Variety (February 1959)

Wednesday, February 11, 1959 69 HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS (20) Basketball Exhibition 45 Mins. Moulin Rouge, L. A. Booking of the Harlem Globe¬ trotters and their company into the Moulin Rouge for three nights and only for the second show, (open¬ ing Feb. 3) was frankly an experi¬ ment on the part of Frank Sennes, the club’s Impresario, and Abe Saperstein, redoubtable manager and creator of the internationally- known Negro basketball team. Per¬ haps the test was not conclusive, but the group undoubtedly got the smallest attendance and mildest reception it has received in a long, long time, perhaps a record low. Very few clubs could even con¬ sider booking a basketball team, but the Moulin Rouge’s huge stage and amphitheatre seating arrange¬ ment make it as easy fit here. The Globetrotters and their “oppon¬ ents” in their exhibition match, the Hawaii Fiftieth Staters, for their “act,” do a two-period game, with each period running between 15 and 20 minutes. There are two complete teams on each side, al¬ though the stars of each group, such as the Globetrotters’ comic, Meadowlark Lemmon, stay in for the whole show. During the break between periods, a table-tennis team puts on an exhibition match, which runs between 12 and 15 minutes. The basketball starts out fairly straight, but lively, and marked by the trick shots that are the Globe¬ trotters’ trademark. What begins as a semirserious contest, however, soon develops into a well-organized shambles with players shooting at each others’ baskets, playing with opposing team members, rough¬ housing the referee, etc. It’s fast and funny, but response to the act from the Moulin Rouge crowd— While approving—was tepid. The ping pong match is done without clowning. Although apparently a setup, it is performed so skillfully, it seems a contest. Perhaps the hour (it was after midnight when they came on) Worked against the Globetrotters, or perhaps the reaction would hatfe been more enthusiastic with a larger crowd. The fact that they were playing elsewhere in the area possibly held the crowd down. Whatever the reasons, however, it was not a success, and on the .basis of this showing, the Globetrotters are not a nitery act Poire. KIM SISTERS (3) Songs, Dances 20 Mins. Thunderbird, Las Vegas The Kim Sisters (Sook ja, 19, Ai ja, 20, and Min ja, 21). make their American debut in “China Doll Revue of 1959” and it is indeed an auspicious one. Girls are beautiful, showing professional ease in a colorful, refreshing act that is a credit to their native South Korea, where it has long been a hit with our GIs-. Efforts of Syngman Rhee got the sisters a special goodwill passport to enter this country. . Kims have multiple talent: they sing, dance, and play a variety of instruments including- sax, bass, drums, electric guitar, accordion— plus some that are uniquely Korean. Added to songs in their own' tongue are some surprisers like “Tom Dooley,” “Sincerely” . and “Fever.” Garbed in-native costume, over¬ all effect of the stint puts it in the high calibre class. It’s an act that should click handily in any nitery or theatre. Duke. TERESITA DE ALBA Songs 22 Mins. Society Restaurant, London Teresita de Alba, an attractive and vivacious Filipino vocalist, has the sort of personality which effectively holds an audience, al¬ though most of her songalog is de¬ livered in Spanish. Out of half a dozen numbers she has only one English language entry, “Return to Me.” Beautifully gowned in a Spanish- type -dress, she uses castanets to good rhythmic effect for her open¬ er, “Espana Mia” (“My Spain”). “Granada,” with which she follows, is, of course, familiar enough and was reprized for her begoff. The remainder of the' routine comprizes Spanish and Mexican numbers Miss de Alba, petite, but vital, has an impressive. voice and a natural charm* which radiates warmfh and sincerity. She should do well in most better class cafe situations. * K . Myro. TONI & JAN ARDEN Songs 40 Mins. Eddys’ Restaurant, Kansas City Both Toni Arden and brother Jan, singing singles for some time, have been working toward a duo in recent weeks, and have chosen, the opportunity to introduce it in this engagement at the Eddy Res¬ taurant, first booked simply as a date for Toni Arden. Only a day before opening the two decided to . debut the new act here. Tommy Reed orch’s opening number swings out in jazz combo style on “Exactly Like You” before the introduction for 4 ‘Toni Arden, the star of our show,” and she has it solo for half a dozen numbers. She is in her established style.on “Almost Like Being in Love,” “Non Dimeriticar,” “Autumn Leaves,” a medley of tunes in Italian and “Pennies from Heav¬ en.” It's a soft opening, but quickly settles the house to rapt attention. It’s near the half-way mark that brother Jan conics on .to duet with Toni, on “I Need,” and from there on it’s variations of the. two. An interlude of songs in French fol¬ lows, in which Toni is especially melodious on “Under the Bridges of Paris,” and Jan counters with “My Lost Melody.” The two join on “Pigalle” and “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love,” then Toni winds it with “Grown Ac¬ customed To Your Face.” The act bids to be strong on musical quality, and the two prove tested singers. As it unwound here opening night there were a few rough edges, as might be expected, but nothing that won’t settle with a few "doings. With two voices as fine as these, proper seasoning should make this an act always in demand. Quin. OSCAR CARTIER Comedy 25 Mins. Steuben’s, Boston Oscar Cartier, 5-9, blonde re¬ laxed comic with intriguing French Canadian type accent off the Jack Paar show, and who has been working on the west coast for some time, but not yet documented in Variety - , makes his first eastern appearance here. He has a satirical act, sharply funny and different, with original updated material, re¬ lies on word paintery to set scenes for hilarious routines. Opens with satire on American, British and French films with de¬ tails on how a love scene is done in each. Uses satire, humor and makes the points with emphasis holding and attention all the way. Segues to rollicking “Alouette” for change of pace with some fast one- liriers. Grabs guitar and talks about paperback books, how the covers fool you—“you think you’re getting sexy book, and you wind up religious fanatic.” His magnum opus is a different drunk routine, in which a chap at a party takes a couple of snifters and begins tell¬ ing his troubles to. the bartender, with "why we drink,” “marital woes” and “bad Itfck.” Smart material, and good * de¬ livery with relaxed stage presence looks to put Cartier up front for class spots; also shows good tv and vaude potential. Guy. MAFALDA TRIO Songs 30 Mins. Harrah’s Club, Reno The Mafalda Trio—making a Reno bow at Harrah’s Club—brings in an act that is not only new to the group itself, but offers a me¬ lange of titles not usually heard in this room for the boozing set. And, from auditor indication, the three made good choice in including a sprinkling of semi-classics and the more serious stuff in their varied repertoire. Mafalda, a redhead with obvious concert potential, has full com¬ mand of the ivories, and her styling proves she’s sensitive to mood and interpretation. Her backers, Lou Papp (spouse) on string bass, and Don Miller on drums, relegate themselves to the background on the. instrumental offerings, hut their support is definitely an essen¬ tial part of the total Mafalda and Lou make with the vocals on hoy-girl things and Mil¬ ler dries the updated stuff, but the real talent lies in the. instruments. From, titles such as '’Rumble Boogie” to Tchaikovsky’s "Tonight We Love.” Mafalda Trio repertoire includes “Street Where You Live,” “Mala- guena,” “Anne,” “Around the World.” Mafalda, shapely arid v $martly- costumed, displays . ari intimate PJOiidTr knowledge of- Latin rhythms (“Be¬ gin The Beguine”) and shows an ability to create moods in such things fis “10th Ave.” The trio has a talent that can he varied to fit any of the better rooms, but would be wasted in the I cheaper joints. They rate the best. Long. VARIETY BILLS WEEK OF FEBRUARY 11 NEW YORK CITY Honse Reviews MUSIC HALL 12 Dior Dancers Corps de BaUet ItockeLles U. Paige Ore. ROXY Troupers Balladeers Balladeers _ Showrxwt - - l ltotit. Boucher Ore J&“n ioI1Kr . Sands Annie Maloney S£E2S2“ Geo. Redman Op. Texas Ceps Girls StartfUit Antonio Morelli Ore Ltdo De Paris Showboat ‘ - ' ■ “Ces’t Magnifiqu*T Tex. Ritter - Vagabonds, ;,?." 2 Apollo, 5. Y. Dakota Staton, Ahmad Jamal Trio , Leon Thomas, Nipsy Russell, Art Blakey & Jazz Messengers (5), Betty Frank; “Guns of Fort Petti¬ coat” (Col). Current Apollo bill finds the Frank Schiffman house risking 1 the loss of most of its rock ’n’ roll- hungry teenagers for a more ma¬ ture jazz audience. It’s the fourth time since September that the Har¬ lem spot has shifted into a full week , of straight jazz stylings. j Show, fronted by thrush Dakota Staton, Ahmad Jamal’s instrumen¬ tal trio and the Art Blakey combo, is erratic but the general response from the pews is favorable. At 1 show caught, the audience was made up predominantly of adulis. (Schiffman notes that in the other three jazz affairs, the matinees, which normally belong . to the younger set, fell off at the b.o.). Baritone- Leori Thomas opens with a vocal threesome, “She’s Not For Me,” “Round Midnight” and “I’ll Remember April.” More .than once he loses his place trying to sing around the melody, but the customers love the “April” windun. That’s because he trills through several bars of bop doubletalk, and though it seems sloppily-handled, the audience eats it up. The bill’s quality improves with the appearance of bearded pianist Ahmad Jamal, backed by a good bass and drums duo. They work effectively through three clever in¬ strumentals, which include an ex¬ cellent “Love For Sale” and an even better “Surrey With Fringe On Top.” Jamal plays around the tune, yet never quite loses it, and his form is technically perfect. Nipsy Russell, one of the best comedians to play this house, is back again, and for about a quarter of an hour, armed w^th fresh mate¬ rial (except for a few hardly no¬ ticeable lapses), wows the audience. Art Blakey, the drummer, then wheels his quintet onstage. Blakey’s drumming should be muted, even though he is the boss, because it tends to overwhelm some fair work by his alto saxophonist, the fine trumpeter and his equally good pianist. Other instrument is the bass fiddle. Dakota Staton offers the finale. She’s excellent on “Funny Valen¬ tine,” is too cute in “Cherokee” and plain dull in “Trust In Me.” Femme deejay Betty Frank is unsure as the hostess of this jazz vaude show. Incidentally, the Blakey quintet, augmented by seven other pieces, serves well’as background for-Thomas and come¬ dian Russell, who sings a few off¬ beat numbers along the route. Art. Fran cals, Ottawa Ottawa, Feb. 5. “Rock *n’ Roll Revue of. ’59,” Les Musicals (4), Frenchie Men- dey, Denise Lenge; “Decision at Sundown” and “Battle Stations” (Col); 85c admission. How to fill a stage for 75 min¬ utes with six people: Have most of ’em versatile, on most of the time and all over the place. This unit, owned and operated by Mr._ and Mrs. Jean Leduc of Montreal, does that very cleverly. They are two of the Les Musica's —foursome, the others being a pianist who doubles on some vocals with a piano mike, and a standout drummer—mid-aged, unlike most thumpers today. (There’s no pit orch in Bob Maynard’s largely French-audience 1,000-seater, now managed by Kenyon Davies, of ex- London, Out., Odeon.) Opening the show, the Leducs sing, dance, clown and play two saxes, accordion and clarinet. Mr. is chubby and funny, Mrs. blonde, chic, shapely and with a nice con¬ tralto; and they both know, what delights the mostly teenage crowd. Not all r&r either—not quite. Leduc’s comedy costume reminds a bit of Ed Wynn in “Simple Simon”—flat hat, bright green coat arid short, pants, huge yellow bow- tie. He later dons a duck-billed cap ; whose peak quacks whenever he < politely lifts it. A lot of French palaver has the kids In stitches, and there’s some funny panto; but a - nose-picking bit is unpleasant and drew no laughs to speak of when caught. ... Denise Lenge, first single on the (Continued on page 78) J. AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE Tivoli Sabrina S & M. Harrison Andrea Dancers Horrie Dargie 5 Billy Baxter Le Monnier Mistin Juniors Nicoli Bros. Edit Juhasz Martin Clarke t SYDNEY Tivoli Winifred Atwell Hank Morton. Johnny Cfcdl Merle Travis Silver aiipper Hank Henry Beverly Hills • I Morecambe ic Wise Juue Wju-th Gaston Palmer 2 Earls Ross it. Howitt J it D Rees 3 Sylverking* Brian Baker Lorraine Bransgrove Beverly Urquhart Cabaret Bills NEW YORK CITY Alan Clive Sparky Kaye Red MarsbaU Danny Jacobs Admiral Vee [Helene Francois Artists it Models Revue rs , Wingy Manone ' . Thunderbird China Doll ReVtfe . of ’59 .. c r Charlie Venture* Oxie Jackie & Roy Al J a tins ore Troplcana Ted Lewis Edie Adams Allan Drake Jerry Colonna Miami beach i Eden Roe Eartha Kitt Rowan & Martin 1 Richiardi Jr. Walter Nye Ore Jackie Heller I, Marlowe-Kuller Rev j Giovannis Blue Angel Orson Bean Betty Johnson Dorothy Loudon indios Tabarajos Jimmy Lyon 3 Bart Howard Bon Soir Alice Ghostiey Mae Barnes Tony & Eddie Jimmie Daniels Three Flames Murray Grand Casanova Jose Duval Alex Rosati Chateau Madrid Chiquita Sis Ralph Font Ore Panchito Ore Capdi. Cortez Copacabana Johnny Mathis Corbett Monica Vivian Cook Zeme North— Ron Stewart Lou Donn Ore Pagan Ore Downstairs Roon) Demi Dozen Jean Arnold Jane Connell Ceil Cabot Jack Fletcher George Hall Gerry Mathews Stan Keen No. 1 Fifth Ave. Mickey Deems Betty McNamara Robert Downey Harold Fonvilie Joan Bisbop Hotel Astor Irving Fields Motel Roosevelt • Barbara Heller I; Blackburn Twins Jerry Collins Jack DeLeon Kaycee Jones Mara Lynn Mark Reddy Vincent Lopez Ore Tyler Ore Hotel St. Regis Nina Ramon Vicky Autier Balmoral Ray Bari Ore. Marion Murray iiiit Shaw Ore Rodriguez. Revue In Boboli CarHjon Herman Chittison Lou Walters Revue Bob English Szonys Latin Quarter Dominique Jean- Carroll Piroslca Four Lads Tun Tun Tuckers Lucienne it j Romano Bros. • Richiardi St Dick Curry Don Garrard Pony SherreU Judy Reece Jo Lombardi Ore Jacques Donn B Hariowe Ore Cfro's Buffy Dee 3 Luis Varona Ore Sonny Kendis Ore Fontainebleau Jack Benny Gisele MacKetizie Chiquita & Johnson Szonys Sacasas Ore Campo Ore Gray's Inn Charlie Farrell Dori Lynn Harbour Lounge Sammy Walsh Gilbert & Tracy Tony Matas Latin Quarter Lucienne it Ashour | Betty Grable Richiardi St Co. Don Garrard Judy Reece jJay Lawrence ; Tanya & Biagi ’ Tommy Wonder Jacques Donnet Ore Del Rubio Triplets Le Cupidon Kuldip Singh Gigi Durston International Fran Warren Al Bernie. McKenna Line Mike Durso Ore Palmier! Ore RS V f Mabel Mercer Savoy Hilton Giro's Alan Gale Kay Brown Archers Damita Jo Mac Davis Ore Chris Columbo 5 Copa City Duke Ellington Othella Dallas Miller Bros. Barbara McNair Jimmy Randolph ••Legs” Diamond (Donn Arden Revue j Jose Cortez Ore Lucerne ! Havana MardJ Gras J Diosa Costello I Mill's Velarde ] Oon Casino i Roberto St Alicia i -*epe • Blanco I Fausto Curbelo Ore i Montmartre Tommy Purcell Ore Norma Miller Dncrs : Rose Hardaway Town & Country Jewel Box Revue Ned Harvey Ore ISicari Ore Two Guitars Olga Valdi Ivan Nepa Xenia Brante K. Poliansky Ore Misha Usdanoff Timmie Rogers Stump & Stumpy Lil Greenwood Ellington Ore Deauville ; Holly Warren Freddie Calo Ore J Murray Franklin's * Paul Gray ! Murray Franklin “Newcomers of '28” •: Dick Havilland Paul Whiteman Harry Bichman Rudy Vallee Buster Keaton Viennese Lantern Billy Gilbert Trio Smeed Toba Sherwood Ernest Schoen Village Barn Belle Carroll Jim Lewis Guy Lombardo Ore Tex Fletcher Hotel Plaza Lilo Ted Straeter Ore Mark Monte Ore Hotel Pierre Wilbur Evans Betty Madigan Stan Grover Mark Dawson Jim Hawthorne Black Orchid Robert Clary Gene Allen Blue Angel Phyllis Branch Osborne Smith Calypsonians Elena Espart & Camille Lord Christo Blue Note Flash Mason Karen Thorsell Vic Spaddy Lou Harold Ore Village Vanguard Red Garland Max Roach Donna Hightower Waldorf-Astoria Edith Piaf “Frosty Frills'' Farra St Carter Ben Gee & Bernie Harris Jack Kodell Eddie Ash Manuel Del Toro Inez St Gordon Ken Harris Ore Drake Jane Kean Fifi D’Orsay Kitty Muldoon ' Larry Grayson Roy Bargy Lee Martin Ore Buddy Rich Ore Rosette Shaw Willie Restum Marty Harris 3 Diplomat Jean Carroll Paul Gray Coronados Mai MalMn Ore i Kay Carroll j Rockee Pryor ; Sue Lawton i The Cooks j Eddie Bernard ! Riot Room i The Treniers. I Martin Depny 5 Rocking Lounge . Cozy Cole Ore j Roney Plaza i Art St Dot Todd { - Singapore Mickey Manners Freddy Stewart j Sin Ling i Snuffy Miller ] Dansations I Mickey Gentile Or« SAN FRANCISCO Backstage Stan Arnold Rene Joubert Blackhawk Modern Jazz 4 Canterbury Geo. Alexander Benny Strong Ore j Dick Keegan Ore Hangover Earl Hines Joe -Sullivan Muggsy Spanier Hungry i ; Mort Sanl Lambert, Hendricks Jimmy Blade Ore St Ross MJQ Chez Paree Sammy Davis Jr. Elisa Jayne Geo. Cook Ore. Chez Adorables (9 Cloister Inn Barbara Dane Dick Curtis Gate of Homo Martha Schlamme John Sellers London House Jonah Jpnes Mister Kelly's Ella Fitzgerald Marty Rubinstein 3 Marx & Frlgo Palmer House Easy Street Turk Murpby Ore Fade's Geo. Shearing Mel Young Fairmont Hotel Carol Cnanning E. Heckscher Ore 440 Club Larry Winters Carol Davis Walter Hart .Gay fO's Bee St Ray Goman Mastersounds Kewpie Doll Marty Marsala Ore On the Levee Kid Ory Ore Purple Onion Coachmen 3 Cathi Hayes Ronnie Schell 345 Club Lili St. Cyr Larry K. Nixon Moro Landis Ore i Bill Clifford Ore. Ramsey Lewis Trio Lisa Kirk Conrad Hilton Chase it Park Helga Neff Ben Arden Ore Harrah's Club Joyce Aimee Lancers Mapes Shari Long Nancy Lee Don Baker Bachelors Sons. Golden West Wilder Bros. LGS ANGELES Ben Blue's Ben Blue Helen Boice Roberta Lee Sally Blythe Charles Vespia Sammy Wolf Dick Bernie Richard Cannon Ivan Lane Ore Cocoanut Grove Shirley Jones Jack Cassidy Freddy Martin Ore Crescendo Stan Kenton Lenny Bruce interlude Louis Jordan ink Spots . Jack Dennison's Dave Burton Moulin Rouge Jerry Lewis “Wonderful World” Slate Bros. Don Rickies Statler Hotel “Rhythm on Ice” Ed Bergman Ore Ye Little Club Ethel Azama Joe Felix Roger Nichols Ho Hums • Lyn Avalon Malfada Trio Harold's Club * Carmen Cuvallaro Holiday Nick Lucas Knockabouts Woodsons Riverside Mills Bros. Carmenas Starlets Della Quadro Jo Ann Jorden » Dorise Van ; Riverside Starlets < £d Fitzpatrick Ore Hampshire Hoase Desert inn Tony Martin Jack Durant ■ Bobby Winters Art Johnson Louis Bellson Coles it Atkins Moaha Gleason Don Kirk Flamingoettes Donn Arden Dncrs Jack Cathcart Oro -Carlton Hayes Ore Dunes “Nuit De Paris” Carrie Finnell Marquis Family Trio Cottos Ben Beri Naja Karamura Gwen Harmon Bob Kennedy Allen Conroy Irv Benson Jack Mann Jimmy Cavanaugh Murray Briscoe Ces Davidson Ore {Billy Gray . El Cortez Roisl it Boyer Eddie Bush Versatile* El Rancho Vegas “La Nouvelle Eve” Dick Bice Ore. Fleming# Pearl Bailey Ye LIHto Club ! = Continued from page 2 == Joe e FeUx m * ! set in the bar tunes 111 on Pi’ogram- I Roger Nichols ming more suitable to a Second i ac tier *ac Avenue saloon; service employes LAS VEGAS are shabbily dressed, etc. Lonis Bellson All in all it amounts to a “dis- graceful” condition and Weisl, et Don Kirk al., want the present management, Fiamingoettes headed by Arnold S. Kirkeby, de- JaC Fremflmt*Hotei 0 posed. Kirkeby fwho controls by a Honeycones four-to-three vote the seven-mem- Gayuf Waifon her board) also is charged with Make Believes nepotism; he’s been putt'ng rela- tives on the payroll, it’s alleged. Lee & f4ye May- Weisl’s complaint includes the nard charge that in one instance a cer- Art gier° w Eye * )r 20 tain family was forced to vacate Sons of Gold’s Wst their apartment because a fire Ritz B*s rt * r * broke out due to an unrepaired Jean Fenn roof. They had to spend the night £ r * y . in- vacant apartments. Then, state* BenLessy the complaint: “Imagine their Ray Sinatra Ore amazement when they received Dorothy^Dorben Dcs hills from the management for a Sophie Tncker . night's occupancy. The situation. saS^eSfDmicer* would have been ludicrous if it Louis Basnorcf were not so serious.” Fremont Hotel Honeycones Deedy A BUI Gayle Walton Make Believes Golden Nugget Harry Ranch Lee it Faye May¬ nard Riviera Ritz Bros. Jean Fenn Patti Moore Ben Lessy Ray Sinatra Ore Dorothy Dorben Dcs Sahara Sophie Tncker . Ames Bros. Sahsrem' Dancers Louis Basil Ore