Variety (June 1959)

Wednesday, June 24, 1959 Adolphus Hotel, Dallas [ < Dallas, June 19. .. . Joe E. Lei ois (with Austin Mack), ... Joe Reichman Orch (7); $3 cover. ., That man is back for : his fifth .■ date in the plush Century Room , and it’s been too long . between ] dates, or drinks. After, a two-, year absence, Joe E. Lewis is in { for two frames—his. longest stand here. He’s been missed;. aficion- ados and new fans had an advance . • SRO sellout for the .first five nights j when the joker, opened (18). . j He springs, new . parodies (new ] ( for local fans): “Do They Have , Racetracks on the Moon?," “In the House, of Suzle Wong,” “76 Har- mdnes,” “Molly Malone” and “All the Way,” Retained are sharp .. lines kidding Sophie Tucker, Frank . Sinatra and Christine Jorgensen, j With his first drink he allows, ( -fm the Dead Martin of the Roar¬ ing ’20s;. actually the real me died of boredom 30 years ago,” ( Lewis throatily starts many risi- , ble rhymes, but interrupts himself ] to toss off shady one-liners that in- . crease the mitting. That’s, what ' they carne for: Lewis’ wild com¬ edy. Modern as tomorrow, ageless comic stings , current tv shows, has . a barb at Prince Rainier—and even \ one gag anent Louisiana Governor i Earl Long, which is bad taste on ; Lewis’ part Begoff comes after a ! solid 70 minutes of satisfying; his j capacity (275) house. Austin Mack, ■"! vet accompanist, gets his attention from Lewis comments, and plays the show admirably, ofttimes i backed by the house band. Reich- ^ man and his crew, load the floor for j terp sessions: , Next up is a Breck Wall revue, i “Bottoms Up,” due July i for an •< indefinite stay. . Bark. ' • Thunderblrd, L. V. Las Vegas, June 10. ! Vivienne delta Chiesa, Sonny Howard, Gail Ganley, Jack Porker, * Samara, Thunderettes (11), Al j Johns Orch (16); Produced by , Marty Hicks, Choreography by Jack Bunch; $3. minimum. Vivienne della Chiesa’s debut on ' the Las Vegas Strip is. a memor¬ able one—first, because she’s a ; handsome woman with a magni¬ ficent Opera-trained voice who pre¬ sents. a well-balanced; stunningly ; executed, repertoire that is out¬ standingly rewarding"’for the thea- tresoer. Second, it will .be •inter- estidg to see how a ton-quaFtv. performer sitch £s. Mire. dell?.-. Cliie-'a’ can], compete- .vr.ih such’: Vegas mhrqdne potent;, names . L>-na Horne, Fat'd Page. Dcmn^. Day, Mokey Rooney, and Pcsgv Lee, If the enthusiasm of first- . lughters,, who gave her a standing-. ovation, means rapidly spreading word-of-mouth, then Miss della Chiesa should keep the room filled, and justify the faith producer Marty Hicfe has in. her, Star’s numbers include “Non Di Menticar,” “Guaglione,” “You and The Night and The Music.” “Magic : Is The Moonlight.” “St. Louis Blues,” “Scarlet Ribbons,” “Little Serenade,” “Affair To Reifiember,” ; “Around The World “ “Arrivederqi Roma” and “Aneraa Core.” Long-, hair to pop segues are. done with smooth showmanship. . Bobby Kroll conducts the Al Jahns orch (16) with the proper flair. Sorihy Howard, held over from previous show, again : scores, with his songs and comedy, dialog. Cur- . rent package is set for two weeks. ^ ' Duke .. Beverly Hills, CImcv Cincinnati, June 19. Roberta Sherwood, Norton & Patricia, Moro-Landis Dancers (8). Bill Raymond , Gardner Benedict Orch (10), Jimmy Wilber Trio- . Larry Vincent; $3 minimum week- nights; $4 Sat. add holiday eves plus ■ $1.50 cover. Roberta Sherwood- home free on her third annual visit, : is keeping this swank Kentucky nitery’s at¬ tendance rolling in high this, fort¬ night. Heavy turnout opening night greeted the blue chip saloon singer like a long-lost sister. Flanking her in a hotsy cabaret lineup are Nor- ; ton & Patricia, young, ballroom dance team,: and Beverly’s' Moro- ; Landis line and. orch directed by Gardner Benedict. Belting songs as fast andt effec¬ tively as the next. Miss Sherwood unloads most of the oldies, hyinns, spirituals. and standards from her Decca. albums, “Country Songs For City People” and “Look For the . Silver Lining:” Makes her tradi¬ tional entrance, from rear of room singing “Love Is A Many Splen- dored Thing” and. shaking hands with ringsiders. Exits the Same route; to clamoring for the ’“Bill Bailey” signoff. Credits Walter Winchell for plugging her treat¬ ment of “You’re Nobody Till Some¬ body Loves You”—“the song that put fhe back to work,” Continues to use brush and cymbal for beat on “I Used To. Love You,” Salutes AIGHT CLUB REHEWS Gene Austin for her first hit Song, “Take Your Shoes Off, Baby.” With her are sons Don, 18, a U. of .Miami student; whom, she joins in singing “Girl of My Dreams,” and Bob, 14,. Who sits in on drums with the band for the closing num¬ ber. Miss Sherwood has Ernie De- Lorenzo ; piano, and Red Newmark, guitar, as. accompanists. Moro-Landis Dancers kick : off with a merry minstrel offering. Routine Of Norton & Patricia, ovef a pleasing 10. minutes, has two fast ballroom numbers, a music : box interpretation and a wedding spe¬ cialty. Joe E, Lewis heads the. ses¬ sion. starting July 3. Roll. .. Riverside, Reno Reno, June 18. Billy Eckstine, Szbhys (2), Eddie Fitzpatrick Orch (10), Starlets (8); §2 minimum. In. an effortless—but with full : command—35 minutes, Billy Eck- stirie easily proves his right to the title of “Mr, B” and it’s unques¬ tioned the “B” is for “Big.” Des¬ pite failure of the local nitery set to respond SRO, the almost full house gave the singer an ovation reserved for. only those of the; top league, and Eckstine earned it with a varied 10-titte melange that in¬ cluded a near-perfect impresh: of Louis Armstrong, complete With trumpet solo; From the opener “Love Is Where You Find .It,” the headliner is in control. After a set. of standards -and novelties he caps his turn with a nostalgic softshoe (with bat and cane and terping), and a powerful impresh of Armstrong that .proves talent on the chords as well as a strong lip at the trumpet. Taking the opening slot on the double-bill are the Szonys, mixed duo with an intimate knowledge of ballet and the classic dancing. With distaffer opening to an overhead pin spot to create mood (to “Au¬ tumn Leaves”), the two hold at¬ tention for complete turn with a routine that’s always a study in . artistry. Aud approval is heavy for the offering. Finale is an impress¬ ive interpretation from “Sleeping Beauty” ballet. The two, command complete, attention from tablets, and the effort rates it, . Bracketing the show are the Starlets, in a Moro-Landis produc¬ tion. Eddie Fitzpatrick orch pro¬ vides capable backstopping with. Bobby Tucker conducting from the , 88. for the' Eckstine turn. B : ll riuis.j ; through July 1, . ‘ Lq.’£/...• t "Hollywood, Juiie .18. 1 Ahiruid Jamal Trio \3>; $1.50 ; Ahmad JamaL jazz pianist whose trio opened Wednesday (17.) at Harfy 8c Alice Schiller’s Seville, is. an artist dedicated to. the pro¬ position that dynamic jazz ideas can be presented softly and sooth- . ingly. With the assistance of bass. viol placer Israel Crdsby and drummer Vernal Fournier, Jamal went far toward proving his point opening night.- But in majority of the selec¬ tions Jamal’S delicate, subtle musi¬ cianship seems more; like , back¬ ground music, not; sufficiently spectacular to arrest the attention oi. ordinary niterygoers. Notable . exceptions . like his “Poinciana,” which might be termed “jazz^Latin,” cast an almost hypnotic spell and make listening to;Jamal an exciting experience. Tricky, precise percussion by Fournier in this selection makes it. a real showpiece. . Jamal’s stage manner is plea¬ singly relaxed, in tone with his music. The group, booked through June 26, should draw a fair audi¬ ence here. Glen. Dino's, LosAngeles Los Angeles, June 16; Gwen Harmon, Jack Elion, Steve La Fever; no cover or minimum . : Latest singing newcomer to. hit • ithel Sunset Strip circuit is Gwen Harmon. , The . sexy;," longhaired blonde is a looker who'll draw plenty of, stares . before" singing her first note.. ' Chirp,, attired in a black gown, belts out a number of tunes in a nice soprano style; Her vocal capa- ■ bilities don’t really come across •• until she takes a turn at “Granada,” , a tough number to warble in any- . body’s book. She shows a nice flair in: presentation while singing . “Lullabye of Broadway,” “Get Out ; of Town,” “It’s All Right With • Me” .and “Bet’s Do It.” Her. book¬ ing at. Maury Samuel’s and. Dean • Martin’s bistro is a smart one: since . her appearance blends, nicely with / the atmosphere of the spot. Jack Elton’s 88ing, especially on ; a medley from “My Fair Lady,” ; and Steve Ba Fever’s bassing, keep ; the proper musical mood. Kafa. V rinb. R. r. - red haired partner make most in-i Sfluds, T^ts Vegas "v V “. ’ , t tricate steps look easy> Pair work t as ve«as June 17 in some deft lifts and spins and Lena Borne, Corbett Monica , Trio)-Bob M%v& Madbin -.Pujl’.big’round. of mittmg. Harry Nofal, Evelyn Dutton, Roy rnSSVclf f • '^ ie Stu ,-- °P ens t th . e Palmer, Copa Girls (11),. Antonio '<R^miMmdrh Hfi 9 ^ "• 7 ' ^ <d^e^rk^ juggling' MoreXli 0rch (ie) . Produced by $6,50. minimum. bits with the assistance of a cute Jack EntTatter . Choreography by ■ , ;I ■ , i . ... dog to nice returns. Don Dennis, o<»««/» stunrt- ss minimum Savvy judgement was behind the s j n ging emcee, whams out a rous- .’ ^ selection of Sammy Davis^Jr., to i n g “Song in My Heart” and wins Aft two vear absenpp Lena- open the freshly refurbished <much encores. Tony Bruno backs the returns to hefSe dS- classier) downtown Lotus Club un- show with fine eclat. This show Hon i n Jack E n t?a^ der new ownership. Davis is es- ends June 24 shuttering the nitery J. d 0 f Copa Room attractions ^ s ^* • G ^’ M?s e s HLeM°rB™ldwa% draw here because its his first -- —“Tamaira” Irpnt her off -the local Wa s hmgton nitery engagem'ent. Dallas boards, and her reappearance He s bee.n here^before for only a Da Ilas, June 16. should mean good news for the theatre in "he camtll^Hartcm Xoneln. Orrin Tucker Orch (13); casino, since she’s the type. star ineairc_in cne capital. s_ $2 -$2.50 cover who attracts well-heeled gamblers. area. • The big spot was an open-j v . *___ Clad in a shocking-pink form- caltoners-turnea , a^ lth E ° tentiaI Yonely, Rumanian comic-musi- {ttting evening gown, star was very c hftorners turnea away. dian who T,i ave d another hosnice effective for first-nighters as she . With , an entirely new service here four y ea j S ag0 is in his f irs t offered in her excitingly distinctive staff, (the familiar Chinese wait- style “Ring The Bell,” “Speak ere undet^^ prior ^^ Lotus ownership ^te f ana should ao „ « Teople will Say W eTe in are gqne), there werevsome nitial Love,” “Baubles. Bangles, and StMler-Hilton, Balias Dallas, June 16. After a two-year absence, Lena " Horae returns to her strong posi¬ tion in Jack Entratter’s potent pa¬ rade of Copa Room attractions. Miss Horne’s stint on Broadway in “Jamaica” kept her off the local boards, and her reappearance should mean good news for the . Yonely, Orrin Tucker Orch (13); casino, since she’s the type star :$2-$2.50 cover. who attracts well-heeled gamblers. *___ .Clad in a shocking-pink form- . Yonely, Rumanian comic-musi- fitting evening gown, star was very ician who played another hospice e ^ ec j ^ *P r fifst-mghters as she here four years ago, is in his first ° ff ? red 4( JP. her Zl cltw J^ S ls ^2 qtlv f Empire Room date and should do T be, Bell, __ Speak good biz in his two frames. Unique ^° w » „ , We re ^ comedian came on stage from the ^ove, Baubles, Bangles, and sen medley. She got extra warm sunaDie ume, dui mac can oe. wn-. ^ olin<1 af ran go, pius a Burxe & van neu- rected. Customers did discover SGr S. ed the room kudosed the sen mediey - she 8 ot extra warm that the new owners, the David wJd ^nd broueht ho wls ? ih the mitting for a piece of special mat- brethers, Fred, Edward and Henry, J l erial she wrote with Sid Shaw have an interesting menu: Davis fcr called “Don’t Commit The Crime.” is in for one^^^ weekftb .be followed■’ggLehnie Hayton smoothly guides by Jaye P. Morgan, her with his batoning of the An- It is a large room, and it has n tonio Morelll orch. been redecorated in a tasteful S.7. 5 ^!? * f m Corbett Monica, the handsome manner without being either flashy P ^ e C o m i n P «?&cHlate Yonelv standup comedian. makes of elegant There Is a large new ec0rain 8 articuiate, yonely his Vegas debut on this bill, and ele^tS^danfte’floor throws some ftne pne-hnere. He he clicks with solid impact. With fonnere plenty of^odmTr their Q ? 1 Satiating confidence and savoir abSittL-an^the Somers the backwards—with f airCf h is situation gags and one- same for fcStshuffling to the able tl ? e fr ets near hia neck. At the liners registers 100?' c as hefty yock ’nSiece G^n Hanson Orchestra ? iano be plays ^Tolonaise” with pullers. Monica is a strong asset Da vis is at his lSt R^CDtion two rubber softballs, and con- to any program, and is a good bet tinues the gags. He begs off after for early headline status. Stf Sohf 0n cfpiSil a 35-minute stint. Singer Harry Nofal with special- Orrin Tucker, back here with a ty terpers Evelyn Dptton and Roy r imUa«nnc e the show with a 10- Palmer dandily topline two new Si tune medley of Tucker waxings of Renne Stuart production number* the early 40ts. He and Betty Bark- featuring the comely Copa Girls. *® eS w 3a S e ?kV- ley handle the vocals. The crew, Show is skedded through July 21. aside from top showbacking, lures Duke. opener, and he sings many others leather nushers for tern ses- _ like “Gigi,” “Birth of the Blues,”^ PUS 1 1 P „ .. w , ^ , “Old Black Magic,” “Something’s June 2 4. followed bj HwnA’8, Lakh Tahfie Gotta Give” and “Night.and Day.v t he^AlS sSere ^) Md Sndy Lake Tahoe. June 16. Other acts make the show too S^diferVorrif ” ' >Bq£^ Rosemary Clooney, Birk Twins. long. Bob Melvin is a passable J5ana,ier s orgn< Randy Brown, Will Osbornes Orch comedian, subject to improvement ■ ■ ■ (10); $2 minimum. with better material. Maybin Hold MnemelMicli. K*U. -— Hughes is an attractive hoofer. Kansas City, June 19, On another time ’round the Harrak’s, Lake Takae Lake Tahoe, June 16. Rosemary Clooney, Birk Twins. Randy Brown, Will Osborne's Orch (10); $2 minimum. On another time ’round the Fontane Sisters (3 ),-Danny Fer- R«no-Tahoe area Rosemary . ■ “ \guson Orch ( 7 ); $1.50-$2 cover. Clooney again shows a stage i presentation and personality that 31 oulin Rouge* R n ood J can’t miss. All the way Miss Hollywood. June .19; . 1 Fontane Sisters make their in- Clooney is in command, ^Dorothy .OoUius, ._Dave Barry, .j^ a j hotel appearance in Kansas And for this.doable frame. Bill' - City with this date In the Terrace i Harrah has boohed the blonde o. lb.,- 0 .aj_pae. 0 fl.. iGrill Of .theKluehiebaeh. lTav-m 'w’th.the precise aero-rerp- rr, + r.-T- f . j' » ^ * 7 .... v-.. . : . , • mg Birk Iv.ms. and the cornfield .tne b.ll to tnemseives, t.icy hold co . neds . of Ralid> . Er0 „, n . For cac h Colons, ceniu p . ; .^. f 0r ^ 5 -.ininutes and worlc in nearly! 0 f the three acts. i:*s a debut at ^ to tlie custcnieri' thor- Ilarrah’s Lake Tahce -Club. . ?rc FranK Senncs cu.rrc?t o. -cring - .... . * at. the mammoth Moulin Rouse, i . v lfe ’ ;’ , , } n a oD-nimuie It*s a well-rounded bill tha^ s’ioidd j Singing is their; forte and they.j toire. Miss Ciconey, m a pink, lull- please the '• dicppper-in^r but* it'^ i quickly to it, reeling off an skirted creation, works, her chords doubtful if they’ll draw mucii bust- • °P e hins trio and rousing the cus- on variegated titles that include ness. ; . . tomers to generous applause. They ballads, the jump stuff, Dixie, and Miss Collins is a. talented .singer present their numbers in sets, a a selection from “Porgy and Bess” who makes for nice listening and group of recorded tunes that hav-e Filling the warmup spot is eyeing throughout her turn, which clicked for them, some on the soft Brown, an admitted “professional includes some side action with ahd sweet side, a pair in which Texan” working the full turn with her. choreographer-partner Bob they \vere . associated with Perry an incongruous prop—a ball on Herget. Her warbling on such Como, several old standards, and the end on a rubber band attached oldies as “How. High the: Moon,” a couple of novelties. Their long to-a ping pong paddle. He proves “It Could Happen To You,” “Don’t list of songs shows many high- talent with the simple prop and Sit Under the Apple Tree” are lights; among thdm at the open- his comball lines. He essays his bit strictly nostalgic and ring home ing show were “Jealous Heart,” while whacking the ball within with the fourist trade that fre- “Side by Side,” “Autumn Leaves” inches of various ringsiders’ noses quents. this spot. .and “Mention My Name in Sheboy- (and all the time with nifty asides), Barry’s material is antiquated gan.” They have looks and gowns and makes for aud participation in from overuse hut still has funny to match their high style singing a contest to see how many times tones. For those catching him for and keep the show tightly knit. two tablers enticed onstage can hit Tn fho-coifS? The sisters have drawn the as- the ball without missing. ere^ that h have^'sa ? 9 th r^oueh signment for the finale of the Taking second spot are the Birk urevious 1 sessions it’s aU reDeat s P r ^ n 8 season, the Grill closing for Twins, -young, talented, and previous sessions, it s all repeat the summer after June 27. It’s smooth. The duo offers some In a 13-title. . v,vw ,, ^ rD-mmuie reper- ft’s a weTi^roiiiidcd^' wu"that-':^fpidd !■ ■’■ Singing is their; forte and. they.j toire. Miss Clooney, in a 'pink, full- please the dropppr-in^r but' ' quickly to it, reeling off an j skirted creation, works, her chords ioubtful if they’ll draw mucii bust- ^P en i n 3 trio and rousing the cus- on variegated titles that include stuff ' me summer alter o.une its Pollock’s (quicker-than-fhe-eye) due to reopen in September, hand movements bring:the usual wuin. “How does he do it?” gasps from the crowd. Example is the bit of Slifimreck Riltoil. H*Sl*n pulling one pigeon after another Houston, June 16. pulling one pigeon after another Houston June 16 Backing show is the Will Os- out of nowhere while flipping his n„ na nw rni; r*ni; 1)01716 orch, With Buddy Cole con- mitts through a deck of cards ducting while Miss Clooney is on. which appear and disappear. It’s phep Fxelds Orch (12), no cover jj e a is 0 departs the 88s for one unique balancing routines, precise terping, and good visual effect. It is a far-above-average acro-terp display. Backing show is the Will Os¬ borne orch, With Buddy Cole con- Fine . jazz stylists. Page Cava- number,: .VThe Big Ben Beat,” con- naugh Trio brings top music to tinues t? .stand out cotorfuny. The opening at Shamrock Hilton’s In- only criticism of this bit Is that , .. . ~ Arden should allow his. gal danc- :t e . r °ational Club. Group s arrange- ers to smile a little more. ments run from progressive jazz Steuben's, Boston Boston, June 16. all effective arid, went over favor- \r T minimum..- taridem vocal with the headliner, ably. ■ Show runs through June 28. Donii Arden’s , only production Fine , jazz stylists. Page Cava- Long. number,: “The Big Ben Beat,” con- naugh Trio brings top music to -- tinues to stand Oilt colorfully. The onenine at Shamrock Hilton’<? Tn- —,' „ only criticism of this bit is that OP™'”? « Snamroclc Hiltons In Tw- Ho«e, PlMsfeu-gh Arden Should allow his. gal danc-. : te . ro ational Club. Group s arrange- Pittsburgh, June 17. ere to smile a little more. ments run from progressive jazz Erroll Garner, Bev & Jack Palm- Kafa. to just plain lively beats such as er, Eddie Crowe , Ralph DeStefano '- 7 . J. ; ■■ _ in begoff “Day. In, Day Out” Page Orch (6); %2 cover. Steuben's, Boston - . 1 is backed vocally and instrumental- , * 1 nhc+An Tiino ir ' , , w . v • a, -a. ? Erroll Garner w r as packing rooms nf ly by. Rod Leftwich on the guitar in Pittsburgh in 1944—small, in- m T^rff^^nnf'nS- ^ndJim Bates on bass. Shep Fields timate jazz rooms. He was anun- nrZh h)?*i rS ^t! 1 ’ to ^ ^ bandstand for kr l0wn scale musician that too few y B 9 rchr ( 5) , $2.50 mini- eight weeks, fills .certain high spots outside his home area. Now munv in the trio’s arrangements for a at the blush Town House, Garner tt-Tnifo r.,. musicaU y half-hour or so. is presenting one of the finest Giwanni^who ^smUinlly extracts E g y Ptian-born Gali-Gali, does 30 piano acts ever staged and hitting wallett whin? oF wafches. belts minutes of sleight-of-hand with a both the purists and the tourists, rimi susDradere froi^unsusTCctirm .flair arid freshness. Wearing a red At show caught, everyone in the and dressed in a flowing gold happy capacity crowd couldn’t-get •ss^atSndW i;?, d piano boss in his and Max Schneider’s nitery for-the Wlong stmt. - season. In for two frames, Dr. G. marked currency appear inside an House emcee Eddie Crowe, ex- goes through his paces with a apPa^ntly .unopened^^orange. Ma- Hilltoppers, had the room roaring group of volunteers from the aud. 8ician carries on running legerde- his. takeoff on film personali- Heller & Helene,, slick terp team main with live chicks and an egg ties in the opening slot. Terp dud from , the western territory win on °F 6 h e .Cking \nth clever stunts Bev & Jack Palmer set the stage all counts with nifty exhib of class right to ms begoff. right for the Garner session. Ralph ballroom and latin; terperoo. ; The Gaylords and Lucille 8c DeSiefano’s orch played for the :. Smoothly bowing over the floor, Eddie Roberts move in June 25 first two acts and took good care tall dark haired lad and diminutive } for a pair of frames. Skip. J of the dance time. Len.