Variety (March 1959)

,86 • REVIEWS PSku&f Wednesday, March 18, 1959 VARIETY BILLS WEEK OF MARCH 18 NEW YORK CITY MUSIC HALL 19 I Schoia Cantorum Kovach it Kabo\\s!cy Schre ; ber’s Chimp I Corps tie Ballet Itoikctio It. I*ai«e «rc I ROXY Dorothy Keller Karl Hall 1roupers ItallacJeeis Itolit. Boucher Ore HAVANA AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE I Tivoli ‘ Bra/.ili::e t Dancers Johnny Lockwood Martha & AdolCo E & B Cnrley Le.i Lowe Sue Peters Barton & Stuchb'r’y j Nicoli Bros. Lloyd Nairn [Jack Monnier Frank Ward Kdit Juhnsz Deidre Green l Jeff Parker SYDNEY Tivoli Sabrina. Andrea Dancers llorric Daryie 5 S & M Harrison Billy Baxter Mistin Juniors Hotel Caprt' Lucy Fi-.bery Rivier. .s Bar,pel Bnrdisa Hotel Nacional A. M r.lar.Inez Ca«ado Gina Rt mand ; A‘.»no’o Torrente Ana & Julio I Manteca Godino Singers “Dancing Waters" Hotel Riviera Ramon Veloz Rene Cabel D’Aida Q Gina Martin Raul de Mesa . F. Guerrero Ore Liddvnno Ore LCS ANGELES BRITAIN vther ASTON Hippodrome Piddock & Penny Annette & Noel Trevor Evans 6 Show'iris 8 Pennies Mike Norman Dawson & CTc Peg.-y C'.voH Kay McKeh'-'r 1 .k Jackson & Collins B’RMINOHAM Hlopodrome Ruby '• urray France!* & Zmdra Dennis Spicer T.'iair •' “ttss G°ry Mili-r Mongr.d- r & Ann Monograms Tommy Lceky Jinv.nv Gay ED NSURGH tlsnpre Jack ’lilr' V Robert Wilson Crrr*' O’Conner Cornki-.ters . SvJney D.vine CrdcVet & Je.n.nie WiM St^rr FINSBURY PARK . Empire Max Mi’Jer . Murrav Cambell Pe*er Cr.vanagh Audrev Jeans Tin > V'irfi G. H. Ei’sc-tt Hettv GLASGOW Empire Alma Cogan T Edorics Morecambe & Wise French & Joy [ Alan Clive • Marcellis ! Frank Cook LEEDS Empire Oreste Kirkop Lundon & Pam : Keppel & Betty : Russell & Susie , o-veen Josephine Anne Sonny Roy ! LIVERPOOL { Empire Connie Francis i K & A Kemr) ! Frank Weir Ore NT & S Lemon-e : Kemble & Chr.slinc I Jim Coutop | Norm*>n Vang ban. Ben Biue's - Ren biae , Helen Boice , .tcherta Lee j *ai..v i-Iy.he | Ch i-les Vcspia b -mm\ IVoif I Oi-. k l?"rn:e (Richard unnoo ! ’.. n Lane G;c I Coro, r.ut Grove , SopMe Tucker Fre.i v I 1 .--rim Ore j Iro-.-.c-*.ae | C\>un: Bnrie Ore . _ _ _ :Da\e Lambert Sngrs Marilynn Lovell •./ ’Hue- ! .’oe Felix ! Jimm'e Kcmack l Roger Nichols | Earl Grant [Gateway Singers | Mat. Dennis | *oulin Rouge (Andrews Sisteis i.oo er.uJ World' ! Sl-te Bros, i Don Rickies - j Meg Myles ! Vido Musso Sf.- let Hotel Dave Barry P. ris Sisters ! El Sergman Ore Ye Little Club LAS VEGAS NEWCASTLE | Empiie : Carroll Levis I Jackie Collins • Duo Rr'-smar f Ronnie Collis Griff Kendall Gilbert Rich-rds & Yol-.nda SHEFFIELD Empire ; Cecil Sheridan i Kilmurry Co. : Helen Turner i Nico Ferry 3 ;Joy Brennan i Tom O’Neal 1 Cecil Nash NEW YORK CITY Blae Angel Shelley Berman Faj i^e tViii. Ituiii O;:: Jim::; t-. on 3 Bail rd Bon Soir PhyLN i>n.er Mae lies Tt.n;. uc nriuie Jimmie Daniels Tn.rce riames Murr. > Giand Css-nova Jose auvu Alex x.osaii Chr «.- > Madno Los Chavales de Esoanu Rai^.i -out Ore Pamhi:.' Ore Candi Coriez Coprc-bana Will Mastin 3 S..rr.my Davis Jr. Kat.i.v 3arr Zerne -sorth Run S.ewart Lou Donn Ore Pagan Ore Downstairs Room Demi Dozen Sylvia Shay Jane Connell Ceil Cabot Jack Fletcher George Hall Gerry Mathews Stan Keen No. 1 Fifth Aye Bobo Lewis Joe Layton Robert Downey Harold Fonvilie Joan Bishop Hotel Astor Irving. Fields He ei Roosevelt Guy Lombardo Ore Hotel Plaza Diahann Carroll Ted Straeter Ore Mark Monte Ore Hotel Pierre Wilbur Evans Betty Madigan Stan Grover Joseph Ricardel Orc Alan Logan Ore Hotel Taft Vincent Lopez Ore Hotel St. Regis Bill Hayes Florence Henderson Ray Bari Ore. t Milt Shaw Ore ! In Boboli ; Herman Chittison - Bob English ! Latin Quarter Keefe Brasselle ; Karmen Dancers [ Happy Jesters ! Romano Bros. ; Dick Curry ! Pony Snerrell i.lo Lomu, mi Ore | 8 Hririone Ore Le Ccpidon T. C. Jones Jean Gibbcizs Living Room ! Eddie Heywood i Jack Kelly Lyda Fairbanks International Joey Adams A1 Kelly Lou Wills Jr. Jacqueline Fontaine Lane Bros. McKenna Line alike Durso Ore Palmieri Ore New Romanian Sadie Banks Vivian Cook Savoy Hilton Tommy Purcell Ore Town & Country Jewel Box Revue Ned Harvey Ore Sicari Ore Two Guitars Olga Valdi Ivan Nepa Xenia Brante K. Poliansky Ore Misha Usdanoff Viennese Ljnterc Vicky Autier Jeanne Michelle Ernest Schoen Ore Village Barn Larry McMahan Joni Roth Lou Mosconi Belle Carroll Jim Lewis Lou Harold Ore Villaqe Vanguard Irwin .Corey Ernestine Anderson Jim Lazarus 5 Waldorf-Astoria Vivienne Della Chiesa Emil Coleman Ore Bela Babai Ore Deseri - :n McCui-v Fibers • V. ul C i bcr„ ' Ar. oobn-run L>< p.” A 'c:i D.'crs Cur..on I yes Ore i L . '>3S ;.-Ni •* I'' P. ris” , -Y.n.k e.. Marlowe . Lu.-'u. . '~.uh m £: r ya sis 11 I' , Na..u .i' . m.sra I'bic.’ --I; ; :n n ! Rw.l :i?n -civ jA’lcn C nrov | ■■Im»P' c. -in;.ugh ! i. ec .T - - n ore ; .-ftei ' Ch. u. j Euiler jDpb Trio \p;s:.tf.cT El P reho Vsqaj C’Li N r iv.elle Eve” DMc nice Ore. F>r,i:.no Cire' 1 .'* ?IacKenz:e Cooiors Mort Sc hi Dun kak F!;;m. et»es •Jack Cathcart Ore Freri'r.t Hotel HocevL-rm Doe.-’y & Bill Gayle Walton Make Believes Gc'c.n l.'-igget Harry Ranch Lee & F'ye May¬ nard Sons c. r Gold’n W : st Riviera ; George Gobel > Georgia Gibbs Treniers Ray Sinatra Ore ; Dorothy Dorben Dcs j Sahara j Kay Starr ! Step Bros. • Leo De Lyon i .Stanley Boys n j Sa,.r-i\.m Dancers Loins Basil Ore Sands Johnny Mathis • Sue Carson . -S eve Rossi ! Texas Ccpa Girls Antonio Morelli On Showcoat Sons of Pioneers Hank Morton Johnny Cash Merle Travis Silver oiipper Hank Henry Miss Yum Yum Dick Weston '*e -5y Dietrick Toni & I-Iarry Wham -Mark Hell Soarky Kaye Red .Marshall Danny Jacobs Geo. Redman Ore Stardust Lido De Paris "Ces’t Magnifique* Vagabonds Wingv Mrnone Thunderbird China Doll Revue of *59 A1 Jahns Ore Tropicana Soike Jones I Helen Grayco 1 Johnny Puleo Dior Dancers Nat Brandwy v Gene Austin Lucille & Eddie Roberts * Ore MIAMI - Miami beach CHICAGO Black Orchid Shecky Greene Ford & Hines Joe Parnello (3) Blue Angel Phyllis Branch Osborne Smith Calypscnians Elena Espart & Camille Lord Christo Blue Not* Gerry Mulligan Art Van Damme (5) Chez Paree Mickey Rooney Joey Forman Pat Morrissey Geo Cook wrc. Che? Vb r-h'es (9> C’-iis^er inn Corbelt Monica I.ur.ean Hunter Ramsey hewi* Trio Conrad Hilton Helga Neff "Frosty Frills" Farra & Carter Ben Gee it Bernle Harris Jack Kodell Eddie Ash Manuel Del Toro Inez & Gordon Ken Harris Ore Drake Roberta McDonald Jimmy Blade Ore Gate of Horn Ran & Nama Josh White London House Carmen Cavaliaro Mister Kelly's Kaye Ballard David Allen Marty Rubinstein 3 Marx & Frigo Palmer House Dorothy Shay Ben Arden Ore Americana Marl..v.e Kuner Rev B.rbarj Heller ill. ckbur i Twins - erry Collins -iack DeLeon Kryiee Jones Mara Lynn Mark Reddy Tyler Ore Nina Rimon Ba'moral Di- k Sterling Marta & Tobey Rodriguez Revue Bar of Music Arthur Blake Guy Rennie Harvey Bel! Jordan & Coby Carillon Lou Wellers Revue Arthur L. Simpkins Tun Tun Daryll Stewart Piroshka & Niky Dominique Judy Reece Jacques Donnet Ore Ruth Wallis Deauville -Terry Lewis Bc-bby Van Lee Martin Ore Freddy Bell B’l’boys Dream Lounge Buddy Rich Ore Roseite Shaw WilHe Restum .Marty Harris 3 Diplomat Alan King Fran Warren Mai Malkin Ore Eden Roc Sammy Davis Jr. Hal Leman Play¬ mates Maurice Chevalier Brascia & Tybee Walter N.ve Ore Jackie Heller Giovannis Buffy Dee 3 Luis Varona Ore Sonnv Kondis Ore Fontainebleau Donald O’Connor Sidney Miller Murray Schlamm Sacasas Ore Campo Ore * _ Harbour Lounge Sammy Walsh . Gilbert & Tracy Tony Matas Latin Quarter Jimmy Durante Sonny King Johnny Mack Sally Davis Tanya & Biagl Jack Roth Jules Buffano Tommy Wonder Del Rubio Triplets "Legs" Diamond Donn Arden Revue Jose Cortez Ore : Lucerne Havana Mardi Gras Diosa Costello Milos Velarde Don Casino Pepe Blanco Fausto Curbelo Ore Montmartre Eddie Schaffer Napoleon Reed Rev Freddie Calo Ore Murray Franklin's Paul Gray Murray Franklin Dick Havilland Kay Carroll Sue Lawton The Cooks Edd<e Bernard Place Pigalle B. S. Pully Dixie Evans Dorian Dennis Tony D’Arcy Rocking Lounge Cozy Cole Ore Dizzy Gillespie 5 Don Vincent 3 - Singapore Lillian Carmen Freddy Stewart Sin Ling Snuffy Miller Dansations Mickey Gentile Ore RENO Harrah's Club Lancers Johnny Ukulele Ross &. Lane Noel Boggs Sons, Golden West Ho Hums Kings Harold's Cfub Buddy Mars Frank Moore Bob Braman Holiday Harry Ranch Allegro Maakuanua's Hawaiians Mapes Esquires Low Styles Powell Twins Riverside Billy DeWolf Trio MSrtelle Martin Bros. Della Quadro Riverside Starlets Ed Fitzpatrick Ore bi Trill Yields Continued from page 2 joined the assault, was led to spec¬ ulate that “If it (the ad) wasn’t in color, maybe no one would have seen it.” Same ad appeared In. the Trib- owned evening American which, curiously, did not follow suit in the matter of refusing directory listings, although it did nix a sec¬ ond order for the color ad. As one American ad staffer put it, “We operate pretty independently here.” Despite the Trib blackout, “Biki-, ^ ni,” pai ed in the multiple run with • “Flesh and the Woman,” report-; ^ Mins, cdly racked up fancy grosses. Dis- i Viennese Lantern, N.Y. JACQUES DOUAI Song Recital 50 Mins. Petit Marigny, Paris Jacques Douai comes on with a guitar and gives out with a neat bevy of specialized folk ditties from various parts of France. The songs are given knowing delivery hut, in spite of a pleasant voice and personable appearance, Douai remains a highljt individual vocal entry with only specialized state¬ side possibilities in folk recitals dr Francophilic boites. Douai shares his recital with a folklore dance group La Frairie (10) who do bright Basque dances but are mainly amateur and local in appeal. Therese Palau does choreography and direction com¬ petently. Mosk. JEANNE MICHELLE tributor is Essanjay Films, which pointed out that neither picture was condemned by the Legion of Decency. Both are B-rated (objec¬ tionable in part for all), and were granted full permits here by the police censors. That in itself says a lot, since all previous Bardot antics to play here were pink- ticketed. Issue has its amusing sidebars. For one. the trade was quick to j beaded gown en- Jose. Jeanne Michelle looms as a promising entry for class cafes. A well-trained coloratura, Miss Mi¬ chelle has translated her classical background into a routine which presents wide popular appeal. Her magnum opus is a medley of tunes from current legit hits tied together with a neat bit of special material. For the classicists, she gives “Musetta’s Waltz,” all note that ads for another ■*Bardot i done in Impeccable style. Miss film, on view at two theatres, went I M ich f?i e ’. s look s command atten ; unmolested by the Trib Also Es- ‘ tlon ' She s a " ell- Sroomed redhead sanjay noted that the offending ■ 2?®“ 61-6611 blurb was composed in the Trib ! nances - _ shop,- and the paper okayed layout j as it ran. The controversy, inci- ; OZZIE & ANITA REYES dentally, did not extend to the ; Dance other two dailies—Sun-Times and 1 -,- Daily News—for reason- that ^ „ , neither carried the original two- i s ^ euben s » Bost °n color spread. i Ozzie & Anita Reyes, out for Apart from, the immediate issues, I some time > but not >’ et documented such as censorship, the incident • in Variety, are a vibrant young illumines a trend here for pres- j personality dance team that make sure groups to by-pass the exhibi- a big impression. Slick routining tor in such matters and take their ; of fast moving stint adds a plus for outrage straight to the newspapers. | the youngsters who work strenu- Moreover, it came as something of t ously through a gamut of torrid a surprise that it was the Trib : Latin terp items. Femme, a 5-9 which accedecL since, partly for its • darli e y ed looker, gags, mugs, flirts status as topsheet in town, the ' throughout intricate steps to reg- paper has long been recognized as ister solid aud impact, while part- Chi s most pressurized I K . er P la > rs lt straight. It s a zesty, ■vibrant turn from opening Afro- each number, distaffer is exhibit¬ ing in calypso number in which she shines partner’s shoes and fin¬ gernails to the calypso beat. Windup a la Cuban rock is frenzied with Elvis overtones, she shakes and he gets the shock, fol¬ lowed by goof step into Charleston kicks. Femme bounds into part¬ ner's arms with kiss on cheek bow- off. He was a terp instructor, and she a Washington secretary, when they wed and started out as a dance team. They have a smoothly integrated act. plenty visual, sul¬ try, and nicely costumed. They include some hotsy cha-cha-cha terping in their topnotch stint. Team emerges as solid person¬ alities winning plaudits at Steu¬ ben’s where they are spotted next to closing. They show profession¬ alism in every move and look ex¬ cellent bets for class niteries, mu- sicomedy, vaude, tv and show spots. Guy. FRERES JACQUES (4) With Pierre Philippe Songs Theatre Varietes, Paris Freres Jacques are a choral group whose savvy mime and pro¬ duction values, underline their ex¬ cellent songalog. They emerge with the eye and ear appeal for special concerts and boite work stateside, and are a local smash. Dressed in multicolored tights and jerkins, and utilizing fake beards, mustaches, hats, etc., for the various songs, they spin far¬ cical tales of early French history, stories of Love, or poetic and zany ditties. Expert choralling, pleasant voices and versatility make this a unique combo staple here with positive offshore chances. Pierre Philippe’s piano accomp is another plus. Mosk. SAN FRANCISCO Backstag* Stan Arnold Rene Joubert Blackhawk Modern Jazz 4 Canterbury Geo. Alexander Benny Strong Ore Easy Street Barbara Dane Wally Rose Ore Fack's Mary Kaye Trio Fairmont Hotel Nat King Cole E Heekscher Ore 440 Club Larry Winters Carol Davis Walter Hart Giy 90's Diamrnd Lll Joy Healy Dncrs- Bee & Ray Gorman Dick Keegan Ore Hangover Earl Hines Joe Sullivan Muggsy Spanier Hungry I Frank Buxton Bat-ya Frank DHone Frank Buxton Jazz Workshop Mastersounds Kewplt Doll Marty Marsala Ore On the Levee Kid Dry Ore . Purple Onion Coachmen 3 Cathi Hayes Ronnie Schell 365 Club Patrice Wymore Trio Cottas Moro Landis Ore Bill Clifford Ore. Infernal Revenae Continued from page 2 of Amusement Enterprises as long¬ term capital gain from the sale of stock. IRS previously announced its ac¬ quiescence in. the cases of Julius H. (Groucho) Marx and John B. Guedel, involving a similar issue. IRS said it will follow these de¬ cisions in cases where the facts clearly indicated the court’s con¬ clusions are applicable. But the agency emphasized that these ac- quiescenes “do not indicate any change in basic IRS policy.” Arrangements which are in the nature of a “sale” of personal ser¬ vices in the guise of a capital as¬ set will continue to be questioned if the arrangement appears to con¬ stitute a “device”-for the avoid¬ ance of taxes, IRS said. mambo-jazz number with trick slides by Anita to whammo Cuban rock ’n’ roll. With three different skirts, which she whips off for Unit Review Casiro’s Cuba Continued from page 2 — runners and all engaged in “con¬ spiring” against the established Batista regime. But the Spanish colony here is large, including well-heeled segments in show biz; so 100% enforcement was not pos¬ sible. Showing of the documentary is something the government here would like to avoid. But it cannot readily do this for Mexico is pledged to freedom of the press. Called “The Great Clash,” the doc¬ umentary was made by 25 camera¬ men, according to Garcia, covering a. period from March 10, 1958 to date. It includes the start of the movement, the Sierra- Maestra camps and skirmishes, the attacks on Cuban federal forces and final¬ ly the “heroic” march on Havana by the bearded rebels. Scotch Express (PAVILION, GLASGOW) Glasgow, March 10. Dave Willis (with Cathie Haigh), Group One (4), Calum Kennedy, Jeannettes (3), Musical Elliotts (3), Joe Long, Billy Denison & Diane Carol, Jaz Rene & Lorenz, Joy Cavile, Cherry Willoughby Girls (8), Billy Rose Orch. This is so-so local fodder, headed by Dave Willis, longtime Auld Lang Syne comedian, and at 63 still able to draw good yocks with his Chaplin-style antics, though not so active as in former years. Willis works gamely in sketches and gag situations, assisted by femme stooge Cathie Haigh, and wins customer approval with ges¬ ture rather than novelty of ma¬ terial. Two newer acts, with appeal to younger customers, are Group One. foursome of warblers (all male) who register warmly with current tunes, and the Jean-ettes, trio of attractive chirpers in har¬ mony. Jaz Rene & Lorenz fill the dance dept, stylishly. Musical Elliotts (father, mother and daughter) return with their instrumental novelty, and exit to worthwhile reaction. Billy Deni¬ son, aided by Diane Carol, offer a husband-apd-wife crosstalk act that suffers through distaffer’s lack of bite. Joe Long works hard in bid to rouse yocks with more comedy. Joy Cavile leads the Cherry Willougby girls, a line of eight chorines who are adequate. Calum Kennedy, young singer, looks good, wears the Highland plaid and kilt like the true High¬ lander he is, and gets good reac¬ tion from outfronters with his “Hiking Song,” a fast Scot tune which he has waxed for okay results. Gord . Bigger Features Continued from page 1 day and holiday nights for all or¬ chestra and mezzanine seats. On other nights the bite is $2.50 per for the same locations. Columbia, which hit the jackpot with its roadshow of “Bridge on the River Kwai,” will try again with “They Came to Cordura,” William Goetz production. Running around three hours and with a cast including Gary Cooper, Rita Hay¬ worth. Van Heflin, Tab Hunter and Dick York, this obviously is an expensive entry and Col will be attempting to have the public provide the payoff through the special marketing. Walt Disney currently is dealing in high stakes with “Sleeping Beauty.” Playing on a grind policy. Film’s price at N. Y.’s Criterion Theatre is $2.40 at the top for Mom & Dad and $1.25 per for the kids. A family expedition to the Criterion obviously is no cheapie affair so far as the custom is con¬ cerned. The future Cinerama (with story) pictures, Rowland V. Lee’s “Big Fisherman” and Metro’s “Ben Hur,” already can be counted on as roadshow pictures this year. Others doubtless will be added be¬ fore the year is out, the number of them to be determined by the en¬ tertainment outcome of the blue chips pix now in production or on the early schedules and, finally, the customers’ reaction to the idea of paying extra money for Holly¬ wood’s wares in this latter day blockbuster era. The increased-seale approach has its pitfalls, of course. Warners ex¬ perienced this, with “Old Man and the Sea,” Ernest Hemingway story with Spencer Tracy in the lead. Considerable effort and advertising coin went into the roadshowing of this - one, but it only proved a mis¬ fit. The public wouldn’t buy what WB paid a mint for. After about 20 runs the picture was withdrawn, was returned to the market on con¬ ventional policy—and the public responded fair enough but this time at conventional prices. There; can be repercussions in the trade, too. Example of this is the beef that came last week from Edward W. Lider, president of the Independent Exhibitors and Drive- in Assn, of New England, anent Disney’s “Beauty.” He complained that 9 Disney was “deserting” his longtime customers (theafremen and the moppet public alike) by channeling the picture to only * few theatres at the top scales.