there’s the difference in ages.* It’s not easy .to get scripts that way.” - - Astaire refused to jump into the fray which has some of. Holly-. wood’s top names complaining about the paucity of good story material. He said, “In an era that pro- duced./Giant,’ ’From Here to Eter-* nity> and other great pictures, can you say it’s terrible? Good mate¬ rial is always hard to get.” No dawdler over the past, Astaire remarks to people iflho say to him, “Don't you get a kick out of watch¬ ing your old pictures on.tv?” He doesn’t. “I’ll occasionally run an' old number so I’ll see what I’ve done so I don’t repeat. I try, never *to repeat.” c Astaire has made a few televi¬ sion appearances as a guest for friends. Astaire said he has never really performed on that medium. He took the poakior ‘1 don’t want to mix tv with my movie career; I don’t, think one s 'juld. It's yery good from a promotional stand¬ point, but that’a all. It means tod much exposure. It's been proven at the boxoffice. Nobody with a regular weekly tr show has con¬ tinued to be big jit the boxoffice.”