Variety (Apr 1930)

Wednesday, April 30, W30 NIGHT CLUBS VARIETY «7 No Cover Charge by Road Houses Around New York This Summer As predicted In "Variety" during the winter, there will be no coveur charge Imposed by the road houses with name bands or floor entertain- ment around New York this sum- mer. Indicator is the Pelham Heath Irtn, lately opened with Vincent iiopez. It's on th© Pelhani road, op- posite the Castillian Garden which opens tomorrow (Thursday) night, also without a coveur tax. Pelham Heath, seating 500, has a 15-plece Liopess orchestra as the sole attraction, with Vince leading, the leader doubling with the Hotel St. Regis downtown. A printed notice on table states the Pelha,m Heath expects the mininiunA check of eacii guest will be not less than }2'. after theatre on week days, and $3- over the week-end. During the dinner hour, when a table d'hote is'sold at $2,50 per, the minimum check of the a la carte patrons must go to $1.50. Another notice is along the pro- hibition line, as Pelham Heath and probably none of the no-coveur road places will sell. They say liquor is really a small part of the volume gross a road house should do and it's not worth the worry or annoy- ance selling brings. Gene Geiger. Is operating the Pelham, Other Waivers John and Christo's Pavilion Royale on th© Merrick road. Long Island, already has announced the abandonment oi a coveur charge this summer. The new Hollywood up Pelham way with Paul White- man's band at $11,000 weekly and a capacity of 2,500, also will waive all coveur charge. The coveur charge on the road had. been looked upon as so much Chas. A. . Rudy LINDBERGH &VALLEE Rulen ct the Air Kudy Tallee, Bajah of Ilia lUdlo, la America's Broadca'aUne Idol because be ploys and slues the tunes his listeners lore. Bo, «o. almost tnvrf Vallee pro- gram you're almost sure to bear him mako the air waves la; "THE IS LOW" MOON "BLUE IS THE NIGHT" INS Music CoRFQRiU'iON \ I IKpBBI gravy in the past. It has been $1 or $1.50 with a slight week-end tilt, expected to pay off for the band and floor show, with a profit left. StifiC competition up the Pelham road Is expected to draw a consider- able trade in the warmer weather. Road men say there must be com- petition to create business, pointing to Castillian Garden this winter. "With every road, house on the Pelham parkway shut during the winter, through padlock or other- wise, Castillian, alone in th© field, also had to close after New Tear's due to no busines^. For years -the -Pelham road In winter. had -been ■ one of th^ play- grounds of tlie New York downtown nite lifers.- Joe Pani will open his Woodman- sten Inn, Pelham Road, May 3. Eniil Coleman's band will supply the dansapation. Organ Judgment at Harlem Colored Cab Robert Morgan Organ Co. filed a judgment for $7,6.64 in the N. T. 'Su- preme Court Saturday against George and Connie Immerman, be- cause they refused to accept and pay for a. $6,000 organ purchased- for Connie's Inn In Harlem. , The answ.er. alleged the organ was improperly constructed and useless to the defendants, as it could not be installed in the Inn, but they de- faulted at the trial and judgment for the full, amount was entered; ' Sues Wagner for $124 Tonlka Frese, pianist, has insti- tuted proceedings to recover $124 from John Wagner, who produces the floor shows at the E3verglades. Sh© claims that when Wagner was rehearsing a floor show for the Everglades, he requested her to play at the ivories during the re- hearsal period. This, sh© alleges through her attorney, Hyman Em- erson, sh© did for 10 days without being paid for her services. Wagner made a general denial. Mamie Kelly in N. 0. Panama City, April 29. Mamie Lee Kelly, who operates Kelly's Ritz, is en route to "New Or- leans where she will open a road- house for the summer period. Mrs. Kelly also operates the Ab- sinthe house. LEADING ORCHESTRAS DIRECTORY IRVING AARONSON and HIS COMMANDERS Featuring "RED STANLEY" and PHIL SAXE ROOSEVELT HOTEL HOLLYWOOD, CAL. FROM DETROIT IJEAN GOLDKETTE Orchestras VICTOR BBCOBDB Office: 812 Book Tower DETROIT * VINCENT LOPEZ and His ORCHESTRA ST. REGId HOTEL New Tsrk City \ GEORGE OLSEN AND HIS MUSIC THE PLANTATION CULVER CITY, CAL. VICTOR RECORDS I ANSON WEEKS AND HIS ORCHESTRA Now In Thirds T«ar at tbe HOTEL MARK HOPKINS Ban Francisco COLUMBIA BECORDS California Collegians, Inc. NOW Featured in "Fifty Million Frenchmen" and Don Dickerman's Daffydil New York City TAL HENRY and His ORCHESTRA Victor Recorda Warner Bros.-Vitaphone Artists JExclniilT« MaBacencnt Orchestra Corp. of America 1650 Broadway. New York B. A. ROLFE I Radio's Premier Conductor Lucky Strika Danca Orehattra Palaia D'Or Restaurant Orchestra Bdlaan Ac« Becordlac Oreheitra Ray Walker's Radiolians with DALT and MASON and BAM IXETCHER'B KETCE SECOND TEAR AT HAMILTON CHATEAU NORTH BERGEN, N, J. PAUL WHITEMANI And His Greater Orchestra Watch for -KING OF JAZZ" (Universal Picture) rcrsoiml Rep.: JAS. T. CIJXESnE OLSEN'S„ (Hollywood) ..^ Hollywood, April 24. Many a band leader \vai<.-hing what win become of this roadhouso effort, because the boys arc wor- ried. 1£ you're Interested in' bands at air you have noticed that the various "name" units have slowly been drifting -west jfor the past VI montlis. Everybody with nine line.s over the side of the boat trying to hook on to something. I£ Olsen puts this renovated Plantation where he wants It there's apt to be another avalanche of •"jernts" in Uiis district. Pictures bring the band leader and his flock to southern California. If there's no film connection it's , not so funny. Comes an immediate search for an "out." . They can't go east, they've just come from there and no use going back. So it's the Pacific Coast or Europe, with this area the first try and a staggering jump, fai-e if saxes across the sea is tlie only solution. iFred Waging has a show in town, which Is building a little; Ben Bernie opens at the Montmartre, on Hollywood boulevard, Monday nigiit (28),, and Olsen has a tiSO-capacity roorti the other side of Culver City housing 16 girls plus specialty acts. And in a town where 11 p. m. llnd.s 80% of a night'club's clientele, phy- sli-'iilly froggy' from unadulterated work. A lot of admiration around for Olsen's nerve on going after his hunch in an elaborate manner. But admiration.- doesn't pay off and It's a question if the college bunch can hold up the .place on " the $1.50 couvert week nights so that tlie $2 week-ends supply the velvet. What nights and hours the picture mob are going to find to drop in is anyv body's guess. That's the main rea- son ■ the • Roosevelt -lobbyites pay deference to Olsen's moral fibre and think he's on the short end of a long bet. Quotations on the Interior decora- tion cost list at anywhere from $30,- 000 to $60,000 .-with Olsen calling out Jack' Shulze for a bo-w opening night due to the" latter having designed and decorated free of charge, according to announcement. That designing business is Shulze's rack_gt over at Fox. Tfie big room Is now futuristic in black, silver, and red. Olsen has 18 boys on the stand and besides the 16 girls, there's Ethel and Jack Shutta, Murphy and Johnson, Bill O'Neill, ^and ' Jack Lester, who pounds plenty of tioof besides shar^ ing credit on' the dance numbers with Eddie Beck from Chicago's Rainbo Gardens. So that is a nut, and -whoever- thinks It's. - easy to crack—come to California Nothing new about the Plantation as a place. It blossomed - into be- ing some seven oi* eight'-years a'go and, to the bunch at large, it's a land hiai-k. At least they all kno-w where it is. How often they're go- ing to go there is Olsen's worry. On one beach route you've got to go by it. But this Is April. Program is, to open around,? or 7:30 and run the show intermittently until attendance begins to make it' look like a rehearsal. There'll be no booze and the collegiate faction will have to order more than ginger ale and a sandwich to make' Olsen's sleep a pleasure. Opening night there were 720 reservations at $15 a smash with a surprising lack of picture promi- nents present. Most of the New York end turned out but it's the studios which will decide this future. Those New Yorkers who haven't a studio connection aren't going to night clubs. Following an invitation dress re- hearsal night (Tuesday), the show ran smoothly and well "Wednesday. The girls are becomingly costumed besides which they work easily on the floor and eyes. "Say It "With Girls" and "Everybody Loves You, California" (d'yu think Olsen's crazy?) dovetailed for an opening, after which Murphy and Johnson floated through an extremely smooth waltz and followed by wowing with a fox trot. According to this night's debut it doesn't look as if the east will see these two kids again In a hurry. It's a long hop in space and time since this couple tried out at the Montmartre, over the "Winter Garden, in New York. And they've traveled Just as far In their work. Which isn't so bad for a lass who was the belle of Detroit's debs and a lad who figured he'd met every cop in New Haven after two years as a Yale freshman. Pair do tap.s now. Taps that are taps. Bill O'Neill's debut lasted through four songs. Room Is big enough to permit Bill to let go with those pipes and O'Neill isn't in the habit of keeping a song a secret. Bill, Incidentally, is one of those ."lingers who has never studied vccal. He splits billing on that with Paul Frawley. Just a couple of natural voifes, but you can't .get them to- gpthor in' an automobile any more. William took his high note and Paul into a ditch the other day and al- most ruined Frawloy's golf for the .summer. Mi.ss Shutta strutted one nnrnhf-r "Puttln" on the Rltz," Into action but If'ft It flat after a verse and two choi-u.sfi.'!, the girls carrying on. That's about thfe only fla.sh the cus- tomers -will- havo~ojt—Mi^s, .OJsen. However, the family is being roin-o- sented and taken care of by Jacl\ Shutta, who comedy doubles with Murpliy and joins the band in tlieir minstrel routine. A military tap again turns looso the girls, working up to a tiniiU^ witlv the, brass section blaring forth V. C.'s football chant. Meanwhile Lester has hard shoed his way to i, acclaim and goes that elTort oui better a little later. This hoy can hoof and had the stage bimoh try- ing to remember his origin. Cantor, Eddie, was present as ex- pected for gags and a couple of songs. A pre-pren)iore conference evidently smothered the Olsen- Cantor habit of calling people from the tables. Not a thing the rriatter with the place, sho-w, or music. Location? It's out-a little way, bvit they drive to San Berdou (70 miles) for pre- views out here. If Olson's latest try doesn't get over it's just Los- Angeles and pictures. Siff. EvelpNesbit In Panama at $250 a Month B way Chatter (Continued from page 52) found in some buildings in the thea- trical district." J. Wesley Hamer, former d.e. on Hearst's "American," is running Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn. Re ported cleaning up $75,000 annually with that fight club and dance hall. iBilly Montgomery wouldn't rejoin Bill Morrlssey for his current "Folles ■ Bergere Revue" at Ganse voort, claiming he'd fed up on play Ing benefits. Gerald Mannes finally dug up a champ heavyweight prospect. An Immediate match had to be called off as the scrapper had to submit to a light operation. In the Adele Ritciiie stories the dailies revived Miss Ritchie's one- time sub title. "Dresden China Doll." Another "Dresden Doll" of a slightly later period was May Ward. One of the deposed critics on an unimportant New York dally says he wouldn'j take instructions, so had tc» take air. The business dept. Not Shuberts. Honest! Philly Bright Spots (Continued from page 10) as house got same figure Holy Week. Right now It Is. becoming increas- ingly difficult to find pictures strong enough for runs In Philly. One big, outstanding exception to the generally, disappointing trade of the week was the Fox, which re- ported $38,000 or better with "High Society Blues." Crackerjack busi- ness. Held over. Erlanger also did rather -jycll with "Ladies of Leisure" following four or five very bad weeks. This one got about $19,000, $7,000 up from previous week's fiijure. Estimates for Last Week. Mastbaum (4,800; 35-50-75)— "Honey" (Par). Critics not enthu- sia."3tlc and expected Easter Week boom did not transpire. Only up $4,000 over Holy Week to hit $40,- 000. Stanley (3,700; 35-50-76)—"Ladies Love Brutes" (Par). Bancroft's picture not draw expected; $18,000, up. Taken off after single week. Stanton (1,700; 35-50-75)—"Man Prom Blankley's" (WE). John Bar- Cristobal, Panama, April 29. Evelyn Nesbit is now -working for $250 a month, room and 20% commission at Bil^ray's cabaret here. She has the job for Just one month and is making three ap- pearances a night. ' She opened here last week after a month at Kelly's R}tz in Panama, where she got $400 for the monthly stipend. While at Panama Miss Xesbit, who came here -with the Three Jays, a trio of youthful blonde dancers, was unable to make an Impression With the natives. Management fig- ured her entirely as draw for the tourists who hit the town about eight days a month. rymore film liked by critics but not by fans. Only single week to less than $14,000, Fox (3,000; , 90)—"High Society Blues" (Fox). Best busiiiess house has had in„ some time. Soared to $38,000 or little more. Gain of $10,- 000. Held, over. Erlanger . (1,900; 50-75)-^"Laaie3 of Leisure" (Col). First picture this house has been ablo to hold In for second week in some time; $19,- 000 reported. Aldine (1,500; $1)—"Mammy" (WB) (1st week). Al Jbl.son picture opened mildly. Around $10,000, Run limited. Boyd (2,400; 35-50-75)—"Hold Everything" (WB) (1st week). Quite good at $23,000. May make three-week stay, but doubtful. Karlton (1,000; 60)—"Spring Ja' Here" (WB). Not so forte. Around $6,000, les.g than Holy Week. Earle (2.000; 60-76) "Lady In Love" (M-G-M), Average. Sophie Tucker on stage helped; $20,000. fdx-Locuat (1,800; $1.60)—"Sonff o' My Heart" (Fox) (4th Week). Ended very disappointing run Sat- urday. No upward thrust after Lent. Around $7,000. I A CHOP HOUSE OF EXCEPTIONAL MERR 156-8 WEST 4STH STREET - KmI •! Broadway SAw. Joe L. Pani Announces the Opening of Willianubridge Road and Pelham Parkway New York City Next Saturday Night, May 3 With EMIL COLEMAN'S ORCHESTRA MRS. JESSE CRAWFORD ORGANIST PARAMOUNT THEATRE, NEW YORK, PLAYING "STRIKE ri* TIIR It4NI>" "TiiKaK'.s i).an(;t-;k is vock kyks, (iikkik" "sing yor sinnthw" "O.N THK KI.N.NY bIDK O*" TlIK KTJIKKX" "I'l^L KBE YOU AOAIN"