Variety (September 1960)

Wednesday, September 14, 1960 PAKIETY S3 BRENDAN BEHAN Bonis '• 10 Mins, Jager House, N. Y. Irish playwright Brendan Behan Js apparently more Inhibited about going on for a scheduled stage performance than he is about put¬ ting on an impromptu show from the orchestra of a legit .house or for that matter some of the pubs he’s, frequented overseas. But, as lie’s emphasized in the overwhelm- ihg newspaper coverage:, accorded him since his arrival in New.York about two weeks, ago—he’s off the gargle. It was when he was on the sauce: that he ..attended London perform¬ ances of his play, “The Hostage/’; and, as a member of the audience, heckled the proceedings on stage with boisterous comments. That, it seems, is all behind him now, as evidenced by the sober manner in which he conducted himself last Friday night (9) when making a per s o n a 1 appearance at Hairy, McGuirk s Jager H o u s e in the Yorkville section of New York. An ad in last Friday’s N. Y. Daily News stated that the play¬ wright would appear, at the jager. House that evening and the press- agent for the. one-shot affair in¬ formed the newspapers and maga¬ zines that Behan would go on at 10:30 p.m. and that he would sing some songs and possibly make some comments about New York. Behan \\ eht on in the upstairs. ballroom.. but not until 12:10 a.m., and then only for 10 minutes. . When Behan finally did appear; he-made an introductory speech' in Gaelic to the predominantly Irish: udicnce^ comprised mostly of ■ youths who had! plunked down $2; a head to dance to the music of a. six-piece combo. It’s doubtful whether many in the crowd got his opening message, but they gave him a rousing welcome just the trim. ’ ; Behari,. w ho used a mike for his intro, dramatically discarded the instrument to sing two Irish num¬ bers, which. because of the lack, of amplification, were hardly audible beyond the immediate confines of the rfrige. But, then in a demon-, stration of show biz savvy, he picked up the mike . again for a: “Molly -Malone” sing-along, which went over big with the ballroom f)opr standees i there ; were no., seats *tt up except for the press). In parting, Behan made a pitch for . “The Hostage,” which . opens next/Wednesday c21) at the Cort Theatre, N. Y: The dancing re¬ sumed after his- departure. On the basis, of his 10-minute perform¬ ance, most of which was virtually inaudible, .it would be unfair, to comment on Behan’s ability as a * i n g e r: His prowess as. a play-: right, however; will undergo criti- eal scrutiny next week arid, who knows, if the play runs there’s al¬ ways the possibility he may show up at the theatre for another one c*f. those impromptu, performances. Jess-. LOBATO DANCERS (g) Dancing and Singing- 25 Ming. Caribe-Hilion, San Juan Hip-terping a n d. bare-bottom costuming have tourists iii the staid Caribe-Hilton room gawking, but suave production makes it a natural for big stateside rooms/ Act is complete show , with cprps (8), leading dancer Neiida Lobato, femme singer Wanda Curtis, ate bongo drummer Jack Del Rio and com bi ned singer-daricer-emtee- producer Eber Lobato, from Argen¬ tina. It has played : LA’s. Greek Theatre and the Sands, Las Vegas, .! blit never hit New Acts... Chorines, who in, show caught' re onstage about half the time, Avear shredded Robin Hood - tunics, elongated eye makeup and black hair pasted down to tips of their noses. Boys make do with vestigial bliick beards and. mandarin mustaches. ...Combined with far-out choreography, effect is weird but solid;,. Numbers include a pagan rite, a roaring ’20s bit, arid rock ‘n’ roll. When Nelidri is every thing else is incidental. She is poured in- to. hip-cut gold-lame that makes biki ‘ look modest,: with tights whose . seams, run . right \UP her shapely backside. For topside in¬ terest, she wears a silvery Louis , XIV wig . that emphasizes her j Bardot-type features. Her dancing : . makes heavy use of more : or less ! antiseptic bumps and manhandling | by the boys. Miss. Curtis., the intimate sirig- er’s intimate singer, sells her. bal-i lads soft arid low with occasional; ] though riot consistent/ hefty ini-; pact.. Lobato should probably not. sing at all, but his energy rind' enthusiasm, accompanied by siiriul- taiieous Gallic-style terping, de¬ velop good response. Jack Del. Rio sits-iri with local band except for solid solo spot. Ruby Lavecchia also, travels with act playing .fine piano and conducting for maximum effect. Harm. ously. She’s ft delightful performer with ft lot of promise, combining an elfin character, and a well- rounded sense of . humor that per¬ mits her to essay a rib of a femme beatnik, singing Tom Lehrer’s “Old Dope Peddler” in - the style of a delicate/ballad. /i Miss Gilbert hfts special material as well, which she handles expert¬ ly. Included is a blues based oh the forthcoming election, which is sung in an entertaining and non¬ partisan manner. A petite redhead, Miss Gilbert! seems like a good addition to the supper: club, circuits: She -has a sense of sophistication which en-. tertains even when, superimposed on more down-to-earth bits. She should have a feady market in. many branches of show biz. Jose. CLANCY BROS. & TOM MAKE*! ... »*> •' Folk Songs.-"' 40: Mins. One Sheridan Square* N.Y. The Clancys, Torn, Liam and Patrick, and Tom. Makem are as ..:>V-i?h, a Barry Fitzgerald but with better voices.. They make up a Solid folk singing quartet who are sure to spread out of this Green¬ wich Village showcasing into wider areas of. exposure. The folk field, is blossoming right rio\V arid . this gioup will have no trouble roiling along - with the boom, . AVith a guitar, fife and . full- throated voices, the boys develop ••'fin exciting song set that never lets up. during its 40-minute run, Bal¬ lads, jigs, rounds /and -drinking' songs fill up their session with a Variety, of. moods that - etantly pleasing. ’ Working together or soloing, the boys have the folk flair down pat and; build each item .into winning ririttgrabbers; “Kelley, the. Boy From Kilarn,” “Whistling Gypsy/'’ “The Moonshiner/' “Brennan on. the Moor/’; “The Weavers" arid “Firinegan’s Wake” are 'soine. of the standout numbers in their reper¬ toire. A Makem solo ori a cobbler’s song is a ..knockout that has: the audience shouting for additional verses/ Gros. NOEL HARRISON Songs, Guitar 15 Mins. Blue Angel, N. Y* Noel Harrison,. of Rex, is starting his show biz career on a different track.. He’s -a balladeer self-accoiriped on the guitar who ; sells his wares with charm. He’s a personable young mail. It is evident that Harrison is a newcomer. His. repertoire com¬ prises a wide selection, including songs, that used to be sung by street urchins ..arid sohie foreign tunes,' Which have the-virtue of be¬ ing familiar, easily digestible arid delivered in;the fresh mariner: of a parlor, singer entertaining ihe home folks. . Harrison makes a good start on /New York cafe audiences.;He shows [most- of, his good features inciiid- s ing an easy charin. Some of his riot tod worthy points is the basic naivete of his .numbers. The letter fault is more , easily correctible. He lias much to commend him, but the belter points, can only 'be-..-ac¬ centuated by considerably more; experience -with 1 audiences.. ’ Jose. . LOGAN ENGLISH Folk Sbngs 25 Mins. i One Sheridan Square, NY: I Logan English is a bright young I entry for . the folk arena. He’s got | an appealing way With a folk tune | that can bring in the audience on ! a happy singalong or keep’ the :l house quiet when he’s Working ! over a soft ballad.. j . Self-accomping on guitar, Eng-; . lish '.works through a wide reper¬ toire that’s priced for maximum impact. He’s especially effective, on a Woodie Guthrie ballad called “Pastures of Mind” and another moving item called “I Wish I Was a Mole in the. Ground/’ He is also able to make things festive arid gay with breezy accounts of “Whisky^ Whisky, Nancy' " and Guthrie> “Boll On Columbia ” .; . In the folk field, spread, English is a good bet for the intellectual hangouts and the concert area., Gros. BEVERLY MARSHALL With Don Kirk and Kenny Davis Songs, Dances, Comedy Panto¬ mime 20 Mins. Flamingo Hotel, Las Vegas When Joe E. Lewis closed three, days early ’ at the Flamingo due- to his N.Y. Copacabana date, Bev¬ erly Marshall / joined Andy Wil- lirims: With her new act which is delightful fare for any. nitery. The diminutive,, shapely Miss Marshall has a pixie quality in her facial expressions, and a hair¬ cut to match. Previously she was dancing partner to Barry Ashton, comedienne with' the otherwise male Make. Believes, pantomime ■record act, and toured .as terp and mime with Ted Lewis. Backed by male.. dancers Don Kirk and Kenny Davis, who blend ideally as a ..terim with, her/ Miss Marshall gets yocks with her irii- preshes of a flapper doing/, the Charleston, a beatnik, and a strip¬ per; on her wedding night. She bows, off with very funny mimes fronting Teeofdings of “Katie” and “Old Philosbphef.” Duke . VARIETY BILLS WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 14 NEW YORK CITY MUSIC HALL .Gary Morton ^ . Corps de Ballet G.W.U. Troubadors 1 Rockettes Kovach & Rabovsky I R. Paige Ore AUSTRALIA melbourhk Tivoli -June Brorihill Deldree Thurlow Howell Glynne: Raymond Nilsson John- Larsen Kevin Mills Robert Eddi Bruce William* John Godfrey Helinka De . Tarczinska Thea Phillips .. Renee Osbourne Douglas Stuchberry Ronald Austrom SYDNEY. Tivoli Lee Davis . Barney Grant.. Edith Dalil Coquettes Les Dandlnis. Rita Moreno & Ann Evelyn. Rose. Ulk & Maor Marie Claire Peter Crago Patricia Smith Eileen O’Connor Jimmy. Vaughan ADELAIDE Royal Nat Jackley Sonny Willia Sammy Curti* Seth Gee Jackie Dennia Trio Hoganaa Montego A Partner Wait* dt*. Rena Dahl Flat Topa Hi-Fi’s Dancing Fountaina Williams : Sr Shand Paula L an glands BRITAIN EARL HALL Comedy. 15 Mins. Camelot, NX i. A young comic whio has had some shots on television, Earl Hall needs, consider able buttressing iri , all. departments. His delivery is pallid, lacking the power rind vocal variety needed to hold a crowd even if the material were okay, In this. case, the material was way short of the mark arid Hall’s routine was virtually lost iii the shuffle : and buzz a few minutes after he opened. A couple of . sketches. he essays; includirig a; French duelling sequence and -a I takeoff on a Western sage, had little thrust. His onejine. attempts were . even more futile.: And His windup [folk-type song, done with a stutter, [should be the ve^ first thing he 'cuts out:in a much-needed whole¬ sale revision of his tur . Herm, - BLACKPOOL Opera HbuH Tommy Steel* Alina Cogan Eddie Calvert Wise Guys Sid Millward Wally Stewart Nitwit* Harbers & Dale Mathurins May Warden. Freddie Friiiton Cliff Adams Singers Malcolm Goddard Dancers . Palace Harry Secombe Ruby Murray Harry Worth . Bob Williams. Amazing. Marvyn Roy. Skylons Max Russell Palace Dancing. Lovelies . Tower Circus Charlie Cairoli & Co. Bob Gerry Troupe Five Amnndis Knie’s Chimpanzees Myrons I Fattini I Schaller Brothers Two Balcombea Three Houcs ,. Cycling Therons King Kong. Gerd Siemonelt Knie’s Elephants Knie’s Horses & Ponies Our Sammy Little Jimmy Circusettes Winter Garden Boh Monkhouse I Peters Sisters Jerry. Desmond* Rob Murray Kazbek * Zarl Trotter. Brother* Trio' Vitalites Candlelight Lovelies Michael Adrian Hector Rosa John Citroen John Rutland Victor Lucas Peter Thornton June Sylvaine BRIGHTON Hippodrome Dickie Valentin* Terry Scott Sally, ogah Joe Henderson r Dennis Spicer pting Dancers Charles Ancaster Roy Sone Ann Bennett . Janet Brunell . Wish Mary Hunt Barbara Thornton GORDON TRIO Dance. 13 Mins. Chaudiere, Ottawa Two femmes and a male, Gordon Tri ' short , on terp ability but sells on sex. The fernme pair-one short and dark, other tall and blorid ---are: lookers, costumed arid choreographed to riiake the most of feminine features. Staging is. nice arid. as. far as tnale customers are coricerned, the girls only have to keep iriovirig; Stint is okay for nitery filler. ■ Gorm. Cabaret Bills NEW YORK CITY BARBARA GILBERT Songs 14 Mins. Blue Angel, N, Y. Batbara Gilbert, until recently, an understudy in “Fiorello/’ is launching her cafe career auspici- Apollo. X. V. Dinah Washington ’, . '‘Bitter Earth” revue with Petri Lee Trio, Dell St. John , Ray Sineade Jr., Dolores Golem , Dinah-Mites . (2), Celeste Robinson,Willie Lewis, GhorUs Cuties ( 5), Lady Bird, Rue- ben Phillips ■ Band (13); “Young Guns” iA A). . Birdland Buddy Rich All- Stars • . . Horace Silver 8 Afro-Jazziacs ; Basin St. East Eetty Hutton Charlie Shavers. 8 Blue Ansel Shelley Berman Noel Harrison. Barbara Gilbert Jimmy- Lyon 3 Boh Solr Tony & Eddie Phyllis DiUer. 3 Flames.. Jimmie. Daniels .. Camelot Vic" Damone Earl Hale Page Cavanaugh Dick Stabile Oro Chardas. Lili France Tibor Rakossy Dick Marta Bill: Yedler Elemer Horvath . Chateau Madrid Fernanda Romero Hanna Ahroni . r Bob McFadden Los Guaracheros J & M Iimperia. Ralph Font Ore Paiichito Ore Copacabana Joe E. Lewis. Trude Adams. Johnny D’Arc Bonnie Marie Paul Shelley . Ore Frank Marti ..Ore . Embers. Dorothy Donegan. Lee Evans 3 . Hotel Astor Eddie Lane Ore Hotel Pierre “Merry Widow” Jimmy Carroll Ronnie Cunningham Larry Douglas Wilbur Evans Victoria Sherry Stanley Melba Ore Joe Rioardel Ore Hotel Plaza Jacqueline Francois Ted Straeter Ore CuiTent show at this 'Harlem vauder^’ has an uneven pace and some loose jproductiori. giriimickrj% but brings off some genuine ex¬ citement .via - the extraordinary talents of ; some of the acts. . Singer Dinah Washington, who scouted several of performers herself, emcees , and takes three ballad turns.' lending her . fine, raspy blues style to diskclicks from. “What a Difference a Day Makes” (Continued ori ; page 62) M. Monte’s Con¬ tinentals Hotel Tatt Vincent Lopez Ore Hotel St. Regie Fernanda Montel Milt Shaw Ore Walter Kay Ore International Eddie Garson Andrea Jaffe Ralph Lowe Mary Ryhal Phil Black Mike Durso Ore Avila Ore Latin Quarter “Holiday in Japan” Jo Lombardi ore B Harlowe Ore Living: Room Cab Calloway Karen - Chandler Bobby Cole 3 No. 1 Fifth Av« Harry Noble Fied Silver Elly Eden ..Roundtable Red Nichols. Cootie Williams Jean DuKcmp Sahbra Arie Lavie Rena &. Zahava Yeffeth Yemen Singers Leo Auld Viennese. Lantern Monica. Boyar Ernest Schoen Harold Sandler Ore Paul Mann Jerry Troppi Village Barn George Hopkins Carol Ritz S it J Jenkins Piute Pete Bill Cimler Lou . Harold Ore Village Gat* Geoffrey Holder Village . Vanguard Gerry Mulligan Bernie Peiffer ' Waldorf-Astoria Rosemary Clooney Sidney Kassimir Violinaires Emile Coleman Ore. Bela Babai Ore CHICAGO Blue Angel. Mighty Panther “Calypso Voodoo” MarUza & Lationgo Tina Montez Camille : Yarbrough Jamaica Slim King George Tino Perez Ore Conrad Hlltori “Persian Paradise* Shirley Winter BiU Christopher Frederick & Gina Max Patkin Ron Urban. Byrd & Janine Gay Claridge Ore Boulevar-Dearst Boulevar-Dons td). Drake Myron Cohen Jimmy Blade Ore Gat* of Horn Bob Gibson . . London House Tyree Glenn 4 Audrey Mortises Eddie Higgins Mister Kelly’s Felicia Sanders Buddy Lester Marly Kuninstein : Marx. & Krigo Palmer Ho.uso Sid Caesar Paul Reed Johnny Haymer Marion Colby Raye & Roman Ben Arden Ore Trade Winds Buddy Hackett Rose Hardaway Joe Parnello. 3 LOS ANGELES Band Box Billy Gray Rev “My Fairfax Lady* Evelyn Sharp* Bert Gordon Parris Sisters Mildred Sc Jimmy Mulcahy Ben ftlue*s Ben Blue Sonny Sands Cully Richards Jules Savoy Dona Adams Joan Kayne Joan Elliot Richard Cannon Ivan Lane Ore 15) Clre’s Diana Dors Clolstar Earl Grant Traian Boyer Gerl Galian Cocoanut Grove 'Pearl Bailey Show* Louis Bellaon Crescendo Count Basie Ore Joe Williams Dlno’s Joan Dixon Jack Elton Steve La Fever Interlude Bobby Short Irwin Corey Moulin Rouge Olivette MUler’a “Highlights of Har¬ lem” (AH-Negr# Musical 60) Slate Bros. Jack Douglas Reiko Gua Bivona Trio Statler Hotel “Playmates of *60" Skinnay Ennis Or* Ye Little Club Janie McFadden Kenny Miller LAS VEGAS Desert Inn Louis Prima Keely Smith Donn Arden Dncra Carlton Hayes Ore Michael Kent Dave Apollon Milt Herth Henri Rose 3 Frankie Laine Ford A Reynolds Pamela Dennia Novelites Bill Reddie Ore El Cortes Joe Sanle 4 Don Corey Ike Carpenter Don Friend Irene Keller Ftammg* Joe E. Lewis Andy Williams .Sarah Vaughan Harry James Barry Ashton Dncra Jack Cathcart Ore Fremont Hotel Jet* Satellites Bob A Sylvia Joe King Golden Nugget Lee A Faye May¬ nard Sons of Gold’n Wat Hacienda Four Tunes Johnny. Olenn Keynotes Mint Merry Macs Harry Babbitt Ginny Jackson Kay Martin Hoyt Henry Ore Nevada Club Smokey Stover Edi Domingo Anita De Castro Royal Tahitians Johnny Paul Los Latinos . New Frontier Larry Alpert N, Brandwynne Ore “Oriental Holiday” Billy Eckstine. Trenlers Kathy Ryan Riviera “Destry Rides Again” Gene Barry Monique Van Vooren Lionel Hampton Ray Sinatra Orch Lionel Hampton On Sahara Teresa Brewer Dave Barry Don Rickies Moaernaires Characters Louis Basil Ore. Sands Sammy Davis Jr. Bob Melvin Morrey King Bobby Cole Trio Garr Nelson Copa Girls Antonio Morelll On Jan August ~ Shownoat Harry Ranch Johnny Cash Mer’e Travia Silver Slipper Hank Henry Faith Dane Sparky Kaye Red Marshall Danny Jacobs Dick Weston Charlie Teagarden Don Sahtora Geo. Redman Or* Stardust Lido De Paris “Ca C’est L’AmouK* Roberta Linn Hawaiian Revue Thunderblrd “Follies on Ice* Leny Eversong Chaz Chase A1 Jahna Ore Gene Rains Fred A Marcy Millionaires Troplcana Folies Bergere Jerry Colonna Frank Moore 4 Channing Pollock Shecky Greene MlAMI-MtAMI BEACH . Americana Ross Trio Pupi Campo Ore Bar of Musk Bill Jordan Gina Wilson Sue Lawton Steve Hunter Carillon “Folies Francalse” Harry Mimmo Elisa Jayne Darryl Stewart Jacques Donnet Ore Deauville Henry Levine Ore Cwen Bari A Co. Sacasas Ore Eden Roe Mai Malkin Ore Jackie Heller Rascha RcdeU Luis Varona Ore Damito Jo Everglades Roof Underwater Ballet 'Stars of Tomorrow* Don McGrane Ore Fantainbleau Extravaganza Latina Freddy Calo Ore Len Dawson Ore Murray Franklin'S 'Paul Grey Kay Karol Dick HaviHand Frankie Kyera CaroUy Eddie Bernard Murray Franklin Singapore Snuffy Miller Florence Mayo Lisa Wood Jack Mayo Hal Rader Ore RENO-TAHO E Bal Tabarin Harry Ranch Jo Ann Jordan Jack Schafer Cal. Neva Lodge Dean Martin Art A Doddy Todd Sonny King Marty Melr.ick Ore Golden Bell Boys Edmond Sis Apollos Harold's Club Rusty Draper Freddie Morgan LAE Roberts Harreh's {Tahoe) Benny Goodman Andy Williams Taylor Dancers Peter Gladke Marge A Cherle Mary Kaye Trio Arthur Ellen Belasco 4 Skeets Monton Leighton Noble Or# Harrah's <Rano) Ray Anthony Tony Pastor Wade Ray Cooper Sis Nob Hill 4 Joy & Bov* Pat Cooper Holiday De Castro Sis Gene Rains Joyce Aimee Charles Gould Mapes Lili St. Cyr Dick Shawn Sherman Dancers Jack Melick Ore Riverside Ice Arama McCuskers RAD Plank Ed Fitzpatrick' Or# SAN FRANCISCO Blackhawk Cal Tjader Pack's Duke Ellington Fairmont Hotel Hl-Lo’s E. Heckscher Ore Gay 90's Ray K. Goman .Be A Ray Goman Reba Brown Hangover Eddie Ligglns Earl Hines Ore Louis N’ye Limeliters Olga Sbragia Jazz Workshop Jobn Coltrane - Moulin Roug* Patti White Oscar Cartier Donna Kaye Susan Stephens Maynard Meyer Ore On the Levee Kid Ory Ore Purple Or.lon Smothers Bros. Fretmy Paris Mel Yeung 345 Club Ben Wrigley Larry Grayson Marge Cameron Max A Cherie ueorge Zprk Barry Ashton Boy Palmer Ore